What 2010 had for the Barton Bunch..

What a year....

The year 2010 was a very special year for us. Last January we hit the road and moved to North Carolina. We had no idea what this state had for us, except that our baby girl was on the way. We moved here eight months pregnant and knew no one! YIKES… I found a doctor quickly and had our baby girl in March of last year. After a very tough delivery and recovery our little Mia was her and has changed our lives completely. She has added so much to our lives. She has taught me so much about sacrifice and love. Being a  parent has forced me to really rely on God daily. I need him so much. I desire to teach her compassion and kindness and am determined to be a good MOM. Through my love for her I can understand Gods love in a new way.

This year also has brought many other challenges. One of them was my health and state of mind after having Mia. I hit a very low point and wondered and really asked God, Will I ever have my health back. No need to get into the details of it all, I am just happy to say that on January 1 2011, I got the report from the doctor that I am totally healed, and my lab tests were great. I am so happy to have my health back. My family has learned that sickness can really challenge us as people and make us rely on God even more. We also found out this year that my Mom had Breast Cancer. Thankfully she caught it early. She has had a very tough time. She finished all of her Chemo treatments and we are so close to having this Cancer behind us. She is going to have a full recovery and be able to move past all of this. She is so excited to get better so that she being an Awesome Gammy to her two grand babies. 2010 gave our families two babies. I am happy to say that I became an Aunt in 2011, and our little Clay is here. He looks just like his Daddy, and has the personality of my sister. We have had so much fun getting to know this little boy these last three months.

2010 also was the year that I celebrated my five year Anniversary with Reed. We are so thankful for each other. Now do not get me wrong, there have many hard days, but we know that we are meant for each other and cannot wait to see what 2011 holds for our families. One thing that we do now is that NC has been good to us and Reed has a great job here. Due, to this blessing we are building a house here and are really excited. It will be done this summer.

After a year that like this, I just sit back and say, WOW, I have much to be thankful for….. I have been able to spend some time reflecting and the verse that comes to me for this next year is Luke 12:48. It says, “From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked.”

I know that God has given me much, and much is demanded for me. My prayer is that God would show me what I am to do this year to reach out to others in their time of need. This year I want to be aware of what it means to be a true encourager! This last year I needed Joy and encouragement like never before. God brought so many awesome people in my life exactly when I needed them and it meant so much to me. I want to do the same this year… I do not know exactly what 2011 has for this Barton Bunch, but I am confident that God will always be there, and his love is everlasting. I leave you all with his verse for this next year….

Jeremiah 29:11-19

¹¹ For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. ¹² In those days when you pray, I will listen. ¹³ If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me. ¹⁴ I will be found by you,” says the Lord. “I will end your captivity and restore your fortunes. I will gather you out of the nations where I sent you and will bring you home again to your own land.”

Have Hope and Joy as you enter this new year!

Happy New year, love the Barton Bunch…