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As I look back on 2009, I see breakthroughs and miracles. I also see trials and triumph, obstacles and opportunities. Some of these breakthroughs, miracles, trials, triumphs, obstacles and opportunities were met and mastered while others were avoided and ignored. It's funny because the behavior that avoids oftentimes us to avoid our breakthroughs and our miracles. We think we are avoiding conflict and pain, but in fact we miss that breakthrough that would change our lives - in a good way - forever.

At Faith Exchange - we now have a home. I feel a bit like a pioneer who - when travelled west - veered a bit too far north and was met with severe cold and obstacles that could have or should have been avoided, but there were no sign posts for this pioneer, for he was going where others had not gone. With him was his trusting family - the people he loved the most - but now, he had them in a place where the cold and other unforeseeable circumstances had this pioneer questioning his course.

During the day, starting right at sun up, he would cut the timber creating the logs that would serve as the walls for his home. The leaves were brittle on the ground and it was already getting cold. As he placed the last pail of mud into the spaces in the walls and roofs, he looked at the places where he would make windows in the spring. The door was just an opening away from the chimney that he had built with rocks and mud. His children were sleeping under blankets together on the floor near the fire. His bride had gathered roots and the meat was hanging inside drying from the kill that just appeared two days before. It was almost like God had this animal walk over to him as he shaped the chimney. The children were bringing the pails of mud when the buck walked out into the opening - not 40 feet away.

At this time of night, like clockwork, the pioneer would drop to his knees - exhausted but with a purpose. "Dear Lord. I need help. We need to make it through the winter healthy and whole. Keep the animals away from our food. Keep sickness far from this house. Keep us safe and warm. Provide for us and help us to help each other with kindness and strength. Lord, help me to find all that we will need to survive and speak to me, so that I make good decisions. And if I have made a mistake by bringing my family out here, then forgive me and help me to make amends. Thank you Jesus. Help my family to sleep soundly. Help them to wake tomorrow to renewed strength and let them continue to enjoy this adventure. You have been so good. You have guided us and kept us and we trust you to get us through this winter."

As we gather on Wednesday to praise Yahweh Yahshua, I am reminded that He takes care of each of us. I am blessed by the children that He has given us. I remember each little one. I see their smiling faces and their energy that is sometimes hard to control. I also watch as we take care of our aging parents. I watch the strain of the responsibility that goes with being able. I remember Asako and Kim M.. This year was tough in this area. I watch as others face personal injury and work to overcome physical pain. There are too many to list. I watch as people find and lose jobs. I watch as people come and go, some to return while others just go. As a family we will rejoice. We have guests coming. Bring food. Bring Drink. Bring your favorite dessert or your favorite praise report. Bring yourself ... Bring a friend. Bring gratitude and bring a heart that remembers how good Yah is.

2009 has brought us to a home. The heat went in just in time. Yahweh has always met our needs just in time. I thank him once again, that he will bring us to victory in His timing.

Written by :

Dan Stratton