Great in '08

It's hard to believe today is the final day in 2008! It seems like just yesterday when Y2K was the latest talk. Time does tick by rather quickly, but this morning I'd like to pause and look back at the last 366 days.

The year started out well on the Beran farm as we celebrated our little Peanut's first birthday and then our oldest turned 5 shortly after. Fun times and celebrations continued as the days went by. We've hosted birthday parties on the "home farm," laughed a lot and smiled too as we've enjoyed many exciting times. We've also been blessed with great memories of time with friends, family and neighbors.

We've also been blessed away from home with a great church family - one who supports, encourages and loves. Our Pastor truly cares for his flock and feeds us weekly with wonderful messages from the Word. MOPS has been a great opportunity for me to connect with other Moms and a chance to share my faith as well. It's been rewarding to watch our kids grow in their faith as well as the oldest two love Sunday school, enjoyed this summer's VBS and Awana's is now a highlight of J.D.'s week.

There have been plenty of wonderful memories, but 2008 was not always great. We have watched and supported dear friends struggle with their teenage daughter. Loved ones have been informed of major illnesses and the economy has everyone thinking about finances. In August we had a miscarriage, which still leaves a bit of emptiness today and in November we said good-bye to my grandma.

The year has included some hard times, but the biggest challenges were when I was misunderstood because of my faith. At times it was loved ones I grew up with and that hurt the most. These people have said I've changed, but as God draws me more and more out of my comfort zone for the first time I've really tried to explain the reason for the change. It can be discouraging because most of the time it seems they don't want to understand. It hurts to know they could have what I do.

Really that is what is great about '08! The memories are nice, but God and my faith are what has been great!! The miscarriage was one of the hardest things I've ever experienced, but He carried me thru and actually has made me stronger and drawn me closer to Him. He is a God who keeps His promises and because of that I look forward to 2009.

Though I know it will bring hard times and things I don't expect He has proven faithful and I'm confident He will be fine in '09!!

Happy New Year to you! May God bless you and draw you closer in the days ahead!!

The Family Christmas Letter

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!

"Reasons We Love Christmas"

10. Presents and Stockings

9. Decorating the Tree

8. Playing in the Snow

7. Rudolph, Snoopy and the Grinch

6. Baking (& Frosting)

5. Cards and Music

4. The Church Program

3. Warm Homes, Conversations and Reflections

2. Time with Family and Friends

1. Jesus's Birthday!!

Every year at Christmas it seems a song jumps out at me and this year it has been "Sometimes Christmas Makes Me Cry." The words talk about tears of every kind and as I reflect on the year, we've shed them all. There have been many joys - J.D. starting school and learning to read, Joy living up to her name and filling our home with smiles, Jaylyn taking on the role of comedian and constantly making us laugh, great memories with family and friends and a safe, successful year on the farm.

There have been tears of pain as well - both J.D. and Joy took some falls when the training wheels came off and Jaylyn has done the same with her constant desire to keep up, we've said, "Good-bye" to Grandma Biwer and Dorothy, our fish too, we've watched family and friends go thru sickness and struggles and had some down times ourselves as well.

But ultimately, the tears at Christmas come when we really thin about the reason for the season. Like the song says, "we cry tears of hope" because regardless if life is good or times are tough, the greatest gift has already been given and it offers peace. Years ago, on the first Christmas morning, the giving began when Jesus was laid in the manager and 33 years later the gift was complete when He went to the cross. God's present isn't wrapped with a bow, but eternal life is ours when we accept what He has to offer. So like the song says, "I think of Mary and the virgin birth, and I'm amazed at how much God thinks we're worth, that He would send His only son to die and sometimes Christmas makes me cry."

We pray you have a blessed holiday season and though sometimes Christmas makes us cry, it always reminds us of His love. May God bless you in 2009!

Blessings,
Job, Jill, J.D., Joy and Jaylyn

Why we need to speak up...

“How can we be silent?”
The world is hurting and
He can heal the pain.
The problems are endless and
He is the answer.
Relationships are broken and
He can make them better.
People are suffering and
He provides comfort.
Countries are at war and
He offers peace.
Everyone makes mistakes and
He grants forgiveness.
Our lives are a mess and
He can wash them clean.
The world has a need and
Only Jesus can fill it.
How can we be silent
When He can do so much?

My Little Theologian

Over the past 10 days it seems nothing, and really I do mean nothing has gone according to my plans. For one reason or another things haven't turned out the way I expected. Last week one day it was because J.D., my 5 year old son, decided to hide and after a 40 minute search, I was thankful he was safe, but at the same time disappointed because his actions altered my plan for the afternoon.

Then another day, the kids and I had plans to go watch my basketball girls and the vehicle wouldn't start. The next day plans for time with a friend were scratched. And then a snow storm hits that cancels a MOPS meeting I had organized and looked forward to. You get the picture...

But as all of this was taking place, I knew God was giving me an opportunity to practice a topic we'd been discussing in Sunday School - contentment. The speaker had said this was a state of mind and something we had to learn - how true. She also mentioned the seriousness of the sin of comparison and as I reflected on my bad attitude, I knew that was part of the struggle.

In my mind I was telling myself, "My husband gets to go hunting, my sister is going to Vegas, so and so gets to go the NCAA volleyball game, she gets to go to knitting..." I don't even knit and have absolutely no desire to learn, but my point is everyone was getting to do something but me!

But then God reminded me I have a wonderful opportunity right here in my home. The night before the MOPS meeting, the weather had convinced me it would not be taking place. So as my daughter suggested doing something to prepare for it, I told her, "No, we'll wait for morning because I don't think we'll have MOPS."

In her sad little 3 year old voice, she asked, "Why?" I jokingly responded, "Because Mom's not supposed to have any fun." She gave me a confused look and went back to cutting snowflakes.

My son on the other hand, heard my words and shocked me with what came from his mouth. J.D. said, "Sometimes I want to do things, but God makes it so I can't do them. But that's OK because His things are better."

I turned from the sink and said, "What did you say?" He went on to repeat what you read above. Like I said I was shocked and honestly wondered where did that come from?

As I reflect, I know the answer - God was speaking to me through my 5 year old son!! So though it feels like I haven't left the house for days, really that's not the case, I am thankful for the wonderful opportunity I have here with my 3 little ones.

Whose eyes?

“Whose Eyes?”

In my eyes,

you’re someone I look up to

and an example for me to follow.

In your eyes,

you know the mistakes you have made

and the places you fall short.

In His eyes,

He sees the good

and forgives the bad.

In my eyes,

you’re a woman of wisdom –

a place to turn for advice.

In your eyes,

you know the life you’ve lived

and the difficult lessons you have learned.

In His eyes,

He knows every scene is part of the story,

one He wrote years ago.

In my eyes,

you honor me

by being my friend.

In your eyes,

you don’t always understand

the significance of your role.

In His eyes,

He’s delighted with the life you live

and glorified when your faith is shared.

In my eyes,

you’re a friend

worthy of respect.

In your eyes,

you wonder if you’re deserving

and thus downplay the praise.

In His eyes,

He sees a daughter He created,

a child whom He loves.

Through whose eyes do you see when you look at others and even when you look at yourself?

In need of a reminder...

"Lord, Remind Me"
When the days are long
And patience is short,
Remind me, you are a parent
And I’m not always an obedient child.

When I’m rejected for following you
And misunderstood for the things I do,
Remind me, you weren’t always accepted
And you still held on to your beliefs.

When I’m let down by others
And feel distant from my family
Remind me, I am your child
And your love is unconditional.

When I’m feeling down
And tempted to give up,
Remind me of the trials you faced
And the perseverance you possessed.

When I face struggles
And storms begin to rage,
Remind me of the pain you felt
And suffering you endured.

When I’m feeling weak
And wonder how I can go on,
Remind me you are in control
And your joy will be my strength.

When times are good
And especially when things are bad,
Remind me there is a reason for it all
And Your plan is perfect.

Grandma always said...

"Too bad everyone is not perfect like you."
I still remember hearing those words and as I've grown up I've said them as well. Whenever Grandma heard someone talking negatively about someone else or bringing them down this is what she'd say. And it didn't matter who was speaking, she stood up for the one who wasn't there.

As I've reflected on my grandma this past week in the midst of her passing this is one of the lessons I want to hold onto. For a couple different reasons - 1) we all have faults and it does no good to bring someone else down and 2) Grandma set a great example by speaking up, something I'm afraid to do at times. She never had to say anything more, these words alone altered the conversation and always left me feeling convicted. Even at times when I wasn't the one who gave her reason to say it. We are guilty just by taking part in these conversations as our willingness to listen gives the other person permission to talk.

"You can't win them all."
As a high schooler basketball was my life and though my grandma didn't see any games, she kept track of my schedule and often called for reports. When I'd share about a loss, usually in a depressing tone I'm sure, she'd simply remind me that someone has to win and someone has to lose. At the time I probably didn't appreciate the remark that much, but 15 years later those conversations are coming back and giving me a better picture of who my grandma was.

She was a very content woman - she had survived the depression and knew losing a game really wasn't that big of a deal in the grand scheme of things. With Thanksgiving just a few days a way, I realize she didn't wait for a special day in November to be thankful - she always was. And she tried to teach me to do the same - as our game talks would continue she'd remind me that I had the opportunity to play, she never did; I didn't get hurt, so I'd play again and on and on. Like I said back then I didn't appreciate the words very much, but I'm grateful God has reminded me of a bit of the wisdom Grandma shared - it's true you can learn from a loss. And God does work good from bad, sometimes it simply takes 15 years!

"Let's pray."
Growing up we didn't pray before meals as family, but you never went to Grandma's house without bowing your head before a meal. Again as I reflect on her life I realize she was a real woman of faith and this routine was part of it and a way she could share that faith with others.

We sat in her room in the rest home the day before she passed away watching her breathing change and sharing stories about the life she lived. My dad, the youngest of her six children, shared how he asked her if she ever worried. She replied, "No." And as he thought of some of the things he had done, he suggested, "Well, maybe you should have." My sister responded, "Dad, she may have never worried, but I'm sure she prayed every minute you were gone."

This is something my dad has observed in my grandma because he had shared this story with me recently and commented that I was like her. As we both thought and trusted that God will take care of things. I wish I could say I never worry, but I'm thankful he sees that similarity. As far as I can tell Grandma lived a peaceful 98 years. Were they easy no - she's lost her husband, a son, a grandson, all of her siblings, lived thru the depression - it was a life of ups and downs just like the rest of us, but she treated others the way she wanted to be treated, was content regardless of the circumstances and prayed about all things. God blessed her and now because of her faith she is with Him know.

I will remember many of the things Grandma said including her final words to me about 2 weeks before she passed away. I was there for a visit and we talked about the usual - what I been doing, how the kids grow so fast, my dad and his sheep, and if it was cold out. Then as I kissed her good-bye, she looked at me and said, "You're a good girl. You take care now."

Grandma wasn't just a good girl, she was a Godly one as well and I pray as I remember things she said I will become one too.