2011 in Review

At the beginning of last year Matt and I sat down with the kids to discuss what big things we wanted to pray for in 2011. You may remember the blog I wrote about what we decided to pray for. A week or so ago, we sat down as a family again to discuss how God had answered our prayers and what we wanted to pray for this year. We were all very excited to see how God worked in our lives in 2011 and I wanted to share our answers to prayer because we are just so amazed at how good our God is!

LILIANA's 2011 prayer request:
- Mommy would not have to work -- God answered this prayer in June. I was teaching and got laid off because of huge budget cuts by the school district. I applied and interviewed for other teaching jobs and did not get one. We were thrilled because this meant I got to be home with the kids full-time.

MICHAEL's 2011 prayer requests:
- Mommy and Daddy would not have to work (he is okay with just Mommy staying home, though) -- Again, our prayer was answered in June 2011. Matt now has the ability to work from home a few days a week, so God also answered Michael's prayer to have Matt home. :)
- More brothers and sisters -- Although we did not adopt any children in 2011, we did get one step closer by finishing and submitting our dossier at the beginning of December. We hope to have our new additions home by the end of 2012.
- Some one would gift us a 'van car' (this is what Michael calls a van) -- In October we bought a van! Even though we didn't get one for free, we got a great deal. The kids' excitement over having a van has still not worn off!

BECCA's 2011 prayer requests:
- full-time employment for Matt by March -- This was the first prayer on our list last year to get answered. We were thrilled when Matt started as a full-time employee on February 14, 2011.
- funds to start the adoption process by June -- We did have the funds to start another adoption in June, but we didn't feel it was the right time. October was when we sent in our initial application and started the process of adopting again.
- major debt reduction in 2011 -- This is still a prayer in process, but we do have a great good handle on our finances, thanks to God and our amazing Financial Advisor.

MATT's 2011 prayer requests:
- full-time employment -- Matt became a full-time employee at his job on February 14, 2011.
- funds to start the adoption process -- God blessed us with the financial ability to adopt in 2011 and we started the process in October.
- for his parents to move home to Minnesota (they are currently living in CA. His dad needs a job here and they would need to sell their house in CA) -- Matt's parents sold their house in California. We are continuing to pray that his Dad would get a job in Minnesota sometime in the first part of this year.
- ability for Becca to be a stay-at-home mom -- I have been able to stay home with the kids since June 2011.

Our faith definitely increased this year. Our God is so big and He can do such incredible things. I am excited to see all the amazing things He has for us in 2012!

-- Romans 8:28 -- And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him.

-- Phililppians 4:6-7 -- Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

-- Psalm 37:4 -- Take delight in the LORD and He will give you the desires of your heart.