2010, are you kidding?

So how did we get to 2010? Honestly wasn't it yesterday that I was having trouble remembering to write 1980 instead of 79? Oh yea and the 80s, where did they go. How can we already be in 2010? I remember being a young child and talking with friends about how there would probably be flying cars by the year 2000 and all the other Jetsonesque dreams. Well we're 10 years past 2000 and still no flying cars but things have changed.

We arrived in Croatia in 2000 and man have things changed here. When we arrived things were still pretty primitive compared with what we left in Texas. In the markets you could still find hanging fowl and all sorts of indescribable items. It was impossible to find ground meat without going to a butcher. Now we have some really large grocers and life is pretty easy.

Another change since 2000 is that there are many cars on the roads here in Croatia. When we arrived most women did not drive and the roads were filled with bicyclists. Now everyone drives. The roads are crammed to capacity with honking, impatient so called drivers. People rush here and there and the all loved KUNA is the god of most homes. The quaintness of Croatia has slowly faded but our love for it's people has grown. We have made such close bonds with people here that I can't imagine living anywhere else.

God has been so good to us. While we have been here almost 10 years we have spent almost all of those years alone. I say alone, void of American companionship. We have a family here in Croatia and we love them but it's not quite the same as having the common bond of being Americans. Anyhow I said that to say this, yet another thing is changing, actually starting tomorrow. After 10 long years in Croatia as the only IFB missionaries God has finally decided to send in reinforcements. Not only back up but friends. Scott and Traci Holcomb and their 3 kids will be arriving in the capitol of Croatia tomorrow at 2:15. We are so excited to welcome them into the work here in Croatia and we're looking forward to a long fruitful partnership with them. Please pray for them as they adjust to living in a totally foreign environment and learning a new language.

Lets see, what else does 2010 bring along with it; our oldest son Cody turns 18 this year. Johnny and I celebrate 19 years of marriage. I officially have all teens with a 13, 15 and 18 year old child. I turn 37. My mother turns 60. Bro. Sam Ward arrives in Croatia to work with us. We get a new pastor as our beloved Dr. Smith retires. Croatia gets a new president. Wow and so many more unseen happenings are sure to occur over the next 12 months, but with what ever may come we can rest in the fact that His grace is enough.

And he said unto me, my grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

That promise is enough to keep fears of the unknown at bay. I can trust in Him knowing that He is never surprised and he guides all the aspects of my life for His glory. It's been 17 years since I accepted Jesus as my Savior and He's never let me down. He kept me till 2009 and I'm sure 1 more year is no big deal for Him.

Maybe you don't have that peace of knowing He will take care of you, maybe you don't really even know Him. Hey why wait another year. Why spend one more year walking in your own strength of lack of when you could be resting in His faithfulness. Wouldn't it be wonderful to know for sure that you would go to Heaven in 2010 was your last year on Earth? Wouldn't that mean so much to be sure? You can be! You can make 2010 the best year yet but just simply trusting Him. He has already finished all that is needed for you to go to Heaven and all you need to do is receive what He has done for you. If you would like to know how to have Heaven as your home and to have Jesus as your Savior please read this. Who knows, tomorrow maybe be too late.

I hope you all have a wonderful new year and that you'll do more for our precious Savior this year than ever before!