As the year draws to a close, I want to take some time to reflect on the way our lives changes in 2011 and to thank God for the blessings He bestowed on my family during 2011.
1) In November my husband was rehired by the employer who had laid him off 2 years and 10 months earlier. We are grateful that Steve is once again employed and that God sustained us financially during the extended period of unemployment.
2) In May all three of our sons received a college degree—one earned a Master’s degree, one completed his Bachelor’s degree, and the other received an Associate’s degree. We are very proud of them for their hard work and perseverance in achieving their goals.
3) My husband and I celebrated our 30th wedding anniversary with a two-week trip to Alaska. I am thankful for my wonderful husband and the love we have shared for more than 3 decades.
4) Our precious grandson turned 1 in July. It is a joy to watch him grow and learn new skills every day. He has a wonderful nature and is a delight.
5) Mother’s Day brought the news that we would have another grandchild. We were delighted to welcome a baby girl to our family yesterday. It was a special blessing as it has been 118 years since a girl was born into my husband’s family.
6) All of my sons are employed in jobs. As an added bonus, they all enjoy their jobs and are doing well at them.
7) I love my job but I didn’t love the commute. Althoug only 16 miles, it frequently took me an hour or more to get home. Two weeks ago our office relocated into town and much closer to home. The new location is more convenient to shopping and home, plus I have awesome views of our city.
8) My second novel was published in the fall. The first novel did not sell many copies, but my publisher believed in the second one enough to redesign the cover of the first novel. So far, the second one is not selling at all. However, I have faith that God will bless my writing and that my novels will touch and enrich lives.
9) We moved my mother-in-law to live in our community. She is in a nursing home where she gets the round-the-clock care she needs and where she can regularly be visited by her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
10) We were able to sell a piece of property that we had been trying to get rid of for the past two years. We were then able to help our son and daughter-in-law to purchase their first home.
2011 was not all emotional highs and good times; there were some disappointments and sad times as well. A much beloved aunt passed away with no notice, we endured many months of job searching and wondering if my husband would ever be employed again, and we dealt with my mother-in-law’s declining health. But through it all, we could see God’s hand of blessing. He has seen of through many challenging times and we know that He will be with us in whatever situations arise in our lives in 2012.
In what ways did God bless you and your family in 2011? Please take a moment to reflect and share the ways God blessed you.
May your 2012 be filled with God’s blessings and the love of family and friends.
Susan's Reflections 
Happy New Year Susan!
God blessed us by carrying us through 2011. Leyda is Home and we are homesick…more than ever before. God is faithful and so we rest in Him.
Happy New Year to the Boutchyard family! Thankfully God is faithful through all our trials. Hoping you have a blessed year.