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Year End Thoughts Yep, it is that time of year again. Time to get a new calendar, find out the number one song of 2010, and get used to writing 2011 instead of 2010. It seems as if these years go by faster and faster as I get older and older. I also noticed that many of those who were grownups when I was a child are passing away. Those of my age group are having more and more health problems. Those who are having babies are too young to be having babies. It is truly as Job said, "My days are swifter than a weaver's shuttle" (Job 7.6). There are some thoughts that come to mind this time, especially this time, of the year. Regena and I feel blessed on many levels. We are blessed to be able to talk with and spend time with our Moms. They are having health problems, but are doing pretty good for someone "their age", whatever that means. We have been blessed with our children and getting to see them grow some more. Eli and Hope are spending less and less time with us as they find their own way in the world. Noah will be graduating from high school in May and starting college somewhere. We are both having some health problems, but probably nothing unusual for people "our age." My feet are doing a lot better than a year ago. It has probably been more than five years since I have been able to walk with so little pain. There are still some things I cannot do, but I am thankful for the things that I can do. A number of families here have faced various trials this year. Keep in mind that the trials of this life are temporary. As Paul wrote, "Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory" (2 Corinthians 4.16-17). Trials may be hard to endure, but they can make us better. We learn to handle more and more by facing more and more. We have been blessed with good friends, most of whom are brothers and sisters in Christ. I have enjoyed seeing our young people grow up. To hear them sing, to see them looking at their Bibles, to have them to ask if they can help me carry the stand to the back room, and realize they are growing has been a blessing. We have shared our lives together on Sundays and Wednesdays in services, but we have gotten to know each other better outside the church building. We do not know what tomorrow or the next year brings, but we know it will offer us opportunities to do God's will. Challenge will come our way, but we have a great reward awaiting us. We hope you have had a good year and next year will be even better. -- Dennis Tucker |