We have so much to be thankful for. We fully intend to continue recording our gratitudes each day of 2011. Just for today, we'd like to share the letter we wrote to our friends and family.January 1, 2011
12:21 a.m.
Dear friends and family,
The ball has dropped in Time Square; the fireworks have exploded all around the planet. And, right here in Clever the neighbors have shot their guns into the air. The Lawson family has yelled our countdown followed by lots of hugging and kissing. After the affection, we began the New Year with prayers and a worship time. As we finished, I tucked Sloane into bed and snuggled her briefly. Now I’m here, writing our New Year’s greetings to you.
I wanted to write a letter to you on the first day of 2011. Along with this letter comes our love and good wishes. Team Lawson wants you to know that you were on our minds first thing this year. And we said a prayer that God would bless and keep you; that you would feel His presence and know His peace.
It’s traditional to reflect on the year just passed and share the family news. Since I’ve done everything else backward, at least I’ll stick to that tradition. If I had to describe 2010 in a phrase it would be full of trials. If I were to describe God, it would be always faithful.
We are all aware of the economy and how it is affecting public education. For this school year, our family has taken a $10,000.00 pay cut. That does not count the pay raises and steps we should have had, or the lost summer school income. We had scheduled an African safari with my parents to celebrate mine and Jeffrey’s 40th birthdays. Cancelled. We could go on and on, but we are all facing tough financial times just now. Yikes, right? Not really. You see, we serve a big, big God. No, we didn’t go to Kenya. But, I had the most wonderful birthday. We lost a lot of income, but we paid off both cars, we can afford our house, and we even made it to Oregon to see family. We serve a big, big God.
Much more difficult than any financial worry was our Oregon family’s trials. We lost Jeffrey’s Uncle Robert this summer. And, the very next day, Arlen’s ordeal began. It was pretty difficult for Jeffrey to accept the fact that his brother might not live to old age. It was terrible to watch Arlen suffer and to witness the pain of our family. But through all that, Jeffrey “learned to trust God more deeply than I ever have before. In life or death, God is in control.”
It would be easy to characterize 2010 as a bad year, but it wasn’t. It was full of trials, but much more full of God’s grace, His mercy, His faithfulness. We serve a mighty God. It was, actually, a year full of blessings. We were able to celebrate Dale and Ethel’s 50th wedding anniversary. Brett came home for family Christmas this year. We were able to be with the family as they grieved for Uncle Robert. Jeffrey was able to go back to Oregon and help bear some of the burdens. We lost income, but always, we have enough. More than enough, we have plenty. Our house is warm and cozy and beautiful. Our family is whole and healthy and happy. I got a new camera (and three wonderful lenses) and am teaching myself photography. We got dogs and are all surprised by how much we love and enjoy them. We both love our jobs and thank God each day for the pleasure they bring. Jeffrey continues his grad school without incurring any debt and he loves every minute of it. Sloane grows more beautiful and smarter every day. More importantly, she grows kinder and more thoughtful. She serves the Lord with all her heart, and that’s everything I could ever ask for.
Yes, God is good. The thing He has taught me most in the past year is that He is faithful. If there is a lesson I learned that I could pass along to you, it is this one: The fervent prayer of a righteous man (or woman) is powerful and effective. Just ask Arlen.
In this coming year, we pray you will take every opportunity to laugh. We hope you will make time to play with your family. We trust you will be involved in your church and look for opportunities to serve. We pray your trials teach you to rely on Him and your joys remind you to be grateful. May you always remember that you are loved; by your Father, and by Team Lawson.
Much love,
Relyn, Jeffrey, and Sloane
