It's a Wonderful Life

Happy New Year, my dear friends.

 

There is something very inspiring about "new." Most of us have spent the first few days of this new year taking a look back at 2017 - the ups and downs, joys and sorrows, successes and mistakes - and are thoughtfully processing in our hearts and minds what we desire 2018 to look like. We want to learn from the past and make the upcoming year better. We're making new resolutions and dreaming new dreams.  

 

Here's a recap of what 2017 looked like for the Womelsdorf clan. It was quite a year!

 

JANUARY:

Jason reports to Drill Instructor school in San Diego, CA and says goodbye to Cortnie (5 months pregnant) for 13 weeks.

Sacrificial love. Undying support.

 

GrandMamaT with Johnny and Jovi. We started the year with 2 babies.

Love. Joy of a grandma watching babies grow.

 



David's first Ninja competition in St. Louis, MO.

Strength. Discipline. Grit.

 

MARCH:

Jason graduates and is officially a United States Marine Corps Drill Instructor.

Honor. Courage. Commitment.

 

Love. Respect. Pride.

 

 

APRIL:

Evan Gabriel Womelsdorf is born to Jason and Cortnie - their firstborn son.

Dreams fulfilled. Hope for the future.



Baby Evan meeting GrandMamaT, aunts, uncles, and cousins. This family loves you, Evan!

 

MAY:

A blog is born - "PEARLS FROM A MOM'S HEART"

Courage. Dreams. Vision.



 A Lifetime of Pearls







Pearls - The product of pain.  Precious, tiny jewels conceived through irritation, born of adversity, nursed by adjustment.



David is ordained as an Assemblies of God minister.

The Call of God. Humility. Faith.

 

 



JUNE:

Jack Michael is born to David and Brittanica - now a family of 5!
Love. Courage. Faith.

Baby Jack meeting GrandMamaT, siblings Jack and Jovi, and cousins - 5 in all! Such love!

 

Jason and Cortnie make their new home in San Diego, CA.

Love. Faith. Determination.

 

NOVEMBER:

Thanksgiving/Christmas with family.

Love. Joy. Full hearts.

DECEMBER:



Heidi and Tim get engaged.

Love. Commitment. Hope for the future.



 

We started the year with 2 Womelsdorf babies and ended the year with 4 little ones!

 

What a Wonderful life!



 

"It's a Wonderful Life" is by far one of my favorite movies - I watch it several times every Christmas season. It helps put everything in perspective. George Bailey spent his entire life giving to his family as well as the entire community of Bedford Falls. On Christmas Eve, George's Uncle Billy loses $8,000 on his way to deposit it in the bank. George is so discouraged that he wished he had never been born, and an angel was sent to make George's wish come true. In the end, George realized how many lives he had impacted and how different they all would be had he never been born. "No man is a failure who has friends." A great reminder for us all!

 

Please take another look at the photos above. I believe that our little (yet growing) family is incredibly rich. We have fierce love, joy, courage, strength, faith, character, integrity, work ethic, responsibility, determination, spunk, grit. We have fun. We talk. We share. We help and support each other. We laugh and cry together. We encourage each other. We are loyal. We're friends. We have a faith in God who has been with us in every season. Our family is far from perfect, and we definitely do not have a fairy tale life. Our story is that in the midst of every struggle and challenge, we support one another. And we trust in the One who has always helped us. As I have reflected on the goodness of God in the Womelsdorf family, I am once again reminded that we indeed have a wonderful life! 

Everyone has a story to tell that could potentially change another person's life forever!  And influencing other's lives has nothing to do with power, prestige or money. Think back on your own life - how you've grown, how you've struggled and then succeeded, how you've helped others in need, how you've been a loyal friend, how you've grown in your faith and have seen the hand of God at work. Your life is important, and you are needed. It may not be perfect, but God has given you a wonderful life. And He wants to use you! Allow God to give you fresh perspective. As you are facing this new year, ask God to use you in a greater way than you ever dreamed possible to be an encouragement to those who may be lost and suffering.

 

Tomorrow is January 8, 2018 - a day of new beginnings. As I have looked back over the memories of 2017, I have new anticipation and dreams for 2018. Much of this past year was one of change, struggle, questions and fears in addition to God's amazing blessings. I know that God is working all things together for His good. This is a new day in a new year - I have new dreams, new commitment, and fresh vision. My prayer is that God will continue to open new doors of ministry that will enable me and my family to significantly impact others for eternity. 

 

Thank you for your love and overwhelming support of me and this blog as I share the "pearls" of our life. In weeks where I am quiet, thank you for reaching out to me in love as you understand that I'm discouraged. Your kindness, compassion and friendship is healing. In weeks where I'm able to write and my transparency is evident, your encouragement and support is heart-mending. I started writing this blog several months ago in hopes to be an encouragement, especially to other mamas, that God is with us - no matter what! I commit to increasing faithfulness this year in reaching out to those who are hurting. Because after all, the life we live is indeed worth sharing. It's a wonderful life!

 

With much love and gratitude. You are forever my heart!

 

Teresa/MamaT/GrandMama-T

 

May The Lord bless you and protect you.
May The Lord smile on you and be gracious to you.
May The Lord show you His favor and give you His peace.

One tiny, precious pearl among many. Everyone has a beautiful story of grace.