Christmas Surprises! by M. Huster

We hope you all had a great Christmas! As many of you know, I have been very sick for about 6 weeks and to tell you the truth, this is getting really old. However, God continues to be faithful in loving me at my worst times. I haven't been able to do hardly anything, including Christmas cards but I finally got them all done last night. I was feeling especially rotten when I cried out to the Lord, "Help me! Is this going to last forever?"(my sickness) I even confessed my sins before Him and continued to pray. The Holy Spirit came soon with an answer, " Just keep writing." I thought that was a strange answer knowing I had over 100 cards to do. But after a few cards, something wonderful happened. This year we didn't put in pictures with our names typed at the bottom. I never got around to that. So I hand wrote a note in each card. All the sudden emotion came over me as I sat and looked at the stacks of cards I had completed. All those cards represented people in my life that are so special. Wow! I am truly blessed by others love, encouragement, and hope! Even in my worst times, God reminds me of the blessing of knowing Him and how He provides for all my needs. I thought those cards would be a burden, but they were the greatest gift!

Another great surprise our family got this Christmas was our dear friends Kahli and Katrina Hubbard showing up and surprising us on Christmas night!!! The kids went wild and they have been such a blessing this week! Faith and Isaac had been asking Santa to bring Kahli and Katrina here for Christmas. We encouraged them rather to pray and ask God for a miracle. Boy, were they surprised when they went into the garage Christmas evening to find one more or may I say two more presents! I really didn't know how Christmas was going to turn out but it has been such a joy being with friends near and far. My precious husband arranged their visit and it was actually my gift this year. He knew I needed my dear friend to help me. I am truly blessed.

I also want to praise the Lord for my new medication, Adult Growth Hormone. I have started replacing it but can't tell a lot of difference just yet. It will take a few weeks. It is very expensive but the Lilly drug company has paid for all my meds! What a blessing!

Our dear friend Benjamin from Rwanda arrives in San Diego January 5th. Please pray for safe travel and for everything to go smoothly in Washington DC.

Today is Richard and Penny Huster's Anniversary! (Jim's dad and step-mom) Happy Anniversary!

Thank you sweet friends for all your love and prayers this year. May 2008 be the year where God uses us all to bring others to Him!