Life Has Changed Me

I realized this past weekend how much I've changed in the past (almost) 6 years. I am not the same person I was in the beginning of 1994.

So much has happened in my life in the past 6 years. 

• I became a widow.
• I became the mother of a paraplegic son. 
• I built a new home ... a lot of it on my own.  This home was built to be wheelchair accessible.
• I started dating and eventually got married. I became a second-wife.
• I became a stepmom to 2 children.
• I quit homeschooling and put my kids in private school.
• I became a pastor's wife.
• I started volunteering at the school and am now a board member.
• I discovered photography in a whole new light and it has become a hobby for me.
• I built a photography team at the church. This is something I never would've seen myself do 5 years ago!
• I realized the importance of working out ... again. It's something that I do on a regular basis now.
• I was introduced to backpacking and love it!
• I started biking again.
• I could go on and on ... 

Because of all these things happening in my life in such a short amount of time, it has changed me in so many ways.

• I appreciate life more.
• I value friendships more.
• I don't take walking and running for granted. Because of the injury to my legs and feet in the car accident, it's a miracle that I can walk today! Having John Michael be a para and needing to help him sometimes (he is much more independent today) helps me appreciate the fact that I am able to be physically strong for him.
• I realize the importance of prayer! God has answered so many prayers for me.
• I have a heart for those who are hurting and long to help them heal. 
• I have a heart for emotional healing ministry.
• I appreciate my family so much more. I feel safe when I'm with my family.
• I am a more black & white person. Life isn't gray to me anymore. Either you're on the bike or you're not.
• I understand the vital importance of being healthy spiritually, emotionally, mentally and physically.
• I long to see my children be healthy in every way!
• I value my husband so much more!
• I'm not afraid of public speaking anymore.
• I enjoy walking in Jesus' healing truth. He is good!
• I'm less tolerant of unhealthy behavior but at the same time realize the importance of grace because of people walking in woundedness.
• I understand God's character so much more although in my humanness I'll never fully understand him. I'm ok with that.
• I understand and accept that it's ok to not understand God's ways all the time. Sometimes it's a really good thing that I don't understand. :) 
• I fully understand "God is Always Good".
• And on and on ...