Happy New Year!

"Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think." Ephesians 3:20






Wow, it is only a matter of time before we will be counting down to a brand new year. For some of us, it is a welcome relief, as 2010 had great challenges. For others of us, 2010 brought such great and wonderful changes that we actually look forward to another New Year--to see what the Lord will do again and again! No matter what the year had for us, our God is working within us as His Word declares.


The photo you see up there is one my son took upon his descent into Dublin, Ireland in June of this year. This in and of itself was a miracle from God. Many of you reading this had a part in his going. The Lord provided "infinitely more" than what we asked or thought. Justin's ticket was paid in full AND he was able to buy a camera AND go with almost $1000 due to the Lord moving hearts to give! And we never asked anyone for anything. The Lord put it upon hearts (that heard about his trip through others) and they gave abundantly! Praise His Name!





The picture to the right is that of my daughter's Sweet 16, just a month ago. Trust me, this was another wonderful blessing from the Lord. I really didn't want to give her one, but through prayer, the Lord rebuked me for my attitude. Everything changed after that and how I know it was the Lord was that all the finances came through for every single detail. He did more than I was thinking or imagining that is for sure!




Then there were the tough times. Probably the saddest lost for me personally was that of my 19-year-young nephew. That is a photo of my precious sister being comforted by my niece at his funeral. Ahhh, loss too deep for words. How precious are the cries of those that mourn to the Lord? So precious He saves their tears. The death of my nephew took my sister through tumultuous changes. Her marriage almost fell apart, but GOD put it back together again! I give Him the glory--they are all back together again--as a family, and moving on despite the uphill battle. They all recognize that JESUS IS LORD, even in the most despondent moments we can ever face.




This brings me to the New Year and my own personal challenges. All I can really say, with tongue in cheek, is these words: "I made it." I didn't quite lose the weight I wanted to, but I made it. I didn't change alot of the things I promised I would, but I made it. I still have a mountain of internal struggles to combat, but I made it. And I only did so by the Lord's infinite power working in and through me. Also, lest I forget, He used His people to bring me great joy and comfort during the darkest nights of my soul.


Sisters, I look forward to 2011 with you. I pray that all of our lives would be touched by a greater measure of faith, hope, and of course the greatest gift of all, love. I anticipate fun times in our Wednesday night classes. Most of all, I cherish (already) the growth that we will all accomplish with one another--through HIS POWER working in us to do exceedingly, abundantly, above, what we could ask, think, or imagine.


God bless,

Sis Anna Barreto