The year 2011 so far

I had so much hope for the year 2011.  It is hard to believe that it is half over already.  But, I am glad.  Because honestly, this has been the worst year of my life and it is only July!  It is flying by in a whirlwind of chaos and mayhem.
  If you follow me on Facebook at all you know some or most of what I’ve gone through this year.  Don’t worry, this is not going to be a post seeking sympathy.  But, something to share.
It started with financial problems that stemmed from my husband’s job.  We were really struggling.
Then me and my husband both had serious health issues that came into play, and still do.  Requiring many medications.  We of course do not have health insurance and if you live in America you know what that means. You're just S.O.L.  as my dad would have said. (only he would have said it)
Just as we are struggling to deal with all of that, my father becomes ill and is in ICU for more than a week, and suddenly passes away.  Leaving us all in shock.  How could he just be gone?
My mom and dad lived with my brother, who is legally blind and soon only had his disability check to live off of and so lost the home they were living in.  So, they have moved in with us.  Moving is hard as it is, but this move was especially hard.  Painful.  Mostly for my mom.
Just as we finish hauling the last load and are tired, hot , and sweaty....a tornado blows through behind our house! (they say it wasn’t, but I say differently.)  Knocking down trees all around us! (big trees too) splitting our neighbor’s tree right down the middle, but it didn’t fall.  But, we were afraid it would and if so would hit our house.  On the side with our bedrooms non the less!!  The storm knocked out the power and our water.  Oh, and did I mention that we have been having a record breaking heat wave? 96* was the average temp with the heat index of over 100*.  Yeah.  We all slept in the living room with the doors and windows open hoping the power would be turned on soon, praying that the tree wouldn’t fall on the house.  We stunk too!    The next morning we find out that we will not have any power till Monday!  (The storm hit on Saturday)  This was Father’s Day.  The first Father’s Day without my dad.  I had had enough!  So, off to the hotel we went!  Got much needed showers and rest, while waiting on our neighbors to take down the tree.
We came home Monday to the house in tact, the tree down, and the power on!  Took a while for the water, but finally got it back too.
This is how the year 2011 has gone for me thus far.  So, if you have wondered about me, and why I can’t seem to keep up my blog or do anything....This is why.  And there is much more I could tell, but won’t.
Now I know I said this would NOT be a depressing post.  It really isn’t .   I have felt God with me, through it all!  He has given me strength when I had none.  He heard my cries, and comforted me.  I have a hope and a future because of my faith in Jesus Christ.  He has blessed me.  I actually have grown closer to Christ now than ever before.  I have a re-newed love for my Lord and Saviour.  I have given up much these past 6 months, I am believing that the next 6 months will be filled with Joy, healing , and restoration!