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It's been another one of those tough years. But still, there were some successes.

• Walked (1-3 kilometers, depending on which bus stop I got off) to work most days, even in the brutal cold.
• Got new living room furniture.
• Got a new car; Nissan Altima.
• Trained Peewee to be a good boy. He was a good boy all along, but now he's well trained.
• The book club is still going strong and I enjoy my club mates.
• Enjoyed my university studies.
• Read 29 books.
• Sponsored five Compassion kids.
• Quit my Executive Assistant job. It was time, but I thoroughly enjoyed it for a few years and learned lots.
• Had family counselling a good part of the year. I'm not sure it really helped all that much, but we did it.
• Responded well to several significant problems with kids.
• Deepened my friendship with Sarah.
• Did well with Scripture memorization.
• Consistently had morning time with God; it's always the best part of my day.
• Started flossing regularly.
• Cut way back on wheat intake once I discovered how it makes me tired and foggy.
• Enjoyed my life at the apartment very much.
• Went most of the year with no debt.

It's too easy to focus on the negatives. Reviewing the positives of the year is a great mental adjustment. It has been a difficult year, but I look at those successes and I feel instant gratitude. I have so many good things in my life, even when things are tough.

Today Deborah enters CASA. CASA is a treatment facility for troubled teens. She is not happy about this and I'm praying with everything in me that God softens her heart to be open and accepting of help. We are in desperate need of a breakthrough. We have done all we know how to do and nothing has been successful. Maybe CASA can teach us how to cope with all this stuff and how to overcome.

I wrote her a letter and tucked it in her bag:

Dear Deborah,

The day has finally come and you're leaving for CASA today. Remember when you couldn't wait to go?, when a treatment facility was what you wanted? I wonder what changed? Do you know?

This a a good day and a sad day. It's a good day because I'm believing that CASA is going to give you, Daddy, and me the help we desperately need. We know you need help but we don't know how to help you. Hopefully, CASA will be able to help all of us.

It's a sad day too. Making you go somewhere you don't want to go is hard. Knowing you feel forced to go is painful. I want to encourage you to accept the help you're going to receive. It's going to feel like work and it will probably be invasive. But Baby, the purpose to to help you get healthy again. I beg you to submit to this help. Don't fight it. Don't reject it. Walk into it and let God work healing in you through it. 

Remember when you gave your heart to Jesus? Remember how good it felt? He is still the same loving Jesus who wants to be your very personal, powerful Friend. Please let him. He loves you more than anyone else knows how to. I want to remind you of a Scripture that I hope you'll think about every night as you go to sleep. 1 Peter 5:7, "Cast all your cares on Him for He cares for you." Deborah, being able to tell God everything on my heart and mind is one of the greatest gifts in the world. The God who created the universe cares for you and and wants you to talk to him about everything on your mind. If you'll develop the habit of talking to him, you'll never be the same.

I have some special verses I'm going to be praying over you while you're gone. Philippians 1:3-6, "I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers, I always pray with joy because, . . . he who began a good work in you will complete it."

I remember that 8-year-old girl standing in the pool before her baptism telling about Jesus's work in your life. Baby, that was just the beginning. He's still working on you and he won't stop!

Call me any night and I'll sing you your song.

I love you so much,

Mom