Merry Christmas 2012

Merry Christmas from the Vandenbergs 2012

Merry Christmas! We hope you all are well and have a wonderful Christmas celebrating Jesus’ birth and why He was born and what He did for all of us. God loves us so much that He gave his only begotten Son. (John 3:16) All we have to do is believe in Him and that He died for all of our sins ~ making a way to the Father for us. All we have to do is believe and accept that most precious gift of all! Christmas is one of the best times to remember and reflect on that Gift ~ for me.


We are thankful in our family for that Gift and the promises He has given. He has promised to be with us, and He is. In the good times and the bad, He is here. We may not understand the big picture, but we believe He is here all of the time. What a blessing that is ~ that hope.


We have had many changes this year. Pete has taken two trips to the Holy Land with his new job. I cannot imagine what it is like to be where Jesus was – to walk where He walked and sit where He sat. It would be amazing to see places we read about in the Bible. And he got to do it twice this year! From our point of view, it was scary to be there; but what he saw overshadowed any fear.


Andrew is a freshman at Appalachian. His plans changed at the last minute due to illness, but he is where he should be. It has been a blessing – from the people who helped him get where he needed to be to his professors, his advisor, his coaches, staff, and even ASU Police. His road is still far from easy, but he is flourishing; and we are so thankful for all of the people who help him and encourage him.


Peter is a senior and looking at colleges. He continues to be a big help to us in so many ways. He has battled some injuries, but he is determined to get back on track, literally. He works hard in school and is sweet and respectful. Those teenager hugs and thank you’s are a blessing from Peter!


Will is back on his bike after breaking a hand this summer at Rocky Knob – a new mountain bike park. He ran cross country and PR’d a few times and even won some small races. He is building a dog house, and I have a few things for him to do at home when he is ready!


Sam is doing well. His last endo appointment showed his a1c down a bit, and we are so thankful (and a little surprised!). He is getting more and more independent about checking his blood sugars and what to do when he is low. We hope he will feel good about giving himself shots in the next 2-3 years. He loves his brothers and likes to have one of his parents within earshot at all times. He had a low blood sugar scare one summer morning, and it threw us for a loop. But we look back and see how provisions were made before a scary situation when seconds counted. We also see clearly that God literally gives us extra hands when we need them to do what seems scary or impossible.


I have been learning that it’s okay to be where I am. It’s okay to be in a tough spot or a storm. And I am old enough to know they don’t, and won’t, last forever. I read something that said when we are at our weakest, we can see God’s work more clearly and His strength. Sometimes the bad things are not the worst things. I am still “learning to lean” and remembering to lean and not try to work everything out myself. It makes breathing much easier (when I do remember!).


So at the end of another year… Merry Christmas. We are one year closer to the best God has for us!


Still my favorite verse ~ “But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.” Isaiah 40:31