Today makes it a year...

Sorrowful, yet always rejoicing. {II Corinthians 6:10}

Sorrow was beautiful, but his beauty was the beauty of the moonlight shining through the leafy branches of the trees in the woods. His gentle light made pools of silver here and there on the soft green moss of the forest floor. And when he sang, his song was like the low, sweet calls of the nightingale, and in his eyes was the unexpectant gaze of someone who has ceased to look for coming gladness. He could weep in tender sympathy with those who weep, but to rejoice with those who rejoice was unknown to him.
Joy was beautiful, too, but hers was the radiant beauty of a summer morning. Her eyes still held the happy laughter of childhood, and her hair glistened with the sunshine’s kiss. When she sang, he voice soared upward like a skylark’s, and her steps were the march of a conqueror who has never known defeat. She could rejoice with anyone who rejoices, but to weep with those who week was unknown to her.
Sorrow longingly said, “We can never be united as one.” “No, never,” responded Joy, with eyes misting as she spoke, “for my path lies through the sunlit meadows, the sweetest roses bloom when I arrive, and songbirds await my coming to sing their most joyous melodies.”
“Yes, and my path,” said Sorrow, turning slowly away, “leads through the dark forest, and moonflowers, which open only at night, will fill my hands. Yet the sweetest of all earthly songs-the love song of the night-will be mine. Say farewell, dear Joy, farewell.
Yet even as Sorrow spoke, he and Joy became aware of someone standing beside them. In spite of the dim light, they sensed a kingly Presence, and suddenly a great and holy awe overwhelmed them. They then sank to their knees before Him.
“I see Him as the King of Joy,” whispered Sorrow, ”for on His head are many crowns, and the nail prints in His hands and feet are the scars of a great victory. And before Him all my sorrow is melting away into deathless love and gladness. I now give myself to Him forever.”
“No Sorrow,” said Joy softly, “for I see Him as the King of Sorrow, and the crown on His head is a crown of thorns, and the nail prints in His hands and feet are the scars of terrible agony. I also give myself to Him forever, for sorrow with Him much be sweeter than any joy I have ever known!
“Then we are one in Him,” they cried in gladness, “For no one but He could unite Joy and Sorrow.” Therefore they walked hand in hand into the world, to follow Him through storms and sunshine, through winter’s severe cold and the warmth of summer’s gladness, and to be “sorrowful, yet always rejoicing!”

Does Sorrow lay his hand upon your shoulder,
And walk with you in silence on life’s way?
While joy, your bright companion once, grown colder,
Becomes to you more distant day by day?
Run not from the companionship of Sorrow,
He is the messenger of God to thee;
And you will thank Him in His great tomorrow –
For what you do not know now, you then will see;
His is God’s angel, clothed in veils of night,
With whom “we walk by faith” and “not by sight.”
Streams In the Desert.

I found this and it confirms what I have been feeling in my heart this past year! Sorrow in so many ways but yet so much joy in all that Jesus has done for us and continues to do! It wasn’t until Joy and Sorrow were talking that they felt a presence near them! Jesus’ presence has been so near Ben and I this past year and that makes my heart be at peace!
I have learned a lot this past year and I know that I will be able to carry those learnings for the rest of my life!
Thank you from the bottom of my heart for standing with us this past year in your encouragement, prayers, notes, packages and visits…keep it coming!! We have been truly blessed by you all! I am excited to see what the Lord is going to do in us physically, spiritually, and emotionally and so many other things Jesus is going to do!

Katie and Ben!