2011 recap...

Well sweet family and friends,

The year 2011 is rapidly coming to an end! This has been quite a year for the Griffith family, as it has for many people in our lives this year! We have witnessed many trials in the lives of our family and friends. This has been a year of heart break, cancer, stroke, death and believe it or not a little joy mixed in there too!

Our sweet Ayden turned 5 this year and started kindergarten. He is a very smart little boy with a huge imagination! His most recent “thing” in his life to do is to shorten all his words…so in just 9 more (as I write this) sleeping nights he and his family will be at “Grams” for Christmas.

The twins, Rylee and Caleb turned 2 this year and they are developing HUGE personalities. They are very funny. I thought when they were born Rylee would be the dominate one, and while she tends to be more than not…I see a ray of hope in Caleb as he will take charge when he has had enough from the little princess…they are mini me’s of their parents…she is very laid back…he is very precise!

Landon is 3 this year and as 2011 comes to an end…I think…NOT sure…but I think he just may survive potty training…although his momma may need a tranquiller! He is also very funny…his speech has come so far this year…Cassie asked what he wanted Santa to bring him for Christmas this year…he said…I go to Grammy’s for Christmas…I love that little boy! He looks at you and grins and you know you are loved by a sweetie!!!! (Just don’t make him mad!)

And last but by no means least, Camden is 2 and you better watch out if he is awake. He is the one of all my grandbabies I was afraid I wouldn’t have a “connection” with because he was born in Florida and I haven’t had the opportunity spend with him and form memories with but this summer we got to spend almost a month together and you know what…he is grammy’s boy too!!!! We just recently got webcams and talked with him…Cassie says he has asked no less than 50 times to come to Grammy’s since we talked….love that boy!!!!

We are going to have another sweet baby in May in Florida and I am so excited…we find out the gender in just 3 more days…so excited…while I’d love to see Cassie have a sweet pink baby girl…she does boys so well!!! She is a good boy momma so whatever God gives us, we pray for a healthy, happy baby that grows up to love Jesus with all their heart!!!!

Cassie and Jesse are good. Their ministry is thriving in Florida. Many think it is Jesse’s ministry but I’ve learned over the years that when God calls a man, He calls that man’s family. They work together as a team…Jesse has his strong areas that God uses and stretches and Cassie has her gifts…as in their wedding vows…God said the 2 shall become one…in their ministry…God has put the 2 together to make one ministry for HIS glory.

Heather and Donnie have had a good year as well. We see them growing in the Lord also…Donnie has started attending a men’s bible study and I love to see him come in on Tuesday morning’s because he is always excited about what they’ve discussed the night before at the study. Heather started a bible study with some of the teachers she works with after school once a week and has loved it. They believe God is going to send them to Canada this coming summer on a mission trip with their church and are looking forward to serving together!

Michael has settled in to a job at the bank this year and still leading worship at the church. I know I may be partial, but I think God has giving him a great ability to lead worship and I’m thankful for that gift! He misses being outside now with an inside job. He has been a huge blessing this past year on the Griffith farm. He chose to not get a job for the first 3 months of the year and took care of the farm and at times did a few things on his uncle’s place so that others could be at the hospital with Grandma and Poppa. I guess that is picture of what I think Michael is…when the chips are down…he has a sacrificial heart!

As you all know our Katie got married this summer. I’ve bragged and bragged that I haven’t cried…well about a month ago the tears came and I’m not sure when they will stop. I miss having her here to talk to…one thing I can say about my girls (all of them)…we are not just parent/child we are friends…anyway…I miss her but she and Thomas are good and happy…they work with the teens at their church and she is continuing  to work on her education degree. Thomas is a huge blessing to our family as well!

Amy, our Germany girl has been in communication with us this year a little more than usual…I think she misses us and I KNOW we miss her more and more…we pray that someday God will allow us to see her again face to face…we so much want her to visit us again…but someday…Scott and I want to see HER home!

As most of you know…Scott’s dad was diagnosed with cancer the last week of 2010 and has faced many challenges this year…he is doing pretty well now but still has many days he doesn’t feel well at all. I have watched as this family has walked this road together. It was been difficult to say the least. However, God is our sustaining force thru it all. My mother in law is one of the strongest women I know but I don’t think she knows just how strong she is…I know God is the one who has carried her thru but still I hope someday she sees her strength.

We lost our sweet Maw Maw this year…I’ve started walking the past 3 months and as I walk past her house I can still see her sitting on that porch swing…. Saying…can you come sit with me and visit for a bit…Oh how wish I could now…but I know she is in the presence of our Lord…that picture brings me…joy…not comfort…just pure JOY…her first Christmas with her Savior…WOW!!!! Enough said there!

Scott and I are doing well this year I think. He works all he can and I am babysitting. God has taught us many things this year…it has been a hard year to know that there is nothing we can do to fix the pain our loved ones have had to endure…but attempt to be there for them and pray for them. This year we have both had to learn that our parenting days as we have known them are over and we don’t really like that! We are praying next year we will continue to serve the Lord together to the best of our ability…in January we will be married 30 years…and as I look back over those years…the good and the bad…I stand amazed…at just what God can do…I look at the man I’ve shared my life with…and I think this is true about both relationships, Scott loved the Lord when we got married and he loved me when we got married…I’ve witnessed a man fall deeply IN love with His Lord and Savior…and thru that he is in love with me too! I hope we all know what a miracle life is!

We love you all and Merry Christmas to you and yours!
Scott and Lori