Thank you all from the bottom of my heart. I pray that your 2011 will be filled with God’s blessings more abundant than you can imagine — blessings of love, peace, and joy so amazing you can’t help dancing.

Dance with me no matter what you’re going through. It’s good for the soul.

No matter our challenges, no matter the rough road we may have traveled this year (and may still be traveling), we can rest in the assurance that God is with us through it all. Days can be dark because of the loss of a loved one, or maybe because of health challenges for us or those close to us, or maybe because we’ve been hit hard financially and struggle to make ends meet.

Yet, we are not alone. Our Lord is with us. He walks beside us, feeling every heartache, drawing us so close we can almost feel his heartbeat. He gives us strength to endure, no matter our circumstances. He gives us that special gift of loving others … and receiving their love for us.  He freely gives us that amazing gift called grace. (Oh my, where would I be without his grace?)

Many of you have reflected Christ’s love and grace to me this year. Your love-in-action brings to mind a favorite quote written by Teresa of Avila in the 16th century:

From this time forward, Christ has no body on earth but yours;

No hands but yours; no feet but yours.

Yours are the eyes through which his compassion will look upon the world;

Yours are the feet with which he will go about doing good;

Yours are the hands with which he will bless others.

I pray that I may take these words to heart — and act on them often — during 2011.

You are in my prayers as we enter this new year. May God’s richest blessings be yours today and always. “I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you I always pray with joy because of your partnership …” Philippians 1:3 Truly!

With all love, peace, and joy,