Happy New Year, January 1, 2008, AD (Anno Domini)
According to Wikipedia ….
“Anno Domini” abbreviated as AD or A.D., defines an epoch based on the traditionally reckoned year of the birth of Jesus of Nazareth.
Similarly, Before Christ, abbreviated as BC or B.C., is used to denote years before the start of this epoch.
…. years may be also specified as Anno Domini Nostri Iesu (Jesu) Christi (“In the Year of Our Lord Jesus Christ”).
…. and the historical designation continues to this today, with much of the world completely unaware that every time the “date” is written or typed it refers directly to the dawning of the Christian Era.
Admittedly, we have never looked forward to a new year like we do today. 2007 will have the dubious distinction as being the most colossal and challenging year of our family’s lives. We gleefully close 2007’s momentous adversity and look forward to 2008 which holds HOPE and PROMISE of a better tomorrow.
We don’t know what is in store for us in 2008, but this we do know …. that God is faithful, He is present, and He is in control. He numbers our days and ordains our steps; He loves us with an unfathomable love. We also recognize that God’s sovereignty is not confined within the context of a man made calendar …. for He is infinite. He operates on his time-frame, not ours.
Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever.
Hebrews 13:8
However gargantuan the adversity, we know that God sustains us. We are confident that he will continue to do so in the days ahead. People, like the person reading this update, have also sustained us in ways too innumerable to recount. For that we’re grateful and we say “THANK YOU”!!
It is also abundantly clear to even the casual observer that God’s Hand is upon Irene. He has been in her midst on this journey because He resides in her through his abiding Holy Spirit. The inner JOY of her response throughout this entire ordeal has been an ongoing inspiration to me and many, many others. Her signature smile continues to this day. Despite the low roar of persistent nausea, as I write this update she’s “singing along” with a very upbeat and energetic string of songs on one of her favorite Andrae Crouch LP’s!! (Yes, our stereo system has an LP component so Irene can play the “oldies”!!!)
Many people have encouraged us to put Irene’s and our family experience into book form. Let me be the first to tell you …. with this first-ever public announcement on the first day of January, 2008 AD that the release of our first publication is right around the corner!! The 236 page compilation consists of selected blog entries from Irene’s website. Jocelyn, JoAnna and I have all contributed to the effort. The book is dedicated to Irene as a legacy of her faithfulness.
IRENE’S JOURNEY OF FAITH is in its final stages of the editorial process and will be available in early February on Amazon.com. We hope that it will encourage and inspire many people around the world. Stay tuned; more details to follow!!
From our doorway to yours, make it a JOYFUL New Year in 2008 AD!!
…. and we bless YOU, in our Lord’s Name.
Caminando con Fé
Dave
