Yesterday was the first day of December. We started the month with a beautiful dusting of snow and lights shining bright on our tree and front porch.

I was struggling to find the excitement of the season last year because my husband was working out of town and I was unsure if he would home for any of the holidays or our anniversary. This year is different!

He is working locally again, and he is home every night. He and my boys were able to get the Christmas lights up on the house. And we have been able to celebrate our anniversary quietly.

Oh, how the Lord is good! After a year of my husband being working out of town, having him home is gift that outmatches every other gift. I have a level of contentedness that I didn’t have last year. I have a settled heart that was missing last year.

The Lord was and is always faithful. I survived last year because of Him. Because I was not doing things by myself. I had the Holy Spirit strengthening me and getting me through every day. I was given help when I needed it. He provided the calm my soul needed when my husband was working 3 hours away. This year, my husband is home, he and I are shouldering the parenting together again, no more skyping at night, no more short phone calls.

This holiday season feels merry and bright again! I am so unbelievably grateful for last year and all the lessons I learned. But this year, I am so grateful that I have a complete family again!