It seems that certain things traditionally happen at the start of every New Year... People set forth New Year's Resolutions. They look back and reconsider the past year's highs and lows, and perhaps ways to learn from mistakes. They celebrate wonderful moments from the previous year and try to forget the worst ones.

As I personally trace back over 2011, I think I will always recall it with wet eyes.

• I will remember it as the year that our 4 year old son, JoJo, started wanting to help people out, and wanting to pray for people, having faith that God would answer his prayers.

• I will remember it as the year that our 11 year old daughter made several personal adjustments to be an amazing big sister to her 4 year old little brother.

• I will remember it as another year that Christe, my wife, often told me she loved me and was proud of me.

• And I will remember it as the year I got to write down a story with a tragic start that would point lots and lots of people toward Hope (www.milemarkerbook.com).

All in all, 2011 points to yet another year of the workings of a faithful God in the midst of life's difficulties.

He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. Colossians 1:17