In my last post, I said I would discuss how God had shown me how to be "steadfast" in 2013. In my first post of the year, I defined the word as...  "Someone can be steadfast in a belief, an effort, a plan, or even a refusal. Whatever it is, it means that the person will calmly hold firm to the chosen position and follow through with determination. " When I look back over the past year, I realize how He has lead me to stand strong,  to be steadfast , in all that cam e into my life. I had several hardships, disappointments, and struggles with worry . Below, I've l i sted many of those that I experienced and listed in my gratitude list how God led me to calmly stand fir m.   1,185 - My brother, coming home the first week of 2013, after being hospitalized for 3 months. (This one was a blessing afte r nearly losing him in 2 012)   1,225 - Having emergency surgery, due to torn cartilage in my knee. Specially trained therapists helped me get back the full