New Year, 2014

HAPPY NEW YEAR! 2014

We are all well here. Christmas packages opened, toys scattered, and family came and went. We laughed and hugged and loved on one another. Then we ate too much and promised ourselves we would do better later.

Now life returns to what is normal for us.


As always, when the year winds to a close, I remember times from the past. I laugh (or cry) and look forward to what comes next.


I gave up New Year's Resolutions a long time ago and have instead tried to adopt a word or phrase to focus on each year. I think this year God is leading me to the phrase, "Do it all for the glory of the God." Which means to test all my attitudes, my conduct, every aspect of my life by whether or not it shows the character of God and brings Him honor. This is true Worship. If I live daily practicing this concept, I will truly worship Him.

May 2014 be full of joy for our family and may each one of us individually see the blessings and gifts that God rains down on us daily.

Merry Christmas, 2013

Christmas Day, 2013 is about over.

The sun has set and dark is deepening. Temperatures are falling and the drip, drip, dripping of melting ice has ceased for now.

The children are winding down ~~ just a little ~~ as they enjoy the cousins and play with new toys. Soon they will tire and will be ready for bed. They won't want to go, of course, but mommas everywhere will insist it is time and tuck them snugly into bed.

The quiet here today broken only by telephone rings and message alerts with Merry Christmas!! from the other end.

Did I celebrate the birth? Did I praise and worship? Did I pause in awe at the miraculous gift given? I'm afraid I didn't give deep contemplation or gratitude for the great and awesome love God showed by sending His son to earth. I didn't ruminate on His message or mission. I kind of skimmed over it while cooking and doing the regular things of the day.

Every year, at this season, I think I will center more on the Christ Child. I will love more. I will give more. I will praise more. I will tell the story more. Yet each year, the day closes and I have missed the mark. I am a little off center.

This is my penance. To confess my failings to you. To ask forgiveness again for my "good intentions" that never seem to fully materialize.

So. I begin again. Each day my goal to spend time with the Word and in the Word. Each day to focus on the miraculous fact that Jesus loves me; to concentrate and praise the Awesome Holy God and give thanks each moment as I practice living in His presence. Maybe then I will keep Christmas Season holy. If I keep Christmas in my heart throughout the year.

Merry Christmas! And may you recognize God's blessings as they rain down on you each day in the New Year.

It's Cold Outside!!

Winter weather arrived at my house this week. And I am wishing I lived in the tropics!!

This is the scene from my front porch this morning. A bone-chilling 15 degrees, 4 inches of snow and more to come.

I'll be house-bound until who knows when so I'm warming the chicken noodle soup I made from my sister's super secret, super easy recipe. And I think a cup of tea would just hit the spot.

The grandsons are VERY excited by all this snow and are looking forward to building snowmen and playing with their Dad. I plan to watch from my window and cheer them on.

Today will be a good day to sit with an engrossing book and catch up on some reading or get a new sewing project started or look through my patterns for some inspiration, or search cookbooks for a new recipe to try. Cooking will keep me warm! If I don't have something to keep me busy, I'll feel guilty for not doing anything productive. Can't have that these days. That leads to depression and Trouble.

Even though I am not a big fan of Winter Weather, I see God's beauty in the mounds and drifts.. It is quite lovely to watch the flakes falling, swirling and dancing. Even the ice patterns in the puddles and pond are intriguingly lovely to see. The moisture on fields will be welcomed by all who farm (even though it means extra work, more feed, and breaking ice). When I look at it that way, Winter is a blessing. But, then . . . everything is a blessing.

The seasons come and go. Days shorten and lengthen. Only God is always the same. Always here. Always Good.