Reflecting

As I sit here on the last day of the year, looking back on the last 365 days is inevitable--what a year it has been for our family. One year ago, we were unknowingly days away from Mark losing his job. Although he had been casually looking for something else, we certainly weren't prepared for how things played out. God has "brought us a long way, baby" and we are thankful. But I know that the reason we have come where we are is from all the prayer support we receive from you, my blogland friends; from family; from church; and from our own face to the floor pleadings for his direction and guidance. Prayer is powerful, and if I've learned nothing else in the last year, learning and re-learning that will be enough.

New lyrics, old tune...

...ready? Here we go!!!!

Christmas is over,
this goose sure got fat!
Now it's time for dieting
and all of that

If I can't stick to a diet
I'll gain e'en more next year,
I should really try it,
and get the flab out of here!

Think that will motivate me? Nah, but who knows?

Not much, just thoughts

So, my gramma is doing some better, I think the steady care at the nursing home rather than her being on her own is doing her good. Some of her old spunk has revealed itself--that made me smile to think about.
We're "snowed in"--no church, no program--so Mark is in the process of making his famous pancakes *YUM* and we will soon be in the process of eating them. I should cook some bacon to go with them. Or I could save the bacon for Christmas morning with our coffee cake...yeah, that's what I'll do!
Our adventure of the week was the accidental death of my microwave. Apparently one should not place an ear of Indian popcorn in a printed paper sack and expect there to not be a fire. Whoops. Thankfully, I know a good appliance guy, and we were set to rights within the hour. (grin) I didn't even have to go shopping! My only decision was the color--gotta love being married to an expert.
I pray you're all having a relaxing holiday, with plenty of time to basque in the light of the world!

Praying for my Grandma

The beautiful woman pictured her is my wonderful grandmother. Her smile is so familiar and dear. As a child I remember visiting their house: crawling to get to the built-in bench at the table for breakfast, "bumping" on my rear-end down their stairwell and sometimes crashing into the living room door below, listening to my grandmother humming her way through her day--especially in the kitchen--wish I could have a recording of that sound, playing pool in the "store" with cousins, exploring the attic above the "store" for hours on end, the occasional bat that would make our Christmas celebration "more entertaining" especially for the "KKK" cousins--you know who you are(!), the wringer-washer in the back entry way where I learned that you really shouldn't put your fingers in there, the

H-U-G-E garden between their house and "Whip & Pearl's," the hill up behind their property where we built a secret fort complete with a bathroom--uh, yeah..., the sand pit across the road where we would slide & dig and collect clay to fashion dishes for our fort, the church across the road (they lived on a corner) where in the winter we dug the most fabulous tunnels through the mounds of scooped-up snow, the gas pump where my dad would fill up after we arrived and before we left again--others would fill up there, too (they really did have a store, not open in my lifetime except for the gas pump, but my dad was raised as a storekeeper's kid), the barber chair where my grandma would give haircuts to her kids & grandsons (it sits in my brother's home now), running into town for "Jax" fries (yumm-o!)...there are so many more memories too numerous to recount!

Regardless, this dear grandmother of mine has been struggling with health issues as of late and now finds herself living in the nursing home in the town she lived near. She's way off in Michigan, and that distance is just too much to travel at this time of year, though I would dearly love to visit her one more time--and one more time after that, and one more time after that...

She is on my heart a lot, as are my many memories...

Instead of forwarding an email...

With 3 weeks before Christmas REMEMBER:

Jesus is Better than Santa

Santa lives at the North Pole.

JESUS is everywhere.

Santa rides in a sleigh

JESUS rides on the wind and walks on the water.

Santa comes but once a year

JESUS is an ever present help.

Santa fills your stockings with goodies

JESUS supplies all your needs.

Santa comes down your chimney uninvited

JESUS stands at your door and knocks.. and then enters your heart.

You have to stand in line to see Santa

JESUS is as close as the mention of His name.

Santa lets you sit on his lap

JESUS lets you rest in His arms.

Santa doesn't know your name, all he can say is "Hi little boy or girl, What's your name?"

JESUS knew our name before we did.

Not only does He know our name, He knows our address too.

He knows our history and future and He even knows how many hairs are on our heads.

Santa has a belly like a bowl full of jelly

JESUS has a heart full of love.

All Santa can offer is HO HO HO

JESUS offers health, help and hope.

Santa says "You better not cry"

JESUS says "Cast all your cares on me for I care for you.

Santa's little helpers make toys

JESUS makes new life, mends wounded hearts, repairs broken homes and builds mansions.

Santa may make you chuckle but

JESUS gives you joy that is your strength.

While Santa puts gifts under your tree

JESUS became our gift and died on the tree.

It's obvious there is really no comparison.

We need to remember WHO Christmas is all about.

We need to put Christ back in Christmas.

Jesus is still the reason for the season.

A tale of three nativity sets

My Christmas decorations are set up. It's not much, really, compared to some, but I like them. Within the scheme of my decorations are three different nativity sets, three creches. two of them are beautiful, one not so much. I'll show you what I mean.


This first one, is something of a theme of blue, silver and gold. The gift bag in the back is a reminder to me that Christ is truly the greatest gift of all. The candle to the side, that Jesus is the light of the world, and he lights up the darkness. The gold at the base, that I need to cherish Jesus gift above all.


The second one is set in front of our Advent Candle. I considered removing the baby Jesus until Christmas morning, but I was afraid I'd forget where I tucked him away to. So he's with the set, and the candles lit in anticipation of his coming shine over the place where he lays. There is no white Christ candle in the wreath, so the white set seemed fitting to accompany the Advent candle.




This is the last one, hidden away a bit on my piano, rather than the ones more prominently displayed. Maybe I should change that. Regardless, this third set is a quiet, gentle reminder that I am accepted by Jesus no matter what I am, no matter what I've done. It's a hodgepodge of a collection of mismatched items that didn't come together in a box. The three wise men are too small, the little drummer boy too large. Even the angels don't match. But everyone in the scene is focused on the main attraction, Jesus. This nativity is the one I find the most poignant. None of us match, none is like the other, no one is perfect. Yet at the feet of Jesus, we're all equal. It doesn't matter how much money I make, nor does it matter how much you make. It doesn't matter if I've known Jesus all my life, and you on your deathbed finally come to accept his lordship in your life. Jesus saves us, as is, without reservation.

Merry Christmas

St Louis' City Museum

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=72162&l=a4dd0&id=769092714

I hope you can click the link above to check out some photos of an amazing place to visit in St. Louis, Missouri... we had an absolute
B-L-A-S-T there!!!!