mom making snow scenes on the front window in soap film
making no bakes with crushed candy canes in them
putting up a silver tree with a rotating wheel of light
begging dad to let us open one the night before
reading the Christmas story from the Bible all of us sitting on one couch
remember Kenny's baptism - burr!
sledding at the farm - Beth and I crashing
going to the farm
being pulled up the hill by a tractor
looking down through the register watching and listening as they talked into the night
getting chocolate covered cherries from grandma P.
getting gifts wrapped in sparkly tissue paper
laying in bed at night listening to mom play the piano
trying to figure out what we got for Christmas - just a little poke a little peek
singing songs with dad while we dried dishes
fighting off the evil kids with the bbgun
eating dad's "Special" dishes
listening to Helen Barth on the stereo
buying penny candy
wearing bread bags over our shoes in the snow
playing with fire at the burn barrel

We had some great fun growing up. I hope to make some great memories this week. I only have four more at home and time is running out. Have a wonderful Christmas ya'll and remember - it's the simple stuff.

I am thankful that the Lord does not give up on me. I am so thankful He continues to teach me new things. He is so gentle with me. He knows how I hate to be put down or criticized. It is so hard. I try to take it as I should but I think people can tell I am such a baby. It must show on my face. Well, God knows just how to work on me. He has convicted me once again. I wake up so often worrying about dying. Why? I don't know but this has come to my attention. I must trust and obey. The song played over in my head the other morning and I realized that was God's Word to me. I realized I focus too much on me and not nearly enough on Him. He will keep me here just as long as He wishes and not one minute more. No worrying on my part will change that. My worry also puts a strangle hold on my joy and peace.

I had a huge blessing today. I had been praying for my friend Pastor Dela Cruz. He had a tumor and when it was removed it was discovered that is was benign. What a blessing. Pray for Pastor Dela Cruz and Hope. Hope, his wife needs a biopsy. Pray the Lord would provide for them. They would also like to visit her father who is dying but need money for the trip. God can provide and do more than we ask or think. I am trusting Him to make a way for them.

Have a wonderful day.

Trust and obey, for there's no other way to be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.

Just another crazy day but so much better than yesterday.
Yesterday was as follows - woke, walked, foamed at the mouth about the state of things in general - the house, the laundry, the work. Went to work at church, worked on music, was interrupted, worked some more, listened to Jim and the boys read John 6, found out someone was using my credit card, got frustrated, started to the bank to cancel my card, noticed I had no more gas, stopped to put some in, noticed a police officer beside me while pumping gas, told him I was sorry when he told me I had been going almost 50 in a 35, paid for my gas while he looked over my license and insurance info, calmly walked back out to face the music, was reminded to drive carefully, breathed a prayer of relief at not getting busted, drove on to the bank, canceled my card, drove slowly to the church, worked some more on the music, went home and made a late lunch, went back to church and worked some more, went home and had some supper, watched Breach, watched some Eagles, slept, woke up, went to bed.



Today- Woke, read the 25th Psalm and Proverbs, prayed, made a huge to do list, walked, drank my carrot juice, started laundry, woke everyone up, listened to John 7,told everyone to pick something to do off my list, organized the attic, made lunch, ate, talked to Jim, read with Andy, fell asleep, woke up, ate a chocolate bar (thanks Chelsie, it was delicious!) listened to Seth read a chapter of Little House, listened to Tim read a chapter Sherlock Holmes, made Andy do some penmanship, had an urge to write about life.............

Life is good!