Friday, December 30, 2011

2012 Blessing for the New Year

- May you get a clean bill of health from your dentist, gastro-internist, urologist, proctologist, psychiatrist, podiatrist, plumber, and the I.R.S.

- May your hair, teeth, face-lift, abs, and stocks not fall; and may your blood pressure, triglycerides, cholesterol, white blood count, and your mortgage not rise.

- May what you see in the mirror delight you and what others see in you delight them. May someone love you enough to forgive your faults, be blind to your blemishes, and tell the world about your virtues.

- May the telemarketers wait to make their calls until after you finish dinner, may the commercials on TV not be louder than the program you’re watching and may your checkbook and your budget balance, including generous amounts for charity.

- May you remember to say “I love you” at least once a day to your spouse, child, parent and siblings; but not to your secretary, nurse, masseuse, hairdresser, or your tennis instructor.

- May the new year often find you seated around the table with your beloved family or cherished friends. May you find the food better, environment quieter, cost much cheaper, and the pleasure much more fulfilling than anything else you might otherwise be doing.

-borrowed from a local editor

Monday, December 26, 2011

Snapshots of Christmas Memories

This Christmas was chock full of memories. Sometimes, I felt like Mary of old who "kept all these things and pondered them in her heart". I know that was referring to the events around the birth of Jesus, but I like to think that when God gives me snapshots into His plans and workings in our life that we should keep these things and ponder them in our hearts.
Snapshot 1. Ted teaching Cheyenne and Jessica how to make Momma's chocolate covered peanut butter balls

Snapshot 2. Ted wanting Momma's cherry cream pie which I haven't made since Momma showed me how to do it. In turn, I taught Jessica how to do it. (Jess is James' girlfriend). Passing on the family recipes and traditions to the next generation was bittersweet.

Snapshot 3. Ted giving us his Christmas wish list, and God providing the money so that I could make all his wishes come true {yes, that is probably the first time in 20 years this has happened :))) }

Snapshot 4. Ted writing me a love letter in a Christmas card. I cried all over him after I read it. He hadn't written me like that in years, and I have missed it. Not counting the emails we write to each other or the texts. I just missed the pen to paper heart to heart missives.

Snapshot 5. Passing along the love and wisdom and Godly example to the next generation as it was shown me by the loving people God put in my life through the years.

Snapshot 6. Listening as Ted explained the meaning of Christmas, and why we do what we do on this day every year. How precious the birth of God's Son was and how we are not to take it lightly or forget that is the whole reason we give gifts. I remembered just a few short years ago when he wasn't walking with the Lord and giving spiritual lessons to the boys was the farthest thing from his mind. I inwardly rejoiced that my husband was truly the spiritual leader in our home that God had intended all along.

This was the best Christmas in years! Thank you Lord, for all these things to ponder in my heart. Most of all, thank You for the birth of Your Son that made salvation possible to all who will accept it.

Monday, December 19, 2011

10 Free Gifts for the Whole Year

1. The gift of listening.

Try giving this to someone in need. And you must really listen. No interrupting, no daydreaming, no planning your responses. Just listen.

2. The gift of signs of affection…

Be generous with your hugs, kisses and gentle squeezes of the hand. Let these tiny actions demonstrate the love inside of you.

3. The gift of a note…

It can be as simple as “I Love You” or as creative as a sonnet. Put your notes where they will surprise your loved ones.

4. The gift of laughter…

Just cut out a cartoon, save a clever article. Your gift will say, “I love to laugh with you.”

5. The gift of a compliment…


A simple “You look good in blue” or “Good supper” can be of greatest value to those who may feel they are being taken for granted.

6. The gift of a favor…

Help with the dishes, run an errand, etc.

7. The gift of leaving alone…

There are times in our lives when we want nothing better than to be left alone. Become more sensitive to those times and give solitude.

8. The gift of a cheerful disposition…

Try to be cheerful around those you love.

9. The gift of a game…

Offer to play your loved one’s favorite game. Even if you lose, you’ll be a winner.

10. The gift of prayer…

Pray for your loved ones and let them know you pray for them.

Consider this: One of the most important trips a person can make is meeting the other person halfway.

(This was posted in our local paper, but they cited their source as the internet -author unknown.)

Friday, December 16, 2011

Comforting Contemplations

Two years ago today our lives changed abruptly. Our hearts were torn and our prayers were mere sobs. God has given living grace to us just as much as He gives dying grace. This week I have tried to be stoic, I don't know why just didn't want to always cry.
Ted was out of town and traveling back a long distance this morning. I know he knew what day it was, but I am not sure if he realized that to have him out of town just like he was 2 years ago and also driving back at the same time Momma went to Heaven was very unsettling for me. I was so worried he would fall asleep at the wheel or have an accident before he made it home safely. I did not want to say anything to him about his trip or that it was the anniversary of his mother's Homegoing. I went to work today on autopilot. I think being sick with a cold and feeling blah was a blessing in disguise for I was too numb to feel the heartache.
James has his first girlfriend and I do not feel equipped for this. It has made me think back on what it might have been like for Momma all those years ago. She mothered, mentored, and molded me being a model of a virtuous woman who loved her Lord. I miss her comfort and her wisdom, I keep thinking she would know how to handle each situation or at least we would work it out together. I can only hope that I will be the kind of mother in law that she was to me.
So many saints in our church have stepped into glory in the past 2 years and my heart yearns for my turn. Then I think of all the people who won't get to go because they haven't accepted or have outright rejected our Loving Lord. I know I need to stay here until our Lord returns or calls me Home so that I can tell others.
God doesn't make mistakes, and we don't need to know all the answers, but He does send comfort along if we only keep our eyes and hearts open to His gentle care for us.
He has taught me so much in my life, but when He took Momma to be with Him, it allowed me to learn even more intimately about Him and how to grow in ways that I was not before this.
So as I contemplate Momma and all that has happened hurts, and heartache and all I do find comfort.
May the God of all comfort be with you now and forever, Amen!