NEW YEAR....NEW START

It'a New Year and a new start! I think that's why we all like the beginning of a new year. We can start fresh. We all fail when we desire to grow in different ways. For instance...I was hoping to write on this blog once a week. WELLLLLL....as I have already written, time flies when you're having fun!! As you all know, Christmas comes and goes and kinda in a blur. Yes, we had some great family time, and that I will cherish, but some of the preparing that goes along with it seems to spin out of control. No matter how hard we try to keep it all at bay. I will say I really tried to focus on the moment and enjoy each event.

We went Christmas caroling twice at 2 different nursing homes. Both had there blessings attached to them. We met a sweet lady named Beatrice from Kentucky. And we could tell many hearts were touched by the serenading. The youth that were with us blew me away! They have a knack for connecting with the elderly. Especially our David. I could see him being a compassions minister some day.

We also had an unexpected guest at one of our family gatherings. Like I told my kids, unexpected to us, but not to God. It is a blessing to see God work His will into our lives. The way He weaves things together is amazing!! We just need to keep our eyes open enough to see it!

My husband and I made some gifts this year. I may put some pictures up later. That's one thing I am learning. I'm not very good at moving pictures all around!!

When a new year comes around, I seem to think of the same things that need changed.
I'm drawn to the need to cook and eat healthier, exercise more, spend more time with my husband, and to keep a positive mind set. Along with those thoughts for this new year, my mother-in-law just moved in with us. (in an independent space) We are blessed to be able to take her in and she is FAR from the mother-in-law jokes you here. She is very considerate of others and doesn't want to intrude. I only hope we can twist her arm into eating with us once in awhile!

So Happy New Year to you all!!! I hope to be in touch more often.

EMMANUEL

I know I haven't written for awhile but I have to take this opportunity this Christmas Eve to share my love for the Word EMMANUEL and the person of Jesus Christ. The meaning of the word says it all....God with us. What can be better than that!! We know that He is with us because of Jesus coming and leaving us His Spirit.

Emmanuel has been on my heart so much, that this year I decorated my mantel with it. Here's a peek.









EMMANUEL!! The all-powerful, all-knowing God is with us!!

Merry Christmas to you all!!

FEAR

FALSE EVIDENCE APPEARING REAL....FEAR. That is my biggest enemy. I heard that acronym many years ago. What is it about life that is so scary? The unknown, the known things that COULD happen, the unexpected things that DO happen. You know that feeling you get and you know it is fear raising it's ugly head.

For some reason I have been meditating on this again. Another quote from Ann Voskamp..."Fear keeps a life small." I hate to admit how true that can be. You know, things happen in people's lives that bend them more toward fear. I would know because I am one of them. So I've been thinking lately how much I want to live a large life!! And I know that this is why Christ came....that we might live life abundantly!! (John 10:10)

So what does living a LARGE life look like? It has alot to do with trust. Trusting in the One who made us, redeemed us, lives in us, has gone before us, and is FOR us!!
So why is it so hard to trust? I'm still working on this, but I'm seeing again that it is all about who we believe God really is. Who is He to you?

Time Flies When You're.....Raisin' Kids

I've been wanting to introduce you to my wonderful kids. Last month we celebrated Josh (31st) and Danny's (21st) birthdays. How can I have a son 31 years old? We were just covortin' around together, just the two of us. And what happened to my little red-headed boo-boo? (that does not mean he was a mistake...just a crazy nickname!) Our other son, David, is 16 and behind the wheel!! How did that happen? Wasn't he just 4 lbs. 7 oz not so long ago? I am so blessed!! These 3 young men make a mama proud!! Josh is married to beautiful, inside and out, Erin and expecting their 1st child. Yea!!! Danny is working hard putting himself through school. He is persevering big time!! David and I see quite abit of each other since he is a junior homeschooling. Due to his co-op, saxophone lessons, youth group and being with friends, we spend lots of car time together. Just tonight we were talking about the will of God and expecting heaven to be here on earth. All of my boys are insigthtful and are critical thinkers. They truly are a blessing from God. Here is Danny and Josh.


David....he loves animals!

Josh and Erin





My daughters, Jodi and Jeri, are both married to great guys, Kevin and Joel. I am so proud of Jodi as a young mom. She puts her heart into raising her 2 kiddos, Riley(5) and Connor(2). I wish I was as good of a Mom as she is when I was her age. Kevin is a great asset to our family. He is a good leader for their home.

Kevin, Jodi, Riley, and Connor


Jeri has been working hard as a nanny for several years while Joel completed PA school. She is now taking classes while he works. They have a great marriage and I see them growing as a couple and individuals.

Joel and Jeri



Jeanie is our youngest daughter.(18) She has started college and wants to be an elementary teacher. Jeanie is calm, takes life seriously, and likes to have fun!! I enjoy seeing her pursue God with her friends.
Jeanie in Chicago



I just realized this sounds like a Christmas newsletter, which I personally don't care much for. I have never written one. But I just wanted anyone who might stumble across this blog to see how blessed I am with my 6 kids.

So where has the time gone? I don't know how to answer that accept it is gone!! 33 years of marriage and 31 of motherhood. I remember people saying to enjoy the years of colicky babies and sleepless nights because before you know it your kids will be raised and gone. At the time, it seemed it would never change. Those nights were long!! But here I am with 3 married and out of the house already. I also remember my Mom saying it seems time goes quicker every year. Now I know what she meant. Young or old, we all need to embrace the moment and be thankful for what God has given today.

What do I DOOOO?

I just finished One Thousand Gifts and am struck by the fact that our walk in Christ is filled with action....GIVE thanks....WALK in love....BE merciful...
LIVE fully...and one of my favorites, that this book boils down to is....

"KEEP your heart with all diligence, for out of it are the issues of life."
Proverbs 4:23

If I could just keep a grateful heart, so many things would be taken care of. Another thing is that it is soooo daily!! Yesterday, I messed up, but today is new and I get another try at it. This is why I made this and hung it on our family room wall where I see it often.




Remember that line from The Kid? (love that movie!) His kid-self shows up and wants to know what he ends up doing for a job as a grown-up, so he's asking his grown-up self "what do I dooooo?"

I say... KEEP YOUR HEART GRATEFUL!!! And by the way, I have started my list of one thousand gifts. You should, too!!

All of Life.....a Gift

I've been reading Ann Voskamp's One Thousand Gifts....it is a gift to me. Not a totally new message, but a needed reminder and clarification in many areas. She takes you on an interesting journey beginning with gratefulness and taking you through belief, trust, humility and pride. She is very insightful and writes beautifully. A little hard for me to comprehend at times, so for me I am taking it slowly...trying to get what God has for me out of this book. (or maybe I'm just slo-o-o-o-o-o-o-w) I was already thinking about gratefulness before my daughter introduced me to Voskamp's book....how thankfulness takes care of many besetting sins like lack of contentment, jealousy and anger. I've know for a long while that to be grateful is a good thing and God is worthy of our praise, but Ann points out how things like joy, grace and peace show up in giving thanks. Now I am understanding the connections better. Another point that she makes is that it can be learned...praise the Lord!! I only wish I could have learned this alot sooner and would have been a better example for my children. But God is gracious and alot bigger than I give Him credit for. He can restore the years the locust have eaten ,(Joel 2:25) a prayer I have prayed many times, and He can help my children learn gratefulness, too.

For those of you wanting to follow my blog, you'll probably hear about other books because I read alot to keep my heart pointed in the right direction. I will try to have a new post weekly. Maybe more often, if time allows!!
Give thanks!!!

Introducing......Papa Dan

most recent photo

That's my hubby's nickname at the firestation. Has been for sometime now. He hired on there when our Jeri was 1 year old...over 20 years ago. He is...what shall I say? DA MAN!!! He is my man that God gave me 33 years ago. And I will say that I haven't always appreciated him as I should. He is a DIY'er, (everything from fixing our autos to plumbing to putting in windows) has a strong work ethic, a great father to our 6 kids, caring and generous. (more generous than myself, I hate to admit, but true) He tries to listen and understand me....quite a feat! He is a helper...wait a minute, aren't I suppose to be his helper? He helps anyone and everyone, including me. Right now he is getting our house ready for his Mom to move in...helping her big time!! He loves gardening and the simple way of living. His 10 hens and rooster are testimony to that. And all in the city. Of course he has his weaknesses, lest you compare him to your husband. But I will leave that with the Lord.

wedding day photo

When my granddaughter, Riley, (5) was here yesterday, I showed her our wedding picture. Two great things happened. 1-She said "oh, beautiful.....your dress is darling!" That came out of the mouth of a 5 year old!! AND 2-I thought of how grateful I am to be able to still be married after 33 years and that I am able to be an example to her. Our God has been faithful to keep us through the years. To the young wives out there-----it is worth the fight, the working through your differences. To be able to stand as a married couple before your grandchildren someday. It is a type of hope you can give them. "Surely God is my help; the Lord is the one who sustains me." Psalm 54:4 Thank you, Honey, for battling through with me and for who you are!!