This time we're planning to leave for Alabama on Monday morning and stay till Thursday or Friday. This is becoming an annual event as we visit dear friends Harriet and Steve McKay and share holiday treats and finish off the year together. New Year's Day is Harriet's birthday so we enjoy being with her that day especially.
Anyhow, that means this will be my last post for 2008. Thanks to all of you for the laughs, insight, guidance and friendship you've provided for me during the year. I'm looking forward to more of the same in 2009!
Till then, enjoy what's left of 2008 -- and may God bless you all richly in 2009!
Have a great trip.***Concerning your lesson request on empty nesters -- here goes.A change of focus in our lives -- the time to love our husbands "to death" and serve others. Not only in helping the sick and needy, but to continue our preparation and efforts to teach younger women.*** We need to make a strong emphasis to complete the job of cutting apron strings for our children in order to have responsible adults who understand they too must face life as a separate unit. Mom and Dad are not automatic bolt-holes when the going gets rough. Lazy sons and daughters are not an option. We have to make it clear that even emergencies are a temporary solution.*** A wise woman will study in-law and grandmother goals and solutions. We do indeed influence each other. cf especially Deut 6:2-9 & 4:9. *** Think seriously about how GOD desires us to spend our "retirement" years -- and then plan those years to come. *** Empty nests, whether it is the children leaving or a husband's retirement or death, even possible caregiving responsibilities for parents -- all require change and adjustments in relationships and circumstances. We can do a lot to ease our anticipated futures. Hope this helps :)
....that I watch anxiously for other people to change their posts but wait forever to change mine? Guess other folks are like me -- either there's nothing to write about or I'm too busy to tell it! Anyhow, I do appreciate you folks who keep my friends list highlighted from time to time! It's great to hear from you, even if it's just a line or two!
Yeah, as Sara said, it's what you would call Party Mix. Different cereals, pretzels, nuts, roasted in the oven for a couple of hours with butter, garlic, and worchestershire.
Back from Colorado -- and back from Tennessee as well -- after returning from a truly wonderful Colorado visit on Monday the 17th, we left early Tuesday morning for a quick visit with John's two brothers, one of whom lives in College Grove and the other of whom was visiting from Seattle with his daughter. The three brothers had a great time together and Sherron and I enjoyed a rare visit with our niece. Got home Friday evening and hit the ground running trying to catch up from the time away and start getting ready for the holiday. Sister Holly and her family came up on Tuesday and son John and his Jenny made it in on the morning of Thanksgiving, leaving again that afternoon (Thank you, AirTran!). Now -- time to start planning for the December rush -- HOW did November get away so quickly? Enjoying catching up -- or trying to -- on all your posts -- thankful for all of you and the joy, fun, and insights you bring to me. Hope each of you had a Thanksgiving to be remembered with joy.
She is such a sweet person. Thanks for relaying that message. I'm glsd that is where they are attending. I have visited that congregation and they seem like such a good group. Glad you had such fun travels to see family. Happy late Thanksgiving!
The Lord willing, John and I will roll out of town early in the morning (as in, while it's still dark in hopes of beating Atlanta traffic to the other side of town) on our way to Colorado and a visit with the daughter and our favorite son-in-law, not to mention the noble hound. John has packed the back of the Jeep so tightly -- he's even done practice packing with our empty suitcases so he can be sure of getting the maximum load. Luckily, he has left room in the front for me! We're hoping to get out there sometime Saturday evening and we'll fly back when we get done (temporarily) sightseeing and AirTran has room for us!
Can you tell I'm looking forward to this? :) (It takes something really momentous to get me up and going while it's still dark!) Now, I've got to run -- still have a few errands and some laundry to do, not to mention a Bible lesson for tonight! See you later!
Once again, I'm borrowing for my post -- this was printed in Daily Guideposts, 2006, and was written by Carol Knapp. Hope you find it as uplifting as I did and do.
"Today I am helped by Jesus' 'Be of good cheer' words. Just before His crucifixion, Jesus said, "In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.' (John 16:3). When He healed a paralytic man, He reassured him: 'Son, be of good cheer; thy sins be forgiven thee' (Matt.9:2). Jesus calmed His terrified disciples by saying, 'Be of good cheer: it is I; be not afraid' (Mark 6:50). And the risen Jesus stood beside Paul in prison and encouraged, 'Be of good cheer, Paul, for as thou hast testified of me in Jerusalem, so must thou bear witness also at Rome' (Acts 23:11).
These accounts give me four reasons to 'be of good cheer.' First, Jesus has power that transcends every heart-wrenching situation. Second, nothing is beyond His forgiveness when I put my trust in Him. Third, because He is near, I do not have to succumb to fear in any crisis. Fourth, even when I fear most cornered, I can dare to hope, knowing He has redeemed my future."
My Canon is a PowerShot A80, my first digital, which we bought each other for our anniversary in 2004. It has made me into a fair photographer, but a much better one than I was with the 35mm. It's nice to be able to edit (I find it easier to delete an unprinted picture than to throw away one already printed of someone I love!), take out the red eye (our oldest son is the worst for that), crop and lighten, etc.
I'm sure I've mentioned this before but to reiterate, Sweet Are the Ways is BY FAR my favorite of Essie's books!!! I just reread it the last couple of days, and I just love it. :) (No Orchids by Request is also one of her best.) Just had to share that with someone else who would know and appreciate :) *HUG* Miss you!
