Since I missed last Thursday’s entry,
I wanted to make sure that I posted today for it being the last for this year.
I am THANKFUL for HOPE! I don’t know what it feels like to come to a
point of HOPELESSNESS and I pray that I never do. With Jesus, I have Hope.
What are you THANKFUL for?
It’s a little hard to believe that this year is coming to a close and that there’s only one more day in 2009. I think about all that our family has gone through and is still going through and I would like to leave this year in the dust and not look back. I want to wake up on Friday morning feeling refreshed and with prayers and an outlook that 2010 will be better than the last.
When I sit here and think about all that as gone on, I could get bitter and disgusted. I have had to deal with bitterness within the last couple of years. Remembering how my precious husband and son were affected by it, I would never won’t to allow that to come back into my (our) life.
I know that we are not promised a tomorrow, according to James 4:14 Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away. I also know that the new year could bring much greater hardships and trials than I have been through this year. But no matter what I will have to face, the Lord already knows about it. What is really amazing is that He is right there beside me through it all. He promised He would be in Hebrews 13 :5 … for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.
My family have had some good times this year. I’m very thankful for those times. But Satan really knows how to make those tough days and situations seem a lot worse than they really are. When this happens, we need to remind him, where he is going to be one day. Then we need to pick ourselves up and dust ourselves off, and keep on living for the Lord.
My goal for this new year is to start everyday according to this verse. Psalm 5: 3 My voice shalt thou hear in the morning, O LORD; in the morning will I direct my prayer unto thee, and will look up.
Last week was really busy! I had planned to do some school work with Monkey, but that just didn’t happen. I guess, the Lord knew that we both needed a break from schoolwork. Last Sunday, I was able to give THIS to a precious little girl that has been visiting our church. I was able to knit the sweater in a week and had it finished about a week ago, but the family missed a Sunday service.
On Monday, our family went to Lennox Square, this is Atlanta’s oldest mall and in the Buckhead area. We went to ride the Pink Pig. This is in a very “high maintenance” part of the Atlanta area. Boy, talk about feeling out of place. We are in the north east part of Georgia, so we usually shop at the mall in Athens or at the Mall of Georgia. The Mall of Georgia is the largest but the amount of shoppers doesn’t compare to the amount at Lennox. We really had a good time. Since we went during the day the line was extremely long. We had to wait for 2 1/2 hours to ride. Monkey really enjoyed riding even with the long wait. He has a memory of an Atlanta tradition that he can carry with him.
On Tuesday night we went to Bethlehem, GA to see the live nativity. This was really neat. The pastor of the Methodist Church in Bethlehem, read the Christmas story and the members of the church had the roles of Mary, Joseph, the Wise Men, the shepherds and angels were some really cute children. This has been a tradition for the city of Bethlehem for many years. It was the first time, that we had been and we really enjoyed it.
We were able to visit a house that was decorated with Christmas lights and the neatest thing about it, was that the lights were set to music. The owners are “amateur radio” operators, so they had the music on the radio. We were able to sit in the car and listen to the Christmas lights. This was such fun. Monkey really enjoyed the reindeer that would sing to the songs.
On Wednesday, I finally had all the shopping finished. So I spent a good deal of time making Cake Bites and Caramel Squares. Both of these recipes were super easy and so yummy.
We had a good Christmas Eve with family at my sister’s. Then Christmas day we were at home. I did go to to the mall to return a gift and try to find something in its place. But that didn’t happen. It seemed to me that the stores really didn’t have a good after Christmas sale. Hopefully, I’ll give my hand a try at it again sometime this week.
I hope you all have had a good week.
I can’t believe that I have not posted this week. I have been so busy, with places to go and a few pictures to share. Hopefully, later on tonight or tomorrow, I’ll be able to post about my week.
I hope each of your families have a MERRY CHRISTMAS!
Go tell it on the mountain
Over the hills and far away
Go tell it on the mountain
That Jesus Christ is born
The shepherds all were watching
Over their sheep at night
When a guiding star shone from heaven
And the followed that holy light
Got tell it on the mountain
Over the hills and everywhere
Go tell it on the mountain
That Jesus Christ is born
They found a lovely manger
Where the humble Christ was born
And God sent out salvation
On that blessed Christmas morn
Go tell it on the mountain
Over the hills and everywhere
Go tell it on the mountain
That Jesus Christ is born
He brought with Him forgiveness
He live to show us the way
He came to redeem all creation
And to wash all our sins away
Go tell it on the mountain
Over the hills and everywhere
Go tell it on the mountain
That Jesus Christ is born
Outside my window… The sun is shining…Finally! There are puffy white clouds blowing by, because of the wind.
I am thinking… About all the stuff that I have to do today. I will definitely be busy.
I am thankful for… For a REASON to celebrate CHRISTMAS.
From the learning rooms… Boy, we have been bad this week. I have been working so, to have things ready before this weekend, that some things have been put on the back burner. We will be buckling down come Monday and Tuesday to get caught up on some of our school work.
From the kitchen… Absolutely Nothing! I mean, nothing unusual or difficult today. I have too much to worry about so lunch and supper will be extremely simple.
I am creating… I’m just about finished with the pin cushions that Monkey and I have been making for his teachers at church. All I have to do is decide on which poem that a friend wrote to go with them.
I am reading… Longings of the Heart by Bonnie Leon The link is to the author’s website and a list of her books. I started this book last night. It is the second in a series. The first book To Love Anew was really good. I do believe that I have another favorite author.
I am praying… For a good day at church tomorrow, and that the Christmas program tomorrow night goes smoothly. There has been a lady visiting on Sunday mornings, so I’m praying that she will be back tomorrow.
I am hearing… Monkey playing with his little Build A Bear Monkey. He has him strung up and ready to hang for some crime that the monkey did.
Around the house… Tons and I mean tons to do today. I have a couple of loads of laundry to work on and then I have some major straightening, dusting and vacuuming to do today.
One of my favorite things… The excitement in Monkey’s face when he tries to guess what is wrapped under the tree.
A few plans for the rest of the week… I have to run to the grocery store for a few things later today. We have church tomorrow. School on Monday and Tuesday, then any final Christmas touches that need to be completed before Wednesday and Thursday.
I am Thankful that God has allowed me to be raised in a stable home with both parents.
I am Thankful that my little Monkey is being raised in a stable home, with both parents.
Stability is so important in a home.
After working for the past week on Christmas presents for the three siblings in the Children’s Home that our church supports, my son was saddened when he realized that this home was an “orphanage,” in his eyes. I explained to him, that I did not know the circumstances that brought these precious children into the home, but that they were in a place where they together were being loved and cared for by people who love the Lord. While we were out picking up some wrapping paper and some candy, Monkey wanted to buy them more things for Christmas. I pray that he never out grows his tenderness and compassion on those in need.
