Tis The Season...

For making Christmas cards.

For snowy winter roads. 

For baking cookies.

 

 

For Sister's birthday.

For cold mornings and warm fires.

For bright lights.

And for celebrating the best gift that was ever given, Jesus!

 

For God so loved the world, 

that He GAVE His only begotten Son, 

that whosoever believes in Him should not parish, 

but have everlasting life! - John 3:16

Merry Christmas!

November-A Whirlwind Part 2

   In mid-November I flew down to Georgia and attended Wit Ministries Women's Retreat "4 Days 2 Hope". The retreat was held at a beautiful cabin in the mountains near Blue Ridge, Georgia.

The scenery was beautiful, but even more beautiful was the fellowship, the teaching and the work that God did in the hearts and lives of the young women there! For me the weekend was eye-opening, life-changing, life-giving and yes 4 days to hope!! I am so grateful to the LORD that I was able to go!

  

   Grandpa M's funeral was 3 days after I returned home from GA. Almost all the extended family was able to gather together for the services. The emotions surrounding  the funeral were bittersweet... Bitter was the loss, sweet was the bonding closer to the family that remains.

   Thanksgiving was the following week and it was truly a time of thankfulness in my heart. Thankful for God's work in my life, thankful for the years that I had had with my Grandpa M. and all the precious memories of him that I have to remember forever! Thankful for a heart full of hope! Thankful for home, family and friends...

and homemade pies too! 😊

 We hosted the Thanksgiving feast and festivities!

    So there you have it, the highlights of my eventful November 2017! Oh wait-a-second... I forgot to tell you about going to my nephew's musical and spending two more delightful days with all my nieces and nephews, and starting my new job as a Church Secretary and...  

November-A Whirlwind Part 1

   November was a whirlwind of travel, family, friends, joy, hope and sorrow.

   
   The month started out with a 5-day trip to the Mayo Clinic with Grandpa and Grandma Z. for Grandpa's hip replacement surgery. Even though hospitals and cities can be stressful and aren't my favorite things... it was a special time with Grandpa & Grandma! We had many sweet conversations and laughs along the way that I will remember and cherish for a long time to come.

   
   While we were away, I was able to have some much needed quiet time at Starbucks... I was tired out and hungry for some time with Jesus. But even though I was worn-out and a bit stressed... I couldn't have felt more peace, as I sat there and pondered the sweetness of KNOWING I needed Jesus, in that moment and in that place. Of course the truth is that we always need Him, but we are not always conscious of it. I love knowing I need Jesus. I love that Jesus says "Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden and I will give you rest." (Matthew 11:28)  I love that when my strength is gone, I have more strength than I could ever need in Jesus Christ! And it is truly by His strength alone that I walked through the following days and weeks...

   
   I returned home with just enough time to unpack, celebrate my birthday and pack again! This time I was headed to a retreat in Georgia... But before I could go... I had to do one more thing, I had to say good-bye to my Grandpa M. who was undoubtedly in his last days here on earth. I never did muster up the courage to say the words good-bye... 2 words that had never held so much weight... because this time they meant that there wouldn't be a hello again here on earth.

Grandpa & Grandma M. and Me at an Aloe Vera farm in Southern Texas - March 2013

   Grandpa M. passed away on Sunday, November 12th at the age of 88. I feel incredibly blessed to have had Him as my Grandpa. 

To be continued... 

October Memoir

   So here we are, half way thru November and no post yet... in fact no new post in over a month... Where have I been? What events, activities, joys and sorrows have filled my days and kept me from writing? Many, many... oh where do I even begin?

   October was a calm before a rush with beautiful autumn weather,  golden skies, golden fields, and golden moments turned memories.

 

   An impromptu photo shoot with my lovely sister!💗  

   We planted two new apple trees. Meet Harold (short for Haralred)  and Honey (Honey-crisp) our apple trees! 😉

     I had great fun decorating and preparing for Mom's birthday! The bouquet is made of mint and roses from our garden.

   I spent one morning clearing a path along our maple trees in the woods, it will be oh-so-nice this coming sugar season to be able to drive the ATV back in the woods for sap collection instead of manually hauling out full 5-gallon buckets!!! The skid steer made clearing a path a really fun and quick job!! :)

   October...  visiting Grandpa M. at the nursing home... holding his hand, fall yard-work, Mom's birthday, a hike through the woods and along the river at a near by State Park... talking with the Lord, October a beautiful, calm and golden month...

State Park path

Post Number 50

a picture... because picture-less posts are boring! 😊

    Wow, it is hard for me to believe that this is blog post number 50! It's going to be a bit random friends... I hope you don't mind!

   Chicken noodle soup and all manner of hot drinks have been on the menu over the past few days, as several of us have been under-the-weather with sore throats and hacking coughs. I think the worst of it is behind us now, thanks to the arsenal of home remedies that we used! Yay, I love essential oils, bone broth, garlic, vitamins and tea!

    I have been on a podcast listening binge lately... Because really what else has my under-the-weather self been up to?! One of my favorites to listen to is the Boundless Show. I love the candid, conversational style of their podcast and the godly level-headed prospective they offer on issues facing Christian young adults today. 

    In closing I want to share this song (Jesus Never Fails) with you, I heard it for the first time the other night and it has been a great reminder and encouragement to me! May it be the same for you! 

Jeremiah 31:14b

Three Birthdays

   September, grandparents and birthdays go together at our house, as 3 out of my 4 grandparents have birthdays in the month of September! It's been a special time getting to celebrate each one of them.

Grandpa Z. Celebrating 86 years!

 Holly made a chocolate bundt cake with vanilla frosting for Grandpa Z's party. 

It looked like a BIG frosted doughnut!!

Holly and Grandpa are such good buddies! 

They spend time together every chance they get! It's so sweet! 

My Dad and Grandpa M. on His 88th birthday!

Grandpa M's day was spent in the hospital (because of his dementia) 
kinda bittersweet... But it was good to see him.

 

Here is the cake & card that Holly and I made for Grandpa M. 
Do you think the 88 is too abstract? Do you see it? 
It is supposed to read "CELEBRATING 88 YEARS". 

Grandma M. the prettiest 85 year old I know!

 Grandma requested apple crisp for her birthday "cake". 

This picture is a little blurry... But I love it!💕

   One month, three Birthdays, for three very dear people... Life, what a precious gift from God and a wonderful thing to celebrate!