A New Year

As I sit here in a comfy chair, snug in a throw blanket with my laptop and a cup of hot tea with honey, close to midnight on New Year's Eve, I think back on 2010. For some, it was a year of gain, but, for others, it was a year of loss.

In thinking about the loss of my husband and best friend, my sons' father, leader of my marriage, parenting and home, provider of my family and, ultimately, my future, I hold close to my heart Isaiah 30:18 which is "Yes, the Lord longs to be gracious to you; He rises to show you compassion." This verse carries a lot of truth in my life, because, on this continuous road of unknowns, the Lord, out of his infinite love, so graciously and compassionately carries us through the trying times of our lives whether it's challenges in our relationship with our God, spouse, children, parents, in-laws, friends, stewardship of time and money, things that hold us in bondage to sin or even grief from loss.

While we're familiar with the challenges of this life, God is faithful to sustain and bless us along the way. So, regardless of what 2011 brings us, I trust His all-sufficient grace to carry us through it to find contentment and joy as we move forward in this journey on Earth.

Happy New Year, friends!

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas! God's gift is still the greatest which is eternal life in Jesus Christ our Lord (Romans 6:23). Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior, was born on this day many years ago. He came to Earth in the flesh of a baby, lived a sinless life for 33 years and died on the cross to pay the penalty for our sins so we can have eternal life. God's great love for us through the gift of His only Son paved the way for us to be forgiven, reconciled and made righteous. What an incredible gift!

We enjoyed food, fellowship and fun with family and friends in Indiana today.

Christmas Cookies

 

We've been busy baking. We made the traditional Eloe cookies of chocolate towne, ginger, molasses sugar and sour cream sugar as well as oatmeal raisin and peanut butter. The boys' favorite kind, though, is roll-out sugar. They like to make cut-out cookies with cookie cutters and decorate them. It's been fun and the deep freeze is stocked!