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Happy New Year!

this year of our Lord, two thousand and seven ...

my daily walks ...

you ask, "how have the days between Christmas and the soon to be new year, been?"

"why just splendid!", i respond ... "and yours?" ... *grin* ...

i have taken walks every day, here in our little town ... thoroughly enjoying the sights and sounds of children on holiday, sliding down the hill at the town dock ... of couples walking hand in hand ... seniors going to the local restaurant for coffee ... all the normal, small town activity ...

i smile at everyone i meet and say "hi" ... or ... "isn't the weather lovely?" ... community banter ... face recognition ... some motorists wave, recognizing my familiar green coat ... homemade touque on my head ... i do tend to bundle up!

i also keep up a constant chatter with my Heavenly Father ... "thank you Lord for this peaceful moment" ... "i love you Lord, thank you for this glorious day" ... there is always something to thank Him for ... along with my usual prayer requests ....

on the 27th, there was hoarfrost on the trees ... and as i walked along the sidewalk, tiny pieces started to trickle down and float free ... diamonds everywhere ... it was so spectacular, i thought i had walked into an old-fashioned hollywood movie set!

yup ... i have been thoroughly enjoying our condo ... so many blessings which tend to overflow the heart of one small woman!

What a beautiful thing, God, to give thanks,
to sing an anthem to you, the High God!
To announce your love each daybreak,
sing your faithful presence all through the night,
You made me so happy, God
I saw your work and I shouted for joy.
How magnificent your work, God!
How profound your thoughts!

~Psalm 92 (portions)

sweet reminder ...

As the centuries pass, the evidence is accumulating that, measured by His effect on history, Jesus is the most influential life ever lived on this planet.
-- Historian Kenneth Scott Latourette

boxing day ...

it's boxing day in Canada ... an old British term ... most folks have the day off, except for retail ...

it was a good day here in our little town ... our first boxing day in the heart of this little community ... we watched kids walking by, pulling their sleds ... going to the town dock to do some sliding ... young couples pushed baby carriages (there is so little snow this year) ... and people have even been riding their bikes! ...

unlike the city, all the stores in town are closed ... all the stores, except for one ... when i noticed people walking to town and coming back with bags - why i put my coat on to go look see what type of Christmas deals could be had! my aunt and i met at this bargain store and we each had a few bags to lug home ... but it was fun ...

now, leo is watching junior hockey ... and i think i will read the paper ...

can you stand the excitement? *smile*

all is well with heart and hearth ... the simple blessings once again rule the day ...

There's a River of Life

I've got a river of life flowing out of me

Makes the lame to walk and the blind to see

Opens prison doors, sets the captives free

I've got a river of life flowing out of me.

Spring up oh well, within my soul

Spring up oh well, and make me whole

Spring up oh well, and give to me

That life, abundantly.

~Author unknown

the intent of my heart ...

i posted this pic last night ... i found the picture first, then the saying ... put them together and now i love the way this poster looks ...

i personally had a really peaceful and wonderful time this Christmas season - all the way to noon on the 24th ... then i got another unexpected e-mail ... what is it with these e-mails lately?

anyway, this one truly hurt my heart ... i was able to shrug off the other e-mail of a few weeks back ... understanding, sort of, where it was coming from ... but this e-mail was so totally unexpected that the rug was taken out from underneath my feet ...

you know that feeling ... where there is an ache in your chest and you just feel awful? that's what i had on Christmas eve and most of the 25th ... i couldn't even shake it with prayer ... tho' i did do alot of that ...

i think maybe my skin was too thin ... i mean, so much has gone on in our lives in a very short while ... mostly good stuff ... yet emotions are still involved ...

well this morning ... as i watched the sunrise here at our condo ... having my morning prayer time ... i realized that God KNOWS my heart ... He knows the INTENTIONS of my heart too ... in this particular case, that i got chewed out for, i only had happiness and joy beforehand ... there was nothing else involved that i know of ... just a joyful sharing ... so my heart was and is clean regarding anything done to anyone else ...

that thought just freed me of guilt ...

i hate when i get sucker punched into feeling emotions that are not legitimate in any way ...

but i love when God teaches me a lesson ... and reminds me that HE KNOWS what is in my heart and mind ... and that is really all that should matter ...


"My dear children, let's not just talk about love; let's practice real love. This is the only way we'll know we're living truly, living in God's reality. It's also the way to shut down debilitating self-criticism, even when there is something to it. For God is greater than our worried hearts and knows more about us than we do ourselves.

And friends, once that's taken care of and we're no longer accusing or condemning ourselves, we're bold and free before God! We're able to stretch our hands out and receive what we asked for because we're doing what he said, doing what pleases him." 1 John 3: 18-22

Merry Christmas, from our home to yours ...

Blessings to you, dear blog buds

... as we celebrate the birth of The Holy One!

Jesus of Nazareth, without money and arms, conquered more millions than Alexander the Great, Caesar, Mohammed, and Napoleon; without science and learning, he shed more light on things human and divine than all philosophers and scholars combined; without the eloquence of school, he spoke such words of life as were never spoken before or since, and produced effects which lie beyond the reach of orator or poet; without writing a single line, he set more pens in motion, and furnished themes for more sermons, orations, discussions, learned volumes, works of art, and songs of praise than the whole army of great men of ancient and modern times. –Philip Schaff

I am an historian, I am not a believer, but I must confess as a historian that this penniless preacher from Nazareth is irrevocably the very center of history. Jesus Christ is easily the most dominant figure in all history.--H.G. Wells

In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also. And where I go you know, and the way you know.” Thomas said to Him, “Lord, we do not know where You are going, and how can we know the way?” Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me. -- John 14: 2-6

almost here ...

the day we celebrate is soon upon us ... the Birth of our King of kings ... who took our form so He could walk among us ...

no wonder believers celebrate with such glee ... we were once captives ... now we are set free!

And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them, and they were sore afraid.

And the angel said unto them, "Fear not, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the City of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you: Ye shall find the Babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger."

And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men!"
Luke 2: 8-14

Christmas feelings ...

Christmas is a time when you get homesick - even when you're home.

~Carol Nelson

i posted this Finnish type pic last night, and i thought the quote went with it ... but this morning as i look at it - i realize that for the first time in a very long time, i'm not homesick for anywhere else ... i don't long for Christmas past ... or for people ... or for places ... i am quite content ...

of course it would be lovely to spend this time with family ... or to just once more, touch the face of a loved one that has died ... but it isn't the same sadness that usually overtakes me at this time of year ...

i guess being overly busy - can sometimes be a good thing!

i give thanks to my Heavenly Father for ALL things ... and not being meloncholy at Christmas is definitely one of them!

morning has broken ...

our fearless feline loves the sunrises here at the condo too ... notices how he dwarfs our 6 inch Christmas tree! ... our silly cat ... he watches people going for morning walks ... or walking to work ... it's a small town and you can get anywhere you want to be, in only a few moments ...

leo is still recouping from the uprooting and upheavel of the last few weeks ... folks that don't feel well at the best of times, well they need space and quiet to gather their strength once again ...

and me? ... i've just been puttering every day ... doing a little of this and a little of that ... trying to still be an attentive wife & friend to leo ... as well as an attentive niece and friend to my aunt who lives near by ...

it's in the little things that we find our peace, joy and place in the world ...

* * * * * * * * * * *

How tragic to move through the seasons

of life without realizing their ultimate

purpose! And what is that? The purpose

is obvious; that we might be saved . . .

that we might not trust in ourselves but

in Jesus Christ, our Creator Lord . . .

and, in doing so, receive from Him the

assurance of abundant life now and

eternal life forever.

~Charles R. Swindoll

clap your hands!

my blogging budding David Fisher from Pilgrim Scribblings, combined 3 of my previous posts for a little "blog warming present" to our new home ... check it out here ... of course seeing God's goodness AGAIN, in print, made me teary ... i tell ya, i've had so many happy tears these past few weeks ... and so has my stoic husband ... he used to tease me about the happy tears, until he finally got hit with a few of his own!!! the best kind of eye-water there is, from a grateful heart!

Vance Havner's thoughts one Christmas morning ...

taken from page 41 of "A Treasury of Vance Havner, Twentieth-Century Prophet, Preacher, Pilgrim" ...

The news reports this morning do not sound like peace on earth, goodwill to men, or even among men of goodwill, if you like it that way. Well, it didn't look so good long ago in Bethlehem. But God started something then and He is going to see it through. He who was a Babe in Bethlehem is coming back, and more dear souls than you might think are not only waiting but watching for His return. Here again the candles and paper bags come in. The church is not a little club with its main business now for its members to sit tight and hold hands until Jesus comes. We ought to light our candles after we get them out from under the bushels and the beds and let them shine, not to blind people with a glare, but just to bless people with a glow.

If we ever do that, every day will be Christmas just as every day for a Christian ought to be Easter and Thanksgiving!

my Heavenly Father knew ...

i was putting up some Christmas decorations this morning ... and guess what i came across? a card holder! yup yup ... i had forgotten that we had received it as a present last year!

i smiled to myself as i again thought of the goodness of God ... even in small matters, like a Christmas card holder!

yay ... Christmas cards!

i have always LOVED Christmas cards ... i would rather get a mailbox full of cards & greetings from friends, then to have a tree loaded with gifts under it!

i used to make a card tree ... click here ... at our cottage ... we had lights around the cards and when i looked at it - i would remember friends both new and old, near and far ...

this year i will have to try and think up a new way of posting the cards ... any ideas?

~~~~~~~~~~

I wish we could put up some of the Christmas spirit in jars and open a jar of it every month. ~Harlan Miller

freely, freely ...

FREELY, FREELY

God forgave my sin in Jesus' name

I've been born again in Jesus' name

And in Jesus' name I come to you

To share His love as He told me to

He said, "Freely, freely, you have received

Freely, freely give

Go in My name and because you believe

Others will know that I live."

~words & music by Carol Owens ...

i've been humming this song, these past few days ... i think it goes well with this season of gifts and love and birth ...

and since it was the first cloudless morning today, i saw my first sunrise here at the condo ... it was beautiful ... just beautiful ... God gave that to me, freely, as well!

it's taking shape ...

another busy day here at "condo central" ... *grin* ... the above pic is about the only spot that looks sort of homey at the moment ... but we're getting there! ...

thought i would re-post my "perfect Christmas Home" from 2 years ago ... i'm off to slumber land now ... blessings!


December 14, 2004
Perfect Christmas Home

here’s my idea of a perfect Christmas home . . .

there is enough sparkling snow to give that clean crispness to the air, yet it’s not so cold that the vegetation around the home is destroyed . . .

the place looks lived in, not entirely perfect - with the window frames needing a touch of paint ...

there is just something that beckons the weary traveler to stop in for a spell, knowing that there’ll be a seat by the fire and food to fill his stomach . . .

have you been a weary traveler in this life?

do you need a place to rest?may i suggest this perfect Christmas home . . . it can be found any where Jesus is ...

He alone can give us that perfect place to rest . . .

Sunday evening ...

there is a dent in the boxes ... a cozy feel to our new home ... and just a general peace inside ...

when that "peace that passeth understanding" comes to a heart, there are other forces that want to knock that peace right into next week ... but the Lord has given me that gift of contentment and peace and i won't let it go without a fight ... it just feels too wonderful and right to let any grinches step into my heart of hearts!

when the grinch came to visit our house today (in the form of an e-mail) ... i tried to answer it with love and understanding towards this person ... Christmas is very difficult for some folks, and unfortunately they lash out at whoever/whatever is the closest and easiest target ... next came prayer ... then came a hot bath!

now it is almost time to head for bed again ... the day was 95% pleasant ... who can ask for anything more?

Remember

This December,

That love weighs more than gold!

~Josephine Dodge Daskam Bacon

we're in ...

we may be in the midst of boxes and we can't find the kitty treats for our poor fearless feline, but we are MOVED IN!!!! truly a Praise the Lord moment!!!

it all went so well ... we started around 9 ... and we're all moved in by 2!!!! there are just a few things to go back and pick up and clean up ... but the beds are in place and made ... leo is watching his hockey night in canada ... and we are grinning!!!

but i am pooped ... so good night, from our condo near the river ... *grin grin grin*

don't hide your light ...

i sit here in the midst of boxes ... soon my computer will be packed and ready to be moved ... i am smiling ... i am tired, constantly planning the next step in my mind ... i am humming ... i feel my 52 years weigh down my body as i lift & tote ... yet, faith springs eternal in my heart ...

the earthly reality and the heavenly hope ...

and as i meet folks in this little town of ours, i tell them ... "did you hear that we found a condo? it is God's Christmas gift to us! we are so thankful ... " ... they smile and say, how wonderful ... and i reply "Yes, God is indeed wonderful" ...

i love that i can share this happy event and turn it into a time of praising God! it makes others smile too ... they catch the song in my heart ...

"God is so wonderful, I can't explain ...

but I can sing Glory Hallelujah, Priase His Holy Name!

He's wonderful, because He saved me ...

He's wonderful, new life He gave me ..

He's wonderful, wonderful, so very wonderful ...

wonderful is He to me!"

i wonder, as i wander ...

Jesus didn't have an earthly home to be born in ... just a stable ... yet, He has given us a home to move to - during this season of celebrating His birth ... i found that so ironic ... and so wonderful ... a present that speaks volumes to me ... it just reminds me again and again, that my true HOME is with Christ ... He knows i think that way ... yet, He gave us this place that we wanted ... and the timing makes me tear up ... a true Christmas present of the heart ...

I WONDER AS I WANDER

I wonder as I wander out under the sky

How Jesus the Savior did come for to die

For poor on'ry people like you and like I

I wonder as I wander out under the sky

When Mary birthed Jesus, 'twas in a cow's stall

With wise men and farmers and shepherds and all

But high from God's heaven, a star's light did fall

And the promise of ages it then did recall

If Jesus had wanted for any wee thing

A star in the sky or a bird on the wing

Or all of God's angels in heav'n for to sing

He surely could have it, 'cause He was the King

I wonder as I wander out under the sky

How Jesus the Savior did come for to die

For poor on'ry people like you and like I

I wonder as I wander out under the sky

for Christmas hymns, click here

peaceful season ... moving season ...

For centuries men have kept an appointment with Christmas.

Christmas means fellowship, feasting, giving and receiving,

a time of good cheer, home.

~W.J. Ronald Tucker

Lord willing, i will soon be able to start decorating our new home for our first Christmas in it! this saturday is the BIG MOVE!

we are getting things ready ...

december 9th is our BIG move-in to the condo ... we have been taking smaller items over there since we got the key on the 1st ... we've enjoyed planning where we'll put the furniture, etc. ... things like that ...

we really love the place ... there is enough work to be done inside, to make it feel like a house - yet the major work outside is done for us ... which is great 'cause leo isn't up to alot of the normal upkeep ... i putter around as much as i can ... it is all doable or ignorable! :o)

this busy pattern makes for one tired blogger ...

so this is a quick post - as i head for bed! ... i am smiling smiling smiling ... praising God the whole way!

"Gratitude, like faith, is a muscle. The more you use it, the stronger it grows."
Alan Cohen