inbetween days ...

i hope you all had a peaceful and joyous christmas ...

every year is different, isn't it? ... our christmas was indeed peaceful, but leo had a flu of some sort - so the quiet was unsettling at times ... he is feeling better - back to the usual chronic stuff, without the extra discomfort - so we are thankful for that!

today was the first day i went for a walk, in over a week!  ... it really felt wonderful to get out and chat with the Lord as i made my way down familiar streets ... i think i get a little down when i don't go out!

this was also our first christmas without maria ... it's funny how she was in all our thoughts, but none of us wanted to talk about her alot - not knowing who we would make extra sad ... everyone deals with grief differently ... for me, i miss her - yet i am so gald she is not in pain anymore ... those last weeks were rough on us who watched her great discomfort ... i prefer to think of her being with the Lord and hearing her sweet laugh as she knows true Godly freedom in heaven ...

so now we are in the inbetween days ... last days of 2010 and looking forward to 2011 ... a good time to send out blessings to my blog buds - thank you for being so patient and kind towards me in 2010 ... your encouragement was always so appreciated ...


In everyone's life, at some time, our inner fire goes out. It is then burst into flame by an encounter with another human being. We should all be thankful for those people who rekindle the inner spirit. ~Albert Schweitzer

grace is for everyone ...

leo and i were watching day of discovery this morning ... one of the songs they used was this one:

Some Children See Him

by Wihla Hutson & Alfred S. Burt 1951.

Some children see Him lily white,

the baby Jesus born this night.

Some children see Him lily white,

with tresses soft and fair.

Some children see Him bronzed and brown,

The Lord of heav'n to earth come down.

Some children see Him bronzed and brown,

with dark and heavy hair.

Some children see Him almond-eyed,

this Savior whom we kneel beside.

some children see Him almond-eyed,

with skin of yellow hue.

Some children see Him dark as they,

sweet Mary's Son to whom we pray.

Some children see him dark as they,

and, ah! they love Him, too!

The children in each different place

will see the baby Jesus' face

like theirs, but bright with heavenly grace,

and filled with holy light.

O lay aside each earthly thing

and with thy heart as offering,

come worship now the infant King.

'Tis love that's born tonight!

it just reminded me that Jesus came for everyone ... no one is outside of God's love, or more special than someone else ... we are all sinners ... and can all be saved by grace ... now that is a gift that only the foolish would refuse!

library nativity scene

i walked into our library the other day and look what they had on  display ....

isn't it sweet?  one of our local seniors made it ... lots of knitting involved, with whimsical looking charactors ... but it gets the message across ...  dont'cha love small towns ... *smile*

* * * * * * * *

Good news from heaven the angels bring

Glad tidings to the earth they sing:

To us this day a child is given,

To crown us with the joy of heaven.

~ Martin Luther

 my aunt was baking ... so she gave me some cookies ... i can't believe she still makes all those cookies at the age of 82 ... and as each year passes, those cookies become more and more special ...

* * * * * * *

Our hearts grow tender

with childhood memories

and love of family,

and we are better throughout

the year for having, in spirit,

become a child again at Christmastime.

~ Laura Ingalls Wilder

tis the season ...

tis the season for hurrying ... for fretting ... for being tired and cranky ... ?

no no no ... !

tis the season for magnifying and thanking Jesus ... i always have to make a conscious attitude adjustment around the early stages of Christmastime ... to remind myself that i am not super woman ... that it's not a competition between who has the nicest decorations or who gives the best gifts ... rather, it's a time of thanksgiving to the ONE who gave up everything to live among us - us, who don't deserve the lavish love of a forgiving God ... yet it is His free gift to us through Jesus, the One and Only ...

above is a pic of our condo central, taken yesterday ... we do have snow, don't we?  ... and again this year - leo and i gave thanx for this condo that God made available to us, 4 years ago ... living in town has been such a huge blessing!!  especially during those stormy periods, when the highways have been slippery - i just lace up my boots and walk!!!

well, i walk in town ... but going to the city is another matter ... i was nervous about my first time out on the highways, on wintery roads, last week - thankfully i regained some winter driving confidence - and it went well ... i had to go to the city because of my appointment with the eye specialist ... remember that glaucoma thing i shared about?  well, the doc said i don't need lazer surgery - but i may need drops for the rest of my life ... he wants a few more tests done (in march), then we'll see ...

and have i shared that leo will be getting ANOTHER new doctor?  i think this will be the 5th new gp for him in 4 years!  we hope that this doc is good - and that he decides to make our little town his home ... hope hope hope ...

well, time to unwrap more of this new day that God has given to me ... blessings on all who stop by here!