happy new year!

it really is true that as a person ages, the world spins faster and faster ... i just add my voice to everyone elses' and say 'i can't believe the year has ended' ...

my devotional reading for 2011 was Oswald Chambers "My Utmost for His Highest" ... each time i use that devotional - i am challenged in numerous ways to stretch and grow as a believer ... the devotional can be found on www.rbc.org as well ...

i'll close out my 2011 blog post with a shortened version of oswald chambers' last page of the devotional:

You shall not go out with haste, ... for the LORD will go before you, and the God of Israel will be your rear guard"  (Isaiah 52:12)

Security from Yesterday.  God reminds us of the past to protect us from a very shallow security in the present.
Security for Tomorrow.  God's hand reaches back to the past, settling all the claims against our conscience.
Security for Today.  Let the past rest, but let it rest in the sweet embrace of Christ.

Leave the broken, irreversible past in His hands, and step out into the invincible future with Him ...

blessings on my blog buds - old and new - in 2012 ... may Jesus be your security in all storms - and the centre of all your joys!

a new year approaches ...

i just finished watching the movie "soul surfer" ... wow!  i was so uplifted by the message that came through loud and clear ... it's amazing how the Lord turns adversity into opportunity ... sadness into joy ... and that He knows our load limit - and promises to limit the load!

blessings on you ...

the fullness of His time ...

nothing is ever by accident ...
           and everything is on time ...
                for those who wait on God's timetable ...

time of the year

this smiley snowman has a little bell on it's hat ... i love the way it makes a merry sound when i go out or come in ... very welcoming  ...

 i have this little reminder on my computer desk ... i look at it and smile ...

in the mornings, bits of light that i've hung around the windows give such a nice glow ... i drink my coffee and start the day with joyful (well usually!) anticipation ... i do like christmas time ... especially now that we have really simplified it ...

this year we plan on ordering chinese food for our celebration meal ... we used to go to my aunts but it's gotten too difficult for leo to do that and the smell of different foods cooking, really nauseates him - soooo we have changed our tradition to suit our current situation ...

besides, it's usually the little things in life that make a person glad ... example:  i washed the flannel sheets today and now i'm looking forwarding to crawling in between them ... these are sheets that i bought from costco recently - they were a good price and are soooo warm and comfy ...

Christmas - that magic blanket that wraps itself about us, that something so intangible that it is like a fragrance. It may weave a spell of nostalgia. Christmas may be a day of feasting, or of prayer, but always it will be a day of remembrance - a day in which we think of everything we have ever loved. ~Augusta E. Rundel

christmas is still christmas ....

we have definitely downsized our life here at the condo ...  we also downsized our christmas decorating and even our christmas tree ... check out the baby one we have been using.

but don't feel too badly for us ... once upon a time we had over the top celebrations ... and over the top christmas trees - like this very first tree in the very first house we owned ... what fun we had trying to get the tree inside the house through the regular sized door!!!  there were pine needles all over the living room!!!  we called 2 of our burly neighbours over to help us lift it up ... we were able to nail supporting wires into the floor to keep it upright, since our flooring wasn't done yet ... our cats loved to lie under it's boughs and we were the most popular country home around for the kids!  they couldn't believe the size of the tree ... and indoors!

christmas's change ... and the size of our trees has changed too ... *smiling* ... but i can honestly say that each year my heart celebration grows and grows ... as long as i stay focused on the WORD that became flesh and  dwelt among us - my christmas spirit remains sweet ...

whatever stage you are at in your life ... i hope the JOY of this season ... and the wonder of it all ... brings that childlike excitement into your life!  Glory to God!

christmas past, christmas present

i miss christmas' past ... when we were able to gather with family - the noise, the children and wrapping paper strewn everywhere ... days that have gone by ...leaving only sweet memories and faded pictures as reminders ... 

these days, as christmas time quiets down for us, the stillness helps my cluttered brain settle on my heart celebration of Jesus'  ...  His redemptive visit to planet earth ... then i look to the future and think of His return visit ... thoughts that my earth bound mind has trouble visualizing  ... yet the spirit born within me, hums and thinks on these things ... angels singing, wise men bowing and lowly shepherds (that'd be me) kneeling with awe ... Jesus has come!

'tis the season ...

pic of our front door (taken last year - but as soon as i find the cute red elf from finland - it should look the same!) ... yup, 'tis the season ...

december brings so many rolling emotions into play ... happy, sad, excited and thankful ... there is that theme of thankfulness again ... though our celebrations are quiet now, compared to years past, somehow the child in me is always ready to come out - filled with joy and anticipation - and thankfulness that Jesus has given us the best reason to celebrate!!!!

5 years ago

would you believe that it's been five years since we became happy owners of our little condo?  it was answer to prayer and then some (here is the post with story http://saija.blogspot.com/2007/11/one-year-ago-today.html) ... i just look around me and KNOW that God does indeed answer  prayer and HE also gives us the desires of our heart ...

and before we even knew what our hearts' desired and needed ... God provided ... He gave us His own Son - so that if we believed in Him, we could become part of His forever family - i love the Christmas Season for reminders everywhere of God's love ... thank you Lord!!!!!