Rowley/Johnson Christmas celebration - 2024!

Our family Christmas was celebrated before the holiday this year, and one perk was that we had a "white Christmas", which the kids sure enjoyed.  We always gather at Gwen and Tim's house, which has enough space for all the stuff that accompanies the Holiday!  The first thing we do is take these pictures!  We have learned that trying to get everyone to cooperate after food and presents just does not work.  So, photos it was!

I made a special request this year for a beef roast for dinner, and Tim was happy to make it.  He put a ton of beef in a crock pot with carrots and potatoes and then also made a serious mound of mashed potatoes for this "spud" loving family.  We managed to squeeze around the table for this wonderful Christmas dinner.

After dinner, we proceeded to the present portion of the day.  The kids all seemed to really enjoy their gifts.  This year I think Lia got the prize for being the most excited about her gifts - most were practical things for her College dorm.  After presents, all the kids wanted to go outside to go sledding on the hill in Gwen and Tim's front yard.  This is the second year that we have been able to play in the snow during our Christmas celebrations since 2020 when they moved into this house.  

The kids managed to get in about an hour of sledding before the sun went down.  The promise of dessert and hot cocoa got everyone inside without too much complaining.  Susie and Doug had stopped at our favorite bakery (Blessed Little Kitchen) and brought cupcakes, cookies and a French Silk pie!  We managed to squeeze in a family game time and this years new game was a card came called "The Chameleon".  It is supposed to be for older kids and adults but Grace and Anna played with no problem.  As a matter of fact, they did much better than this grandma! As usual!  It was sad to see the day end, but everyone was tired.  Doug and Susie have quite a long drive home, so it was an early goodbye.  

Every family day we have makes me so grateful for my children and grandchildren.  I am so aware of many who do not get to celebrate with their grown children, or those who don't have any family nearby.  I don't take these times for granted.  Each celebration, each event, each family get together is another memory.  These are memories that I know I will cherish in the years ahead.  

These times with family pictures highlight just how fast the kids are growing up.  This year we have one in preschool, two in grade school, one in junior high, one in high school and one in college!  Quite the spread.  And before I know it, they will all be grown and flown.  So I continue to make being with my children and grandchildren the top priority of my life.  It makes for a full and fun calendar of events!

Jesus, thank you for family and time spent together.  Holy Spirit, remind us all of the value of memories and the importance of spending time together.  Keep us mindful of those around us who are alone or lonely.  Give us courage and boldness to share kindness and love with those around us.  Thank you for this season to celebrate your birth.  Amen 

Christmas wrap-up and year end review

This is kind of an out of order blog post, but wanted to begin this post with our family picture from our Christmas 2023 (which actually happened on January 1, 2024).  After so many years of things feeling sort of "out of order", you would think that I would be used to it by now!  But for some reason, I had a more difficult time with our celebration being so far after Christmas.  I must be getting old!   

Here is a recap of how the days actually went for me, leading up to Christmas.  After illness struck our family (as it did with so many families this year), we postponed our celebration.  So on the 23rd, Gwen asked me to come to their house and spend the night so we could celebrate Christmas Eve together.  It was a total surprise to me that Gwen and Tim had planned to take their family to see a very large, drive through and drive in light show.  This show is well known in our area and is really quite spectacular.  Needless to say, I was amazed and delighted to see this.  It is really impossible to get photos that do the show any justice at all.  It was a great way to spend Christmas Eve, Eve!  Christmas Eve began with a wonderful church service.  

After church, we spent a few hours just being together.  It was fun to watch the kids create Gingerbread Houses.  We had a lovely dinner together and Tim sent home enough leftovers for three additional meals for me!  

I spent Christmas day at home.  I had planned to attend a church service in the morning, but decided I would rather have a pajama day at home, which I did!  I watched lots of Christmas movies, ate those wonderful leftovers, and kept warm.  

The next week was one in which you never really knew exactly what day it was!  Everything felt out of whack with Christmas Day on Monday.  I think everyone will be glad to get to Sunday, January 7 when things go back to normal.  My family was more or less holding their breath until January 1st in hopes that no one would get sick!  Thankfully, the day arrived and we CELEBRATED!

We have learned that it is always better to take the pictures BEFORE we open presents!  This year was no different.  Pictures, presents and then food!  Everyone had a wonderful time with their gifts.  My favorite items were things that the kids made/bought for each other.  I love getting my yearly photo calendar from Gwen.  I have taken the 12 photos from each calendar since 2007 and put them in scrapbooks.  So I have a pretty good history starting with photos from 2006 when Lia was born.  I just love looking through these 3 large books.  Last years pictures finished the third book so I will be shopping for a new album to have in the ready for this years calendar pictures!  

This year Lia's boyfriend, Micah and Ellie's boyfriend, Samuel were with us to celebrate!  So we are pretty much at the end of this table fitting our entire family!  

These are just a couple of my favorite pictures from the day.  These cousins are really happy to be together.  Zeke is happy to have Jimmy around since all the girls can get a bit much for him!  Grace and Anna are close enough in age to really be good friends.  I love how much fun they have together!  

Driving home after our celebration, gave me some time to reflect on the last year.  2023 was a bit of a whirlwind for me.  My DNA discovery was certainly a big part of that.  I am still trying to locate my half-brother's son.  Unfortunately, he has a pretty common name so it makes him hard to find.  Most of the extended family don't have contact with others in the family.   I would really like to be able to talk with someone who actually knew my biological father.    Having names and a family tree is wonderful. The pictures I have are amazing.  But there are some questions that I can't get answered without this contact.  So this is certainly something that is coming with me into 2024.  I will continue to try to make these connections.   

The grandkids are all getting so old!  Lia will be heading off to college in the fall.  She has actually been a college student for two years, at a local community college.  As a homeschooler she was eligible to begin classes at age 16.  She has been on the Dean's list and will be starting college at Lindenwood University in St. Charles, MO in 2024.  This school is actually just outside of St. Louis, so it makes it a pretty easy 5 hour drive home. Its not THAT far away!  Ellie will soon be turning 15 and can begin drivers ed.  Gwen is certainly looking forward to this, with Lia leaving, they will be down one driver!  All those back and forth trips to dance are much easier with a teen driver!  Zeke will be a teenager this year!  How did that happen?  And Anna is "double digits" at the end of this month.  Grace will be 7 just days after Anna turns 10 and Jimmy is closing in on 3 years old!  You can't ignore the passage of time when you are surrounded with kids that grow and change faster than you can blink an eye!  

This year - 2024 - I will recognize my 50th Wedding Anniversary.  Ken was so looking forward to this memorable event.  It is sad that he didn't make it.   I will also turn 70 this year.  Somehow that just seems so much different than "being in your 60s."  My "word" for this coming year is PERSEVERE!  The Webster definition is "Continue in a course of action, even in the face of difficulties"     I love both Bible passages that are associated with this word -

Because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.  Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.  James 1:3-4

Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character, and character, hope.     Romans 5:3-4

I love that perseverance brings hope and maturity and completion - not lacking anything!  Sounds like a good goal for 2024.  

This post completes 11 years of blogging.  That doesn't seem possible.  When I began this blog in 2013, I don't think I had any intention of keeping it for this long.  But this chronical of my day to day life is really a treasure to me.  I know that God has used these words on a page, sent over the internet to thousands around the world to bring encouragement and hope.  Seeing someone else's struggles and joys and troubles can make you feel less alone.  If these words have brightened even one persons day, the time and effort are worth it.  My prayer is that those reading this will know that the love of Jesus is for everyone, everywhere. May you be encouraged to know Jesus better in 2024.

Jesus, thank you for family, for children and Christmas.  Holy Spirit, keep our eyes on what is really important as we settle back into our "normal" routines.  Keep our hearts open to see those around us that need a kindness.  Give us courage to reach out to people who are hurting.  Help us all to find ways to grow to know more about you in 2024.  Thank you Jesus for loving us.  Amen 

 

Not quite the December I expected....

I am sure that I am not the only one reflecting on the last few weeks and saying, "This is NOT what I was expecting!"   This has been an unusual lead up to Christmas for me this year.  As a matter of fact, here it is December 29th and my living room is still filled with unopened presents under my tree. 

 Our family celebration has been delayed until January 1st, because of illness.  I know that we are not the only family experiencing the re-scheduling nightmare of trying to find a time that works for everyone.  Thankfully, as of this moment, everyone is healthy and it looks like our celebration will actually happen next Monday.  All of the grandkids have had great Christmas celebrations with their immediate families.  Grace and Jimmy actually got to celebrate with Susie's family also.  Gwen and Tim and kids will celebrate with Tim's family tomorrow.  So, not what we were expecting, but thankful all of the sickness seems to have ended.

The hardest, unexpected thing of the last few weeks was the death of an old friend.  While we had not been close the last few years, there were years that I spent hours and hours every week with her.  Kay Fick and her husband Rich Fick had a ministry, Cyrus Ministries International, that I was a part of from 1991-2014.  During those years, we worshiped and prayed together, laughed together, cried together, learned together and supported each other.  In 2004, I had the privilege of traveling to Kenya and Uganda with Rich and Kay.  In the later years, when the ministry moved to Big Rock, IL, I would often be called on to lead the meetings when Rich and Kay traveled out of the country.  I accompanied Kay many times, when she was called to speak and lead at Women's retreats. Many, many people came to Big Rock for prayer and ministry.  There were many nights of worship, led by Kay on her guitar.  I am sure that I spent more time with Kay during those years than anyone except my family.  Our kids are the same ages and they spent time together as teenagers.  Yes, we had a very close relationship.  Rich passed away very suddenly in 2019, a loss that I think I am still processing.  Kay's rather quick illness and death will be something that again, takes me a long time to fully work through.  

I found these pictures taken during our Africa trip. The first picture of  me, Rich and Kay was taken in a home in western Kenya.  Kay and I often laughed about this picture.  We had both had a really difficult time sitting for this photo.  The pastor who owned this home, insisted that we sit for this picture.  What you can NOT tell from the photo is that way it smelled in this house!  They had just coated the walls, inside and out with cow dung to help waterproof the walls and roof.  It was  a very, very pungent aroma to be sure!  

The next photo is Kay and I with the Women's board of Cyrus Ministries Kenya.  These women were so kind to us and although we couldn't speak their language and they didn't speak English, they understood prayer!  Kay was a prayer warrior and intercessor like none other.  When you had a need, she was in prayer for you.  With certainty, I can say that the presence of Jesus flowed through Kay wherever she was and whatever the circumstance.  

This next photo was taken in Uganda. I was thankful to have Kay by my side on this trip.  It was a life changing experience for me, for sure.  

 The service to celebrate her life was wonderful and her kids shared her life and testimony with poise and grace.  The service ended with Silent Night which was Kay's favorite Christmas Carol.  It also included verses, including this one, that were special to Kay....

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.   Romans 13:15 

I am truly sorry that I didn't get a chance to actually tell her how much she meant to me.  I understand that this is something that is often said, but let me assure you, it is true!   If there is someone that has touched your life in some way, someone that has made an impact on you, TELL THEM NOW!  Don't wait until tomorrow.  Write a note, send a text or email, send a card.  Whatever.  Just don't let time and busyness get in the way. You will never be sorry that you did this.  Let's all make this happen before 2024 begins.  We will all be blessed in this.

Jesus, thank you for the hope that we have in you.  Thank you for restoring health to all who are sick this season.  Give us grace and peace when our plans change.  Holy Spirit, bring to mind those people that we need to acknowledge in the days ahead.  Give us courage and boldness to step out and share our feelings, even when it is difficult.  Thank you Jesus for the joy that fills this season remembering your birth on earth.  Keep us in that joy, even in difficult seasons.  Amen 

Christmas wrap up for 2022

I so love having these family photos from our gatherings.  I love seeing just how much the kids grow and change.  Christmas was so much fun.  We managed to avoid the bitter cold and snowy days by our previously planned date to celebrate of the 26th!  It was a great day weather-wise and everyone was healthy (which we do NOT take for granted)!  

 

We always make sure that one of the first things we do, is set up for the "photo shoot".  It is almost impossible to wrangle everyone once the present opening begins.   This year Micah, Lia's boyfriend, joined us for the Christmas celebration.  Our number keeps growing as the kids get older!

It is a good thing that Gwen and Tim have the "world's biggest sectional" since it fits most of us!  

It was so much fun just watching all the opening of presents. I receive the "Grandma and Jimmy" frame to complete the set of frames on my wall!  Susie began making these for me in 2008, when she created the first "Grandma and Lia" frame.  She has gifted me one for every grandchild since!  These precious keepsake frames mean the world to me.  I now have seven frames to look at each day!

It was a great day for some outdoor fun, so Grace, Anna and Zeke spent over an hour outside sledding.  Gwen and Tim have some perfect hills so no driving is necessary to get to a good place to sled.  

Warming up afterwards required some hot cocoa.  Just made the day even more fun.  Jimmy seemed to enjoy the dogs as much as the presents.  Sunny (who has as much energy as a toddler) and Jimmy, raced around the room chasing after each other.  Both Sunny and Jimmy were ready for a bit of "containment" so Sunny went to her crate and Jimmy....

And everyone had a turn at entertaining Jimmy!  It was so much fun seeing the excitement of the kids.  They love being together and everyone had a great time.  We played a few rounds of a new game "Would you Rather" and that brought many laughs.  We didn't take our usual dinner time photo- we simply forgot.  With all twelve of us gathered around their table set with their Avent wreath burning, the story of my "almost burning down our house on Christmas" was once again shared.  And we laughed (all of us adults) that the kids did not even know what an "entertainment center" was!  Our family Advent wreath story involves a plastic wreath, some (very) short candles, the top of an entertainment center, and a busy mom (AKA me) making a Christmas breakfast in the kitchen while the entertainment center burned! Just a little!  Thankfully, Ken noticed the flames before much damage was done.  We had a large burn mark on the top of that piece of furniture for all the years we owned it!  And also a great story to tell every Christmas for the last 37 years.  

The years go by so fast.  In a blink of an eye, the kids are all growing up.  It won't be long before my little family will grow so large it might be difficult to fit easily into a photo.  I can not express fully just how thankful I am for the love and care and concern I am so blessed  to receive from my family.  Over the last few weeks, I have read, heard and seen so many stories of families that are torn apart by conflicts and hurts. My prayer goes out to those who do not have family nearby or at all.  There is something about Christmas that makes family seem so important.  For me, it is all about sharing the love that makes the holiday so special.  It is the small little kindness' that happen that bring smiles and tears to so many.  It is the "secret santa" gifts, the ornament exchanges, the cookies shared and the candy eaten that express the truth of Christmas. It is the lights on trees and houses and yards that dispel the darkness of the winter night.  It is the smiles of strangers, the door held open for you, the extra hug that warm my heart.  It is the glowing candles in a darkened church and the singing of familiar carols and the ringing of the bell near the Salvation Army kettle.  Yes, this is the love of Jesus pouring forth  into our dark world.  Jesus said "I am the light of the world" and then said "You are the light of the world".  As we celebrate Jesus' birth, we shine forth our light into the world.  That is what Christmas is really all about.  May we all continue to shine forth brightly into the new year.  

Jesus, thank you for reminding us that you are the light of the world.  Holy Spirit, help us to see the light that overcomes the darkness that seems to be all around us.  Remind us to shine brightly and to not "hide our light under a bushel".  Keep us aware of others who might need that extra measure of kindness.  Give us courage and boldness to smile, to hug and to help.  Amen

Amazing how a picture triggers a memory

This morning I was getting ready to attend a baby shower for an expected grandbaby of a friend, when I happened upon this photo.  It had been stuck in an old jewelry box and I was looking for some Christmas things to brighten up my fashion choice today.  And then this photo dropped out of the drawer.  

When I picked up this photo, I remembered the day it was taken so clearly.  If you notice the upside down inscription - it was the first time we had ever seen a Polaroid Camera/photo.  This was just before Christmas of 1961 and the Polaroid was the "Big Deal" in the camera world.  This is what is printed on the back of the photo....

My dad was fascinated by this concept.  I remember him inspecting the photo, hoping to find something to complain about. I also remember that he had a very long conversation with the salesman trying to sell him the camera!  But that is not the entire memory of this day for me.  

My dad, my brother and I were at the "big" Montgomery Wards store in St. Paul, Minnesota.  It was the evening after the last school day before Christmas and my mom had to work late.  My dad brought us with him to pick up my mom after work and to do a bit of Christmas shopping.  It was a memorable day for me because my dad never brought us shopping, and we got to see where my mom worked!  I was in second grade that year, and my mom had started working full time in the spring of my first grade year. I was the only one in my class with a mom that worked.  I didn't have any friends in the neighborhood that had working moms.  My mom worked in the payroll department that was on the top floor of the store.  I was very impressed by her desk and all the machines she worked with, as well as all of her co-workers. It was the first time that I actually could visualize where my mom was everyday and what she was doing.  Since she still had work to finish when we got there, she suggested that my dad take us to see Santa Claus.  This was my first and only time ever seeing Santa.

Now my brother Greg was 12 and in seventh grade.  It was pretty clear that he was not happy waiting in the line to see Santa.  I remember so clearly when he turned to me, with a very big grin on his face and said, "Santa isn't real.  This is a just a man in a costume.  He doesn't really bring toys.  It's just a game that parents play to make us beg for toys."  My dad never heard this conversation, but by the time I got to the front of the line, I had noticed that this could not be the "real" Santa.  He had a poorly fitting paste on beard and his hair was showing under the while wig.  I didn't want to believe Greg, but some of the magic went out of Christmas for me that night. I never spoke to my mom or dad about this, but I suspected that all the gifts were really from them.   You just have to love those older siblings that spill the beans for all the younger ones.

We didn't get any photo with Santa that night.  It was 1961!  If you had asked me when I stopped believing in Santa, I might have told you the story that I just shared.  But I never realized that there was a  photo from that night. Photos are so powerful. It really is about preserving the moment for the future.   I think that is why I love scrapbooking and have my home filled with pictures.  Recently someone asked me how many scrapbooks I have.  I just counted them and there are 65 scrapbooks on the shelves in my living room. I am still working on the second half of 2019 so this isn't even current!  And I still have boxes and boxes of photos from my life and boxes of older photos from my parents.  

Yes, that night some things about Christmas changed for me.  But it wasn't exactly what my brother might have intended. That year was also the year that I was in a Christmas program at our church.  My class sang "Oh Little Town of Bethlehem" and the program was actually about Christmas around the world.  For me it was one of those special moments when a story just "clicks".  There was something about seeing that the birth of Jesus and knowing it was celebrate around the world.  It was the first time that I understood the meaning of Christmas.  It really didn't matter to me that Santa wasn't real or that my parents provided the gifts under the tree.  Something in that Sunday school program opened my heart to the wonder of Jesus, coming to us as a tiny baby.  

Today, as I was reflecting on this (very old) Polaroid picture and the events of that night, I was struck by two interesting facts.  One, it was the only time I actually "saw" Santa and two, it was the only year I was in a Sunday School Christmas Program.  Isn't it interesting that Jesus made sure that I understood the true wonder and mystery of Christmas when my child's heart had lost the excitement about Santa. I especially love that Jesus brought this picture back into my hands today.  It explains why I just love seeing young children singing and celebrating Jesus' birth. Something that was certainly meant to ruin Christmas for me, and then God making sure the truth was revealed.  Isn't God's timing wonderful!  

I am sure many of you may have stories of your own about Christmas' past and I am sure that there are many photo memories filling your albums, boxes, drawers and phones.  Take a few moments in these days leading up to Christmas, and look over those memories.  Let Jesus bring some revelation to you that might just change how you feel about those photos and Christmas.  If possible, watch some children put on a Christmas play.  Hear the story of the birth of Jesus.  It is all around us if we stop and look for it.

Jesus, thank you for always bringing to us what we need, at exactly the correct time.  Holy Spirit encourage us to stop and listen to the message that is in the air around us during this season.  Give us open hearts to receive the truth and wonder of Jesus' birth.  Thank you Jesus for children, for songs and carols and the joy of Christmas.  Thank you for coming to us!  Amen

Year end wrap up.... goodbye 2021

 What a year.  I think all of us are kind of glad to see 2021 go.  There were certainly some very good things in this year, but the constant ever present Covid just kind of put a damper on everything.  Right now things are not looking good on the Covid front.  The numbers are skyrocketing and things are shutting down - again.  But in spite of that, I am ending the year in a hopeful and happy place.  

As usual December was a busy, busy month.  In spite of some minor sickness (just common colds) and the rising Covid numbers, my family was able to gather and celebrate Christmas together.  

I am especially thankful for remembering to get photos of me with the adults and not just the kids this year.  I don't remember the last time I had a photo of me with Gwen and Doug.  As usual, we had a wonderful day together.  Even James cooperated and took a good nap, in spite of all the noise and commotion.  It was a day of fun, laughter and many memories made.  

I had several other wonderful surprises during this month.  While volunteering at the Operation Christmas Child processing center (which is only about 2 miles from my house) I actually got to meet Franklin Graham.  

He just happened to visit this center on the day that I volunteered.  I have been filling shoeboxes since 2014. I started doing these boxes in honor of my grandson Lucas,  shortly after his death.  Every year I fill each box for a little boy who might be close in age to Lucas.  I love praying that each box finds a boy that needs to hear that Jesus loves them.  This year (March of 2021) I actually heard back from a family that received one of the boxes I packed in 2019. 

This sweet little boy lives in Chili with his mother.  She wrote me a wonderful email thanking me for blessing her little boy.  They went to help center to get some necessary items and he was invited to attend a shoebox event.  You can see him holding the picture I included in all of our 2019 boxes.  It was so amazing to actually see what impact such a small gift can bring.   So meeting Franklin Graham and actually getting to once again touch hundreds of boxes, and pray for each of the children was an incredible start to my Christmas season.  

Then, one day in the flood of packages that arrived at my door, I received an "unknown" package.  You know, the one where you hold it in your hand and wonder, "Now what did I order?"  Well, this package remains a mystery since STILL no one has claimed to be the sender

This lovely scarf has all seven of my grandchildren's names listed over and over.  I love that this includes Lucas (who can so easily be forgotten by others - but is never forgotten by family).  It was sent by someone who knew that blue is my favorite color.  I just love this mystery gift so much!  I don't remember the last time I received a truly mystery present that has brought me so much joy.  I actually got to wear this scarf the other day when the weather changed (finally) to cold and snow.  It was such a comfort to find this scarf wrapped around my neck - just like being hugged by those special people.  

I finished off the month by going with Gwen and Lia to purchase new Pointe shoes for Lia.  The first pair of Pointe shoes that Lia has were now "dead".  Apparently that is what happens to well worn pointe shoes?  Lia actually pointed out how worn they were and showed me the marks made by running through the grass to get quickly on stage during their outdoor "Recital" (thanks to covid).  I learned so much about the fitting and wearing of pointe shoes that day.  It was most amazing to watch the mature, confident, young lady that Lia has become, interacting with the gal fitting her. 

 Sometimes I look at Lia and think, "Where was I when she grew up? How can she be this old?  I can't help but reflect on the powerful words and visions I had for her when she was just born.  She is a "little bird with a big voice".  A leader who will show her peers the right way to go.  

I made these name frames for each of my grandchildren, from the words that I was given to pray for them, even before they were born.  I love watching each of them grow into the things that Jesus showed me for them.  As I watch Lia, I can see this just come to life.  I can't wait to see what is ahead for her.  

Over the last few weeks I have been working on the frame for James.  Because I have not yet given it to Doug and Susie, I won't share it - yet.  But It has been part of my December this year and remembering Lia's frame has just made the construction of Jimmy's frame that much more special.  So...look for a future blog about James!

The Lord has been so good to me!  That phrase just rolls around and around in my head.  This has been a year of firsts in missing Ken.  This was the second Christmas without him.  Our family has been lamenting that we have not been able to plan our trip to Florida to fulfill Ken's wishes to have his ashes scattered at Casey Key.  It has been a frustrating time,  deciding when we could all travel and then trying to find a place that could actually fit all of us!  I have spent literally HOURS searching VRBO and  AirBnB trying to find something that would work.  I have messaged and called countless hosts trying to find something.  Around Thanksgiving one particular host called me and told me to wait until after Christmas.  She said that often people cancel reservations that week, before the year ends and often weeks open up.  So, I waited.  And then a miracle happened.  This place emailed me that they had three weeks open up... One in early May, 2022.  

It was almost to good to be true.  It is on Casey Key.  It has enough beds for all of us.  It has a pool and is steps from the beach.  It even has a pier for fishing.  Really more than we hoped for.  So, at last, our trip is set.  I think that we all breathed a sigh of relief.  I know that we have all needed this last piece of closure.  This trip would make Ken very happy.  We will all be together at his very best happy place, Casey Key.  It will be a wonderful way to remember Ken.  

This was really a great way to end 2021.  This trip seemed impossible for so long and now it is on the horizon.  I am so thankful for the many answers to prayer and the joy and hope that are filling my life.  It's been such a wonderful December.  I can't wait to see what is ahead in 2022.  I don't usually do "New Years Resolutions" but this year I am.  I have decided to 

*Pray more and worry less

*Sing more and sigh less

*Praise more and complain less

I can't think of a better way to start a new year.  Yes, Covid is still here and most likely will be all through 2022.  There are many things that could make this year hard.  But with these resolutions in the front of my mind, it is going to be a great year.  This world wide pandemic has gotten to all of us.  I hear so much fear from even those who know Jesus. This is a time to remember that 

You dear children are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world. 1John 4:4

Also, I have been continually reminded to start each day, putting on the full armor of God.

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.  Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes.  For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.  Therefore put on the full armor of God so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.  Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.  In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.  Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.   Ephesians 6:11-17

*Belt of truth.... we all need truth!  Not what we hear/see on the internet.  TRUTH

Jesus said "I am the way, the truth and the life"

*The breastplate of righteousness - covers our heart to keep our emotions in check.  

*We can walk in the good news of the Gospel that Jesus has won the battle!

*We have the shield of faith that protects us from whatever the enemy throws our way.

*Most importantly, we have our heads - our minds- covered in the helmet of salvation.  Because of this, we can think clearly

*Finally, we have the offensive weapon of the sword of the Spirit.  We have the word of God available to us.  

It is my hope that you will be blessed by the reminders I have just shared.  In these uncertain times, it is good to be firmly planted in the truth.  So, dear friends, follow with me in hope and joy as we walk confidently into 2022!  

Jesus, thank you for all the reminders you have given to help me stand during the last years of change and transition.  Holy Spirit, bring these words to life for those who are seeing this post.  Give us all courage to acknowledge your help and your presence in our daily life.  Thank you Jesus for all the wonderful good times I had in December.  Amen