March - April 2012

March 2012

While reading through my journal, I realized that I was living with and leaning more closely toward God. I focused on sending cards to whomever God placed on my heart and most were easy to recognize.

March was a month filled with sending 27 cards and adding to my list of One Thousand Gifts. A month when I was a part of one of the Growth Groups at our church, the ladybugs once again invaded our master bathroom, and our sweet granddaughter slept like a baby.

April 2012

The remaining six cards were mailed during Lent. Yes, some days were a challenge but at the end of 40 days it was a blessing. Hopefully for others, definitely for me, and a tradition to be continued in 2013.

I was definitely enthralled with everything either beginning to bloom or already blooming....

Phlox from our yard

Daffodils from a neighbor's yard

I saw God leading me through my word for 2012 (Fellowship) using scripture, blogs and books. It was a wonderful month of God showing me connections and my sharing time with my Growth Group, breakfasts with former Bible Study Buddies, and the (in)RL 2012 webcast.

2012 In Review

Last year I read Mary Elizabeth's 2011 Year in Review and asked to borrow her idea. She gave me her blessing so here I go...

January 2012

Began with my almost having a heart attack from a mistake on our water bill. Previous quarter was $221.26. The following quarter was $9,769.32! Ack!

The problem? The township installed a new water meter and it was running backward. The problem was resolved but I still don't know how many years were "flushed from my life" from receiving this bill! Ha!

The good news was that after a deer ran into my van in November....

I brought LaVania home all undented and pretty in January. I guess I could have included a picture but you know what an undented van should look like, right?

February 2012

A month filled with love....

Our daughter was married at the courthouse.

Our granddaughter was baptized.

Valentine's Day gifts from Wonderful Husband.

I finally began reading my Kindle Fire and really appreciate the compactness of it all.

Karen Ehman inspired me while I read her post entitled, "Don't Give Up Something For Lent." The idea was to send a card of thanks or encouragement every day during Lent. Seven cards were mailed this month.

Saturday Snow

Hello snow on a Saturday.

At 11:00 a.m. it looked like this....

At 2:00 p.m. it looked like this....

At 6:00 p.m. it looked like this....

I had nowhere to go, took a nap, and Wonderful Husband shoveled the driveway!

Is the world white and glowing where you are?

Happy New Year (early)!

Christmas Eve (2012)

Continuing my journey beyond one thousand gifts....

Today is Christmas Eve and I am thankful.

The pre-Christmas parties are over.

Time has been spent with co-workers, Bible Study buddies, extended family, and the sugar/caloric intake has been gi-normous!

#1081 - 1088 and I'm thankful for:

1081. reading The One Year Chronological Bible. Maybe next year will be the year of reading it every day.

1082. experiencing God's peace throughout this season

1083. gifts of fresh fruit which "partially" offset the sugar choices

1084. Wonderful Husband shopping and gift wrapping with a cheerful heart

1085. The Teacher visiting and appreciating my homecooking

1086. a decorated Christmas tree. (I'm still adjusting to "the kids" not decorating the tree. Back in the old days I handed out the ornaments for them to hang on the tree. I now refer to the kids decorating the tree as "My Spoiled Years.")

1087. our granddaughter asleep in her uncle's arms....Visions of sugarplums dancing in her head I wonder?

1088. the surprise of a light snow on Christmas Eve

I wanted to continue counting although there wasn't a link for A Holy Experience this week.

Merry Christmas!

Faith, Hope and Love (2012)

For a child is born to us
a son is given to us.
The government will rest on his shoulders.
And he will be called:
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Isaiah 9:6 (NLT)

And he will stand to lead his flock with the Lord's strength,
in the majesty of the name of the Lord his God.
Then his people will live there undisturbed,
for he will be highly honored around the world.
And he will be the source of peace.
Micah 5:4-5a (NLT)

...but the angel reassured them, "Don't be afraid!" he said. "I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all the people. The Savior --- yes, the Messiah, the Lord --- has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David!
Luke 2:10-11 (NLT)

May your Christmas be filled with faith, hope and love!

A Jolly Old Elf

Happiness on a firetruck....

Santa Claus 2012

Usually I'm home alone when he comes through our neighborhood. But this year Wonderful Husband said he heard the siren and Santa was coming soon.

We stood on the front porch and waved and shouted Merry Christmas to Santa Claus and his helpers.

They wished us a Merry Christmas too.

I should have told him that I've been very good this year.

But he is Santa Claus....so he already knows!

Merry Christmas!

December

Continuing my journey beyond one thousand gifts....

I began reading The One Year Chronological Bible in August of this year. I wish I could tell you I started reading it in January, but I can't. I purchased it in October 2010 and have not yet read through an entire year, but I have hope. Could 2013 be the year?

On December 6th I read, "For we are God's masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago." (Ephesians 2:10 NLT)

We are God's masterpiece? I've never seen that before but let me tell you that it made my day!

I shared the scripture with my co-workers, Wonderful Husband, Diane, and my new Bible Study buddies.

1066 - 1080 beyond my list of One Thousand Gifts. I thank God for:

1066. hearing that we're His masterpiece

1067. an outing to Peddler's Village with Wonderful Husband

Celebrating 50 years with hot apple cider 

1068. hard eucharisteo: a cold, yet it made me slow down

1069. lunch out with two sisters-in-law and mother-in-law

1070. a Bread Bar at the restaurant. I called it my new love language. Ha!

1071. a bowl of hot crab soup on a brisk day, only 2 small pieces of shell included. Ack!

1072. the First Sunday of Advent at the new (to us) church

1073. communion. In remembrance of Christ.

1074. another visit to the orthodontist, my braces will definitely come off in 2013

1075. a telephone conversation with Melanie while she was Christmas decorating for an upcoming jewelry party. She's a great multi-tasker!

1076. mailing prayer and love filled cards to our niece-in-law and my sister-in-law. Praying for comfort on the third year anniversary of our nephew's death.

1077. hearing an encouraging update on Diane's healing leg

After hearing about the Newtown, Connecticut tragedy....

1078. my faith

1079. my belief that God shares our sorrow and provides comfort through His love

1080. prayer


This post is linked to A Holy Experience: Multitudes on Mondays, One Thousand Gifts.

"God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can't take credit for this; it is a gift from God. Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it. For we are God's masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago." (Ephesians 2:8-10 NLT)