What lies ahead.....

A new road is opening. It is called the future. 2011 is just around the corner. What will you do with your life? What path will you take?

As we approach the New Year, our minds begin to envision all the things we wanted to do in 2010, but there never seemed to be enough time. We all wanted to lose weight, and many of my friends succeeded beyond their wildest dreams with this resolution. Some wanted to eat better...and did. Some wanted to exercise more...and did.

Some set their goals toward family and home life....be there more for their kids, be more supportive for their husbands.

Some yearned to read their bible more and some wanted to do more active bible studies or become more active in their church.

Some wanted new careers and took steps to pursue their dreams. Some wanted to excel in their current jobs and worked hard to achieve that goal. Some went back to school to earn their degrees and some took chances on new jobs which paid off.

Now that this year is ending, we once again have the opportunity to look ahead down life's road and set new dreams and new goals for our lives. What road will I travel this year? Where do I want 2011 to take me? I'm not sure, but I do know that with God by side, helping me to steer, the road will be a little easier to travel.

My wish....

Our church family has experienced a deep loss of a very beloved member. A good friend lost her sister very unexpectedly. A niece-in-law lost her grandmother to pneumonia. All of these deaths occurred within a 24 hour period, Christmas Eve and Christmas day. Death is uncertain, unpredictable and uncontrollable. The finest doctors, the strongest medicines cannot help if God's will is to call you home. We can't avoid it; and we can't anticipate when it will happen.

That is why it is so important for us to show our loved ones how much they mean to us every moment of every day. Squeeze joy out of every moment. We never know when one breath is the last breath. We don't know what God has in store for us from day to day, but we do know He wants us to enjoy the life we have been given.

My wish for each of you is to enjoy every moment you are given and to live your life so your loved ones know how important they are to you.

A baby changes everything.....

A baby changes everything.....

Yes, praise God, a baby DOES change everything!

No Post on Christmas Day

I wanted to post and let everyone know I will not be posting on Christmas Day. I will be busy celebrating the birth of our Lord. Happy birthday Jesus.

The Christmas Letter

Dear Family and Friends,

As Christmas approaches tomorrow, I wanted to take the time to wish each and everyone of you a very special Merry Christmas. My world has so many wonderful people who care and I thank God for each and everyone of you. Especially my Facebook and Blogging friends. I sometimes get a little impatient and bring extra stress to my life, but each time I let something get to me, it seems like one of my friends has a kind word or comment that helps me see things for what they are.

This year has brought many changes to our lives. My mother turned 80 in June and is still in good health. She and my sister came to spend the entire week with me for Mom's birthday. We had such a wonderful time and made many memories that will last us a lifetime. We had a big birthday bash at my daughter's house and Mom even got on a motorcycle for the first time in her life (even though she wouldn't ride it).

We lost my husband's dear brother, Robert, to cancer unexpectedly this past summer. He was diagnosed with pneumonia when further testing discovered lung cancer and within a month and a half, God took him home. His passing left a hole in our lives that can't be filled.

Our son and his wife blessed us with some great news. A new grandson. Colby James was born October 1, after trying to make an appearance two and a half months early, causing his mommy to go on bed rest. He is a bouncing healthy, happy two month old now. Both our children had said they were done. We wouldn't be getting any more grandchildren. So Colby was a very special blessing and I thank God daily for bringing him to us safely.

Our business has done very well this year and from all indications, will only grow stronger in 2011. We added a new branch to the business dealing with the trucking industry and my husband is still able to help me with the business, allowing us both to work from home. Which was a blessing this past week with all the snow and ice storms that came through.

Our church family has expanded. The Lord blessed us with a wonderful pastor who was led to us by some unique circumstances. We have grown in so many ways this past year. We have grown closer to the Lord and to each other. We have had many things to celebrate. But we have also had reason to mourn. We lost many loved ones from our church and their extended families. The most recent being our interim pastor Rev. Jack Anderson. He was such an inspiration to our church and helped us through some difficult times. We were all so saddened at his passing.

My Christmas wish for each of you my dear friends and family is that God blesses you abundantly and continues to keep you healthy and happy.

Merry Christmas,

Brenda

God's Greatest Gift

Isaiah 9:6 -  For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Luke 2:6-14 - So it was, that while they were there, the days were completed for her to be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling clothes, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night.  And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid. Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people.  For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.  And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, 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, goodwill toward men!”

Christmas Crafts Showcase

If you are like me, you love to see crafts that others make. Some people just have that special talent to take things and make them into something that make you go "Ooo". My sister, Rachel, was kind enough to send me photos of some of the crafts that have been made for Christmas by my mother, by Rachel, and by a friend of the families, Linda. In most cases, these crafts came from their own designs or thoughts with no patterns to go by (except for the dishtowels). They are three very talented ladies and today I want to showcase some of their talent.......