HAPPY NEW YEAR!

 

I AM THANKFUL FOR NEW CHAPTERS

AND DEAR FRIENDS!

WITH INTENT

 Here we are once again ending another year.  What a year it has once again been!  I really thought this pandemic was going to go away after a year---but it has proved me wrong- AGAIN.  After three shots I have decided to go back to living my life as normally as possible.  (There's that word again--you would think I would begin to recognize there is no such thing as normal.)  Masks are kept in my car, along with hand sanitizer to try and adhere to expectations where ever I might go.  

Do you not love this quote?  Think it over--what really happens when January 1 rolls around, yet again?  We turn the calendar over to a new page.  Another day rolls around.  We use our calendars to signify the opportunity for creating change.  Have we all not said, surely this will be a better year?

What seems most important is that we live the new year with intent, or even better, live everyday with intent.  How many days have I let flitter away on the winds of lack of direction and laziness?  My prayer is this year, I can look to God with intent of seeking what He has instore for each and every day.  The days are dwindling as I get closer and closer to the end of the book.  There is an urgency in seeking to finish well and that only comes from intent.

SO--celebrate big today.  Begin that new calendar--fresh--with no wasted days.  Trek down the path of the days of the New Year with intent of living each and every day to the fullest.  HAPPY NEW YEAR, FRIENDS!

 Brothers and sisters,

 I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. 

But one thing I do: 

Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead,

 14 I press on toward the goal to win the prize

 for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 3:13-14

ON TO THE NEXT THING

 Enough about Christmas, the next big thing is quickly closing in---

It is time to be thinking over resolutions and goals for the new year.  Personally, I do not do either.  Resolutions are just sitting there sticking their tongues out at us daring us to break them and goals---well I think they are best left to scoring in games.  NOW--if that works for you to have resolutions and goals-

We are all created different and what works for one may not for another.  ME--I feel like I am setting myself up for failure.  NOW---what I prefer to do is come up with a list of behavior modifications.  (That's psycho speak for changing how you act)  EVERY SINGLE YEAR---I vow to exercise more, eat better, spend more time with family and friends, seek areas to serve, etc etc.  (I refuse to give you all my areas which need addressing).  The good thing about sitting down and thinking this over and perhaps even physically listing them is we are spending a time of introspection.  We are thinking over where we would like to see changes in our lives and consciously deciding to pursue a higher quality of life.  What ever way works best for you, I am hoping you will spend some time of contemplating needed changes.  We NEVER get too old to make changes.

One area that is on my list every year is my relationship with God.  One on one--deep love-knowledge of who He is and His desires for me.  You can go to church 7 days a week, but it does not substitute for that personal relationship.  I pray every year to know Him at a deeper level - to feel in my very heart and soul His abiding presence.  To KNOW He knows me like no one else.  To understand He has plans for me (probably are not my plans).  To speak with Him in an on-going conversation throughout my day.  To feel His deep and abiding love every moment of every day.

Make your resolutions, set your goals, and modify you behavior as this year draws to a close, but thank our God for second and third and fourth and infinite chances to draw closer to Him.

The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth.

145:18

ANOTHER YEAR CLOSER TO MY ETERNAL HOME

Another year has flown by and today is my annual reflection of How I lived this gift of earthly time and --what a wonderful sense of humor God has.  A time when I acknowledge--the good-the bad--the ugly---and with a mark in time at midnight tonight---VOW to close this chapter and look forward to the clean sheet to begin the next chapter.

The year began with the need for a biopsy--remember that picture---one of the best looking men I have ever seen---sweet on top of that--as my doctor--strapped to a table on my stomach --quite the picture of beauty and grace--he was NOT changing my oil or rotating my tires---BUT the entire experience bordered on hysterical.  I kept the sweet friend that went with me laughing uncontrollably all the way home describing this fun outing!

I have had the fun of once again packing everything--with further downsizing-and moving 300 miles.  I am down to 1 of everything-plate,cup,bowl, glass--you will be glad to know I kept a change of underwear. It was reminiscent of the Clampetts move to Beverly Hills---WELL their drive into the city in their jalopy--NOT the mansion with the concrete pond.  Here I am finally living my dream of living in a "Big City".  I have learned the lesson that it is NOT smart to live on the edge of a university campus.  Noisy would be an understatement.  It has caused an increase in prayer time for our coming generation.  These people will be in charge of the nation during my golden years!

Our annual hiking trip proved to be a lesson in life concerning need for cardio and strength training.  I also took my son in law out of the will when his tent leaked in the rain and bitter cold.  God's little gift to soothe my disappointment was the "Nitty Gritty Dirt Band" concert and spending a couple of evenings with the man in a skirt having an interesting conversation.  Bottom line is NEVER believe your hiking friends when they tell you it is not a big deal as they run up the mountain.

After months of looking, I finally found the cowboys/girls here in the Wild-Wild West.  While attending the Mustang Million show with Ruston friends visiting, we saw every shape, form, and size of cowboy and cowgirl.  The West is alive and kicking here in Texas---you just have to know where to look!  I was so inspired I bought a pair of cowgirl boots.

Following a brutally hot summer, God got a little snicker when he sent a full fledged ice storm for five days.  I learned it is NOT a good thing to cook a big pot of chili for one person to consume.  I have the two pints I froze in the beginning of the process well hidden in the freezer---STILL cannot stand the sight of them.

God and I have laughed together at life in the "Big City", but He has also shown me His faithfulness.  It has NOT been easy moving--but just as my marriage ending was not easy---He is by my side--walking with me---proving Himself faithful and loving me beyond my wildest dream as He teaches me and continues to work on my sanctification.  He has placed me in a church with wonderful teaching, He has given me a new small group to begin the growth of fellowship with, He has placed me under inspired teaching of His Word in Bible Study, and I am beginning the slow process of making friends.  He has given me a precious little girl to tutor and mentor in an inner city school.   My homesickness is beginning to get better---He" heals all wounds.

Perhaps the greatest blessing God has given me this year has been the outlet of my writing.  I wrote my first book--in an effort to remind myself of how He was redeeming my heartbreak and to share with others the only Hope.  He has changed the direction of my blog--from me to what HE is doing and teaching me.  He has given me a huge heart for the broken, disenchanted, lonely, and hurting.  How many times in the past year has He allowed me to testify to what He has done in my life and the promises He has made to all of us. My most important lesson this year has been the reminder to trust in Him and remember the Hope for tomorrow found only in Him---

The Answer is ALWAYS Jesus! 

Happy New Year, Dear Friends

As We Close Out This Year

Remember The Blessings

And Look To His Great Love For Each Of Us!

"The Lord Almighty has sworn,

Surely, as I have planned, so it will be.

and as I have purposed, so it will stand."

Isaiah 14:24