surrender old ways and look forward to the future

Surrender to what is.
Let go of what was.
Have faith in what will be.

anonymous

year end/new year

It has been a year of reflection, abiding, and getting on. After years of caregiving parents, I have had an entire year with none of those responsibilities: doctor appointments,  counting pills, doing finances, feeding, household maintenance, etc. if you have done this you know the list.

I have found that I am still in transition. I am tired. I hurt. I am getting over my first illness since, only a cold, but it seems like such a big deal. I'm trying to get my own life on track and organized. Actually, I don't know if it will ever happen but I'm trying. Losing a parent is much like any major loss in life. It takes time. It takes effort. It takes "want to".

Every year I choose a word to focus on, not a resolution but one word, that can help me stay on some kind of track to get things in perspective and working better. This year was ABIDE. it was a good word. I stayed close to God, his word, and my own much needed space.

For the New Year I have chosen SURRENDER. Some one asked me if that wasn't just giving up. It is a little bit of that but so much more. A few years back the word was RELEASE, very similar to surrender. I am just beginning to learn and hope to share more along the way but "to surrender" we must be willing to let go of anything that keeps us from being static and move forward to be the very best we can be, live the life we want to live and find the joy and peace in every single day.

So as we breathe into this new year, let's surrender anything that holds us back and keeps us from growing into an even better US.

still my first art love other than fresh crayons

pattern your life for results

my special family

Christmas Blessings

despite my cold and sore throat, my daughter-in-laws stomach bug, and my husband and son having to do late day plumbing repairs (the tub, I know what you were thinking)...

WE ARE BLESSED TO HAVE EACH OTHER.
BLESSED TO LIVE IN NORTH CAROLINA.
BLESSED TO BE BELIEVERS.
BLESSED BY THE BIRTH OF A SMALL CHILD WHO BECOMES OUR SAVIOR.

a weary world rejoices

Merry Christmas from my home to yours

weary with illness of several family members, we are still finding much to celebrate and be thankful for....share your blessings today and every day till next year

use your wings

 

to reach new heights

to find healing

to know love

to believe more deeply

to live a full life

 

 

make the holiday special for all

rest

breathe

eat well

walk outside

keep it simple

it's okay to say no

 

Let's do it! I challenge you all!

Better take self care

 

to enjoy the holidays

NC Snow

 

just may have a white Christmas yet

God's angels have got your back!

Lessons from the Christmas Tree

Snow day- get in the studio!

one woman's thoughts

As President George HW Bush is honored and laid to rest... we have heart the word of God, the songs of God and the power of faith in God. It is time the people lay down their disagreements, sins, prejudices, anger, hatred and bad manners.
Why can't our country come together like this every day of every year? Would we not ALL benefit from a "kinder, gentler" attitude and life?

share the J O Y

a time for reality checks

Twenty days till Christmas
are your ready
it doesn't matter how much you have to decorate
it doesn't matter how much you have to buy and wrap
it doesn't matter how much you have to bake and cook
it doesn't matter how much is expected of you
it doesn't matter how much you think is expected of you
it doesn't matter how much you expect of yourself
BUT
it does matter that
YOUR HEART is filled with the
TRUE CHRISTMAS SPIRIT
Christ was here
Christ comes again
Christ is always with every
TRUE BELIEVER

Shine your light for all to see that JESUS CHRIST is LORD

 

 

of all

for all

through all

that truly

BELIEVE

you can't

have a big enough heart to love this Christmas season

Advent thoughts

Twenty-four days. Advent. Christmas comes. We wait. We decorate. We wait. We buy gifts. We wait. We cook and bake. We wait. We plan. We wait. Mary waited. Joseph waited. The angels waited. The shepherds waited. The wise men waited. The manger waited. God came in the form of a tiny babe. God cried with earthly whimpers. He hungered. He needed hugs. He needed assurance that all was well. He got everything he needed. He studied. He learned. He grew up to be our Savior. He heard our cries. He saw our needs. We waited. He came to us. He met our needs. He stayed with us. He answered our prayers. He waited. He died a horrible death. We waited. We now remember all HE did for us that first Christmas and every Christmas since.

 

Christmas is coming. Will we wait for its renewal? Will we share its message? Will be celebrate its meaning and understand its message? It is my hope that we will. Will you wait with me?

 

It’s been a difficult week for me. My aunts continue to depend on me to comfort, listen and encourage them. I miss my parents and the Christmases that were. It was a time of beautiful family love. It still is. God is our reason for the season. His Holy Spirit and holy Son. No one need be alone. God never leaves us nor forsakes us. As the old word goes, if God is not with you, who moved?

 

When did we move? Why did he not leave us? Where did we miss him? Who caused it? What do we do now? Be aware. Be attentive. Wait! Love is in the air.