I was surprised to find another former neighbor at the assisted living facility where the group performed yesterday. We have a close neighbor who has been living there for a while. The other woman moved there in August. She and I were in our neighborhood bible studies together. She said she likes it there and that she needed the help now. Her son lives in the home next to her former home and she wanted to be relatively close to him. He is blessed with having a mother who has such a good attitude about it all.
The activities director there is wonderful. She is one of the little people. She had a sweatshirt that read, “Santa’s Tallest Elf.” 😀
33 families given boxes of food and gifts. I’m tired but so grateful to be able to help so many. Our church is very generous
when I told a friend that Christmas Eve is a very depressing service to attend alone, she said let’s go together and then have dinner together. What a blessing and to have something to look forward to
I was telling some of the other gals today how wonderful the Messiah performance was and they said let’s do it together next year
Our missionary “daughter” Hill told me on Facetime two weeks ago how sad Christmas is–even when she has an invitation. She’s been in Sicily for a dozen years and all three families that “adopted her” over the years are no longer there.
“Then always invited me to spend the night on Christmas Eve, wake up and join them in the morning and throughout the day and then spend another night.”
“It’s just so hard to wake up alone on Christmas Day.”
After we logged off Facetime, I asked my husband if we should buy her a ticket home–her father died a year ago and her sister is working really hard on the estate but is stymied by her real life.
Last week she called me to say her missionary supervisor talked to her, suggested she check her travel fund, and go home for Christmas.
She arrived on Thursday for three weeks.
Very happy to have her back where she needs over this first Christmas without her father.
SO, I’m thankful for the generosity of her ministry board, the friends who helped, and the grace to be with her family this year.
And I got most of the Christmas presents wrapped . . . LOL
After near record cold last week, we were at 50° this afternoon. A slight breeze made it chilly, but I finally got the leaves mowed into the lawn, something I’ve had my mind to do since early November. Weather and schedule always got in the way. Glad I have a dependable mower, since I haven’t run it since early October.
Now I’m converting some old cassette music tapes to mp3 so we can listen in the car when we travel.
The cold has been nasty here. We are supposed to warm up again. I would rather it stay a bit cold (not below zero) so that the ice stays away. Our roads have been glare ice. They used to use salt, but now they use whatever is safer for the environment although it really doesn’t work when it is below a certain temperature. I am glad my husband is a very careful driver. Accidents can still happen, of course, as no one is perfect. Too many drive way too fast. Then there are the animals who simply will not read the signs, obey the law or think of others. 😉
We made a trip to El Morro National Park yesterday. The boys climbed to the top and my daughter and I stayed on the bottom and looked at all the inscriptions and had a really good visit. Trey really enjoyed ‘mountain goating’ with grandson. We ended up going back to her house in Albuquerque for dinner and exchanged gifts. Very nice visit. Daughter has been struggling in a lot of ways. Looks like she is in a better place.
The sermon today was about Simeon and Anna. That always reminds me of my mother who died December 26. She was 84 when she died, like Anna, and her first name was Annie. The pastor preaching the funeral brought in that special seasonal message at the funeral so I never forget that added special message to me.
The sermons lately have been using the theme of Joy in the Journey. There is a pressing in on the seniors to continue in service until their last breath, today using Simeon and Anna as examples of seniors who served to the end. I want to serve more but feel so limited by my vision issues, inability to drive, and Art’s health and work issues. I feel a bit miserable in my frustration and guilt for not doing more.
We are all in different times and places in our lives, Janice. It can be frustrating when you could do more when you were younger and/or healthier. It is also difficult to have to receive when you are used to doing the giving. Take it to the Lord and don’t let people bring on guilt that should not be there. Much of what is done is not done in the sight of others. We are actually called to much of that by the scriptures, btw.
I often think of I Cor. 13 where we can be doing so much and yet it is worth nothing. Only the Lord knows our hearts.
Janice this season in our lives gives us the grace to pace ourselves. I no longer have the stamina to spontaneously pick up a newborn from the hospital and stay up all night long. It was a sweet season but I know the Lord has raised up younger folk to take on His care for the babes. A woman at a former church harassed and belittled me for saying no to working in the children’s department on Sundays. I stuck to my boundary knowing my limits. Be kind to yourself as we know you hear Him when He calls…
Thank you, NJ, and Kathaleena. I think I need to try harder to not take things personally. Ever since first grade when the whole class got into trouble for something only one or two did, I think I have been a bit of a guilt sponge.
Yes, NJ, the last time I did VBS, I realized that I had a health issue that made it impossible for me to know if I could handle it or not. It is difficult to say no, but sometimes you do have to know your limits. I find there are some other things I can do that I could not do when I was younger. It may not be on anyone else’s radar, but that is their issue, not mine.
In regard to the conversation from yesterday about doing things, it seems we need to consider how the torch must be passed to those younger than us, too. It is easy to keep others from growing when we insist on doing what they can do.
Wandering Views 
Good morning and happy weekend to all!
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I was surprised to find another former neighbor at the assisted living facility where the group performed yesterday. We have a close neighbor who has been living there for a while. The other woman moved there in August. She and I were in our neighborhood bible studies together. She said she likes it there and that she needed the help now. Her son lives in the home next to her former home and she wanted to be relatively close to him. He is blessed with having a mother who has such a good attitude about it all.
The activities director there is wonderful. She is one of the little people. She had a sweatshirt that read, “Santa’s Tallest Elf.” 😀
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off to get the rest of the food ready before the deacons delver
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Wrapping presents and hoping I’ve got something for everyone . . .
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33 families given boxes of food and gifts. I’m tired but so grateful to be able to help so many. Our church is very generous
when I told a friend that Christmas Eve is a very depressing service to attend alone, she said let’s go together and then have dinner together. What a blessing and to have something to look forward to
I was telling some of the other gals today how wonderful the Messiah performance was and they said let’s do it together next year
Jo
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Our missionary “daughter” Hill told me on Facetime two weeks ago how sad Christmas is–even when she has an invitation. She’s been in Sicily for a dozen years and all three families that “adopted her” over the years are no longer there.
“Then always invited me to spend the night on Christmas Eve, wake up and join them in the morning and throughout the day and then spend another night.”
“It’s just so hard to wake up alone on Christmas Day.”
After we logged off Facetime, I asked my husband if we should buy her a ticket home–her father died a year ago and her sister is working really hard on the estate but is stymied by her real life.
Last week she called me to say her missionary supervisor talked to her, suggested she check her travel fund, and go home for Christmas.
She arrived on Thursday for three weeks.
Very happy to have her back where she needs over this first Christmas without her father.
SO, I’m thankful for the generosity of her ministry board, the friends who helped, and the grace to be with her family this year.
And I got most of the Christmas presents wrapped . . . LOL
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After near record cold last week, we were at 50° this afternoon. A slight breeze made it chilly, but I finally got the leaves mowed into the lawn, something I’ve had my mind to do since early November. Weather and schedule always got in the way. Glad I have a dependable mower, since I haven’t run it since early October.
Now I’m converting some old cassette music tapes to mp3 so we can listen in the car when we travel.
LikeLiked by 4 people
I am experiencing posting issues like Janice. I write out a post hit backspace as I edit and poof it disappeared!
Well I had two paragraphs written had to edit a mistake and they are gone. Signing off for now!🫤
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We won’t have a white Christmas. We’re expecting 62 degrees!
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The cold has been nasty here. We are supposed to warm up again. I would rather it stay a bit cold (not below zero) so that the ice stays away. Our roads have been glare ice. They used to use salt, but now they use whatever is safer for the environment although it really doesn’t work when it is below a certain temperature. I am glad my husband is a very careful driver. Accidents can still happen, of course, as no one is perfect. Too many drive way too fast. Then there are the animals who simply will not read the signs, obey the law or think of others. 😉
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Good morning!
Beautiful weather here.
We made a trip to El Morro National Park yesterday. The boys climbed to the top and my daughter and I stayed on the bottom and looked at all the inscriptions and had a really good visit. Trey really enjoyed ‘mountain goating’ with grandson. We ended up going back to her house in Albuquerque for dinner and exchanged gifts. Very nice visit. Daughter has been struggling in a lot of ways. Looks like she is in a better place.
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Sounds wonderful, r. Glad she is doing better.
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I can tell it is the shortest day of the year, getting dark so eary!
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I am with NJ, still have posting issues.
The sermon today was about Simeon and Anna. That always reminds me of my mother who died December 26. She was 84 when she died, like Anna, and her first name was Annie. The pastor preaching the funeral brought in that special seasonal message at the funeral so I never forget that added special message to me.
The sermons lately have been using the theme of Joy in the Journey. There is a pressing in on the seniors to continue in service until their last breath, today using Simeon and Anna as examples of seniors who served to the end. I want to serve more but feel so limited by my vision issues, inability to drive, and Art’s health and work issues. I feel a bit miserable in my frustration and guilt for not doing more.
LikeLiked by 1 person
We are all in different times and places in our lives, Janice. It can be frustrating when you could do more when you were younger and/or healthier. It is also difficult to have to receive when you are used to doing the giving. Take it to the Lord and don’t let people bring on guilt that should not be there. Much of what is done is not done in the sight of others. We are actually called to much of that by the scriptures, btw.
I often think of I Cor. 13 where we can be doing so much and yet it is worth nothing. Only the Lord knows our hearts.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Janice this season in our lives gives us the grace to pace ourselves. I no longer have the stamina to spontaneously pick up a newborn from the hospital and stay up all night long. It was a sweet season but I know the Lord has raised up younger folk to take on His care for the babes. A woman at a former church harassed and belittled me for saying no to working in the children’s department on Sundays. I stuck to my boundary knowing my limits. Be kind to yourself as we know you hear Him when He calls…
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Thank you, NJ, and Kathaleena. I think I need to try harder to not take things personally. Ever since first grade when the whole class got into trouble for something only one or two did, I think I have been a bit of a guilt sponge.
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Yes, NJ, the last time I did VBS, I realized that I had a health issue that made it impossible for me to know if I could handle it or not. It is difficult to say no, but sometimes you do have to know your limits. I find there are some other things I can do that I could not do when I was younger. It may not be on anyone else’s radar, but that is their issue, not mine.
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Good Monday morning all.
In regard to the conversation from yesterday about doing things, it seems we need to consider how the torch must be passed to those younger than us, too. It is easy to keep others from growing when we insist on doing what they can do.
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