Reflections on 2010

As we watch the ticking clock and see the New year entered in one county as a time. I reflect on this year. I went back to work part time at the moment after years of staying at home,my girls left their school, tried and I am still trying to remodify my house, went to mediation many times, Scott died and I was handed divorce papers, and today massive toothache. So along with the ugly goes the good, I have learnt who are some good friends, learnt to smile in the rain at times, learnt what a catalatic exhaust is, learnt that homeschooling is not so bad,that I still love history and art, that God sends blessings along the way financial and through people's words, I mean a woman in the street hugged me, Ali from school has encouraged me and made me laugh. My girls are growing up to be amazing young ladies, my dogs love me even more and playing in the snow and laughing is so much more fun than been a bah humbug. That through my brothers death I got to understand how others feel in grieving. So looking at the good makes my heart know I am not alone. This new Year holds what the pages waiting to be written. 2011 wow I will be 44 so here we go to an amazing year. Thanks God
Please have a cup of tea with me today.

Bargain or not a Bargain?

Bargain or not a bargain. My daughters and I love Crackell Barrell it is a warm lovely resturant with a crafty shop as you enter it. We love buying Christmas decorations there. We often find bargains like we did the other day small ornaments for 40 cents. But how many times do we pick something up and have no need for it. It is not a bargain it is us spending money and the item just tossed in the closet. If you think of friendship we often go the bargain way of investing little time in a friendship and expecting a lot back. It is the time spent that makes or brakes a good friendship. Like really thinking if you need an item. You truely feel better and feel you have a bargain after thinking about it for a few minutes or even days. My daughter and I bought a salt and pepper shaker she looked at the receipt and noticed I was not charged for it. We went back and paid for it. It is honesty that sets up a standard of doing what is right. So think before the bargain gremline comes along.

Please have a cup of tea with me today.

White as snow or what?

The snow covered a lot. Yesterday my daughter and I was talking about how the snow is like Jesus cleansing us of all our sin. I pointed out that some people portray that they are as white as snow however underneath that white disguise is poop. I had not cleared all my dogs mess up before it had snowed but as soon as the snow melted there it was waiting for me to clean up. So it is with our sin if we do nothing about it it will decay like poop and stink.
So be watchful sometimes things are not what they appear to be.
On the other hand if a person is genuine God clean up the worst poopy mess.
Please have a cup of tea with me today.

Snow much fun.

My dad use to always say that the snow wiped the wold clean. We had 8-12 inches of snow yesterday. Usually I am such a bah humbug and never stay out long. This year was different as a single mum I had to multi task pull sledges, throw snowballs, take photos and dry clothes. We got under some tree's that we called Narnia trees and shook them this I would not advice unless there is only a little snow on them. We laughed and laughed.
In all this I became very sad 17 years of my marriage coming to an end. Several friends have said write down the things you are grateful for. So as I reflect on yesterday I am so thankful for all the snow, for laughing for sledding with my girls and for a gracious God that cares daily for my family.
Please have a cup of tea with me today.

Merry Chritsmas.

I was blessed to take my girls to a Christmas Eve service the message was true how gracious is God and how he died for us. It is not in what we can receive back but in giving with a Christ like attitude. I pick up my girls today and as we face days of uncertainty ahead I do know and believe that God holds our hands. As I looked up at the ceiling of the church and wished my brother and many wonderful friends who have moved on a Merry Christmas I was reminded how great God truly is.
So in all the gifts that are opened today take a moment to just be thankful. Even through all this year from my brothers death, to been handed divorce papers I know that I have been so blessed in many ways.
That is my Christmas wish for you, that you see the good and hold on to that.
Merry Christmas.
Please have a cup of tea with me today.

Life.

Often in life there is no title. As my week began I was filled with hope, then sadness and an ending of seventeen years of my life became clear. In it all I saw God close a door and many friends rally around with arms of kind words. As Christmas comes and a Christmas without my brother's voice been heard. I am reminded that in it all of this there is an amazing God who sees it all. As my heart feels numb and I wonder what the next year holds. It is focusing on how much we all have. I went to a school the other day children with real needs were there. I thought in all my mess who was I to complain who was I to be shedding tears, these parents carry this every day. Yet their heart full of love they carry on each day. I am reminded of how Mary looked at this wonderful child and yet God knew that this child would carry every aching heart.
My Christmas wish is that we could all see how much some truly go through take a moment to reflect and give a kind word a hug to someone who truly needs that love this Christmas
Merry Christmas eve, eve.
Please have a cup of tea with me today.

Please think of others this Christmas.

As the holidays approach many a single parent will face the agony of not been with their child over the Christmas holiday someone will say goodbye this week and not see them until Jan 2011 others will see them on Christmas Day. Children's hearts torn in two and families that once sat opening presents together sit in separate homes trying to recapture something that God had intended to stay together. Others are widows and children who are orphans and have no parents any more. Some are simply people who have through hard times found themselves alone not knowing where to go.

Please remember us all you may be in a position to help some of these people and I ask you to do that during this time. It truly can be the hardest time of the year for these families. I know because I am one of them.

Together we can make a difference.
Please have a cup of tea with me today.