It is so hard to believe that in less than 3 hours 2008 will be history.
As I reflect on the past 12 months I would like to share some ways in which 2008 was HIS STORY.
Our Baby Boomer Group at church makes an annual trip to Gatlinburg in January. This is a time of fun, fellowship, shopping, hiking, late night game playing and just spending time with each other. Each day we have an incredible program led by our friend Dulaney. We all come back refreshed and renewed and closer to each other than when we started the trip. A friend at work said she could not imagine that there were 30 people she would want to spend a weekend with in close quarters, such as our chalets. For me these 30 are not just my friends, they are my Christian family. I can't imagine NOT spending the weekend with them.
The mix of people who go is not always the same but GOD has shown up each time. HIS STORY.
In February , March, and part of April my father was very ill. He was hospitalized and had many tests trying to pinpoint his problem. At one point he got down to 128 pounds and he is 6'1". He was diagnosed with emphysema and had to sleep with oxygen, which led to lots of sleepless nights. My family, my parents' church family and my church family poured out prayers for my father. In May he was able to eat more, discontinued the oxygen, and was a new man. Through the power of prayer, GOD provided a miracle. HIS STORY.
In June Ernie and I attended ICHTHUS. We love the music, the Saturday night communion service where 20,000 people take communion simultaneously, the speakers, and just the experience of being with so many young people in the hot summer sun, praying it does not storm. Ernie also enjoys the funnel cakes. As Casting Crowns ended the concert session on Saturday night I was able to be close to the stage and the spirit of worship was palpable. GOD was worshipped for 3 days straight by young and old alike. HIS STORY.
In August I spent a weekend in the Word of GOD as only Beth Moore can teach it when I attended LPL at Southeast Christian Church in Louisville with my dear friend Karen. If you know Beth then you already know that GOD was all over the place. HIS STORY.
In November I suffered a severe dog bite to the middle finger on my left hand. Once again GOD was faithful to the prayers for healing that were lifted up by my family and friends and my finger is healing. I will not need amputation or skin grafts that the doctors had thought might be necessary. HIS STORY.
An unexpected blessing came this summer when I signed up for an online Bible Study facilitated by Beth Moore. I started studying with a group called Siestas for Him in an online forum. I never expected to have such a close bond with this wonderful group of Christian women that I have only "met" in cyberspace. We encourage, pray, support, and love one another. We "talk" to each other in a CHAT room and we have even been know to sing online! We all believe that this is a GOD thing and that He has led us to one another. HIS STORY.
These are just a few of GOD's blessings this year. Others include my family and the celebration of my parent's 59th wedding anniversary, our 29th wedding anniversary, and Brittany's 24th birthday. But I will stop here because as long as it takes me to type, it will be 2009 if I don't stop now.
May 2009 be filled with HIS STORY in your lives.
Love, LINDA
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
A LOOK BACK AT 2008
Monday, December 29, 2008
FOOD GLORIOUS FOOD
Those of you who know me know that Ernie and I rarely eat at home. We are both tired and hungry when we leave work so we often stop for supper before coming home. And we eat out on the weekend because it's the weekend. And we eat out with our friends after church on Sunday. All that adds up to lots of $$$ and calories ( not a problem for my runner husband but not so good for me).We would like to start eating at home and today we took a step in that direction. After a delicious breakfast at McDonald's ( we didn't want to go cold turkey), we went to Kroger's armed with a list and coupons. I am sure we were there for an hour but it was WONDERFUL to shop on a weekday morning. When we got home, Ernie brought everything in from the car while I cleaned out the freezer and refrigerator. If you eat at home and are well organized this probably seems odd to you. BUT it is much easier to plan meals when you don't have to guess what is in that package in the freezer AND how long has it been there! Next, I proceded to clean out my pantry ( see prior sentence)!!The fruits of our labor (mostly mine but Ernie did go with me and heunloaded the groceries) produced a delicious dinner of Minute Steak Stew, slaw, and rolls. I have chicken in the crockpot that I can take to work this week and chili on the stove that we can eat later in the week.Did you know that the grocery sells FREEZER BAGS?Well I now have several of those in my freezer and they are labeled and dated (chicken, ground beef). I also have the ingredients for some new recipes I plan to try this week.We are off to a great start. Now if I can just get the kitchen table cleared off, we will have a place to eat all this wonderful food.......
Sunday, December 21, 2008
MERRY CHRISTMAS
I want to wish all my family and friends a Christmas filled with HOPE and MIRACLES and CHRIST'S ABIDING PRESENCE. Magnolia
Penelope
Next are two of our Nativity Scenes. The first one is new this year and the other one is one I have had "forever". Last year Linus came to the stable and recites the Christmas story from Luke's Gospel.
This is the picture I sent to SANTA along with my Christmas list this year. My list is very short. I asked for a UL CARDINAL Victory over those pesky KY. Wildcats on January 4th, 2009.
Love,
LINDA
