Ending 2012

2012

a year of change

embracing, trusting, hoping, growing, 

and moving forward with faith

so much to be thankful for, in reflection...

and to anticipate in 2013!

wishes for warm hearts and meaningful celebrations,

and blessings for the new year!

The greatest gift...

My family gave me the greatest gift this Christmas...

without too much grumbling, 

we all played the game Life Stories!

The stories were priceless

and I will always treasure the memories of the time spent together!

Silent Night

As I sang Silent Night by candlelight in my church,

surrounded by my family and hundreds of other worshippers,

I closed my eyes

and pictured other Christmas Eves...

remembering with tears

my dad's Candle Creche...

watching from the choir loft as congregational candles were lit...

different church buildings,

stages of my life,

but always candlelight 

and Silent Night

Stories On Our Tree

the ornaments don't match or coordinate even...

they are a collection of years...

vacation memories, 

family milestones,

each one has a story

Ornaments I made as a child...amazing how they've
stood the test of time!

 always one of my favorites from my family tree growing up

made by a friend from church long ago, 

I love the words that go with it

Breaking up, Making up

Childbirth, First steps

Growing pains, Growing Old

Hellos and Goodbyes...

Life is a mixture of Love and Pain

Pretty, but handle with care

For it can snag you and not let go

Like Love

~Pamela Rowe

the first ornament I gave to Tom when we were engaged

celebrating our home

my favorite flute Angel

the "replacement" Disney ornament

from our 25th Anniversary trip

(still have never found the original ornament I purchased there)

precious reminder that 

Miracles do Happen

to those who believe!

One of my favorite Christmas pastimes is to sit quietly in my tree-lit living room

reflecting on the stories on our tree...

Giving Thanks

I'm giving thanks today to God

for His Word, His Love, His Provision...

and for the beautiful weather as well!

Thanksgiving is a time of remembering for me...

it's not about the food...

 (good thing, because I am not a good cook!)

it's more about the people at the table.

Missing my dad goes without saying, 

but this year I am thankful to have both our daughters at our table,

thankful my mom will join us,

and thankful to add Will!

I am thankful for Tom, and our marriage of 25+ years!

I am thankful for our church and how I can be part of the ministry there.

I am thankful for my job teaching music in McFarland,

and for the caring staff "family" I have become part of!

I am thankful for relationship connections...

the many special people who enrich my life just by being who they are!

I am giving thanks today....

Autumn Feelings

Kind of "blown"

kind of alone...

yet warmed by the sunlight

I haven't written recently...

I haven't been walking my path...

Though it has been proven over and over to me how much blogging and walking are vital to my balance and well being.  So like the leaves, I'm feeling "blown".

I'm grounded in my faith...truly not alone...warmed by relationships both established and new...

in awe of God's provision and answers to prayer.

Yet the Autumn Feelings keep me mindful of my need for connection...

to depend on the strength that is not my own.

Wildflowers or Weeds

Are they wildflowers?

Or are they weeds?

It's all in the perspective

choosing to appreciate

or

choosing to overlook

Experiences, relationships, moments...

wildflowers or weeds?