Merry Christmas!

Eleanor Elizabeth wants to wish you all a very Merry Christmas!

 She climbed up into the Christmas tree and then yelled, "Mom!  Take my photo!"

Advent, Fourth Week

 LOVE

Week Four of Advent

In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he LOVED us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sin.  I John 4:10

Almost Christmas Faves

 We are now within a week of Christmas!  Are you ready?  Yes, life can be quite busy and hectic in December.  Let's hit the pause button and just relax and focus on all the things which bring us joy and gratefulness.  Here are my weekly Friday Fave Fives (click the link to join us!)

1.  I have been knitting quite a bit lately.  Two sweaters for two little boys.  I am thankful for needles, yarn and patterns.

2.  Last Saturday was not the day I would have wanted to be outside walking around a cemetery.  But.  PAL's American Heritage Girls group was participating in a wreath laying ceremony honoring veterans who are buried in a local cemetery.  The leader asked The Professor to join the ceremony by laying the wreath at the Army monument as he is a US Army veteran.

3.  And then it started snowing!  Our area came under a Level 2 travel warning.  Four inches and very very cold winds.  Even our church service was cancelled on Sunday.  That's not the fave...  I am thankful I have a warm and secure home.

Our (almost) winter wonderland

Gnome hats on the lights

4.  No school on Monday.  The grandboys liked that.

5.  Then the snow melted on Tuesday and Wednesday.  It was warm enough to walk around our lovely city plaza.  PAL and her mom joined us, and of course we had to visit the local bookstores.  I am so happy that PAL and her parents now live nearby.

I agree!  (I may have bought a book or two...)

 

I hope you are staying warm and cozy under warm blankets in the company of your favorite books and family.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Advent 2023 Week Three

 I missed posting last Sunday for the Second Week of Advent which focused on Peace.

This Sunday, the Third Week, focuses on Love.

In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.

I John 4:10

A Crazy but Peaceful Week

 You may have noticed that I have not been online much this past week.  Lots of busyness.  Medical appointments.  Snowy weather.  Extra events.  But even in the midst of crazy Christmas season, I have found times and reasons for PEACE this second week of Advent.  I am sharing in my Friday Fave Fives which Susanne so faithfully hosts every week.  (the link will take you to her blog)

1.  My weekend away with Older Daughter was refreshing.  The bed and breakfast inn where we stayed was lovely.  The room was pleasant.  The beds were comfortable.  The breakfasts were delicious.  And the best part?  As I was chatting with the owner, she mentioned that her husband (co-owner and cook) is from Bali, Indonesia!  She had lived there for many years, too. And the young couple who serves and helps are also Balinese!  Imagine their surprise when we responded to their conversations in Bahasa Indonesia.  It was delightful to watch their faces light up when they realized we could speak their language.  (If you haven't been reading my blog for very long, you may not know that we lived for several years in Indonesia.)

2. During the weekend, I watched the Nutcracker for a second time this season.  It is always a joy to see my adult daughter dancing in the ballet.

3.  There was time for relaxing knitting.  I am completely obsessed with these adorable miniature mittens!  And now to weave in all.those.yarn.ends...

4.  This week, Chaplain Dan (older son) is traveling for work.   He flew to California and into the airport in the same city where Younger Son is living.  And they were able to enjoy a quick lunch together before Chaps drove on down the coast to his destination!  My mother's heart was filled with happiness!

5.  Last night our local high school held its annual combined bands and chorales Christmas concert.  Our grandson is in the band and it was a delight to watch him play his trombone in the band.

Bonus:  I have been reading The Advent of the Lamb of God with my online friends "The Art Girls" during this Advent time.  I highly recommend this book; it has twenty-five short chapters, and it's easy to read one a day.  Russ Ramsey has a gifted way of telling the story of preparation through the centuries for the birth of Jesus.

This second week of Advent is focused on Peace. I hope you have had a peaceful time.

It's December!

 Hello from a very very frigid Ohio.  How has your December days been so far?

It is Friday evening.  I am posting my Friday Fave Fives from a town north of my home where I am enjoying a quiet(ish) weekend with my older daughter.  Here are the blessings I am sharing from this past week.

1.  This may sound boring, but I have been thankful all week for a warm home. An efficient furnace that works hard to heat the house.

2.  Another boring thing.  I am thankful for warm coats, hats, gloves and boots.   We had almost five inches of snow accumulation this week.  What would I do without adequately warm clothes?

3.  The Professor and I were invited to join several other people in an Advent activity every Monday evening.  It includes a simple meal of soup and bread. Then we sing Advent and Christmas songs and our host reads an Advent devotional.  We have done this other years and thoroughly enjoy it.

4.  Yesterday my Bible Study group (BSF) visited a local nursing home and rehab center. We brought lots of Christmas yummies-- all kinds of cookies and candies.  We sang several Christmas carols and then spend some time chatting with the residents.  I think it was as big a blessing to me as it might have been for the people who live or work there.

5.  Lastly, I am thankful for my daughter inviting me to spend the weekend with her at a lovely bed and breakfast inn. She is dancing again in Nutcracker ballet.  I brought books and yarn.  I think this weekend away is going to be wonderful. 

Day 30

 A Month of Thankfulness.  Day 30.  November 30.

An End and a Beginning.

First Sunday of Advent.  HOPE