Out with the old

     Another year has passed and I have survived. I am not sad to see 2011 go. This past year hasn't been very nice to me. I spent the first 6 months of the year physically miserable and even though a procedure in July has fixed most of that issue , it didn't come easy. It required quite a bit of discomfort, well ok, pain and a much longer recovery than expected. The silver lining to this little tidbit is that I know longer have a monthly mother nature visit and I feel great which has allowed me to start an exercise regiment and I have lost about 15 pounds so I look better too.
     Just as I was on the mend from my physical issues, Satan decided to shake things up a bit by throwing some marital challenges my way that I have not had to deal with before. I am happy to report that Satan has officially lost that battle and my marriage is still rock solid. I have never loved my husband more . In fact we are so happy that we have decided to do it all over , the marrying part at least. I proposed to my husband on Christmas Eve and he said yes. We will be renewing our vows in May.
     September brought fresh anxiety with Mom's massive heart attack and the complications after. Physically she feels better but I am still concerned about her emotional health.Her heart attack came less than a year after losing her husband. On top of recovery she is still having to deal with estate mess because he didn't have a will. She has had more of her fair share of crap slung her way in the last year.
     I would not want to re-live my year but I have learned some valuable life lessons and more importantly how to dig through the muck to find my blessings. God has certainly taken care of me physically, I have never felt better. I have learned how to forgive HIS way and its so much better than MY way. HE allowed me not only to keep my marriage but has blessed me with a better one than I had before. My mom is still here and doing as well as can be expected. I have grown closer to my heavenly FATHER because I have had to lean on him so many times this year. Without HIM and the people HE has chosen to put into my life I would not have dealt as well with some things I have had to deal with. So out with the old and I most certainly welcome the new. Praise God for another year of blessings to come.

Bah Humbug !

     Over the last week I have heard many say " I just can't get into the Christmas spirit." I have seen those exact words posted on Facebook over and over . Well bah humbug ! Christmas spirit isn't about putting up a sparkly tree, shopping til you drop, staying up all night wrapping boxes with pretty paper, or baking goodies for everyone you know. If you aren't in the Christmas spirit then you don't know Jesus like I know Jesus. Christmas is a day that we set aside to celebrate the birth of my savior Jesus Christ. He was born in the lowliest of circumstances , grew up a carpenters son, was hated and rejected because He wasn't the "king" that his own people expected, he was tortured and died a most horrific death . His sole purpose in being born and dying was to save us all from our stupid selves. Christmas is about Christ , not us.So if you're making Christmas about the tree, the presents, or the food then don't expect to be in the Christmas spirit. You aren't going to find it in any of those things because true joy isn't found in things . True joy comes from knowing Jesus .
     Christmas day falls on Sunday this year and I am saddened knowing that some will spend the day opening presents and eating way too much without spending some time in God's house with God's people celebrating the Man who is what Christmas is all about. My wish for all who reads this is that amid all the hustle and bustle that this time of year brings, you all find the true meaning of Christmas and get yourself some Christmas spirit.
   

Give and you shall receive

     This week has been stupid crazy. On Monday I spent my afternoon cooking and baking for a woman whose husband had been in the hospital. I felt like she needed to rest more than she needed to cook. I spent Tuesday and Wednesday gathering and buying household items for a very dear woman who has spent the better part of the last three years living mainly out of her car. I spent the first half of Friday driving a friend of mine to Yadkinville because her car isn't the most reliable and that is where her doctor is and she needed a prescription refill.Friday evening was spent baking and cooking some more for a meal that my church family took the Hospice home today. Today was the serving of the meal to the staff and family members of patients at the hospice home. 

     The meal I fixed on Monday wasn't a four course meal and not a lot of food. Most of the items I gave away on Wednesday were things that I already had. I maybe spent $10 on a few new things for her. The trip to Yadkinville really only costed me a little for gas and my time. Part of the meal I fixed for Hospice was crockpotted so it wasn't a big deal.

     I didn't do anything I did this week for any sort of recognition . I did everything I did for the smiles on faces and tear filled eyes that express appreciation.I did everything I did this week because my Bible is my standard and it plainly says "do unto others as you would have them do unto you."  I gave of myself this week and in return I received much more than I gave.

     When I delivered the meal I fixed on Monday I received hugs and thank yous . The meal was enjoyed and I received even more thank yous. When I delivered a trunk full of stuff to my friend on Wednesday it was so appreciated that I cried on my way home. She told me today that she had not slept on clean sheets in 3 years . Oh the things we take for granted. What a blessing to be able to cook for and serve those people today. Some of them the ones who care for our loved ones who are at the end of their lives. Others were family members of patients there. 

     What I have gotten from this week is this...I am SO blessed. All of my loved ones are healthy right now and I am not spending my days taking care of somebody. I have sheets on my bed, silverware to eat with, and towels to dry off with. I have a car that gets me to where I need to go. I am not spending this Christmas season saying goodbye forever to someone I love. I have everything I could possibly need and more. I have received more than I gave this week . I can verify that I have been more blessed by giving this week than I have ever been by being on the receiving end.