It's Here...2009!

I'll be quite honest, when I was young, I never thought I would see this year, let alone 2000.  It seemed so far away, a distant realm never to be reached.  Whew, it has sped toward me like lightening streaking from the heavenlies!

Bud and I celebrated our 41st wedding anniversary December 24th and while we didn't do anything special yet, as we were in Missouri with Fred's family, we will plan something.  My boss always gives me a gift card to a local restaurant for Christmas to use for our anniversary and we enjoy that, especially since it's free!  :)  

This past year has in some ways been an unusual year.  Bud was busy with trips to Illinois caring for his mother and then her death on Easter Sunday.

My parents moving in with us in April and adjusting to each of us no longer having an "empty nest".  We've both had some health issues... mine has been ongoing, but so far I've been blessed each time with "cancer free".  Then just before Christmas Bud's younger brother Fred lost his battle with metastatic renal carcinoma.  He fought hard to maintain a normal life right up to the end!  So, this has been quite a year for us. 

I'm "missing" my grandkids today!  I would love to see all of them and our great granddaughter, Chloe.  She's two now!!!!!  They are all growing up so fast.  Our oldest(Tim's son), Brian is 21 years old!  And Jason's son,  Brock will be 16 in April!

And Kailee  our precious granddaughter will be 15 on February 3rd.  I'm not ready for all this growing up!!!  I did get to see Micah and Gavin (Marc's sons) last week.  Micah is to my shoulder now and I'm 5'7".  He's only 10.  I think he's going to be tall like his daddy.  I hear he can play some mean ball. He's a good student too!  Little Gavin... he's my "munchkin".  He is full of little words of wisdom!  He's Papa Bud's boy... Granny Pam gets hugs, but he loves his Papa Bud. 

Oh by the way, if any of my dear sons or daughters are reading this... I NEED some photos of these dear grandchildren... school pix... please!

 

We had our Watch Night service last night.  Started at 8pm with a break around 10:15 for sandwiches and coffee & dessert.  All our ministers spoke and then pastor spoke last with it ending right at midnight with prayer.  All spoke from their hearts.

My thoughts for the New Year:

I've been thinking about resolutions and goals.  Some people are very goal oriented almost to the point that if their goals aren't met within their allotted time they become depressed.  I am a list maker.  I do like to set goals.  However, I am not "stuck" to those goals.  Some might say... "I wouldn't even write down any goals if I had that attitude about them."    I've found that "the best laid plans of mice and men..."  :D   We have to be open to change.  God never changes, but we have to be open to change for Him.  This can be really difficult for some; to make plans and then have them totally changed.  As I mentioned, I am a list maker.  I have lists for everything!  I occasionally misplace these lists!  :D   I don't like going to the grocery store (Sam's club) without my list.  I like to get the items on my list and then, "I'm outta there".   Shopping is not one of my favorite things to do anymore!

Back to my thought... the LORD gave me this scripture in Philippians 3:13-16 for the New Year:

13 Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, (emphasis added)

14 I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
15 Therefore let us, as many as are mature, have this mind; and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal even this to you.

16 Nevertheless, to the degree that we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us be of the same mind. (NKJ)

I love the way the Amplified reads:

13 I do not consider, brethren, that I have captured and made it my own [yet]; but one thing I do [it is my one aspiration]: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead,

14 I press on toward the goal to win the [supreme and heavenly] prize to which God in Christ Jesus is calling us upward.

15 So let those [of us] who are spiritually mature and full-grown have this mind and hold these convictions; and if in any respect you have a different attitude of mind, God will make that clear to you also.

16 Only let us hold true to what we have already attained and walk and order our lives by that.

After all... whatever goals or aspirations I have for this coming year... they should revolve around "the main goal".  "Keeping the main thing, the main thing" as Bro. Tenney's book title states.  I can't undo last years mistakes or things not accomplished, I can only begin again.  It's a new year and a new day in the LORD... I want to press/strain toward that higher calling!  He is calling us.

The "unknown" of 2009 can be daunting!  But when I was first diagnosed with cancer this came into my possession, I don't remember how or when, but I know it was during a dark, alone period of time:

"When you come to the edge of all the light you know, and are about to step off into the darkness of the unknown,

Faith is knowing one of two things will happen: there will be something solid to stand on, or you will be taught how to fly."

I've never looked to see who the author was, but the words soothed my soul and they still do! 

I'm looking forward to whatever 2009 holds... I do know it has put me closer to His blessed returning, maybe sooner than I realize!

Have a blessed NEW YEAR with Jesus!

 

 

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