Happy New Year!

Here we are....in a new year...2009. As you look back on the past year, you can't help but wonder what's in store for the new year. This past year was quite an eventful year in our families, our church and our country. December 07 brought an end to a long, trying, emotional journey serving on the Pastor Search Team at church and the beginning of an exciting future in Feb. 08. And God blessed us by revealing and bringing to us a wonderful man and sweet, sweet family to take our church into new directions...to start anew...to repair broken pieces and to seek His Will in all we do. It still amazes me! Our family had some roller coaster events...cataract surgery, heart attacks, stints, pacemakers...but everyone is doing great and we are so thankful for that. A true testament to His great strength, power, wisdom and the power of prayer.
He tells us in His Word to pray for our leaders, our country. And that's just what we are to do.
God is good....All the time.....No matter what.

Later...
DD

It's come and gone...

Well, Christmas has come and gone and I'm afraid I almost missed it. That is to say, I was so very busy tied up with so many things that I really didn't get to enjoy it like I should. There have been so many things going on in our family and other areas, that I was meeting myself coming and going. But you do what ya gotta do and what else can you do. Did that make sense?? I told my sweet hubby just a few days ago that I felt like I needed to handover some responsibilities at church to some other people...younger people with lots more energy. I want things to be different around this household next year. I want to be more relaxed and not so rushed with everything. I'm probably asking for the impossible, but it doesn't hurt to dream and hope for something, right?
T and I both enjoy having people in our home during the holidays, and that's something we promised the Lord...that if He blessed us with a home to hold family and friends...we'd have people over to fellowship with every chance we got. And we will continue to keep our end of the deal. And He continues to bless us beyond our wildest dreams and far more than we deserve. He is a gracious God and we are so very thankful for all we have.
Here's to a great and bountiful New Year. I hope to find new ways to serve Him at church. To step aside in areas where I have served in the past and give someone else a chance to serve. I can't and I won't sit back and do nothing...that's not how I'm put together. T and I are excited about rolling our sleeves up and serving in some new areas. Ones I'm sure we'll enjoy and get such a blessing from.
Well, it's on to taking down Christmas decorations and packing them away one more time.
Happy New Year everyone! May God bless you beyond description!

Later...
DD

Ready or not...

Well, ready or not, it's here. I'd like to say that I'm completely finished...but I can't. Still have some wrapping to do and then a drive to Clarksdale to get my mom. Perhaps the merry-go-round stops tomorrow and I can jump off?? Maybe?? Well, at least I'm through with shopping...I think. Who knows, I probably forgot someone and will have to run out at the last minute today to pick up something. Still have to make the grocery store run. That'll be fun I'm sure.
Well, enough about me and my worries or complaints. It's not about me, right? As I sit here, I can't help but think about those who's lives aren't so great at this time of the year. Family issues, illness, financial woes, etc. The list goes on and on. As I have said before, I have no needs. I have been truly blessed with a loving Savior, an amazing and wonderful husband, and a terrific family. I hope that we all will take the time to realize how blessed we are and that we might have the opportunity to make a difference in someone's life who is not as fortunate as we are. Even if it's just a simple phone call to wish someone a Merry Christmas, go for it. You never know how a simple act or gesture of kindness touches someone. It may be just what they need at just the right time. They will be blessed by your kindness and you, too, will receive a blessing from it.
Happy Birthday, Jesus! Merry Christmas to all!

Later...
DD

Gettin' there...

Only days away from Christmas and I'm still pluggin' away trying to get my home decorated...cause it just doesn't feel right if it's not. I asked the Lord to slow time down...to make it appear that time had stopped so that I might get lots and lots done. And you know what...He did and I have. You might think that silly, but I ask Him even the simplest of things. He can handle the mountains...just think of what He could do with "mole hills." I saw a commercial this morning that I was so surprised to see, but so glad to see it. It was a commercial for Super D and Ikes. This is what it said, "Remember when you are spelling Christmas, "Christ" comes first. " Isn't that just too cool! After all, He's the reason for the season. Merry Christmas and Happy Birthday, Jesus!

Later...
DD

It's been awhile...

Yep, it's been awhile since I've posted anything. What can I say...the merry-go-round is turning faster and faster. But I'm beginning to see the light at the end of the tunnel, I guess. Been able to check off several things on my "to do" list. However I do not have any gifts wrapped. Only 1 tree up. But I'll get it done before Christmas. Some would say...why go to the trouble if Christmas is just days away....well....because I want to and it just doesn't feel right without all the decorations and the trees, etc. Two more trees to go, garland to put up both inside and outside. It'll get done and it will be pretty. Got a little party going on Sunday evening after church. Then I can sit back and relax. For a while anyway. Y'all have a wonderful Christmas and a blessed New Year! And please take the time to reflect on the real and true meaning of Christmas...jump off the merry-go-round and take it all in.
Happy Birthday, Jesus!

Later...

They're playing Christmas music...

Yippeee!!!! They are playing Christmas music on XM now. The "Holly" station is up and running. If you have Direct TV and you get the music stations, it's channel 822. Anyway, Christmas music always helps put me in the mood to decorate, wrap gifts, clean the house, etc. (Something else I noticed was that XM has removed "Oprah and Friends" from their line up. Didn't see it anywhere on the channels that are available on TV. Good for them!)

I think I may get one of the smaller trees from the attic and put it up and decorate it. Notice I said "one." Yep, I put up more than one. I just love Christmas. But for so many years, I've been stretched from "can to can't" and haven't put all of the trees up. Maybe I can this year. Merry Christmas everybody!!!

Later...
DD

The Merry-Go-Round...

Well, it has begun. Already! The "busyness" of the fall and upcoming holiday season has started.
We (the hand bell choir at church) rang at the cute little shopping center The Depot for the annual city-wide Christmas open house. I'm guessing it helped put everyone who strolled by into the holiday spirit. Haven't really thought about how many days 'til Christmas. Not many, though.
Already, there are so many things on my calendar. Like I said, the merry-go-round has started.
I'm to the point that I must write everything down on a calendar or I'll forget.
But I don't want to get so busy that I forget to stop and think about all that I have been blessed with and all that I have to be thankful for. I have "need" for nothing. The Lord has been so good to me and my family. I hope that I have the opportunity to share my blessings. I'm sure I will. And then...I'll be blessed again. Ain't God good! Yes, He is...All the time...No matter what!

Later...
DD