Last Day!

Today is the last day; the last day of the year; and time to reflex. Well, maybe not!!! 2010 is not a year I want to remember so we will leave it at that. So let's look to the New Year!!

See you tomorrow!!

New Home

Since June I have been scouring the MLS listings in and around Shamong, NJ. Although the market is down we still had sticker shock and wondered how we would ever find a place we could afford to live. But once again the Lord was gratious. He understands we are "but dust" and only gives us what we can handle day by day.

First of all we were offered a 6 month rental agreement for a home that fit our needs perfectly. It sits in the middle of the woods with walking trails and even a small pond. It is so peaceful and the no stress living was just what we needed to refresh ourselves. We were in no hurry to buy a house but knew that until we had a place of our own it would be hard to really settle in and feel at home.

So when Rich headed off to work each day I settled into search mode. With Internet access it was easy to check things out and day after day I scoured the listings trying to keep an open mind. I set up a worksheet that would crunch the numbers and tried to find the best deal. I was trying so hard to be a wise steward of our finances that I forgot one thing ie the "wow" factor. It was like choosing a spouse based on a list of pros and cons and forgetting to fall in love.

Sometimes I think we treat our relationship with the Lord like that. We can be so busy doing, like Martha, that we forget to sit at His feet, like Mary, and learn of Him: not about Him but of Him. This year I plan to re-read "365 Jesus" and sit at His feet once again and learn of Him. I have no expectations of what 2011 might hold as 2010 is still a mystery to me but I have learned to trust His heart and not worry about His plan.

All that thrills my soul is Jesus
He is more than life to me

Thanksgiving

At Mom's Morning Out breakfast the preschoolers were encouraged to tell us something for which they were thankful. As is true of all of us, they immediately ran to the one constant in their life, i.e. Family. As simple as that sounds, family is a profound blessing.

For the first time in 11 years, we were able to spend Thanksgiving dinner with one of our kids. I was overcome with joy as Jason, Sara and Maggie drove into our yard. What fun to enjoy their presence for a whole week as we celebrated this wonderful holiday together.

(check out http://www.travelblog.org/Bloggers/1phydeau/)

As our children developed into young adults I was not prepared for separation anxiety. Since it was the natural progression, I thought it would be just another twist in the road of life. But the miles between and and inability to be together during the holiday's was harder than I thought. So to all you moms who didn't get to celebrate Thanksgiving with your family, I feel your pain and trust the Lord brought others into your life with whom you could celebrate.

This year we are praising the Lord for:

• His guidance through a difficult year
• Our Adult children who encouraged us through it all
• Our Parents who we could run to in time of emotional distress
• Our grand children who bring such joy to our life
• True friends who stood with us
• A wonderful church family at Shawnee Baptist Church who embraced us with open arms

I have been meditating on Psalm 107 this season. Trust it is a blessing to you as well.

O give thanks to the Lord for he is good,

for his steadfast love endures forever!

Let the redeemed of the Lord say so,

. . .

Some wandered in desert wastes

finding no way to a city to dwell in;

hungry and thirsty,

their soul fainted within them.

Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble, 

and he delivered them from their distress.

. . . 

Let them thank the Lord for his steadfast love, 

for his wondrous works to the children of man!

. . . 

Some sat in darkness and in the shadow of death,

prisoners in affliction and in irons,

for they had rebelled against the words of God,

and spurned the counsel of the Most High.

. . . 

Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble,

and he delivered them from their distress.

. . .

Let them thank the Lord for his steadfast love,

for his wondrous works to the children of man!

. . .

Some were fools through their sinful ways

. . .

and they drew near to the gates of death.

Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble,

and he delivered them from their destruction.

. . . 

Let them thank the Lord for his steadfast love,

for his wondrous works to the children of man!

. . .

Some went down to the sea in ships

doing business on the great waters; 

they saw the deeds of the Lord 

and his wondrous works in the deep

Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble 

and he delivered them from their distress

He made the storm be still,

and the waves of the sea were hushed.

. . .

Let them thank the Lord for his steadfast love 

for his wondrous works to the children of man!

. . .

Whoever is wise, let him attend to these things;

let them consider the steadfast love of the Lord