Yes, we are doing it 'again' and I am excited that my oldest son and his family will all be here today to open their gifts and have a meal together. It's the little things that bring my heart joy. I don't get to see most of his family often, so this is a real treat for me. Especially getting to see the daughter and her little growing family! I made potato salad last night after giving up and texting my son to see what he wanted. Only... sigh.... I ran out of celery seed; hope it doesn't make too much of a difference in it. I guess when I was making pickles I used it nearly all up - had barely a 1/2 teaspoon left - and need about two teaspoons. Oh well. I tried. Think I will make a kidney bean salad as well; I don't do that often, but I love it. Need to boil a couple eggs though to put in it. Looking forward to seeing this little family.
Oh - the 'large (aka loud)" noise that I heard the night before? I figured it out. I have Christmas cards taped to the door. Instead of the tape letting go of the door and sliding down flat on the floor, which most have done - this one card fell straight and hit hard against the floor - which was the loud noise I heard. Solved!
I finished another book last night, but alas, will still not meet my goal of 50 books. But I'm closer. I have noted that I have read 46 of 50 books... and if I go through all the books I have, I'm sure I could possibly find some I forgot to put I was reading or read. But, not going to. No cheating on this goal and stretching things to make it work. I will put 50 books again for next year since I did not meet it this year - but I'm still proud of myself - last year I read only 35 I think it was. So I'm still ahead of what I did last year. Now my oldest son is way ahead of anyone, I think - he reads all the time and is over 300 now, I think. Over 250 for sure. I need to reset priorities and read more. And, since I have only a couple things I plan to make for the kids this coming year for Christmas next year, I should be able to find more time to read - if I remember and don't sit down and watch movies with hubby and crochet. I wish he would give up TV permanently - but yes, I do turn it on occasionally to watch a movie if I'm here alone, but I don't lay in my chair all day watching one movie after another.
I am wanting to shake things up this coming year in my own life and do more things. Will I? I don't know - but I want to. By January 1, my plan is to sit down and write down as many things as I can think of that I want to accomplish in 2025 and beyond. I don't have to limit myself to just 2025. I can dream beyond that - and sometimes our dreams require that we go beyond that, right? I want to change things in me. I want to read more. I want to love more. I want to volunteer more. I want to become involved more. I want to live more. Yeah, work is going to run interference on a lot that I dream of doing - but God will provide for the things I want to do. I don't even know what to begin to list.... will sit down December 31 and start writing things down. It is my list - don't know whether I will share any of it or not. I may share as I finish something. I also don't want to overdo my list and then feel defeated that I haven't accomplished some things. Will need to ponder what to list and what is not that important. What about you? Going to set goals for yourself this next year?
Matthew 11:28 (NLT): Then Jesus said, "Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest."
I love that verse. Why? Because it is a reminder to me that when I am carrying such heavy thoughts and burdens, that if I pray about them, and ask God to take over, that whatever happens is in HIS hands, and not my own, I can rest. Seriously. You doubt me? Do you think I would be anywhere sane if I tried to continue life doing it MY way? Oh no - I learned a long time ago that by praying and asking God to align the situation up to His purposes, that I can let go of it and whatever happens - happens. I learn from these times, as one should. Many times it doesn't end up the way I would want it to, but I know that God is in control of every situation, every problem. His responses are much better than mine would be. You've read my frustrations with people, you've 'seen' my hurt from what people have said and done to family members and to me personally, you know where I stand on some things, and you know me very well if you have been reading for any length of time.
I have learned that life is not about me and what I think, or what I feel, or how I react. Life is giving everything to Jesus and letting HIM take over every pain, every trouble, every grief, every situation. erase erase. Everyone's life is different. And we can agree to not agree over things. And that's all I'll say about that.
Give your problems, issues, friends, and family, to Jesus. Let Him take charge of their lives. Doesn't mean they won't still make mistakes, but when you give them to Jesus, it is no longer your responsibility to worry about them.
And with that - I need to get started on my day. Things to get done before family arrives and I want to be ready. I'm so excited to have family over today! I know, need to do it more often if it brings me such joy.... but, time and availability and 'things' are not always in my hands. So I give it to Jesus and celebrate when I can. :-)
Blessings!
