BLOGGING Anniversary & Give Away

I begin this year wanting to get back into a regular routine of blogging. I remember those first years and what a close connection was being established with so many of us in the blog world.  I think there are many of us that desire to see that fervor return.  I'm going to do my part in posting, reading and commenting. 

As I was thinking on this I realized I will celebrate my 5th anniversary of blogging on the 27th of this month!

It never ceases to amaze me what an adventure blogging turned out to be for me.  When I began I remember thinking, "Who cares what an old 69 year old grandma has to say?".  Praise God even at 74 there are still people reading and caring.

I have been blessed to have met 12 wonderful blog friends in "real" life and am believing that I will get to meet more of you this year.  Everyone of the 12 have been everything I thought they would be and more. 
 What a fantastic treat it always is. 

So------to celebrate my 5th Anniversary I am going to be giving away a copy of one of my all time favorite books, Andrew Murray on Prayer.

I read this book, for the first time, back in 2000 and it was and still is such a blessing to my life and my walk with Christ.

Starting today - the name of every one who leaves a comment, telling me what they liked or didn't like about that days post, will be added into the drawing pot.  There are 23 days between now and then so you can get your name in the pot 22 times, if you are faithful to read and comment on the post.  I will record each days comment names when I get up the following day.  In other words, all who comment on this post today will be added to the pot in the morning.  So, you can't "cheat" by coming on a week from now and commenting on the past days post.  Oh, and by the way....this is my second post for today so you can get your name in the pot twice today!!! :o)

The cut-off time for the drawing will be 9 p.m. on January 26th and I will announce the winner here on the 27th. 

Here's to renewing old friendships and making some new ones.

Happy New Years!!!

THE BEST GIFT

WRITING CHALLENGE - as I begin the New Year.  Saw this writing challenge for the New Year on a friends blog!  Decided to give it a whirl…

1. Write about the best gift you gave to someone else. What made it so special?

Back in 1986, when we were living in New Mexico, my husbands brothers & sisters were going to have a family reunion at a resort in So. Carolina.  Mickey had decided we couldn't afford it and had told them he would not be attending.

First - Behind his back (yes!!) I contacted his boss and made arrangement for him to have that week off and to not tell him I had contacted him.  He agreed.

Second - I purchased the plane ticket.

Third - I got a Chinese fortune cookie and broke it in half.  I cut out a very small strip of paper and wrote on it "You will go on a VERY long trip very soon!".  I placed it inside the cookie and glued the cookie back together.

Fourth - The Sunday, before he was to leave on Monday, after church we went out to eat.  After eating I told him I had his dessert in my purse and took out the fortune cookie, in a plastic bag, and gave it to him.  The look on his face as he cracked that cookie open and then read the "fortune" was, and is, priceless to me.   

Fifth - Then I took out the airline ticket and gave it to him and told him what I had done.  He left early on Monday morning.

It was absolutely the best gift I've ever been able to give anyone.

By the way, these 26 years later, that little slip of paper (with the glob of glue that held it in place!!) resides as one of his treasures in his jewelry box.  I am sure one of our children will some day have it and be sharing this story. 

New Year New Hodgepodge   Decided to do this after seeing it on a friends blog, even though I'm a late participant!!!

1. What are three words you would use to describe your 2011?  
Hardest - we lost our lovely daughter to cancer on May 19th
Overcomers - because our Triune God was with us every step of the way and with Him we are overcomers.
Debt free - Totally debt free!!!!

2. Do you like shrimp? What's your favorite way to have it prepared?
I enjoy good fried shrimp when eating out.  I don't really "prepare" it.

3. Is your house de-Christmased? If so when did you tackle that job? If not, when will the decorations come down?
Due to this being our "first" Christmas without Suzette we choose to not put up any decorations this year.  If we had they would have been down by Dec. 31st.

4. Do you like to watch scary movies?
Not a big movie watch in the first place and definitely NOT scary ones.  Didn't even like them as a child.

5. ice skating~sledding~skiing~snowboarding~of the four listed which wintertime activity do you most enjoy?
None - I enjoy sitting by the fire drinking coffee or hot chocolate :o)

6. Did you have a childhood hideout? Describe it.
I had 2 - We had a chicken house that my father had converted to a darling playhouse for me.  I spent MANY hours there and loved it.  Second - my friend and I would climb up on top of the metal roof of our garage and watch the clouds, seeing what they looked like and telling our "secrets".

7. What's a place or space that motivates you?
Anytime I am in a small group of prayer or Bible Study.  My "special" private place is the large leather recliner in my living room with all my books & Bibles by my side.

Also, here in my office on this computer when I am motivated by some of the blogs I follow.

8. Insert your own random thought here.
I am so looking forward to this NEW YEAR and all that God will show me and where HE will lead me.

2011 IN REVIEW

2011 Was the hardest year of my life, to date. As always, I am going to do a review of it, based on my blog posts for the year.

JANUARY - As the year began we were dealing with 2 sad things in our lives. Suzette was into her 4th month of fighting the battle of stage IV lung cancer and our granddaughter Oksana was left on December 31, 2010 to live with her mother. Oksana is still living with her mother in another state.

I began a Tuesday evening Bible Study in my home on January 18th called WOW Woman.  WOW standing for Woman of the Word.  It is still going strong and was a real blessing and support for me throughout 2011, and still is.

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FEBRUARY - The blizzard of February, 2011 was record breaking for our area. Schools were closed for days, and the area literally shut down. Mickey and I rather enjoyed being shut-in and not having to be on the go.

MARCH - I only posted one time during March, 2011 as we fought Suzette's health battle, my own small health battle, and family issues with the failure of our sons Marc's marriage.

Attending Benny's birthday celebration would be Suzette's last family outing.   You can tell Jacque has been crying.  Suzette, as always, was so brave.

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APRIL - April 1st would be the last really nice, pleasant, perfect day that Suzette and I would ever share. We attended a Cancer Workshop which was so good. The weather was perfect and we enjoyed eating our lunch out on a bench. I cannot tell you how many times I have relived this day in my mind and been so thankful that God allowed us to enjoy that day the way we did.

I can't believe I didn't take one picture that day!!!!!

On April 29th Suzette left the hospital after an 8 day stay. We had high hopes.

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MAY - May 19th at 11:30 p.m. our beloved Suzette breathed her last breath and was embraced in heaven in the loving arms of God and her Savior, Jesus Christ. Life for us will never be the same without her.

This picture was taken on October 4, 2010 as Suzette & Dave joined us to celebrate our 53rd anniversary.  I was taken just 12 days after she was first hospitalized and 6 days after she was diagnosed.

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JUNE - I was blessed to have a time of refreshing with 4 of my 3rd Day Sisters Bible Study group at the 3rd Annual Holy Ghost Conference in Branson. I struggled as I was Trying to answer "why?" and dealing with pain.

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JULY - We were BLESSED with hosting blog friends, Kathy & Danny Wright and their two wonderful children, Bethany & Daniel, for 4 glorious days. The Lord knew just what I needed in putting this wonderful family in my life several years ago. We truly have a spiritual connection with Kathy & Danny. Their visit at this time was JUST what we needed.

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AUGUST - Was a busy month filled with activity and keeping ourselves busy. It was a wonderful month because we sold our 1998 30' Jayco and on August 8th we paid off our HHR Chevy and became DEBT FREE. Oh, what a feeling of freedom so long for worked toward.

My dear blog friend, Leigh Ann sent me this precious pillow she had made for me with my word for 2011 PERSEVERE.  I wept when I opened it and it was the perfect timing to remind me that yes we had persevered and we would continue to do so!!

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 SEPTEMBER - Just a busy month with lots of various family and community goings on. The memorable point was daughter, Jacque, & granddaughter, Jessica,( and three other friends) running in the Race for the Cure cancer run in honor of  sister & aunt Suzette.



OCTOBER - A truly busy month - My forever friend, Joan, and her husband, Jim, visited us from New Mexico for 4 days, the 12th-16th. I treasure my LONG friendship with Joan which began in the second grade in 1943!!!  She is truly "family" to me and we have shared all the joys and sorrows, everything, in our lives over these many years. 



Then on October 19th-23rd Marc, Aric, Mickey and I made a trip to visit Mickey's side of the family in Tennessee. A fun, blessed time.


NOVEMBER - The LONG awaited day, November 23rd, when Marc's Tulsa house (which had been on the market for 18 long months) closed and he purchased his brand new beautiful home in Owasso!!!
Then the next day, the 24th, we celebrated Thanksgiving and Mickey's (79 how can that be?!) & Dave's birthdays. Certainly a day of celebration. Jacque had arranged for us to all have dinner at Forrest Ridge Golf Course which was a nice change of pace for us and so thoughtful of her. We needed a change for this "first" without Suzette.



 DECEMBER - Our special month of birthday's and Christmas. It was so wonderful getting to have Christmas in Marc's new house. Another one of our "firsts". I turned 74 (how can that be?!) and received the heart with a tear necklace in memory of Suzette that I will wear forever.





 
Yes, in many ways 2011 was very difficult, but also we have many precious memories of happy times and events, too.  Most importantly we were surrounded by family & friends.  We are eager to see what 2012 has for us, our family. our church and ministries, and most important ---- what God has to show and teach us. 
 
HE truly holds us in the palm of His hand and it is a safe place.
 

CLINGING TO THE WORD

Many months ago I saw this picture and just loved it.  It spoke volumes to me of clinging to God's Word throughout our entire life. 

 I saved it on purpose to someday take a similar shot of my hands on my beloved Bible.

My hands aren't quite as aged as the one's above, but certainly getting there.

I have spoken many times on this blog about my precious, treasured Bible that Mickey gave me on our first anniversary and many of you have requested pictures.  It is a small, leather bound Bible measuring just 4 1/2" by 7 3/4".  It is the Bible I use every Sunday at Church and in small group.

Many of the pages are paper thin and it is marked with many notes and markings.  It has served me well, all these years, and is my most treasured possession.  I have told my family I want it to go to the person in my family who is living closest to God when I am gone.

My hope and trust is built on nothing less!!!!!!

BRING IT ON - 2012

For as long as I can remember, I've loved the start of a brand new, fresh page year.  This could never be more true than this year.  To say that 2011 was one of the most difficult years I, and my family, have had to walk through would be an understatement.  No parent should have to bury their own child.....but we did. 

Now, we get to start a New Year with everyone well.  We learned a lot in 2011 about keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus and keeping our faith strong, even when things didn't turn out as we had prayed.  To trust God's love and faithfulness to us, even when His perfect will seems so imperfect to our earthly selves.  One thing I know for sure, Heaven is more real to me today than it has ever been.

SO - bring it on 2012 I'm ready for any and all challenges you have for me and will deal with them with FERVENCY (the word God gave me for 2012), trusting in my Lord & Savior and the wonderful Triune God we serve.   

MY WORD FOR 2012

This is the 4th year that the Lord has given me a word for the year.  The previous 3 have been:  2009 - Unity
                                            2010 - Vulnerable
                                            2011 - Persevere


This year the Lord said the word:  FERVENT (fur'vant)Adj.

The definition, per the dictionary, 1) hot, burning
                                                       2) showing great warmth of
                                                           feeling; intensely earnest

Now, that I've had the 3 year history of these 3 words, I can reflect back and see how "right-on" the words have described my walk and journey with the Lord.  It never ceases to amaze me the way our Lord and God works with us.  

I was excited in 2009 with Unity because one of the desired of my heart is to see Unity within the Body of Christ.  I can say, that as I approach my 4th year I am truly seeing that Unity occurring in so many various places and ways.  That to me is so exciting. 

I was NOT excited, or pleased with the word Vulnerable in 2010 because none of us like to be Vulnerable and I had no idea what I was going to be Vulnerable to.  As it turned out, it was my daughter, Suzette's, diagnoses on September 28th of that year of stage IV lung cancer.

Last January 1st, as I happily received PERSEVRE as my word, I was thoroughly convinced that we just had to Persevre through the chemo/treatments/prayer and walk for Suzette's complete healing.  You, who follow me and our story, know that what we would be required to PERSEVRE would be her journey to Heaven on May 19th.  The hardest test of persevrence that not only I, but our entire family, would endure to date.  And, I might add, we had already
persevered through a lot over the years.

So, as I enter 2012 with my word FERVENT I am once again excited !   I intend to use every experience I've had to date to be even more Fervent for my Lord & Savior and the calling He has on my life. 

If you haven't ask the Lord to give you a word each year I encourage you to do so.  It is so exciting to be able to look back and reflect, once again, how the Lord truly holds us in the palm of His hand and how no detail is overlooked by our Lord is we will just have "eyes to see" and "ears to hear".  

Please pray about this and then let me know what word God gives you for 2012.