HOW SWEET!! LIZ GAVE ME A BLOGGY AWARD. THANK YOU!!! YOU MADE ME SMILE!! I'M TO PASS IT ON TO 10 LADIES....I'LL TRY TO THINK OF 10 BLOGGERS!! HERE YOU GO, AND IT IS TO BE AWARDED TO THOSE WHO SHOW AN ATTITUDE OF GRATITUDE. :)

1. SISTER

2. KRYSTLE

3. ANDREA

4. REBECCA

5. SARAH

6. BRITTANY

7. BREA

8. VICKI

9. JESSICA

10. TIARASTANTRUMS

PASS IT ON AND SHOW SOME BLOGGY-LOVE! :)

HOPE.

HAS THE PAIN OVERWHELMED YOU LATELY?
IS THERE A BIG CLOUD OVER YOUR HEART?
DO THINGS LOOK DARK ALL AROUND,
DO YOU FEEL LIKE FALLING APART?

WHEN YOU AWAKEN EACH NEW DAY
DO YOU JUST NOT WANT TO SMILE?
HAS THE NUMBNESS SET IN WHERE JOY
USED TO BE, DO YOU JUST WANT TO CRY FOR A WHILE?

ARE YOU TIRED OF HEARING ABOUT TRAGEDY?
DOES HAPPINESS SEEM FAR AWAY?
DO YOU JUST WANT TO SCREAM AND SHOUT,
NEED SOMEONE TO LISTEN TO YOU TODAY?

ARE THERE TIMES YOU FEEL ALL ALONE,
THOUGH YOU KNOW THERE ARE MANY AROUND?
DO YOU JUST WANT TO OPEN YOUR WINGS AND FLY,
BUT YOU KNOW YOU’RE STUCK THERE ON THE GROUND?

ARE YOU WEARY FROM FACING SORROW?
AND NOT JUST YOURS, BUT THOSE WHOM YOU LOVE?
DO YOU FEEL AT TIMES THERE IS NO HOPE,
BUT YOU STILL LOOK FOR HELP FROM ABOVE?

HAVE OTHER’S ANSWERS JUST FAILED YOU?
THOUGH WITH GOOD INTENTIONS, THEY COME…
YOU STILL HEAR WORDS OF EMPTINESS,
AND YOU’VE FOUND HOPE IN NOONE?

MY CHILD, I HAVE NEVER PROMISED
THAT YOU’D HAVE EVERY SINGLE THING THAT IS GOOD…
I JUST ASKED YOU TO ALWAYS FOLLOW ME,
THOUGH AT TIMES YOU WOULDN’T THINK YOU COULD.

I NEVER PROMISED ALL YOUR DAYS WITHOUT SORROW,
DEATH, TRAGEDY, AND SICKNESS ARE ALL PART OF THIS LIFE.
BUT OH WHAT SWEETNESS AWAITS YOU
WHEN YOU MAKE IT THROUGH ALL THE STRIFE!

I NEVER PROMISED TO BE YOUR GENIE,
ANSWERING YOUR EVERY LITTLE WHIM,
BUT I DID ASK YOU TO STILL KEEP TRUSTING IN ME,
THOUGH ALL AROUND YOU SEEMS GRIM.

I NEVER SAID TO PRETEND THINGS ARE FINE,
OR TO JUST PRETEND YOU HAVE NO PAIN….
YOU HAVE TO BE REAL WHEN YOU COME TO ME,
AND STILL TRUST ME WHEN GRIEF COMES AGAIN.

SO AS YOU GO THROUGH THESE HORRIBLE MOMENTS
AND YOU WANT TO WISH IT ALL AWAY,
COME ONLY TO ME, I WILL ALWAYS BE HERE,
I DID PROMISE I’D NEVER GO AWAY.

AND IN THOSE TIMES THAT YOU FEEL ISOLATED
LIKE THE RAIN HAS DROWNED AWAY THE LIGHT,
REMEMBER THAT I AM HOLDING YOU CLOSE,
THROUGH EACH DAY, AND THROUGH EACH NIGHT.

AND WHEN YOU FEEL LIKE LOSING IT,
GO AHEAD AND LET IT ALL OUT!!
COME TO ME, SCREAM AND CRY TO ME,
I CAN TAKE IT ALL, EVEN YOUR SHOUTS!!

FALL APART AND CRY UNTIL YOU CAN CRY NO MORE,
AND JUST LET ME WRAP MY ARMS AROUND YOU.
FALL APART LIKE YOU’VE WANTED TO FOR SO LONG,
IT’S THE BEST THING THAT YOU CAN DO.

AND REMEMBER THE PAIN YOU HAVE IN THIS LIFE
WON’T LAST FOREVER, IT WILL ALL SOON BE GONE.
I, YOUR LORD, HAVE ALREADY HAD THE LAST WORD,
I WILL ALWAYS BE HERE FOR YOU TO LEAN ON.

I AM YOUR PEACE, AND I AM YOUR LIGHT,
I BRING YOU DELIVERANCE, COMFORT, AND HOPE.
AND MY PRECIOUS CHILD, I WILL ALWAYS BE THERE,
EACH TIME YOU’VE COME TO THE END OF YOUR ROPE.

J.N.S. January 14, 2009

*IT’S SO EASY TO FORGIVE MOST OF THE TIME, ISN’T IT? I MEAN, ONCE YOU GET PAST THE HURT, THE ANGER, THE BETRAYAL…….AS LONG AS THE PERSON WHO WRONGED YOU SHOWS TRUE REMORSE. AS LONG AS THEY REALLY ARE SORRY, FORGIVENESS IS A LITTLE EASIER. BUT WHAT ABOUT THE SECOND TIME, THE THIRD, FOURTH, FIFTH? JESUS, IN ESSENCE, SAID FORGIVE “SEVENTY TIMES SEVEN”….AND THAT IF WE DON’T FORGIVE, WE WON’T BE FORGIVEN.

AND HERE’S WHAT I’VE BEEN LEARNING. I HAVE BEEN HURT DEEPLY MANY TIMES (HAVEN’T WE ALL??!)….BUT THIS PARTICULAR TIME HAS BEEN BY THE SAME PERSON, OVER AND OVER AND OVER AGAIN. AND I HAVE CONTINUED TO FORGIVE. HOWEVER, THIS PERSON HAS NEVER, NOT ONCE, ADMITTED DOING ANY WRONG TOWARDS ME. AND I DOUBT THIS PERSON EVER WILL. THAT’S HARD. FORGIVENESS IS A TAD HARDER WHEN SOMEONE WHO IS A CHILD OF GOD, WHO KNOWS BETTER, CONTINUES TO HURT YOU….WITHOUT EVEN SEEING HOW HURTFUL THEY’VE BEEN. WHAT I HAVE DONE; I HAVE FORGIVEN. (AND HONESTLY, IT WASN’T THAT EASY….I STRUGGLED FOR A WHILE WITH IT.) BUT I REALIZED THAT I BOTH WANT TO, AND AM CALLED TO. AND I PRAY FOR THIS PERSON. AS HARD AS THAT IS SOMETIMES, I DO. AND IT IS HARDER ON SOME DAYS. ESPECIALLY WHEN I REMEMBER THE WRONG HANDED TO ME, OR WHEN THIS PERSON HURTS ME ALL OVER AGAIN. BECAUSE ONE THING I’VE LEARNED IN LIFE IS THAT USUALLY WHEN PEOPLE ARE JUST DOWNRIGHT HORRIBLE, NASTY, HATEFUL, SELFISH, RUDE…(AND I’M TALKING ABOUT CHRISTIAN PEOPLE, THE ONES WHO TRULY KNOW BETTER…)…WHEN PEOPLE EXHIBIT THOSE BEHAVIOURS…..THEY ARE HURTING. THEY ARE MISERABLE, AND THOUGH THEY MAY NOT EVEN KNOW IT, THEY WANT OTHERS TO FEEL THAT SAME HURT. (I'M NOT SAYING THAT WE'RE TO ALWAYS EXCUSE HURTFUL BEHAVIOUR.....THERE COMES A TIME WHEN WE DO FORGIVE....YET THROUGH THAT FORGIVENESS, WE STILL HAVE TO CREATE DISTANCE BETWEEN THOSE WHO ARE HARMING US OR OUR LOVED ONES. I DON'T BELIEVE WE'RE CALLED TO BE DOORMATS.)

FORGIVE SOMEONE WHO WRONGED YOU TODAY, WHETHER THEY ASK FOR IT OR NOT. YOUR SPIRIT WILL REST MUCH BETTER. DON’T EXCUSE THEIR BEHAVIOUR, BECAUSE IT DOES NEED TO STOP. BUT FORGIVE THEM. BECAUSE YOU WANT TO, YOU NEED TO, AND MORE THAN THAT….JESUS SAID TO.

AND IF YOU’RE THE ONE WHO NEEDS TO ASK FOR FORGIVENESS, (WE’VE ALL BEEN THERE, TOO….) DON’T LET PRIDE STOP YOU. DO IT QUICKLY, DON’T WAIT. GO AHEAD AND GET PAST YOURSELF AND THINK OF HOW WE’RE CALLED TO LOVE ONE ANOTHER.

***EDIT: I JUST WANTED TO PUT YOUR MINDS AT EASE....AFTER READING THIS, IT SEEMS THAT I MAY BE TALKING ABOUT MY HUSBAND. NO, IT'S NOT HIM. HE'S A WONDERFUL HUSBAND. AND WHO IT'S ABOUT ISN'T REALLY IMPORTANT....I WROTE THIS TO SHARE WHAT I'VE LEARNED OVER THE PAST SEVERAL YEARS ABOUT FORGIVENESS. I HOPE IT HELPED SOMEONE.

*YAY FOR 2009!!!!!!!!! I DON’T THINK THERE HAS EVER BEEN A TIME WHEN I’VE BEEN SO WELCOMING TO A NEW YEAR. THANK YOU, LORD FOR A WONDERFUL, OUTSTANDING, HAPPY, HAPPY, HAPPY 2009…….IN ADVANCE. NO REALLY, THANK YOU. YOU NO MORE THAN ANYONE HOW MUCH I NEED THAT.

*DYLAN’S CHRISTMAS WAS WONDERFUL. LAST YEAR WAS SUCH A DARK TIME, AND QUITE HONESTLY, I DON’T REMEMBER MUCH OF IT. I COULDN’T TELL YOU ANYTHING I GOT FOR CHRISTMAS LAST YEAR. BUT THIS YEAR, DYLAN MADE OUT LIKE A BANDIT. HE WAS VERY EXCITED ABOUT CELEBRATING A SEASON HE NOW UNDERSTANDS; THE BIRTH OF JESUS. NOT TO MENTION HE GOT QUITE A FEW MOVIES HE WANTED, (VEGGIETALES; PIRATES WHO DON’T DO ANYTHING, WALL-E, KUM-FWEEN PANDA) TWO LEAPSTER GAMES, THE BATMOBILE, AND THE GIFT THAT OVERSHADOWED THEM ALL; A WII FROM HIS PAWPAW. NEEDLESS TO SAY, HE GOT MUCH MORE THAN HE NEEDED.

*THIS SEASON WE MADE SO MUCH STUFF, A GINGERBREAD HOUSE, A GINGERBREAD TREE, CHRISTMAS COOKIES, CHOCOLATE CAKE, POPCORN BALLS, ETC. IT WAS A TON OF FUN. (IN THE PICTURE ABOVE, HE'S VERY PROUD OF THE TREE AND CAKE HE DECORATED)

*WE ARE GETTING TO SEE SOME DEAR, DEAR, DEAR FRIENDS THAT WE HAVEN’T SEEN IN OVER TWO YEARS TOMORROW!!!!!!!!!!! IT WILL BE BITTERSWEET TO HAVE TO SAY GOODBYE. I HAVE SO MANY CLOSE FRIENDS, AND THEY ALL LIVE HOURS AWAY FROM ME. THAT’S GETTING KINDA OLD. I WANT TO BUY A BIG HOUSE AND MOVE THEM ALL IN WITH ME. WOULDN’T THAT BE AWESOME?!?!? I THINK SO.

*DARRYL GOT A SHOP-VAC, SO HE’S BEEN HAPPY. HE JUST HAD TO GO CLEAN OUT THE VAN THE OTHER DAY…..WHICH I DIDN’T MIND ONE BIT!!

*MY DADDY WAS HERE, AND WE WERE ABLE TO ALL GET TOGETHER AT MY SISTER’S CHRISTMAS DAY. IT WAS A GOOD TIME. AND HOPEFULLY DADDY WILL BE BACK IN A COUPLE OF WEEKS FOR SEVERAL DAYS.

*THE OTHER DAY DYLAN ASKED ME, “MOMMY, I DON’T WANT CHRISTMAS TO BE OVER, WHY WON’T IT EVER HAPPEN AGAIN?”……I THEN TOLD HIM, “WELL, ACTUALLY, IT HAPPENS EVERY YEAR!! EVERY YEAR WE GET TO CELEBRATE THE BIRTH OF JESUS, SO IT WILL BE HERE AGAIN BEFORE YOU KNOW IT!”…….HE WAS BOUNCING OFF THE WALLS WHEN HE HEARD THAT NEWS. POOR LIL’ THING, HE THOUGHT IT WAS ONLY A ONE-TIME HOLIDAY!!

*IF YOU HAVE NEW YEAR RESOLUTIONS, I HOPE YOU’RE ABLE TO KEEP THEM. IF NOT, I HOPE YOU’RE ABLE TO NOT KEEP THEM! HAVE A FUN EVENING RINGING IN THE NEW YEAR, I KNOW I WILL BE WELCOMING IT WITH OPEN ARMS. HERE’S TO A WONDERFUL 2009, AND EVERY YEAR AFTER.

WELL, CHRISTMAS IS OVER. SURPRISINGLY, AS MUCH AS I DREADED THE HARD MEMORIES I’D HAVE (WHICH I DID, OF COURSE) IT WENT REALLY QUICKLY. I’M NOT SURE HOW TO EXPLAIN THE LAST YEAR. IT’S ALL BEEN CLUMPED ALL TOGETHER, LIKE ONE BIG DAZE. I REMEMBER MOSTLY HURTING ALL YEAR LONG. IT’S ALMOST LIKE THERE’S BEEN THIS BIG CLOUD OVER MY HEAD, AND I’VE BEEN SHOUTING WITH ALL MY MIGHT FOR IT TO LEAVE, BUT IT REFUSES. THAT’S THE BEST WAY TO PUT IT INTO WORDS, AT LEAST. I DO WANT TO MAKE SOMETHING CLEAR ABOUT GRIEF, THOUGH. I KNOW THERE ARE A FEW THINGS THAT BELIEVERS ASCRIBE TO THAT ARE JUST PLAIN FALSE…. 1) THAT ONE SHOULD NEVER “FALL APART’ WHILE GRIEVING, THAT THEY SHOULD “BE STRONG” FOR EVERYONE ELSE…….DON’T EVER TRY TO DO THIS!!! IT’S NEVER THE ANSWER TO GRIEF. GRIEF IS A PART OF LIFE, BECAUSE DEATH IS A PART OF (THIS) LIFE. AND IT’S HARD, IT’S ROUGH, IT’S INDESCRIBABLY WRENCHING AT TIMES. DON’T FOOL YOURSELF FOR A MINUTE THINKING THAT “BEING STRONG” IS THE ANSWER…..STRENGTH DOESN’T COME FROM WITHIN, CHRIST IS OUR STRENGTH. LET HIM BE THAT FOR YOU. BECAUSE OUR STRENGTH RUNS OUT, HIS IS ALWAYS FULL.
2) THERE’S THIS UNSPOKEN RULE THAT AFTER A YEAR PASSES SINCE THE DEATH OF A LOVED ONE, THINGS JUST START LOOKIN’ UP, THAT ONE’S GRIEF SHOULD BE OVER BY THEN. THIS IS SO FAR FROM THE TRUTH. DID JESUS EVER SAY, “WELL, AFTER 12 MONTHS, MY CHILD, THOU SHALT HAVE NOTHING BUT HAPPY DAYS AND THINE GRIEF SHALT CEASE FOREVERMORE…”??…….NO!!!!!!!!! HE KNOWS FULL WELL THIS IS SOMETHING THAT WILL BE DEALT WITH UNTIL THE END. THERE WILL NEVER BE A DAY WHEN ONE WILL BE SATISFIED IN LIFE WITHOUT THEIR LOVED ONES HERE TO LIVE AND LOVE WITH. THERE WILL BE HARD TIMES STILL, I’M SURE WHEN I’M 80 YEARS OLD (IF I LIVE THAT LONG) I WILL STILL CRY AT TIMES WHEN I THINK OF MY SWEET MOMMA AND HOW SHORT HER LIFE WAS HERE, AND HOW MUCH I MISS HER. AND AT THE SAME TIME, I’M SURE THERE WILL BE HAPPY TIMES TO COME.

I AM FULLY AWARE THAT THERE ARE TIMES WHEN IT’S HARD TO READ WHAT I WRITE ON THIS BLOG. I KNOW SOME PEOPLE MAY NOT EVEN WANT TO READ IT ALL, FOR IT’S QUITE SAD AT TIMES. BUT THE THING IS, THIS IS WHERE GOD HAS PUT ME NOW. ALL MY FRIENDS KNOW I HAVE ALWAYS BEEN THE “HAPPY” ONE, WHEN I WAS YOUNG I WAS NICKNAMED “SMILEY” AND EVEN GOT A CERTIFICATE FROM MY SCHOOL WITH THAT NAME ON IT! I’M STILL HAPPY, I’M STILL HOPEFUL. BUT THIS PAST YEAR HAS TAUGHT ME SO MUCH ABOUT GOD. LIFE ISN’T ALWAYS HAPPY. AND REGARDLESS OF THE HUM-DRUM YOU MAY HEAR/READ/SEE FROM VARIOUS PEOPLE WHO PROCLAIM THAT HAPPINESS BRINGS PROSPERITY…….OR THAT IF YOU WILL JUST “BE POSITIVE”, LIFE WILL BE GREAT!!....THAT IS FALSE. THERE WILL BE SORROW. I HAVE HEARD VARIOUS PREACHERS AND CHRISTIANS SAY THAT THE MAIN SIGNS OF GOD’S BLESSINGS ON YOU ARE HAPPINESS AND WEALTH. MY QUESTION TO THEM HAS ALWAYS BEEN; HAVE YOU READ THE BIBLE I’M READING? YOU KNOW, THE HOLY ONE? I DOUBT JESUS WAS SMILING AND SAYING, “HEY, JUST SMILE AND BE POSITIVE, DON’T BE SAD!” WHEN HE WAS ON HIS WAY TO BE CRUCIFIED. IN FACT, FROM THE WORDS HE SAID BEFORE THAT, WE CAN BE QUITE SURE HE WASN’T THINKING ALONG THOSE LINES AT ALL. BUT, HE DID KNOW THE FATHER, AND HE DID CONTINUE TO FOLLOW HIM, AS PAINFUL AS IT WAS. THAT IS WHAT I’VE BEEN DEALING WITH LATELY. WILL I STILL FOLLOW? WHAT IF GOD LETS A HORRIBLE TRAGEDY HAPPEN TO MY FAMILY…..THEN WILL I FOLLOW? WHAT IF HE TAKES CERTAIN FRIENDSHIPS AWAY…..WILL I STILL? WHAT IF MY BANK ACCOUNT ISN’T FLOWING WITH EXTRA MONEY, 401K, CDS, THOUSANDS IN SAVINGS, ETC…….WILL I STILL FOLLOW A GOD THAT DOESN’T “BLESS” ME ACCORDING TO WHAT EVERYONE AROUND ME SAYS IS A BLESSING? WHAT IF MY DREAMS, MY GOALS, ARE NEVER MET….THOUGH NOBLE AS THEY MAY BE…..WILL I STILL FOLLOW A GOD WHO DOESN’T ANSWER ME WITH BLESSINGS SO SWEET?? MY ANSWER IS SIMPLE; I WILL. BECAUSE HE IS GOD, I AM NOT. AND YES, I WILL BE HONEST WITH HIM….IF I AM ANGRY, HE KNOWS…IF I AM DESPERATE, HE KNOWS….IF I FEEL BETRAYED AND LEFT ALONE BY HIM…HE KNOWS. BUT I STILL LOVE HIM. I STILL SERVE HIM. BECAUSE I CAN’T DO IT WITHOUT HIM.

AS MUCH AS I HOPE THAT 2009, 2010, 2011, ETC. ARE YEARS FULL OF BLESSING, PEACE, HAPPINESS, JOY…….I WILL STILL FOLLOW HIM EVEN IF HE CHOOSES TO TAKE ME DOWN A PATH THAT IS NOT SO SWEET. BECAUSE I KNOW AT THE END OF ALL THINGS, AT THE END OF ALL TIME…….JESUS WAS AND IS THE LAST WORD. HE HAS MY FULL ALLEGIANCE, NO MATTER THE LIFE HE HAS MAPPED OUT FOR MY FAMILY AND ME.

“THOUGH HE SLAY ME, I WILL HOPE IN HIM. NEVERTHELESS I WILL ARGUE MY WAYS BEFORE HIM.” –JOB 13:15

“AS FOR ME, I KNOW THAT MY REDEEMER LIVES, AND AT THE LAST HE WILL TAKE HIS STAND ON THE EARTH.” -JOB 19:25

“THESE THINGS I HAVE SPOKEN TO YOU, SO THAT IN ME YOU MAY HAVE PEACE, IN THE WORLD YOU WILL HAVE TRIBULATION, BUT TAKE COURAGE; I HAVE OVERCOME THE WORLD.” -JOHN 16:33

I FINALLY KNOW WHAT IT MEANS
TO LOVE YOU THROUGH MY DESPAIR.
TO LOVE YOU THROUGH THE HURT,
WHEN I CAN’T SEE YOU ANYWHERE.

TO LOVE YOU, BUT STILL WONDER
WHY YOU DO THE THINGS YOU DO.
TO LOVE YOU EVEN THOUGH I FEEL
SO FAR AWAY FROM YOU.

TO TRUST IN YOU WHEN DARKNESS
SEEMS TO COVER THE WHOLE SKY,
TO HOPE IN YOU, TO FOLLOW,
TO LET YOU COMFORT ME WHEN I CRY.

I’M LEARNING HOW TO HOPE IN YOU
WHEN ALMOST ALL HOPE IS GONE.
TO TRUST YOU’RE STILL HERE
WHEN IT FEELS LIKE I’M ALONE.

I’M LEARNING HOW TO TRUST YOU
WHEN WAITING IS WHERE I’VE STAYED…
EVEN THOUGH EACH AND EVERY NIGHT
ALL I’VE DONE IS PRAYED AND PRAYED.

I’VE BEEN PRAYING FOR YOU TO COME,
FOR YOU TO ANSWER MY PRAYERS…
AND I’LL KEEP ASKING, I’LL KEEP HOPING,
THOUGH I CAN’T SEE YOU ANYWHERE.

BECAUSE I KNOW THAT YOU ARE HERE, LORD
I KNOW ALONE I’LL NEVER BE…
BECAUSE YOU SAID YOU’D NEVER LEAVE,
AND THAT YOU’D ALWAYS BE NEAR ME.

THIS WAITING I’VE BEEN DOING, GOD
CAN HURT SO MUCH SOME DAYS…
I WONDER IF I’VE DONE SOMETHING WRONG…
IF I NEED TO CHANGE MY WAYS.

BUT I REMEMBER THAT LIFE HAPPENS.
YOU CAUSE GOOD AND BAD TO RAIN.
AND LORD, I WILL STILL CLING TO YOU,
THROUGH ALL THE JOY AND PAIN.

JESSICA NICOLE SCHAFER
December 20, 2008

(I KNOW, I KNOW....THIS SNOWMAN LOOKS A LITTLE FREAKY, DOESN'T HE?!? HAHAHA)

*WE'RE ICED IN. BUT, I CAN'T PICK ANYONE ELSE I'D RATHER BE STUCK AT HOME WITH THAN MY BOYS WHOM I LOVE. :)

*I ENJOYED MAKING MY MOMMA'S DISHES SHE ALWAYS DID FOR THANKSGIVING THIS YEAR. I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO DOING IT ALL AGAIN FOR CHRISTMAS. MOST PEOPLE, INCLUDING MYSELF, DON'T REMEMBER ALL THE PRESENTS WE GOT FROM YEAR TO YEAR....BUT WE DO REMEMBER TIME WITH OUR PRECIOUS LOVED ONES, BOTH FAMILY AND FRIENDS, AND THE MEALS WE SHARED TOGETHER. NOW THAT MY MOMMA'S NOT HERE, I WILL BE MAKING AN EFFORT TO KEEP DOING A LOT OF THE THINGS SHE ALWAYS DID.

*MY DADDY WILL BE COMING BACK SOON, SO I'M EXCITED ABOUT THAT.

*WE DO THE "SANTA" THING FOR OUR SON. I WAS SOOOOOOOOO AGAINST IT BEFORE I HAD CHILDREN. BUT THERE'S JUST SOMETHING ABOUT SEEING A CHILD LIGHT UP, AND KEEPING THEIR LITTLE HEARTS FULL OF WONDER. NO, IT IS NOT THE MAIN FOCUS. OUR LIL' MAN KNOWS WE CELEBRATE AND GIVE GIFTS OUT OF LOVE, IN REMEMBRANCE OF THE GREATEST GIFT OF ALL: CHRIST.

*I REALLY MISS MY FRIENDS. YOU GUYS KNOW WHO YOU ARE. HUG YOURSELF FOR ME, I WISH I COULD SEE YOU!!!

*I WISH I HAD MORE TO BLOG ABOUT, BUT THIS PAST YEAR, THIS PAST COUPLE OF MONTHS HAVE JUST BEEN TOUGH. SOMETIMES, NO MATTER HOW HARD YOU WANT TO SMILE, LIFE JUST BEATS THE HECK OUT OF YOU. LIKE I MENTIONED BEFORE, I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO NEXT YEAR. IT HAS BEEN ODD GETTING TO KNOW THIS OTHER SIDE OF GOD WHOM I'VE NEVER HAD TO FACE BEFORE. THOUGH HE HAS ALLOWED CERTAIN THINGS TO HAPPEN THAT ARE SEVERELY HARD TO GO THROUGH....I FEEL MORE INTIMATE WITH HIM. IT HAS MADE ME REALIZE THAT NO MATTER WHAT I DO, EVEN IF I DO EVERYTHING "RIGHT", HE WILL STILL HAVE THE ULTIMATE SAY ON HOW MY LIFE GOES.

"FOR IF HE CAUSES GRIEF, THEN HE WILL HAVE COMPASSION ACCORDING TO HIS ABUNDANT LOVINGKINDNESS..................IS IT NOT FROM THE MOUTH OF THE MOST HIGH THAT BOTH GOOD AND ILL GO FORTH?"

*LAMENTATIONS 3:32 & 38

*THIS IS THE STORY OF OUR CHRISTMAS TREE THIS YEAR…TAKEN FROM MY HUSBAND’S BLOG:

And Darryl, in his crusade for a jovial Yule, procured his stoutest blade and did march into the forest to fell the mightiest tree that dared to cross his path!That's how it should've happened...

Some members of our church have a grass airstrip to go along with their WWII era Stearman bi-plane. The airstrip is surrounded by a good couple of acres of woods, so I asked Dave if Dylan and I could come out and find a Christmas tree. Fun times ahead.Not a single pine. Not one. Only stickly, prickly cedars. "Oh, well," Daddy said to Dylan, "we'll just go buy one this year." Enter the face that would break the hardest of hearts. "But, Daddy! You said we would cut down a tree!" So, Daddy ended up cutting down the stickly, prickly cedar of Dylan's choice -- the most scraggly excuse for a tree one could ever dream of. It's the kind of tree that would get teased at school by the real trees. But Dylan's proud of that runt cedar -- he picked it out. He helped cut it down and load it up. It's HIS tree. And it's lovely. Maybe we did indeed fell the mightiest tree in the forest.


NEEDLESS TO SAY, IT IS BY FAR THE BEST CHRISTMAS TREE WE'VE EVER DECORATED. MERRY CHRISTMAS.

*I'VE POSTED THIS BEFORE. AS I'VE SAT HERE ALREADY CRYING THIS MORNING REMEMBERING ALL THE HEARTACHE THIS DATE BROUGHT LAST YEAR, I WANTED TO SHARE THIS POEM AGAIN. IF YOU ARE DEALING WITH GRIEF, I HOPE IT ENCOURAGES YOU. REMEMBER, THIS ISN'T THE FINAL WORD, CHRIST IS. HE WAS AND IS. AND NO MATTER WHAT ANYBODY MAY SAY TO YOU, HE UNDERSTANDS YOUR PAIN, YOUR GRIEF, YOUR HEARTACHE, YOUR LONELINESS, YOUR FRUSTRATIONS, YOUR FEARS. HE IS WITH YOU. THOUGH AT TIMES WE FEEL HE IS NOT, HE IS.



"DECEMBER"

THERE’S SO MUCH YOU DO NOT UNDERSTAND,
MY CHILD, BUT PLEASE REMEMBER.
I WAS THERE WITH YOU AND HER EACH MOMENT
THAT YOU ALL WENT THROUGH IN DECEMBER.

I WAS THERE IN JANUARY, FEBRUARY TOO,
AS YOU REMEMBERED HER BEAUTIFUL LIFE.
IN MARCH AND APRIL, I WAS THERE STILL AS
THE PAIN FELT LIKE A KNIFE.

IN MAY AND JUNE AS THE MONTHS TURNED
HOTTER, MY COMFORT HAS STILL BEEN THERE.
AND I KNOW, MY CHILD, AT MOMENTS YOU’VE
FELT YOU CAN’T FIND ME ANYWHERE.

AS THE YEAR HAS PASSED, AND YOU’VE
CRIED AND MOURNED, I’VE NOT LEFT YOU ALONE.
I’VE BEEN THERE THROUGH IT ALL, MY DAUGHTER
YOU CAN BE SURE I’VE NEVER GONE.

FROM JULY TO AUGUST WHEN THE WARM DAYS
DREW CLOSER TO A LONGER, COLDER NIGHT…
I HOPE YOU HAVE REMEMBERED MY LOVE
HAS ALWAYS BEEN A SHINING LIGHT.

WHEN SEPTEMBER ENDS LEADING TO OCTOBER
THE FALLING LEAVES WILL COVER THE EARTH.
I HOPE YOU REMEMBER TO GIVE THANKS TO ME,
THROUGH ALL THE HEARTACHE, ALL THE HURT.

GIVE THANKS THROUGH YOUR SORROW, YOUR
QUESTIONS AND DOUBT…DON’T WORRY I CAN HANDLE IT ALL.
AND REMEMBER I’M STILL THERE, I’LL NEVER LEAVE
EVEN ALL THROUGH THE CHANGES OF FALL.

WHEN NOVEMBER PASSES, BRINGING DECEMBER AGAIN,
REMINDING YOU OF HER SWEET HEART,
THROUGH YOUR PAIN AND YOUR TEARS, FRUSTRATION
AND FEARS, REMEMBER I’VE BEEN HERE SINCE THE START.

THOUGH I CAN’T GIVE YOU REASONS OF WHY
I CHOOSE THE PLANS THAT HAPPEN AROUND YOU,
REMEMBER THOUGH LIFE’S HARD AT TIMES, I’LL NEVER
LEAVE, AND I WILL ALWAYS BE THERE WITH YOU, TOO.

YOU DON’T HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT HER NOW,
AS YOU KNOW, SHE DOESN’T HAVE TO BE
IN THAT WORLD YOU’RE IN FULL OF WORRIES
AND FEARS….SHE’S SO MUCH BETTER NOW, SHE’S FREE.

THOUGH YOU MAY GET ANGRY AT MOMENTS, THAT’S
FINE…I CAN HANDLE ALL THE THINGS THAT YOU FEEL…
JUST COME TO ME EVERYTIME YOU’RE HURTING,
DON’T PRETEND WITH ME, BE REAL.

AS LIFE CONTINUES ON DOWN THE ROAD,
YOU CAN COUNT ON THE CHANGES I’LL BRING.
JUST COME TO ME, REMEMBER I’M HERE,
ONE DAY SOON WITH ME YOU’LL SING.

JESSICA SCHAFER September 25, 2008

I'VE BEEN TAGGED BY BRITTANY!! THANKS SO MUCH, GIRL!!! I AM TO LIST TEN THINGS I'M THANKFUL FOR AND TAG 5 OTHER BLOGGERETTES. SO, HERE GOES!!

*10. I'M THANKFUL FOR MY FAVORITE DRINKS: WATER, COFFEE, AND MCD'S ICED HAZELNUT COFFEE.

*9. THE CHURCH. HAVING ONE ANOTHER TO LEAN ON THROUGHOUT LIFE MAKES IT MUCH EASIER TO HANDLE GRIEF AND MUCH FUNNER TO GO THROUGH THE JOYS OF LIFE.

*8. HAVING A HOME TO LIVE IN, VEHICLES TO DRIVE, FOOD TO EAT, AND CLOTHES ON MY BACK. I DON'T TAKE THESE THINGS FOR GRANTED, FOR I KNOW IN ONE SECOND THEY COULD ALL BE GONE.

*7. THE INTERNET!!! AND BLOGGERS!!! SERIOUSLY, I LIVE IN A VERY SMALL TOWN, OUT IN THE COUNTRY FROM THAT VERY SMALL TOWN.......THE INTERNET HELPS ME KEEP IN TOUCH WITH THOSE I LOVE AND MISS SO DEARLY, AND MEET LOVELY LADIES THAT BLOG!!! :)

*6. MUSIC. I LOVE MUSIC. ALL KINDS. OVER THE PAST YEAR OVER THE RHINE'S CHRISTMAS ALBUM "SNOW ANGELS" HAS GOTTEN ME THROUGH MANY A TEARFUL DAY. SOMETIMES MUSIC CAN BE SUCH A COMFORT.

*5. HOMESCHOOLING. IT HAS BEEN SO AWESOME TO BE ABLE TO HOMESCHOOL OUR SON. HE LOVES IT, I LOVE IT, AND HIS DADDY LOVES IT. HE IS THRIVING SO MUCH, AND IT'S SO NEAT TO BE ABLE TO TAKE PART IN HIS EDUCATION IN SUCH A BIG WAY. HOMESCHOOLING IS NOT FOR EVERYONE, AND THERE ARE SOME WHO CAN'T DO IT EVEN IF THEY WANTED TO. I'M GLAD GOD'S GIVEN US THE ABILITY TO DO THIS FOR THE PAST COUPLE OF YEARS, AND HOPEFULLY MANY MORE.

*4. BOOKS. WE HAVE SO MANY BOOKS, AND I'VE BEEN TOLD BY MANY A HOMESCHOOLING MOMMA THAT BOOKS WILL KEEP PILING UP. IT'S SO NICE TO BE ABLE TO GET LOST IN A BOOK.......AND I'VE LOVED WATCHING DYLAN FALL IN LOVE WITH READING.

*3. MY FRIENDS. I HAVE A LOT OF FRIENDS, AND A LOT OF CLOSE ONES. I CHERISH THE FRIENDSHIPS GOD'S GIVEN ME WITH EACH OF THESE WONDERFUL LADIES. THEY HAVE NO IDEA HOW THEY'VE TOUCHED MY LIFE AND ENCOURAGED ME IN WAYS NOBODY ELSE EVER COULD HAVE.

*2. MY FAMILY: MY HUSBAND AND SON, MY MOMMA AND DADDY, MY SISTER, AND IN-LAWS. AND MY EXTENDED FAMILY. GOD HAS SHOWN ME SO MUCH ABOUT HIS LOVE FOR ME THROUGH MY FAMILY. I'M THANKFUL FOR ALL THE YEARS I HAD WITH MY MOMMA IN THIS LIFE, AND AM FILLED WITH JOY WHEN I THINK OF THE FACT THAT WE WILL BE REUNITED AGAIN ONE DAY, AND THERE WILL BE NO END TO THAT REUNION. SHE WAS MY BEST FRIEND. I KNOW NOT MANY PEOPLE CAN SAY THAT ABOUT THEIR MOMMAS, BUT I'M SO GLAD I HAD THAT RELATIONSHIP WITH HER. MY DADDY IS WONDERFUL. HE'S GOT THE BIGGEST HEART OF ANYONE I'VE EVER KNOWN. MY SISTER....SHE USED TO TORTURE ME. :) HAHA. BUT I KNOW SHE LOVES ME. SHE IS SO DEAR TO ME, AND I'M GLAD TO HAVE SUCH A CLOSE BOND WITH HER. MY HUSBAND AND SON ARE AMAZING. I SERIOUSLY DON'T KNOW WHAT I EVER DID TO DESERVE THEM. THEY BRING ME SO MUCH LOVE AND JOY, I'D NEVER BE ABLE TO EXPLAIN IT. AND FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO DON'T KNOW, MY MOMMA GREW UP WITH ELEVEN SIBLINGS. AND MY DADDY GREW UP WITH ELEVEN SIBLINGS, TOO!! NEEDLESS TO SAY, I HAVE A LOT OF UNCLES AND AUNTS, AND I HONESTLY HAVE NO IDEA HOW MANY COUSINS I HAVE. I KNOW ON ONE SIDE IT'S ABOUT 50 OR 60....SO I HAVE TO HAVE AROUND 100 COUSINS. I SHOULD TALLEY THEM UP FOR YOU SOMETIME. I DON'T GET TO SEE ALL OF THEM THAT OFTEN, BUT I AM VERY THANKFUL FOR THEM, ALSO.

*1. GOD, THE GREAT COMFORTER. THAT'S THE SIDE OF HIM I'VE BEEN WELL ACQUAINTED WITH OVER THE PAST YEAR. EVEN THOUGH HE HIMSELF CAN STOP HEARTACHE, THERE ARE TIMES HE DOESN'T. KNOWING THE SORROWFUL SIDE OF HIM HAS OPENED UP A WHOLE NEW PART OF MY FAITH IN HIM. HE IS THE ONLY ONE WHO CAN GIVE LIFE, AND THE ONLY ONE WHO CAN TAKE IT. I AM THANKFUL IN KNOWING HE HAS MY MOMMA. I AM THANKFUL IN KNOWING HE IS MY COMFORT, MY PEACE, MY ONLY HOPE. IF I'VE LEARNED ANYTHING OVER THE PAST YEAR, IT'S BEEN TO HOPE IN HIM AND NO OTHER. I'M THANKFUL FOR HIS WORDS TO US. THERE ARE MANY WHO WILL LIVE THEIR WHOLE LIVES AND NEVER BE ABLE TO OPEN UP THE HOLY BOOK THAT WAS LEFT TO US. I HOPE I NEVER TAKE FOR GRANTED BEING ABLE TO LOOK UPON HIS WORD DAILY.

*NOW IT'S YOUR TURN!!! I TAG SISTER, KRYSTLE, ANDREA, SARAH, AND VICKI, JESSICA, BREA, AND LIZ. I KNOW I DID MORE THAN 5, I COULDN'T HELP IT!! HAVE FUN AND PASS IT ON, LADIES!

*IT’S SNOWING LIKE CRAZY OUTSIDE. SO PRETTY, YET DEPRESSING AT THE SAME TIME.

*I MADE A SEVENTY-SIX MILLION COURSE MEAL FOR THANKSGIVING, IT WAS DELICIOUS….IF I DO SAY SO MYSELF.

*MY DADDY WAS HERE, AND WILL BE HERE THROUGH THE NEXT MONTH OR SO, SO I’M SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO GLAD ABOUT THAT.

*MY ANKLE IS STILL HURTING, HASN’T HEALED ALL THE WAY YET. (PROBABLY HAS A LOT TO DO WITH BEING ON MY FEET FOR TWO DAYS IN A ROW COOKING…….’YA THINK?)

*I AM READY FOR 2009.

*ONE OF MY FAVORITE PEOPLE CAME UP TO SEE ME FRIDAY!!! I’M SO GLAD I GOT TO SEE HER. I NEEDED THAT! AND TO TOP IT ALL OFF, SHE OFFERED TO DESIGN OUR CHRISTMAS CARDS THIS YEAR, AND THEY ARE BEAUTIFUL. LOOKING FORWARD TO SENDING THOSE. THANK YOU, HILARIE!!!

*MY COUSIN FROM TEXAS HAPPENED TO BE IN A CITY NEAR ME AND WAS ABLE TO COME HAVE THANKSGIVING DINNER WITH US. THAT WAS SUCH A NEAT THING.

*I STILL HAVE SOME SHOPPING TO DO FOR CHRISTMAS, PLEASE TELL ME I’M NOT THE ONLY ONE!!

*MY HUSBAND, WHO IS 6’8”, HAS BEEN DOING ALL THE DISHES AND KITCHEN CLEANING SINCE I HURT MY ANKLE. I APPRECIATE HIM SO MUCH. BUT HONESTLY, I APPRECIATE HIM A LITTLE MORE KNOWING HE’S BEEN DOING IT AND HURTING HIS BACK SO MUCH….HE’S LITERALLY BENT IN HALF THE WHOLE TIME HE’S CLEANING. THANK YOU, LOVE. YOU SPOIL ME. (AFTER RE-READING THIS, WE SOUND LIKE A COUPLE OF NINETY-YEAR OLDS….HAHAHA. OH WELL, I’M SURE HE’LL STILL DO STUFF LIKE THAT FOR ME WHEN WE ARE 90!)

*I MAY GET TO SEE MANDOLYN AND BEN THIS MONTH, AND I’M SOOOOOOOOOOOO EXCITED ABOUT THAT. WE HAVEN’T SEEN THEM IN OVER TWO AND A HALF YEARS.

*I MISS MY FRIENDS A WHOLE HECKUVALOT RIGHT NOW.

*I’M LOOKING FORWARD TO 2009. I KNOW I ALREADY SAID THAT. BUT IN LIGHT OF HOW THE LAST YEAR’S BEEN, IT’S THROWN HEARTACHE, GRIEF, WORRY, SOLIDARITY, AND A LOT MORE I HAVEN’T BLOGGED ABOUT MY WAY. SO FOR THANKSGIVING, I WAS THANKING GOD FOR WHAT HE WILL DO NEXT YEAR, AND THE YEAR AFTER, AND SO ON. LIFE AIN’T ALWAYS PEACHES AND ROSES. THIS PAST YEAR HAS INDEED BEEN A CACTUS FOR ME. I’M LOOKING FORWARD TO THE RAINBOWS AND SUNSHINE THAT I HAVE BEEN BEGGING GOD TO SEND OUR WAY. FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO HAVE BEEN PRAYING FOR ME, I ASK YOU TO DO SO AGAIN THIS WEEK. IT’S ABOUT TO BE A YEAR SINCE EVERYTHING STARTED FALLING APART. THANK YOU. IT REALLY MEANS A LOT TO ME. IF YOU HAVE YOUR MOMMA WITH YOU, HUG HER TIGHT THIS YEAR. HUG HER TIGHT EVERY CHANCE YOU GET.

AS HE WAS SQUIRMING ALL AROUND IN THE TUB, I WAS BUSY TRYING TO WASH HIS HAIR WHILE STANDING ON AN ANKLE THAT STILL HURT TERRIBLY. SO, I WAS TRYING TO GET MY PRECIOUS SON’S BATH DONE QUICKLY TO SPARE MYSELF A LITTLE BIT OF PAIN. AS EVERYONE KNOWS, IT’S NOT EASY FOR LITTLE ONES TO BE STILL, ESPECIALLY WHEN THEY’RE SURROUNDED BY BUBBLES AND TOYS. “OKAY, BABY. MOMMY HAS TO WASH YOUR HAIR, SO LOOK UP FOR ME…” I SAID TO HIM AS I WAS POURING WATER ON HIS LITTLE HEAD AND THEN PROCEEDED TO LATHER THE SOAP UP. AMIDST HIS FAVORITE TIME OF THE EVENING, I BEGAN TO POUR THE WATER OVER HIS HEAD TO RINSE OUT THE SOAP…ALL THE WHILE REMINDING HIM TO LOOK UP. AND OF COURSE, AS IT HAPPENS ALMOST EVERY BATHTIME, HE LOOKED DOWN IN SEARCH OF THE TOY THAT JUST SLIPPED OUT OF HIS HAND. HE STARTED STRESSING OUT A LITTLE BIT, QUICKLY SEARCHING FOR ME TO GRAB ONTO SO HE COULD USE MY SHIRT TO DRY HIS EYES. I QUICKLY SAID TO HIM, “DYLAN, BABY, YOU HAVE TO KEEP LOOKING UP, OKAY? YOU HAVE TO LOOK UP BECAUSE AS SOON AS YOU LOOK DOWN ALL THE SOAP AND WATER GETS INTO YOUR EYES AND YOU CAN’T SEE ANYTHING, AND THAT’S WHY IT HURTS.”

I KID YOU NOT, AS SOON AS THOSE WORDS WERE COMING OUT OF MY MOUTH, I COULD HEAR THE SAME WORDS BEING TOLD TO MYSELF. LIFE’S HARD? ARE YOU ALONE? ARE YOU WORRIED? ARE YOU STRESSED? HAVE YOU BEEN BETRAYED? WORRIED ABOUT BILLS? WORRIED ABOUT YOUR HEALTH OR THAT OF A LOVED ONE? HAVE YOU BEEN LET DOWN? HAVE YOU BEEN ABANDONED? ARE YOU HURTING? ARE YOU DISCOURAGED? ARE YOU BURNT OUT? ARE YOU GRIEVING? SAD? FRUSTRATED? ANGRY? KEEP LOOKING UP.

THOUGH WE SOMETIMES HAVE TO LIVE THROUGH TIMES IN LIFE THAT ARE MUCH LESS THAN HAPPY, WE HAVE TO KEEP LOOKING UP. HE IS OUR HOPE. HE IS OUR FRIEND. “THOUGH HE SLAY ME, I WILL HOPE IN HIM. NEVERTHELESS I WILL ARGUE MY WAYS BEFORE HIM.” (JOB 13:15)
SINCE THE LAST YEAR, AFTER LOSING MY BEST FRIEND, MY SWEET MOMMA, LIFE HAS BEEN TOUGH. IT’S BEEN DESPERATE, I HAVE BEEN DESPERATE. I WON’T GO INTO EVERYTHING LIFE’S BEEN HANDING MYSELF AND MY FAMILY, BUT SUFFICE IT TO SAY THAT WE ARE READY FOR A CHANGE, WE ARE READY FOR SOMETHING GOOD. THROUGH ALL THIS, I HAVE KEPT CLOSE TO MY HEAVENLY FATHER, THOUGH HE INDEED IS POWERFUL ENOUGH TO STOP ALL THE HEARTACHE, HE ALLOWS IT…..YET I CAN ONLY CLING TO HIM BECAUSE HE HOLDS THE POWER OF LIFE AND DEATH IN HIS VERY HAND. HOW CAN I NOT STILL RUN TO HIM? SOMETIMES IN LIFE, WE’RE NOT PUT THROUGH TRAGEDY TO TEACH US A LESSON, SOMETIMES THAT’S WHAT HAPPENS. AND WE HAVE A CHOICE TO MAKE. WE CAN EITHER STILL FOLLOW HIM, OR TURN AWAY. I CANNOT TURN AWAY. IT ACHES MY HEART WHEN I HEAR THINGS LIKE, “WELL, GOD IS TRYING TO TEACH YOU SOMETHING THROUGH THE DEATH OF YOUR LOVED ONE…”……WHAT?!?!?!?! THAT IS SUCH A SELFISH WAY TO VIEW DEATH. SO YOU MEAN GOD WOULD ACTUALLY TAKE ANOTHER PRECIOUS PERSON’S LIFE JUST TO TEACH A LESSON TO ME? HEAVEN FORBID. NO, MY PRECIOUS READER, THAT IS NOT HOW GOD WORKS. YES, WE MAY LEARN LESSONS IN THE MIDST OF TRAGEDY. BUT DEATH IS A PROMISE IN THIS LIFE. WE ARE ALL BORN, AND WE ALL DIE IN THIS LIFE. YET WITH HIM THERE IS ETERNAL LIFE. AND TRAGEDY MAY HAPPEN. MORE OFTEN THAN NOT, IT DEFINITELY WILL. BUT STAY CLOSE TO HIM. HE’S THE ULTIMATE COMFORTER. HE WILL NOT LEAVE YOU, THOUGH YOU FEEL HE HAS.

I HAVE BEEN THINKING SO MUCH ABOUT THE PARABLE OF THE SOWER IN MATTHEW 13: 18-23. I ENCOURAGE YOU TO READ IT. MY HOPE IS THAT I WILL NOT BECOME ONE WHO LETS THE AFFLICTION OR PERSECUTION (VV. 21), OR THE WORRY OF THE WORLD AND THE DECEITFULNESS OF WEALTH (VV. 22) CHOKE HIS WORD OUT OF ME. I HOPE I CAN PROVE TO BE ONE WHO WAS “GOOD SOIL” (VV. 23). I HOPE THE SAME FOR YOU. YES, OUR LIVES MAY BE FILLED WITH SORROW, PAIN, WORRIES, FEAR, HURT…….BUT IT WILL NOT LAST FOREVER. AND EVEN IF IT DOES LAST THIS LIFETIME THROUGH, HE HAS ALREADY HAD THE LAST WORD!! MARANATHA!!! COME, LORD JESUS!!! I AM SO WEARY. I AM SO HURT. I AM SO TIRED. HELP ME KEEP MY EYES ON YOU SO I CAN STILL SEE, HELP ME AND MY FAMILY KEEP OUR EYES ON YOU AND NOT LET THIS WORLD TAKE AWAY THE HOPE YOU’VE PLANTED SO FIRMLY IN US. HELP US ALL KEEP LOOKING UP, NO MATTER WHAT LIFE THROWS OUR WAY.

*”COME TO ME, ALL WHO ARE WEARY AND HEAVY-LADEN, AND I WILL GIVE YOU REST. TAKE MY YOKE UPON YOU AND LEARN FROM ME, FOR I AM GENTLE AND HUMBLE IN HEART, AND YOU WILL FIND REST FOR YOUR SOULS. FOR MY YOKE IS EASY AND MY BURDEN IS LIGHT.” -MATTHEW 11:28-30

“MY SOUL WEEPS BECAUSE OF GRIEF; STRENGTHEN ME ACCORDING TO YOUR WORD.” -PSALM 119:28

“I WILL LIFT UP MY EYES TO THE MOUNTAINS; FROM WHERE SHALL MY HELP COME? MY HELP COMES FROM THE LORD, WHO MADE HEAVEN AND EARTH. HE WILL NOT ALLOW YOUR FOOT TO SLIP; HE WHO KEEPS YOU WILL NOT SLUMBER.” –PSALM 121:1-3 (emphasis mine)

KEEP LOOKING UP.

I SWEAR, THIS SWEET COUPLE WROTE THESE LYRICS FOR ME. I LOVE THIS SONG.

So it’s been a long year
Every new day brings one more tear
Till there’s nothing left to cry
My, my how time flies
Like little children hiding their eyes
We’ll make it disappear
Let’s start a brand new year

Darlin’ Christmas is coming
Salvation army bells are ringing
Darlin’ Christmas is coming
Do you believe in angels singing?
Darlin’ the snow is falling
Falling like forgiveness from the sky

If I could have anything
What would I want this new year to bring?
Well, I’d want you here with me
Tear these thorns from my heart
Help the healing to start
Let’s set this old world free
Let’s start with you and me

Darlin’ Christmas is coming
Salvation army bells are ringing
Darlin’ Christmas is coming
Do you believe in angels singing?
Darlin’ the snow is falling
Falling like forgiveness from the sky.


(OVER THE RHINE)

*I’M STILL HERE, TRYING TO HEAL. HAVING A SPRAINED ANKLE IS SUCH A SUPER HUGE INCONVENIENCE!!!!!! SHEESH.

*MY FAMILY, MY HUSBAND’S FAMILY, AND LOTS OF OUR FRIENDS ARE GOING THROUGH SOME ROUGH TIMES. IF YOU’RE THE PRAYIN’ TYPE, PLEASE LIFT US UP. THANKS.

*WE’RE DOING SOME CHRISTMAS SHOPPING THIS WEEK, SO I’M REALLY LOOKING FORWARD TO THAT. ALTHOUGH IT’LL TAKE ME A BIT LONGER TO GET AROUND, WITH THE CRUTCH AND ALL. OH WELL, IT’LL STILL BE FUN!!

*IT’S SO COLD HERE. AND YESTERDAY IT SNOWED NEAR US. JUST A SIGN THAT ALL THAT SNOW WILL BE HERE SOON. I’M NOT TOO BIG ON THE SNOW ANYMORE, LET ALONE THE WHOLE SEASON OF WINTER. I JUST HOPE IT’S OVER SOON. I’LL BE ENJOYING TIME WITH MY HUSBAND AND SON, AND HOPING SPRING ARRIVES EARLY.

*MY SISTER-IN-LAW IS SLOWLY IMPROVING. WE GOT TO SEE HER OVER THE WEEKEND. IT WILL TAKE A LONG TIME FOR HER TO GET THROUGH THIS. I KNOW SHE GETS FRUSTRATED AT TIMES, I CAN’T IMAGINE.

*IF YOU’RE LOOKING FOR SOME GOOD CHRISTMAS ALBUMS, HERE ARE MY FAVORITES: HANDEL’S “MESSIAH”, OVER THE RHINE’S “SNOW ANGEL”, ANY OF GEORGE STRAIT’S, AND MARIAH CAREY’S CHRISTMAS ALBUM……THEY’RE ALL GOOD. AND THE BEST CHRISTMAS SONG? “I WANT A HIPPOPOTAMUS FOR CHRISTMAS”…….MY MOMMA LEFT ME A MESSAGE SINGING THAT SONG A FEW DAYS BEFORE EVERYTHING HAPPENED LAST DECEMBER. THAT SONG WILL ALWAYS HAVE A SPECIAL PLACE WITH ME.