Is It Christmas Yet?

Three years ago to the day today it was snowing on the fallen leaves

I can't believe that it's been over two weeks since I've been on here!  Time is flying right now.  This time of the year is always busier than normal--everyone in my family has a fall birthday, there are some fall birthdays on my hubby's side of the family, several holidays to plan for, and Christmas shopping...no wonder it's halfway through November already!  We are almost entirely done with the issues that we have been dealing with concerning our house.  The craft shows are finally over, and I'm not entirely sure that I want to do that ever again.  Although, it was good for earning some cash...it just didn't have any sort of long-term effects for my little online store that I had hoped for.  That's the way it goes, I guess, in an economy that seems to be in very rough shape.  We have family members and friends that are experiencing some hard times right now, and it just seems like, in retrospect, this has been a tough year in general for a lot of people.  Some days, it's hard to be positive about much of anything.  At least I can look forward to decorating for the seasons.  It's one of the little joys I like to anticipate, and I love doing it! 

I truly can't believe that Thanksgiving is next Thursday.  We plan to spend it with family, and eat lots of food!  I want to wish you all a wonderful Thanksgiving and hope you are able to spend it with those you love.  Happy Thanksgiving!

No matter what the circumstances, the Lord is always with us.  Countless entries of Scripture tell us this!  So why, when things go wrong, do I have a tendency to feel alone?  I don't think I'm the only one who has felt like this.  With all of the interesting situations that have presented themselves to us this year, I find it a good reminder that God's not leaving me to flail about helplessly in a sea of utter frustration.  Acts 3:19 states that those who are saved in the Lord will find a second wind: "Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord."  Psalm 139:7 says, "Where can I go from Your Spirit? Or where can I flee from Your presence?"  (I find it amusing that this could have been applied all the way back to Adam when he tried to hide in the garden!)  And finally, in Exodus 33:14, God had to reassure Moses that He would be with them: "And He said, “My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.”  I know what I'm thankful for this Thanksgiving and every other day of the year.  What are you thankful for?

Beware The Ides of February...Oh, wait...

I Feel Like Ramblin'
I don't know why I chose the Shakespeare reference for my title this time, I just felt like being random.  So!  I've been getting much of what I wish for lately...first I wished for lots of snow.  I sure got that wish!  Then, I wished for it to all melt and for spring to come.  It's been spring-like and the entire 12+" of snow that covered the ground has all but melted away!  Now, I wish that the spring weather is here to stay, and that I had millions of dollars!  I'm very much looking forward to the days when I can open the windows to air out the house after along and stuffy winter...get some spring cleaning done...get my garden planted!  I'm ready for all of the sickness to fade out and the sinus problems to disappear for another year.  Last year at this time, I was preparing for my sister's wedding, which I still think about often.  It was one of the best weddings I've ever been to!  Everyone had a great time.  And it was so nice and warm out!  Lately I seem to be waxing nostalgic.  I keep thinking back to my sister's wedding, back to good times with friends...college...people that are no longer here.  Life sure is full of changes.  I know, the only thing constant in life is death and taxes.  What would life be like if no one or nothing ever changed?  What if you could stop time when you finally accomplish everything you always hoped for when you were young, and just bask in the happiness?  What if you never had to say good-bye to people you loved?  I guess that's where faith in Jesus Christ comes in, even though your faith doesn't save you from going through some pretty difficult situations in life.  I think that I feel like I'm in a stagnant part of life right now, which makes me look to the past instead of planning for the future.  It's easier to look at the past--you already know what happened.  No one ever knows what the future will hold.  I guess that's why we should appreciate what we have right now, and who we have right now, because there may not be a tomorrow.  Carpe diem!  Carpe chocolate!

Uncertainty can be troubling, and unfortunately, life is full of it.  There are many verses in the Bible about trusting God when life seems questionable.  I like this one: "Cast your cares on the LORD and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous be shaken."  Psalm 55:22.  Honestly, it's not always easy to trust that God has the best things in store for us, but He does!  You might see it right away, over time, or never at all, but God's way is always the best way, and He will always watch out for His children.