Trust and Obey

There is something very unsettling about the end of a year, and the beginning of a brand new one. With the beginning of a new year, there are set before us a whole new set of unforeseeable circumstances, difficulties, problems, and frustrations. Of course, with that, there is also the joy in surprises, delightful events, and the suspense of the unknown. Whichever set of circumstances will ring in the new year, here is a wonderful thought on 'trust' by Sarah Young: 

"Trust ME with every fiber of your being! 

What I can accomplish in and through you is proportional to how much you depend on Me. 

One aspect of this is the degree to which you trust Me in a crisis or a major decision. Some people fail miserably here, while others are at their best in tough times. Another aspect is even more telling: the constancy of your trust in Me. People who rely on Me in the midst of adversity may forget about Me when life is flowing smoothly. Difficult times can jolt you into awareness of your need for Me, whereas smooth sailing can lull you into a stupor of self-sufficiency. I care as much about your tiny trust-steps through daily life as about your dramatic leaps of faith. You may think that no one notices, but the One who is always beside you sees everything- and rejoices. Consistently trusting in Me is vital to flourishing in My Presence."

-God-

As I approach the coming year, there are many things I will strive to accomplish, flaws I will endeavor to change, and things I would like to occur in my life. It's a rather powerless and humbling realization that I have absolutely no idea what will happen in the coming year. Yes, I have a vague calendar of academic events, but as for day-to-day happenings? I have no idea. I may not be able to control the circumstances and happenings in 2013, but I can control my response to them, and maintain my connection and trust in the One who approves the coming events. 

"Trust and obey, for there's no better way to be happy in Jesus, than to trust and obey." 

Happy 2013! 

New Year Hullabaloo

Before I pontificate , may I just say, 

Happy New Year! 

The days since my last posting (Thanksgiving) 

have been a bit hair-raising, unpredictable, and difficult for our family, thus is the explanation for my non-postage. (don't you love odd words? not sure that one is uh, accurate in that usage, but it sure is fun to use.) 

If you're not friends with me or my family on Facebook, here's a quick overview...Dad went to Raleigh for a short, quick medical procedure on the Monday after Thanksgiving, and ended up back in Raleigh with a diagnosis of kidney failure on Wednesday morning. It's been a definite roller-coaster ride for all of us since then, but dad finally got to come home on December 14. We took him back to the

ER Christmas Eve night and was released Christmas Day afternoon with diagnosis of MRSA. He is still on dialysis and strong antibiotics, so he is definitely not back 'up to par,' but at least he is home and improving! God is so good. and we are thankful.

The Christmas holidays were interesting, to say the least, considering the previously

explained situation, but it was wonderful getting to spend the Holidays in NC...

where the crisp winter air wafts through the bare trees, cardinals adorn the frost-covered 

clothesline wires, and the early-morning frost decorates the brown, dead grass. 

I love it. It's quite superb, actually. 

Christmas programs (3, actually), school/church parties, Christmas caroling (with students

at the Hospice House, then with church friends to shut-ins), Christmas-cookie-baking,

The K-6 Christmas Program at school- "Not a Creature was Stirring."
It turned out so cute! The kids looked adorable, sang their hearts out,
and did an excellent job! I was so proud of them! 

favorite Christmas tunes on the radio, Christmas movies by the fire, ... the list goes on, 

but I love it all! and so very thankful to get to share these times with my family. 

Fun Gingerbread-baking with 7-8th grade at school.
Whew. This was the 1st time most of them had ever cut out Christmas
cookies. Seriously? How sad is that! the room was a wreck when we
finished and we were all covered in flour, but we all had a blast.
and they tasted great. :)

Our gorgeous live tree (from the NC mtn's) upstairs,
decorated with Waterford Crystal and
ornaments from overseas. It was beautiful! 

Living room upstairs- partially decorated for Christmas.
Unfortunately, I didn't get any pictures of it completed :(
It was beautiful, though! 

enjoyed nifty Christmas decorations 'downtown'
Thomasville during the Thanksgiving parade with
friends from church.

And, just for a laugh....

A snippet of the hilarious older ladies featured in the Thomasville
Christmas parade. Hysterical!


All around, it was a terrific (but flexible) Christmas, and I thoroughly enjoyed all the bustling,
shopping, gift-wrapping, traffic, programs, decorating, etc. that are involved in making the
Season memorable. And, most of all, I love celebrating and reading about the Birth of Jesus.
Still marveling in the Gift of God's Son!

The hour grows late, and I must needs rise early to provide and education for the children
of Thomasville. :) More posts to come later.

A'dieu, until then...