New Year  2012

Since Ken usually writes the news for the rest of the year, Eva decided it was her turn to greet  the world for Christmas, almost my favourite time of the year.  I think only Easter and the Resurrection of Jesus has more meaning for me.  I love the decorating which we have done since we came home on 8^th December.  I’m always sorry to miss the beginning of Advent at home but enjoy catching up with setting up the Advent ring and lighting the candles as we consider the theme for each Sunday of this season – Hope, Peace, Joy and Love and then lighting the white candle on Christmas Day to welcome the Christ Child.  

As we get older and realise we have fewer years left than are already gone, I also decided we should spend them together.  This means a lot more travel for me than in the past and less time at home but is worth it to be together.  People ask Ken when he will retire.  I think the answer is, ”Never”.  He doesn’t see a retirement age for preachers in the Bible!

This has been a busy year . One of the highlights was in May when eight of us had a great week of travel in Cappadocia, Turkey.  Until recently I had not registered just how much of the Acts of the Apostles takes place in Turkey and there was evidence of churches everywhere.

We have also had some family trials.   My brother, Ossie, has experienced the joys of chemo for some months but has now been told he is technically in remission from bone cancer for which we are very thankful.

Leeanne’s (our daughter-in-law) mother, Linda, was diagnosed with acute leukaemia just over a year ago and was released from pain and suffering on 18^th November 2012.  I was able to attend her memorial service in Lake Tapps, Washington, on 30^th November and it was a very special occasion when many gave thanks for Linda’s influence in their lives and faith.  She has also been a wonderful “other mother” (her phrase) to our son Paul.

The grandchildren are doing well and we are very proud of all of them.  I hesitate to single out one for fear of offending the others.  Their talents vary from cooking and baking to drama and mathematics, not to mention photography so there is plenty of activity in their lives.  We pray they will all become people of faith as they grow.

Next year promises to be just as busy as this one.  Lots of travel and interesting people to meet.  We intend to enjoy it!

Thanksgiving

This blog is close to becoming an annual event!  Now we are in Washington State, USA with family and about to celebrate Thanksgiving with them for the first time.  Last year I blogged about Advent and Christmas but here the focus is more on Thanksgiving and being grateful to God for the freedom we enjoy.   I've been reminded by friends here about "eucharisteo" - being thankful all the time for "little" blessings - sunlight through leafy trees, a windy day, the laughter of children, smiles from a friend, a hug, so many blessings and so much more enjoyable than complaining or nit picking and creating mountains out of molehills.  Recently several of our generation in the extended family have experienced life threatening illnesses and it has made me thankful for all the blessings we enjoy and friends and family we are privileged to share them with.  As we celebrate Thanksgiving and move on toward Advent and Christmas may we never cease to be thankful to the God who sent his Son for love of us.

Advent

I was quite surprised to see that 10 people had viewed my blog since I don't really write one!  However I have been thinking about Advent and the traditions attached to it.  I love to have an Advent Ring and also a candle I can burn each day.  However this is not always possible as we usually don't get home till mid December.  My first activity when I do get home is to set up the Advent Ring and persuade whoever is there to sit down with me and catch up with the readings and prayers we have missed.  Then I can find a marked candle to burn and have fun catching up with the days already gone - not ideal but a good time to remind myself that it is not the ritual that matters but the attitude of heart and mind to why we celebrate Advent and Christmas and thanksgiving to the Christchild who became our Saviour.  May He bless all who read this in this Advent Season

Experimenting

Not really sure I want to blog and bare my soul for the world to see but set it up anyway.

Hello world!