January Happenings

January.
I remember as a kid not really liking January. It fell after the Christmas excitement with little excitement of its own(with the exception of my mother's birthday, HAPPY BIRTHDAY! MOM) It was always cold and a reminder that winter had so far to go before it would be over. It was the month to jump back into school.

It is funny to me that I carried the mindset of a child into my adulthood. We had such a relaxing and recharging break and I dreaded going back to the pace of life. I spent the first week back just reorganizing, cleaning, taking down the Christmas decorations and finding homes for the new gifts. I felt suffocated by all the "stuff." I got my feet under me and started home school in the second week of the month. Maddie was glad for the structure but it was a shaky start. We reviewed a lot of the material we went over just before Christmas. We have been going about life trying to restore the schedule of last term and getting into a groove.

Just today I was reflecting on January 1, 1997. It was the first day of the year but more importantly the first day of my new life in Christ. That January I headed back to college a new person, with a new hope and a new perspective on things. Armed with my new bible, I began to read the book of John and get to know the Savior. I write to remind myself that January is a month of new starts. So Lord, my prayer, "Restore unto me the joy of your salvation and grant in me a willing spirit to sustain me," Psalm 51:12 NIV. And even though so much has changed in the last 10 years "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever" Hebrews 13:8 NIV.

I don't have to just face January.

I do have to get back to parenting though. Lily is on the floor taking it upon herself to get out of her PJ's and is having a frustrating time at it. Oh there, she succeeded and has handed me her PJs and has proceeded to walk over and get herself a fresh diaper and has just handed it to me. I am glad someone is in charge here.

So, I guess this post is nothing more than one to say that we are doing fine, and that I have enjoyed reading the happenings of your days.

Speaking of reading here are the current books I have been reading:

Peacemaking for Families by Ken Sande
and
Curate of Glaston by George MacDonald
I am not sure why blogger doesn't allow me to underline. I must be missing something.
Have a blessed January.

Reuniting with Family and Friends

If I could summarize Christmas this year in one word, it would be "reunion." We were so blessed to visit with so many people we love so dear.

Our journey began on the night of the 16th when we joined friends from college downtown for a NHL game. It was a blast.

The next morning set out to travel to our home state. Our first destination was to Canton where we united with my mom's side of family. The beauty of it was that all 5 siblings and most of their children and grandchildren were in attendance. Maddie, Michael and lily were able to visit with great-grandparents and play with cousins (2nd, 3rd, I am not sure how that all works). I was excited to spend time with my dear cousin, kindred-spirit and sister in Christ, Cherry. It is great to go back to the places of our childhood.

Matt grew up in a town nearby, so we took advantage of the opportunity and drove over to Wellsboro. As we drove down the streets of this picturesque town, he was taking a trip down memory lane. We stopped by his brother's grave and shared with our children the testimony of Michael's life. We drove past his old house and then went downtown for a early dinner. What a wonderful gift it was to share in Matt's reflections on where he has come.

On we drove to my home town. Our family split time between my sister's house and my parent's. They live about 1.5 miles from each other. The days were filled with shopping, cooking, wrapping, baking, and preparing for a Christmas day reunion with my dad's family. It was good to see everyone again and to share our children with them. It was hard to say good bye to my parents. On our way out of town we drove out to the mountainous countryside of my childhood memories. A strange thing to see the places of our childhood, two worlds collide. The hills and farmland felt so safe and familiar. We drove past the hilltop house (a high school classmate owns it now) and I shed a tear or two in thanksgiving for such peaceful upbringing. Maddie noticed my emotion and said, "when I have children I will bring them to the house grew up." I quietly thought about how difficult that would be with so many wonderful places making up "home."

Next, we headed for a retreat at White Sulphur Springs. Talk about another place we consider "home." As soon as I saw the hotel and reflected on the wonderful milestones that have occurred there I knew that this place would be the "house" that Maddie would want to bring her children to. Now matter where the AF has taken us, WSS has been a consistent place for holidays and vacations. The children love it there. The blessing was the friends that would share the 4 days with us. We visited with the Dittmar's, the Hornback's, the Batluck's, the Thomases, the St. Cyr's, the Jerome's and others. The kids delighted in seeing their friends and Maddie was able to see Charlotte again. They had met two years ago at WSS and never forgot each other.

I can't put into words the emotions of the entire two weeks. The biggest blessing was being surrounded by the love of friends and family. Many times the joy that flooded my heart at being the presence of those we love caused me to thankfully praise God for such reunions. Imagine how wonderous the day when we will be seated at His banquet table.