Happy New Year!

It is 11:00 p.m. on New Year's Eve. I do not see this hour very often anymore. The girls have challenged me to stay up until midnight. I am struggling to keep myself awake while they watch a movie so what better time to blog! If I don't make any sense, you now know why.
My in-laws were here from New Hampshire this past weekend. We had a nice time with them. I also got to spend time with my grandparents, father, mother and brother and his family over Christmas. It made me think about the blessing of family. To often we take for granted grandparents, parents, spouses, children, etc....... I have known many of you who have lost family members. Losing someone you love is so life changing. It makes one realize how fragile life is. It also makes me realize that our life is not our own but God's. We are in the palm of his hand and none of us know the day or the hour that we will take our last breath. It's so important to let eachother know how much we care about one another, to smile when we see someone we know. I often think about how much my kids see a frown or disapproving look on my face. I am certain that somedays they see an ugly face more than a smiling one. I will have to work on that. Life is a gift from God and one that I would like to try and not take for granted. Tomorrow..........I will try to remember to smile more and count my blessings of faith, family and friends. How about you? Happy New Year!

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WELCOME !

Well, this is my first post to my new blog. My husband has been encouraging me to create a blog to keep in touch with friends and be an encouragment to others. I hope I can succeed in doing this. I often times feel that I need encouragement myself so I hope this works in a two- fold way.
I am thinking about the New Year and New Year's resolutions. Isn't it great that God gives us a chance to feel like we can start over again? A time of reflection, reevaluating priorities, a clean slate. The really neat thing is that when we are believers in Christ, we can confess our sins and and he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. The best part is that it can be at anytime and not only the beginning of the year. Thank goodness! If I had to wait until January to confess all of my sins for the year I'd be praying continually until about the end of February!
For the New Year my first priority is to continue growing in my relationship with the Lord. I would love to read through the Bible in a year. My next resolution is to enjoy my husband and children more. I get so task oriented that often times I feel like I'm not taking time to just enjoy those that I love so much. Last but not least, I'd like to be faithful to getting a daily 30. minute walk in. The fresh air, changes in the seasons, quietness, a time to clear my head and enjoy God's creation is very therapeutic for me. If you think of me when your praying...........please pray for these areas for me. I covet your prayers. If you have any New Year's resolutions that you need prayer for........let me know and I will remember you. May God bless you richly in this coming year!