Goodbye, 2017.

Man is like a mere breath; His days are like a passing shadow. Psalm 144:4

Coming to the end of this year I am grateful for the ordinary things:
My family
Good health
A warm home

Highlights of 2017:

♥ I contracted and wrote an Amish romance for Annie’s Fiction. I’ve contracted for a second book with them and am almost half way through the first draft.
♥ I independently published MIRACLE IN BLACK.
The ONLY way the writing happened: Prayer warriors stood with me and encouraged me. Thank you, one and all.

Lowlights of 2017:

In January, my father-in-law passed away.
In September, my father passed away.
There is so much I want to say about these two wonderful men, but when I sit down to write out my thoughts, the words dry up. They just aren’t there. Some day I’ll be able to do it. In the meantime, I’ll treasure the memories. Daddy Gavitt and Dad Greene will always be in my heart. ♥♥

Looking forward to 2018

The mind of man plans his way, but the LORD directs his steps. Proverbs 16:9

After the difficulties of the past two years, I’m hesitant to look forward. Business plan? (Hmmm.) Health goals? (eye-roll) What was once so easy for me to do—plan and follow through—feels almost impossible this year. But doing nothing doesn’t feel right, either.
So my faith journey for the new year begins NOW as I take the first step into the unknown that stretches before me a full 365 days—and beyond. 

I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me.     Philippians 4:13

I many not know what the new year holds for me, but I do know the God who holds me and all the days of 2018 in His hands.

The LORD will guide you continually, giving you water when you are dry and restoring your strength. You will be like a well-watered garden, like an ever-flowing spring.
Isaiah 58:11

Goodbye, 2017   –   Hello, 2018

 

 

 

 

 

“Your Son May Never Learn To Read.”

This week, on the Small Acts of Kindness blog, I shared a little about my son’s early struggle with autism and dyslexia. As you peek through the window into his world, I hope you find encouragement for your own faith walk. Click here to read, “The Gift of Reading”.

Blessings.

“He is not here. He has risen.”

Helping and loving family~
In the community—at work and church~
When I sit at my computer and write~
I serve a risen Savior!

“And if Christ had not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith.” 1 Corinthians 15:17

But my faith is not useless.
My life is not without meaning,
Nor is my writing an exercise of futility.

I serve a risen Savior!

He is ALIVE!

Hallelujah!

Wishing everyone a blessed Easter. May the Risen Christ shine bright in your heart.
Anita

Giving Thanks

Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever.
Psalm 107:1

For the Beauty,
For the Bounty,
For the Blessings,
Give Thanks.

The best cheese ball recipe! For that table that keeps the hungry crowd out from under the cooks feet so the Thanksgiving dinner can be prepared. What do you call the food on that table? Hors d’oeuvres? Appetizers? Nibbles? Pickys? My favorite part of the meal?

A Week Neither Here Nor There

Goodbye, 2011

This week – between Christmas and New Year’s Day – has been a time of reflection and anticipation. Other than an attempt to bring the house back into the realm of everyday reality, I’ve passed the time seesawing between the memories of the past 360+ days and the untouched, yet-to-be-lived future. A week stuck in limbo.

Thankfully, there were no huge disappointments or heartaches in 2011. For that I praise God. And I can say the same for goals met and happy memories made – no BIG news or life-changing events. Just… life.

Messy. Wonderful. Confusing. Laughable. Blessed.

That’s my life.

A part of me hopes the new year will remain much like 2011 – no losses, no heartache. While another part of me gets all breathless with the possibilities of a fresh beginning. A clean slate.

What will 2012 hold for me? For my family? For my friends? For my nation?

Pondering the answers to this question, fills me with excitement sometimes, and with dread at other times. Because life is like that. It hands out happiness by the bushel, and heartache by the truckload.

But this I know – whatever comes my way in this new year – happiness or sadness, laughter or discouragement, wellness or illness – God is in control.

He is in all of it. The messy. The loving. The confusing. The hurting. The blessings.

He’s there in each moment, waiting.

For me.

To seek Him out. To lean on Him.

He is there to walk with me.

He knows the way.

He knows my needs.

He knows.

Because each moment I live, every thing I experience, is part of His divine plan for me.

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.” Jeremiah 29:11-13

A Joyful Holiday Tradition

Photo Credit: http://www.visualphotos.com

This time of year the weekly trek to the supermarket is anything but mundane for me. Walking through the automatic doors to see the season’s first display of Clementine oranges is a sure sign that the Holiday Season has begun. Yes, I’ve already seen artificial Christmas trees, inflated Santas and gift items stacked high in other stores. But in the supermarket, where the shelf life for items is shorter, there is a special thrill when the meat section is rearranged to accommodate turkeys, the butter is on sale and the canned pumpkin is stacked on the end cap.

The Holidays truly are here. Preparations must begin in earnest.

I’m so thankful to have the means to buy what I need to make a bright holiday for my family. Not every one is so fortunate. So a part of my holiday tradition is to take some extra cash on this last shopping trip before the holiday so I can put a few extra items in my cart.

What do I do with those items?

For several years now, the local NBC station – Channel 10 – and Shaw’s Supermarkets have teamed up for a ‘A 10 Thanksgiving’. Shaw’s donates the turkeys and Channel 10 puts the word out that collection boxes are set up in the front of every store ready and waiting to receive donations for Thanksgiving dinner fixin’s. The Salvation Army distributes the food to those less fortunate.

Choosing stuffing, cranberry sauce, canned vegetables and biscuit mix from the bountiful display on the store shelves, gives me that special joy that comes from knowing I’ve made a difference for another family. How thankful I am that God has given me the privilege of blessing others out of the abundance He has so graciously showered upon me.

What holiday tradition do you observe that has special meaning to you?

Unexpected Blessings

Two plates of cookies – extras from a family celebration – awaited the school bus driver and me this morning at little M’s stop. Her Italian grandmother takes great pleasure in sharing with others. Last week she gave us lettuce from her garden. At Christmas we received a bottle of homemade wine. Her gifts are personal and from her bounty. No money needed. Just an open heart and the desire to bless others.