...and that we know, oh so well. :)

The older we get the more we realize just how true that sentence is. Thus, memorable moments become, oh so precious!

Our holidays were wonderful! It was fun to spend precious time together, share meals together squished around a nice, big table. Sing some songs together, pray together. Bruce and all the guys took turns praying for our family. It was wonderful and I can't wait to see how God answers that lovely, extended prayer. :) Scary and exciting all at once!

One of my favorite moments was our marshmallow war. Jeremy made everyone marshmallow guns for their stockings. So, on Christmas morning, after we got the hang of it, we had to pelt everyone. It. Was. Fun. It was also fun that throughout the day, a marshmallow would ping you upside the head, out of the blue. Lots of laughter, flying marshmallows (accidentally sucking a couple up instead of blowing them out) and tons of hugs.

(sigh) Now it's time to return to life. Our calender is filling up quickly. So much to do in the next few weeks/months. :)

Bring it on! With a new year, renewed vision and THE God of the heavens on our side...the possibilities are unfathomably endless.

Linda

Tis the time when we all are slowing our steps to take a moment and reflect on our blessings. You know...our blessings :), we all have them. We all can most likely come up with a wonderful list to prove to ourselves and others that we do... have them. :)

Ironic thing about blessings tho is.....usually we have to lose something, go without, experience hardship, trauma, betrayal, grief, sorrow, something that cuts us deeply, hurts deeply, but it helps us to see more clearly that which is truly wonderful and awe-inspiring in our own lives.

For every tear, every smile, every micro second of joy that I see around me and experience myself, I know has been hard earned. :)

Truly, may we all have glorious moments with our loved ones in the coming days, may we cherish every touch, every word, every smile, every sound of laughter, every goofy mistake, every nutsy misunderstanding...family...Thank you God for your wise and loving creation....family...the ones who love us (warts and all) and who (prayerfully) can and sometimes do, walk beside us as we reach for God. :) Family....sometimes blood, sometimes not :) but always in your corner, I Cor. 13 kind of family. :) I have experienced that kind of love and family, it really is out there...God says so. :)

Happy Thanksgiving!! May your celebration this year be meaningful for you and yours. :) :) May God be most gracious in His measure of joy for you this holiday time. Soak it up...and enjoy it.

And....don't put on too many pounds :) Christmas is right around the corner you know. :)

Linda

Bruce and I got the sweetest gift yesterday. We got a beautiful, hand made blue bowl (thanks Anna ) filled with slips of paper from loving children, who put down one-liner memories for us to read and chuckle about. It is always very much fun to hear the kids regurgitate something from their childhood that has a particular meaning for them. Something they remember as fun, funny, hysterical, sober, heartbreaking, laugh till you cry wonderful :)

I have my own storehouse of wonderful family memories, some even they don't remember because they were too young or weren't even born yet (depending on the circumstance). God is just amazing to have given us the ability to "remember". How wonderful to be able to relive special moments or feelings.

Have you ever read about people who suffered an accident that wiped their memory clean and they basically have to start over. Not only to relearn important functions but, to rebuild their "memory bank". The place that stores everything special that can help us to bond with one another. How very sad.

I am not and have never been a "material" kind of person. But I am a "moment" kind of person. So, the price I would put on special memories, special moments is so high, there isn't anyone alive who could buy mine at auction. No one. No how. So, a memory wipe would certianly be the worse thing I could think of that could happen to me here on this earth.

I am thankful for the many experiences God has allowed me, in my lifetime thus far, to have. And, I look forward to many more :)

May this month, associated with thankfulness, find you making your loooooong list to remind you just how much God has given to you and how precious it all is.

Hope your Lord's day was inspiring and your week profitable for HIM. :)

Linda

Humbling.

Scary.

Sober.

Comforting.

..."For without Me, you can do nothing." I love knowing that I don't have to have all the answers. I don't even have to do things perfectly (tho I need to always do my best to do what's best in God's eyes :) ) but because God is on my side I can always run to Him for guidance, for comfort, for reassurance, for assistance.

What a freeing feeling to know that, even if I 'trip' in life, with God, I can stand up taller, stronger, more focused on Him.

"Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling." Wow. We need to think on that from time to time to help us 'tighten' things up. You know, maybe we've gotten sloppy in how we speak or respond to people. Maybe we have gotten less kind, less understanding, less resolved to honor God in all we do.

I just love how God put the bible together with such balance. Such loving thoughtfulness for us and our weaknesses. Oh to be able to attain such a level of 'holiness' that we could consistently know what to think, do, say to moments in our lives that can shake our faith in God and others.

Thank you God, for your plan, your provision, your purpose. We love you and hope to rise up and live in such a way as to give you the honor and devotion that you deserve.

As we all reflect, like most do from time to time, may we be strong enough, courageous enough, honest enough with ourselves to truly look into 'the mirror' of our soul and be willing to confront what we find there. We don't have to do it alone :) God made provision for that :) for which I am truly, humbly, eternally grateful. Thank you God for 'the peace that passes understanding'...thank you.

Have a great rest of the week and may you look around you and 'see' God's provision for you. See it..and be blessed.

Linda

This past weekend, we had the most wonderful opportunity to spend the day with 20+ people, rafting down the Ocoee river in Tennessee.

It was great! We all had a good, safe time (a good percentage had never been before) it is kinda fun to imagine spiritual analogies as you drift along.

For example...to safely manage the rapids, everyone in the raft had to work together. If we lost our focus, we could end up flipped or catapulted out of the raft. We couldn't do it alone (sound familiar :) ) We needed each other. Everyone was important. It was in everyone's best interest to help each other out, and to allow ourselves to be helped out.

Also, those that listened, obeyed and stayed calm (realizing that what was being told by the guide was true) did very well as they sailed along. It seemed that the younger rafts (there was one filled with boy scouts ..13 & 14 yr olds :( )would sometimes not pay close attention and in their greatest moment of stress would just lose it. Trusting your guide, following his instructions, and hearing his assurances ( ours would always say "As long as we paddle together, stay focused and you listen to me... we will do fine" ...and we always did) seemed to really make a difference.

This year we did have several who fell out of their rafts at various points but, no injuries (thank you Lord!).

There is nothing like a fun, safe, encouraging adventure, especially when you are with people you love and trust. It was great to get to meet and get to know others too. :) One can never have too many good people as friends.

(sigh) Well, that was pretty much the last time a bunch of us Dehuts get to be all in the same place for a while until the holidays roll around. Some of us will get to see some of us (that sounds weird )occasionally from now until then. Family...God sure knew what He was doing didn't He?! I love knowing that there is a group of people out there who love me and want what's best for me, especially spiritually. Kinda nice to know they have my back. I love being in a 'spiritual war' with them.

If only we could dress up in some cool looking futuristic (and modest) armor. Now that would make for an awesome photo op wouldn't you say?

Have a great weekend people!

Linda