Life before Christmas

The trees are decorated, the houses are all lit up.  The stores are bustling with many people.  We have finished with Black Friday and now it is Cyber Monday.  Life before Christmas can be exhausting.  Rushing here and there and everywhere to get just the right gift for the right someone. 

Thanksgiving is completed at our house and now it is time to reflect and pray.  I am ready for my December break and sitting by the lake.  This year will be different, we are in a new house.  The experience will be interesting as we have chosen this house with only seeing the outside.   Pictures are showing a nice place but until you get inside you don't know.  I am excited yet anxious.  

Life before Christmas at the farm means very little decorating.  We don't have room for much.  There are few little things but nothing big.  Rika is leaving the end of this week and we travel to Clear Lake for Christmas by the Lake and my rest time begins.  I will mail out Christmas Cards and decorate the house for Christmas.  I have a grant due in the middle of the month but beyond that I will shop, play, watch TV and rest.   Slowing down for me is huge during this time of year.  We have gone 100 miles an hour for so many months it is time for me to reflect and think about how I want my 2018 to look.  God is the planner and I look for the many ways he is guiding me in my life.  

Life before Christmas is figuring how to celebrate with the animals and the children.  Teaching them the true meaning of Christmas.  I will enjoy my time alone and with friends.  It will be a joyous holiday season for me.  

As I sit back and listen to the music and listen to the pastor I realize I am in control of only my thoughts and emotions and I will make the best of my time away and at home this holiday season.

I wish all of you a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.  God's Blessings to all of you.

Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving will soon be here.  Just 2 more days and we will be eating turkey around the table.  We will be chatting with our friends and family and sometimes these moments can be very stressful.  We make the best of it as it is one of the times of the year that we get together.  What if!!!! What if it was an ideal situation!!!!!  What would that look like to you????     What would be the conversation???  How would you act????  What is the most memorable moments you can share?????  What if things were different and we could all be thankful and get along?????  What if there was no hate, no anger, no judgements?????  What would your thanksgiving look like???

Mine would be thankful for the times we have spent together as family and friends.  I would feel truly blessed for the times I was able to learn new things.  I would be forever grateful my family could be with me as I was baptized this year.  I would be grateful for the time I was able to spend with our clients, our horses, cats, rabbit and dog.  I would be grateful for the time I spent with volunteers and all they have accomplished this year.  I am grateful for the time I have been able to look ahead to the next year and what it has to offer.   I am so grateful for the memorable times I can spend with my grandson.

On this Thanksgiving I pray that everyone will be together and it will be a happy time.  Happy, Happy Thanksgiving.

New Meanings, New Changes

Just when you think you have the world by the tail, the tail catches you and there you go down the path of changes, lessons and learning. 

The holiday season is growing closer and it will have new meaning and new changes.  Thanksgiving and Christmas will not be the same.  Our family will celebrate Thanksgiving but in a different house in a different way.  Christmas will be different as our family celebrates it at a different house in Clear Lake.  Our family attends a church in Clear Lake and we enjoy the time we spend at this church.  It has taken on a life of its own and we love to go to church at Agape.

ASPIRE is experiencing some new meanings and new changes.  Rika is going to a new home soon.  The team will evaluate a new horse for the program.  ASPIRE is looking at different options for classes and how to bring more students and volunteers in the door.  Sustainability is on our minds.  ASPIRE is in a new phase with new staff and new meanings and lots of changes. 

Family is experiencing some loss.  Grief is never easy and all too frequently we push it aside and think let’s get on with life but it is never a good thing to push it aside.  We need to experience it, walk through it and meet up on the other side of grief.  We know our lives will change forever but we don’t know at the time how that will look.  People often ask why.  There are no answers only faith can be our guide.  We don’t understand why only know that we are strong and need lots of support.  Sometimes it seems that life brings us to our knees and all we can do is pray.

New meanings and new changes means good will come from those new meanings and new changes.  Our lives are forever in a changing circle and where we end up only God knows that answer but in the mean time we just hop on and ride it out.  Listen for the lessons, learning, experience crying, laughing, sharing, hugging and praying all along life’s journey.  Be grateful, experience the blessing, be kind, be respectful and love with all your heart and the journey will be easier.  

Life in the fast lane

Wow it has been a whirlwind year.  Lots of ups and downs and challenges facing us each and every day.  Hope you were able to join us for the events.  ASPIRE served 1,147 people and volunteers clocked over 2,800 hours of service.  As I wake each morning to see the sunrise and swim at the pool I am struck by the constant negativity I hear and see on the news.  It is a troubled world we live in and it breaks my heart there is so many people struggling and falling short.  It breaks my heart that there is so many people that struggle with grief.  It is a hard road out there.  But the good news is God is good all the time.  All the time God is good.  I have a lot of life to live and so much work to do.

Life in the fast lane means that all of us at ASPIRE are going to move fast to set this organization up for long term success.  We are moving fast to increase, change and motivate everyone that is involved.  We are going places this year because God has our back and we are working in his honor.  He is leading the path and opening new doors and I am excited but yes a little scared at the same time.  Look for news at it unfolds a little at a time.

I hope you will find ways to be Grateful and Thankful during this holiday season.  I will be spending some time in Clear Lake reflecting,growing in my faith and planning ahead for next year.  Get on board and see what 2018 has to offer.  God is good all the time as we move into the fast lane.

Thank you for being part of this journey.