……..what a year! This time last year we were hustling, packing and pitching all the stuff that we had no room for, we thought. I can’t tell how many times I have looked for something and think.. did I leave that behind in Lawrenceburg or was that at our house in Smyrna? Lord knows I have lost a few things along the way, but nothing truly important. After living and serving in two different churches in the past twenty years, now that we are “home” there is a sweet peacefulness, maybe this is the last post for us? I dare not count on it, there lies the trap, thinking we are settled. God only knows the future and I know I don’t, but I trust Him. This Christmas was far more enjoyable without the pressure of packing and moving like last year and as I reflect on the when and how we got here I am astounded by the grace of God in our lives.

This has been a year of reunion and reminiscing; seeing old friends and family; remembering our family who aren’t here anymore although I feel then lurking around, especially at our church; they are the shoulders we stand on and I pray they know we know that. They paved the way for us, still a few bumps and curves left but if it were easy we would be rotten! Last year we thrived in comfort and joy, this year we have made a list and checked it twice; a lot to do but with the Lords help we have made it through…. In a couple of hours it will be twenty twenty’ six, wow! It was just the year 2000!

Had I honestly given any thoughts about growing up I may have expected the life I have now. When you pass by the fifties thinking ..” okay this isn’t so bad!” Then you hit the wall (the wailing wall I mean!)goodness I got old quick and I really should have stretched more, or any! The years have flown by and I truly did not pay enough attention but the blessings are our four grown up children who are our best friends and even better they are each other’s best friends. That is a wonderful gift and one of the most important things to me, right after them knowing Jesus and just before make a lot of money to take care of me in my old age! Hey kids I’m there!

The last year has been good.. so much fun and a rollercoaster ride all at the same time, we are very blessed and we know it. Of course I have been in a different place than my preacherman, he has had a huge job while I’ve been pretty much retired, but I do know that the Lord directed our path and I do know my job is to take care of my preacherman ( I’m working on that last one, I’m still kinda fussy, the Lord is helping me but I’m stubborn ya know!) we are In His hands, He is God and we are not, whew I can barely be me!

I am looking forward to next year, losing all the weight, reading my Bible more, praying never ceasing, only having kind words to say( yall don’t make that easy! ) not wish the cat would go to cat heaven, clean or keep my closet clean( why do I even mention it?), and most of all be a good friend.
That is not an exhaustive list but some top contenders for which I can surely do one of them and I feel like I can read and pray more, besides that I am lost!

Welcome new year, we are here waiting in all our mutual struggles and pressures. I have had to repent from not liking the most comfortable shoes I have ever worn! My daughter has asked for UGGS since they have been invented, they are on the ugly shoe list right after earth shoes and just before Dr.Shoals so I never bought them, but I was given some slippers this year and oh my.. they are still huge on my size ten feet, embarrassing huge, but they are a solid comfortable shoe! I repent and my punishment is that if you see me in them( I bought a pair to wear out the door) laugh knowing I’m dying inside because they look so huge! But I’m old and they are comfortable so there is that! This is the year I’m putting my vanity in check the best I can. I never realized how much I had till the gray hair came and I had cataract surgery ugh!

This is the beginning of a new year, I’m here waiting to see how it turns out…MARANANTHA! Look up y’all.. He is coming back!

P.S. on behalf of Ellie… 6/7 let that one die please! Jk