I.Will.Remember.

It's a quiet evening here tonight.
The moon shines brightly from where I sit.
David Nevue is playing on the stereo.
Supper is warming in the oven.
Laundry is being washed & more waiting to be folded.
I'm the only one home at the present moment.
A rare occasion.
One I savor, when the opportunity arises.

At last things have slowed down & I.can.breathe.
Finally all the hustle & bustle of Christmas is past.
The presents are unwrapped.
Our decorations are taken down & neatly stored away until next year.
The house & our lives have returned to simplicity.
We are back to somewhat of a healthy eating pattern.
Having Kyle here at home is bliss.

The past week for me has been so full.
So good.
So special.
So enriching.
For 36 continual hours, we were with my side of the family.
Eating.
Laughing.
Swimming.
Playing.
Visiting.
Sharing.
Loving.
Remembering Aunt Renee'...

Being together was so good.
So wonderful.
So fulfilling.
So healing.
I miss each of them so much.

I'm thankful for pictures...
I'm thankful for memories...
I'm thankful for the gift of their lives.

As I have thought so much about this Christmas season, my heart is convicted. So much time that I spent on the "preparations"...rather than on the Person. Where my focus was somewhere other than on Jesus... The other evening as I was praying & reflecting, God ever so gently said to my heart, "Who are you kidding? You say that Jesus is the Reason, but do you live as though you speak? You do all of this in His name yet has He really been your focus? What about the days that you started early & ended late...weary, worn & depleted of joy?" He was right. I wasn't even going to attempt to justify. My heart was sorry. I repented. Next year, I.Will.Remember.

My heart has been restful the past few days & in that rest, I have started looking towards the new year. I'm not a big one on new year's resolutions yet I do love the idea of a fresh start, a clean slate & a renewed vision. I'm praying about a "key" verse to focus on, a new word to purposefully walk in (last years was "extend") & various areas of my life that the Lord would have me to find healing, surrender & restoration in. The more I pray & meditate, the more hopeful I am & the more eager I find myself.

Kyle & the girls will be home soon, so supper preparations are awaiting me. I pray that this finds you restful, overflowing with peace & filled with hope as 2012 approaches its arrival.

Much love to each of you... ♥

"Come unto Me, all who are weary & heavy laden, & I will give you rest.
Take My yoke upon you, & learn from Me, for I am gentle & humble in heart;
& you shall find rest for your souls.
For My yoke is easy & my burden is light."
Matthew 11:28~30

The LORD has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy.
Psalm 126:3

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