Thursday, December 24, 2009

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

I'm taking time away from the constant worry that I won't have everything ready in time to remind myself (and hopefully others) that Christmas is not about the presents, the food or the cards (which hopefully made it into the mailbox today).



I shouldn't be worried that Meijer is closing at 7pm today, but I am. I have to get my traditional Christmas food. Hot chocolate and Pannetone for tonight, and Pigs in a Blanket for tomorrow morning.



We have the joy of inviting another family to join us for our "big" Christmas Eve dinner. While they don't know it, they are helping us get over the two empty seats that would be at the table... the ones for my daddy in heaven and my mom in Peru.



The Lord has blessed my socks off! Being an over-emotional person, I tend to build that wall that keeps my heart from bouncing all over the place when it comes to finding joy. Christmas seems to be that occassion that allows me to break the wall down and gush about it all!!!



Not only has joy touched my life, but my friends have opened their lives and allowed me to share their joys. Adoptions that have happened, and some that are still in progress. Surgeries that have occured and recoveries that are still in proccess. Babies being born... two of which are my precious nephews.



Not only have I had the privledge of sharing joy but being able to pray for the not-so-joyful occassions that have been a blessing to me. Hurting marriages, financial struggles, saying goodbye to loved ones and losing one's foster children.



I thank God for my rich life. Rich as in full of so many colorful experiences and not necessarily the monetary type of rich. I pray that I can somehow reflect a glimmer of Jesus in my life and that my loved ones do the same for me.

Much love and blessings!
Marianne

1 comment:

KIM said...

Amazing post - Merry Christmas to you... we are SO blessed to have you and Jeff and the kids in our lives.. just wish we could see more of you guys but we are lucky to have you as our family!! Love you guys so much!!