Reflections and Resolutions

Well, here I sit staring 2007 in the face. In just a little bit, I will go to work and help out in dispatch in case it is a busy night in Monticello. Hopefully, all will be quiet and the job will be boring tonight.

The year 0f 2006 brought many changes to my life, mostly in the form of three new grandchildren. The year got off to a good start in January with the birth of Lillian Faith. Lilly gave us a quicker hello than we expected and she is still moving fast as she crawls all over the house. Her big sister Abby tries to help everyone keep up with Lilly. They are so sweet together. Andy got married and I gained the most delightful little blond headed grandson, Grady. He is all boy and has stolen my heart. Then later in the year Andy and Emily had precious Riley Gail. She is two months old now and the sweetest little bundle of joy to hold and cuddle. How many more blessings can I wish for? This next year will be full as my time is spent trying to be a good Mammaw to my grands. They are truly gifts from God.

It has been a joy to me to see both of my children and their spouses find better houses this last month. Andy and Emily found a nice house about five minutes from her mother about a month ago. With two small children, it will be better for her to be close to at least one grandma. Then last week Mike and Kristy made an offer on a house which was accepted. It is Kristy's dream house. Nothing makes me any happier than to see my children happy.

So, as you can see, life has been good to me and my family this past year. So, my new year's resolutions are few. One: hit the treadmill just as soon as I get the clothes off of it. Two: spend more time reading my Bible and spending time with God. Three: listen and be ready to follow whatever marching orders God gives me. It seems that I am in a transition period in using my gifts and doing whatever I am supposed to do. I have taught Sunday School for many years but right now am without a class. A single ministry for middle age has been on my mind for several years as has doing more practical helping things. So for now, I will just wait on a clear direction.

May God bless all who read this in the new year.

Don't Forget to Water the Tree

Christmas Joy Comes in All Varieties

Most police departments (and other government offices) are usually on very strict budgets. We at the Monticello Police Department know how to stretch our budgets. It is called the multi-holiday tree. It can be used for any holiday, just add the proper ornaments. Just looking at this tree will make your mouth curve upward in the most joyous smile. It might even make you roll in the floor with delightful holiday laughter. If you play catchy Christmas tunes while decorating it, you will dance and wiggly with the joy of the season.

Many thanks to "you know who" for the most unique Christmas tree I have ever seen.

Christmas Eve Blessings

I hope everyone is having a good Christmas Eve. Immanuel Baptist had a good service today with lots of music and the observance of the Lord's Supper. Bro. Terrell lead the service and read the Christmas story from the Bible. There were lots of family members home for the holidays and it is always nice to see everyone. The best part was being with my church family on Christmas Eve celebrating the birth of Christ. May we never forget amid all the hustle and bustle why we celebrate this holy day.

Later tonight I will go to Kristy and Mike's and then all my family will be here tomorrow for Christmas day. As I sit here reflecting on my life, I am truly blessed.

God bless each one of you who reads this, not only during this Christmas season but also for the year to come.

Christmas Prayers

Two young children were spending the night at their grandparents. At bedtime, the two children knelt beside the bed to say their prayers when the youngest one began praying at the top of his lungs ...
"I PRAY FOR A NEW BICYCLE ...
I PRAY FOR A NEW NINTENDO ...
I PRAY FOR A NEW VCR ..."
His older sister leaned over and nudged the younger brother and said,
"Why are you shouting your prayers? God isn't deaf."
To which the little brother replied,
"No, but Gramdma is!"

CHRISTMAS CAKE

For all of you cooks out there, I found a great recipe for a Christmas Cake. I will try it as soon as possible. It should get me in the Christmas Spirits! This is my kind of cooking.

CHRISTMAS CAKE RECIPE

You'll need the following:
1 cup of water
1 cup of sugar
4 large brown eggs
2 cups of dried fruit
1 teaspoon of salt
1 cup of brown sugar
Lemon juice
Nuts
1 bottle of whisky

Sample the whisky to check for quality. Take a large bowl. Check the whisky again. To be sure it's the highest quality, pour one level cup and drink. Repeat. Turn on the electric mixer, beat one cup of butter in a large fluffy bowl. Add one teaspoon of sugar and beat again. Make sure the whisky is still OK.

Cry another tup. Tune up the mixer. Beat two leggs and add to the bowl and chuck in the cup of dried fruit. Mix on the turner. If the fired druit gets stuck in the beaterers, pry it goose with a drewscriver. Sample the whisky to check for tonsisticity.

Next, sift two cups of salt. Or something. Who cares? Check the whisky. Now sift the lemon juice and strain your nuts. Add one table. Spoon the sugar or something. Whatever you can find. Grease the oven. Turn the cake tin to 350 degrees. Don't forget to beat off the turner. Throw the bowl out of the window. Check the whisky again and go to bed.

The Christmas Season

What a wonderful day this has been! It is so good to be back at home in my church. We had Bro. David Mitchell, the Bartholomew Baptist Association Director, preaching today. Both messages were a very good start to the Christmas season and reminders of why Jesus came into the world. He preached tonight on Five Days in the Life of Jesus: from the cradle to the cross, to the resurrection, to the ascension, to the second coming. His purpose was redemption, for which I am grateful. This year I am making a special effort to focus on the real reason that we are celebrating.

Also, Billy and Mary Collins, missionaries to Honduras shared a little of their work with us tonight. In this land of plenty it is hard to realize that there are still places in the world which do not even have pure drinking water and that children are dying from drinking contaminated water. They were excited to report that they will soon be receiving about 200 goats. Makes my Christmas wish list seem petty in comparison.

Then we worshipped during the Hanging of the Green service as we lit the sanctuary with lights, greenery and poinsettias in honor of Jesus and His birth. It was a beautiful setting to kick off the holidays. Christmas is a time of love, giving, and good cheer for me as I remember all the blessings of the year and look forward to a new year. Thanks to Bro. David and all the people at Immanuel Baptist Church who made this day special.