Picture Perfect Christmas

Marcel Marceau, French actor and mime artist, made this statement: "It is good to shut up sometimes."

So I decided to take
his advice for this last
post in 2012
and just share
some Christmas snaps of 2012
where Mt. Airy, MD had a
white Christmas!

Christmas morning on Ridge Road.

Sam napping after       breakfast.

                                                          Looking in the Mc Giffin window.

Mom's Christmas room

Christmas lights around town.



  

Joy to the world, the Lord is come!
Let earth receive her King;

Let every heart prepare Him room,

And Heaven and nature sing,

And Heaven and nature sing,

And Heaven, and Heaven, and nature sing.   

Christmas cardinal at our feeder.

Christmas morning at the Kreyling home . . .

See you in 2013!

Joyful Words for Christmas

Spurgeon wrote: "There is too much in this Psalm for a thousand pens to write, it is one of those all-comprehending Scriptures which is a Bible in itself, and it might alone almost suffice for the hymn-book of the Church."

Psalm 103. One of my favorites.

"Praise the Lord, O my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name.

Praise the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits—

who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases,

who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion,

who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.

The Lord works righteousness and justice for all the oppressed.

He made known his ways to Moses, his deeds to the people of Israel:

The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love.

He will not always accuse, nor will he harbor his anger forever;

he does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities.

For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him;

as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us.

As a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him;

for he knows how we are formed, he remembers that we are dust.

As for man, his days are like grass, he flourishes like a flower of the field;

the wind blows over it and it is gone, and its place remembers it no more.

But from everlasting to everlasting the Lord’s love is with those who fear him,

and his righteousness with their children’s children—with those who keep his covenant

and remember to obey his precepts. The Lord has established his throne in heaven,

and his kingdom rules over all.

Praise the Lord, you his angels, you mighty ones who do his bidding, who ovey his word.

Praise the Lord, all his heavenly hosts, you his servants who do his will.

Praise the Lord, all his works everywhere in his dominion.

Praise the Lord, O my soul."

As you celebrate the birth of Christ with family and friends, praise His name with your whole heart, and may your celebrations be filled with joy and love.

The pictures are ones my friend, Kathy Kreyling, took in previous years at Longwood Gardens, Kennett Square, Pennsylvania.

In the Pew

I'm sitting in the sanctuary of my church home. Jerry went with other folks to the cemetery to lay to rest a lovely women from our church. It's a cold and windy day, although the sun is shining bright.

Cancer took her life and now she is enjoying the Savior she longed for while here on earth. Times such as this usually give way to musings of your own life.

Since the beginning of November, I've had the joy of enjoying lunch with several of my friends during these months of Thanksgiving and Christmas. I gave thanks that we all have been fortunate to not have endured severe health issues so far. As you know, one second can change your life.

Friends have played a major role in my life. Family doesn't always provide healthy atmosphere for development and mine lacked warmth, affection, conversation and love during my growing up years. In early adulthood, through friends that I made, I learned what a loving family was like, and it showed me what I missed as a child.

My friends families weren't perfect, but underlying everything was the warmth, affection, conversation and love I didn't grow up with. I tried very hard to give love and affection when I had my own family, but I know I failed miserably in that and many other areas.
You can't choose your family, but you can choose your friends. I have been blessed overwhelmingly with the friends who came into my life. As some of you remember, I had a "Celebration of Friends" party for my 55th birthday. Sixteen ladies from all age groups in my life were in my living room for me to celebrate. It was, indeed, the best party of my life!

When I became a believer in Christ, I was born into the family of God. This family of friends helped me discover the trust and closeness one can know only through faith. I am honored to have so many friends that mentor, encourage, make me laugh, give wise counsel and love me.

These serious thoughts turn into a GIANT thank you to those friends that have have made a difference in my life. Although the dying of a sister in Christ brought these thoughts on, it's good to reflect on your own life. One day I look forward to when my soul joins Christ in heaven. There is no comparison in this life to the family I will live with through eternity--from nothing I've done; for all Christ has done!

Yes, sitting in the sanctuary has been good for my soul. It's a reminder that one day I will leave this earth and dwell in heaven. There, I will have my very best friend for all eternity, Jesus.

My Annual Treat

As some of you know, I am hooked on Longaberger baskets. I was introduced to them back in '87 when I attended my first show. Since then I have faithfully enjoyed collecting their baskets.

Every year in December my consultant holds an open house and it has become my tradition to attend and purchase a basket just for me. It's a yearly treat I look forward too. That's Beth, my consultant, above, and her mother, Fran, where the delicious meal is laid out for guests.

Beth sets up the baskets and other goodies in her garage, where a heater keeps it nice and cozy.

Longaberger baskets are hand made at their Homestead in Ohio. Jerry and I have been there twice, and we both made our own baskets.. I also enjoyed a bus trip with my friend, Carol B, to the Homestead.

I use my baskets for decoration and storing. Many of my note cards sit in baskets in my writing room. Larger baskets hold books and teddy bears in the living room. Others just sit out for me to enjoy looking at.

These baskets with the red-lined liners are from the sweetheart collection. Jerry actually surprised me one year with one!

Longaberger also has pottery, and I've enjoyed purchasing pieces for my home. Jerry loves them too!

You gotta love these baskets because their rather pricey. Each year I start a "basket" envelope where every month I put ten or twenty dollars in it. At the end of the year, I can reward myself with a new basket!

I love them and delight that they're hand made in the USA. In recent years they began having glassware and a few other items made overseas, but just a few months ago the company made the decision to have all their products made in the USA.

For many years now the Longaberger company has made Horizon of Hope baskets in July to help raise money for breast cancer research. I have several of the "hope" baskets, and when I was working I was able to purchase some to give to others that needed a little hope.

I also purchased the material which has the word "hope" in its design. With the help of my friend, Gail, I made pillows which I now send to those people who need a little hope. My notes tell them the heart is filled with God's love.

In earlier years you could only purchase baskets through home shows. Now you can purchase their products online.

My selection this year: the crescent basket! I love the red, green and rust pattern of the liner.

I'm almost up to 100 baskets and they all have different functions in my home. My purchases have slowed down with the arrival of retirement. But my Christmas treat will always be a special joy just for me!

Snowmen on Ridge Road

Yesterday afternoon I enjoyed putting Christmas decorations out. My favorites are snowmen, of course! Anyone who loves to watch the snow fall like I do must certainly love to have snowmen around the house. Hope you enjoy some of the snowmen I've cherished through the years, both new and old, and a few other favorite scenes!

Mom made the Christmas tree. My daughter-in-law made the clown.

Of course, I have to have some deer!

The nativity figurines are one of my earliest purchases.

I saw this little house in a magazine and love the peace it portrays in my heart.

December 1st is upon us. Fill your heart with the joy only Christ can bestow.

Let the Cheering Begin!

In Billy Graham's November 14th devotion in the book "Unto The Hills" he wrote about God's angels watching the drama of this age. The angels have witnessed all the ages, and they are interested spectators.

I like these words he shared: "We know they are watching, but in the heat of the battle, I have thought how wonderful it would be if we could hear them cheering."

Yes, we all need our cheer leaders. I know I do! Those folks who stand by you when the going gets rough, encouraging you on and letting you know you're not alone.

But what would it be like if we heard angel's cheering? Just the thought brings tears to my eyes. What a phenomenon that would be! Talking about a sign from God!

As I ponder this thought, one way I can "hear" the angels cheering for me is reciting scripture: "Are not all angels ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation?" Hebrews 1:14 And, "For He will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways." Psalm 91:11 They are serving me and guarding me.  That makes me cheer!

Another way is to sing this simple melody: "All day, all night, Angels watching over me, my Lord." That certainly brings them close! I can also listen to recorded books such as: Angels All Around us: A Sightseeing Guide to the Invible World by Anthony DeStefano, or read David Jeremiahs's book Angels: Who They Are and How They Help

Mr. Graham also wrote: "If God were to open our spiritual eyes, we would see 'horses and chariots of fire' (2 Kings 6:17) surrounding the servants of the Lord, for we are encircled by 'Thousands upon thousands of angels in joyful assembly' (Hebrew 12:22) sent to protect His royal seed."

One day I'll see those angels, and I can ask when they cheered for me. Unto then, I have a few angels  here on earth that I can turn to who always cheer my heart!

The snaps are all from my yard this year. The yellow and gold's were beautiful this year!

He Made the Heart

In a fiction book I read recently, I was reminded God made the heart, and He can fix it. I failed to note which book it was, but it was a series by Tracie Peterson and Judith Pella.

"To know Him is to love and obey Him. It is to trust Him even when the way is unclear and all hope is gone . . . To trust Him even when your heart is broken . . . especially when it is broken . . . For where else may you take your broken heart, if not to Him who made it in the first place?"

God created every part of our human body, and that includes the heart. When our heart is broken, He is the one who can bring healing, and repair the broken parts. I'm not sure if I've heard it expressed quite that way before. I like it.

I have no regrets for the life I left behind. Oh, to be sure, there's been a lot of heartbreak. There's been a lot of difficulties. There's been a lot of sorrow. Yet, as I've just written above, my God made me, and He knows best how to care for my heart.

My heart has also enjoyed happiness, joy, laughter, dreams come true, love and friendship. Suffering and joy go hand in hand.

Psalm 73, ascribed to Asaph, deals with the question: How can an infinitely powerful God be good and still allow the wicked to appear to prosper and the righteous to be in want? I especially like verse 26 which reads: "My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever."

Today, November 14th, is a very special day! I celebrate 34 years of new life in Christ. I still remember that Tuesday evening in 1978 when I went forward during a revival service and asked Jesus to come into my heart. That day began a life of living for Jesus, for His purpose, for His glory and for His service.

Yes, God made my heart. Sometimes it's happy, sometimes it's sad. Sometimes it's filled with joy, sometimes it cries. One thing I'm very sure of . . . God knows my heart. I'm very safe in His care!



I recently purposed the DVD "The Best of the Booth Brothers" from the Gaither Homecoming Series. Clips of their best-loved performances on the Homecoming stage with interviews between each song. Dear me, I think "The Boys" have been replaced. (See my September 5, 2012 post.)

Serious, fun, thought-provoking and happy! What a way to prepare for bed! Listening to them sing such songs as "Then I Met the Master," "In Christ Alone" and "Look For Me At Jesus' Feet" has been very enjoyable. It does my heart good.

I love it when God surprises me! Yesterday afternoon a quick stop in my kitchen found this beautiful scene out the window. It completely surprised me! Last week I noted how I didn't get "the" snap this fall. God provided. I love it! The sun was shining bright, the yellow leaves were ablaze and a lovely snap was discovered!

This snap is from our front yard several years ago. In recent years it hasn't produced the beautiful yellow seen here.



Fall Parade

Western Maryland . . .

Lake Needwood, Rockville . . .

Sugarloaf Mountain, Maryland . . .

Favorites from earlier years . . .

Didn't get "the" snap this fall. I'm always looking for a great picture, one that stands out. But, I enjoyed riding around getting the snaps that I did. Fall is, indeed, a beautiful season!