Catching Up With Friends and Other News

The Christmas season is zipping along a little too fast for me. I want it to stay Christmas for a long time, but it always is gone so fast. Some great things have been happening, though. I'll list a few of them.

On December 5 I got to go with my daughter and my grandson's 4th grade class to see "The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe in Branson. I've read all the Narnia books and seen the movies many times, but I had never seen a live stage play of it. It was a wonderful performance! I love going to theatre productions.

By going to the play, we missed the Christmas parade here in town, which made me sad. I did get to see a parade though; I went to my hometown over this last weekend and saw a great parade there, led by my favorite high school band (the one all my kids were in when they were in high school). I also saw my cousin, and several friends I hadn't seen in quite a while. It was so good to see everyone! I miss my friends and family in my hometown. I wish it wasn't so far away. 

I am watching a Christmas movie every day that I can. Last week I watched "Prancer," a movie from the 80s that always warms my heart. I've also seen "The Family Stone" this month and I watched "Elf" Friday night. I also plan to watch "White Christmas," "The Holiday," and "Christmas Vacation" in the next few days. Love these movies.

My house is finally all decorated, and I'm pretty much finished shopping; I just have to wrap everything now. (Amazon is the way to shop!)

I missed walking Thursday, because I was so busy getting ready to go out of town. Then I was driving for half a day Friday, so I didn't walk. Saturday I walked around the lake in the city park in my hometown. Then Sunday I was driving a half day again. I finally got back home and to my favorite place to walk, but I had to wait until late afternoon when it warmed up to 44. It was 19 degrees when I got up this morning. That's too cold for me!

I took a picture of the sunrise Thursday morning because it's about as far southeast as it will get, which, as y'all know, I find fascinating (and yes! I do get up in time to see a sunrise sometimes!).

I also got a picture of the sunlight hitting the creek where I was walking this afternoon. 

Apparently, I like to take pictures. LOL.

I hope you are all having a blessed Christmas season. In all the hustle and bustle of this time of year, remember that Jesus is the reason we celebrate Christmas. 

"Behold, the virgin will conceive and give birth to a Son, and they shall name Him Immanuel, which translated means, 'God with us.'" Matthew 1:23 NASB

I'll Do It Later

Just after my previous blog post, around the week of November 17, it was very windy on my daily walk. It was before the rain finally came a day or two later, and the wind was most likely bringing in the colder and rainy weather. This particular day was pleasant, but the wind was making it "rain" leaves. It was such a warm fuzzy moment, rounding the curve in the path and getting bombarded with leaves. I felt like I should take a picture or short video of the falling leaves. It was picturesque moment. I paused, but then I kept going. "I'll take the picture of the leaves on my way back," I thought to myself.

I went on to my "turning around place," at around .78 of a mile and headed back the way I had come. When I got to the grove of trees that had been pouring leaves down, I stopped in my tracks. 

Not one leaf was left on any of those trees. Not ONE. The trees were completely devoid of leaves.

My heart sank, much like it did a few years back when I came home, excited to see my little daffodil in bloom, but it was gone. (Heartfelt: Just a Daffodil). I felt the same sense of loss that I did on that day back in 2018. It grieved me in my spirit.

I realized the lesson immediately. If you put off doing what you know you need to do, you might not get the chance; it might be too late.

Was it a tragedy that I didn't get a picture of the falling leaves? No, of course not, but I was short-sighted to think the wind would not blow all the leaves away before I got back to that spot, 10 minutes later.

God uses moments like this to teach me to listen and obey when He prompts me to do something. Instead of a picture of leaves raining down on a fall day, I might miss out on helping someone in need or helping someone pray to place their faith in Jesus. 

What He prompts me to do, but I don't, He will get someone else to do. 

Just a tiny wake up call to be listening and obeying when the Spirit puts something on my heart. I thought it was worth sharing; one, to admit I messed up. Two, to encourage others to learn from my mistake.

To not end on a sad note, I will add that my family and I had a wonderful Thanksgiving. I hope you all did, too.

Sunday afternoon I went for a chilly walk and got some cool pictures. The sun was definitely on its way down; I almost waited too late to go again. I liked the way the sun was distorted by the clouds. Also, on a whim I took a picture with "Happy Dog." He had 2 sticks in his mouth that day. 

Blessings, my friends! 

"The Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and remind you of everything I have told you." John 14:26 CSB

No leaves left

Sun behind some clouds

Happy Dog & Me