Can you believe 2013 is already here? I think one of the best things about a new year is that you get to reflect on the past year and look forward to the coming year. God truly has been merciful, gracious, long-suffering and loving to me, even though I do not deserve it.
The blessings he bestows upon me daily are innumerable and many times, unfortunately, I can easily take these blessings for granted.
There are many blessings I could mention, but here are a few of my top favorites:
1) God's love
2) My salvation
3) My husband - his love, humor and servant's heart
4) My family - their love
5) My church and her faithfulness
6) My friends - their kindness
7) My pastors - their guidance and direction
8) My Ministries - a vessel that is able to be used of the Lord
9) My house - a place to come home to
10) My husband's job - provision
11) My dog - faithfulness
12) My health - 'nuff said
Although I do not know what is in store for my family and I in 2013, I do know that "he(Jesus)hath done all things well."
"And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose."
As I enter into 2013, I pray that I remain faithful to the Lord, and his work, as I wait for his return. Lord, come quickly.
May 2013 be filled with blessings, lessons and love from above!
Tuesday, January 1, 2013
Sunday, December 30, 2012
Christmas 2012: Day 4 & 5
Ah...finally Christmas Eve had arrived. We started out our morning by searching the web for a present for Dave and Anne (better late than never). Shortly, thereafter, Dave took us to see the Shrine. The Shrine has fifteen stations of the Passion of Christ and it took us about an hour to walk it. The weather was a bit on the chilly side due to the wind.
After touring the Shrine, we went to the mall, where we sucked down a warm mocha and ate a soft, salty, warm pretzel. We did a little more Christmas shopping and then headed back to the house to chill before meeting the Bafias for dinner.
The Bafia's are friends of the Vaughns and they were gracious enough to invite us all over for Christmas Eve dinner. Joe is Polish, and it is their custom to serve a traditional Polish meal on Christmas Eve. We ate potato and sauerkraut perogies, fish, green beans, macaroni & cheese and a few other items I can't recall. They also had served some yummy cookies and peppermint bark, too! (Yes, I did indulged!)
After spending a couple hours with the Bafia's, we headed back to the house to open up Christmas gifts. Steve and I received this nice piece from the Vaughns:
The night was cut short as we had to get up early to leave for the airport. The time we spent with the family was wonderful. It had been four years since we had seen everyone, so it was definitely time to get together.
I really appreciated having Dad Vaughn there with us as I can't remember ever a time when we all were together for Christmas. On several occasions, when my eyes gazed upon him, I couldn't help but see a grandpa who was enjoying every minute with his sons and grandchildren. The big grin on his face really said it all! It truly blessed my soul!
Christmas Day was spent driving to O'Hare International Airport, sitting on the tarmac for 2 hours, and finally arriving home (after picking up Levi) a little after 6pm. We praise the Lord for giving us good travel and safety. He protected us from all the weather patterns that threatened to hit the area prior to our arrival and after our departure. I praise God that he takes care of even the smallest details in our lives. Another blessing was Dad Vaughn was able to fly in and out of Chicago, on standby - during the Christmas holiday without any serious delays. Truly we have been blessed this Christmas season.
After touring the Shrine, we went to the mall, where we sucked down a warm mocha and ate a soft, salty, warm pretzel. We did a little more Christmas shopping and then headed back to the house to chill before meeting the Bafias for dinner.
The Bafia's are friends of the Vaughns and they were gracious enough to invite us all over for Christmas Eve dinner. Joe is Polish, and it is their custom to serve a traditional Polish meal on Christmas Eve. We ate potato and sauerkraut perogies, fish, green beans, macaroni & cheese and a few other items I can't recall. They also had served some yummy cookies and peppermint bark, too! (Yes, I did indulged!)
After spending a couple hours with the Bafia's, we headed back to the house to open up Christmas gifts. Steve and I received this nice piece from the Vaughns:
The night was cut short as we had to get up early to leave for the airport. The time we spent with the family was wonderful. It had been four years since we had seen everyone, so it was definitely time to get together.
I really appreciated having Dad Vaughn there with us as I can't remember ever a time when we all were together for Christmas. On several occasions, when my eyes gazed upon him, I couldn't help but see a grandpa who was enjoying every minute with his sons and grandchildren. The big grin on his face really said it all! It truly blessed my soul!
Christmas Day was spent driving to O'Hare International Airport, sitting on the tarmac for 2 hours, and finally arriving home (after picking up Levi) a little after 6pm. We praise the Lord for giving us good travel and safety. He protected us from all the weather patterns that threatened to hit the area prior to our arrival and after our departure. I praise God that he takes care of even the smallest details in our lives. Another blessing was Dad Vaughn was able to fly in and out of Chicago, on standby - during the Christmas holiday without any serious delays. Truly we have been blessed this Christmas season.
Friday, December 28, 2012
Christmas Trip 2012: Day 3
Day three was the most relaxing of all the days. Our day started out by attending church, then we watched the Bears beat Arizona, ate some yummy pizza for dinner and finished the evening by watching some classical Christmas movies.
The Vaughn's also own a few animals of their own. They have two cats and two dogs. This is Big Lou.
Big Lou loves to come sit on your lap, knead and purr as loud as possible. When he gets comfortable enough, he starts to lick you. Unbeknownst to me, as the cat was licking my sweater (at least that is what I thought he was doing), I looked down to see that he was instead eating my hair! Yes folks, he ate a two inch section of my hair! To his credit, I think he would make a fine hair dresser, as my layers seem to blend effortlessly. :)
This is a picture of Wheezly. Wheezly loves to take baths. Every morning when we let him in the room he would dash into the bathroom and get in the tub and stick his head under the slowly dripping faucet. One thing is for sure, he is a very clean cat and has the longest legs I have ever seen.
Bowzer is Tony's childhood dog and what a sweet dog he is. He loves attention and there is never enough to give him. When it is time for him to go to bed he just meanders down the hall and snuggles into his bean bag. Adorable!
The last animal they have is Cocoa. Cocoa is a poodle mix and is still full of much energy and mischief. Cocoa loves attention as much as Bowzer, if not more. But Cocoa needs therapy. The dog has a chocolate fetish (hmmm... maybe that is why his name is Cocoa?). Cocoa is not partial to whose chocolate he will eat or what brand it may be. While we were there he managed (with his other partners in crime) to swipe some of dad's chocolates off the coffee table and get this...dug a Christmas gift out of our luggage, dragged it to the stairs and worked the chocolate out of the bag, the wrapper and then demolished the chocolate.
Here is a picture of him when he patiently waits for his momma to return home. He loves his momma!
One thing is for sure, these animals are FULL of PERSONALITY!!
One more day to share...stay tuned.
The Vaughn's also own a few animals of their own. They have two cats and two dogs. This is Big Lou.
Big Lou loves to come sit on your lap, knead and purr as loud as possible. When he gets comfortable enough, he starts to lick you. Unbeknownst to me, as the cat was licking my sweater (at least that is what I thought he was doing), I looked down to see that he was instead eating my hair! Yes folks, he ate a two inch section of my hair! To his credit, I think he would make a fine hair dresser, as my layers seem to blend effortlessly. :)
This is a picture of Wheezly. Wheezly loves to take baths. Every morning when we let him in the room he would dash into the bathroom and get in the tub and stick his head under the slowly dripping faucet. One thing is for sure, he is a very clean cat and has the longest legs I have ever seen.
Bowzer is Tony's childhood dog and what a sweet dog he is. He loves attention and there is never enough to give him. When it is time for him to go to bed he just meanders down the hall and snuggles into his bean bag. Adorable!
The last animal they have is Cocoa. Cocoa is a poodle mix and is still full of much energy and mischief. Cocoa loves attention as much as Bowzer, if not more. But Cocoa needs therapy. The dog has a chocolate fetish (hmmm... maybe that is why his name is Cocoa?). Cocoa is not partial to whose chocolate he will eat or what brand it may be. While we were there he managed (with his other partners in crime) to swipe some of dad's chocolates off the coffee table and get this...dug a Christmas gift out of our luggage, dragged it to the stairs and worked the chocolate out of the bag, the wrapper and then demolished the chocolate.
Here is a picture of him when he patiently waits for his momma to return home. He loves his momma!
One thing is for sure, these animals are FULL of PERSONALITY!!
One more day to share...stay tuned.
Wednesday, December 26, 2012
Christmas Trip 2012: Day 2
We finally arrived in Lowell a couple hours later. It didn't take us long to get settled in for the night so we could catch up on some zzzzzzzz's.
Saturday morning we went to a candy factor called Albanese; what an amazing place!It was filled with every kind of candy imaginable and people, too! A few pics were snapped: a decorated tree, some of the family, part of the chocolate fountain and Steve and I with Rudolph.
Dave wanted to take us to the Shrine of Christ's Passion, but we decided to push that tour off to another day. While nearby, he showed us a modern day Nebuchadnezzar instead. This statue is known as the Lady of the New Millennium. Apparently, her new home will be located at the Shrine. It is huge people! She stands 34 feet tall.
Afterwards we headed home for dinner. Shayna made a wonderful meal and surprised me with a birthday cake. Everyone sang "Happy Birthday" to me. The singing was good, but the cake was even better! Thanks Shayna girl!
The rest of the evening we just chilled out and enjoying each others company.
To be continued...yet again....
Saturday morning we went to a candy factor called Albanese; what an amazing place!It was filled with every kind of candy imaginable and people, too! A few pics were snapped: a decorated tree, some of the family, part of the chocolate fountain and Steve and I with Rudolph.
Dave wanted to take us to the Shrine of Christ's Passion, but we decided to push that tour off to another day. While nearby, he showed us a modern day Nebuchadnezzar instead. This statue is known as the Lady of the New Millennium. Apparently, her new home will be located at the Shrine. It is huge people! She stands 34 feet tall.
Afterwards we headed home for dinner. Shayna made a wonderful meal and surprised me with a birthday cake. Everyone sang "Happy Birthday" to me. The singing was good, but the cake was even better! Thanks Shayna girl!
The rest of the evening we just chilled out and enjoying each others company.
To be continued...yet again....
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