Christmas Clutter

I love Christmas, however, I dislike the Christmas clutter. The wrapping paper, bows, and miscellaneous stuff that clutters up my home.

Tonight, my husband and I boxed and bagged gift after gift. Whew! Now we have gifts stacked in little piles from one end of the house to the other. A new kind of clutter that is neatly and prettily wrapped.

But the joy of family and friends during this festive time, outweighs the Christmas clutter and the holiday hassles. So, tomorrow as I stir up some fudge, mix a batch of caramel corn and simmer some apple cider, I'll be thankful for the privilege of Christmas clutter. And as Charles Dickens, wrote in the Christmas Carol, "And God bless us everyone!"

Susanne

A Blogger's Favorites

As a new blogger, I would like to share some of my personal favorites blogs. Of course, all my Proverbs 31 Ministries blog friends are the best of the best. But in addition, I would like to share the following blogs that I find fascinating, touching, and inspiring.

http://rebelpilgrim.blogspot.com

http://christianlovestories.blogspot.com

http://www.tonywoodlief.com

Enjoy! And let me know what you think of these blogs!

Run into the arms of Jesus,Susanne

Time Flies

My how times flies by. It's been almost a month since I wrote. I think my life has calmed down enough that I can write be faithful in my posts.

Here's what has happened since November. A dear friend of mine lost a son in a violent murder. Her eighteen year old son, was in the wrong place at the wrong time. My friend belongs to the same small group as I do and we have grieved with her as if it were our own child. Sadly, this same friend lost another son to cancer a little over two years ago. My heartaches for her.

On a happier note, I flew my son and daughter-in-love with their two baby girls into Salt Lake City to visit my mom. My mother has MS and had not seen her two great-grandchildren, yet. We surprised her. (Almost gave her a heart attack!) It was a wonderful four days, until I was to take my son and his family to the Salt Lake City airport. The airport was closed, because of a blizzard.

We debated what to do and then decided to head for my home in Las Vegas. So to make a long story short, we arrived eight hours later. They stayed here for three more days. So, I had all my grandchildren here, Emily, Brianna and Michael. What a joy! Tiring, but fun, fun, and more fun.

Until next time,

Susanne

Friendship

Last Friday I spend the day with one of my best friends. Usually, we only have to an opportunity to call or email each other. However, this time she came to Las Vegas on a short family vacation and we spent a day together. Bliss!

A friend, especially this friend, is a gift from the hand of God. He placed her in my life, my ministry, and my heart. God special delivered her to me when I needed someone in my life. She filled a gap that no one could fill, but her.


So, on our day together we ate, we laughed, and we talked about life. When it was time to say good-bye we both were stoic. (At least until I shut the car door, drove away and bawled my eyes out.)

Friendship—an irreplaceable treasure from God.

Honey Crisp Apples

I discovered a delicious harvest snack last year—Honey Crisp Apples. Their sweet, succulent crispness delights my taste buds. They are a perfect snack when the weather turns cool and the leaves crunch beneath my feet.

There happens to be just one problem with my newfound craving. The price of the Honey Crisp Apples exceeds my apple budget. However, I have decided that the fruit is worth the expense.

Which brings me to today's topic—the fruit of the Spirit. “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.” (Galatians 5:22-23) This fruit, too, is not cheap. The price is being willing to give up our self-will to the will of our Lord. We have to pay a price to produce a rich harvest of this fruit in our lives, but this fruit is worth any sacrifice.

Will you join me in the harvesting of this blessed fruit?

Let’s run into the arms of Jesus,

Susanne

Puppy Love

This week my sister-in-law, Karen, and I went on the search for puppies. We are on the hunt for Shih Tzu pups. Of course, we fell in love with all the ones we visited. It was puppy love at first sight.

It probabaly will be awhile before we make our "purchase." I want two. She wants one. We want them to be sisters from the same litter. So, it will take a few months to find the perfect threesome.

Anyway, puppy love is a joy.

Susanne

Football Season

Football has returned to our family. Sunday, Monday or whenever football rules the men in my life. (And some of the girls.) It's Baskin-Robbin's season for "quarterback crunch." Chicken fingers and pizza become part of the food pyramid. Various team fans lounge on the couch. Dallas Cowboys and the Raiders bring the most cheering or groans.

Oh, the fun of football! Gotta go,it's almost kick-off.

Susanne