Best Wishes for a Happy New Year to all of you!
O LORD,
Length of days does not profit me except the days are passed
in thy presence, in thy service, to thy glory.
Give me a grace that precedes, follows, guides, sustains,
sanctifies, aids every hour,
that I may not be one moment apart from thee,
but may rely on thy Spirit,,,
...Give me thy grace to sanctify me,
thy comforts to cheer,
thy wisdom to teach,
thy right hand to guide,
thy counsel to instruct,
thy law to judge,
thy presence to stabilize.
May thy fear be my awe,
thy triumphs my joy.
--from The Valley of Vision, New Year
Showing posts with label New Year. Show all posts
Showing posts with label New Year. Show all posts
Friday, December 31, 2010
Thursday, January 1, 2009
Christmas Joy and Surprises
HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL!
The holiday week has been one that has been full. Not only have I enjoyed the children and their families around the same table for more than one evening, but also family game night with the in-laws and visiting friends.
The night after Christmas we had all of the in-laws over for the traditional Game Night! All of us pitched together and brought what ended up being enough food for a small army (it was just supposed to be easy leftovers). The In-laws have no concept of a small meal. We played several games all evening. Everyone left about one a.m. Jon and Stephen and I stayed up until 2:30 playing Speed Scrabble. Had I known that the phone was going to ring at 5:30 a.m., I would have gone to bed much sooner.
Aaron called at 5:30 requesting that I meet them at the hospital to pick up little Daniel...their second baby was on the way. This little one was not expected until mid to late January. I sped--literally--off to meet them at the hospital. I could not imagine Aaron waiting with a tired toddler in the Birthing Suite and a wife that was in full blown labor. Providence would have it that I actually met them along a side street and followed them up to the parking lot. We traded car keys, and I took Daniel to our house. The phone rang later that morning with the news that Zachary Pierce was born at 7:30 weighing 7 pounds 1 ounce. Not bad for a little guy that was supposed to be early. (Just my opinion, but I don't think he was all that early when I saw his chipmunk cheeks!)
It was delightful to have Daniel with us for a couple of days and Aaron came and slept here, too. Poor Uncle Steve was gracious enough to give up his room for them and sleep in the Living Room. So our hearts and house were very full. Emily was a great help with meals and, even though we didn't get to visit like we had hoped, it was wonderful to have her here.
We learned, too, that my father-in-law, who is going on 91, has lung cancer that is not treatable. He has been struggling with 'stuff' for several months, but has been his usual stubborn self in getting treatment. We are now in the process of seeking what care is best for him. My mother-in-law, who has been trying valiantly to care for him at home, has finally determined that she cannot do this (thankfully) and is pleased with his new doctor and his current care.
My husband, at the very last minute, has decided to wait to retire until May. It seems that the State is not going to be replacing employees until then and he is reluctant to put his wonderful department members in a pinch because of him. I agree that this will work out best. These men have been great for him to work with and we hate so see their families suffer.
May you all have a rich and full New Year full of the realization of God's richest blessings.
O Lord,
Length of days does not profit me except the days are passed in thy presence, in thy service to thy glory. Give me grace that precedes, follows, guides, sustains, sanctifies, aids every hour, that I may not be one moment apart from thee, but may rely on thy Spirit to supply every thought, speak in every word, direct every step, prosper every work, build up every mote of faith, and give me a desire to show forth thy praise, testify thy love, advance thy kingdom.
I launch my bark on the unknown waters of this year, with thee, O Father, as my harbour, thee, O Son, at my helm, thee, O Holy Spirit, filling my sails.
Guide me to heaven with my loins girt, my lamp burning, my ear open to thy calls, my heart full of love, my soul free.
Give me thy grace to sanctify me, thy comforts to cheer, thy wisdom to teach, thy right hand to guide, thy counsel to instruct, thy law to judge, thy presence to stabilize.
May thy fear be my awe, thy triumphs my joy.
from New Year in The Valley of Vision
The holiday week has been one that has been full. Not only have I enjoyed the children and their families around the same table for more than one evening, but also family game night with the in-laws and visiting friends.
The night after Christmas we had all of the in-laws over for the traditional Game Night! All of us pitched together and brought what ended up being enough food for a small army (it was just supposed to be easy leftovers). The In-laws have no concept of a small meal. We played several games all evening. Everyone left about one a.m. Jon and Stephen and I stayed up until 2:30 playing Speed Scrabble. Had I known that the phone was going to ring at 5:30 a.m., I would have gone to bed much sooner.
Aaron called at 5:30 requesting that I meet them at the hospital to pick up little Daniel...their second baby was on the way. This little one was not expected until mid to late January. I sped--literally--off to meet them at the hospital. I could not imagine Aaron waiting with a tired toddler in the Birthing Suite and a wife that was in full blown labor. Providence would have it that I actually met them along a side street and followed them up to the parking lot. We traded car keys, and I took Daniel to our house. The phone rang later that morning with the news that Zachary Pierce was born at 7:30 weighing 7 pounds 1 ounce. Not bad for a little guy that was supposed to be early. (Just my opinion, but I don't think he was all that early when I saw his chipmunk cheeks!)
It was delightful to have Daniel with us for a couple of days and Aaron came and slept here, too. Poor Uncle Steve was gracious enough to give up his room for them and sleep in the Living Room. So our hearts and house were very full. Emily was a great help with meals and, even though we didn't get to visit like we had hoped, it was wonderful to have her here.
We learned, too, that my father-in-law, who is going on 91, has lung cancer that is not treatable. He has been struggling with 'stuff' for several months, but has been his usual stubborn self in getting treatment. We are now in the process of seeking what care is best for him. My mother-in-law, who has been trying valiantly to care for him at home, has finally determined that she cannot do this (thankfully) and is pleased with his new doctor and his current care.
My husband, at the very last minute, has decided to wait to retire until May. It seems that the State is not going to be replacing employees until then and he is reluctant to put his wonderful department members in a pinch because of him. I agree that this will work out best. These men have been great for him to work with and we hate so see their families suffer.
May you all have a rich and full New Year full of the realization of God's richest blessings.
O Lord,
Length of days does not profit me except the days are passed in thy presence, in thy service to thy glory. Give me grace that precedes, follows, guides, sustains, sanctifies, aids every hour, that I may not be one moment apart from thee, but may rely on thy Spirit to supply every thought, speak in every word, direct every step, prosper every work, build up every mote of faith, and give me a desire to show forth thy praise, testify thy love, advance thy kingdom.
I launch my bark on the unknown waters of this year, with thee, O Father, as my harbour, thee, O Son, at my helm, thee, O Holy Spirit, filling my sails.
Guide me to heaven with my loins girt, my lamp burning, my ear open to thy calls, my heart full of love, my soul free.
Give me thy grace to sanctify me, thy comforts to cheer, thy wisdom to teach, thy right hand to guide, thy counsel to instruct, thy law to judge, thy presence to stabilize.
May thy fear be my awe, thy triumphs my joy.
from New Year in The Valley of Vision
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