THE NEW EWE

"What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he loses one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness, and go after the one which is lost, until he finds it? And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and neighbors, saying to them, 'Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep which was lost!'"

Luke 15:4-6

January 3, 2024

Happy New Year

LIFE IN THE FOLD

This past Sunday our pastor asked us to replay the past year in our mind and think about all the highlights. When she asked us to do that, my mind pretty much went blank and it was as if I couldn't remember anything that had happened. I asked my husband afterwards and he said he was the same way. Being put on the spot, it was hard to recall the most memorable parts of 2023.

I don't always do well when being asked to do something or recall something in particular when being put on the spot. I've had people unexpectedly ask me to sing a song or play the piano, and my mind will go blank. Even though I know hundreds of songs, I can't always think of any when asked to do so without any prior notice.

After thinking about it for a bit, I began to remember a few events from last year. I went through the photos on my phone and it brought back more memories that both Jon and I had forgotten about.

The year began with Jon starting the process of installing siding on his new shed/workshop. With him working full time and winter weather, it took him a while to get it all done.

My niece, who was in third grade, was so disappointed that her mom was unable to come to her classes Valentine party, so I went instead. Jovie was just sure that everyone else's mom would be coming to their party, and she would be the only one without someone there. Nope! I went and walked in.... and was the only other adult there, except for the teacher, who was a man. It was so awkward! He was kind, but he already had everything set up and organized and there was nothing for me to do, other than stand beside Jovie's desk and talk to her. When I was getting ready to leave (I didn't stay very long!), another mom came. She didn't say anything to me and was visiting with the teacher about school things. Makes for a funny memory now, but not so much at the time!

We planted two new peach trees and a new oak tree last spring. Then around that time, Jon and I worked on getting his shed painted. It was also then that Jon found a birds nest with some eggs in it inside of our weed-eater, where the battery goes. March ended with my niece, Mariah, being awarded 'Student of the Month' by her pre-K teacher, so her older sister and I attended the school's assembly so we could see her get her certificate.

In April, Jon poured a new concrete pad and we had a new upstairs air conditioning unit installed. We also attended my sister and brother-in-laws retirement from pastoring their church.

Jon trimmed back limbs from the front of our house; I stayed with my nephew's kids and have photos of them; I planted flowers and a small garden; we had an infestation of small toads all over our lawn for a few weeks......

In June, my sisters and I spent several days together and had such a wonderful time. We get together each year and have sister time. It's important to us to do so and is something that we all enjoy.

In early July, many members of my family got together at our family property in Missouri. It was a fun day!

In the fall, Jon, my brother-in-law, and a nephew tore out the bathroom flooring in the family home and replaced it. It ended up being a huge job!! We made 3-4 trips on weekends to work on it.

The second weekend we had gone to work on the flooring, we had intended on spending Saturday night at the house. The guys ended up finding more issues than they thought, so hadn't got finished. They hadn't been able to get the toilet back in place and working, so around 8:00-8:30 that evening we made the decision to come home. Jon was exhausted after working all day, so I drove the first half of the trip while he slept. It's about a 3-1/2 hour drive or so. I stopped to use the restroom and get something to drink, to keep me awake, and Jon said he felt more rested and would drive the rest of the way home. On the turnpike, there was a big dog that ran out in front of our car and Jon hit it; although he tried his best to avoid it. It was dark out... late... when Jon swerved over to miss the dog, the dog turned to go back and run the other way and there was no way to miss hitting it. We were going 80, Jon had hit the brakes when he saw the dog, but hadn't had time to slow down that much. We hit hard and it did damage to the front of our car. Thankfully, we were able to drive it home! A motorcyclist pulled up behind us to see if we needed help. Jon had to pull a piece off the underside of our bumper that had broken and was dragging the ground and hitting a tire, but was just finishing up when the man stopped. We both were so incredibly thankful that it had been us that had hit the dog and not the motorcyclist! We had the aggravation of leaving our car in a body shop for a week and renting a car; but had the motorcyclist hit the dog, it could have meant his life.

There were also family dinners at my house.... Jon and I and my sister attended a Gaither Homecoming Concert in Tulsa on a Friday night and Saturday afternoon... getting my nephew's two kids on the bus for their first day of kindergarten.... more fun pictures of time spent with nieces and nephews.... taking my 11 year old nephew to his orthodontist appointment to get his braces off... taking his 15 year old sister to the dentist to get a filling and her nervousness where she reached over and squeezed my hand....

In the fall, Jon and I went on vacation with two of my sisters and a brother-in-law. It was a trip that we had all dreamed of taking for a really long time and it finally happened. We went to Niagara Falls, across Vermont, New Hampshire, Maine, Massachusetts, New York, Pennsylvania.... We did a lot of driving in a week, but got to see a lot! We saw beautiful country and gorgeous fall leaves!!

I had my yearly Christmas party for all the girls in my family the second Saturday in November. It's for my sisters, their daughters and daughter-in-laws, and granddaughters. It's one of my favorite events of the year and I always look forward to it. Those who come always have a good time!

In March my sister and I started taking clogging lessons. This was the first time in my life that I've ever taken any type of dance lessons or done anything like this! Late-50's is probably not the best time to begin learning how to dance!! But it has been a lot of fun and our class is small.... and I'm the youngest in our class at age 58! In December, we joined the advanced class and clogged 3 songs with them at a Christmas performance at the mall. They did several songs; we just joined in the easiest ones. But it was a lot of fun and I was proud of myself and my sister for doing it!

Jon got to take several days off work, beginning before Christmas and going through New Years. It was relaxing and very good. We spent a lot of time at home, took naps, visited family, ate out, cooked (Jon even cooked dinner for me one evening!), napped some more.....

Maybe you weren't all that interested in our year; but here's my point: Sometimes we forgot about the blessings and good times and fun and answered prayers and little moments that made us smile or brought us joy! Even when difficult things happen, we forget about those things that God did for us to help us through or people who encouraged us or needs that were met unexpectedly.

Not that we should try to live in the past.... but I think it's important to remember, so we can be thankful and see how God was with us. It's important to remember not only the big moments and events, but those small things that brought us joy. Then as we look towards the new year, we can have assurance that God will be with us and that there will be more memories made and more moments that will make us smile and bring us happiness.

I was talking with someone several years ago and something negative had happened. I don't remember what it was, but I do remember that at the time I didn't really think it was a big deal. Their response was, "I knew this would happen! Nothing good ever happens to me!" That's pretty much how they tended to think and live their life at that time; to always expect the worst and never recognize the blessings and good things that happened in their life. Even though everything in their life wasn't bad and overall they were very blessed, their focus was only on the negative and that's what they recognized.

I want to look for the good in life! I want to be quick to recognize the blessings of God and give Him thanks! Even when difficulties come, as they do for all of us, to see God working and feel His presence in my life. I don't want to always be waiting for the next bad thing to happen and always be looking for the axe to fall, so to speak. Life can be hard! But God can bring joy to us and fill us with His peace, throughout all circumstances.

I read a post on social media recently that said, "Always pray to have eyes that see the best in people, a heart that forgives the worst, a mind that forgets the bad, and a soul that never loses faith in God." That's what I desire!

I encourage you to take time and begin to list what you recall that you experienced personally in 2023. Maybe you have a hard time, as Jon and I did, immediately thinking of things. But scroll through pictures you may have taken.... read cards or notes that may have been sent to you... go month by month and see if you can't think of things... put some time and effort into remembering and writing it down. Then take time to give God thanks for all the blessings and good things you experienced!

Many are predicting that 2024 is going to be a really tough year in many different areas; economically, politically, financially..... It would be easy to go into the new year with fear and worry and fretting about all the "what ifs" that could happen. The truth is, none of us know what is going to take place. But one thing we can know is that God is God and will always be God! We can know that God will never leave or forsake us. We can be assured that God will always see us, hear us, and be with us. We can trust God, in all circumstances. We can put our faith in Him! We can know that God is our protector, provider, healer, deliverer, and that He is our soon-coming King!! We can look back and remember what God has done for us in the past, then remember those things when we go through "stuff" in the future and remind ourselves that He has not changed. He may not answer exactly as He did in the past, but we can have expectation and hope that He will answer and meet our needs..... not our wants, but our needs!

Look forward to this year with expectation and faith! Hold fast to your relationship with God and don't waiver! Trust God in all things! And hold tenaciously to the fact that we have been given that blessed hope of eternal life with God in Heaven!! Whatever happens during our lifetime, it will one day pass and we will be with Jesus forever and ever and ever where nothing that we went through on earth will even matter anymore. Cherish your family and laugh together and make memories! Don't hesitate to say the words, "I love you," to those you love. Look for the joy and blessing and enjoy those little things that make you smile.

I'm not good about writing things down and keeping track of things that happen. But this year I want to make an effort to have a record of those moments that are important to me; both the big and small. I saw where someone had the idea of starting with an empty jar. Each week write on a slip of paper something that happened or something God did or a prayer He answered. Then at the end of the year to read all of those papers to remind yourself of those moments. I have an empty notebook and may write down things as they happen or write a weekly or monthly note of a review of things, so I don't forget. Or if you prefer typing, start a note on your computer or tablet and keep track throughout the year. Then at the end of this year let's look back and see how God was with us and remember those moments with family that brought us joy, etc.....

JON'S PERSPECTIVE:

This morning, I called Loretta to let her know there was a beautiful sunrise. I didn't even have to say it; she already knew why I called.

A beautiful sunrise or sunset is a great display to show God is still in charge. He can create scenes that simply can't be photographed or reproduced well.

They may seem minor. But they usually bring a smile to me, even if I'm struggling with faith or my attitude. A gorgeous sky can be one of the simple things we can hold onto when nothing else seems to be going right. Be sure to look up and enjoy them when they come along.

ON THE MENEWE:

Calico Bean Chili

Pour beans (drain all except the black beans and Dr Pepper beans), Rotel, and diced tomatoes into a crockpot.

Brown sausage (can use sweet Italian sausage) with the chopped onion and minced garlic; drain. Add package of chili seasoning and cook for a few additional minutes.

Add meat mixture to crockpot and cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 2-4 hours.

This could also be made on the stovetop.

Great eaten with crackers or cornbread. Top with shredded cheese and sour cream, if desired.

THIS, THAT AND THE OTHER:

The week before Christmas I watched my nephew's two 5-year olds for the day. They've been begging to come to my house, so I brought them here for a while. The little girl loves doing "crafts". We had a partial roll of Christmas wrapping paper, so she cut a few squares out of the end of it. There are grid lines on the back to help you cut straight, and she did a pretty good job cutting on the lines. She drew pictures on each square, then stacked them up and wrapped them in a small scrap of paper and taped it shut. She then hid it under our Christmas tree. It was a fun surprise to find on Christmas morning!

THOUGHT TO PONDER:

We can make our plans, but the Lord determines our steps. Proverbs 16:9

OUR HEARTFELT THANKS TO YOU:

We love you!

Loretta & Jon

http://www.graysheep.org