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 1, 2025

Happy New Year

LIFE IN THE FOLD

I hope all of you had a wonderful Christmas and enjoyed quality time with family. We had a great Christmas this year. We got to spend time with some of our family, enjoyed time together, and it was very relaxing and just very good.

But I know that there are those whose Christmas wasn't wonderful. I have friends who lost family members this past year, some only a few weeks ago, and I know that they mourned that loss during this season. Some are dealing with sickness and pain this year, which made it difficult to feel very celebratory. There are those who are dealing with family issues, which made for a lot of stress throughout the holidays.

I've been on that side of things. I remember the Christmas before my mom passed away. We had been told earlier in December that she only had a short time to live, so we went through the holidays knowing that unless a miracle occurred, it would be our last one with her. Her body was racked with pain as she laid on the couch during our family time of opening presents. She was trying her best to enjoy that time, but she could hardly stay awake and her suffering was obvious. We all tried to make it as normal as possible, but knowing that our time with Mama was limited was at the forefront of our minds. And that was our last Christmas with Mama. She passed away just a few weeks later.

We had Christmas when Jon's dad was in memory care dealing with Alzheimers. We had gone to visit and he was trying to sort tools.... sockets according to size, etc. It was something that he had done for years and years, yet couldn't figure out how to do it. Stan bragged on Jon and thought that he was so incredibly smart for knowing how to do it all by himself. It was heart-breaking seeing all of the changes in Stan and knowing that our time with him was limited; and what time we did have, he was much changed, due to the effects of Alzheimers.

This year happened to be a year of blessing and celebration for us. We spent some time with Jon's mom, my sister and her children and grandchildren. Earlier this month we attended a couple of Christmas concerts with family members. We are healthy and our needs are met. We have no complaints and it was a very special holiday season this year.

So we celebrate when things are good, and we do what needs to be done to get through the hard times. We all have been there, in one way or another, so understand what it's like.

It's the same type of feelings as we enter a new year. Some view it as a time of excitement and anticipation. They are eager to see what the new year will hold in store for them. Perhaps they are entering a new season; whether it be an expected new child, marriage, career change, buying a new home, etc. They are ready to face the future!

Others may be dealing with hardships, grief, difficulties, trauma, sadness, sickness, unexpected change that they don't want; and they dread what the new year may hold in store for them.

The truth is, none of us know exactly what lies ahead; only God knows! He already has our days recorded in His book, and nothing that happens will be a surprise to Him. He will be with us every second of every day, every step of the way!!

JON'S PERSPECTIVE:

The end of each year can be a very stressful time. For myself, I had committed to some time out of the office for the last two weeks, but also had 2 major jobs which had to be finished before the year's end. Then, I had several customers with system failures and requests for quotes pop up. I also had to finish shopping and working on one gift for Christmas. And other major stresses.

Loretta had a party to plan for, several different family events to cook for, more gifts, and other plans to get ready.

Some of our stresses come from outside sources, and we have no control over them. But a lot of the stress we feel comes from our own decisions and artificial 'needs'.

When stress starts to become overwhelming, pray about which demands are real, and must be kept, and which demands are artificial, and can be dropped. Leave it in God's hands. He isn't there laughing at us as we fall apart. He is there to help ups handle our burdens.

ON THE MENEWE:

Millionaires

Melt caramels in milk over low heat; add pecans.

Drop by teaspoonfuls onto buttered waxed paper. Chill.

Melt paraffin and chocolate chips in a heavy saucepan over low heat.

Dip candy into chocolate and return to waxed paper. Chill.

THIS, THAT AND THE OTHER:

Here's another funny memory that I found from 10 years ago:

My little great-niece received a diary for Christmas. She had been wanting one for a long time, so was excited. She told her family that it was her diary, and no one was allowed to touch it. Her little brother had received a play mat for his Lego's. He can spread it out flat and play with his Lego's, then when he's finished, there is a drawstring around the top and he can turn it into a bag for easy clean-up. He told his sister, "Well, this is my diarrhea (diary) mat and no one is allowed to touch it and play with it!!" Don't think anyone would want to!! ha ha

THOUGHT TO PONDER:

"'For I know the plans I have for you,' says the Lord.

'They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.'" Jeremiah 29:11

OUR HEARTFELT THANKS TO YOU:

We love you!

Loretta & Jon

http://www.graysheep.org