Tuesday, November 14, 2006

Christmas Cactus Buds

Christmas Cactus buds. Only days before their appearance in full bloom
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Christmas Cactus in Bloom

Christmas Cactus in bloom! It's that time of year again. The plants have settled in after bringing them indoors around the first week of October. They're happy as can be. We, on the other hand, haven't been too happy with the chill and the forthcoming winter temperatures. It's not our time of year. Posted by Picasa

A NEW BEGINNING

This year has marked a new era in my life. A new change, a new beginning. Surely not the first change, nor the last. But one that I wanted to document. I may post my past history, but not now, sometime later maybe.
It slowly started to make it's way into my heart late last year (2005). But came fully head on this year. Changes in my outlook on life, family, friends, my husband, myself, my 4 children and as well as my grandchildren and great-grandchildren! Future generations to come. I have been so keenly aware of the impact that I will have on future generations and my responsibility to God in all areas of my life. Such as,working on my growth and maturity in the Lord, my responsibility as a wife, a mother and friend. To be an example, surely not a perfect one, to be humble, frugal, loving, peaceful and a God-loving, God-fearing woman. A reflection.
God has brought us a long way through a short period of time. I am excited to see where he will take us next. I am thankful for all of the good times and the good experiences he has given me. But I am most thankful for the hardships in my life that he has allowed to bring me where I am today. I do look forward to more trials in my life. You might be thinking, what are you thinking? Who looks forward to hardships? It's not the actual hardship that I desire to endure. It's the closeness of God, His presence during those times and my growth through it as well. The end result is for His glory. He purposes those times for His good. I can only ask for that and be thankful for just that. Praise God for His mercy on a wretched, awful sinner like myself.
Without Him I am truly lost.