For Sunday, December 23rd, 2012

ON THE BRIGHT SIDE

DECEMBER 23rd,  2012

87 DAYS UNTIL SPRING

2 DAYS UNTIL CHRISTMAS !

It's  SUNDAY

ROOTS DAY

Celebrate your genealogy, as today is Roots Day.  It's a great day to celebrate your heritage. Many of us are returning to our roots today, as we head home for Christmas. Returning to our roots is a warm, cozy and comfortable feeling, a sense of belonging.

Many people get caught up, and become captivated, with researching and uncovering their family roots. It can take interesting twists and turns. We often discover we come from exciting and fascinating places. We find links to famous people in history. Sometimes, we come upon dead ends to our genealogical family tree. Other times, we find a distant relative, who has performed some of the very same research. The result of the encounter could be huge sections of the family tree, literally handed to you.

 We all can certainly relate to the importance and the need of finding our roots. Its a sense and a need of belonging, that is ingrained in our being. 

I will establish my covenant as an everlasting covenant between me and you and your descendants after you for the generations to come, to be your God and the God of your descendants after you.

Genesis 17:7

THOUGHT FOR TODAY

We need to find God, and he cannot be found in noise and restlessness. God is the friend of silence. See how nature - trees, flowers, grass- grows in silence; see the stars, the moon and the sun, how they move in silence… We need silence to be able to touch souls.

Mother Teresa

Advent Week 4, Part 1 - THE GIFT OF SOLITUDE 

I’ve gotten used to having most days mostly to myself. I hate to even mention those words to you moms of young children but it will happen for you someday, too, and sometimes you’ll be glad it did and other times you’ll pine for those babies like every fine day of your life is long behind you even though you know better than that. 

Often the thought of complete silence, quietness and time on our own seems very appealing. We grow so accustomed to noise in our daily lives that silence is something that's difficult for most. Silence is a precious gift that needs to be experienced little and often.  Advent is all about trying to find such a space.

 Sometimes we can go through this whole busy Christmas season and miss the essential meaning of it all

We had a great day yesterday.  The roads stayed clear and everyone had plenty of good food to eat.  Today will be much quieter, but it was wonderful to have my house full of laughter and good times.  

COUNTING MY GIFTS

God’s highest Gift should awaken our deepest gratitude.

I am trying to count at least 3 things I'm thankful for each day and then in 1 year's time I'll have counted 1000 gifts.

101. for all my ancestors that have made me who I am

102.  for stories about times past that have helped me to have a greater understanding

103. for the quiet times in my life which give me energy for the not so quiet times

PRAYER FOR OUR TROOPS

Please pray for God's protection of

our troops and HIS wisdom for their

commanders.

Lord, hold our troops in

your loving hands.

Protect them as they protect us.

Bless them and their families for the

selfless acts they perform for us

in our time of need. I ask this in the

name of Jesus, our Lord and Savior.

AND bless our Police Officers, Firefighters

and Paramedics and EMT's

GOD BLESS YOU !

 

If you can't see the Bright Side, polish the dull side

 

A little smile, a word of cheer,
A bit of love from someone dear…

Love,

ma