A New, Fresh Year

Yesterday I told some friends I really have not felt like writing blogs lately. It has been a year since I started this blog...and maybe I am just a bit burned out. Although I have not written every day, I have tried to keep up fairly regularly.... but I am going to give it a try. I am a bit rusty.

Today is the first day of 2009....sorta unbelievable that we are this far into the 21st century already. It doesn't seem all that long we were hearing all the Y2k hype. Time really does fly by waaaayyyy to quickly. This week I have been moving some of our old videos to DVD and seeing these old tapes have made me very aware of the passage of time. Jim and I celebrated our 29th wedding anniversary on Christmas Eve. Next year will be 30....that just seems impossible. It seems more like 10 years ago ....not 29!!!!

I am going to pray that time will slow down a bit this year. I am also planning to do a better job of using my time wisely....planning better. I think I decide to do this every year.....but as I look back I actually have had good years and bad years in that area. I am going to write plans on the calender more this year....that seems to help and I am going to try to do a better job anticipating what needs to be done. I also want to spend more time in God's word....not reading about it as I sometimes do, but actually reading the Bible. The word of God is Spirit and it fortifies the spiritual man. I just do better the more time I spend in His Word. I know that and yet I don't always do it.....crazy!

2009 is the beginning of Jim's second year to be retired. It has not been bad having him at home. I admit I was worried, but it is good to have him at home. A big help to me, plus I didn't realize how lonely it was around our house until he was home all the time....so that was a blessing. I don't spend near as many school days there until 5:00 and 5:30 like I used to do.

Another reason I like to get home from school is Sophie....she is our "new" bichon frise. I am going to quit calling her our puppy as we have had her one year now. (So she is not really new anymore.) Jim tells me she some how knows the time and starts watching out the window for me and I have to say it is great coming home to this little white fur ball that blitzes past me when I come in the house. She is funny and Jim and I spend a lot of time laughing at her antics. She will be having some surgery this year and I am praying it is successful and she won't forget how to blitz after her recovery is over.

This year will be extremely special because Josh and Randi are going to become parents. I am praying for a safe pregnancy, an easy delivery, and a healthy baby. We will be arranging our summer so we can be present for this blessed event. It is the beginning of a whole new chapter for Josh and Randi, but also for us. Having grand children isn't new to us, but having one close enough to see on a regular basis is....that is very exciting. Yes, 2009 will be very exciting.

I am praying for all those I love that 2009 will be a good year for them also. I think of the Irish Blessing from St. Patrick:

May the road rise to meet you,

May the wind be always at your back,

May the sun shine warm upon your face,

May the rains fall soft upon your fields,

And, until we meet again,

May God hold you in the hollow of His hand.

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Now my thoughts are on the Rose Bowl. We Pennsylvanians are big Penn State fans and we know USC is a great team, but this Penn State team has proven itself to be a great team as well, so ......we shall see. It will probably be a day of nail biting and angst.