The New Year

The Gate of the Year

Minnie Louise Haskins

I said to the man who stood at the gate of the year
'Give me a light that I may tread safely into the unknown.'

And he replied,
'Go into the darkness and put your hand into the hand of God
That shall be to you better than light and safer than a known way!'

So I went forth and finding the Hand of God
Trod gladly into the night.
He led me towards the hills
And the breaking of day in the lone east.

So heart be still!
What need our human life to know
If God hath comprehension?

In all the dizzy strife of things
Both high and low,
God hideth his intention."

Snow picture from last year.

 

Happy New Year!

REMEMBRANCE

Her first day of school

Getting her Nursing Degree

Marrying her sweetheart

Grandma with her children and grandchildren ~ Christmas 2008

She was a godly example of a wife, mother and grandmother.

Grandma celebrated the birth of her Lord in His very presence this Christmas. We love and miss you.

 

Yvonne Cook Fox

March 7, 1920 ~ December 23, 2010

Wise Men Still Seek Him

The first creche David I bought over 40 years ago. It has been with us every Christmas since. It is a small, humble, rather plain little manger scene, but still my favorite.

................. but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men.
And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.  Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

CHRISTMAS ON CYPRESS KNEE SWAMP

The busyness of the past two weeks has left me with little time or energy to publish a post or even Visit my favorite blogging friends. I took a few minutes yesterday to take some pictures of Christmas at our house. Just in case you wondered....

we ARE having Christmas this year!

I Pray Your Christmas is Merry and Blessed and Filled with Family and Friends!

Over the River

We were unable to go home to Mississippi for Thanksgiving and won't be able to go for Christmas either, so this past weekend my daughter & I made a quick trip for a visit. We were only able to stay a day and see just a few family members, but in this case, some was better than nothing! We stopped at the Mississippi Visitor's Center in Vicksburg for a quick break. The weather was beautiful, and the flag was flying as usual.

We found some landscaping has been done at the Visitor Center. Some of the older trees and shrubs have been replaced with a tidy bed and sod. I am not sure I like it better as I miss the Altheas and other mature trees. These bright green benches are a new addition also......hmmmmm.

I suppose they will grow on me as well as the new landscape. This is a great place to take a break.

 Beautiful view of the river and 24 hour security for travelers.

On to grandma's house we go, and find it all dressed for Christmas.

A pretty Christmas table is set for the family dinner.

We always take a walk around the yard, and despite below freezing temperatures, this amazing Rio Somba rose is still blooming and beautiful.



Buds are still forming and waiting to open.

This handsome fellow next door came to the fence to say howdy.



A lovely spot to sit and enjoy the outdoors.

 It is near a little pond that is formed from a natural spring that flows from the hill at the edge of her yard.

And of course, birdwatching from the breakfast window as we have our morning coffee is such a joy!



This little guy was not bothered by us at all.


Time to leave came all too soon. Highway 25 to Jackson is a pretty drive through the countryside. This picture was taken through the car window but you can see how peaceful it is. I will miss being home for Christmas, but I am thankful for the sweet (short) time we had this past weekend.