Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas to all. In the rush of this day, pause and thank God for the greatest gift He gave Jesus.

Yesterday our modest feeding station was the scene of a Feathery Christmas Party. Four couples of Cardinals were present, Sparrows, Blue Jays, Collared Doves, Mourning Doves,
Woodpeckers, Titmouse, Red Polls, Finches. They dined at both the hanging feeders and the seed about the patio. A handful of peanuts in the shell were out for the dining pleasure of the Blue Jays. Everyone ate in peaceful harmony. One guest left a gift, a wadded piece of tin foil. Which later mysteriously  disappeared. Everyone ate till they full. The Blue Jay was very selective on the peanuts he choose. He flew down to pick a peanut, went into the nearby tree to inspect. If it did not pass his quality test it was returned, a different one was chosen. After having found one to his liking he took off with the peanut, return minutes later to start his selecting again. There is a lesson to be learned. All these birds were representative of various species of birds. All these birds ate together in peace.  The lesson is if birds can enjoy a peaceful gathering, why can not mankind agree in peace also?

As 2010 comes to a close I look back on this year. The year has been a roller coast of ups and downs. It has been a year of personal growth, learning, adjustment. The year began with still being unemployed. I was approved for disability shortly after the new year began. My battle with unemployment continued on, I was defeated with the last appeal.
The findings were a mix of lies and half truths. I was disappointed I knew all long I would not have been approved. Disability began in April, the financial struggle would go on. As I learned to live on a fixed income. We were learning to live on less, God continued his bountiful blessings.  I sold the Pontiac because the cost of the repairs were beyond our reach. We nursed Betty's 87 Celebrity along as best as we could. We had a wonderful birding field trip  to Ninestone land trust. We continued our ministry at the Rescue Mission at the end of each month. Jennifer visited in June for a week we had a great time together.  Betty's son John and family visited for a weekend in July.  In October Betty's youngest son Charlie sent us bus tickets to visit his family in Texas. Riding the bus was a journey back in time. I was surprised how many still used the bus to travel across the USA.

The Celebrity decided to go into permanent retirement. We were faced with the challenge of replacing  a much needed vehicle. The reality would be a major outlay of money of which we had no extra. What we looked at would be suspect of running long term. Friends loaned us a vehicle to help us out. We went to Texas, we put aside our problems for a week. We knew when we came back that we would need to resolve the problem. On a running night at midnight we returned to Fort Smith. Our friends meet us.
They had a surprise that was shocking. They presented us the keys to a Toyota Corolla, they gave us car. We have nicknamed the car "God's Car, The Green Angel" Another hurdle was cleared. We went to south  Arkansas for Christmas and to with family.

 God has been so faithful to us both during this time. He has met every need has they have arisen.  Through his faithfulness , my faithfulness has grown and deepen. My desire to please God,  to do God's will in my own life has deepen. I have learned to relinquish the control  of life in favor of God's control for my life. I realize that if God will lead me to it, He will lead me through it. That his plan for my life exceeds my own plans. I seek to do God's will. I desire to deepen my knowledge of God's word. This has been a time of adjustment  in life. I am learning to slow down , adjusting to a life without working.

I  have been busy with corresponding with others through hand written letters and postcards made from my photographs. I have received postcards from all over the world.
I meet and have made friends through my corespence. The most rewarding part of this has been the time I have spent with the love of my life. how our love, our friendship has grown, deepen. We have shared the trails  together. We have cried together and laughed together. More then anything we have learned to pray through all situations in our lives.
God has answered our prayers. The answers I have learned are on His timetable not my own. God's timing is perfect.

As 2010 slips into a memory.  I look to 2011 with joy, anticipation of things to come.  My prayer for the New Year, that God lead me, direct me use me to advance his kingdom. The direction I take  I want to do so for his glory.  I want God to guide in my life. direct my life to minister for God. That whatever path I choose will not be taken unless God approves. That God opens my heart, my ears to listen to Him. I will be constantly reminded that God has given me a second chance and took me back to his flock and forgiven me.