My Christmas adventure

Well, we drove to Colorado in spite of weather and warnings from friends. We started out a little after noon on Wednesday, December 23rd. It was snowing a little but not much.

The highway was a solid patch of ice and the wind blew in big puffs that shook the car. We sped along at 40 miles an hour and, when I was driving, my stomach was in a knot.

We saw many cars and semis off the road. Twin paths in the snow marked where they had left the pavement. Some were on their sides, some were on their tops, some were right side up but not looking too good. We just kept slowing moving along.

At times I had to wiggle my fingers to get the circulation back in them from gripping the steering wheel so tight. We listened to a book on tape and talked. We stopped often to stretch our weary legs and backs.

When we crossed into Colorado, it really started to snow. Big beautiful, white flakes. Would have been prettier if we were at our destination. We commented on how lovely the scenery was with the snow on it. But by this time it was dark and the snow streaming toward the headlights like a tunnel was almost hypnotising.

A normal 8 hour drive took 11 hours. We arrived at my sister's at 11:30pm CST to 8 to 10 inches of fresh snow. Too tired to sleep but so relieved that we had made it.

It was a wonderful Christmas and worth the trip but I think next year we'll stay home.

Christmas interruptus

Well, we had planned to drive to Colorado to spend Christmas with my sister and her family. I say HAD planned because there is a big winter storm that may change our plans.

I will be greatly disappointed. We were there 2 years ago and had a wonderful time. God granted us a white Christmas after we got to my sister's house so our travel was safe and uneventful. Not so this year.

I believe that God controls everything and if we cannot travel to Colorado then it is part of his plan. There is a reason we should stay home. We won't know what that plan or reason is until it happens. I am at peace with that(sort of.)

I don't understand God sometimes but I do trust in Him (most of the time. I'm getting better at it all the time.) I know he would never do anything that wasn't in my best interest. But snow? I'm not sure how that is in my best interest but I guess I'll wait, trust, and eagerly anticipate. I'll let you know what happens.

All of you have a blessed, joyous and peaceful Christmas.

Great ideas but ...

I don't know if you do this or not but I have great ideas for my blog while driving or doing something where I can't write things down. Then when I get ready to do my post, I can't for the life of me remember what my great idea was. Very frustrating.

Don't know if it's a sign of age or stress. But either way, I have had some wonderful and profound thoughts to share that have floated off into Never Never Land. If they return, I'll let you know.

Today though, I remembered (a miracle!). Have you seen the movie "Flywheel?" It is a movie with a Christian message and is very good. Short synopsis - a man owns a used car business and is not doing well. He recognizes that on his own he has made a mess of things. He turns the lot and the business over to God and things improve tremendously.

I got to thinking about the things in my life that would be better if I just turned them over to God and trusted in His plan. It's a hard thing to do. We (I) want to be in control of my life and there are many things I don't do all that well.

It's easy to say we have turned our lives over to God but I think we need to be more specific and intensional. Pick a part of your life to turn over to God and then pick another and another until you really have turned your whole life over to Him.

So today, I am turning my church over to God and trusting in his mercy and grace. I am excited to see how He will work.

I feel much better now!

Celebration

Last Saturday was my birthday! Even at my age, I love birthdays. it's an excuse to get together with good friends and an excuse to get gifts!

My mother always made birthdays special and made me feel special as a result. I was told every year about the circumstances of my birth - snow storm, excitement at having a big (over 10 pounds) girl and everything else. It made me know I was wanted and loved. Maybe that's why birthdays are so special to me. It brings back all those memories and feelings.

My husband & I went out with some of our closest friends and had a great time. The photo is all of us at Macaroni Grill. It was wonderful and made me gloriously happy.

I wish each of you a birthday that makes you feel loved and special.

Surprise meeting

Last night I met one of the bloggers I follow. We ran into each other at a local coffee shop. I hope that doesn't violate any unspoken rules of blogdom. It was so exciting to meet this woman whose blog and, therefore, life, I have been following for months. She was prettier than her photo and bubbly and fun. I knew she lived in my town but who would have thought we would meet by accident.

It's kind of complicated but a friend of mine, Diedra, who also blogs, was there and she recognized her. Knowing that I follow "Graceful," she brought her over to introduce me. What a great surprise!

I had been there for a meeting and she was there to present a reading for a writer's group she belongs to. I couldn't stay to listen but I'm going back in January when she reads again.

This blogging thing is fairly new to me but the vistas it has opened and the friends I feel I have made all over the country and the world are amazing. It was more than I could have ever imagined.

Have you met any of your blog friends?