So many things.......

As I sit and reflect over the past year, and beyond.... I am thankful for the blessings I have been given.

There have been many BIG things I am grateful for! and so many things that I don't want to take for granted.

When we were kids, our grandparents lived on a lake. Spending Summers with them gave me some of my best memories as a kid. Our grandparents were kind, giving people. My grandma was like the woman in Proverbs 31, and I was determined to grow up and be just like her!

Even as I grew into adulthood, I spent a lot of time with my grandma and grandpa.

We would all bring our children up north on weekends to stay at the lake.

Now I wonder how fun that was for poor grandma and grandpa....lol.

That is a huge reason Jim and I chose to live up north on the water. We wanted our own grandkids to have those same memories that I had growing up at the lake.

As the grandkids are getting older, they are more involved in sports. It's difficult to have them come up like they used to when they were little.

Some still come up and stay over Summer, and we LOVE having them here!!

We hope their memories are filled with fun, laughter, and love.

I still hold the trips to France dear to my heart.

So long ago, yet still fresh in my memory.

I cherish all the times spent learning to sew at Grandma's house.

She even gave me her little Singer sewing machine when she couldn't use it anymore.

Now, my granddaughter, Charlotte, is a lover of sewing. I bought her first machine, and she has already graduated to another!

She is also a baker...of course, we had to get her a Kitchen Aide mixer when she was seven.

Going to thrift shops, and flea markets are favorite things to do.

I am blessed to have my youngest daughter that loves to do those same things.

If she finds something that she thinks I will enjoy, Melissa will pick it up for me....how wonderful is that???

I am happy to have a husband who accepts my quirky likes.

I bring home the silliest things sometimes.....yet my hubby will pretend to be excited for me as I empty a bag of treasures found at a flea market.

My children, and grandchildren are so sweet to me, as well.

Our family likes taking trips to Frankenmuth.

When we go, we always take photos.

For Christmas this year, sweet Sadie gifted me with one of those photos in a lovely frame for a keepsake.

Another thing I am thankful for is finding a church family.

We searched for many years of living up here, met some really nice people....yet didn't find that one place to call "home".

Until this last year.

I was apprehensive, at first. I kept things low key....not wanting to get too involved.....but the Holy Spirit was pulling at my heart, and I could not resist His calling.

The more I went to church, and Bible study, the more I wanted to hear.

My spirit was hungry, and HE was feeding me.

I finally surrendered, and gave control to God. 

It is wonderful to be involved.....even in the smallest ways.

It is my desire to be used, by God, for the Kingdom...in whatever capacity HE DESIRES.

It's been such a great thing to have our friends from back home here.

They moved to their place up north.

We are overjoyed to be able to fellowship with them on a regular basis again!!

I am hoping I don't take anything for granted in the year ahead.

From the big things, to the little things.

God has blessed me throughout my whole lifetime....and I have not recognized His love and mercy enough.

I pray my eyes are opened to see, and ears to hear all the things the Lord does!!!

The new friendships being born of the Holy Spirit these past few months have helped me beyond measure.

Reconnecting to blogging friends has been remarkable!

The support here is heart warming.

My girls and son, and their families are the loves of my life.

What would I do without Kelly, Erin, Melissa, and Todd?

Each and every grandchild is a precious gem.

I would like to have a more positive outlook this year. See the good, instead of dwelling on the negative.  Seek joy, in all things. Realize the blessings. Be humble, not prideful. Most of all....walk in love...….even when I don't feel like it!!!

Debbie

xo