Journal - December 26th 2008

Well, we survived Christmas day - a nice relaxing time for us. Aaron called early - just after we got home from Church, and then we did the usual ringing of relatives.

One person I missed, who always calls on Christmas day without fail, was my Uncle Norm. He is the last of the `parent' generation, and passed away a few weeks ago. Aaron was having a great time with his future in laws and sounded really happy - and that's what a parent wants most for their child.

Mark and I shared a small turkey and Christmas pudding together - not all at once of course. We discovered this morning that our cat enjoyed the turkey as well. Oh well, we've still got the munchies!!

We haven't been out at the Boxing Day sales. Mark has been busy fixing the car, so we can go for a bit of a day trip tomorrow, and I have been busy with my scrapbooking. My little study is full of junk, so I have had to use the loungeroom. When we built our house, we didn't have the money for the plan we wanted, which included a big `craft' room and bigger shed for the hubby. So our loungeroom is currently full of caravan pieces and my scrapbook stuff.

One of the highlights of yesterday was going for a swim in the dam. We haven't been able too for a couple of years. I used to swim in there all the time, but we there is now water in it again. It's very muddy, but what the heck - muds good for the complection.

Jesus used mud in the Bible to do a lot of healing, and remember when Naahum was sent down to wash in the dirty Jordan River. I thank the Lord that he has used a lot of `mud' in my life this year to help me grow. Sometimes we need to get a little `dirty' (struggles and trials, and yes, maybe even sins), before our eyes are opened to what how God truly wants to use us.

Now that we have water I hope to go swimming a little more often, `cause I love to get wet. I love to feel the coolness of God's forgiveness, love and compassion as it washes over me. I love to feel the joy of God's renewal as each day I read his word and pray.

SEASONS OF RENEWAL.

In Winter time I look at a tree and I think, `ah, that ones dead'.
But it's only God's amazing creation, taking time to rest.
In winter time, my strength is gone and feel I can'y go on.
But it's only God telling me, `You need some time to rest."

In Spring time I look at a tree and see the `new growth' budding.
I thank the Lord for this new life, renewed in Him again.
In Spring time, I begin to feel refreshed and new.
And thank the Lord for my new life, renewed in Him again.

In Summer time the leaves are back and everything is green
God has sent His promised rain upon His whole creation.
In Summer time, my strength is back and I start to give my all.
God has sent His promised love, upon this one creation.

In Autumn time the leaves are slowly falling to the ground
But we now know that God has promised, life renewed.
In Autumn time, I now know that God has plans for me,
I now know, that I'll receive, God's promised life renewed.

Ruth Cheater.