Happy New Year

On Christmas, my father, and my two sons posed for a picture. My younger son is holding his new "guitar hero" computer "game". My older son is standing next to his grandfather.

Tonight, New Year's Eve, is shaping up to be a quiet evening. Originally I told the boys they could have some friends over. We discussed movies and what to buy for soda etc. Then my youngest was invited over to a friend's house to spend the night...and attend the Rose Parade tomorrow. Not long afterwards, my oldest got into a major disagreement with his dad, and roared off in his car. He will not be home tonight.

I don't mind the quiet evening...I just wish things weren't strained with our oldest.

My husband has been down lately. Can't seem to pick himself up. Today is difficult.

In the New Year, we are going to be on a fast and wild ride with our oldest. Situations are arising where guidance will be needed. As soon as the New Year begins I am going to look for counsel. It's so hard to find...I've tried before. But I have renewed hope that I will find some help, because I feel God prompting me to go.

I pray a lot for my sons and husband. Today as I prayed, the spirit within me prompted me to go a step further. It's time to thank God for his answers. As I began to re-focus my heart and thank God for what he IS DOING, I felt a solid calmness. I felt reminded that every bad thing that happens...God CAN USE. And then I remembered something our pastor said.

God has already won the victory.
GOD HAS ALREADY WON THE VICTORY.

Satan is already defeated.

And although evil still fights in and around us...we can proclaim that God is going to win in the end.

I'm looking forward to my quiet evening.

Happy New Year to all of you!

Winter Solstice, Mars and the Moon

A few nights ago, at 3:00 a.m. a bright light woke me up. Someone was shining a light on my face. I sat up quickly saying "what's that!" My husband continued to snore—he can sleep through anything. I turned around and looked back at my pillow, and it was illuminated by a bright light with straight dark lines going through the light. The rest of the room was completely dark. I looked toward the windows. It was the moon shining through the blinds! I tried to go back to sleep, but it was hard to sleep with a glowing pillow. I finally got up, and closed the blinds tightly, but the moonlight still fell across my face.

Later, I wondered if God was trying to get my attention. He knows I am always looking up into space.

Speaking of space...today is Winter Solstice, the shortest day of the year. And tonight, I had an adventure in space. My parents and I were at a family Christmas party. When it was over, we jumped into my dad's lemon yellow truck and drove to the next town to see Mars.

Once a month, at every quarter moon "sidewalk astronomers" descend on the park. Tonight the astronomers put in a special appearance because its almost Christmas, and Mars is looking very bright out there. The earth is close to Mars right now. The orange planet is one of the brightest objects in the sky. Check for it between 7:30 p.m. and 9:00 p.m. toward the east...(California time)...Northern Hemisphere.

Merry Christmas...and don't forget to look up. I wish I could go back in time and see the Bethlehem star!

He's Back

My son is back. Things are still very difficult. I am at loss for what to do. So I pray and pray. My husband feels one way, and I feel another way. What does God want us to do?

Journey Into the Unknown

Our son left home in a swirl of anger this morning. His father helped him pack.

I knew things were coming to a head, but I hoped we could make it until Christmas. I wonder if he will come home on Christmas. He might. He has no money and the clutch is about to go in his car. That was his Christmas present. A clutch.

This has been a painful week or two, as things were escalating. Now...I almost feel a sense of peace. Maybe he will learn something out there. Maybe it will change him in some way.

This morning (before any of this happened) I prayed over each room of our home. Then the day unfolded, and the result is out of my control. God's permissive will—that's where we're at. Maybe that's why I have a peace. This is the path God wants us to walk. There is no going to the left or right, or backwards. We plod forward into the unknown.

Part of the reason I stopped blogging for awhile is because I didn't want all my posts to be about dealing with my son. But if I'm going to start up again, It will probably be about him. He is always on my mind.

Maybe it will help someone out that is going through a tough time with their son. My good blogging buddy Diane, calls sons like this "Miracles in Progress". Maybe there should be a MIP club. We can support each other! Diane's blog is "Partners In Prayer for our Prodigals."


I wish you all a very Merry Christmas! (I might be back here before Christmas!)


Prodigal Sons

Blogging Break

Hi....rough days involving my son.

Pray he will be able to find a job.

Strings of Light

I'm outside on a ladder putting up our Christmas lights. Three strings will take care of the front edge of the roof.

Our Christmas decorations are in 2 plastic bins in our storage shed. I couldn't get to them before now because of all the things piled on top of them. Finally my kind husband came out and unburied them. I'm just putting out a few things, but it should be a fun day decorating.

(Hours later) I'm checking in again. I just discovered I put up the Christmas lights (along the edge of the roof) backwards. The end of the wire that comes into the house is flat---I should have the prongs coming into the house to plug in. I have to take them ALL down tomorrow, and start over. It's time to swear...the other alternative was to blog. I'm so glad I have "you" (whoever is reading this) to complain to.

On Life's Path

I went for a hike a couple of days ago just to get above it all.


(click on picture to make larger.)








My hiking friend couldn't go, so I went alone.

But then I remembered I wasn't alone.

God was with me.









We turned into a canyon.

The path became bumpy. Just like my life at times.

God—why are you leading me on such a dangerous path?







To bring you to this restful place...he seemed to say.

We walked in peace for awhile. My energy was renewed.








Then...



God—You've got to be kidding. I can't do this!










Keep going. Don't give up...In time you will reap a harvest of righteousness.







(Click on this picture. Can you see trail we are walking on?)