Irish Hills

I’m sick of saying that life is so busy that I’m tired. It’s time that I faced the music and say I can do this. *Pause* “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” No other way. I feel sorry for those who cannot say that. It seems that everywhere I go right now, people are rushing, the holiday season is upon us like a demon from the night, and we’re all in the big crunch to get something done, whether it be decorating, homework before Christmas Break, (:rolls eyes:) or projects to finish before Christmas time whacks us all on the head. What do people do without Christ to turn to, when the going gets hard like it seems to be doing for me right now? I can always sneak off into a quiet corner and pray to a God who listens, and I’m surrounded by encouraging Christian family and friends.What do you have when you don’t have God? Nothing, in fact, except for things and those don’t last.

Mommy and I just returned from a tour of a house in Coloma. Did I mention that I actually graduated from my nine-week class? I am now official (yay!) but I’m still quite new to the whole deal. On the way out, we checked out some books and patterns (for docents only) and talked for a few minutes with our new boss. It seems that even people in Coloma are feeling a little strained with their big program coming soon, and having to deal with decorating, organization and on top of it all, peacemaking betwixt volunteers. This guy is going to have a tough job on his hands these next few seasons, but oh, how much harder it must be not being a Christian.

The week of Thanksgiving and grateful hearts has come. Soon, we will all gather round our tables, with family and friends, cut the turkey and pray, our glasses of red wine flashing in the candlelight and our time worn plates, used by our family for over a hundred years will be carefully heaped up with the food prepared by loving hands. A fire will be in the woodstove, burning bright and adding cheer to the day our day of thanks.

A lovely scene, and an easy day to praise the bountiful blessings and wonders that God has given us, but what comes after that, what happens during the rest of the year? After I have an arguement with my sister, in which my Irish temper gets steaming mad, pulling back and reflecting on just what a blessing God sent to me, by even giving me a sister, is something I almost cannot do. But, God, in His gracious mercy, allows me to do all things through Christ.

This Thanksgiving we are going to gather round and listen to a man tell stories of his imprisonment in Romania for his faith. Wow. I live in America, the land of prosperity, my lifestyle is nothing compared to third-world countries, I get up every morning and drink coffee with whipped cream, I listen to my Mom read the bible to us every morning and we aren’t bothered by government authorities, I have nine other brothers and sisters compared to China where they force you to only have one child, I am sitting here at my G5 Apple computer typing, I get three meals a day, I live in a house where each child has his/her own bed, my father has a wonderful job position and supports his family, unlike so many other fathers, even in America. The list grows fathomless. What do I have to complain about? Nothing at all.

2 Corinthians 2:14 “But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumphal procession in Christ and through us spreads everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of him.”

Coram Deo! Gracie