Merry Christmas!

Once again Christmas has come and will soon be gone. Where does the time go? It's hard to believe that 2008 will soon be drawing to a close and we will be facing a new year. For some 2008 has been a very hard year. And for the most part, it has been rather trying. One of the biggest lessons we can learn from the hardships of this passing year is that "this too shall pass". We must allow the experiences (whether they are good or bad) to build character and bring us closer to God.

I am thankful for many things this holiday season. A family who loves me no matter what, a job that allows me to pay my bills, a roof over my head, food to eat and clothes to wear, a loving church family, and most of all....a Savior who loved me enough to come to us in human form and then die to save us from our sins. He is truly awesome and worthy of praise!

Let's not lose sight of the true reason for this season. Let's not get so caught up in the commercial aspect of it that we lose sight of the marvelous miracle that occurred so many years ago.

I am usually not one to make new year's resolutions, and I don't know that I will do so this year. I have come to learn that some things are better left unplanned. There are days when I have been asked "what are my plans for the day". My response, "To get to the end of it". Too many times we make plans only to have them fall through. If we look at things in the aspect of taking whatever comes our way and putting a positive spin on them, they bring so much more to our lives than getting upset because things don't always go according to plan. It's life, things aren't always going to go the way we want them to. And it's in those topsy-turvy, twisty times that God's amazing grace and love for us can truly be seen.

I am currently reading "The Shack" by William P. Young. It is a story about a man and his family and how they lost their little girl while on a camping trip. She is abducted and assumed dead. The story takes its main character through a journey with the Holy Trinity. I am only halfway through the book and can't wait to continue reading more. It is absolutely worth the read! Money well spent!

Anyway, I hope everyone had a merry and blessed Christmas. Until next time, take care and God bless!

In Christ,

Tina :-)

P.S. Let's remember to be in prayer for our youth as they prepare for the winter retreat at Lake Junaluska January 16th-18th. May it be a time of wonderful fellowship and growth for them all!