I was under the weather all weekend. It's not what I had planned; but my body must have needed the rest, because I feel fine now.

The new year is fast approaching. I've been thinking about my "yielding problem" and think that would be a good focus for this upcoming year. (Yes, I still make New Year's resolutions!)

"Have Thine own way, Lord! Have Thine own way! Thou art the Potter, I am the clay. Mould me and make me after Thy will. While I am waiting, yielded and still." That is a precious hymn.

Fridays are so energizing. I love my job, but knowing I have the weekend ahead of me, makes me very happy.

We are busy at work putting the final touches on the menu for the New Year's Eve and New Year's Day meals. I am all "planned out" by the time I get home and have to push myself to now plan a personal menu for my family. It's the ying and yang of life, trying to come out even in the end.

Work has brought an awareness I was missing. The "little things" I hardly noticed---the haven my home is, the haven my husband is, the haven of quietness---are what I'm thanking God for each day.

I'm gearing up to say good-bye to my youngest for a week. It's hard when I can't be a part of his departure because of work.

He has a wonderful opportunity to go to Baltimore with his girlfriend's family, and then to D.C. to see the historic sites with my sister. It's always a bittersweet moment when travel is concerned. I'm a worrier.

I am thankful for the peace God can put within my heart as I meditate on His Word and pray---"casting all your cares upon Him for He cares for you."

Well, today is a new start; not because it is Monday, but because it is the day after a holiday. Unfortunately, the house is still full of sugar.

The thought went through my mind that I could throw everything aside until January 2 and just have a "good time", OR, I could do what I know is right---the price is too high to pay for the former.

I know there will be days better than others, especially this time of year, but my focus must remain on returning to good health.

Merry Christmas! What wonderful meaning it is to say that as a Christian.

Though I will be at work all day, I have a joy that is all-sustaining no matter where I am. I thank God for sharing His joy with me.

This is a day of rejoicing; "for unto us a Child is born."

"...but let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth Me..." is the wonderful truth that was in my reading this morning.

This time of year our focus is on the birth of Christ. I love reading commentaries on this blessed event. All of this for us, "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son...", so we could live eternally with Him as He had planned from the beginning.

We have a God who cannot be measured. ("Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth!") We have a great God!

With list in hand, I'm ready to go to the grocery store. It's always exciting to plan holiday meals.

Though I will be working Christmas Day, the family will be coming to our house for dinner. They are all pulling together to have a Mexican-themed meal. I'm sure it will all be very satisfying! I will enjoy the festivities of Christmas Eve getting off work just in time (though being a little late) for our Christmas Eve service. What a blessing that always is.

I don't enter into all the hustle and bustle of "the season", but my heart enters into the birth of our wonderful Lord and Savior, the true Gift of Christmas.