I wish I would have chosen this photo for our Christmas card! It's the first year Meghan won't be home for Christmas. She is spending it with her Seattle family. We are lucky that she is 33 years old and hasn't missed a family Christmas with us. We will obviously miss having them in Michigan this year!
I stumbled upon this perfect short film that soothes this empty-nester's soul. This time of year can be difficult for other reasons, but it is only natural for our kids to leave home to start their own families; it's what we want for them. This year marks the first year that our daughter, Meghan will not be home for Christmas. I'm happy she has a wonderful new family to share it with in Seattle!
Our son will be home from Austin and I can't wait. I want to somehow make it extra special for him!
I want to be fully present this week before Christmas and when I heard this song when I was on my elliptical machine a minute ago, it made me remember that it's all about Jesus and not about me. Let me be the light of hope in this world, especially these next couple of weeks.
So I've been playing the soundtrack of this movie constantly since I saw the movie. It's the best movie I've seen in a very long time. If you haven't seen it, you should!
Happy Fall Friday!
We bought a condo at Hemingway Pointe Club in Charlevoix!
Stay tuned for some interesting posts. We've had this little piece of Heaven for a little more than a month now and we're looking forward to making a lot of memories here.
Check out this video that I was asked to be a part of for our church. Look fast, or you'll miss me! Actually I'd rather you not notice me, just listen to the song. When I was approached I had no idea what it was about... or how much it would hit home. If you have known me for very long, you would agree that getting people's approval has always been too important to me.
What will they think?
I started out this year taking a break from social media. I'm not sure anyone notices I have been MIA, but I can honestly say I really don't care... anymore. When I told my son about it, I admitted that I was a little worried that if I was out of sight people would forget about me. I laughed when I said it, but a lot of people laugh to cover up insecurities. He quickly reminded me that my true friends would never forget me. I'm happy to report that it has already proven to be true and...I have so much more time on my hands!
I'm glad God used this little opportunity to remind me that His approval is all I need; I'm perfect just the way He made me; and He still needs to use me even in small ways.
Here's to craving God's approval instead of wanting to impress people!
I didn't do a wrap up post of 2017 but it was all good. The major highlight was that my daughter got married to an amazing guy who comes from a great family! Everything went so smoothly with my ex-husband and his wife and family. We all had a wonderful five days but I've got to admit that I'm glad it's all behind us. Some people love planning, but I get a little too stressed out to enjoy that part. We had the best time and were so glad it was in Detroit!
I'm excited for 2018. I've been thinking about what I hope to accomplish this year. I listened to a great podcast by Dan Miller where he talked about getting clarity and setting goals in the following areas:
Financial
Social
Spiritual
Physical
Family
Career
Personal Development
I know I want to drastically decrease the amount of time I spend on social media. I've already started since the first of the year and it's amazing how much more time I have for other things.
I'm off to work, but I just wanted to quickly get these down on paper. I'll be back to elaborate hopefully sooner than later.
"Hold fast to dreams for if dreams die life is a broken-winged bird that cannot fly." -Langston Hughes 1902-1967
If I Can Dream
There must be lights burning brighter somewhere
Got to be birds flying higher in a sky more blue
If I can dream of a better land
Where all my brothers walk hand in hand
Tell me why, oh why, oh why can't my dream come true
oh why
There must be peace and understanding sometime
Strong winds of promise that will blow away the doubt and fear
If I can dream of a warmer sun
Where hope keeps shining on everyone
Tell me why, oh why, oh why won't that sun appear
We're lost in a cloud
With too much rain
We're trapped in a world
That's troubled with pain
But as long as a man
Has the strength to dream
He can redeem his soul and fly
Deep in my heart there's a trembling question
Still I am sure that the answer gonna come somehow
Out there in the dark, there's a beckoning candle
While I can stand, while I can walk
While I can dream, please let my dream
Come true, right now
Let it come true right now
Oh yea
