2010 and F-I-F-T-Y

Well, on Thursday at midnight, we will all ring in a brand new year and I will be 50.  I was given an early present this past weekend in a gift bag that said "Fifty, the new F word".  I, for one, am not at all worried, depressed or consumed with turning fifty and even less concerned about saying it!  It is a cute gift bag anyway!

I've been thinking.......how do we address this new year?  Should we say ohh-10, or just '10 or should we say 2010?  Thoughts anyone?

What about resolutions?  Does anyone make them anymore?  I guess, more importantly does anyone keep them anymore?

And another thing......what the heck is a Zhu Zhu?

What happened to all the "God" billboards, I really liked 'em?

Just my thoughts for this last Tuesday of 2009!

Why?

This week has brought tragedy to a family in Fullerton..... one of Kayla's friends disappeared and hasn't been seen or heard from since 1:30 pm Saturday afternoon.  Kayla wrote on FB.... "its times like these when i just have to ask God why? please give me the strength :/ praying for James"

I guess it's natural to ask "why" when something like this happens, but I was impressed by Kayla's ability to ask God for strength as well as praying!  All too often we find ourselves asking God why and even cursing Him, but not taking action and praying.  I was also encouraged by the youth, specifically, James' friends gathering together and supporting the family by passing out flyers and just being there.

There is a rosary scheduled this evening at St. Jude's in Fullerton at 7:00 p.m. PST, please let's all pray together that James is found safe.

The Reason for the Season

Well, I have been absent in the posting arena for awhile (at least with my thoughts, opinions, etc), so as I jump back on the horse and throw my two cents into the ring let's talk about Advent.
Advent is a time of preparation, preparing our hearts and minds to receive the gift of Love delivered in the form of a baby child named Jesus.
Just as we would prepare our home for any guest, we should be examining our hearts, minds and will.  Are we ready to have this visitor be a guest in our 'home'?
We all get really busy this time of year with all the Christmas hype at the store, commercials on TV and kids 'can Santa bring me this toy?', but let's keep in mind why we are doing all this.
A friend of mine posted the busy-ness of Martha and the flip side, calmness of Mary.  Leanna posted about losing the true meaning of Christmas in all the hype, and a co-worker blogged about a 'simplier Christmas' (excerpt: My wish for all of us this season is that we are able to slow down, live healthier, live more “in the moment” as my colleague so aptly aspires, and to cherish what we have rather than what we would hope to have. We can start by not letting the season complicate our lives, but rather simplify them so I figure it's a topic that is on everyone's mind).
So, what is it that we should do?  Well, I believe it is different for everyone, but most importantly, let's keep Christ in Christmas - HE truly is the reason for the season!

Wedded Bliss

We attended the wedding of a friend's daughter this past Saturday, and couldn't get over how incredibly happy and totally in love with each other the couple seemed to be. When you saw the groom gaze into his bride's eyes, you knew this couple was meant to be together.  I know, because, my hubby of 32 years has that same look.  How I remember that look, the one that drew me in, to my now husband and then boyfriend.  That look is still the same, it is the look that says "I can see deep into your soul, I know you and I love you!"   It is the look that says, "no matter where we are and what our circumstances I will always love you".  It is amazing and crazy that after all these years he still has that look and he gives it only to me, his bride of 32 years!  I cherish and pray that the look remains forever for us as well as for the couple whose union we witnessed on Saturday!

This picture with John Jaques is from J and Corynn's wedding five years ago. 

Family

Just wanted to post this awesome picture of Otto's family - brother Tom, Otto, sister Charlene, his dad, Chuck, brother Tim and his mom, Ellen