A very Merry Christmas to each of you!I hope you well into your preparations for the upcoming celebration of Christmas.Last Sunday I turned 47 years old.It was a quiet affair for we had to babysit our granddaughter that day so her mom could work.But God blessed me in another way that has simply blown me away.Two dear Canadian friends who are believers in Jesus too have given me and my husband a week away at a resort here in Oregon!Can you believe this birthday gift?I have never,in my life,been given such a gift!And to be given such an extravagant gift after years of no vacations and few if any gifts is simply amazing.When Steve,my husband,had to go on disability a few years back life really changed on all levels for us.Vacations of any kind ceased.Gifts even for birthdays were almost non existent for the most part.Life for us became about mere survival.To say we have felt stressed at times would be an understatement.Chronic illness and financial issues due to it will do that to even a Christian person.God knew what we needed and He graciously provided it through these dear friends of nearly 20 years.I cannot seem to stop thanking Him or them!*Big grin.*So we leave tomorrow for a week long stay at a condo resort.In the mountains.With a gas fireplace and cold weather predicted I am going to be one happy women.Deliriously so I think.I just heard a loud"Woo Hoo"from my husband who is out in the living room and was telling me how we should load the van!LOL I kept waiting for him to get excited and now he has!!Our daughter and granddaughter and onsite management will care for our cat and keep an eye on our little apartment here.It's a sunny,windy and cold day here and is perfect for traveling.If it is not snowy(how I long for some snow which we seldom get here) then this for me is perfect winter like weather.Brisk.Invigorating.It clears away the mental cobwebs and invokes loads of energy in this woman.God has surprised us with this gift of His grace and we are humbled and blessed.I pray that if you too are in need of a surprise of grace this Christmas season that He will be just as gracious and kind to each of you.A Merry Christmas to each of you and we'll see you upon our return.
Much Love~Sharon
