~MERRY CHRISTMAS - Life Lessons 2009~

Dear Friends...

Along with many of you I've spent this last week putting the finishing touches on Christmas 2009. Our home has been a flurry of non-stop activity and I've so enjoyed every second of I've spent shopping and wrapping presents, cleaning, baking and planning our Christmas Day meal. I'm very blessed and so grateful for the good things that God has sent my way. Even more I'm looking forward to celebrating the birth of the Christ Child...the Babe who grew into the very Man who would one day change the course of my life.

After tonight I will be away from you until the New Year. I'm excited about spending some much needed time with my children and their families, my parents and of course that fabulous husband of mine, my Mr. AGPMan. I will return on the first or second of January with some exciting updates on a dining room renovation we've had going on in our home (Yes! During the Holidays!) as well as a sweet give-a-way in honor of the 1st Anniversary of my A Gathering of Thoughts Blog. I hope you'll plan on visiting again soon.

Before I go I thought I might share with you some lessons I've learned this year. Some of these things I've sort of already known, still others I've found necessary to re-learn for a second time (third, fourth, etc.)...

~LIFE LESSONS 2009~

I've learned that the making and reaching of goals can bring great satisfaction and that real friends don't have to live next door to me.

I've learned there is more to life than Blogging (did I say that?) I've learned that Weight Watchers is HARD but that I CAN DO IT!!! I've learned this year that one's heart is not judged by how much it loves but by how much it is loved by others. I've learned that no matter how hard I work at creating new things, if I don't allow my body to rest my mind is incapable of compassionate thoughts or new ideas. I've learned my three siblings will ALWAYS be my very best friends (I love you Lin, Bill & Jen).

I've learned the things my friend, Glaphre, taught me during her short stay on this earth will forever impact my life. After nearly four years of her living up i heaven I still miss her more than ever. I've learned that even when I watch my Daddy grow sicker and weaker there is ALWAYS a little hint he knows who I am and he will always remember the day I was born...(but, it's best for me not to believe he will ever return to the way he was when I was ten!). :( I've learned that during the years when I was crazy-worried about my children, Brandon and Adrienne, that a day would come when I would BLINK and find them grown into amazingly wonderful adults. No mother could be more proud of a son and daughter than I am of them.I've learned our Miss K gets more beautiful and lovely as each day passes and that God's favor was upon me when she was born.I've learned that saying "I'm Sorry" still isn't easy for me to do. In fact, it continues to be just plain HARD! But, when I'm able to get those words out of my very stubborn mouth they are far sweeter than I could have ever imagined them to be. I've learned my hubby will always out-give me. It is his gentle spirit that has made over 31 years of marriage to this high-spirited, mind-ever-changin', "slightly" hardheaded gal possible. There is no one in the world who has bridged more gaps, shown more compassion, offered up more forgiveness or 'turned the other cheek' more than he. Baber...you are my hero!I've learned that some days I actually HATE Blogging...but...whe the sun comes up the next morning I usually just LOVE it again! :)I've learned my hands don't look like they are twenty anymore. Instead, they resemble what I remember my mother's hand looking like when I was a young girl. Only, my hands will never be as talented or as giving as her have been. I've learned that bowing my head in prayer, whether it be to say "Thank You" for the good things in life or to ask for help makes not difference to the Lord. He just wants to hear from me.I've learned that life isn't fair, but God is...
Lastly, I've learned that even when I feel like I am, I am NEVER, EVER, alone.

"When you go through deep waters and great trouble, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty you will not drown. For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior." Isaiah 43:2-3a (NLT)

I look forward with expectation to every day full of God's goodness and promises. It is to Him I give the honor and praise for any creative ability or gifts I may have. It is because of God's Beloved Son, Jesus Christ, that I found hope in every new day and strength in the face of sorrow and disappointment. It is my Christmas prayer that you will all know this kind of peace. I promise you, it is life-changing!

With heartfelt thanks for a year that was beyond my wildest of dreams~

Merry Christmas!

Love,

Rebecca