Don't let the difficulties of the present moments overshadow the reality of God's promises. God's promises still stand. And God's promises are stronger than our failures.

Thursday, January 1, 2009

Oh Eight Was Great

I'm stealing this idea from Mama Kat but she won't care. In fact she said I could so I guess that means it's not really stealing. Which is a good thing since I don't do that. God said don't and even though sometimes I don't get it when God says don't, I do get it about this so I don't. Make sense?

There's no particular order to this Top Ten list and I could probably expand it to a Top Twenty list but that would take too long to read so here goes:

1) I'll start with the best even though it happened on the last day of the year. Andrew was born! Grandchild number eight made us all even, four girls/four boys. And he's healthy and has all the necessary parts and they all work!

2) I turned 62. Now I know that most people wouldn't think that would make the top ten list but for me it did. Uncle Sam started paying me to stay home and blog. Isn't that too cool?

3) Which brings me to number three - I discovered blogging and made 973 new friends. At least. Maybe more. I lost count. Ok already, so I didn't count but I bet there are at least that many.

4) I quit artificial nails. Yes, after a twenty five year addiction (ok maybe twenty) I stopped cold turkey. They looked terrible for many months and they don't look great now because they're very short and they keep breaking but they're getting better. And that's time I'm not spending at the nail place, and money I'm saving. Good for me.

5) I quit dying my hair. Yes, after a forty year addiction (and this time I'm not kidding) I stopped cold turkey. It was pretty awful because I colored my hair a dark brown and the roots were white but it is now all white. White. Me. How in the world did I get to be old enough to have white hair?

6) I completed the second year of a four year Bible study and started the third year. My husband and I are doing this together and we go once a week for about 34 weeks each year. We sort of loosely follow the school year. My memory isn't what it once was so I don't remember everything we study but I do remember enough to understand the history that's talked about during the sermons on Sundays and you'd be surprised at how much the sermons are enhanced when you can add that to it.

7) I celebrated my 44th wedding anniversary. Glory Be! I don't even feel like I'm 44 years old so how can I be married 44 years?

8) I had a small health problem in the spring that kept me from going on a mission trip I had planned but the health problem was small and I got to go on a different mission trip in late November that I absolutely loved! I loved it so much that I (and my husband) have volunteered to go back for a long-term (two or three month) position. We haven't been chosen yet but maybe we will in '09. :)

9) I learned some new things in quilting, some new things on the computer, some new things in church, and some new things about myself. Learning new things means I'm continuing to grow and become a better person. Oh and that stuff about myself - I learned that I'm not any more graceful at 62 than I was at 32 but that it doesn't embarrass me any more because I'm much more ok with myself now; and I learned that people who gossip about me (or you) aren't worth worrying about because spreading gossip is kind of like spreading manure on a garden...the one spreading it ends up smelling bad; and I learned that God has plans for things He wants me to do so no matter what my age I still have things to contribute to others and to the world. And I learned that Jesus knows me - this I love.

10) For the second year in a row I got to have five of my high school girlfriends spend the weekend with me. This year we will be attending our 45th high school reunion so for six of us to still be around, still know where the others are, still love each other and still want to spend time together is a miracle! Old friends have a special place in my heart.

Anybody out there want to join me in celebrating '08? Make your own Top Ten List and let me know!

14 comments:

Unknown said...

What a wonderful post and a great list.

Your blog is one of my top ten blogs I HAVE to visit when you post something new! i just love stopping by and seeing what you are up to.

Congratulations on a very good year, in deed.

Marlene

Unknown said...

I emailed you to your gmail account...

Love,

Marlene

Michelle said...

We are all very blessed. We just need to recognize our blessings, and thank God for all things.

I thank God for introducing you to me. That in itself is a very big blessing.
Michelle

Linda - Behind My Red Door said...

LOVE it and I will make my next post my top 10!!

Jacquie said...

I love your list. I guess it means I can wait another 18 years before I go all gray!!

Pretty cool that y'all are in the hat for an extended mission trip.

Marie Rayner said...

Loved your top ten moments for 2008 Marlene! I hope that you and your husband get to go on a mission together. That would be wonderful!

BarbCarol said...

I think when I create my own Top Ten, it will include how very lucky I feel to have cousins, as well as sisters and a brother, to share childhood memories and genetic similarities. Some of them are very special people who spread their love over a wider area of the world than they realize.

Unknown said...

You certainly did have a good 08! Wishing you many blessings in 2009!

I made a Top Ten list too, come over and check it out:o)

Calamity Jane's Cottage, Bonnie said...

Hi Marlene,
Oh it's so good to be back and reading your blog. Andrew is BEAUTIFUL or should I say handsome. The girls holding him is one to treasure, they look so proud.
Loved reading your top 10, your life has changed in 2008, but it reads to me as for the better and I know you have set goals for 2009 to keep it going.
Happy New Year to you and your family,
Blessings,
Bonnie

Valerie the Pumpkin Patch Quilter said...

I really enjoyed reading through your list - my favorite is your saying about gossip. Isn't that the TRUTH! :)

Mad about Craft said...

Congratulations on the safe birth of Andrew! May he bring all the family lots and lots of joy.

I hope 2009 is as good to you as 2008!

Marilyn Robertson said...

May you have a blessed and happy New Year!

Rhondi said...

Hi MArlene
I'm glad 08 was a good year for youand I hope 09 is even better!
Hugs, Rhondi

bj said...

I loved reading this post...
I know 09 is going to be a fabulous year for all of us..even with the economy the way it is..we can make it !!
I am a little older than you..I just turned 71 on new year's Eve..I, too, am totally white headed..our 49th anniv. will come in April and I am shocked, just like you!! I learned many new things this last year and am hoping to learn even more this new year.
Have a happy day...