Joy

 Hello readers and pausers on this December Sunday!  My days have been very full of people, tasks, outings, and my nights have held good concentrated sleep.  Finally, there are pockets of time for some seasonal decorating.  The tree is fun and very Pom Pom-ish, too!  Yay!

 I happily found inexpensive stacks of tree fairies at the W store!  Mags sent me pom poms, twice!  So with Susan Branch's idea of cut up drinking straws as spacers, I made some funny garland!  Do you like my bunting?  I sewed!

 Here are some fuzzy nutcrackers because Christmas music MUST contain The Nutcracker, right?

 Oh!  Before I forget, the Willows are in New Zealand.  Angel Catherine is entertaining them in her lovely and elegant picnic style!  This is the envelope they left in, all those months ago.  Soon they'll come back to me.  They'll greet Badger and ponder their next adventure.  Speaking of adventure, we saw The Hobbit last night.  I liked it and I'm going to read the book again.

 Not a creature was stirring?  Here's my little mouse.  Have you tried the Alan Dart patterns?  I think I've found my knitting venue!  MICE!

 When we went away last weekend (that's the reason that I'm a bit behind, but in a good way!) we met up with these three beauties and other good souls.  Long ago, Bill and I moved to a little southwestern Washington town for the purpose of reaching young people with Christ's good news.  We were a bit clunky in our ways, but HIS grace abounded.  We met some precious people and walked with them.  All these years later, they are still the most wonderful lovers of people, the kindness and soundest of souls.  We found GREAT encouragement there as they generously shared their memories of us, with us.  I am humbled by it all and inspired by what my KING does in spite of my often silly ways.

 Well, Lizzy would like to say hello to you.  She's a little pink flower and she is now singing little baby songs and giggling.  Thank you, Jesus.  YOU are the great provider, the healer, the GOOD.  

This is OUR baby, having a short little nap on our sofa.  Oh, how I love this face.  
I am enjoying Jesus Calling by Sarah Young.  One of those pretty ladies' above husband told me about this devotional.  I find it true, good, soothing, and real.  
For my pause today, I quote:
"The hope of heaven is meant to strengthen and encourage you, filling you with wondrous JOY."

We are all feeling a great sense of sorrow for the recent tragedy in our land.  Schools, where our young Americans gather, where teachers take their calling seriously, where community is born, please keep praying for schoolhouses in America.  I know you are tenderly praying for the families that are grieving.  

On Friday, I had the students write about their holiday season and what it means to them.  Many shared that it isn't about the presents, it's about Jesus.  They said they love hot chocolate and  family movie nights.  Do you see why I love them so?  They are good souls, real live-ers, soft hearted beings.  Children KNOW things and they will lead us and teach us, won't they?
Oh, how I love the BABY in that manger.  

You'll be blessed if you click over to Floss's spot, where the pausers gather.  Thank you for stopping by to visit me today.