Along The Trail

when disappoinment strikes

Disappointment has been a cloak around here as we've been suffering through the flu for our entire Christmas break. All the merry + bright quickly became sad + miserable. Special merry making at home with the family was nixed, well-laid plans fizzled away, a year in review will not be happening, hopeful beginnings never were born. I've struggled to get back up and start again, in heart and body.

But slowly, one giving of thanks at a time, my disappointment is turning to joy. When life doesn't go as hoped, choosing to give thanks anyway opens up the door of His light into our days. As long as there's Jesus, every little thing is gonna be alright!

And so begins a new year. As I try to wipe the fog from my brain (compliments of the flu!), I'm getting excited about the work ahead. New ideas are keeping me awake at night, as are the few panic attacks. That's only when I get ahead of myself! Unless the sky begins to fall, I look forward to regular posting again beginning Monday! I do so enjoy when you show up here and we walk a speck of the road together! Thanks for that!

Enjoy your Weekending!

Merry + Bright

Our tree is trimmed, imagination lights the eyes, and music fills the air. (Most) packages are wrapped, mailed, or resting under the tree. Our mailbox is filling with the beautiful faces of families we love. By the looks of "Christmas", all is merry and bright!

Perhaps the most merry and bright part of Christmas is the glow burning beneath these festivities. The daily slowing and quieting as a family each evening, reading Ann's words, reading His Word. Her poetic writing as she unwraps God's truth in such profound beauty, His grace-filled truth as hope envelops our hearts with such warmth. Jesus has brought the glow--the fullness--to the season. Heaven's Light, merry + bright! 

from our family

However frenzied or slow, quiet or rambunctious, lonely or full your Christmas may seem this year, may God send you a fresh reality of His presence as you celebrate Him this Christmas.

From our family to yours,

Merry Christmas!

P.S. // Yes, one antler is down...it's the frazzled mom antlers! Tegan made me wear it:)

sounds of Christmas // right now

// Bags zipping, engines starting, heaters blowing

// farewell hugs, wishes of merriment, giggles galore

// scrolling of the checklist through my head

// three siblings getting along (!) in giddy chatter

// a boy bouncing off the walls a little more than is normal

// celebrating and happy dancing of Christmas break's arrival

With a few more days of the *chaos* of coming and going, we I try to quiet our my heart enough to stay focused on the reason for all the excitement and coming & going! Even with the heartache this Christmas will bring for many people, most recently especially, the hope of Christmas is quite relevant for all. May the sounds of hope resonate in your heart this Christmas!