Happy New Year

[Char5]

 My hubby and I ran around the past month singing the old country song "If We Can Make It Through December" to one another ;-D  Don't get me wrong, we had a truly Blessed Christmas with family and friends. Our major focus was on the True meaning of Christmas and we told and re-told the story of the Blessed birth of Jesus every time we had the chance. I also, baked like a mad-woman, we were financially able buy some gifts for our little Caleb and to pay all of our bills and then some; but, this was not the bountiful year that we had hoped it would be. This was the first year that we were not able to buy big gifts for our grand-kids. That was HARD on a Grammy that loves to see happy faces opening packages. We did fix each of them an "Old-Timey" goodie bag like the ones our parents used to recieve in Christmases past: fruit, nuts and candy. I told them the story of how my own Grandma Davis and Grandmother Hendel (both of my Grand-dads had passed on before my brother and I were born) would give us small rememberances at Christmas and it was our parents that "made Christmas" for us.  

 Now I know that the financial hardships of 2008 are a very true fact for most folks. After all, who would have thought last January that things would have taken such a downward spiral. I mean, who could have guessed that so many well known stores, businesses and banks would close their doors this year?!?! Being a WAHM does have it's advantage, I never want to fire myself. For me, when things get to their lowest, then that is exactly when I want to start fighting my hardest to find work. Finding it has been a bit harder over the past few months, though I did have some unexpected blessings come my way. I had a dear lady call me wanting to re-organize her home, there was the new client that found my information on the internet and called me needing design advice for her family room and I can't forget my dear friend that had me come to do some Christmas decorating for the new location of her business. I was also pleasently surprised with an interview and article about my business that was featured in our local paper. Not bad for a year that was not the best financially.

 Sometimes it is important to remember that the BEST blessings are not the financial ones. Looking back on 2008, it has been a year filled with the blessings of friends and family, of new business opportunities and new acquaintances and most of all of time spent learning more about God's direction in my life and how He leads us through the valleys with His unchanging Love. I am looking forward to the New Year and can't wait to see what wonderful surprises He has in store. We made it through December and we are ready to press on. Hope that 2009 will be full of His many wonderful Blessings for you and your family-they usually come just when you least expect them.

Love and hugs,

Charlotte in WV