2021 Highlights

The beginning of the year I quilted this quilt. I had embroidered the blocks earlier. 

In February we replaced our landline with a smartphone.

Leroy worked for Shank Door for 48 years, from March 5, 1973-March 5, 2021. They made this huge poster of pictures from his years with the company. On the table in front of the poster are some of his old tools, canceled pay checks, and work orders. Retirement changed our lives. It was a good feeling for him to leave with two of our sons working for the company. Daryl (left) does service work and Gene (right) is in management.

Our third great-grandchild, Elijah Stauffer was born May 20.

We took a five-generation picture in June.

We celebrated our 54th anniversary in July by going on a one-day train trip to Jim Thorpe.

We had a mini-split installed in the kitchen on July 26. For the first time in our lives we have air conditioning in the living area.

On August 20 I took Grayson and his mother to Cherry Crest Adventure Farm. They went down the giant slide. I couldn't resist and did it too.

We helped celebrate Abigail's first birthday on September 24.

In October, Cheryl had a full house when we, all of her brothers, sisters-in-law, and some nieces and nephews made the trip to Ohio to celebrate her 50th birthday.

I started my first winter project for this year on October 1, embroidering a tablecloth. I finished it on November 22.

And of course, we wound up the year with Christmas dinner. It was on December 18 this year.

It's been a year of change, challenges, joys, and sorrows. Pretty much sums up life, doesn't it?  Tonight, we close the books on the year and step into a new one. Only God knows what it will hold, but we will follow as He leads the way.

Joy To The World

  The traditional Christmas carols are so familiar we often sing them without thinking about the words. There is a lot of theology in the words we so glibly sing. Consider these:

• God and sinners reconciled (Hark the Herald)
• Word of the Father now in flesh appearing (O Come All Ye Faithful)
• His law is love and His gospel is peace (O Holy Night)
• He comes to make His blessings flow far as the curse [of sin] is found (Joy to the World)
• He came down to earth from Heaven who is God and Lord of all (Once in Royal David's City)
• The hopes and fears of all the years are met in Thee tonight (O Little Town of Bethlehem)
• For lo the days are hastening on by prophet bards [inspired men] foretold (It Came Upon the Midnight Clear)
• He will bring us goodness and light (Do You Hear What I Hear)
• Son of God, love's pure Light . . . the dawn of redeeming grace (Silent Night)
• The King of Kings salvation brings (What Child Is This)

   Think about these words as you sing this Christmas. Jesus came to earth on a mission trip, for a specific purpose. His birth was the "dawn of redeeming grace" but it cost His life for "God and sinners [to be] reconciled."

Shalom - Peace