I am trying ... really.  I think to myself "Today, I will blog." And then I see a chore to do (who wears scarves like that?), or a temari to make, or a paper to correct (I STILL have to correct Jessica's research paper), or a news report to watch (I love FOX news), or.......   You get the picture.   Oh, and there's this fact -- we have one main computer.  That should say it all.

But, look at this.....I am blogging!  Pull up a chair and stay by me a bit!  I have my 2-hour old coffee sitting here, in my homemade crocheted there-ain't-no-pattern-for these slippers, and the girls are upstairs playing legos.  Wow!!!  Mom time!

First off, our Christmas was quite fun.  Our oldest daughter, Becca is home from college and we enjoy so much seeing her smiling face and hearing all her stories.  She is currently running at a local Bed and Breakfast and will come home again Thursday.  On Christmas Eve and Christmas day, we all had fun Skyping our second daughter, Anna, who is a nanny in Africa.  We opened presents with her over the computer web cam and she opened her presents to us as well.  The amazing report of this Christmas is that she did not cry!  God is faithful!!!  She has been so busy and joyful and content, that she could simply enjoy Christmas, even though she is far from home and hasn't been with us for five full months.  Thank you, Lord!!

The day after Christmas (alright, it was the night of Christmas), I started packing!  Yes, I am leaving in 2 weeks (Jan. 13) for Africa!  I hate to keep gabbing about it, but I am just a little excited about this trip!  I have never been to Europe (did I mention that Anna and I are meeting in Paris!!!) nor Africa and it is a thrill to be given this opportunity to go and see Anna.  Our two  youngest daughters, Jess and Emma are a little sad not to be going to see their sister (as is my hubby), but very gracious and I can see God working in them so wonderfully!  So, I am nearly all packed.  My suitcase is full of Anna's Christmas presents, plus lots of goodies from home and things she craves but cannot find in Africa (like Reese's Pieces), plus her March birthday presents.  It's like one super Care Package. 

While I am gone, Doug is going to take a full week off to stay home with the girls and the other days they will go next door to our dear neighbors and surrogate grandparents.  What a blessing to have Dave and Betty next door.  Such a gift from the Lord!

I do have other things in my life than my trip, however, so that helps me maintain some level of calm and normalcy!  haha  My Etsy shop is very busy and I am so thankful for the financial provision this brings.  To be making a bit of money for the first time in 21 years is astounding to me!  I have also begun to lose some weight (15 pounds already) and that is always a thing to rejoice about.

A prayer need:  This weekend, Doug and I and the girls are driving to the Detroit area, where Doug will be preaching at a church that is interviewing us for their pastor position.  aaaahhhHH!!!!!!  I feel twinges of nervousness --- will they like us, will Doug's sermon be powerful, will they like us, will they hire us, can we move to Detroit (it would have to be God's will to move to Detroit at this point in history!  tee hee), what will happen?  Please pray that we hear from God and receive wisdom for a next step in our lives. Thanks!

Well, there!  I did it!  I blogged.  Now, the next most important thing to do.....go visit my dear bloggy friends and catch up with them (first a new cup of coffee...this one is cold!).

Till next time, Julie