Hope

Well, the holiday season has come and now officially gone. Today is January 1, 2009 and I am looking forward to what new blessings (and surprises!) this new year will bring. I have been so busy during the Christmas season that I didn't do a recap of our family celebration, but it was certainly joyous. All of our children and grandchildren were present on Christmas Day, as well as Bop and Gdaddy. Lots of food, fun, and presents preceded a rousing few games of Left, Right, Center. As with every family event we have, there was so much laughter and this year quite a few tears, too. My wonderful daughter-in-law, Lexie, gave me the most heartfelt, touching gift that I could imagine - a wonderful scrapbook filled with loving messages from my friends and family, telling why they are grateful for ME. Can you imagine? I would never dream that such kind things would be said about me, but it is so uplifting to know that maybe my journey through this life is touching some folks in a positive way. And isn't that what we are all supposed to do? Touch others in a positive way, spreading the message of hope to a dark world? Thank you, Lexie, for the wonderful encouragement you have provided to me to keep plugging along even when I may not think it is working!

We were blessed in 2008 with a new member of our clan - baby Lauren Elizabeth Harris (Ellie) was born in May and was the smallest pixie at the holiday soiree. But let me tell you, by this time next year she will be giving the older girls a run for their money! I thank God every day for the gift of healthy grandchildren, and they are teaching their ol' Mimi many things. Our sweet Isabelle shares a birthday with baby Jesus - it hardly seems possible that 5 years ago we all gathered at Baptist Hospital to welcome Isabelle Taylor Mason into our hearts! Isabelle is the first of the pixies and is certainly the ringleader of her younger cousin, Ansley Grace Harris. Ansley, our little redheaded imp, follows her around like a puppy and they have such a good time playing together - I pray that they will always be close friends as well as cousins. And then there is Isabelle's younger sister, Ava Faith Mason. Ava is probably the mascot for the whole group, with her big blue eyes and her wide, wide smile - you just want to pick her up and squeeze her. She rarely plays with the older two, preferring instead to just wander around and amuse herself. I can't wait to see what all of the pixie-girls will be up to in 2009!!

As the title of this post states, this is a season and a new year of hope. Christ came into the world to offer us the hope of eternal salvation, and these are my personal hopes for the upcoming year:
1. I hope that I can continue to grow in faith daily.
2. I hope that I can be an encouragement to others, particularly in times of doubt or stress.
3. I hope that I can be a better wife, mother, grandmother, daughter, sister, friend to all those whom I love.
4. I hope for peace on earth, but trust that God knows what He is doing.
5. I hope that when Cameron chooses a college that it will be the absolute perfect fit for him.
6. I hope that when I watch him walk away, embarking on his future, that I will be able to do so with a smile on my face so that he will know that I love and support him in his decision.
7. I hope that I will improve myself, in all ways, in the coming year. My goals are to work on my physical health as well as my fiscal health. Putting it in writing will give me more motivation!
8. I hope to spend some time at the beach this year, feeding my soul.
9. I hope for everyone a year of blessings beyond their wildest imaginations!

Jeremiah 29:11 says "for I know the plans I have for you," says the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." I'm claiming this verse for 2009 and however long the Lord sees fit to have me walk this earth!

Here's hoping...Lana