Out with the old . . . In with the new!

Tomorrow we will be saying, "Happy New Year!" Of course, for us hearty souls who like to stay up late on New Year's Eve to be among the first to ring in the new year, it will happen tonight. It's my favorite night of the whole year! For me, it's not just about celebrating the arrival of a new year -- it's also a celebration of finishing something, and of putting to rest all the difficulties and sadness of the past year. For me, it's truly a time of rejoicing and making way for a new beginning!

"Forget the former things (mistakes and failures); do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing; now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness, and streams in the wasteland." (Isaiah 43:19, NIV)

From my daily calendar:
"The new year will not be a repetition of the one just past, but a year of new beginnings, new resolves, new plans. It will be filled with:

new experiences,

new challenges,

new opportunities,

new lessons to be learned.

We may be transferred to new surroundings;
new joys may overflow our hearts;
new sorrows and heartaches may enter our lives.

As we are about to enter a new year, we can look forward to it with great expectancy. We are to turn our eyes away from the past year and look forward with eager anticipation to a new year, fresh from God's hand to us. Regardless of what the year may hold, God promises, 'See, I am doing a new thing.' "

"...forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead..."
(Philippians 3:13b, NIV)

Cheers!

'Tis the season . . .

(click on pictures to enlarge)
(Bummer...forgot to light the candles in the windows before this photo was snapped!)


(Oops...all the beautiful little twinkle lights got washed out in the picture!)


One more try...
Belated "Merry Christmas" greetings!
It truly was a very beautiful, very merry Christmas in our little world!

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