This Christmas....

Today I am an emotional wreck. There are many loved ones who are suffering this Christmas season. I am so sad that so many people are hurting today and during the season of Christ & the beginning of His sacrificial life. We've (my family & I) had such a rough year & I've actually been "in the spirit." After the year we've had, this is the first time this year I've REALLY had something to look forward to. Something big- family, food, giving. The only thing missing are those we've lost, and those we're not near right now.

Then today comes & I keep welling up in tears. It dawned on me a few minutes ago why. I'm excited about Christmas this year, but at the same rate, I feel bad because I know my parents are having a hard time, and at the same time, I'm homesick today. I miss our families.

This year, we've tried to do for others. We've plucked paper angels off the trees at the stores in hopes that a child with little or nothing would smile on Christmas morning. We took food on Thanksgiving to an exchange student (that is now here on a work visa) from Brazil. He hasn't been home, nor has he seen his family in almost 2 years. We're planning on taking him breakfast on Christmas morning as well.

I wish everyone could feel the Joy I have had in my heart, yet I wish the roller coaster I'm on would come to a stop, so that *I* can be Joyful again. I'm praying for those that are hurting.

I pray that all of you that read this, for all those that we love- you have a very blessed Christmas. Know that I am praying for you.

Year in review..... 2010

(This is a scheduled post)

This has been my "bad" year. Here's a recap of things, for those that don't know, or for those that don't know all of it:

• My brother passed away (January 25th)
• In ONE day (in March) My SFIL cut his thumb off in woodworking accident; my cousin was life flighted to an ATL hospital after an accident, with a cracked skull & vertebrae AND Hubba's nephew was hiding in a closet during a home invasion while his roommate was shot & killed.
• May 23rd while trying to snake our drains, we had a HUGE & NASTY sewage backup into our house..... Come to find out it wasn't just *our* fecal matter washing into our house, it was a clog in the CITY'S pipes & we got EVERYONE'S poo flooding our home from uphill. We lost most of our garden seedlings when this happened as well as some home furnishings & misc. things. We also found out who our true friends are. More importantly, we found out who our true friends are NOT.
• My Mum was excruciatingly sick.
  
• And we've all been sick more than normal this year.

Needless to say, every time I get back on my horse, he bucks me off again. I'm not even sure that's everything ^^ It seems like I'm forgetting something, but this seems to be the year that everyone else needs to think for me, because I'm having a difficult time thinking for myself. I know we'll get through this, but sometimes it's hard to see the light at the end of the tunnel. For now, I cry when no one's looking & I pray, and I hope.....