HAPPY NEW YEAR!

I like to start off my blog with a picture or two.  Tonight you're getting three!  I like the vintage postcards as I have several similar ones that my grandparents saved from the days of the "penny post card".  I'll have to scan some of them so I can have original pictures instead of borrowing these from Pintrest.  The middle one is especially appropriate for me this year as I have become something of a Scrabble fan.  I have several games going so take breaks now and then to check and see if it's my turn.  

I just phoned Ledene's as this is Todd, Kristy and Nora's last evening with them.  They fly out of Calgary tomorrow evening.  It sounds like there were some tears tonight, as there were when they left here a week ago Saturday.  But we have precious memories, along with some special pictures, to cherish of our times together.  It was wonderful to have the gift of their presence, and especially baby Nora's, on this Christmas with that empty chair at the table.  She was the star that led us to see how much we have to rejoice about and not to focus on what we have lost.  

It was good to get a message from Clare this evening to say they were back home in Weyburn after their flight from Phoenix this morning and the drive home from Bismarck on wintery roads.  I'm looking forward to my flight there in three weeks, started sorting through some summer clothes today!

I don't have a habit of making New Year's resolutions but there is one project that I resolve to do this year - to read the Bible from cover to cover.  I did start one year but didn't keep it up.  This time I'm using the guide from the devotional "Our Daily Bread".  It lists passages from the old testament and ones from the new to read each day.  It's also on line at obd.org/  You can choose whichever version of the Bible you prefer, click on the reference and the verses come up right on your screen.  I have an app on my iPhone so I can find it on there too.  Now that I've told you about it, you can check up on me to see if I'm faithfully reading every day.  How about joining along with me?  You just have two days to catch up on if you start now!!

I'm back making flatbread again as I have orders for two more batches.  I mixed up the dry ingredients for four batches the other day so all I have to do is add buttermilk and I'm ready to roll!  I have more ginger cookies chilling in the fridge so maybe I'll get them baked in the morning.  I'll miss the little girl rolling them in sugar though.

I have an appointment for a haircut tomorrow in Estevan so I'll be heading in there as long as the roads aren't too icy.  This morning they were advising no travel on #18 to Estevan.

I'll leave you with this picture of "the Norskies" that was taken by the frost laden caraganas in our yard.  We pray for safe travels as your flights take you to Frankfurt, Oslo and then to Kristiansund.  Howard always used to read Psalm 121 for travellers so I'll be reading that tomorrow too.  He said his uncle, Pastor Albert Vinge, always read that Psalm when they were leaving.  Some people say they don't like saying good-bye but I once read that it's really a shortened version of "God be with you" and then it's a comforting word of farewell.

Today I've been thinking of Howard's cousin, Eunice (Vinge) Dravland, Eric and Elsa andf their family and friends as they gathered in Lethbridge to mourn the loss and celebrate the life of Vern, who passed away at the age of 88 after suffering a stroke last Thursday.  Eunice and Vern moved into an assisted living facility last fall.  Vern recently bought a van so he could take Eunice out in her wheelchair.  They went out to a friend's house on Christmas Day, the first and last trip he made with his new purchase.  Howard and I enjoyed many visits with them at the farm near Bottineau, at their home in Lethbridge and enjoyed having them stay with us at our "HoJo Inn".  Blessed be his memory.  I have some "oldies" of Eunice and Vern so will add them here.

Here is the link to the funeral home with Vern's obituary. http://www.lethbridgefuneralhomes.com/obituaries/obit_details.asp?obitid=2307