A NEW BEGINNING

Even though yesterday was THE END of a wonderful year, I look forward to new beginnings.
Today I will simply post pictures from last year that will bring memories into this precious present.
God has blessed us.

A wet snow helped cut the COLD of January

See the heart? Simple, durable, a gateway into a private
place. . . just like our own hearts.

We returned to another of the favorite places we have lived.
Such a warm day in D. C. at the end of March.

April showers bring May flowers.  Oh My! This area
usually remains dry until we have a 'flooding' rain.
Ducks visit us for the short time we have a pond.

It's still a little too cold to spend much time outside
in May so we explored the countryside.

Amish are out all year in snow, sleet or rain.  We can
count on seeing them every day we drive around.

This is my most favorite picture, just blocks from our
humble abode.  Each day we come down the hill we
are greeted by our cow.   It's even lit up at night.

August began with a delightful new adventure at
Ascension Church in Parkesburg, PA
It's our new 'home away from home.'

My garden bloomed beyond belief this year.  That rose
bush actually filled the wall.

This Amish farm is not too far from us.  I try to stop
each year to take shots of drying tobacco.  I know
Fall is setting in with this welcome sight.

The weather was so balmy in early December that it seemed
odd to put decorations outside.  No lights this year.
We kept it simple.

"In the deep mid-winter" is the beginning of a song I love.
Just when we did not think we would get snow, at the
end of the year, we had a surprise.  It melted too soon
but what a lovely way to end the year.

These "memories" bring us to a new beginning. I look forward to change that comes from weather patterns, change that comes from community relationships and change that comes from forming new habits. 

 Do I dare think of new habits right now, on the first day of the new year? 

 I think I'll wait awhile and linger in this lazy day of nostalgia, chatting with friends and family and drinking hot chocolate (made for us by the children at church.)  

What a wonderful way to begin the new year!

We anticipate blessings for this New Year which will

enable us to enjoy the precious present of the Lord's presence in our lives each day.

It should be a GREAT YEAR!