Celebrating my sister Margie's 60th birthday with a surprise visit was a fantastic way to start the New Year! I flew in the night before and stayed with Matt and Melissa... her son and daughter-in-love... who made the trip possible. The party was planned for New Year's Eve at her house so we arrived early to help with the finishing preparations only I stayed behind in the car for a few extra minutes while Matt and Melissa went in to prepare my way. After about five minutes, I walked around the block in 18 degree freezing cold windy weather so I could ring the doorbell to surprise her. Well, her surprise... that would be me... almost froze because right before I got to the door she went in to change her clothes!! As I waited for the signal to ring the bell, I was thanking God for my husband who convinced me to take my long wool coat instead of just a jacket!! Even though she was surprised and blessed to see me, she did confess she had an inkling I might come since she had come out here to surprise me for my 50th!
Another highlight of my visit and Margie's birthday, was spending an afternoon visiting with our oldest sister Ruth (in the back with Margie) and our two cousins from Hannibal... Linda (center) who is the same age as Ruth, and Maribeth (right) who is my age. We told stories and shared memories, laughter and tears as we reminsced about our childhoods and the times we spent at each others houses two weeks every summer. It was a roller coaster of emotion but an afternoon I will cherish forever!
The greatest blessing was knowing Margie's son, Matt, and his wife, Melissa, love my sister so much that they made all the arrangements and gave up their own mileage to fly me back there. They are the best! Thank you to both of you! Melissa and I laughed hysterically as we played the video game Frogger... and I just want her to know she will not be the Frogger Queen forever... her sweet aunt be back!
And now I am back home... ready to walk into the New Year with faith and confidence and joyful expectation to see what God... who is able to do so much more than we can ask or imagine... has in store for us in the days ahead!
In the morning, O Lord, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait in expectation. Psalm 5:3
O Lord, I praise You and thank You for hearing the cries of my heart... for being a God who is not far off but so close I can lay my requests at your feet and trust You with them... stir up a sense of joyful expectation in my heart every morning to look to and for You and for the evidences of Your love all around me. And may my life bring you greater blessing and glory this year than ever before. Amen.
