TWO DAYS AFTER CHRISTMAS

'Twas two days after Christmas and all through the house
No one could walk through, not even a mouse!
The toys that were scattered one end to the other
Kept stubbing the toes of this poor old grandmother!

I wouldn’t have it any other way! I love having my children and grandchildren here, and I’ll take the clutter and noise that comes along with them any time! Our house is pretty empty and quiet when they’re not here, so it is a rare treat to feel like we are living in Grand Central Station!

I’m not kidding about my poor toes, though! I’ve been hobbling for over a month now. I broke one of my toes three days before I left for Ecuador when I tripped over a suitcase. Not good timing! Since then I have had the same toe stepped on by a heelie (tennis shoe with a wheel built into the heel – ouch!!!) and had a vacuum cleaner slammed into it and the toe next to it, so I have two purple toes now! And all this week I cannot count the number of times I have tripped over suitcases left lying in dark hallways or in front of my closet, stepped on bits and pieces of toys, or stubbed the other eight toes on this or that. I’m getting really paranoid about my feet and trying to keep them tucked out of the way of anyone walking past me or sitting close!

But I digress… It’s been a wonderful week and all too quickly it is coming to an end. Julie and David and the kids leave the day after tomorrow and we will be back to our quiet, empty house again. The year 2009 is winding to a close and I will wind down along with it as I try to catch my breath after the last few hectic months. The year, as usual, has had its ups and downs, blessings and joys, trials and tears. One thing has remained constant throughout, though, and that is that God is ever faithful and loving. I feel like I have grown in Him this year and drawn closer to Him, which is how it should be. I am so thankful for my life, my family, and the future that I know He is preparing for me. Jeremiah 29:11 says, “For I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord. They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.” (NLT) I’m looking forward to what He has in store for us in 2010!

I printed “Sundays with Cindy 2009” and bound it in book form for my daughters, mom and sister as Christmas gifts. There were 45 entries and about 150 pages. I hope reading it this year has been as much a blessing to you, as it has been to me in writing it. As I look back and see the things the Lord has been teaching me, and what He has done in our lives, I just count myself so blessed to have been able to share with you. Thank you for the comments and ways you have shared with me, here and through your e-mails. You have been a blessing to me, too! May the New Year find us all growing in Him and loving Him and one another even more, and may He bless you and your family abundantly in 2010!