Facing a New Year!!

Well, 2007 is almost over! Just a few more hours left (which I may spend sleeping, since I have to go to work in the morning). What a year!!! When I look over the past year, and all that has taken place in our lives here in the Arnold home, I am amazed at how God has blessed and helped. The beginning of 2007 found us faced with the knowledge that my mother's days were numbered. She was diagnosed with cancer. What an emotionally roller coaster ride her illness was. Thank the Lord for Hospice. They were a great blessing during this time. Becky was in her senior year of high school. There was a gratuation open house to plan. A school trip to Arizona. Then, in June, a wedding!!! Our second of three sons found his "true love", Ruth Anne, and they had a beautiful wedding. Before we could blink, it seemed, summer was here. We did have a nice summer, although a lot of it was spent preparing to send our "baby girl" off to college. God has truly blessed her and continues to supply every need!!! God has blessed me with a job, that also allows me some days off. Of course I try to spend those days off with our beautiful little grand daugher, Emma. Phil is still working at the dealership and we are just trusting God to let him know if and when it is time to move on. As the holidays were approaching, I found myself almost "afraid" might I say, to face these times. I have never had a Christmas without my mother. How would I make it through? But I must say that our Christmas was wonderful!! I am sooo thankful for my husband, my children, my grandchild, my father (and his new lady friend), our "old" friends, our "new" friends, but most of all,Iam thankful for my Heavenly Father. Jesus Christ. I Love Him!! And I amazed at the many ways that He has chosen to show His love for me this past year. I Serve a Living Savior!! I am thankful for the challanges that I faced in the year 2007 and I am looking forward, with anticipation, to what God has in store for us in 2008. Isn't serving God exciting!!! Happy New Year!!!

Wonderful Week-End!!

I know that it has been quite awhile since we have posted anything on our blog. Maybe that's not so very important to some, but there HAS to be SOMEONE out there who is interested!! I seem to have been living at Hobby Lobby lately. They have been working me many hours, for which I am grateful (most of the time). It IS helping out with finances at this time of year. Thank the Lord for a job that I enjoy (most of the time). I really do love interacting with all the customers. Maybe that's because I love people, or maybe I like to talk. You figure that one out.
Anyway, I requested last week-end off, and my boss graciously abliged. Friday (Dec. 7) was Becky's 18th birthday, so on Saturday Phil and I (along with my father, Cheryl Watters, Amber Plemmons and Ashley Frye) made our way to the Big City. We managed to fit a lot in. We went out to eat before and after the school's big pageant. We do like to eat!!! We met some new friends, and met up with some we already knew. What a wonderful time we had!!! We celebrated Becky's birthday and her friend, Sam's as well. We thouroughly enjoyed the pageant. It was a time of, not only reflection on the Birth of Christ, but of basking in the Holy Spirit's presence while enjoying the talents represented that night! How thankful we are that He came as a Babe in a Manger, died on the Cross, rose again, ascended into Heaven where he is preparing a Place for us. For He WILL come again to receive us unto Himself. During this very busy time of year, among all the hustle and bustle of shopping, wrapping presents, the programs , and let's not forget the FOOD, let's remember why Jesus Came in a Manger. Merry Christmas to all!!!