Happy New Year

2007 is nearly over, just a few hours left. It ends on a happy note with just one rather sad footnote.

Our son Rick moved into a new home the day after Christmas. This is a huge development in his life. He was so very happy. On Monday night he came down to visit us and to dig up an array of plants the church wanted removed to make way for new landscaping. These will go in his nearly bare new yard. The Lord's timing is so good. Rick worked hard all day Tuesday and with my help and the loan of a friend's pickup, moved all the plants to my house. He then loaded part of them in his car and will retrieve the rest in a couple months.

Rick was only gone from home for 2 nights, but the dog he had raised from a pup, died on Tuesday evening while he was here. My granddaughter called to tell him that Pepper was having problems breathing, so Rick had her wrap him in a blanket and place her in a warm area. She called again later and held the phone to Pepper's ear so that Rick could talk to her. He tried to comfort her and soon after, Pepper passed away. When he got home on Wednesday, Rick buried Pepper among the roses he had hauled home and planted in his yard.

Goodby to 2008 with all her trials and hello to 2009. We look forward to a fresh new year with all the opportunities and fresh new beginnings it has to offer. May God bless each and every one. May He guide and direct each of us as He would have us go. No two will walk the same path, but we can encourage one another each step of the way. Happy New Year