I normally don't like change, just some sort of human nature of growing accustomed to the people, places and activities I've been used to and enjoying them each day. However, there is one change that has me just giddy with excitement and that's the soon to be ( we hope ) birth of my first grandbaby. And with this birth in my family, comes a death. My mom is one of six children born to Davie and Cressie Pope, a farmer and his wife who lived in Forsyth, Illinois. Their children included Betty Ann, Davie Jr., Mary Lou, Jean, Linda and Carol. We have been so blessed as a family to have had them all right up to a couple days ago when we lost our Aunt Mary Lou. We'll be heading home to be with family soon.
In the meantime, we are getting into the new routine for 2015. I had dinner with my friend, Marti, on Monday, as we meet monthly to get together with our former PHS classmates from the Class of 1974.Yesterday my sister, Pam, and I had our first Bible Study of the year. However, today I was not able to pick up my friends for our monthly homemakers meeting, due to the frigid weather conditions.
I really didn't like this weeks Bible Study on Leviticus. As an animal lover, the sacrificial system used by Moses and the Israelites, as they roamed in the desert, is very hard to take. But because God cannot be near sin and we, because of our sinful human nature are unable to resist sin, there needed to be sacrificial blood to cover our sins. Sacrifices were mandatory to cover and then remove our sins, so our loving God could dwell with us. We are reminded that nothing but blood( life ), can cover our sins( death ), that separate us from our God. When hands were laid on these innocent animals, usually bulls, goats, lambs or birds, by the sinner, the sin was transferred to them and they were then killed for the sinner to be forgiven each and every time sins took place.
We watched some old videos on Christmas Day. I think it was Christmas 1984 at my parent's home in Paris with all our family present. Seeing my mom and dad holding a two year old Dustin and a one year old Christina were really sweet memories. A previous Christmas, we had watched a video of Mark's Grandpa Weeks talking about his life. He had worked in his younger years at a stockyard/slaughterhouse with another young man and it was their job to kill animals. Listening to this gentle, loving man talk about specifically killing a bull, and at another time killing little lambs, took me to a very dark place. I never intend to watch that video again and I wish I could erase it from my memory, but I've not been able to do that.
My favorite parts of the Bible are the gospel stories about the birth of Baby Jesus in the stable, surrounded by the animals. Wednesday, after Bible Study, Pam and I went shopping at a Christian Bookstore because I needed a new angel to top my Christmas tree. The previous angel, after lighting the past 30 Christmases or so, had been developing burned holes in the plastic cone surrounding the white lights. Thankfully, her white satin gown never ignited, but it was time for a change. Not only did I find a new angel treetopper, but I'm embarrassed to say that I've increased my nativity collection by three new sets. I only select the ones that include all the stable animals. Not only will my new little Sixlibbyberry be surrounded by it's animated Christmas animals, but a lot of new nativity stable animals as well.
And, mostly today,as every day, I am so thankful to my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ for making His ultimate sacrifice on the cross to forgive us all for all our sins. Our sins are covered by His blood and we are forgiven because of Him, the perfect and innocent Lamb of God. The the shedding of the animals' blood is no longer necessary!
I want to wish Elvis a Happy 80th Birthday today. We welcomed in 2015 watching and listening to a documentary of one of his last tours. It was awesome! Priscilla and I both agree that if he had lived, he would have done so much more gospel music as he got older, Amen to that. The Libby family also welcomed a new little cousin for my little Sixlibbyberry. Congratulations to Steve, Carla, Steve Jr., and Andi upon the arrival of little Parker Steven. We'll have a great time in Maine this year for sure! Please stay safe and warm and have a blessed day. luv, Susan
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1 comment:
Very nice, you write so beautifully, Thanks for mentioning us we are loving our new addition he is such a sweetie. Can't wait to here from you about your new Grandbaby.
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