January 2002

I never used to like January. Coming after December, which is full of colored lights, tinsel, and bright packages, January seems so drab--and LONG. Sunshine is scarce and the cold harsh Texas wind is one that will chill to the bone.

I pushed myself to like January. But to do so, I've had to focus inward. Inside. I've had to push the cozy thing by piling blankets and comforters on the bed, wear thick soft slippers, make hot stews and indulge in steamy mugs of hot chocolate. It's a month to watch old movies, pop popcorn, read lots of books and make pots of stew and hot cornbread. January is also a month to do needlework, write letters and in journals and to plan a garden. It s a month to dream.

-AS.

Mrs. Laura Bush's

Hot Chocolate Recipe

 

• 6 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa

• 6 tablespoons sugar

• Pinch of salt

• 2½ cups of milk

• 2½ cups of light cream

• ½ teaspoon of vanilla (or more to taste)

• Pinch of cinnamon powder (optional)

• Whipped cream

• Orange zest

Directions:

Mix cocoa, salt and sugar

Add milk. Heat to dissolve

Add light cream, cinnamon, vanilla. Heat to just under boiling

Mix very well and pour into warm mug

Top with whipped cream, cocoa powder and fine orange zest.

*I found this in a woman's magazine. Since I'm a real fan of President G.W. Bush and First Lady, Laura Bush, I thought I'd print it here.

Creativity Exercise -

 

Old

Mary had a little lamb

Its fleece was white as snow

And everywhere that Mary went

The lamb was sure to go

 

It followed her to school one day

It was against the rule

It made the children laugh and play

To see a lamb at school

Take a child's nursery rhyme and re-write it in more descriptive language.

 

New

Mary raised an infant sheep

With a coat that sparkled as snow is deep

It bonded with dear Mary so

The lambie followed--to and fro

 

Along to the schoolhouse the lambie went

The mistress said the rules were bent

But the children were so full of glee

The sweetest lamb for all to see.

Leap of Faith

At the present time I'm facing the challenge of my life. My husband has an incurable disease and is on kidney dialysis due to renal failure. This leaves him very weak and listless and some days its very difficult for him to breathe. At the same time, our sweet mom--his mother, is living next door to us because of Alzheimer's Disease. To complicate matters, I am working full-time as the main source of income because if my husband's illness and the fact that he has been repeatedly turned down for disability. (I'm grateful that I can.)

My dream to finish my college degree, has been put on the shelf--I'm afraid permanently. The desire to secure my future has succumbed to an even greater calling--that of being primary care-giver to my loved ones. Am I bitter? No,because I love them so. Scared--yes. I'm scared of being without them.

Some days, I get feeling very sorry for myself, because of the pressure I'm under. It seems that whatever shred of the personal life I used to have-- is gone. Needless to say, I have no time for nurturing friendships--but I'm very lucky to have devoted friends who continually pray for us and see to our needs.

Recently I was asked how I kept from being swept away in the torrent that has become our life. Simple. Faith and love. I have faith in a kind and loving God that will see that I am always able to take care of my loved ones. It's a faith so strong that when I start feeling so alone with my fears--that no one else cares about the work, worries and fears--I am reminded of His love.

I see His love in the thankful eyes of my husband when I carry his belongings in from the car for him. I feel His love when my mother-in-law hugs me for cleaning her home and doing the laundry. I see His love on the face of my family when I fix them a delicious hot meal, or when we have those precious few moments together. And I am blessed with the love of family, the security of that love, and the faith that my Heavenly Father will always be there to steady me should I stumble.

And I have faith that all will be well. God works in miraculous ways.

--AS.

• The National Kidney Foundation
• The Alzheimer's Association

And Jabez called on the God of Israel saying,

Oh that You would bless me indeed,

and enlarge my territory,

that Your hand would be with me,

and that You would keep me from evil

that I may not cause pain!"

So God granted him what he requested.

 

--1 Chronicles 4:10 (NKJV)

My Hand In God's

Each morning when I wake I say,
"I place my hand in God's today;"
I know He'll walk close by my side
My every wandering step to guide.

He leads me with the tenderest care
When paths are dark and I despair---
No need for me to understand
If I but hold fast to His hand.

My hand in His!  No surer way
To walk in safety through each day.
By His great bounty I am fed;
Warmed by His love, and comforted.

When at day's end I seek my rest
And realize how much I'm blessed,
My thanks pour out to Him; and then
I place my hand in God's again.

Florence Scripps Kellogg

I awoke this morning to the sounds of birds outside my bedroom window. I have a bird feeder on the trunk of the old elm and they were partaking of a couple of stale bran muffins that I had put out there for them.

The sounds of birds are so cheerful and reassuring. They are the promise of the day ahead. The subtle mixture of their different songs reminded me of an orchestra with each part rehersed and skillfully played. Birds are nature's music.

Sometimes I wonder if my mother in law misses the sounds of birds. Nearly 85 years old, her hearing has degenerated over the years to where she must have hearing aids.

But even those of us with perfect hearing, sometimes just don't listen. So many times we take lovely, natural things for granted--God given things--nature's music and simply don't hear the blessing.

--AS.