Merry Christmas from the IRS

On April 27, 2010 the Lord put the project of God's Cozy Acres a Christian Retreat for Widows on my heart. In April 2011 by the grace of God and with the help of Charles Christiansen at SCOPE the 501(c)(3) documents were completed and submitted to the IRS.  The challenge has been to keep everyone motivated believing that this event would take place and that with God all things are possible.  We all knew that fundraisers and grants must have the letter from the IRS giving us 501(c)(3) approval.

Merry Christmas from the IRS came today in the mail with the approval of our 501(c)(3) status. I shouted "Praise the Lord" and called my mom, daughter, best friend Marty (Board member), Diane (Board Member), Vivian (Board Member), Celest, Pastor Johnson and Pastor Mark.

Now comes more paperwork, more renovation, more talks and more challenges but each step adds excitement, blessings and joy in my life

I am so excited about 2012 and the beginnings for God's Cozy Acres Christian Retreat for Widows. I am so happy to be in the Lord's service, what a blessing and joy!

Have a great day in the Lord everyone everywhere!

Moving On or Holding On

The leaves have dropped from most of the trees in this area, giving the sign of the season coming to a close. I loved the farewell party at the end of October, all the bright red, orange and yellow color waving in celebration of another segment time coming to a close. A flashback of our child years raking piles of leaves and plowing into them with a gleeful “weeeeeeee”. There was no thought of any endings then.

The few leaves remaining hold fast now as the winds of change swirl around trying to play tug-o-war. Now comes a breeze and the tug ends. A vibrant green leaf- now brown and withered- glides back and forth like a see-saw until it is gently laid to rest with others.

Portions of my past life experiences have not been so easily released, they hold on as the winds of the present yank them to and fro. There is no timeframe for letting go. I gathered some of the celebration leaves in October and placed them in a special flower press Dennis made for me. They will wait for me to visit in the future.

My heart is the special memory press the Lord has given me. This is where so many of those memories will live on- fresh and vibrant- like the day they were made.

As the snow sneaks in, like a mother laying a blanket over a child and tucking them in, so comes sleep. This is easier now but not the same. A fresh day of opportunities appears as we move along our new life path- pulling behind us a wagon of memories that we enjoy holding, like our favorite teddy bear, from time to time.

May you all have sweet loving memories in your Christmas stockings as you celebrate the reason for the season “Jesus Christ”!