It's a New Year and it's time to go South!

Happy New Year 2014!
 
We often say, 'how time flies', but it really does as we get older. 2013 was exciting, yes; but probably not too much different than yours. It was a normal year!!! Actually we are grateful it was normal. With all the miles we drive and places we go, we are truly thankful that no harm has come to us.

It's been an exciting and rewarding 2013 with all the thrills and chills we had, but maybe didn't expect. From January to December we have experienced so much that we are grateful for, that it out-weighs anything 'bad' that happened.

In comparison to others, though, our 'bad' experiences are nothing. We have so many friends that are dealing with cancer, illnesses that won't go away, deaths, and relationship difficulties. In all these situations we know that the heavenly Father is right there with them, helping them to deal with their pain.

Anyway, this time of year we are preparing, cleaning, packing, and getting ready to head out to the South for our winter ministry in Florida, South Carolina, Georgia, & North Carolina. We'll be busy with ministry, yes; but will have some free time to work on our cottage, visit with friends, attend services at our home church (Pleasant Grove Assembly), and maybe do some sight-seeing.

We'll miss our family here, of course, but with today's technology we can keep in contact easily. A bonus again this year is my sister and her husband will be in Florida for a couple of months, too! That's always fun!

So begins 2014! A clean, new calendar. Every date that's important like birthdays and anniversaries are already marked. Sunday's are filled with services. Some special events are already scheduled.

As the year progresses, though, there might be some erasures of dates or plans cancelled or white-out when a service has been rescheduled to another date. Or that special event has been changed. Things happen, we know. Things change and we go with the flow.

It helps when we can go with the flow and be flexible. Less stressful that way. It's helpful not to be too controlled by our schedules and look for the opportunities to help one another in some way.

For me, that is a good start to the new year: look for the opportunities to be of help to someone.