We Move From 2008 into 2009

Moving from 2008 to 2009 was a very special time. I never take these times for granted, I know I am truly blessed.

We began at 7.0 pm in the home of my next door neighbour (about 35 of us) where we tucked into a delicious home cooked meal of Salmon en Croute (or chicken) with new potatoes and accompanied by various salads. This was followed by a number of delicious home made deserts. I chose cooked Cheesecake topped with a large spoonful of hot blueberries and blackcurrants. All cooked by my next door neighbour - thank you Julie.

This was followed by a time of fun games and charades. I got just a little too enthusiastic when during charades I was to act out a plane crash. Having flown through the air I then crashed to the floor, literally, and my elbows and knees certainly know about it today. If I play games, I play to win - maybe one day I will have to learn to 'grow old gracefully!'

We then went into a time of praise and worship and the person leading this time talked of the number 9 being the number of the Holy Spirit. (8 is the time of new beginnings and it was certainly that for us). This was very appropriate as the vision was to know the life of the Holy Spirit living out through all of us this coming year.

To add to that I shared that the only block to this was unbelief. Like we take Salvation by faith, we also take the indwelling Life of God within us by faith. We do not look for the evidence in order to believe, but believe in order to see the evidence. Nothing we can do, we believe and God does it.

The breaking of bread together came next.

Our evening then continued with a time of praying for each other in small groups and for 10 minutes before and after midnight all voices in unison sang Holy,Holy,Holy - Show us Your Glory. We were only aware of midnight when we heard the fireworks going off in the neighbourhood.

It then takes quite a while for everyone to hug every single person and wish them a happy new year with a word in season for each. Thank you Lord for the priviledge.

I would like to thank every person that visits my blog for the comments and encouragement that you leave here. Thank you for your friendship. Thank you to those where we have met up in person, for those many E-mails, gifts and cards over the year.

I leave you with this fun card (origin not known to me) and wish everyone
A Very Blessed and fruitful 2009. Love Barbara

2008 has gone

Now we need to face 2009


There may be risks involved

We may need to face road blocks

So stay alert

Share time with friends

Jump over obstacles

With care

and caution

Face challenges

Remember to laugh

Co-operate

Discover

Make new friends

Be ready for adventure

Stick together

and you will be able to go far

Very far

Well, not quite that far

Always take time to smell the flowers

Don't forget to rest and relax

And don't forget those close to you