Postcards from the new year

by chuckofish

Well, here we go in a new year! We have reflected on the last year and look forward with hope to the new one. In church we are starting a new sermon series on the book of Joshua. It startes bluntly with God saying in verse two, Moses my servant is dead. Now therefore arise, go over this Jordan, you and all this people, into the land that I am giving to them, to the people of Israel.

He tells Joshua four times in the next few verses to be strong and courageous. Just as I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will not leave you or forsake you.

Those are good verses to start the new year with!

Daughter #1 and I had a good time with the prairie girls and their new brother, who is “a perfect boy,” according to them.

The boy seems to be handling all the attention quite well.

He is the bigger than a Bitty Baby already!

We had a second Christmas and celebrated the new year. We watched the rain-soaked Rose Bowl Parade (or “Pie-yaid” as Ida says). We saw the Clydesdales–always heartwarming for this old St. Louisan.

The twins and their parents made it back from Florida and they came over with their dad on Sunday to help me take down my big Christmas tree. I still have a lot to do, but they were a big help.

Today I am beginning a new Bible reading plan, I have read through the Bible twice and the New Testament 5x5x5 plan twice in the last four years. This year daughter #1 devised a plan to read through all of Psalms and Proverbs in 52 weeks, so I am following that plan. The boy is starting the Robert Murray M’Cheyne Bible Reading Plan, which is how I started back in 2022. Here is a list of many different plans. There are lots of good ones out there. As New Year’s resolutions go, reading the Bible every day is an excellent place to start!

This is good (old) advice for a new year. “Instead of relying on your willpower, strength, and planning this year, humble yourself before the throne of grace. You’ll find all you need, even if you don’t get everything you want.”

And, of course, If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.

(Romans 12:18)