Christmas Prayer from Max Lucado

A Christmas Prayer from Max Lucado


Dear Jesus,
It’s a good thing you were born at night. This world sure seems dark. I have a good eye for silver linings. But they seem dimmer lately.

These killings, Lord. These children, Lord. Innocence violated. Raw evil demonstrated.

The whole world seems on edge. Trigger-happy. Ticked off. We hear threats of chemical weapons and nuclear bombs. Are we one button-push away from annihilation?

Your world seems a bit darker this Christmas. But you were born in the dark, right? You came at night. The shepherds were nightshift workers. The Wise Men followed a star. Your first cries were heard in the shadows. To see your face, Mary and Joseph needed a candle flame. It was dark. Dark with Herod’s jealousy. Dark with Roman oppression. Dark with poverty. Dark with violence.

Herod went on a rampage, killing babies. Joseph took you and your mom into Egypt. You were an immigrant before you were a Nazarene.

Oh, Lord Jesus, you entered the dark world of your day. Won’t you enter ours? We are weary of bloodshed. We, like the wise men, are looking for a star. We, like the shepherds, are kneeling at a manger.

This Christmas, we ask you, heal us, help us, be born anew in us.

Hopefully,
~Your Children

~today a class of kindergarten children, 20 of them were murdered by gunshot after the gunman killed the teacher, his mother, in a school in connecticut. this world is falling apart without jesus. have mercy on those who grieve......susan

Christmas celebration with Nurse Eckenberg and Nurse Russell~~~

 Susan, Barbara and Victoria!! St. Luke's School of Nursing Graduating Class of 1974!

 Love this of you Nurse Russell!!!

 Sporting new scarves from me~~~

Christmas dinner is always fun with these 2 nursing school friends! Friends for 40+ years, we have a lot of memories together. The hat has a story........this spring Vicki's Dad died and Barb and I went to the Memorial Service and there was an elderly lady in the kitchen with a hat on her head similar to one of these and Barbara had it in her mind that we needed one and sure enough she found us one and it was part of our Christmas gift from her! What a hoot~~~~~love these two!!!

Lunch with Loretta

 Loretta Busch is one of the nicest, most talented and creative woman I know. I love my dear friend.

 Loretta, Susana, Becky and Bonnie have all shared Nicaragua with each other and we have such sweet memories of many trips together. I always love going to Loretta's home......We had a wonderful lunch and great conversation!

Becky and Bonnie

I love all of her pretty things. She has traveled many places and has the greatest keepsakes from many countries.

My 29th Annual St. Luke's Christmas Breakfast

 Sweet Dave and Terri Graham. Thanks for the yummy cheesy hash browns!!

 Ruth and Carol, both retired! Lucky, Lucky, Lucky!!!

 Mel, Kris and Carol sitting. Bonnie, Janet, Ardis, Ellie, Betty and Joanne. Everyone is retired but Janet and Kris~the talk of the morning "When do you think you will retire?" Joanne was my first Head Nurse August 1974~Post Coronary Care.

 Betty trained me in on the Night Shift during those early PCCU days. She has 8 children, but she always said I was her 9th. She would be my 2nd Mom. Such a sweetie. I only worked there for 10 months and then went away to Coronary School @ Mayo for a month and then I moved over to the Coronary Care Unit, which was right next door. When she would have a patient crash I could hear her call "Sue....." and I would go running. Some nights she called "Sue...." but I was not even working!! Love, Love, Love her.

Missed a few of our friends who where off vacationing, working or caring for sick family members. We always have such nice visits. We are trying to figure out what to do for our 30th year next Christmas!! The Good Lord willing..........

I feel blessed to have these friends for all these years!

Trimming of the Christmas Tree 2012

 Jerry and Steve working on the tree! They really get into it!!

 Steve and Toni put up both of my wreaths, one on the fence and one on the front of the house.

 My good friend Toni. She sure has blessed my life all these years of friendship and we have made many memories and laughed oh so much!! Today she helped me change my great room around!!

 Jerry and Steve, what fun friends and so generous to come and put my tree up and decorate it. I had my "Honey Do List" and they finished everything that was on it!! All I had to do was feed them, that was easy!!

 My assistant bell ringer!!!

The finished product!! Love to look at all of those ornaments that hold so much sentimental memories. Once again a good time was had by all!!

The Christmas Tree........

I got my Christmas tree today @ Abrahamson's Tree Farm up Howard Geneson! I am sure glad I did not have to take my bike to get there! Tomorrow is tree trimming with some friends!!!! My garage smells so good, my favorite Christmas Tree is a double needled balsam!! The smell reminds me of my Grandpa Benham, he worked in the woods and he always had that smell on his clothes!! What a sweet man he was! I miss him, any old man wearing a flannel shirt who smells like balsam and calls me "Hon", could melt my heart!!

Trust in the Lord with all of your heart.......

A peaceful heart knows that God is the Right One to trust;


A contented heart knows that God is the Best One to trust;

A fulfilled heart knows that God is the Perfect One to trust;

A worshipful heart knows that God is the Highest One to trust;

A triumphant heart knows that God is the Mightiest One to trust;

A devoted heart knows that God is the Loveliest One to trust;

A steadfast heart knows that God is the Only One to trust.