It's that time of year again...

Wow... over 2 months since my last post.  I can't believe I've stayed away from here that long.  I don't even know why I have.  Maybe it's where live has taken me lately, some of the stresses I've been dealing with or maybe just where my time, especially writing time, has been spent.  The answer to the last one is a prayer journal and more time doing devotions with that.  So that part is a good thing.  The earlier stuff is excuses but thankfully they are excuses that seem to be coming to a wonderful end.  The recent trials are easing up, new things are happening and best of all, my life here at home, with Geoff, with the kids and with the house in general is going really well!
So now it's time to get back to work, back to my passion of writing.  And just in time... Advent starts tomorrow.  Each year, for those who don't know, I try to spend Advent or atleast the first 24 days of December blogging each day.  It's not really in preparation for Christmas but rather a way for me to focus the grief and sadness I feel so much this time of year on something positive, something meaningful.  In 13 days we will honour the life of our sweet son, a life cut short but a legacy left for all of us.  13 days til the anniversary of the worst day of my life. Hmmmm...not sure how it's going to be this year.  Some parts are so good, so peaceful and yet other parts are hurting so bad lately, missing what could have been , wondering how things would look here now.  It hurts and it is confusing for me at times. I need to focus my energy on finding the themes of advent in my life each and every day.
So this year's plan???  Well I think I am going back to the plan from three years ago.  Each week will have a theme.  Each day of those weeks I will find something to post... I will write, I will find a picture, a song..something, anything that ties my life to the theme of the advent week.
Some info from a faith based website on advent...

During Advent, we emphasize hope, peace, joy, and love, which God sent with Christ.

HOPE. We have an inheritance reserved in heaven, a living hope through the resurrection of Christ from the dead (1 Peter 1:3-5).

PEACE. We will love life and see good days if we turn from evil and do good and if we seek peace, for the Lord watches over the righteous and hears their prayers (1 Peter 3:10-12).

JOY. We have inexpressible joy even though we have trials because our faith is being tested and proven genuine. The end of this faith is the salvation of our souls (1 Peter 1:6-9).

LOVE. We can love one another with a pure heart because we have been born again through the Word of God which lives and abides forever (1 Peter 1:22-23).

Because Christ came the first time, we can live with hope, peace, joy, and love till He comes again.

The hope we have in Jesus Christ Brings joy into our heart; And when we know the love of God, His peace He will impart. —Sper

If you’re looking for hope, peace, joy, and love this Christmas season, look to God.

I know that not everyone who reads my blog is a Christian, feels the way I do about the Lord.  Not all my posts will be faith based but many will.  I hope that I can help others find their hope, peace, joy and love this holiday season...especially those who might be grieving.  For those who are facebookers, I will be creating a group for others to share their ideas of these themes, especially in relation to grief and loss.  I will post the link tomorrow...on day 1.

Thanks for reading my blog.  I welcome your comments about posts and most of all I thank you for your support!