As I gathered the moments of December, this glorious month in which we celebrate His first coming, something stood out to me: gatherings. This month was full of them!
~ We girls met Kristin and her girls for a performance of the Nutcracker Ballet.
~ Ron, Bekah, and I gathered with our not-so-faraway family when we traveled to meet our brand new grandson, Paul. What a happy weekend that was!
~ Then we celebrated the twelfth birthday of our oldest grandchild, Gavin.
~ Kati, Bekah, and I made time for one of our favorite Christmas traditions, a girls' outing to Starbucks for holiday beverages.
~ Joanne and I enjoyed an impromptu "Mama Coffee"...only this time it was snowflake tea instead of coffee. It doesn't really matter what we're sipping. What matters is our connection.
~ Forty-six people gathered for Ron's extended family Christmas party where there's lots of talking and laughter and singing.
~ After a quiet "just us" Christmas Eve, Christmas Day was filled with festivity, family, food, and fun!
~ And all this week we have gathered...a party at my aunt's house, visiting at Kristin's house and at my parents' house, and a gathering here with the Rabes.
Last year, all of autumn and the holiday season was marked with sadness. Although life has changed (and we have changed), this season was marked by joy. Even so, we remember those who are in their own time of sadness and grief, and we pray for His grace to surround them.
This month, we have enjoyed many gifts. The gift of joy. Thoughtful gifts from family and friends. The gifts of fellowship and family. But they all pale in comparison when we consider the gift of eternal life made possible by Jesus!
This month, we have enjoyed many gifts. The gift of joy. Thoughtful gifts from family and friends. The gifts of fellowship and family. But they all pale in comparison when we consider the gift of eternal life made possible by Jesus!
Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!
II Corinthians 9:15
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I thank all of you who have participated in this "Gathering the Moments" link-up over this past year, whether by linking your own post or by visiting my "moments" or those of the other participants.
This is the final month of the party. Oh, I'll continue to gather my moments at the end of each month, and I invite you to do the same. It is such a good thing to reflect and to see how He has guided and provided. My heart is always moved to thankfulness. The only thing that will change is that I won't be hosting a link-up.
But again this month, I am inviting you to join me in "gathering the moments." You may wish to share two or three photos, or several collages, or bunches of photos...with words, or without words. The link-up below will be a gathering place for us to reflect and share and connect. (The link-up will stay open for a week, so you have plenty of time to gather.)
Your realization made me grin...all of what goes on in your world is "a gathering." For one who does not gather so often, it is delightful to see. Scooting to gather my link, but perhaps it doesn't fit as I gathered an entire year. Happy 2015! There are going to be a lot more gatherings!
ReplyDeleteOh and I forgot...again...to say how good these link-ups were. I wish that more had caught the vision because it is a very good way to see where we've been and how much The Lord has blessed and brought us through. Thank you for being an excellent teacher.
DeleteYes Cheryl I agree with Vee and read the end of my post. It has been fun to join this party this year and thank you for encouraging us in this project. And again I enjoyed your wonderful display of your December moments, or gatherings.Your pictures speak of family, love, fun, the details that make it all so pretty, and special moments. Many blessings in the new year!
ReplyDeleteLovely gatherings for your December. Thanks for hosting "Gathering the Moments" this past year. Happy New Year to you and yours.
ReplyDeleteI really like the idea of gathering the moments. This past year I did not have it within me to do it, but I'm looking forward to working on this in 2015. It's a lovely idea.
ReplyDeleteMany blessings, Cheryl.....
Brenda
Loved seeing your moments in pictures. Hope you have a Blessed New Year.
ReplyDeleteBalisha
Since I'm new here, I missed hearing about your linkup but it sounds lovely! Something you wrote really resonated with me - "What matters is our connection." So true! I'm going to work harder on connecting with my loved ones.
ReplyDeleteHappy 2015 to you!
Cheryl, you are an inspiration to me. I always enjoy your gathering moments. Happy New Year to you and your family. ♥
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing your special moments with us. You will so enjoy these wonderful collages with their happy memories in the years to come. Wishing you and your family the very best in 2015!
ReplyDeleteYou ALWAYS just have the best photos! Not only in the quality of the photography itself (though to me it is the best I see!) but in the moments and things you picture as well. You just have such an eye. You capture the moments and the emotions and it just makes me want to be there....I never did get around to the "gathering the moments" myself, but I always enjoyed it and visited many of the participants. Wishing you and your lovely family a very happy new year!
ReplyDeleteI linked my End of the Year post to this Gathering. I have enjoyed doing this every month Cheryl. Thank you for hosting it for us.
ReplyDeleteWe have loved our times of gathering with you in person too!
Happy New Year, friend!
Deanna
I can hardly believe that Christmas and the year 2014 is over! Your photos show a home filled with love and dear family and I have enjoyed seeing each one of them. Sending wishes for a very Happy New Year as I look forward to vising and seeing the happenings in your corner of the world :)
ReplyDeleteThank you Cheryl for hosting this linkup, I have enjoyed doing this each month and think it's a wonderful way remembering the moments. I always enjoy looking through your moments, looks like lots of nice memories. Wishing a wonderful New Year and look forward to continue to visit you in 2015
ReplyDeleteThe Lord is good to us, and faithful, in all the seasons of life. Thank you for hosting these gatherings that help us reflect on those things. Focusing on these things does not negate the difficulties of life, but they do remind us that those difficulties do NOT have the final say.
ReplyDeleteThe Christmas season represents such a beautiful story. Remembering the first coming of Christ, in which all the peoples of earth were called to gather together, points us to the time when we will be gathered to Him in His home.
Happy New Year, Cheryl!