It was not a leisurely trip and I did not relish going backward into winter…
But it was a scenic one!
My sister and I met up in Alaska to tackle family business and found the welcome perk of all this beauty!
And of course, of being together through thick and thin…
Life passes so quickly…
Only God continues unchanged.
–LS
I will proclaim the name of the LORD; how glorious is our God!
He is the Rock; his work is perfect…He is a faithful God who does no wrong. Ps.105:3,4 NLT
The pages of another calendar have become obsolete.
The seasons have cycled ‘round once again through a familiar succession of blooms…
to the less familiar territory of settling into being just the two of us again…
…after 30 years.
With our last child leaving home, my homeschooling career ended.
My own travels took me to the two largest states in the Union this year—Alaska and Texas…
…in pursuit of family, the best reason to travel!
Boating was minimal for us this year.
“Chase Me” has changed hands and been fitted with new sails for racing that proudly bear the name of our first grandson, Chase, born four years ago when we purchased and christened this Cal28.
Her new owners love her and eagerly relate their latest exploits every time we bump into them around town!
Ironically, No sooner had we sold our sailboat, then we joined our progeny for a house boating vacation– hopefully just the first of many happy reunions, now that we’re all so grown up!
And the year concluded with my Grandmom quiver expanding to include one more little guy–Cedrick!
whom we have yet to meet… 
A New Year’s priority is to travel to see him and his happy siblings!
What else will the year hold?
Can’t quite see from this vantage point…
Hopefully more rides…
more moments for reflecting…
more noticing the small things that brighten a day…
And always, the glorious hope of better things yet to come!
May your New Year be crowned with blessings
such as only the Giver of all good things can give!
–LS
“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: according as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world…”Ephesians 1:3-4 KJV
“Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ” Titus 2:13 KJV
Arrived home yesterday on a red-eye flight from Alaska…
Winter still claims the landscape there.
Glaciers preside as though eternal…
Snow still threatens motorists in disregard for the turn of the calendar page to April…
And the primary indication of spring is the fast lengthening days and the rise of temperatures from REALLY cold to just cold!
Yes, there is glory in a winter’s landscape but all creation longs for spring to break winter’s grip.
Deep in this wintery world, up a lonely pipeline access road…
down a snowy drive, nestled in neatly pruned evergreens
resides a lonely wife and mother waiting for Spring, the breaking of Winter’s grip…
We kids went to ease the loneliness for a moment, to share the waiting…
Returning ‘home’ to the green of a fresh-born spring I was reminded again of how the cycling seasons pattern for us a hope that the dark seasons of life are not forever. Spring does come. And it is all the more glorious for the long waiting!
The willow outside our window has traded her drab dress for a garment of praise, a lovely thing that soothes snow-blinded eyes…
Our King is on the move…His Kingdom is eternal.
–LS
“…weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning.” Ps.30:5