Clothe me in Hope & Mercy. 

I’m walking through the Twilight Zone of Deja’ vu as we enter into 2016. Same bat time, same bat channel, just a different year. And yet, I can acknowledge & embrace that magically…mercifully…

I. AM. BLESSED.

And so it is that, as the year winds down, I do not seek to set resolutions. In their place I instead release, like incense to the Heavens, grateful proclamations of thanks!

Thanks to a God who during a year, admittedly full of sadness, kept me free from bitterness & blame.  Thanks for the wise Sages He sent, who have guided, supported, & sustained me. May their words below burn like sweet perfume, as I release them…with no need to carry these into a New Year.

For God has strengthened me. He has grown me. He has reminded me that like the Cedars in the forest, with love as my mission...What could ever break me?

One by one I symbolically let them go. One by one I say thank you. One by one I turn and walk away. Clothed instead in my new coat of Hope & Mercy. May it keep my heart warm every time I profess,

“I. AM. BLESSED.”

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And I pray that you too may find a ‘new covering’ this year, in just the right size for you!

hugs n’ perfumed blessings as you ring in the New Year! 

last bite!!!

nibble, nibble, nibble…

crumbs on the plate.

nibble, nibble, nibble…

it’s almost too late!

Hurry-Up!

Or you’ll miss the last bite

of something that is great!

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“Merry Christmas,” greetings are quickly changing to “Happy New Year!”
Even holiday parties are transitioning from the celebration of Christ’s birth & the twelve days of Christmas to New Year’s preparations.  

But I’m holding on to the last crumb!

I’m savoring the final nibble.

I’m lingering within the joy of our Saviour’s birth!

The celebration of Christmas and the joy which comes from welcoming others into our home, as a communal participation in the celebration of the birth of a savior, adds a BOUNCE…and a skip, to one’s step.

OH, joy! OH, joy! Let us prepare for Him!

And today I’m reflecting back on those bounces, and skippity-skips and allowing them to just sink in to make imprints on my heart.  Imprints I may run my memory over from time to time as the New Year approaches, to remember He is to be celebrated not just during the Christmas Season but the whole year through!

And with this personal revelation, this God inspired moment, Helen and I have decided to make this year…the year of more Cookies!  

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Helen guarding the cookie -cutter jar from potential Ebeneezer’s!

We may save baking The Dawn’s famous red-truck Christmas Cookies for the Holiday Season; however,

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A collection of Red Trucks decorate the kitchen each Christmas.
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A Red Truck Christmas Cookie Cutter purchased in 1995 celebrates a 10 year tradition this year at North Star!
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All that is needed is your favorite cut-out-cookie recipe & an ample supply of red, green & chocolate sprinkles!
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Cut out & ready to be ‘sprinkled’ on lightly greased cookie sheets!
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It’s Sprinkle-Time…my favorite part!!
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First batch fresh from the oven! Yum-yummy & so darn cute!

there will be cookies to be made & shared throughout the year, as a reminder of the continual saving grace of a God who loves us!

Please stop in around the 25th of each month to discover the cookie Helen and I will have been inspired to bake together!

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Perhaps even share a nibble with us!

 Don’t be shy…Helen is good at picking up the crumbs off the floor!

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Helen Kowalska-Cookie Baking, Crumb Catching Wonder Dog!

 

warmed baked hugs n’ blessings until the very last nibble!!

it’s the first of the twelve!

“On the first day of Christmas, my true love gave to me…”

Some people tend to think of Christmas as being just December 25th, but the Christmas season lasts longer than that!

The Shepherds & the Wise Men have yet to arrive!

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According to the Church’s Universal Norms on the Liturgical Year and the Calendar, the official rule is this: the Christmas Season begins at the Vigil Mass on Christmas Eve and ends on the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord.

So don’t yet take down the tree!

Christ was born for all to See!

Let us rejoice and proclaim His dear birth!

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St. Joseph-Bread of Life Community-Church Erie, Pa

And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth.”  John 1:14

Once more the world remembers
Our blessed Savior’s  birth.

Once more we think of Bethlehem and pray for peace on earth.

May this blessed Christmas Season hold many joys for you and special inspirations to last the New Year through!IMG_6904

What will you seek to receive during these next twelve days?

hugs n’ blessings as we embrace the twelve days of Christmas together!