It is New Year's Eve. I have mentioned before that I do not have a bucket list or resolutions. Entering the new year is a gift. I take that at face value and am thankful for every day that I am able to serve.

Every day is a day of duty; this is clear. If a storm arises on our path of duty, we need to remember how miserable we would be if our purposes for duty were not there. We would be lost in a wilderness that would leave us feeling all alone in a world of nothingness. 

If we had no duties, our very make-up of unique and somewhat odd characteristics would be homeless. 

I find duty in my life to be the voice of God through the Holy Spirit. This is where I find true happiness and peace that comes through constant conversation with him. 

He never fails me. I may not always respond to his calling of service on my daily life, but he is there every time I go to him. 

I love these scriptures. “It is of the Lord’s mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not.” “They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.” “The Lord is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in him.” Lamentations 3:22-24

Today I have been thinking of a few of my favorite things. With the Goliath Blizzard of 2015, I am thankful for my boots and socks, a gift from our daughter's family several years ago. I have used them on many occasions. I'm also thankful for this ice shovel. I bought it at McDonald's Trading Post several snows ago. It is the perfect shovel for hauling snow from one place to another!

I'm thankful for the ingredients to prepare a hot soup on this cold day in my favorite pan, a wedding gift from 1975. A favorite wood bowl that belonged to my grandmother, Lucy May Etter, sits on top of a very old Rubbermaid Houseware counter protector that was always on my parents kitchen counter. Favorites.

A favorite scripture is John 16:33, “I have told you these things so that in me you may have peace. In this world, you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

Fresh Find: This must be a looking glass item. It is sold out online. Cute Alice bow bracelet.

Growing up, I learned this song. Many of you did too. I think we need a reminder. Often the choices we make are not good for us.  Let's live 2016 with a desire in our hearts to live out the Golden Rule (Matthew 7:12) Do unto others what we would want others to do to us.

We need to make the conscious choice in every situation to shine. The deal is, who are we shining for in our days? Is it for selfish motives? Is it to build ourselves up? Is it to climb the ladder to reach a specific level that society calls us to? Is it in servanthood? Are we shining for Christ?

Matthew 5:16 "Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven." There is a fine line here. Doing good for others to see or doing good with a thankful heart that is Christ-driven. Let it shine. "It" is Christ not works. Do you recall learning this song? 

Isaiah 1:18 “Come. Let us settle this matter,” says the Lord. “Even though your sins are bright red, they will be as white as snow. Even though they are deep red, they will be white like wool.

We are all sinners. The good news is, we can go to God and talk with him about the heaviness of our hearts. We can understand that we are dirty, but we can't fathom the white as snow grace gift. This is faith.

Prepare for the new year!

Fresh Find: Love this reclaimed oak wood tub caddy!

I was looking through some vintage pictures today. Thinking about our weekend blizzard, I was reminded of the big snow of November 1980. I remember it well because I went into labor with our daughter. We had to get a 4-wheel drive to take us to Dr. Larry Karrh's office. The drifts were up to about my waist as I walked through them to get into his office. Look-alike snow storms.

Our oldest swinging early on as the snow began to fall. 

One of my all-time favorite photos of our daughter with her Wall grandparents. Look how Chrissa is puckering up for TC. Adorable. Kathy, their youngest daughter, sure is a look-alike of her mother! December 1982.

It appears that Aaron has a look-alike chin of his great-grandfather! Easter 1981.

You can't really see it here, but these two (Chrissa and her Grandma Peggy) have look-alike eyes. Christmas 1980.

As Aaron acts like he is asleep, I see that Chrissa's youngest really does look like her momma. Christmas 1982.

I cherish this sweet picture. Our children loved to help Grandma cook. She let them. December 1982.

Fresh Find: I love the simplicity of wooden toys.

Well, the snow blower came in full force over the night. The snow is drifted several feet in many places. I think we have gotten about 4-5 inches of new fallen snow here in the last 24 hours. A new front is getting ready to drop some more. 

I love to walk in the snow and enjoy the beautiful peace found there, but the wind is just so fierce right now. At some point, the grill cover, that was secured has blown away, and the grill is covered in snow. So, I pulled out the reliable and very vintage indoor grill that we bought at Marse and Son's years ago and grilled or steaks. Added baked potato, fresh tomato, and Sandy Long's rolls and we had us a great lunch.

Fresh Find: This artist has some fascinating pieces. I love this little "pot."

A matriarch is defined as a female head of a family. This is what Peggy Glasgow Wall was, the head of the Wall family.

Today we celebrated our gift of her earthly life. Her giving touch will be missed by many. There were so many sweet comments and encouraging words today that brought a warm joy to our hearts.

Let me tell you what I know about Peggy. She loved TC. She loved their four children and their children and their children.

Being the matriarch of her family brought many moments of discipline and correction through the years, but I saw over and over again how Peggy corrected as she simultaneously held out her hand to help her loved ones in whatever way she could to create goodness.

I can say, without a doubt, that she loved the Lord. She trusted him with her whole heart. She prayed for her family to know her Lord as she did.

Peggy taught her family about giving to improve lives. She loved helping others and did in ways that most will never know. Her crown is covered in beautifully handset stones of mercy and grace.

I know, her favorite color is red. We disagree on that being the best color in the palate and teased each other about it through the years. She still loved red!

Today she wore red. The color red symbolizes love, passion, desire, sensitivity, romance, joy, strength, leadership, courage, vigor, willpower, action, vibrancy, radiance, and determination. Yes, Peggy Wall loved red.

Zechariah 9:9-10

“Shout and cheer, Daughter Zion!
    Raise the roof, Daughter Jerusalem!
Your king is coming!
    a good king who makes all things right,
    a humble king riding a donkey,
    a mere colt of a donkey.
I’ve had it with war—no more chariots in Ephraim,
    no more war horses in Jerusalem,
    no more swords and spears, bows and arrows.
He will offer peace to the nations,
    a peaceful rule worldwide,
    from the four winds to the seven seas.

It is Christmas day. The day we celebrate the King that was promised. As I think about his birth, his life, his death, and his resurrection, I think about the role of the donkey. Was there a donkey? It never says in scripture there was a donkey that Mary rode. So, is the Christmas story we know true or not? I believe the Word of God to be the truth. I also believe that God allows us to fill in unwritten facts of the times. We can be pretty certain that if someone lived in 2015, they drove an automobile; we can trust that in the time of the birth of Jesus that they walked, rode a donkey, a camel, or a horse. Of course, depending on what the person could afford determined their mode of transportation. I'm not a Biblical history person, but from what I have read, it seems that Joseph most likely had donkeys. 

We know from scripture that Jesus called for the donkey and rode it before his crucifixion.

Despite human misconceptions, the facts about Jesus are more marvelous than words can express. He was indeed born of a virgin in the city of Bethlehem exactly as prophecied many years before. Jesus was conceived in Mary, not by man, but by the Holy Spirit of God. As the apostle John reveals, Jesus existed before the Creation of the world (John 1). He is part of the Holy Trinity we know as God (Father, Son and Holy Spirit). The Son of God came in human form for a purpose—to die as a willing sacrifice in payment for the sins of mankind. He did this to provide eternal salvation as a free gift to all who will accept it and follow Him.

I heard a song this week. The words rang true in my heart. "Jesus, you were King before you were born."

Jesus was born for you and me. Do you know him? Do you have his peace? Merry Christmas to the King of Kings & Lord of Lords. You will never put out HIS light. He IS light. Light of the world.  Illumina of the universe. Radiance of hope!!!

Fresh Find: We will need these soon! Thinking warmer days!!!

Proverbs 31:10-31

An excellent wife, who can find? For her worth is far above jewels. The heart of her husband trusts in her, And he will have no lack of gain. She does him good and not evil All the days of her life. She looks for wool and flax And works with her hands in delight. She is like merchant ships; She brings her food from afar. She rises also while it is still night And gives food to her household And portions to her maidens. She considers a field and buys it; From her earnings she plants a vineyard. She girds herself with strength And makes her arms strong. She senses that her gain is good; Her lamp does not go out at night. She stretches out her hands to the distaff, And her hands grasp the spindle. She extends her hand to the poor, And she stretches out her hands to the needy. She is not afraid of the snow for her household, For all her household are clothed with scarlet. She makes coverings for herself; Her clothing is fine linen and purple. Her husband is known in the gates, When he sits among the elders of the land. She makes linen garments and sells them, And supplies belts to the tradesmen. Strength and dignity are her clothing, And she smiles at the future. She opens her mouth in wisdom, And the teaching of kindness is on her tongue. She looks well to the ways of her household, And does not eat the bread of idleness. Her children rise up and bless her; Her husband also, and he praises her, saying: "Many daughters have done nobly, But you excel them all." Charm is deceitful and beauty is vain, But a woman who fears the LORD, she shall be praised. Give her the product of her hands, And let her works praise her in the gates.

Peggy Joyce Glasgow Wall exemplified these verses. She entered Glory last evening and though it was sudden and the ones left here are feeling a great loss, I believe in the legacy she left. It is strong.

I believe Peggy would share this verse with us today: Luke 12:40 You also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.” She was spiritually ready. Peggy would ask if we are ready? She led her family to be spiritually ready. She leaves a beautiful legacy.

We covet your prayers for TC especially and her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, her siblings and close friends.

The Trio that keeps my heart happy.

Miss J and her missing tooth. Priceless!

Baby B and her parents celebrate! 

Our ABCD family loves!

The grand-sisters run the race.

Sir Clinton, aka Grandpa, enjoying the day.

Fresh Find: A fun site with fun & personalized rolling pins!

My mother, Lorena Dayton, created and kept up a huge Dayton family book that represents each family of our Dayton line. We are honored to have the book that represents so many wonderful people.

In the book, this is one of the pictures that my mother chose to place in it of my brother and me. I love it because she loved it. I believe this is the picture from the year that our family did not get Christmas but gave Christmas instead, thus me holding a candle.

I don't know why my family; dad, mom, and brother left this world so early (in my opinion), but I know that while I remain, I must live with the purpose of sharing the message of Salvation through Jesus Christ by caring, giving, telling and praying. 

Merry Christmas to each of you!!!

Fresh Find: A modern twist on the classic dinner bell! Come on ring those bells. Light the Christmas tree. Jesus is the King. Born for you and me!!!