A New Year Dawning - What's Up with That?

With a full moon hung in the sky on New Year’s Eve, we will all turn in one direction or another as 2010 rolls in. Frankly, it’s my favorite time of the year. Here are some of my goals, prayers, and hopes for the New Year:

· I want to treat everyone like I would treat Jesus if He walked in the room, which He is already.

· I want to love more, in small ways and big, and open my heart wide to God’s love. I’ve missed a lot of it over the years.

· I want to treat my body and time like I’d handle a huge trust fund.

· With God’s help and personal discipline, I want to finish my first murder mystery this spring.

· A new retreat is in the works, “Reaching for God’s Best, based on The Best Life Ain’t Easy (Moody, 2008). I’ll need to complete that for Women of Grace in Canada in June.

· Lisa Troyer and I are teaming up in ministry this year with her new worship CD to accompany Meet Me at the Well. Jocelyn Hamsher has co-written a 13-week Bible study to launch in January. We are excited as we do our first two retreats in Jan/Feb. Moody radio stations and others will air an hour long radio special with Wayne Shepherd, Lisa and me in the next few weeks. Check it out at www.meetmeatthewell.fm.

· I want to be Steve’s best girlfriend, fishing buddy, and friend. Together we hope to support our kids, grandkids, and friends in prayer. Family and friends are super important, so planning time to be together is tops on our list in 2010.

· I don’t want to waste a moment of this life complaining about anything or anybody. Hold me to that, will you? How about doing the same?Write back and share your own list! In the meantime, reach only for God’s best.

May His hand on your shoulder and His Word in your heart guide you daily.

Virelle

Merry Christmas from Virelle & Family!

Merry Christmas, Friends!

Here's a photo of our eight fantastic grand kids, the same one we sent out in our Christmas letters. Six boys and two girls ranging in age from two to thirteen. Does it get any better? God has been SO GOOD to us!

This past year has been full of challenges and blessings, just like yours. And like you, we wrestle with life and death issues in our family, too, and rejoice in times of harmony and love. We grieved the loss of my dear sister-in-law, Susan, last March, and pray we may have even more time with our three elderly parents, ages 93, 96, and 96. Wow. What blessings to have them this long.

Even though God allows sad events, He also blows us away with surprise blessings. I'll share more details in January, but for now, just know that Lisa Troyer, musician and Moody radio host, is one God's amazing gifts to me. Her gifts and talents have been poured out to enhance the ministry of Meet Me at the Well. We'll begin partnering in ministry in Cape Cod, Massachusetts in January. I'm so excited!

One of the best encouragements this year as a writer has been the many letters and emails I've received from friends around the world who've read Meet Me at the Well and The Best Life Ain't Easy. You never can imagine what God can do with your story.

My husband continues to feel well three years post heart attack. God has blessed us with 43 years of marriage. We have our sights set on 45 and then 50.

One of our favorite days is coming up, Jan 1, when Steve and I spend at last half the day sharing, dreaming, and seeking God about His plans for us in the new year. Why not do the same with your spouse or good friend? Journal what you pray for and commit to God, then peek at it throughout the new year for renewal and focus. If you want to, white and tell me what your hopes and dreams are for 2010. I look forward to hearing from you!
God's BEST LIFE to you in the new year!
Virelle