a new year

happy new year to everyone!

we passed new year's eve and day with family and had a wonderful time cooking, playing games and visiting together. it is good to be able to offer hospitality and to give of one's self. i find that each time i'm able to do so i enjoy it more and more.

today is a rainy day and we are hopeful that the groundwater and rivers/lakes will be more replenished with this rain. i also hope that the rain will make a difference with the garden this year. last year it was difficult because of excess heat and not enough rain. we were on water restrictions and did our best to water the plants sparingly. evenso, we had a fairly good harvest, all things considered.

i leave with some of my favorite verses:

"...But we urge you, brethren, that you increase more and more; that you also aspire to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you, that you may walk properly toward those who are outside, and that you may lack nothing."
1st Thessalonians 4:10b-12