My tree is decorated.
Gifts purchased but
not yet wrapped.
I still need to bake our
favorite cookies
and my mother’s
famous coffee cake.
Our inflatable Christmas nativity, lights, and two deer are shining brightly outside. (It’s too cold to go snap a picture.)
My husband’s health is so much better after a mid-June trip to the hospital by ambulance in the middle of the night. (He said, “I think I’m dying.”) A new primary care / geriatric doctor has discontinued three of Paul’s meds. He still walks slow since he broke his knee cap and tibia over a year ago, but except for occasional “senior moments” he no longer gets so confused he doesn’t know where he is at. Thank You, Father.
I’m still managing to avoid knee replacements and my kidney and blood sugar numbers are improving now that the same doctor has eliminated a pill my previous doctor prescribed that I should not have been taking. I’ve lost a little weight but need to lose at least another 40 pounds. Please help me, Father.
Sharon, our oldest daughter has just had her right hip replaced. The surgeon said it went “great,” but she’s in a lot of pain. Father, please place Your hand of healing on her.
The rest of our family and grandkids are all doing great. We are blessed!
The other night we went to our oldest granddaughter’s concert at the high school. It ended with about 70 alumni joining the chorus and the director’s request that we stand for the “Hallelujah Chorus.” I sang along although I’m no longer able to reach those magnificent high notes.
I can’t help but wonder if this is the last year this “tradition” will be tolerated.
Our nation is gripped in a spiritual darkness that is rapidly intensifying. Will America be saved by a mighty revival that brings us to our knees at the foot of the cross? Or will we lose our freedom to proclaim the name of Jesus and be arrested and imprisoned for our faith in Him?
This may seem like dark thoughts for what should be such a bright and merry time of the year. But I can’t be silent. As long as I am able I will continue to use the Colorado and Greater Philly Christian Writers Conferences to address the issues facing our nation and equip all who come to “Write His Answer.”
Father, thank You for sending Jesus. Help us, help me, to reflect His light and to share His love this Christmas and every day of the coming year.
A blessed Christmas to you all because He came and is coming again!
There are presently 38 on faculty for the May 13-16 Colorado conference and 18 for the July 22-25 Philly conference with more to be added to both conferences. Visit the websites to see who is coming, and save the date for what I know will be life-changing conferences.
Write His Answer 
Marlene, so grateful to hear of Paul’s improved health, as well as improvements in your own health. Christmas blessings!
The truth is not dark in itself but made so by those who refuse to believe. The dark is the absence of Light. Keep on proclaiming the truth!
Your post is balanced by your faith. Thank you for your transparency.
Marlene, you are a faithful servant of the Lord and an inspiration to us all. So glad Paul’s health has so dramatically improved, and yours, too. You are continually in my prayers. I have you to thank for my entire writing and publishing career. And I’m only one of the many writers you have mentored and encouraged. I love and admire you, dear one.
Praise the Lord that you both are doing so much better healthwise. It seems like a miracle that Paul is doing so well. I will echo Candy’s comments about my writing career. I try to tell budding writers that I have attended GPCWC almost since it’s beginning. That is where I learned so much about writing and how to sell it. It’s getting harder to get there at my age and illnesses, but the Lord provided a driver at two recent conferences, so I’m holding the dates open for another opportunity to help someone else go. Merry Christmas to all.
Just saw this – love your tree!