"I am taking care of you"

...after learning my lesson yesterday and not starting off on the right foot, I STARTED my day today with my devo . . . and the FIRST words were: "I AM TAKING CARE OF YOU.  FEEL THE WARMTH AND SECURITY OF BEING ENVELOPED IN MY LOVING PRESENCE.  EVERY DETAIL OF YOUR LIFE IS UNDER MY CONTROL.  MOREOVER, EVERYTHING FITS INTO A PATTERN FOR GOOD, TO THOSE WHO LOVE ME AND ARE CALLED ACCORDING TO MY DESIGN AND PURPOSE."   Hhhmmmm . . . God doesn't mess around! :) I AM TAKING CARE OF YOU. Six little words.  Six HUGE words.  I AM TAKING CARE OF YOU.  The end. :) I could have quit there and rested in that truth alone! :) I'm so thankful that He is there and He is taking care of me (us).  Even when we take our eyes off of Him, He doesn't take his eyes off of us.

Today was the "last" Monday of the "year" (2011)!!  That was nice, now, 4 more days and we have CHRISTMAS break! :)  We stayed after school for basketball games tonight and I'm exhausted with a bit of a headache and a sore throat, so, I'm actually going to be brief!  I'm going to just end tonight with a beautiful poem that was given to us tonight:

MY FIRST CHRISTMAS IN HEAVEN

 I see the countless Christmas trees around the world below;

With tiny lights, like heaven's stars, reflecting on the snow.

The sight is so spectacular, please wipe away that tear,

For I am spending Christmas with Jesus Christ this year.

I hear the many Christmas songs that people hold so dear;

But the sounds of music can't compare with the Christmas choir up here.

I have no words to tell you the joy their voices bring,

For it is beyond description to hear the angels sing.

I know how much you miss me.  

I see the pain inside your heart,

But I'm not so far away.

We really aren't apart.

So be happy for me, dear ones.

You know I hold you dear,

And be glad I'm spending Christmas with Jesus Christ this year.

I send you each a special gift from my heavenly home above.

I send you each a memory of my undying love.

After all, love is a gift more precious than pure gold.

It was always most important in the stories Jesus told.

Please love and keep each other as my Father said to do,

For I can't count the blessings or love He has for each of you.

So have a Merry Christmas and wipe away that tear,

Remember, I'm spending Christmas with Jesus Christ this year.

"...they are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness.  The LORD is my portion, says my soul, therefore I will hope in HIM.

Lamentations 3:23-24