Heaven Sent

My daughter belongs to K-Life which is a ministry group focused on mentoring and coaching today's teenagers. The group further breaks into smaller groups of 5-6 people so that the teens can get together easily at someone's home or to go to the movies, etc.
A couple of weeks before Christmas, my daughter's small group, led by a delightful. energetic young woman named Kelsey, got together for their usual meeting, but this time they made a point of inviting the parents back a little early to pick up their daughters...."for a surprise" they told us.
When we arrived, the girls took us to a nearby field where they opened large paper lanterns.
They held the large lanterns while lighting a small piece of paraffin-covered cardboard which was secured in the center at the bottom of each one.

 One by One, as the heat filled the lanterns, they lifted weightlessly......

 disappearing into the dusky sky.

 They floated  farther and farther away.....

 until they were so high you could see only a speck in the sky....then nothing.

 It was an amazing evening filled with awe and dreams for the future.....for each daughter had written their favorite scripture, New Year's resolution or a note about someone/something they were thankful for on the outside of their lantern so that it could be lifted closer to God in thankfulness.

Ring Out the Old, Ring In the New

Ring out the old, ring in the new,
Ring, happy bells, across the snow:
The year is going, let him go;
Ring out the false, ring in the true.
~Alfred, Lord Tennyson, 1850

  

Snowy pictures of my sister's home in Pennsylvania.....I miss her terribly and wish I were there now.....

I wish you all a very happy, healthy and prosperous New Year!

~Photos taken by my mother....thank you, Mom.~

Christmas Inspiration

There's nothing more festive that a vintage chandelier that is bedecked with sparkly holiday cheer!!  Treat your guests to one at your next holiday dinner party.....