Happy New Year - 2015!
Seems like I just get to the end of 2014 - and I feel like I'm on top of a monster roller coaster getting ready to descend on this New Year…ready or not! Ha!
Larry and I were so delighted to be able to spend Christmas with all of our family that live in Nashville, TN. They treated us like royalty and spoiled us with lots of fun, events and laughter. Of course…lots of delicious food and treats.
Until three Christmases ago, they all fought blizzards, snow and icy roads and frigid temps to come home, and then they approached us and said, "It's much easier to bring you and Dad here to Nashville for Christmas with all of our work schedules." We thought about it and so yes, this is our third Tennessee Christmas in Nashville, and we love it!
After a full year "on the road", and coming home in November/December exhausted, we love looking forward to this new tradition. It gives us something to really look forward to after a long tour on the road. The first day we spent in the recording studio preparing for a new CD to come out at early summer to celebrate our upcoming 50th wedding and ministry together anniversary, which will be in October.
Part of the vacation we stayed at LaShawn and Liam's and then moved over to be LaDawn's with her and near our two grandchildren. It was also so much fun spending a lot of time with Donovan. Just being with him…is entertainment. We had a beautiful Christmas Eve at LaShawn's and Christmas Day dinner there. The highlight of the vacation was when LaShawn hosted a music night at her home. LaDawn brought over her drum kit, LaShawn on her piano, and Larry on a big upright dog-house bass. It was just like the old days, "The Larry Lundstrom Family." We were a bit rusty, but we sure had fun and made great memories.
We flew back to South Dakota on December 29th and have been busy preparing to leave January 8th for Florida (I know, I know…someone has to suffer in warm, sunshine climate - ha!).
We are excited to spend time in preparation for this coming year. We've been busy booking and it's going to be a wonderful year for evangelism! We are anxious to share the simple Gospel story and the privilege of giving the free gift of salvation to all who wish to receive it. Jesus says in Revelations 22, "Behold, I come quickly…" We believe that quickly is coming soon, and we anxiously want to have a part in seeing people's lives changed by the power of God.
We pray that you too will look forward with anticipation in 2015 to draw closer to Christ than ever before - we need Him now more than ever! God bless!
Gloria
{Quote}
"Approach the New Year with resolve to find the opportunities hidden in each new day."
- Michael Josephson
{Reflection}
A New Year's Prayer
A whole new year is mine today…
May I be wiser, Lord, I pray!
I'd strengthen friendships, old and true
And learn to cherish new ones, too;
To keep on learning and to grow
A little deeper as I go.
To cast aside each grudge and grief
And hold fast to a firm belief
That life is joyous, gracious, good,
When lived in terms of brotherhood.
To welcome fun, and play awhile,
To lighten work with a pleasant smile!
To thank the Lord and every day
Remember Him, and kneel to pray,
In gratitude for strength and health
And blessings which are all my wealth.
This year's a gift from God to me
To spend, or use, or set me free…
A whole new year is mine today…
May I be wiser, Lord, I pray.
1 c. wild rice
2 c. water
2 T. butter or margarine
1 medium onion, minced
4 c. milk
2 cans potato soup
1 lb. Velveeta cheese
10 strips bacon crumbled, optional
In separate sauce pan, prepare wild rice according to directions (add rice to 3 cups boiling water, return to boil and then simmer 50-60 minutes, covered). Saute onion in butter until tender. Add water, milk and potato soups. Increase heat to medium, stirring occasionally. When mixture is hot, add cheese in chunks to speed melting. When creamy, add rice and bacon.
To remove fingerprints from stainless-steel appliances, place a small amount of baby oil on a napkin and wipe the affected areas. The fingerprints will just wipe away.