Cocoa Joy spent the morning getting her hair done for Christmas and then in the evening she had her first round of visitors. This is another tradition—Miss Betty (left) and Miss Opal (right) dropped by for coffee and Christmas cookies. Later, this week, we’ll all pile into the car and go to see Christmas lights together. But on this night, we were happy just to sit around and talk about being friends and loving one another. Opal is quite famous in our area. She is over 80 years old and still does most of her own yard work! She gives us advice for our yard, loves on Cocoa and PJ the cat, who is asleep on the sofa above her head, and is just a wonderful neighbor. Betty is a lovely person who is so kind hearted. She bakes the most delious cookies and always gives lots of hugs and kisses to Cocoa Joy. Both women are an answer to prayer. We could not ask for more loving neighbors. My grandmother was right: Christmas is a time for friendship.

We have started this tradition of getting together for breakfast the Saturday before Christmas, and Johanna made sure her Mom and Dad could join us. We had coffee and bagels and eggs and lots of good things.

Because Cocoa Joy could not be with us, she sent a gift—a little stuff Cocoa Joy. (See the photo below.) “Can I take her home,” Johanna asked. “Yes,” said her Mom, “You can even sleep with her. “Ahhh — the perfect gift, Cocoa Joy!”

Once the gifts were opened, Johanna was ready to check out other things.

Taking a quick moment to fuel up with Dad

I have recently updated this photo. It was the first one I posted from England last May. But thanks to a good friend, who knows soooo much more than me about digital photography and Photoshop, I’m learning a little each day. Please take time to view her blog: fotosimile.com

A few days ago, I stumbled across these words written by Amy Carmichael, “All the paths of the Lord are lovingkindness. All, not some; not only those we would naturally choose, but all. . . . And there is also a path which each of us must walk alone. Though we do not see Him, He companions us; and, as we look back, we see that the path was always mercy and truth. . . . Let us rest our hearts on this very lovely word: ‘All the paths of the Lord are mercy.’” I really love Amy’s wording. Some may think, Have words been left out? No. This was just the way she thought and wrote.

She’s right, you know: All the pathways that God choses for us to travel are paths of mercy, lovingkindness, goodness, and grace. We may not understand why He has asked us to go in a certain direction, what will greet us over the next rise, or how we will handle the challenge when it comes. But He does. Other times, we may falsely believe we are traveling alone, but we never are. He truly “companions” our every step. No matter what leaf-littered pathway we have been asked to traveled, He walks it with us.

For the last two mornings, Handsome and his mate Bluey have dropped by around 8:30 a.m. They only stay just a few minutes, but it is long enough for me to say hello and take their photo. I’ve also seen them ducking in and out of their birdhouse in the backyard. They usually begin to build their first nest at the end of February or the first of March. Later, I noticed three males in the front yard. How do I know which one is Handsome? Simple. He is the one that follows me from limb to limb when I go outside and call him. (smile) Blue Birds are very shy but they also can become sort of tame and almost pets.