Between the hustle and bustle of Christmas shopping, baking, pageants, and family gatherings, often times we forget that there are people who hope they emotionally make it through the holiday. So, I’m urging all of us (me too) to take a moment and give a gift of kindness and tenderness to those who may be experiencing a First Christmas.
Perhaps it’s a first because a family is new to the area. Or maybe it’s a First Christmas after kids left home and they won’t be able to make it. Maybe it’s the first after the loss of their job or even a divorce. Or the First Christmas after the death of a spouse or child.
Whatever the reason, we can be compassionate and share a little kindness to help them through their First Christmas. It’ll only take a moment.
Think of someone who has gone through a crisis this last year. Here are a couple ways to reach out to them:
Pray for them & drop them a note or an email to let them know.
Give them a call and pray with them.
Drop by a plate a cookies and give them a hug.
Invite them out to lunch.
Or even invite them to your Christmas dinner so they aren’t alone.
Let them know that they aren’t forgotten and that you care.
Above all, let’s share Christ’s Joy through our compassion for others this Christmas,
Did you have a blessed 2022? Mine was the best ever! Here are a couple highlights.
January-March: I enrolled in an online American history/government class entitled “A Republic if You Can Keep It!” David Barton of Wallbuilders teaches American history/government from the original documents of our founding fathers, which means from a Christian world view. If in a couple words I were to sum up our constitutional republic it would be “God’s Miracle.” I highly recommend that every citizen of the United States take this class. Because it is an online course, you can take it at your own leisure. Here’s a link if you’re interested: https://www.patriotacademy.com/store/product/31
January-February: I also hosted a six-week Constitution class through Patriot Academy in my home. We shared meals and learned so much about how God designed our Constitution…and how far we’ve strayed from it. It’s time to go back to the Constitution!
February: I said goodbye to Sunrise, my nearly 14-year-old golden retriever. For a while Willow, my German shepherd, and I wandered around our hollow house, missing the old gal.
Spring/Summer: As soon as the weather warmed up, I recruited the neighbor with his excavator to dig holes for six more trees, some which will bear fruit for me and some will support honey bees. Daily I thanked God for my tractor, which I used to dig trenches for irrigation water lines to the trees. I also carved out and fenced off new garden spots. It was so fun to sit on the porch eating watermelon and having the juice run down my face!
Summer/Fall: I harvested a nice hay crop then pastured cows into the fall. For fun I tackled some landscaping by building short walls with rocks. Many rocks were so big they didn’t fit in my tractor bucket, so my tractor pushed them in place. Then I filled in with dirt and planted trees, bushes and flowers in my rock walled gardens. The David Austin climbing roses I planted on the arbor last year topped seven feet tall and bloomed nearly all spring, summer and fall. It’s heavenly to walk through my gate, stand under the arbor and breathe deeply of the old rose scent.
Winter: I still enjoy brokering lumber for my regular day-job and on the writing front, once again, I’ve been invited to write stories for Walking In Grace, a Guideposts publication. In my spare time I’m tinkering with ideas for another book.
A couple days ago I reclined in front of the crackling fire and wondered what in the world I did this past year. Then I laughed. I’m sure 2023 will be filled with adventures and I’m not planning on slowing down at all.
Christmas/New Year: The Christmas family gathering will be at my home. I’m looking forward to taking some time off from work while family is here. After all, celebrating Christ’s birth with family makes it the most special time of the year!
Wishing you a 2023 filled with faith in God’s love and with His miracles!
Have you noticed that, as every year rolls by, the times are becoming more exciting! I’ve always hated “normal,” so last year was amazing. Some days I woke up and wondered if I was living in the book of Revelations. LOL.
Rebecca & Sunrise
Here’s a snapshot of my highlights:
Winter ’21: a German shepherd puppy wiggled her way into my heart and Sunrise, my golden retriever, and I started training her.
Spring ’21: I learned how to memorize whole chapters of the Bible by following the book “An Approach to Extended Memorization of Scripture” by Andrew M. Davis. I’ve never been one who could do memorization—so this was huge for me!
As the weather warmed up, I built a rose arbor archway over the entry to my sidewalk and planted the climbing roses (from my sister Julie and her husband Mike) on either side. They bloomed profusely all summer and one stem is already 7’ tall!
Summer ’21: Landscaping! I shoveled—by hand—over 12 yards of dirt and four yards of rock into a portion of the yard I couldn’t get to with the tractor. It’ll take a couple years to complete landscaping, but at least I’ll be on the tractor for the rest.
Fall ’21: Some friends and I drove over to our state capitol in Helena, Montana and testified before a committee hearing about some upcoming legislation. Wow! Talk about stretching myself—but it’s something “We the People” need to be doing. And we also got a private tour of the Montana State House of Representatives and Senate Chambers. I discovered that outside our capitol building stands a semi-circle of flags: the United States flag, the Montana flag, and flags of the sovereign nations of the Native Peoples of Montana. I searched through them for the flags of a dear friend and texted pictures to her. Honoring people and history is important.
Later in the fall I hosted a Biblical Citizenship in Modern America class through Patriot Academy. All of us came away with awe and wonder of the miracles God performed to create the United States. I highly recommend every Christian to go through this to help understand our responsibilities as Biblical citizens. Did you know that the average constitution for a nation lasts only 17 years? But God gave us this Constitutional Republic, a one of a kind government where “We the People” are the rulers, and it’s worked for 246 years! I believe that our purpose is to share the gospel with the rest of the world. And that purpose hasn’t changed. It’s time for “We the People” to roll up our sleeves and turn this nation back to God!!! Here’s a preview: https://coach.patriotacademy.com/biblicalcitizenship/
Christmas ’21: My sister and brother-in-law from Minnesota flew in to celebrate with my brother, sister-in-law, and me. It was the first time in two years we’d been together. Special!
Winter ’22: I will be hosting a Constitution Alive! class through Patriot Academy. It’s a game changer! Find out more about constitution classes at PatriotAcademy.com. And at the same time I’ll be taking an American history class through Wallbuilders & Patriot Academy.
Rebecca & Willow
I’m still working my job brokering lumber, am under contract to write for a Guideposts publication entitled “Walking in Grace,” and am tinkering on some other book ideas. The word “bored” is not in my vocabulary for 2022!
May your 2022 be filled with excitement & adventures!
Are you wondering about this photo? I took it because it was such a crazy-busy year that I told my sister-in-law that I wasn’t going to get a tree or decorate. Her words to me were, “I can’t imagine Christmas without a tree.”
Those words swirled through my mind as I drove down the highway. At a roadside stand I spotted the cutest wild-cut tree. Of course I bought it and strapped it on. But life took over and three days later the tree was still atop my car! I hadn’t had time to take it down. So…I had to put lights on it and take this picture to share with you–to put a smile to your face and bring joy to your day.
And here’s a snapshot of why life has been so crazy.
Whew! That is my word for 2019. It was the busiest year of my life.
While working my regular job, farming my small acreage, and squeezing in some writing, I designed my home and barn.
After having an engineer and a couple other designers help me, I acted as the general contractor on both projects. I hired subcontractors and had both buildings built on my farm.
During the days I was the one running to the lumber yard gathering supplies, only to discover an hour after I got back that the guys needed something else. Off I’d go again. In the evenings and on the weekends I was a laborer on the project as well.
I literally didn’t have time to eat or sleep. By October I was falling asleep while standing up. But the great thing was thatI lost what I call the “middle ages” around my middle, slimming down so much that I fit in my favorite jeans again.
At the beginning of November, even though the wooden trim wasn’t up around the doors or windows and there weren’t any closet rods in the closets (my winter projects), I moved in. Wahoo!
I never could have done it all without my faithful friends, who encouraged me and showed up to stain my barn and sand and stain nearly 200 2×6’s for the wrap-around-deck. Others helped me move–a priceless gift. Thank you!
Thank you to all of my prayer warriors who stood in the gap for me while I battled through many many TOUGH days as a single woman running crews of construction guys, especially at the end when I was so exhausted and almost lost SkySong, my saddle horse, to a mysterious illness. Thank God SkySong has fully recovered.
I never could have done it without God’s wisdom or love. He led me to hire an incredible team of laborers.
I am so grateful and blessed beyond my wildest dreams.
My New Year’s Resolution=SLEEP
So therefore–even if life is crazy-busy–Remember to Keep Joy in Your Christmas.
Yes, it’s April and I’m boxing up my Christmas decorations and tucking them away in my storage shed. Have you ever heard that before? No, it’s not because I wanted Christmas to last forever.
It’s because the weekend in January when I was going to do it I fell on the ice and broke my arm. Not just my arm, but my right arm. I’m right handed. And not just a simple break. I sheared the bones in two.
For the last couple months I was unable to do anything with my right hand or arm. My life stopped while I cradled my broken arm next to my body to protect what was left of it and waited for surgery.
A couple weeks later, in February, my doctor helped me become a bionic woman with a titanium plate and screws to put everything back together. When asked what color of cast I wanted (I’d already used up my favorite colors on the splints I’d had). I jokingly said, “Glow-in-the-dark.” Guess what? I got it–and it did GLOW when I turned the lights out.
To my shock, I discovered that, throughout my whole life, my left hand had hung uselessly by my side. I laughed my way through the last couple months as I trained my left hand to put the toothbrush in my mouth and brush my teeth. Have you ever tried tying shoes with one hand? Opening a jar? Or writing cursive with your off-hand? I couldn’t even jot a note to myself. Or how about opening an envelope? I felt vulnerable when in public and helpless at home.
Gradually my left hand and arm became productive. Now, I’m nearly ambidextrous.
It was a wild ride, living with one useful arm until just a couple weeks ago. I’m still under weight restrictions, so this is the first weekend since Christmas that I’ve been able to lift lightweight boxes. Thus the box of Christmas decorations is still sitting on the living room floor.
Through it all I’ve discovered that I have amazing friends and that I live in a community filled with kind and helpful strangers. And my heart is filled with a deeper compassion for those who struggle with physical restrictions.
There’s something that you can do too. I’d like to encourage you to do a simple experiment. Take your dominate hand and put it in your pocket for an hour–and do not use it–no matter what–not for anything.
Afterwards, reflect on how would your life be different if you only had one arm. Life can change in a split-second, in ways that we don’t like.
Then, I’d like you to apply what you learned to help someone else. Out of consideration, first ask if they’d like you to help and how. It might be as simple as opening a door, or retrieving a can of soup off the top shelf in the grocery store, a shelf they can’t reach.
I firmly believe that together we can make the world a better place by being kind to those around us.
It’s time to go get that box of Christmas decorations out of the living room and put it away–after all, it is April and I can use two hands and arms. Wahoo! Thank You, Jesus!
I feel blessed to be surrounded by family and friends who made my year so special—thank you! I love catching up with you on Facebook, by email, and snail mail. And I want you to know that I pray for you in the mornings—that God pours out His peace, love, and blessings on you and your families.
Here are a couple highlights from my year:
In July I flew to Alaska with my brother Chuck and his wife Cindy, where we met with several friends and fished the salmon run on the Kenai Peninsula.
With fish everywhere you’d think it’d be a snap, but I was skunked a couple days before I finally got the hang of how to catch those illusive fish!
I was thrilled to bring home a box of salmon and am planning on smoking some for Christmas. See the grin? I was one happy girl that day.
Cindy and I had some great “sister time” hiking up to a glacier AFTER taking a Kenai Fjord tour where we learned that July in Alaska it is only 30 below zero! Just kidding. But we did have to bundle up aboard the ship while we were entertained by the interesting sea animals and by the jaw-dropping scenery.
In August I celebrated the release of the book of my heart, Great Horse Stories for Girls. The goal is through my true-story devotions my horses, to help the reader discover what a treasure God created them to be. Don’t be fooled by the title; I’ve got gals in the 60’s and 70’s who have fallen in love with the book.
I’m excited that in February of 2016 my next book My Horse Diary for Girls launches—yes, it’s what the title says, it’s a fun diary for girls that has some horsey quotes in it.
I also have a re-release (with photos) of Heavenly Horse Stories coming up and I’m thrilled and honored to be one of the authors in the Daily Guideposts 2016.
Whew! It’s been an amazing year for which I give God all the glory and thanks.
Wishing you the very best Christmas ever–and an incredibly Happy 2016!
Today is the Last Chance to Win! 10 Days ~~ 10 Free Books
The question for Day 10 is: What is the name of my all-time dream horse?
Enter your answer by clicking on the link below (make sure you read the directions from the first post “10 Days~10 Free Books” first.)
You can find the answers on my Website: http://rebeccaondov.com or in my books (hint: you can access a lot of the stories by going to my website and clicking on the “Books” tab, then click on the online retailer tabs where they show the books where you can look inside).
The question for Day 9 is: What is it called when you make a pack that goes on a mule by wrapping your gear & duffel in a canvas tarp? (You _____ the load. The rope that’s used is called the same thing, a ______ rope.)
Enter your answer by clicking on the link below (make sure you read the directions from the first post “10 Days~10 Free Books” first.)
You can find the answers on my Website: http://rebeccaondov.com or in my books (hint: you can access a lot of the stories by going to my website and clicking on the “Books” tab, then click on the online retailer tabs where they show the books where you can look inside).
The question for Day 8 is: What did I give the mule that made its teeth stick together (be specific)?
Enter your answer by clicking on the link below (make sure you read the directions from the first post “10 Days~10 Free Books” first.)
You can find the answers on my Website: http://rebeccaondov.com or in my books (hint: you can access a lot of the stories by going to my website and clicking on the “Books” tab, then click on the online retailer tabs where they show the books where you can look inside).
The question for Day 7 is: The day I drove to Missoula, MT to buy knobs for my kitchen cupboards but…I came home with (be specific–the first and most specific wins)?
Enter your answer by clicking on the link below (make sure you read the directions from the first post “10 Days~10 Free Books” first.)
You can find the answers on my Website: http://rebeccaondov.com or in my books (hint: you can access a lot of the stories by going to my website and clicking on the “Books” tab, then click on the online retailer tabs where they show the books where you can look inside).
Cindy and I had some great “sister time” hiking up to a glacier AFTER taking a Kenai Fjord tour where we learned that July in Alaska i
t is only 30 below zero! Just kidding. But we did have to bundle up aboard the ship while we were entertained by the interesting sea animals and by the jaw-dropping scenery.
Rebecca Ondov: Talk Around the Campfire 