I enjoyed reading your article this evening. It is so true - we must take responsibility for our own actions, including our own happiness. It is sad when we see people trapped into thinking someone else's responsibility is to make them happy.

My husband and I regularly scout out the shady spots whenever possible, even if it means walking a little farther to get where we are going.

Hi Janice,
Thanks so much for taking the time to read my blog and also to comment on it. Really appreciate it. So glad you agree with my thoughts on happiness. Often people expect the world and their families to provide their happiness don't they? And then blame everyone but themselves for their unhappiness. It happens to all of us.

Good to hear of you and your husband's scouting around for shady spots! :)
Blessings and thanks,
Anusha

Hi sis,
yes, Dec is always a tough month in terms of times....and it gets crazy (a lovely-crazy though!!) with folks arriving etc.
Then January with awaiting the arrival of baby and there after was tough- and YET it was the time His Spirit prompted me to have each morning was what saw me through! Even in hospital I treasured even a short time with Him...but Oh Yes, it's so easy to crowd Him out. I agree. Thanks for the reminder. I can imagine how blessed you have felt having this extra time with Him. May you sense God's healing dear sis.

lotsa love
sal XO

Hiya dear sis,
I know you have had a hectic time but also know that you would somehow make time for God.Glad you've come safely through all those busy weeks and hours and well done for it all.

May He continue to bless you with special moments with Him among the busy life you lead. Thanks so much for your loving thoughts and prayers.
Bless you sis.
Much love,
Anu xo

Hi Anusha,
Thank you for your blog. I was with a group of men and someone asked if we'd experienced good coming out of an illness. One guy said that a serious illness had stopped him in his tracks and resulted in the preservation of a very important relationship. I recounted how I'd suffered from continual pain in my left arm as a result of tendonitis. To distract me from the pain I took to listening to Radio 4 (news, current affairs, documentaries, etc.) whenever I didn't have to concentrate on anything else. In a quiet day around that time I'd read in Proverbs about the immense value of knowledge. After many weeks of pain I had acquired the habit of acquiring knowledge!
Blessing to you,
Andrew

Hi Andrew,
Thanks so much for reading my blog and also taking the time to comment. It's much appreciated.

I am so sorry to hear about your tendonitis. I know it is a very painful condition. That's wonderful how you acquired the habit of acquiring knowledge through your pain. Now that's something I might need to follow in the next few weeks. It's a good question you've grappled with too Andrew in your men's group. I think illness forces us to stop sometimes and think beyond our ordinary lives. And forces us to look God-word for answers. It also helps us empathise with others who suffer. And more.

Many blessings and thanks. I will pray that the tendonitis will leave you one day (hopefully soon),
Anusha

Dear Anu,
It is early Monday morning, I was skyping with Anushree, when I finished I thought of checking my mail. I found yours and thought of reading your blog after a long lapse of not reading it due to lack of time. I fully share your view on the Christmas gifts. whilst I got some lovely gifts from my family but the biggest gift of all to me is Jesus Himself!! After reading your latest blog I went on to reading "Happy Endings" your previous blog. It particularly spoke to me. I had just given some advice to Anushree and it was as though God drew me to read your blog following it. Only time can tell and we can walk into the darkest path with our hand in HIS. What an assurance!! His Light is more than enough.
Much love and a Happy Peaceful New Year.
Chits

Hi dear Chits,
So glad you were led to read my blog on Endings - and glad also that it spoke to you. Yes, we can walk all kinds of paths - darkest paths too - with our little hands in His strong large ones can't we? And He will guide us through.

Praying for Anu - for every blessing in her life. And praying for you and yours for a blessed and beautiful 2013.
Much love and thanks for your loving wishes,
May God surprise you this year with many evidences of His love, His leading and His grace towards you all,
Anu xo

Anu, dearest,
reading your blog just now brought the tears to my eyes.
I feel sad thinking of this couple who reacted thus...maybe they've never known the love of Jesus even in human relationships. Will pray for them today...that God will open their eyes to receive His love.

What you say is so true...I thought of the shepherds this morn as I read from Luke....they go immediately, worship HIm and praise God and spread the glad tidings! They had so little and yet were filled with thanksgiving!

Thanks for your writings this year......bless you.
hugs
sal XO

Darling Sal,
Thanks for finding time to read my blog amidst your Christmas busyness. Bless you dearest sis. Appreciate it heaps. And thank you for praying for that couple. Yes, perhaps they are in need of finding and knowing Jesus and the Hope He brings us all.

Lovely to hear of what you shared about the Shepherds. Interesting that you should say this. This morning, I've been mentally writing a blog for January about the best gifts I received this Christmas. They were not tangible ones at all. As you said the Shepherds obeyed at once and were filled with thanksgiving. And so should we be - no matter what our circumstances. Thanks sis.

Thanks again for reading my blogs and for your faithful feedback.
Bless you sis.
Love always and hugs too,
Anu xo