Scriptures for starting 2011

I found this website and thought it was very worthwhile for the hopes, anticipations, unknowns, for the New Year!  Have a blessed New Year ~Tina

New Birth - A Living Hope

1 Peter 1:3 ~ Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. (NIV)


Hope for the Future
Jeremiah 29:11 ~"For I know the plans I have for you," says the LORD. "They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. (NLT)


A New Creation
2 Corinthians 5:17 ~Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. (NKJV)


A New Heart
Ezekiel 36:25-27 ~Then I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean. Your filth will be washed away, and you will no longer worship idols. And I will give you a new heart with new and right desires, and I will put a new spirit in you. I will take out your stony heart of sin and give you a new, obedient heart. And I will put my Spirit in you so you will obey my laws and do whatever I command. (NLT)


Forgetting the Past
Philippians 3:13-14 ~No, dear brothers and sisters, I am still not all I should be, but I am focusing all my energies on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I strain to reach the end of the race and receive the prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us up to heaven. (NLT)


Learning from Past Mistakes
Hebrews 12:10-11 ~Our fathers disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, that we may share in his holiness. No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it. (NIV)


Wait on the Lord
Psalm 37:7 ~Be still in the presence of the LORD, and wait patiently for him to act. Don't worry about evil people who prosper or fret about their wicked schemes. (NLT)


Isaiah 40:31 ~Yet those who wait for the LORD will gain new strength; they will mount up with wings like eagles, they will run and not get tired, they will walk and not become weary. (NASB)


God's Timing is Perfect
Ecclesiastes 3:11 ~ He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the hearts of men; yet they cannot fathom what God has done from beginning to end. (NIV)


Each New Day is Special
Lamentations 3:22-24 ~ The unfailing love of the LORD never ends! By his mercies we have been kept from complete destruction. Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each day. I say to myself, "The LORD is my inheritance; therefore, I will hope in him!" (NASB)

(http://christianity.about.com/od/holidaytips/qt/newyearbiblever.htm)

2011

Another Year Is Dawning

Another year is dawning,

Dear Master, let it be,

In working, or in waiting,

Another year with Thee.

Another year of mercies,

Of faithfulness and grace;

Another year of gladness

In the shining of Thy face.

Another year of progress,

Another year of praise,

Another year of proving

Thy presence all the days.

Another year of service,

Of witness of Thy love,

Another year of training

For holier work above.

Another year is dawning,

Dear Master, let it be

On earth, or else in heaven

Another year for Thee.

--Francis Ridley Havergal (1874)

Happy New Year ~ Tina

'Tis the Season!!

We are having a great time with our grandson, Jackson.  I'm not sure if I've mentioned him previously in my blog (LOL, I know...but what do you expect...I'm a Mimi now!!!) 

Having a great time buying outfits and this time of year is no different.  It's his first Christmas and they have wonderful outfits for little boys too! 

Just look at how precious he is in his holiday outfits.  Though you will be looking at the changes of outfits, you also will be seeing how amazing life is...Jackson is growing and and he is just exceptional. 

We are so blessed to have our children and now our grandchild live so close.  We enjoy time together as a family unit and we're thankful for the time.  We are trying to live our life by enjoying the small moments in our day-to-day happenings as well as those times of planning for activities. 

May you see the beauty in the ordinary day.  God Bless and have a blessed Christmas season!!

Our Christmas Letter 2010

The Merry Christmas 2010 Newsletter from Jim & Tina Wilson


The most exciting and life changing event for our family was the birth of our first grandchild! Jackson Lindsay Rice was born to our daughter, Megan and son-in-love, Lindsay on Sunday, October 10th. That’s right—10.10.10! He is such a joy. Grumps and Mimi as we are now called are head-over-heels in love with this little guy. His uncle Matt started buying Philadelphia sport-team outfits before he was born!


Megan and Lindsay just celebrated their 2nd anniversary and have been enjoying being first-time parents. They are adjusting to this new way of life with and find being parents very rewarding.


Matt also has had some major changes in his life. He is working fulltime as the Chair for the Humanities Department at Wilmington University. He is also well into a doctoral program. His passion for serving continues to be something he shares with others through his community involvement.


Jim continues with his position at Wilmington University and enjoys it to the fullest. He has had the opportunity to do some teaching this year and really enjoys getting into the classroom setting from time to time. Tina ended her private music teaching this fall and will be watching Jackson on a part-time basis. Besides her volunteer activities, she continues to take online college courses. She can see the “light at the end of the tunnel” towards her goal of receiving her degree from Wilmington University.


We are very thankful for our health, and especially that Jim continues to maintain even with some continued decrease in his kidney function over this year. We continue to meet with the specialist every 2-3 months to stay on top of any changes leading towards an eventual kidney transplant. In regards to the transplant, many of you have said to let you know when the time comes to be tested. If you are still interested in seeing if you could be a possible live donor, please let us know and we will provide you with contact information. We thank you and appreciate your ongoing prayers, encouragement and support.


We once again organized a team for the Annual Delaware Kidney Walk. As you know, Tina has been working with the National Kidney Foundation seeking to start a local chapter for the past several years. This year WILMINGTON UNIVERSITY/TEAM WILSON was the top fundraising team for its division. Overall, the walk raised more than $80,000 to date and we thank everyone who was a part of WILMINTON UNIVERSITY/TEAM WILSON!


We had the opportunity to work with Matt, who directed The Intermediate-I session (10-11 year olds) at Camp Manatawny this past July. This year all 5 of us were able to serve as staff members during Intermediate I. It is always a memorable week of service.

This year was also a year of milestones. We both turned “50” this year and also celebrated our 30th wedding anniversary! Our children planned a wonderful surprise party in honor of these milestones. They rented a wonderful place with catered food and entertainment and invited several family members and lifelong friends. It was a great surprise and a wonderful time of celebration. We were overwhelmed and very touched. We are so thankful for our children and so proud of all of them. Thank you again, Matt, Megan and Lindsay!!

As you can see our year has been a year of very memorable times. May your holiday season be filled with time spent making memories with family and friends. May you see all the daily gifts that God so graciously provides. May you be content and at peace with your choices in your life.

We would Love to hear from you all! Merry Christmas, Jim & Tina