Christmas, grandchildren, cats, and the Monday prayer

 We had Christmas today

with

my son, his wife, and three of their children.

Colton was at his dad's today,

but we saw him yesterday

and gave him his presents then.

Above is a picture of the Irish lass getting ready to open a present.

This picture shows off her bright red hair.

                                            Below is big sis showing dance moves to little sis.

Gifts have been opened.

Pizza has been eaten,

and

now is the silly time.

Getting ready to leave. We wanted to show off his doggy face hat,

but he decided to look 'cool', cock his head to the side, and wink at us.

The Irish lass wouldn't get into the picture.

She wasn't very happy about leaving.

So Grandma posed with Peyton and Dillon.

Dillon is into Toy Story and clothes.

So he loved this outfit,

although

at first he was shy about getting his picture taken.

Then

he got over the shyness and posed.

The two cats after an exhausting day of dodging small children

and if possible -- hiding from them.

Mike and I had finally opened our presents to each other

and the cats settled in on some of the wrapping and tissue paper.

It was a good day.

Tomorrow is Monday and thus Beginning of the Week Prayer Time.

Since it will be the New Year before another Monday Prayer Time,

I thought this one was particularly good for wrapping up one year

and

beginning another.

Lord,

Help me to forget all that is behind me

so that I can reach forward to the future

You have for me.

My main goal in life

 is

to fulfill Your calling.

Help me to do that.

Help me to run the race well,

to fight the good fight,

to not compromise the life

You have for me

in any way.

Help me to not look back into the past

where

 I let fear, doubt, and ignorance

of Your ways

influence the decisions

 I made.

Enable me to rise above all that

into

the complete wholeness and purpose

You have for my life.

Amen.

I do not count myself to have apprehended (captured and made it my own yet); but one thing I do,

forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward

to those things which are ahead,

I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God

in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 3:13 - 14

From one of Stormie Omartian's prayer books.

Blessings to you all as you begin this week.