"Mary treasured up all these things..."

Last night I was so discouraged about my throat pain...today I woke up with less pain---what an answer to prayer!!!Thank you, God!!!I was ready to throw in the towel but now I know to keep going. I could even eat better today. The hands are still bad, but that will get better in time for the next chemo!:-(..

Luke tells more of Mary's reaction to the baby Jesus, and don't you know her heart was so filled as "she treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart." Luke 2:19. When a baby is born we mothers look at each finger and toe, to see if he or she is perfect, and we always remember those first moment with each child. Can you imagine the primitive conditions of Jesus' birth!

We did our annual cemetery visit today and put greenery and ribbons on the three graves we go to every year at this time. Some years John goes alone and I just cannot do it. Don't know what is the emotional reason that some years are more difficult. But today was OK and I made it fine. We go to my parents, John's parents which include Johny's (and the space is there for us.) The third is Grandma and Grandpa and their baby (all together). Some people might take offence at our only going once a year but ---they are not there, and I just cannot go and hang over a grave! Christmas was so special to all our family and it seems fitting to chose this time to go and decorate these graves. That is our thing we do.

This recipe was John's aunt's in Alabama and is a family favorite. I know, we have many "family favorites", but we like to eat.
Baked Fruit Casserole
1 large can each,(29 oz can) of pears, peaches and pineapple chunks. Drain these well. and arrange them in a casserole. Sprinkle over them, 1/2 tsp. salt, and a mixture of 1/2 cup sugar and 2 Tbsp. flour . Cut up and put around 1/2 stick butter.Bake 300 for 1 and 1/2 hours, then add drained red maraschino cherries and 2 Tbsp rum or sherry extract and bake another 30 minutes. This is especially good with ham or pork of any kind. You can substitute apricots for the pineapple...you may not find the large can of these two so do whatever... Enjoy! Merry Christmas!!!