Reflecting on 2025

1.What were the highlights or accomplishments of the past year?

 I’d have to say, the highlight was our trip to Alberta at the end of August. It’s been many years since we’ve been out to visit our son and his family, so it was long overdue! Another highlight in early August was our Blair sibling reunion, with just one brother not in attendance. We know that this is very likely the last time we’ll all be together on this earth.

Our biggest accomplishment was creating a beautiful yard here at the little red roof cottage. Another accomplishment has been our dietary changes. Brian has lost 55 lbs and I’ve lost 28. But weight loss wasn’t the main goal, health improvement was. We are both feeling much better and even though I had an episode while hiking in the mountains, I know there’s no way I could have even made it a little way up that trail last year!

We also started attending the Evangelical Free Church, here in Carberry. We’re right back where we started and it feels like home, seeing so many familiar faces from years ago.

 2. What were the major themes of the past year? 

Similar to last year, and every year, the main theme was working on projects. The previous year we were working on our new home, but this year we worked on the yard. We turned an empty lot into a beautiful landscaped fenced yard with lots of places to sit and have coffee.

 3. What disappointments or regrets did you experience?

 No regrets, but a lot of sadness. My oldest brother has been on palliative care at home for some time now. We’re so thankful for the visits we’ve been able to have and we’re praying for a lot more time. In November, brother #4 went into hospital with extremely high blood sugar, pneumonia and probably a heart attack, and had a triple bypass on Christmas Eve. December 17 we heard that brother #2 had been rushed to HSC with a major brain bleed. At the time of this writing, he is out of the coma and off the ventilator and showing improvement. The same day we heard brother #3 is having surgery in January for bladder cancer. We’re praying daily for each of my brothers. We’re also praying for our kids, as some are going through some difficult times.

 4. What was missing from the past year?

 It’s been a busy year as always, but I don’t feel like anything was missing. We’ve enjoyed working on various projects, and we’re looking forward to the coming year. 

 5. What did you learn from the past year?

 I learned that life is very short and we never know when a loved one may be taken from us and we should make the most of the time we have together

My Verse For 2026 Hebrews 4:16

   Many years ago, our son and daughter in law gave me a book for Christmas, Memories For my Grandchild. I was supposed to fill in the pages, but never did, because I wanted to make my own book and add pictures. I thought that way I could make copies for all of my kids and grandkids. Well, many years have passed and I finally decided to start on this project. But not just me; Brian is writing his memories too.

   I found a program that would format our book for printing and got started. But first, I needed a title. I’m not sure how I came to it, but I decided to use the name of a song I wrote. It’s the only song Brian and I ever sang together, and it’s about the journey we take through life, with Calvary being the true starting point. The song is called By Mercy and Grace, and I really think it sums up the life we’ve lived and hopefully continue to live for some time yet…It’s only by His mercy and grace!

   Towards the end of the year, two of my brothers went into the hospital, another is already on palliative care and a fourth is scheduled for cancer surgery in the new year. We have been praying constantly for not only them, but so many of our family for various needs.

  When I started to think about what my verse for the year should be, I came to a very familiar verse,

 Hebrews 4:16

Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

   Right before Christmas, our pastor quoted this portion of scripture for the benediction, and confirmed that this was my verse for the coming year. We are truly in need of God’s mercy and grace! 

Verses 14-15 state, Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.

   May we walk through 2026 coming boldly before the throne of grace, knowing we have a Lord and Saviour who cares and is there, waiting for us to call on Him in our times of need! 

My word for 2026 is Bold.

My Verse For 2025 Matthew 5:16

Make Him Known

I don’t remember the what scripture the message was based on, or even when it was preached, but a few months ago, at church, I was impressed to write down three words. I didn’t have a notebook handy, so I used a scrap of paper. The three words were: Make Him Known.

Ever since we started our YouTube channel, we’ve been wanting to find ways to incorporate our faith in our videos. These three words seemed to confirm that desire. My prayer for this coming year is that we can more consistently share our faith with our viewers, and make Christ known.

Matthew 5:16

Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

Reflecting on 2024

 

Looking back over the past year.

1. What were the highlights or accomplishments of the past year?

The first highlight was our granddaughter’s wedding in January.

The next highlight was Brian/OJ retired in May! We also moved into our little fixer upper, now our cozy retirement house, in May.  

I guess the other main highlight has been continuing to post YouTube videos. We were monetized late in 2023, and we’re now earning coffee money from our videos! 😁

2. What were the major themes of the past year?

Well that’s easy! Work! What’s new, right?! We spent the majority of 2024 renovating the little fixer upper we bought in November of 2023. And again, consistently putting out YouTube videos all year! This year we documented all of our renovations.

3. What disappointments or regrets did you experience?

I can’t think of any disappointments or regrets! We’re enjoying being back home in our little house, and it’s great to have my husband home all the time! 

4. What was missing from the past year?

I guess the one thing missing was free time. It’s been a very busy year, but as we come to the end of the year, things are slowing down, and we’re looking forward to the coming year.

5. What did you learn from the past year?

I learned that even in our mid sixties, we’re capable of doing a huge renovation project. I’ve also confirmed that this is the last time we do this! It’s time to slow down, relax, and enjoy retired life. Hopefully, Brian learned the same thing! 😃

Downsizing To a Little Fixer Upper For Retirement

Retirement is just around the corner!

As we thought about OJ’s upcoming retirement, we decided we wanted to spend this next stage of life in our home town. We have never strayed too far, but we have moved several times, and we felt it was time to go back home. It didn’t take long for OJ to find a little house he liked. I was not so easily convinced, given that this house required a lot of work before we could move in. But, in spite of being over 65 years old, I knew we could turn this little fixer upper into a cute little cottage. 

Join us over on YouTube and follow our progress as we renovate this little house! 

We purchase this little house in November of 2023, and started documenting our progress, with the plan to hopefully have all the renovations inside far enough along that we could move in sometime in the spring.

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