On the Porch
Onisha Ellis
I have the best blog partners. Without fail they create a blog every week. Since our road trip in October, I have struggled to put words on paper. Life happens-sometimes frustrating, often very good. Both seem to derail me.
Last week we closed up our home in Western North Carolina and drove to Florida to celebrate Christmas with our daughter and spend the winter. The change from cold nights and chilly days to sunshine and T-shirts was dramatic.
Our town in North Carolina is seriously into decorating and celebrating. People gather downtown for the tree lighting, free carriage rides and of course, hot chocolate. It could be a Hallmark movie. The evening was cold and we had to park several blocks away but I am so glad we went. After the isolation and division of Covid, it was heart stirring to see family and friends laughing and enjoying each other.
The residents deck themselves out in festive wear as well. I brought two short sleeve Christmas T shirts with me to Florida and have enjoyed wearing them but was surprised to observe few people sporting holiday cheer. I understand. When we lived in Florida full time, I found it hard to feel Christmas-y while sweating. As I write this we are having a brief cool front with low temperatures in the upper 40s. I am savoring every moment of it. I think the high for Christmas Day will be in the mid 70s followed by 80s the rest of the week.
My daughter and I began a baking frenzy yesterday. What joy to spend time working together to create delightful treats for Christmas Eve. We follow the Keto lifestyle eating which means making most everything from scratch, but it is so worth it. My husband popped into the kitchen periodically to volunteer his taste testing abilities. What a sacrifice as his back is messed up and he is using a walker. Haha!
Even with life’s challenges, we are so blessed. This month, God restored 2 broken family relationships. One I had been praying over for 20 years. Our hearts rejoiced. The father of the Prodigal son in the Bible killed a fattened calf when his son returned home. We didn’t have a calf on hand, but we did pick up some pizza to celebrate.
This verse was in my morning reading earlier in the week.
As for you, my son Solomon, know the God of your father, and serve Him wholeheartedly and with a willing mind; for the Lord searches all hearts, and understands every intent of the thoughts. If you seek Him, He will let you find Him; …
1 Chronicles 28:9
Our broken hearts led us to seek Him with all of our hearts and minds. He not only let us find Him, he sustained us.
Do you follow The Chosen a crowd funded story about Jesus and the disciples? This Christmas they aired a wonderful Christmas special. It debuted in theaters but we watched it on You Tube. If you haven’t watched, you can watch it from here. https://youtu.be/5QeZnmCEeto
We wish you all a joyful Christmas.
After my retirement, I decided to re-learn the canning and preserving skills I learned from my mother but hadn’t practiced for twenty years. I titled the blog Old Things R New to chronicle my experience. Since then I have been blessed to have six other bloggers join me, DiVoran Lites, Bill Lites, Judy Wills, Louise Gibson, Janet Perez Eckles and Melody Hendrix
In addition to blogging, I work as the publicist/marketer/ amateur editor and general “mom Friday” for my author daughter, Rebekah Lyn. I also manage her website, Rebekah Lyn Books
My 2021 goal is continue to use my love of photographs and words to be an encourager on social media. You can visit Real Life Books and Media You Tube Channel if you would like to view some of the mini-videos I have created for our church, Gateway Community in Titusville, Fl.
Old Things R New 
Beautifully said. There is nothing – outside of God’s love for us – like family, especially at this time of year. Hope you and yours have a WONDERFUL Christmas!
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