All is Well!

It's been a busy week here at the Jones Junction! Being a person who makes and checks off lists (!), I have accomplished all of the items this week that HAD to be done; so I am breathing a huge sigh of relief! Our Christmas cards were mailed out yesterday, and I told myself that NEXT year I'm going to start that project in October instead of December. Our food basket was enthusiastically prepared and delivered to church on Wednesday.
All of the Christmas shopping for our much loved ones at Fort Bliss was accomplished, the packages were lovingly wrapped, notes were written, and the box was mailed this very afternoon! I was teary-eyed throughout the entire process all week, but was reminded that we have much to be thankful for even if my little ones can't be home for Christmas. So when I had sad thoughts and my heart ached, I just lifted all of them up to the Lord. He certainly loves them far more and much better than I could ever dream of doing.
The basement cleaning is finished -- I know, it doesn't look like much ... and it certainly isn't a renovator's dream-come-true room ... AND it still needs to be painted, the closet door needs to be hung, the carpet needs more than spot-cleaning, and poster-sized pictures of the grandkids need to be hung up (that is, after I save up enough $$ to enlarge my favorite pictures of them). BUT having said all of that, the room is ready for children to arrive! I took that old desk apart -- each and every screw -- and carried it upstairs piece by piece, out through the garage to the bottom of our driveway for Monday's trash pickup! (Speaking of garages ... ouch! Ours will take months to clean and organize -- later!) I called the Salvation Army and donated back the dresser that was purchased 32 years ago ... at the Salvation Army! I purchased a pole lamp for that dark corner by the basement stairway closet. The game closet is full of fun and good toys, some transferred from the upstairs family room to the now-ready play room! The boom box is ready to play happy children's music. Blocks, dominoes, matchbox cars, and endless games are ready to be played! I can't wait! And, listen to this! Grandpa Jones has made incredible progress on his train table. I think trains might just be up and running by Christmas ...
I was reminded last night when I was outside on the front porch looking at the sunset of that beautiful song on Michael W. Smith's Christmas Album, "All is Well." I think this is my favorite Christmas album and I especially love this song.

ALL IS WELL
All is well, all is well
Angels and men rejoice
For tonight darkness fell
into the dawn of love's light
Sing A-le, Sing Alleluia!

All is well, all is well
Let there be peace on earth
Christ is come, go and tell
That he is in the manger
Sing A-le

Sing Alleluia!

All is well, all is well

Lift your voice and sing
Born is now Emmanuel

Born is our Lord and Savior

Sing Alleluia

Sing Alleluia

All is well!

by Emily Boothe (1989)

"For God in all his fullness
was pleased to live in Christ,
and by him God reconciled everything to himself.
He made peace with everything in heaven
and on earth by means of his blood on the cross."
COLOSSIANS 1:19-20