Review of 2017, and a Happy New Year to Y'all

Well, 2017 was quite the year. 

Just four days into the new year, Mum was diagnosed with cancer, and for most of the year, this has been our constant theme.

In January, we all got together for Mum's birthday. It was only two weeks after Mum's terminal cancer diagnosis had been confirmed, and so was definitely a day of strong emotions.

How do you celebrate a birthday when you know it's going to be the person's last birthday? 

Well, you count your blessings. The greatest blessing of all was that we all knew that though Mum's life here on earth was coming to an end, she was going Home, where she is now experiencing life as we can only begin to imagine.

*      *      *

In February, Calum Stewart took Niseach to the top of the Mither Tap (seen in the background of this photo). When they came home, she told me that in her five months of life, it was the best fun she'd ever had.

*      *      *

In March, we took a gorgeous trip along the North-east coast, and I discovered that the East is almost as bonny as the West.

Beaches...

lighthouses ...

amazing ruins, 

and gorgeous sunsets.

*      *      *

Most of the first half of the year was taken up with trips to and from Lewis, and coming off the ferry one evening, I noticed this sign.

Clearly, no one had told the sign maker about Ness, the real capital of the Hebrides.

*      *      *

If I wasn't travelling home, I could often be found like this ...

I do believe I spent a good deal of time admiring this little bundle, a bundle which has made such a difference to my life since she became part of our family.

*      *      *

In May, Catherine was able to come to visit us in Lewis, and on one of our days together, we took a wee trip to Harris. Niseach absolutely loved it, and smiled the whole day.

*      *      *

The MV Loch Seaforth coming in to Ullapool. This was when I headed home again for the first time after Mum's passing. All was calm and beautiful on the outside. In my heart, things were somewhat different.

*      *      *

I took this photo sometime during August. This was during my Quiet Time. 

Yes, I have a rather needy baby.

*      *      *

Towards the end of August, almost as a smacking reminder that 'life goes on', I travelled to Northern Ireland in preparation for the birth of our first grandchild.

Some of Catherine's church friends had organised a surprise baby shower, and safe to say, we laughed a lot that day. They're a crazy bunch over the Irish Sea!

Whilst we waited for baby to arrive, Catherine and I (okay, I) decided her garden needed some TLC. She and I went for a wander in a Garden Centre and filled a trolley. She made clear she thought I was off my trolley.

And then, on the fourth of September, Caleb Finlay James was born to Catherine and John.

I already posted all about his arrival here, but I can't resist posting a few photos from that amazing day,

A couple of months on, and here he is ....

The wonder of modern technology has never been so precious to us! Having daily photos and videos and regular Facetime fun times is such a blessing and joy to us all. 

*      *      *

And, finally, on Boxing Day, the day after spending Christmas with a very noticeably 'empty chair', we had the delightful news of DR and Diana's engagement.

And so, 2017 has closed its doors. It was a year in which I had more times of trial than in any previous year of my life, and it was also a year in which we had unspeakable blessings. Through it all, God has taught, and continues to teach me, that HE is my Rock; that He is unmovable, unchangeable, and that HE must be my all in all.

In good times and in bad, He is the sovereign God, in control of every jot and tittle of our providence. I am learning to rest in this.

And now, as the first day of this new year draws to a close, I would wish every one of you a Happy New Year. Lest any of you be in doubt, the happiness I wish for you is, without doubt, the happiness that's to be found in Christ. Because after all, what will it profit any of us were we to gain the whole world and lose our soul.

That would be the most unimaginable horror rather than happiness.

Happy art thou, O Israel: who is like unto thee, O people saved by the Lord, the shield of thy help, and who is the sword of thy excellency! and thine enemies shall be found liars unto thee; and thou shalt tread upon their high places.

The Last Review of 2011's Posts

In September, we had a fank where the Wee Guy was able to keep Big Brother right.

and we had a look at Jackson's fall from the heady heights of his ancestry.

Of course, along the way, we captured a sunset or two...

And, of course, September is the month of remembering that day in 2001.

And then into October, when we celebrated Reformation Day with fellow homeschoolers,

and I had a look at some pretty awesome sights.

I had an announcement for all you Americans, though sadly, few of you seemed to take it too seriously...

In November, we celebrated Bonfire night,

remembered our fallen heroes of past wars on Remembrance Day, 

and celebrated my birthday with a photo session.

Okay, with a photo.

This month, I have spent most of my time reviewing the past year, though poor Jackson did have a post where he welcomed the rams back to their field, but was not rewarded with any gentlemanly behaviour from them.

Not so much as a Hello.

I cannot believe we are now just a day away from the New Year. We were blessed tonight to have a crowd of young folks in our house after they'd been 10-pin bowling. We ate some food then sat and talked.

Listening to over a dozen young folks speaking about the things of the Lord was such a blessing.

What a privilege it is to have the Lord's people in our home once again. What a blessing to end our night with the singing of Psalm 122.

I joyed when to the house of God,

Go up, they said to me.

Jerusalem, within thy gates

our feet shall standing be.

...

Now, for my friends' and brethren's sakes,

peace be in thee, I'll say.

And for the house of God our Lord,

I'll seek thy good alway.

Psalm 122 (first and last verses, Scottish Metrical)

My prayer for Jerusalem would be that peace may indeed be within her walls (v7). My prayer for all my friends and brethren is that they, and I, would all grow in love for our Saviour, and that we would grow in the love that brings us together, whether we are separated by seas or continents.

I pray that I would continue to be blessed by friends, near and far; by bonds that have been created over miles with people whom I've never met in the flesh, but who are indeed my 'brethren'; and that those whom I love in the world but who are still outside of Christ would come to know Him as their Saviour. This is my greatest desire of all. 

As Paul said of Israel, 'my heart's desire and prayer is... that thy might be saved'.

2011, Review III

In July, our eldest had his birthday. He insists it was his 18th, but as there are only a few short  years since I gave birth to him, there is clearly some mistake here.

A blogging friend, and her lovely daughter came to visit. All the way from Pennsylvania to the Our Beach.

We had the Barvas Show, and here a really well-known, even famous, guy admires a Highlander. Her rump. 

And in the pen, you can also see Adam Henson, who some folks seem to know too. They said he was on the telly or somethin', but the other fella is much more famous.

In our neck o' the woods anyway.

Enough of your rump - that's the bonny side of ya.

In July, I also said Goodbye to my friend, Laurie.

Yes, she of the pea planting, 

and getting-boots-soaked-in-the-peats.

And her of THE Coffee Cake

I don't like Goodbyes. At all.

Of course, being July, we celebrated our your Independence Day.

In August, we had an unexpected incident in our garage,

took a wander down memory lane,

and I celebrated twenty years of marriage to this guy...

2011, from April to June

In April, we had a new addition to our family

Our very cute, Jackson, became part of our family.

Sometimes, I wish he was still that size...

We also had a Homeschoolers' get-together to celebrate the Queen's birthday, but the day was so lovely, we spent most of our afternoon at the beach.

Here, we have to take advantage of the weather when we can.

During April we had the very joyful event of our Royal marriage, our day tinged with some sadness, of which you can read here.

In May, we looked at Harris Tweed in a number of posts, and in this one, we met a friend who weaves on a traditional loom.

And, began our look at the fruit and veg for this year's plot.

Finally, for this post, we have a little skim through June.

I answered some of your questions in this post

and we had a look at Big Brother shearing some sheep....

...with a little help from a (little) friend :)

Beginning our Review of This Year's Posts

We're coming to the end of another year and here's the first look back at 2011 on the blog.

In January, we looked at the reason for sheep. I was glad we studied this topic, because I did know there must be a good reason for them.

In February, I took a walk along the beach...not our beach, but the beach to which we went when I was growing up.

In March, the girls and I went to the mainland, 

we drove to Harris for the day, 

and both Catherine 

and Katie celebrated their birthdays.

As we enter our final week before Christmas, I realise that those of you who have the gift of organisation are more fortunate than you'll ever know.

Those of us who are not, are thankful that we are loved despite what we are. 

In the next review, we will look at some posts from the next three months of the year.