HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

 

Usually, we host a family friendly New Year's Eve party every year. This year, all our special friends somehow ended up in different places and not near us and able to come ring in the new year with us. While we missed this them this evening, it also seemed to work out. I have been under the weather since yesterday, and hosting anyone seemed out of my league. So, instead - we had a quiet family Eve. We played games, napped (I've been in bed all day), and then went out for dinner (Chinese) before coming home and resting. While quieter than in years past - it was nice. I think after the chaos of the last few months, my soul craves the quiet. Hubby wanted to go to bed early, and I felt this nudge to try something I've NEVER done before - go to 11pm Mass, that ends at midnight. It was really nice and peace-filled. It was bilingual and a great way to have the community come together.  After Mass (which ended a minute before midnight, so it was neat how people got all excited once the clock ticked away) I spent about 20 mins in Adoration. It was a unique experience - an hour of worship bridged between two years. Powerful when you think of it like that, right?

I had so many things to pray for, and give thanksgiving for. For so many of our friends, there has been a lot of suffering and loss, especially in the last few days. I'll blog about it another time. But, I prayed hard for peace tonight - and my word for 2012 - which I'll share tomorrow. Tears were even shed this evening. It was really beautiful. A quiet entrance to 2012 with a touch of fireworks outside punctuating the night. As always, I took a picture - I always seem to be searching for a way to freeze time - and my camera is one of my methods.

There is something about entering a new year with the words "Go in PEACE to LOVE and SERVE the Lord!" right at the stroke of the clock. May this leap year bless us all - with an extra day thrown in to get our hearts and actions right to grab that peace, give love, and to serve others.

So, from my family, myself, and the Big Guy pictured above lol - HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!