I started 2016 in a big way! First of all, my children and their families were here New Year’s weekend to celebrate Christmas. It was a wonderful way to start the year. Everyone seemed to have fun together hanging out, playing games, and eating.
The past few years we have started some new traditions while opening gifts. After everyone wakes up and the kids open their Santa gift and everyone unpacks their stockings, the adults play a gift card memory game. 
The adults, instead of exchanging gifts, each bring three $10 gift cards for the day’s games. Another game that is always entertaining is our wheel of fun. (This wheel was from years ago when Neal’s dental office had a booth at the Berrien County Youth Fair.)
This game requires earning your gift cards either by answering trivia, “head-bands,” acting something out or stealing a card. To make this fun you need people who can be a little crazy. No problem with my family!
We added a new game this year, a Saran Wrap ball. I put a gift card in the center and started wrapping with Saran Wrap, adding little items along the way. We found it works better if you use the cheap clear Saran Wrap from like the Dollar Store, use short strips of Saran Wrap instead of longer pieces and every so often put strapping tap on the ball. The adults wore bulky mittens when it was their turn.
One person started in the middle unwrapping the ball. A pair of dice went around the circle, everyone taking a turn to roll. As soon as a person rolled a double, it was their turn to unwrap the ball. Just as soon as an adult got on the gloves to start unwrapping maybe someone rolled a double already and they didn’t even get a turn. Some people were “lucky” and had several turns unrolling while one family member didn’t even get a chance! The kids even enjoyed it. For more details you can search on Pinterest for Saran Wrap ball.
On Monday I took Collin back up to school at Grand Valley University near Grand Rapids. After I went to Holland to have coffee with a friend. Before I arrived there, an older gentleman pulled out of a parking lot on the right side ands crossed over two lanes of traffic and hit me head on while I was in the left turn lane. Both air bags deployed. I am alright just received a good blow to my chest and some bruises. My car didn’t fare so well, totaled.
Back at home later that night I was feeling sorry for myself thinking about probably having to put out more money towards a car. I also started thinking about how my medical insurance is going up over $400 @ month. Don’t get me started on my Obama Care. I felt myself getting anxious, frustrated, physically exhausted and depressed. When we focus on the negative things happening in our life we head down the path of no peace. I started thinking about the blessings. Bless God for air bags and that the accident happened in Holland where my son, Britton, and friends, the Liske’s, could come and help. The rental car company only charged me the fee my insurance company would cover instead of the larger amount they quoted me. Because I have a little Chrysler 200 rental I have stayed home more because I don’t feel as safe in it as I did my SUV. Therefore, I am getting some projects done here at home. There are always blessings to be found if we look and don’t get buried in the negative things going on around us.
God doesn’t want you to be downcast, constantly looking at your problems. Rather, He wants you to lift up your head and look for blessings.
Lord, I pray that 2016 will be a year you would help me walk with you daily in the way of peace, looking to You for guidance and comfort. May I have eyes to see the blessings every day that You provide.
