Happy New Year’s Day! I hope you all had a fabulous New Year’s Eve!
When The Clock Strikes Twelve Ensemble – Stampin’ Up! / My Digital Studio
Item #136679 / Price: $19.95
(Note: Other than the banner that features the “When the Clock Strikes Twelve” My Digital Studio download, the rest of this post is purely a personal story. If you want to get to know me better, read on. If you’re only interested in learning more about Stampin’ Up! products, come back and visit another day! Be sure to “Like” Peace, Love and Joy on Facebook for more Stampin’ Up! inspiration.)
Johnny and I celebrated New Year’s Eve at Amish Acres in Nappanee, Indiana. Our daughter, Angie, is a featured performer at The Round Barn Theater and Amish Acres had a wonderful evening planned for us. We enjoyed the award winning Threshers Dinner in the century old Restaurant Barn, then proceeded to The Round Barn Theater for the final performance of Wizard of Oz. We especially loved, Loved, LOVED the Scarecrow, the Tin Man and the Lion. (Ramaad Morris, Travis Smith and Rory Dunn, respectively.) All of the performers did a marvelous job.
Afterwards we returned to the hand-hewn timbered Restaurant Barn for hors d’oeuvres, desserts and champagne punch. Then the best part of the night, the fabulous Cabaret!!! All of the performers had prepared songs from their favorite genres and the audience was in for an absolutely amazing night!!! Of course, my favorite performer was Angie!!! Being the proud Mama that I am, I just have to share her song with you.
“At Last” performed by Eva Joy Angeline Fisher.
Then Angie and her dear friend, Sarah Philabaum, performed a spectacular duet, “Let Me Be Your Star”.
After the last note had died we all counted down to midnight then proceeded outside to watch the fireworks display over the historic farm’s pond! I love fireworks, but this was the first time I ever braved a frigid snow storm to watch them!
It was a delightful evening! Usually Johnny and I stay at the The Inn at Amish Acres, but as a special treat we decided to stay at the magnificent Victorian Guest House in the the old Coppes Mansion. It is absolutely spectacular and the hostess, Chris Haman, is so gracious. She makes you feel like you’ve come home for the holidays!
But the absolute BEST part of our New Year’s celebration is that Angie is coming home with us for awhile!!! Yay!!! I’ll have my baby back, at least until auditions in February and her next acting job. Having her back home is going to make me soooooo happy!!!
One of my New Year’s resolutions is to try to be happier in all circumstances. 2013 was an extremely rough year for me emotionally for a lot of reasons. My husband had three major surgeries and acting as “Nurse Joyce” was exhausting, physically and emotionally. Although both girls had moved out of the house years ago, this was the first year that they were both so far away, and I missed them desperately. Then I was diagnosed with cancer, which was really scary. Thank God we found it early and my prognosis is great. Although I realize that we had many blessings, even miracles, that have filled our lives in 2013, I am definitely looking forward to a new year.
In looking back over 2013, I realize how much I had to struggle to keep from falling into depression. In 2014, I’m going to focus on “feeling” happier. I’ve always been able to “put on a happy face” when I’m out in public, but instead of forcing a smile when I’m not feeling it, I’m going to focus on truly finding happiness in life. As Proverbs 15:13 says, “A merry heart makes a cheerful countenance.” So my resolution is to focus on being more cheerful. To achieve that, I’m going to spend more time building my faith by reading scriptures and spending time in prayer, this is when my prayer journal will come in handy. I’m going to work on deliberately pushing out negative thoughts and feelings that come into my mind and replacing them with positive ones.
I’m sharing my resolution with you because I’ve heard that when you share your goals with others, you then become accountable and are that much closer to being successful!
Hope your New Year’s Day has been a truly happy one! I’m praying that your New Year is filled with Peace, Love and Joy!
Joyce
