2025 has passed. 2026 is here. Before we completely say goodbye to such a great year, here come those glorious impossibles for 2025. This is probably the only time each year I drop the blogging professional hat and become much more personal. I hope it isn’t TMI for some of you. Also, please forgive me for letting this be so long. I know I’m breaking every rule out there. However, I can’t leave out one glorious impossible.
For me, they ALL are meaningful. This is my way of remembering. So, please bear with me. Some of you know what I’m up to here. For those of you who are slightly interested but greatly confused, I’m simply counting my glorious impossibles. They DO have a way of becoming very personal. I hope you are counting yours too.
I write them down every year. I’m speaking of those “glorious impossibles” which God sends to all of us during those times when we aren’t paying attention. A “glorious impossible” is something unexpected (like a miracle.) It is also typically something you can only see when you are looking back. Each year I do this very Hebraic thing. I look back before moving forward.
INVISIBLE GIFTS FROM GOD
Every glorious impossible is a gift from God. It seems that most of my “glorious impossibles” typically come to me in the form of family and friends. This past year was no exception. What would I do without my amazing family? I can’t thank God enough for our faithful friends, both old and new. I’m forever grateful.
Most of the time you do not know what is happening when these “glorious impossible” blessings occur. It is only in looking back that you see how the hand of God was clearly guiding your way through the year.
WHY COUNT GLORIOUS IMPOSSIBLES EACH YEAR?
A few might consider this a silly waste of time. If you feel that way, I’m sorry. You might just be missing out on a very easy way to obtain a blessing. So, I began keeping track way back in 2012. No year has been forgotten or missed.
This is about the only activity I do with the secular, civil calendar. I’ve fondly called this annual practice my Glorious Impossible Diary. You might also call it a condensed scrapbook of the year’s favorite moments. If I ever get discouraged and fall too deep into my own humanity, I can look back over all of these years of glorious impossibles. When I do this, I clearly see the footsteps of Jesus in my days.
Glorious impossibles always make me smile. They definitely cheer me up. Nothing could make me more grateful or happier to be alive and kicking as we enter the new civil year of 2026. So before we bring on all the new glorious impossibles, let’s remember how last year evolved. We never want to forget to thank God for His abundant blessings. Thank you God for 2025, in spite of its many ups and downs. We were surely blessed beyond measure.
END OF 2025 – RETIREMENT FINALLY ARRIVES
2025 was a bit complicated when it came to glorious impossibles. They were definitely there, but several of them came in the form of troubles and struggles. It is the fact that we were able to overcome and persevere and maintain our joy in the meantime that helped us to see these blessings in disguise. Whenever you reach the other side of your troubles, blessings usually appear in the most unexpected ways.
The year definitely had its own set of ups and downs, yet also so many unique glorious impossibles. I’ll admit to you that there were many I did not comprehend and could not see until the year was over. Today, I found myself looking back.
Looking at 2025 in general and as a whole, I’ll bear witness to that amazing fact of life which most of us are often unable to believe. Retirement does finally arrive. Most of us know when we are ready. One morning you wake up with that feeling that there is more to life than just punching the clock and allowing others to use up your time. It finally happened to me.
ACTUALLY RETIRING
When time grows short for living, we all start to think of retirement. Suddenly it all becomes very clear. You simply know that you want to do life at a different pace. As for me, I patiently waited until after the age of 70. My career had been very good to me. After a long and fruitful full-time professional career I had actually carved out a way to narrow my work time down to three days a week for almost a full salary. It wasn’t easy to accomplish such an arrangement. Also, it wasn’t easy to give up. Eventually though, God told me it was time. Here is a photo of my last few days of work and a grand send off to retirement.
I was so excited about finally retiring at the end of 2024. I have to say I’m very grateful for every place I worked during my long career. My life was full of learning with each new employer. I was definitely blessed with good friends and the joy of being around amazing people at every place. Finally, it was time to leave it all behind. The work at least, but not the friends.
BIG PLANS BUT GOD HAD OTHERS
You know me – I had big plans! I wanted to travel more. With four grown children and four grandchildren to enjoy more time with, I knew the schedule would never be empty. I had all kinds of homebased projects in mind. The list is still laying on my desk at home. All those years of raising kids had given me a new opportunity. Life was about to let me spend some much needed time on decluttering our home. I had been working on that goal already, but time had not allowed much progress.
Most of all though, I wanted to spend much more time writing. My plans included at least one completed manuscript a year, several short story publications, plus fine-tuning my blog into what I had always dreamed it would be. I wanted anyone interested in seasonal celebrations of the Hebraic Roots-thinking world to have a lot of fresh new reading materials.
Nothing about any of these retirement plans seemed impossible at the time.
IT WAS TIME
My children were raised. The grandchildren were all in school. My husband retired two years before me. He was settled into his new daily routines. I would be able to write 24/7 without interruptions if I so desired. That was what I thought.
However, it soon became obvious that God wanted me retired for other reasons. Why was I surprised? One of the first things you will find when you retire is that your family needs you more than ever. In my case in 2025 it became almost overwhelming.
FAMILY FIRST
FIVE SUCCESSFUL SURGERIES FOR MY HUSBAND
Just before I retired, there were some issues that came up with my husband’s heart. This wasn’t new. We had dealt with heart procedures for many years now. Right after I retired we had another heart issue to take care of. Thank God it wasn’t critical or life-threatening this time.
This precautionary procedure requiring an over-night hospital stay was accomplished right after I retired. We felt blessed to have me at home and not on a busy work schedule. (Glorious Impossible.) I helped my husband through this time until he regained his normal strength levels. (Glorious Impossible.)
SURGERY TWO
2025 also required another surgery. My husband had been dealing with an issue called “trigger finger.” One finger would not straighten up as it should. This interfered with his writing, typing, using certain tools, etc. I’m happy to report this problem was satisfactorily corrected through surgery. Fortunately, I was able to be there for him as he recovered – again. (Glorious Impossible.)
SURGERY THREE AND FOUR
As the year progressed, my husband complained about his eye sight. A trip to the ophthalmologist revealed he needed cataract surgery in both eyes. We scheduled the first eye for surgery. Then we let that eye heal for six weeks. Next, we scheduled the second eye for surgery. After both procedures, all is now well with my husband’s eyesight. He can read better than ever. Thank you God for that “glorious impossible.”
Eyesight is a precious blessing. I’m happy his eyes are better. Also, I was glad to not need to request time off from an employer as we scheduled these two separate hospital visits and follow up doctor appointments. So, one of our “glorious impossibles” for this year was knowing that modern medicine can greatly improve one’s eyesight. It felt like a miracle to us. This was simply routine to our excellent surgeon and his staff. Being able to read again made a major difference in my husband’s day-to-day life. Mine too! I was having to handle all of our business on my own.
SURGERY FIVE
Then came the fun part of my husband’s health problems. The doctors were now telling us he needed a new knee. Because of a very busy career that supported our large family, he had put this particular surgery off for way too long. I suppose he had been waiting to retire. His knee was eaten up with arthritis and scar tissue. He could hardly walk at times. So, we scheduled his fifth surgery for the year.
All of his other surgeries were fairly easy and routine. They simply took a little time and effort, then he began to heal. Knee surgery was a different matter. It was very painful. He was left totally dependent on me to assist him with dressing, bathing, fetching anything and everything that he needed. For several weeks he could not even go to the bathroom without my assistance. I was on duty 24/7. He is still in physical therapy and recovering as this new year begins. We are grateful that he is healing well.
A TIME OF SURVIVAL
If you know my husband you are laughing, because he is VERY independent. Especially, he would not want help from a woman. But there I was, off work and available. He had to endure my help. I got to bring all of his meals down a flight of 15 steps from our kitchen to our basement where he rested during this recovery. He is just now getting around to handling the staircase. I probably went up and down the stairs at least a million times a day fetching whatever he needed. However, I got LOTS of exercise. I think I lost 20 pounds during his recovery. (Two Glorious Impossibles came from one thing.)
Also, I had to run to the store a lot. This was always to fetch ice. The ice kept the swelling down. It relieved the pain. After about three weeks, he began physical therapy two times a week. I got to drive him there.
Now, at the end of the year, we are reaching the point where he can actually walk up stairs on his own, put on his own shoes, and drive himself to physical therapy sessions. (Great Big Glorious Impossible.) It has been a long, hard recovery. My best advice after this experience is: if you don’t have a very strong marriage, do not attempt knee replacement. Somehow we survived. It was another “glorious impossible!”
Thank God, the other knee is healthy. He is recovering well. Soon this surgery will be behind us too. God is good – all the time.
THREE SUCCESSFUL SURGERIES FOR MY MOTHER
At ninety years of age, my Mom was still living independently. She was doing great except for one thing. She has minear’s disease. This chronic condition often makes her dizzy. When this happens, she falls. Falling is not a good thing when you have ninety-year-old bones. We had already been through a hip-replacement surgery a few years back. She has also already recovered from a knee replacement.
SURGERY ONE
Now that I was retired, I hoped she wouldn’t need any more surgery. I hoped for this because when she needed surgery, I had to become the live-in caregiver. This was always taking me away from my home and my husband until the time she recovered. She refused to live at our house, even temporarily, so my husband refused to live with me at her house. It wasn’t an easy thing to deal with. God helped me cope with the situation. (Glorious Impossible.)
My cousin, who is more like a sister, came by Mom’s one day to visit. It was a great day for all, and I even wrote a short story about that which was published later. Here they are cooking a coconut pound cake together. Mom was using a walker – barely. (Glorious Impossible.)
I was retired for about two weeks when she fell again, fracturing her other hip. Hence, I moved in with her for six weeks to help her heal and recover. We made it through this fine, but it wasn’t an easy thing for either of us. I had visions of her having more falls. It became something I was very concerned about.
The “glorious impossible” here is that her neighbors and friends were all very helpful and supportive. They were such a great help to her, and also to me. I’m forever grateful for this fine community of people. My Mom’s church, friends and senior center helped us so much. (Glorious Impossible.)
SURGERY TWO
She did fall again. It happened later in the year. This time the fall injured her back. We visited a pain clinic in order to see what to do next. Her doctor recommended a procedure where he would inject cement into her spine. So, this surgery became necessary. I only had to stay with her about three days for this recovery. (Glorious Impossible.) However, the doctor told us her back was very fragile.
SURGERY THREE
She was greatly relieved when we were finally done with that surgery and recovery. However, she fell again, and had to have another back procedure performed. This time it was simply to relieve the pain of a nerve which was pressing on a bone in her back. Fortunately, I only had to take her for the procedure. It was simpler. I did not have to live with her during that recovery. She recovered quickly and seemed to be out of pain now. (Glorious Impossible.)
However, the patterns were developing against us. I could see that she would need someone around more and more. My house was 45 minutes away. I could not drive by every day of the week. She was determined not to move in with either of her children. This seems to be a common problem with her generation. I’m all about families looking after one another. She thinks such things are not good. I could not convince her to move in with us.
MOVING MOM INTO A RETIREMENT COMMUNITY
Finally, my Mom made the decision to move into an independent living situation at a retirement village. There she would enjoy having a full-time staff cooking her meals and helping her with her housekeeping. A medical staff was always available if needed. I didn’t want her to do this at first. However, as time moved forward I also became happy with this decision. (Glorious Impossible.)
The last months of the year were spent helping her to downsize, sell her home, and move into the new community. My team of family angels came to help. (BIG Glorious Impossible.) We finally got her set up in the way she desired. I’m happy to say she LOVES the new place. She tells her friends it is like living in a resort.
LIKE LIVING IN A RESORT
It surprises me to say, I have to agree. Her meals are delicious. Her apartment is roomy enough. It is furnished as she wants using her own things. She has all of her housekeeping done for her. Also, she doesn’t have to worry about keeping up a home anymore. No yard work. There is no homeowner’s insurance expense. She has no utility bills to pay. Plus, and this is the thing that she loves the most, there is a full day (every day) of entertainment and socialization with others. She can participate or not as she chooses. The choices are good ones. Art, exercise, crafts, shows, worship, concerts, conferences, etc. (Glorious Impossible.)
My Mom is a very social person. She has already made many new friends in this wonderful new place. I’ve been to many of the events with her. Their chapel is lovely and very active. I rarely walk down the hall of Mom’s floor without hearing the lovely sound of a choir singing in the background. The chapel is next to the ice cream parlor. A gift shop is not far from the ice cream parlor. These activities center around an open space with a beautiful, warm fire place. They are not far from a lovely porch where people can sit, watch what is going on with nature, and rock all day if they desire. Hardly a soul is doing that though – they are all too busy. (Glorious Impossible.)
You can keep a car on campus and drive anywhere you please at any time you please. I’ve never experienced such a positive way for the aging of the community to enjoy their golden days. I feel very blessed to have Mom living in such a community now. Sometimes they even get visited by Elvis! (Glorious Impossible.)
2025 WAS FULL AND EVENTFUL
In one year, I’ve helped my Mom and my husband recover from a total of eight major surgeries. Also, I’ve helped my Mom sell her home. Plus, I helped her to downsize and move into a retirement community. This year of 2025 has been the busiest year of my life. None of it was as expected, but I am grateful to God that we were able to accomplish all of this.
One thing I haven’t mentioned is the fact that I also had a fall. I stepped on a rotten board and fell through our back deck. It was pretty scary! The glorious impossible in this case is that it could have been much worse. However, now I need shoulder replacement surgery.
WRITERS MUST WRITE
Do you know what that last statement does to a writer’s mind? I need the use of the arm from that shoulder to type my manuscripts. I’ve already put so much writing off. So, I’m stalling on this surgery for a bit, but I know it will happen one day. I’m kind of glad I haven’t had time to go get that surgery yet. I do see it coming like a train, but I’m being patient about scheduling. I know such a surgery will surely change my world for a while.
First, I just want to enjoy being retired for a little while. I’ve been managing so far, but it isn’t easy to fix my hair. I can’t lift my right arm over my head. Often I complain of the pain from doing ordinarily normal things. The pain comes and goes. My doctor tells me I’ll be ready when I can’t sleep at night. I know recovery will be hard. It could take a long time. I’m holding out as long as possible.
In the meantime, there were so many other ways we were blessed with the Glorious Impossibles in 2025:
THE BLESSINGS OF GROWN CHILDREN
I surely do not want to be stalled from enjoying the annual fun activities we always share with our grown children and their amazing families. (Glorious Impossible.) Our feasts, festivities and family celebrations are always full. This year has been one of the best. We spent The Feast of Tabernacles on Lake Hartwell near Lavonia, GA this year. What a great week it was! The Feast of Tabernacles is always the highlight of our year. Another glorious impossible!
This school year held so many busy activities for our grands. They were involved in sports and drama. Our oldest enjoys drama, wrestling and Ju-Jit-Zu. He works a part-time job while not attending school. We don’t get to attend many of his events, since he is several states away.
Our granddaughter is actively involved with Girl Scouts and drama. She has done dance and gymnastics too. I actually got to attend her play this year. They did The Lion King and it was fantastic! She is an avid climber and enjoys this activity with her Papa.
Our youngest grand guys love playing together. They are about as close as two brothers can get. One loves football and basketball and the other enjoys soccer and baseball. I surely wish we were close enough to go to their games, but we chat about them long-distance.
ENJOYING GMA AND POP CAMP WITH THE GRANDS
The middle of 2025 was spent at Gma and Pop camp with our grands. Many of their parents decided to join us this year. We went back to the farmhouse we have enjoyed so many times in Tuscumbia. It had to be one of the best times yet. Gma and Pop Camp rocked in 2025. Another Glorious Impossible for sure.
SIDE TRIPS AND ADVENTURES
Our Alabama Daughter’s seem to have a knack for filling our days with interesting side-trips and adventures. I have a great memory of one day spent with the Mom of our only granddaughter. We all went exploring some of the history of Birmingham. My husband’s family history includes stories of iron workers and miners. The museums of Birmingham cover these subjects well.
Some of the explorations we participated in were of places where my husband used to live when he was growing up. It was also about learning more of his parents and grandparents. This turned out to be interesting and thought-provoking. Thanks for inviting us! It was a great day and it actually made the Glorious Impossible list of fun things to remember for 2025.
MOTHER’S DAY/FATHER’S DAY
We enjoyed Mother’s Day and Father’s Day this year. It was fun having our daughters, son-in-laws, and granddaughter cook for us. We got to talk on the phone with the South Carolina group also.
FUN FAMILY BIRTHDAYS
It seemed to be a big year for celebrating birthdays. One of the most fun nights was when our twin daughters turned 40. We shared a great party that night. (Glorious Impossible – having two such sweet daughters in our lives (actually there are three, but this was the 40th birthday of these two.) We celebrated our other daughter’s birthday at Gma and Pop Camp this year. It was great fun too!
We had birthdays running into other family gatherings all year. That is how it is when you have a large family. We celebrated two other birthdays at Gma and Pop camp, plus two at The Feast of Tabernacles (after we celebrated Jesus) and even our son’s birthday collided with our Hanukkah celebration. The more the better – we celebrated them all. Our granddaughter’s birthday always collides with Passover. Her party was a little late so we could accommodate both events without a problem.
PASSOVER/PENTECOST/FEAST OF TRUMPETS
We love keeping God’s Holy Feasts and Festivals here. Our gatherings for Passover, Pentecost and The Feast of Trumpets were amazing this year. These always count for glorious impossibles.
Every Feast or Festival we celebrate on God’s Calendar seems to offer another Glorious Impossible.
FEAST OF TABERNACLES/SUKKOT 2025
Every year I say this family trip could not be better. However, every year it is! (HUGE Glorious Impossible.)
THANKSGIVING AND HANUKKAH CELEBRATIONS
One thing I’ve learned in retirement is to enjoy the present moments. Often that means forgetting the camera and taking only photos that will last forever in my memory. I do regret that I’ve fewer photos of our Thanksgiving and Hanukkah gatherings this year. It seems I was enjoying the time more than pointing the camera. I did take some photos, but not my usual million and one. (Glorious Impossible.)
These two seasons were so much fun. Every moment was completely lovely. 2025 was our first year to substitute a Christian version of Hanukkah instead of celebrating Christmas. Jesus certainly met us there. It was beautiful, fulfilling and relaxing. Everyone enjoyed the celebration. It was full of meaning for us.
I have to say I wondered how much I would miss my extravagant seasonal decorations I used to put up at Christmas. Looking back now I can say we had such a warm and inviting house with the decor of Hanukkah. The lighting was beautiful and significant. I no longer suffer from having to take the tree down all by myself. (Glorious Impossible.) The winter themed decor of Hanukkah blended with how I wanted to decorate in January. So, I got to leave up a lot of the gold trimmings, candles and layers of blankets and pillows. The rooms were very festive and cozy for Hanukkah. They are helping to carry that feeling right on into the beginning of 2026 now. I’m happy with the results.
Our South Carolina children visited us (at least part of them) for several of the 8 days of Hanukkah. The rest of the family showed up for the eighth day. We shared a feast and discussed how Jesus was The miracle who became The Light of the World. I think all of us enjoyed the events. One daughter was in the middle of a career change, but she still made the time not only to see us over the holidays, but also to visit with Mom at the retirement community. Of course her husband was at her side.
The Mom and Dad of our only granddaughter are always very busy carting her from one activity to another, but they all three also set aside some good quality family time.
Our son, who is often absent or distracted and not available, came by for every event of the year except The Feast of Tabernacles. It was a great year full of family fun and worship together. Happy Glorious Impossible!
THE GRAND CHILDREN
That teen, almost a man, of a grandson showed up for a long Feast of Tabernacles and Thanksgiving visit. We really enjoyed catching up with him. It isn’t often he slows down enough for long visits. He was working during our Hanukkah celebration this year, but we understand how teens get to work more when the adults around them are off for the holidays. He needs to take advantage of those opportunities. We are so proud of him for working so hard while attending school and keeping his grades up at the same time. He is turning into a wonderful young man. We are so proud of him. (Glorious Impossible.)
As I mentioned earlier, our granddaughter is the busiest girl we know. She makes us very proud too. We enjoyed participating in her birthday party this Spring at her climbing gym. It was fun getting to know her friends better. They are all great climbers! She was part of a wonderful school play production of The Lion King. I’m so glad to have attended. She did an awesome job with her part of the play. I’ve never known anyone who loves animals more than this girl. The play called The Lion King suited her personality. (Glorious Impossible.)
Our two youngest grandsons are having a blast at this stage of their young lives. They are busy doing all that young boys like to do. These guys together seem to play every sport. They love school. Both of our guys have wonderful friends. They love their neighborhood. Lately I’ve noticed how they have been fine-tuning their manners. They are both learning how to behave like little gentlemen. We are proud of how they are growing up. (Two more Glorious Impossibles.)
OUR GROWING CIRCLE OF FRIENDS AND RELATIVES
One great blessing of retirement is the fact that you are free to join in with many local community groups and activities. These neighborhood activities and community events have really broadened our circle of friends. I wish I had pictures of about three more people here. You know who you are. We definitely are keeping the old friends. They are like gold, and we still hold them dear. Also, we are enjoying the new friends we have met on the way. This past year has been full of new friends. (Glorious Impossible.)
Our worship experiences have also brought us to know and enjoy many new and interesting friends. I think we have found a forever home among many of the conservative Hebraic roots believers which God has destined to travel our same pathway. We still haven’t found a local congregation who worships exactly as we do. However, God has shown us a group called Jacob’s Tent. (Awesome Glorious Impossible.)
We happily relate to this group of believers. Now we are regularly worshiping on-line with them every Sabbath. Of course, it has to be on-line. So far their teachings and lifestyles appear to line up exactly with all the things God has shown to us. (Another Glorious Impossible.) We’ve also enjoyed another on-line congregation sometimes affiliated with them called River of Life. One teacher in particular speaks directly into our lives.
It is such a blessing to know these groups exist. We are not alone in our thoughts from God. Because of this discovery of like-mind and like-kind, we give them our support however possible. We also hope to have the opportunity to visit with them in the future. In the meantime, our home church is very blessed to be enjoying their teachings every week. Our Sabbaths have been full.
THE WRITING
Considering all of the above, you would wonder if I’ve had one moment for writing. My original plans ONLY included writing. Ha! That’s what I get for trying to make my own plan. I should know better by now. You know that old saying that we make our plans and God shows us His. That is so true.
I was blessed to be able to attend The Southern Christian Writer’s Conference again this summer. It was wonderful, as usual. This conference always lives up to my expectations. The friendships alone are worth the cost of the conference. However, the writing skills I’ve developed from participating in their activities are also priceless. I sold a few books at this year’s conference, but more importantly, I also made some new friends. It was wonderful to touch base again with the friends I made last year. Wish I had taken more photos. I missed a lot of important pics.
This year I’ve been honored to be the winner of two of this conference’s short story awards. That means participation as an author in two anthologies which have been published by the conference.
THREE NEW SHORT STORIES PUBLISHED IN 2025
The first winning short story at the SCWC was for winning the conference’s February writing challenge. As “icing on the cake,” (excuse my play on the words of my story’s theme,) my short story was published in Anchored Magazine. I was actually chosen second place in that contest, but they published the first, second and third place entries.
My story was titled OUR SPECIAL VALENTINE’S TREAT. The book contained all of the 2025 winners of the SCWC’s monthly writer’s challenge winners. There was one contest for each month of the year with three winners for first, second and third places. The book was published as a collection under the title of THE WRITE COLLECTION 2025. This is a yearly publication edited by Cheryl Wray, and published by SCWC Books. The 2025 edition of the Kindle Edition is for sale on Amazon. You can purchase here: https://amzn.to/3LatYC6.
The other short story published under my name by the Southern Christian Writer’s Conference during 2025 is also part of a SCWC anthology collection which will be published into a new devotional book called ALL THINGS NEW. My story is titled WATER FROM THE WELL.
This anthology by authors of the SCWC, edited by Cheryl Wary, will be available on Amazon.com on January 11, 2025. I will also have hard copies. If you wish to purchase one from me send a note to wordcastlepublicaitons@gmail.com and request a copy. I will get back to you with purchase details. You can also purchase here: https://amzn.to/49v6px2.
CHRISTIAN WRITERS FOR LIFE PUBLICATION IN 2025
One other short story from me for this year of 2025 came as a part of a book published by a group called Christian Writer’s for Life. They published a lovely collection of short stories by writers in a book called PRAYERS THAT MOVE MOUNTAINS. The title of my story contribution is GOD ALWAYS KEEPS HIS PROMISES. This story is printed on page 121. You can purchase this book from Amazon.com by clicking here:https://amzn.to/4b8t43u , or you may send me an e-mail at wordcastlepublications@gmail.com to order from my own publishing company, Wordcastle Publications LLC. I will get back to you with detailed information for purchasing.
Yes, getting to write and being published was a HUGE Glorious Impossible for me in 2025. Thank you God. Thanks to all of you who have supported my efforts. I appreciate each and every one of you.
THE BEST LAID PLANS
In 2025, I planned to publish a book on Leviticus. It summarizes all we studied on the blog in our COME AS A CHILD BIBLE STUDY which is held every Thursday. This commentary is my take on The Book of Leviticus after we studied it thoroughly. The book takes all of our weekly studies much deeper. It colorfully summarizes all that we learned.
As I noted above, this year was full of the unexpected. I did not meet my goal to publish this book yet. A lot of the work is done, but not enough. I’ve learned that a great writer takes her time. That book is still in the works. I can say I’m thankful I’ve made great progress. (Glorious Impossible) Leviticus isn’t an easy write.
Also, I have begun two other new books on the subjects of Hanukkah for Christians and Purim for Christians. The book about Purim will probably come out sometime in February of 2026. Then the other book on Hanukkah will most likely be published around November of 2026. Keep reading The IN SEASON Lifestyle blog for further details.
Getting to publish three new short stories in the middle of this very busy year of unexpected changes was yet another of my “glorious impossibles” for 2025. I am very grateful to have accomplished this much in such an eventful year. Hopefully, in 2026 I will be giving thanks for having published some complete book manuscripts instead of mostly short stories.
THE BLOG
The IN SEASON Lifestyle blog is now in its 13th year. One of my greatest glorious impossibles. We began this blog by discussing seasonal topics, which included art, literature, décor, culinary suggestions and travel suggestions. Our articles were all slanted toward the seasons of a Christian’s life.
The bible study we presented every Thursday quickly took off. This study called COME AS A CHILD is now most central to our blogging publications. This Thursday weekly post is the one we never miss posting. As this bible study continues, we are still making our way through all of the scriptures together. It has been a 13 year journey so far. We are presently studying the life of David in the book of 2 Samuel. Each lesson is self-contained. Jump in and join us at any point. (theinseasonlifestyle.com)
Our “seasons” topics have become more and more Christian/Hebraic in nature, celebrating all of the Hebrew Roots information which can be found in the Torah. We love anything that honors or teaches Torah. God’s calendar is one of our favorite subjects. This has become our primary focus, so our writing has evolved more and more in this direction.
We still cover the other subjects whenever they relate to our central focus. Our monthly Newsletters were becoming too involved to keep up, so we discontinued them for a while. Now we are thinking of bringing them back. It seems they were missed by many. We would love to hear your thoughts on that subject.
BLOGGING IS SUCH A BLESSING
The blog is yet another “glorious impossible” of which God has blessed this writer. Blogging is my passion. Writing in the blog is like revealing the deepest thoughts of my heart. I hope it is as much of a blessing to others as it has become to me over the years. The blogging community of The IN SEASON Lifestyle blog is amazing. I could never take our loyal readers for granted.
If you hear that “blogging is out,” don’t pay attention. They are wrong. There is still a lot going on with our faithful readers. Blogging makes the world go round! Where else can you go to find the latest of your favorite subjects and know that new materials are always available? By the way, if you wish to browse through all of my published writings or order some of my books, just click here, https://theinseasonlifestyle.com/the-community-store/. The link will take you directly to The IN SEASON Lifestyle’s Community Store. We love it when you come by to visit.
Thanks to all who read and participate in The IN SEASON Lifestyle blog. You are loved and appreciated. You always make my list of “glorious impossibles.”
SUMMARY
So, I find myself at the end of 2025 and the beginning of 2026. Every ending becomes a new beginning. I’m saying the same thing this year that I said last year, “I can’t wait to really begin my retirement. I’m going to enjoy having the time to do all the things God is leading me into this year.” That thought in itself is a “glorious impossible” for 2025. It carries great hope for the future.
With my husband and my mother in better health, and my mother in a good new community, I expect to find that extra quality time during this coming year. If God is willing, I plan on writing some of my best work in 2026.
That is my plan. Time will tell. Whatever God decides to do, it always works together for good. Look at 2025 if you need a good example. I couldn’t feel more blessed. I’m sure 2026 is going to be full of even more “glorious impossibles.” I hope that you are able to say the same.
Remember to be living inside out and upside down, like Jesus. Keep 2 Timothy 4:2 going! Tuikkun Olam – repair the world.
Blessings to you and yours for a bountiful 2026!
Gail Landgraf/Blogger, Writer, Editor, Author, Publisher of The IN SEASON Lifestyle Blog