New Year

Tonight we say good-bye to 2011. I wish I could say that I'll miss it, but...no. Not this time. It has been a year of struggles. A year of faith. A year of mercy. I can look back and see that we made it. That through the mercy of others, we were able to survive. Through God's grace, we were able to say good-bye to loved ones knowing we'll see them again. The year of 2011, we found strength while on our knees.

But, I am looking forward to the New Year. To the blessings that God has in store for us.

I am looking forward to growing in the Lord.

Blessing others.

Being a friend in time of need, not just the good times.

Being a great Mom that notices those little moments.

To creating a Home ~ where ever we may end up.

Not on my list would be: patience, faith, and weight loss. I know your going to read that again to make sure you got that right! ;o) Yet, when you ask for patience, you get situations...that you have to use patience. To have patience, you have to use it. The same goes with faith. This year, my faith has been tested and grown. To deepen your faith, you must walk through situations where trusting God is you only option. That is when God shines through. We have been there, done that this year. Yes, I know my patience and faith still have room to grow. But, I am taking a break from asking for growth in those areas. And, well, weight loss ~ I am thinking that if I don't actually put it as a goal, it might actually happen! LOL

I pray that your New Year will hold blessings abound.

Spirit of Christmas

"For to us a child is born, to us
a son is given; and the govern-
ment shall be upon his shoulder,
and his name shall be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty
God, Everlasting Father,
Prince of Peace.” Isaiah 9:6

The day that children look forward to has come and gone. The wrapping paper has been cleared up. Christmas music will be coming to an end. Tomorrow everyone will go back to work as if it was just another day. Just another weekend. It's kinda sad.

I know, I know. I think the problem is that I didn't really get into the Christmas spirit until well...a maybe a week ago. Now, it's over and time to put the decorations down. Time to get back to normal. And, I'm not ready.

I don't want it to end. Not because of the presents under a tree. Not even for the wonderful BBQ that we had for lunch with homemade coconut pie for dessert. (although it was great!) I know it is not even the decorations that I'll miss. Those things do not make this season what it is.

It is the reminder that Christ chose to come to Earth. For Us. He became a man that felt pain and heartache. For Us. He came knowing that He was to die. For Us. Amazing! And because of Him, during this time of year, we tend to give a little bit more. We tell others how much they are loved. Family and friends become more dear.

Yes, I know. Those are things that should happen all year long. Maybe that should be my goal for next year. To carry the spirit of Christmas with me 12 months of the year ~ not just one. To make sure family and friends know how much they are loved and appreciated. To give more of myself and any resources that I may have all year long. To remember God everyday...even in my busy mess that I call life.

Love From the Oven

The cookie tray is done! We got busy today and did some baking. Luke made his favorites: coconut macaroons and snickerdoodle. Faith made chocolate & peanut butter chip cookies and a new pinwheel recipe. Joey made banana and sweet potato bread. I finished up with some brownies and fudge. I hope the firemen are hungry because their tray is full!! :) I love getting the kids in the kitchen. I used to be able to get them all in there, but now it's one at a time. In a few years, they will be able to follow the recipes without any help. That's good, right? To make them self-sufficient? Hopefully, they will still want me in there even when they don't need me in there. Hopefully they are learning to reach out to others, even when it is not convenient to do so. To help even when it is not expected.

"Let brotherly love continue. Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers,
for thereby some have entertained angels unawares." Hebrews 13:1-2

A wonderful thought, isn't it? To be in the presence of angels without being aware. Christmas is a time of miracles. So, who knows? Maybe there are some angels walking around here! It is my prayer that you have a Christmas full of miracles, big and small.

The Gifts of Christmas

That sounds easy enough, doesn't it? Keeping Christ in the center. We try to do it the rest of the year, don't we? Why is it that in the mist of the celebration of Christmas ~ Christ gets pushed to the side? Even Charlie Brown was looking for more in 1965. Remember his baby sister, Sally, said that she'd been very good this year. She had a long list of presents but if Santa was too busy, he could just send money. We haven't changed much over the past 46 years, have we?

What are we teaching our children? I didn't grow up in a church. Christmas, to me growing up, was a time for presents. Presents galore! All shapes and sizes! Go to sleep at night with a bare tree to wake up with the jackpot! (It still is my mom's favorite holiday.) But, where is Christ in the ribbon and boxes? Or where is Christ when we hand out cash and gift cards? As you probably remember, the Christmas story in the bible does mention gifts from the wise men.

"And going into the house they saw the child with Mary his mother, and
they fell down and worshiped him. Then, opening their treasures, they
offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh." Matthew 2:11

A celebration of life to see the Christ child. What an amazing moment that must have been! And, so today, we continue that tradition from the first Christmas. Gifts to celebrate. Now as a mother, Christmas is not about getting everything the kids want from their list. It never has been. (so hard for my mom) As long as they have a few things under the tree that will bring a smile, it's fine. It is about letting others know how much they mean to you. About letting them know that you think of them...pray for them. It is about letting them see a side of you that you might not show the rest of the year. During Christmas, we should let the love of Christ shine even more brightly through us to family, friends, and stangers.

Instead of just signing your name to your Christmas cards ~ just take a moment for each one and write a note for that person. I know, I know...that takes time. Seriously I know. I could only do about 8-10 a night before my hand would start hurting. But, when else are you going to send them a card and let them know how much you appreciate them?? Tomorrow we are going to bake for the fire station. We do that every Christmas since my Dad passed away. We deliver the goodies to the fire station that picked up my Dad and took him to the hospital before he died. What can you do over the next few days to show Christ in you? I am looking for ways to show Him through me. Little things that He places in front of me to do. God is not found in the gift itself but the giver.

Simple Gifts...

They are the reason my heart smiles. My three kids: Joey, Luke, & Faith. My nephew, Phillip. My three nieces: Summer (left), Cara (red sweater behind Faith), Abby (little one in front)

I love all the family pictures on our Christmas tree!

The kids decorate Gingerbread Cookies to share!

Fresh baked banana and pumpkin bread ready for special teachers!

And a few gifts under the tree!

Simple things that we should not take for granted. (pic 1) A family to love and that loves you. (pic 2) Warm memories to look back upon. (pic 3) Making memories and traditions with you children today. (pic 4) The smell and taste of food made from scratch with a touch of love baked in. (pic 5) The gifts that we unwrap each day from God.

For each new morning with its light,
For rest and shelter of the night,
For health and food, for love and friends,
For everything Thy goodness sends.
~Ralph Waldo Emerson

My Legacy

This will be my third Christmas without my Dad. He died in November of 1999. Those first holidays are hard after a loved one passes. Things are never the same. Old traditions have to be changed or tweaked a bit. Every year, I have always made Jesus a birthday cake. Each Christmas morning before we open any gifts, we stand together and sing 'Happy Birthday' to Jesus. Every year since my father has passed, I have always made his favorite: Coconut cake. It is a way to remember my Dad as we celebrate Christmas.

Today was another funeral. My husband's uncle passed away after suffering from Parkinson's disease for years. As we gathered remembering the good times of the man he was, it was easy to see how one man... can bring so many people and families together. One person can make a difference. It only takes one man to become a father or grandfather. Only one person to be the friend you need. Only one person to effect so many lives.

What will they say about me once I'm gone? What legacy do I leave behind? Will my kids look back on their childhood and say that it was rich in memories... and moments?? Or was I too busy? Will my nieces and nephew look back and be able to say that they knew they were loved? Will my friends be able to say she would stick beside you through it all? Will everyone know that Christ lives in me?

I begin each day creating my legacy. Each day I have the chance to show my children how to treat others. Each day I can be the friend with encouraging words or the shoulder to cry upon. I can start today being reliable ... kind ... forgiving. I can be the mentor for the kids that need loved on. I can be the teacher for the toddler that wants to express themselves. I can be the kind of mother so that my kids think I'm the best. I can be the wife that tries to understand.

Each of these are a choice. Our legacy is created moment by moment. Our days are numbered. Only God knows when they shall end. We must take today and not just do the best we can do. But, with Christ living in us, we must strive to do the best He can do!

"For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us."
2 Corinthians 4:6-7

SomeTHING vs. SomeONE

It's Christmastime once again, just in case you are still in denial. If you are a last minute shopper, then please, continue in denial for another week or so! ;) Me? Usually I am totally done by November except for stocking stuffers. I always love finding things throughout the year for my kids or my nieces and nephew. This year is, not so much. That's okay. As long as there are a few things for the kids to open Christmas morning, that is all that matters.

Christmas, after all, is not about the pretty paper and shiny ribbons. It is the story of love. Love from a Savior to you and me. Love that we should share with one another, not just during Christmas ~ but everyday. I find it amusing that while we are singing about peace on earth and good tidings toward men, people are hateful, pushing, fighting, stealing... all in the name of Christmas. (pepper spray? Really??) All for that next best gift. All for someTHING.

SomeTHING to fill up that void that everyone is searching for. SomeTHING to make us feel happy and content. SomeTHING that is real. When in fact, there is noTHING that can do it. Only someONE can fill that void in our hearts. SomeONE that is real and can make us content. The only someONE that we need is our Savior. He can do it all.

There have been several funerals this holiday season. I have another one of Monday. Funerals have a way of putting things in the right perspective. When it comes to the end of your life, all that stuff that was once under the tree which is now in a closet, doesn't matter. That is just stuff taking up room. The THINGS that matter are not THINGS. They are ONES. The someONES in your life that fill you with joy and make you smile. And, the someONE in Heaven that will give you peace now and always.

"Thou hast turned for me my mourning into dancing; thou hast put off my sackcloth, and girded me with gladness; to the end that my glory may sing praise to thee and not be silent. O Lord, my God, I will give thanks unto thee for ever." Psalms 30:11-12

Our Point of View

So often our lives, our attitudes need some fine tuning. I know that mine has!! We are looking towards something...some one to make us happy. If I only had a different job...If only we lived some where bigger...If only I'd find that special some one...If only... There can be a lot of "if only's" in this life. So often that we are not content with were we are. Where God has placed us right now, at this moment.

"When you pass that test of blooming where you're planted and keep a good attitude even when you don't feel like it, and stay calm when you don't get your way, and honor authority even when you don't agree, you are sowing a seed for God to take you where He wants you to go." Joel Osteen, Every Day A Friday.

I know there have been many moments in my life that I wished I didn't have to go through. I prayed for God to get me out of there. To change others. Or to change my circumstance. All along, God was changing me. I would not take those challenges away from my life. They have made me a better person. Stronger in my Faith.

So, I have learned a few things. One is to NEVER, I repeat, never pray for patience. Why? Because the only way you can learn patience is for God to give you lots and lots to be patient about!! LOL ;~D yeah, seriously, had a child with colic... And, Bloom Where God Puts You. Ask for God's help through your difficult seasons in life, but just skip asking God to change everyone around you. After all, if is YOU that He is trying to change.