Few things I'm Thankful For

I am first off thankful for my salvation. Ephesians 2:8-9, I have been saved by grace not by the nice things I choose to fit in and do for others. When someone gives you a gift, you don't say "Oh how lovely, how much do I owe you?" The appropriate response is "Thank you!" Yet, we still forget that we are to SAY thank you not just constantly DO things for Christ to repay him. 

Don't get me wrong here..I'm not saying you don't have to DO for Christ. Because the next verse (vs. 10) says that we are created to do good works. Those works, God has already planned for us! Just have to rest and wait and THANK him while you wait for the next thing he is calling you to do. 

Hubby Carl and I

Next I am thankful for my husband. I've shared a little about Carl in a previous post. This is the man that I have been praying for since 7th grade! This is the man that my parents prayed for since I was a little girl! We have been married now for almost eight and a half  almost TEN years. This man has learned so much and and has truly been the man I believe God has called him to be. I am SO THANKFUL for him!!! 

Papa and Gigi

I am next thankful for my parents! My parents ROCK. Have I ever mentioned Papa and Gigi night? Well, most every Friday nights they keep all the grandkids for "PapaGigi Night". Yes, you read that right..most EVERY Friday!!! My parents have been there when it counts not just when it's convenient. Even when my mom was at her worst stage in her MS she never missed out on anything. Just being there was enough. My parents are supportive to me, my husband, and best of all our kids! My parents truly showed me how to be a good help mate to their spouse. They both showed me how to truly love The Lord. My parents ensured that I (Nan included) grew up in a household that wasn't afraid to love. That wasn't afraid to say I'm sorry (we never went to bed mad). I truly enjoyed growing up in their household! I am thankful for them! 

Nanna and Hunky Wes

I am also thankful for these two people. My sister (Nanna) and brother in law. I have also talked about how Nan has blessed me all through our childhood up through adulthood in a previous post. She has totally blessed my socks off as an adult. We really get "it" and our relationship the older we got. Nan and WD has both showed me how to love anyone. They have opened their home up to foster children. Adopted children. Babysit children. Keep my kids time to time. Talk about a heart of gold. One for Nan to truly love unconditionally no matter what and for my bro-in-law to just go with it and love right along with her! My goal is love people the way my sister loves people. So in that, I am thankful for what they do for me in my life and thankful for showing me how to love people. 

I am thankful my grandparents. My Granny and Big Papa are now living in heaven. 

Granny

Big Papa

I am thankful for the amazing memories that we have together. Granny and Papa use to take us for the summer and we would go all over the place. Papa owned a donut shop and loved how special we felt when we walked into the shop! I loved how that they told us no matter what we ever did they would always love us and accept us in their house. (Not that I thought my parents ever wouldn't accept me. LOL, just nice to know that other people loved you like your parents) My Grandma-ma!!! She is QUITE the woman!!! She has been an amazing grandma to me but I will have to put it to her. She has been an fabulous GREAT Grandma-ma. I love that my kids cannot wait to be with her and around her. They always want to know if Grandma-ma will be there for whatever we are doing. I am SO thankful for the relationship that I have with grandparents and the relationship my kids have with them!

There are so many things that they can learn from elder

Grandma-ma with Ian

Christians that their momma and daddy just simply can't teach them.



I am thankful for my husbands job.
I am thankful to live in the USA.
I am thankful for my house.
I am thankful for music.
I am thankful for my church home.
I am thankful for allergy medicine.
I am thankful for our President.
I am thankful to be able to homeschool our children.
...the list goes on and on...

We should be thankful in ALL things!! 

It is obvious that money and material possessions and several other things can get in the way and make a mess of ones spiritual walk. I think that when we are truly thankful in all things and have our sufficiency in Christ, our priorities are aligned. (1 Tim 6:6-10, Heb. 13:5)

With the ark of God, David appointed Levites to continual praise and give thanks to God. Praise and thanksgiving should be a regular part of our daily lives. It is hard some days to do these and find things to be thankful for. (1 Chr. 16: 4)

Little over a year ago, it was really laid on my heart to truly be thankful for what we had. Not to want for anything more. I went through a stage where there was nothing new bought material wise. We had plenty and that was good. I went through our clothes and got rid of 15 bags of clothing that was just extras. We never wore it. It just make our closets look great by being full and needing not. I had forgotten all the wonderful gifts that God had gave to me in my life. 

I should be thankful in all things. The good, bad, and the ugly.

I pray that I continue to see all the gifts to be thanking God for! I will say, November isn't the only "thankful" month of the year.

Many Blessings To YOU!!

Friendship (s)....

Friends. 

Not a common word used in my vocabulary at the moment..

Why? Well, God has given me so many friends over the years. Some were friends for childhood. Some for teenage years. Then some as adulthood.

I still hold such a special place in my heart for my friend from childhood. We grew up so much together. We weren't afraid to be ourselves through those awkward times of growth. She was the first who i remember talking of God with. She and her family prayed at dinners together and listened to Christian music. She loved to sing. Amy Grant always! LOL My family at the time wasn't going to church so it was something new for me. Different schools. Different choices as we grew up and that was it. 

My friends over my teenage years were the group of youth in our church. Talk about a comfort zone for me! I loved being silly and crazy with them. I loved that there was no judgment for being me. I loved them like family. We were together some weeks 4 our of the 7 days of the week. Some weeks even more. When the girls would spend the night.

My adulthood friendships have been family. I have had some come into my life and go that quick. For me friendship as an adult, married, with kids, and my own schedule is hard! It's work. Work I'm not willing to do or sacrifice my own family for. I couldn't imagine picking a friend over my spouse or my kids. And those that were in and out that quick were in need of my friendship at the time. 

Friends come,

Friends go,

But a true friends is there 

to watch you grow. 

I can think of one friend that has been there the last 30 years. 

That friend loves me sacrificially. I love that friend in the equal amount.

"Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends."

John 15:13

That friend accepts me unconditionally. 

"A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity."

Proverbs 17:17

This friend truly accepts me and forgives me. The same goes from me to that friend.

This friend understands boundaries.

"love is patient, love is kind, love isn't envious...."

1 Corinthians 13:4

This friend doesn't smother. This friend is joyous while I'm rejoicing. This friend truly looks out for me and desires the best for me. The same goes from me to this friend.

Some of the greatest friendships in the bible that comes to mind is Ruth and Naomi, David and Jonathan, and Mary, Martha, Lazarus and Jesus. 

You can see clearly the love that they all had for one another. Ruth loved Naomi so much she wanted to stick by Ruth's side forever. Jonathan saved David's life. David's love for Jonathan is shown through the tears of deep sorrow of knowing they would have to say goodbye. Then the sibling relationship together with Jesus was such sacrificial love and service. Jesus loved them the same. And they wept together. I know there are so many other friendship stories in the Bible. These are just a few off the top of my head. 

I have had one friend that has been there for me and has been the best for me. 

That friend is my sister!!  

My sister Knows all my faults. Yet she still loves me! I know that I can be ugly at times. I know that I can be selfish at times. I know that what comes out of my mouth is something that shouldn't have been said. Yet, she still loves me and is quick to forgive me!

My sister knows how to LOVE. She knows how to love the easy to love and the hard to love. She has taught me the heart always has room to love and be available. She can always see the other side of a story. So she can quickly get me off my high horse about something and bring me down to reality. That reality is love first. 

My sister knows the importance of family. She truly understands boundaries. She would never ask or expect me to put her before my kids. She loves my kids as her own. She loves my husband like a brother. She would be there for him just as she is for me. I love that she is my family and my friend. 

My sister knows it all. She keeps my secrets and she is available to listen to anything. Even if it doesn't pertain to her directly. She takes interest in my life. She is invested.

Us not just being friends but sisters as well is truly what I call unique. I know not another friendship that is sister related. I know that God has truly given us each other. He has blessed us tremendously! We have shared so much together. The birth of my children. The whole adoption process with her boys. We have shared tears of joy. Tears of being angry. She is such a fantastic person. I wish I was willing to share her with you. But...I'm not! :) 

She has been a great example of the true genuine friendship. 

If you have seen or experienced this type of friendship you have been blessed! This true genuine Christ like friendship is hard to come by. 

I give God the Glory for the relationship I have with my sister. She is such an amazing friend and sibling! 

I love you Nan!

Many Blessings To YOU!! 

My Testimony

I don't feel that we Christians tell our testimony often enough. 

I could listen to people's testimonies everyday. I just love it! 

I use to feel my testimony wasn't as top notch or moving as other people's testimonies...

I wasn't a gang banger or drug dealer. I didn't serve time in prison...I wasn't an atheist. 

I didn't come to know the Lord in a bar on a Saturday night....

My testimony started with I was 10. 

It was the summer and my parents were going to Falls Creek with the church as a sponsor. I wasn't old enough to be a student there. I got to go to the sponsors kid's classes. It was wonderful! So much fun from what I remember. About two days into the week, I began to feel heavy. 

I remember saying something to my mom about it one evening. Remember, I wasn't "old enough" to participate as a student there. But I did get to hear the same sermons as everyone else. I felt my parents were there for those kids who was old enough to be there. I didn't want to take away from them. So I didn't bring it back up.

One evening after evening service I was laying on the bottom bunk and just knew for certain I was needing to say "the prayer". The one we all know...It wasn't until we got home from camp that I really started asking more questions to my parents. Once my parents felt that I truly was having a full understanding of this commitment, they called our minister at the time, Tommy Henson. Tommy was gracious to come to the house to speak to me. He informed me that the next step was baptism! I was super excited! So, that's what I did.

I do believe 89% of what people tell me. I'm what you would call gullible...So believing wasn't a battle for me. I could look outside and around me and just know that something more had to do with what I was seeing. Believing in God was not an issue. Too many wonderful things were present to just think they happened. Believing then and believing now, isn't an issue. 

Step through the next few years of me being a Christian...

I was very black and white. There was a major right and a major wrong decision/choice. There wasn't anything in between. I strived for perfection. I was told I was "as perfect as perfect can be". Which has two sides...

1. I really believed I was near perfect

2. I didn't fail at things I tried

This is good and bad context of being taken. 

What I am about to say will be awful to some and you will think I am crazy or it will resemble your feelings. I seriously felt like I was the best of the best. Almost better than most people. Due to the lack of failing.  Anything I tried, I was successful.

I was also good at pleasing others (and enjoyed being a people pleaser). So it always felt as if i was being pretty darn close to perfect. 

 "I wasn't a sinner like most." I stayed far away from the line of good and bad, the right and wrong choices. I didn't come close to going over "the" line.

It wasn't until a few years ago that I realized I wasn't not perfect or anywhere near being perfect. I really was starting to understand grace. It is okay if  I get close to the line and i have discovered that the line isn't as thin as I once believed. God allows the space for messing up and making the wrong choices. God's grace and mercy is what I have really been learning the last several years. I have discovered that even though I am not perfect no matter how hard I try, I know that God's grace and mercy will never end. It is everlasting. 

I have truly recognized my need for Him and the dependence that is a MUST! 

Because God has been merciful to us, we have a reason to be merciful in our actions toward those who are in need. 

We must 

"be merciful, just as our Father also is merciful"

Luke 6:36

Mercy is one of God's communicable attributes, meaning that he shares it with us and expects it from us. 

When I came across that verse I truly felt like the doors came crashing open and the flood gates were being rushed over me. Here I was thinking I was better than a certain person due to whatever reason and I clearly am not. I should show them grace and mercy that God has showed me thorough out my life so far.

If we belong to him, if we are being delivered from sin because of God's mercy, we have a reason to to always and forever grateful to our heavenly Father. We should be singing right along wit the psalmist,

 "I will sing of the mercies of the LORD forever"

Psalm 89:1

Or with Horatio Spafford when he writes in his hymn, It Is Well with My Soul:

...Let this blest assurance control,

That Christ hath regarded my helpless estate,

And hath shed His own blood for my should.

...Praise the Lord, Praise the Lord, O my soul!

My testimony many not be quite as moving to a person who truly was in the depths of the darkness. But, surly to someone who has stood tried and true through the time of their walk. We all have ups and downs in our relationship with Christ. However it's the constant up hills that we continue to do that means a lot. 

Hope you enjoyed!

Many Blessings To YOU!! 

Survival...

Our school life is a tad bid different. When I say tad...I mean it is drastically different. 

I use to have a schedule for our day. Each kid new what was happening and what was about to happen. We started our morning with breakfast at the table and followed by calendar time. Then school all together at the table. We did this until everyone was finished for the day.

 Now, we wake up when we get up and eat breakfast on the couch under blankets. Then we play or color or even watch more TV. 

I do school separately with each kid. 

Why this change you ask? 

We are surviving here people. Two, 1 year olds who "rule" the house and what happens. That's why! It's easier to sit and do school singularly with BL and the twins crawling over me. Then to manage two doing different grades while I'm pretending to be a jungle gym... 

Everyday we get our essentials in. 

They just are done in different ways than before. 

We do it cooking, in side walk chalk, we do it orally, we have done it on the computer through games and card games. 

Some days we haven't gotten to school until my husband gets home. 

It has taken me a little bit to mentally adjust to this style we are doing. This season that I am in. It really had me down and truly second guessing myself. But guess what!?!?! My kids are still learning! Bear is READING! She is adding and spelling beautifully. She is doing above her level. BL is above his level. He is showing me some major critical thinking on how he thinks and his math skills are out of this world (scares me how he thinks with math)! He loves history & geography. Everything he can soak in about history he is there and doing it. He is infatuated with our Presidents. We have several books just about our presidents history and their stories before coming president. 

They are getting more real life these day. We have been camping more this summer and that gets LOTS of extra science and life skills in. Picture above Carl and BL are using magnifying glass to start "fire". We only allowed smoke :) 

Carl is coaching both of the kids soccer teams this year! I have never enjoyed anything more than I do watching him coach our kids & nephews. Brings tears just to think about this man and the love I have for him. I just LOVE us!

I have had to go back and remind myself why we are homeschooling the last few months. I have had to remind myself that we are still accomplishing what our goals are. Just in a different way. I had to reevaluate. Which is okay!! I know that our children are still growing in so many ways. I am growing in so many ways! Our marriage is growing right along. So many things are going right! 

They're just TOO cute to not have this to show!

In a couple months we will be out of the up hill we are in for our school. We will reach the top and when we do, it will be quite the sight! I will look back on this segment of our life and praise the Lord that He got us through the not so easy times. 

James 1:1-13

Specifically has spoke to me. I have not questioned God's goodness. But perhaps his wisdom in our homeschool journey. But, God is the one who gave us more children. I know that he is bringing me though this trial (and error) of life right now. Our journey this season has been lots of TRUST. Trusting in each other. Trusting in ourselves. and foremost TRUSTING God! And through all this trials God is giving more wisdom. The last few months I just keep asking God for wisdom and guidance. God has given me acceptance to how our schoolhouse is right now. I still need to be reminded time to time. 

There are purposes for God's trials. 

That purpose is to remind us (me) He is still in control!

Many Blessings To YOU!!!

Wow! Been Awhile. Lots of new things happening.

Just to start off instead of it lingering. We are expecting! We will be meeting a little girl in February! This will be gift number five for us!

We have really start to prepare for this one quick. 

She will be here within a blink of an eye! Lots of holiday's coming up and this time of year just goes by quick naturally.  

With three in diapers, we have decided to take a hand at cloth diapering. I am excited to get my stock together starting. 

Homeschool has been a new learning experience in our home. With two one year old in the house we have had to work more at school and schedule. I say schedule..but I truly mean NO schedule. While they are napping that's when we get most of the schooling done. Some days we wait till dad gets home to finish up some of the things that needs more emphasis. 

Speaking of dad...he is now working for a different company here in our town. He got into a really big wreck in May.

His breaks failed and slammed right into another semi. Praise the Lord that he was alive and okay!

Other than several internal bruises and external scrapes he was able to (almost) walk away. The paramedics of course didn't allow that. With few weeks of physical therapy he was back on his feet. After the wreck, he knew how hard it would be to continue to drive the semi. 

God truly works in some crazy mysterious ways! With this wreck opened a door to a local company. A local company that's values are so close to ours. He has really enjoyed the move and job change. 

The last several months my heart has been heavy. Heavy with the mercy that God showed with my husbands wreck. Heavy with our decision of homeschooling still. Heavy with job change and the finical side that always brings. Heavy with the new arrival coming. 

In all those things and many many more, I have been overwhelmed. I get overwhelmed easily. 

In anytime that I feel this way, this verse is thrown in my direction. It is one of my favorites. I also have to listen to the Ricky Skaggs song Lead Me to the Rock. 

Many Blessings To YOU!!! 

Remain

I am not a New Years Resolution maker. I do feel that there are obvious things to learn from the years that have past. 

This year, I have decided to come up with a word that I can just think of to help remind me of my priorities. That word is REMAIN. 

John 15:4-17

Commonly preached scripture. The Vine and the Branches. I am remaining in Christ so that means that I am to produce the qualities of Christ. I am to glorify God in ALL that I do. In order to do that, I am to remain in him and stay close to God. God will nurture me to blossom in his direction and at the right moment for his glory. 

I choose to follow Jesus, because he is my friend. 

Love. I have spoke about love before. And will continue to! Christians will continue to get hate from the world. We are called to LOVE each other. Support each other. Jesus commands it and will give us the strength to do so. We need to stand firm together. Find other believers to stand firm with.

Told you I would keep speaking of love.

"..now these three remain:

 faith, hope and love. 

But the greatest of these is love."

1 Corinthians 13:13

Love is an attribute of God himself. Love involves some of the most UNselfish motives. It SHOWS someone that you truly care. Love is an action! When you have faith and hope in line and in focus with God, you are free to love completely because you understand how God loves.

I've said it before. Love is one of the hardest thing for me to show. I have gotten better. Such a daily prayer for me. It is easy to show towards my family. But, lots to get over myself in order to truly love strangers. 

"If we are faithless,

he will remain faithful,

for he cannot disown himself."

2 Timothy 2:13

Jesus is faithful. He will stay by our side even when we endured so much and seem to be alone. He IS there!! I am not of this world, so I do feel alone at times. I just remind myself that this isn't where I call home. I will one day be called home. That is what I am living for now. And those lonely times I have here on Earth, I can be reminded that Jesus remains faithful to me, his follower!

"...You remain the same, and your years will never end."

Hebrews 1:12

Christ remains the same. He is changeless. The hymn "On Christ the Solid Rock I stand, all other ground is sinking sand" really reminds me of Christ's never chaining state.

"...the anointing you received from him remains in you, and you do not meed anyone to teach you. But as his anointing teaches you about all things as that anoint is real, not counterfeit-just as it has taught you, remain in him."

1 John 2:27

We can put our total trust in him, rely on him for guidance and strength, and live as Christ wants us (me) to live. Life long personal relationship with Christ. 

This all circles back to the beginning. John talked about this exact thing with Christ as the vine and his followers as the branches. 

To stay true and discern the truth we must be in the word. Remaining in Christ.

Happy New Year to you!

Many Blessings To YOU!!!

Christmas Eve

Our family getting is ready for our candle light service. This is one of my very favorite services of the year. Many reasons.

We are all gathered together to worship for the same reason, Christ's birth!

Bear 4, Itty Bitty and Bubbers 11 mo., & BL 7

We are in a constant reminder that of the true meaning of Christmas. I know that Santa is important to some due to building imagination and all that. We do santa in a very small fashion...to be honest, mainly, so our kids don't ruin Santa for other people's children. Santa is only brought up when our children bring him/her up, which isn't too often to us. I love hearing "Christmas isn't about all the presents mom!" "Christmas is my favorite time because that's Jesus's birthday!" That is what I love to hear. My son practically will preach it to our 4 year old when she is over Santa-fying the conversation. That boy is being strongly prayed for to be a major advocate for Christian Apologetics!! We need more men and women to take big stands for Christ.

I love Christmas music! I've mentioned in a previous post my favorite Christmas song and why. But, give me Christmas music after Thanksgiving and I'm happy! NOT the decorations. The music! I love Silent Night as well. Shepherd's quake at the sight, Glories stream from heaven afar, radiate beams from thy holy face...Alleluia to our King. Christ the Savior is born!! I just love it! I cannot imagine being one of those who saw Christ as a babe. I would be quaking too and silent! Such a beautiful song. Shouldn't I still quake at what Christ does in my life? Shouldn't I still be silent?

Reminds me to love. To love with every ounce in me. To love like I have never loved before. That kind of love when you're at Walmart and you don't purposely go out of your way to be rude. That love that when you do the unexpected, you leave the person speechless! The love that somehow just melts your insides. It leaves you so vulnerable and quite possibly have to fight back a tear because you are so over filled with IT. That LOVE is the ONLY love that GOD can give to you!! Only a believer can truly experience and show and KNOW that kind of true love. Simply, because there has never been anyone other than God himself to show that type of love to anyone but him. 

Hope. Every Christmas Eve service gives me hope. Hope that the next year one of my children or nephews will become a believer!! Hope that Christ will return!! We are waiting for one my children (minus the babies) and a nephew to become a believer. This is a daily outpouring prayer of mine.

Joy! Joy to the World and I've Got the Joy Joy Joy Joy Down in my Heart! Joy!! Christ WILL return one day and that won't even stop the rocks from singing and rejoicing in his return! I must prepare room for Him for that joyous occasion if I'm here when He decides to make his return. Christmastime gives me joy! 

In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world.  (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.)  And everyone went to his own town to register.  So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David.  He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child.  While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born,  and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.  And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night.  An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified.  But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.  Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord.  This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger."  Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,  "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests."  When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let's go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about."  So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger.  When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child,  and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them.  But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.  The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.

Luke 2:1-20

Lastly, I love this time due to family. I know I have mentioned before what my family means to me and why I am ever so thankful for them. But, I love that my children truly NEED my sister (Nanna) and her husband, my brother (Hunky Wes). My children NEED their cousins. I NEED my sister and brother. Bear came home today sobbing because she was so incredibly sad that she couldn't stay longer with them today. Remind you we would see them again in 3 hours after she dropped them off. But, she and Baby Love have a bond with them that I am ever so grateful for. Along with my sister and brother's heart is just pure gold.

My parents. (tear) I terribly NEED them. They work so hard at supporting our decisions and just loving us. They know what being a genuine parent is. There are no strings attached at the other end when you call and may possibly need something or even just want to talk. God knew exactly what he was doing pairing my family together. Somedays I just sit and think and soak it all in of the wonderful gifts that God gave to me JUST through my family. Like I said, I NEED my parents. My children may possibly if there is a chance, NEED them more than I do. The love they have to Papa and Gigi and vice versa is unstoppable. There is nothing like it. I strive to be the mom that my mom was/is to me towards my children. I will one day strive to be the gigi/grandma/granny whatever the kid(s) call me towards them. She is amazing at pretty much anything she does!

This man right here. He is everything that I wanted when I said "I do". He has grown as the spiritual leader of our house and knows how to protect us in our spiritual walk along with protecting in many other ways. Just like my sister and parents I NEED NEED NNNEEEDD him. When we got married we were still kids and I love seeing how we have grown together in Christ. I love seeing where Christ has brought us! Just one more way that God is showing me how much he loves me! Christmas just seems like the most open time for all the mushy feelings and tender hearts to show. (I'm not so mushy and tender most of the time.) It is easy to see all that God has given. I do believe that God has given me the best of the best!! 

God has given me some of the GREATEST family that He could ever have given. We are not your normal. We don't claim to be your average normal family either. That is what I love. 

God gets every single bit of glory in my life for it all. 

Hope that you have a VERY Merry Christmas!!

Many Blessings To YOU!!!

O Holy Night

Cantique de Noel began as a poem in 1847 until Placide Cappeau de Roquemaure sent it to his friend Adolphe Charles Adams to set it to music. You can read all of the history of the coming of the beautiful song here. 

How this song came together from two men from totally different background is just absolutely amazing to me! This is what one may call "a God thing". Not only was it the two men who had their belief differences but, their countries were at war. 

I love this song! You get the complete gospel package from this one song. Did you know that in 1906 it aired on AM radio for the first time! And for the first broadcasting THIS is the song they chose. Want to read more on this find it here. 

We are eagering longing for Christ's return to set us free from our sins. In Romans 8:19-22, creation was waiting eagerly for the son of God to be revealed. With Christ's birth we saw redemption and reconciliation through that God's son. God promises that the pains and heartaches and groans of this world will not be apart of the new heaven and that is what I am looking forward to! This song reminds me of that!! In Christ we are made new. 2 Corinthians 5:17-19, Paul reminds us that we are made new in Christ and continues to work in me. 

Matthew 2:8, The Magi were sent to search for the son of God on Herod's behalf. Once they found the child, they bowed down and worshiped him. Here are the smartest of the smartest men of the time out in the search for this child. And they were bringing him gifts fit for a king and what do they do!? They fell on their knees and worshiped him! They knew as soon as they saw him he was the son of God. Perfect reminder to me as to where the true importance SHOULD be at for this holiday season! We should be on our knees worshiping Christ! 

Love. This is where it gets me in the gut. 

Love.

John 15 speaks a lot of love. But, stands out is verse 13. 

Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. 

We are to love each other as Jesus loved us, and he loved us enough to give his life for us. We many not have to die for someone, but there are other ways to show sacrificial love. 

Next is 1 John 4

Let us love one another, for love comes from God.

Most people think love is a feeling. Love isn't a feeling. Love is an action! (I'm reminding myself of this) Love is a choice. God is the source of my love. He loved me enough to sacrifice his Son for me. Jesus is our example of what love means. As Christians, the Holy Spirit gives us the power to love like Christ loves. 

I am choosing LOVE. 

Many Blessings To YOU!! 

Mercy

We are finding the area and perimeter of our gingerbread men! The best part for them I assume, was eating the marshmallows after measuring! I did learn my lesson today. Do our workbooks BEFORE the fun part and eating marshmallows.....

Cinderella, as she is being referred to these day even enjoyed it! She now knows how to measure the perimeter and area of ANYTHING! 

Finding the area. Once again. Do the school workbooks BEFORE measuring with marshmallows. Hard to get the rest of the work done after all the fun part!

We have been doing the Adventure in Odyssey's: Whits End Mealtime Devotions for a few weeks now. We have really enjoyed this book and our meal time talk! It starts off with a mealtime prayer. Gives you a new fresh way to bless our food. So they learn that they can pray for other things other than mommy and daddy and the food. Then moves into the Appetizer course of the devotion. This has a fun question or activity. One of the first lessons we did the appetizer was to put a bowl of ice-cream in the middle of the table. Then it just sit there until the end of the devotion. Next is the Main Course. This usually used an object lesson or a just thinking idea. After the Main Course is our Table Talk. Carl will ask the questions to help with an interesting discussions of our devotion. The ice-cream that was put in the middle of the table turned to showing that it wasn't everlasting and that God is everlasting. We have really enjoyed our mealtime devotions. It seems that it is easier to get that in during dinner since we are all automatically at the table together!

One mission that has been on my heart along with my family's heart is Mercy Ships. If you have not looked up this mission organization you MUST!! This is a ship that serves as a hospital!!! The ship delivers hope to those around the globe that is in a dire need of medical attention. Mercy Ships have delivered more than a billion dollars worth of medical attention for FREE to those people that their country does not provide access for their medical needs. 

The ship provides eye surgery, dental care, and life transformation surgeries. The surgeries go from birth defects, tumors, and neglected trauma. Along with the attention they give to the people they are also training their own people to tend to medical needs. Along with the surgeries they are providing orthopedic care and physical therapy. They also tend to women's health along with addressing mental health issues. I just absolutely  LOVE what this ship is doing for the people! There are several ways to give to them. You can pick where your money goes or just make a blank donation.

Many Blessings To YOU!!!

Grace...

Growing up I always heard, "You are near perfect as perfect can be". To which I strived to live as near perfect as I could possibly be and still knowing I sinned 'a little'. I know that some of my actions couldn't compare to others of my peers if we are to put on a scale of worst to best...I knew I wasn't perfect but I just didn't think I was "as bad as others". 

Which now as an adult I see that I was wrong. God gave me the same exact grace as the one who was the worst. 

Not shaming being told "You're near perfect as perfect could be" (I tell my kids that but reminding them they are that way with God's power) but it gave me a false look on how bad I really was. 

My heart was in the wrong place. I (speaking of myself) felt that I was good on my own. I was a Christian with this mentality. 

"'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weakness, so that Christ's power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weakness, in insults, in hardships, in persecution, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong."

2 Corinthians 12:9-10

Here I was thinking I was good and I was truly being a natural born sinner! Only he is able to make me (us) effective for his work. I don't know why it took me until I was a mom to realize my weaknesses and that I couldn't do any job, talent, or gift without HIS help. 

God's everlasting grace is exactly what I (we) need. I was so into me, I forgot my humility! I know that humility and Junior High/High School student isn't always hand in hand. However, I can only imagine what it would have been like for me to show others the kindness and grace that God has given me. 

Please read Romans 5. Talks about the marvelous grace that God has bestowed upon me (us). How that even though I am a sinner who cannot even come close to perfection He still provided a way. Instead of punishing me, Christ took it upon himself and died on the cross. Now, I can rejoice that I am a sin and God grace has looked pass all the sin. 

Hard lesson but I have decided that any thing that is not in Christ, just isn't for me. The more work, friends, and places I go that is IN Christ the closer I am to Christ. I have decided that being in Christ is much better than all the drama that this world provides. 

Paul reminds us that just because we have the grace and forgiveness doesn't me we get to sin like the dickens. Romans 6:1-2 If we are to take sin less serious than Christ dying on the Christ is less serious as well. We cannot take advantage of God with our sin...Okay, that's said. I didn't want you to think that purposely sinning was okay. 

Julia Harriette Johnston wrote a beautiful hymn on grace.

Marvelous grace of our loving Lord,

Grace that exceeds our sin and our guilt!

Yonder on Calvary's mount outpoured,

There where the blood of the Lamb was spilt.

Grace, grace, God's grace,

Grace that will pardon and cleanse within;

 Grace, grace, God's grace,

Grace that is greater than all our sin!

Many Blessings To YOU!!