Spinning Out of Control

Cold winds blow. My home stays warm. I am full. I am beyond blessed. Words can not express my thankfulness so I show my gratitude by living as I should.

Simple? At times, yes. At times no. 

There are times when I fight the call to surrender all, much like Deacon did when Cady wanted to show him the thrill of the slide. Unsure of new things we all question. Trusting God is not natural. 

There are times when it is easier, I have found the years and HIS faithfulness have been proven. He deserves my affection and my trust. I enjoy the ride. 

Then there are times when life calls the shots and I am on the merry go round pushed by a 3 year old and I can't make heads or tales of anything. No one asked if I was ready, no warning, no consult. Loss. Death. Hurt. Pain. Life. Uncertainty.

What I found on the merry go last week is that if I kept my eyes on one thing I wouldn't get sick. I could wait out my "ride".  

Hebrews 12

 ¹ Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, ² fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. ³ Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.

Christmas Weekend 3

It's the most wonderful time of the year
With the kids jingle belling

And everyone telling you "Be of good cheer"
It's the most wonderful time of the year

It's the hap-happiest season of all
With those holiday greetings and gay happy meetings
When friends come to call

It's the hap- happiest season of all

(Cady made this scarf for J'Cee in her class, she liked it:)

There'll be parties for hosting

Marshmallows for toasting

And caroling out in the snow

There'll be scary ghost stories

And tales of the glories of
Christmases long, long ago

It's the most wonderful time of the year
There'll be much mistltoeing

(Christmas fajitas)

And hearts will be glowing

When love ones are near
It's the most wonderful time of the year 

(angel tree wrapping)

A Christmas Wedding

You've got to give a little,

take a little

And let your poor heart break a little 

That's the story of, 

That's the glory of love 

You've got to laugh a little, 

cry a little

Until the clouds roll by a little 

That's the story of,
That's the glory of love 

As long as there's the two of us 

We've got the world and all its charms 

And when the world is through with us 

We've got each other's arms 

You've got to win a little,

 lose a little 

Yes, and always have the blues a little 

That's the story of,
That's the glory of love 

That's the story of,
That's the glory of love 

^{1 John 3:16} 

This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us.

 And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters. 

Enjoying his Grace, Extending his Glory

Yes, I am reading Radical

I don't know ....

if it's because I did all my shopping online this year.

Finally made use of the 30 boxes I received. 

Ready for our 4 Christmases. 

or because of our advent this year

The Jesse Tree

from a blogger/writer I have really been encouraged by

or because I accomplished this...

letting go a little, I am on sabbatical

rest from activity, not all, just the excess I found myself in

BUT

  Christ is our focus 
this year and it has made a huge difference.
Yes we've always celebrated Christ's birth, we've only given our kids 3 presents, & we've never lied to them about st. nicolas but our schedule over took the joy that advent was supposed to contain.
 Parties, planning, shopping, programs and productions....more is not better, it's stressful. 

At least in my life I am feeling the difference.
Time will tell with the kids but if mom's feeling it, they should. 

So, I'd like to share...

from Philippines (2004)

Mexico (1994)

Thailand (from worldcraft)

a cherished gift from my mother

a gift from a family in our fellowship of believers 

the mom is going through chemotherapy this season - we are praying for God to be glorified in all things .....even pain

A gift from the IMB 2 years ago 

from Ecuador

from Bethlehem Village (2006)

from Nepal (2009)

story here

from a dear believer here in Velma who hand painted it

from my childhood Nana in Sulpher Springs, TX

inscribed with her precious name and the year of my birth on the bottom

Hand painted by Nana. 

It was the nativity of my childhood, with a removable baby Jesus it was awe inspiring. 

I love housing it and have told my dear sister she can have it,

 it was given to our family the year of her birth.

from my kiddos, (2004? vbs)

We've done other things...

like get rid of books focusing on Santa instead of Christ

I'll admit strange things have shown up on our tree

Documents of the years and blessings

the kids and the movies

Will Farrell is in his place but Christ is in his.

FIRST in our hearts and minds. 

Cherished, loved, adored, HELD dear

I love this surprise set from my husband (2007)

but I love that Jesus is held...

Held close. 

As we await the celebration of this first coming

my heart quickens at the thought of his second coming.

Waiting....

For as sure as he came the first time, he will come again for those anxiously waiting & ready