Sunday Is Here!

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"May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, 

so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit."

Romans 15:13

It Is Friday...

...But Sunday is Coming!!

But he took our suffering on him and felt our pain for us. 

We saw his suffering and thought God was punishing him. 

But he was wounded for the wrong we did; 

he was crushed for the evil we did. 

The punishment, which made us well, was given to him, 

and we are healed because of his wounds. 

We all have wandered away like sheep; each of us has gone his own way. for all the evil we have done. 

He was beaten down and punished, but he didn't say a word. 

He was like a lamb being led to be killed. 

He was quiet, as a sheep is quiet while its wool is being cut; he never opened his mouth.

Isaiah 53:4-7 

Christmas is a Promise

Bill and I buy the "littles" Christmas sleepwear each year...we give them the pjs and nightgowns on Thanksgiving so they have plenty of pre-Christmas time to wear them.  It's also a good day to try and get a photo of them all together...looking festive! 

It's a good thing that I'm not really attached to formal, posed photos. That seldom turns out well around here....click HERE to see what I mean!  

They were all tired, the light was all wrong, and, as usual, I had too many helpers (all over the room) saying "Here, look here!"

But I love these photos....I love the promise they hold.  My family's future. The promise of things to come!  

The three biggest "littles" are already sensing what's to come later this month.  They've thought about their Christmas wishes and wants...a lot!  Their warm, cozy, red & green outfits remind them...'tis the season!

They also understand the "real reason for the season"....I so look forward to the day 

that they really understand just how wonderful the promise of Christmas is!  

The promise...the certain Hope...of Him to come!

"Christmas Encouragement" Summary Sentence, Day 3:

"Christmas is a promise!"

Which he had promised afore by his prophets in the holy scriptures,

Concerning his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, which was made of the seed of David according to the flesh...Romans 1:2-3

Simply Wrapped

How do you wrap Christmas gifts that are going to be mailed or piled under a tree?  I usually stick with paper and a tag for these gifts.  Simple...it just makes since. Too much in the way of ribbons and bows would just get messed up.  However, I often spend way too much time picking out the wrapping paper.  After all, it has to be just right...right?!

But there are occasions that I spend as much time planning the packaging as I do deciding on the gift.  Like gift giving at office Christmas parties, and gift exchanges with close friends.  Or sometimes an extra special gift needs extra special wrappings, even if it's going to be mailed or stuffed under the tree.  I even have a Pinterest board called "Packaging is Everything". 

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But is it....everything I mean?

"Christmas Encouragement" Summary Sentence, Day 2:

"The greatest gift was given in 

the most humble of settings."

"And this is the sign unto you: 
Ye shall find a babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, 
and lying in a manger."  Luke 2:12

Are You Prepared?

I started a new reading plan on the Bible App on my phone.

It's called "Christmas Encouragement" by Greg Laurie.

The description caught my attention right away!

"Don't let the busyness and pressure of this holiday season rob you of the joy and true celebration of our Savior Jesus this December."

I've already thought about making sure that I don't get caught up in the hustle and bustle that often comes in December. 75% of my shopping is done, and the decorating will be completed by the end of the day on Wednesday.  I have a few things I still want to make, but otherwise I'm feeling pretty prepared! That's part of the reason I started this reading plan....I have time!

The daily readings began today and go on for 25 days.

Today's "summary sentence" was definitely convicting!

"We may be ready for Christmas, 

but are we ready for the return of Christ?"

Oops...I'm not quite as prepared as I thought!

I can't wait to read tomorrow's message!

Relentless Love

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He Is Risen

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He Is Risen Indeed!

But thanks be to God!
He gives us the victory 
through our Lord Jesus Christ.
1 Corinthians 15:57

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A Ruler

I bought this cross necklace at a recent craft show. 

It's made from pieces of an old, vintage ruler, and some costume jewelry. 

It has a tiny message on it...."pray...ask of God".

 

It reminds me that Jesus was a carpenter. 
Carpenters make new creations, and they fix things that are broken. 

I like the image... 

"He who was seated on the throne said, “I am making everything new!”

Then he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.”

Revelation 21:5

 

 



The Best Part of My Christmas

 Having all these sweet faces near me!  I didn't love that we couldn't all be together on Christmas Eve and Day...but I did love that I had multiple days with family.  Here's a peek at the faces I saw on the 25th and 28th of December.  Two Christmas celebrations equals two times the fun!!

 

Mandy gave Lulu a Mooshka doll...the doll kind of resembles Lulu!

Jacqi's due date is Jan. 8th...she's about ready!

Penelope is modeling her new gloves from Gramma & Grandpa, & her new vest from my mom. 
Look at Katie and Kevin admiring her modeling skills!

Elijah thought that modeling looked fun...so he gave it a try!

Mark is the baby whisperer.....he can always get Lulu to sleep!

Another special moment with Caleb...he's sitting on my lap!  This does not
ever happen...it helped that he was watching something on the TV.

Grandpa and "the Lu" taking a little snooze.

Penelope is enjoying her new Rapunzel book...beautiful illustrations!

After dinner and presents...some of us enjoyed a little down time.

Sweet Caleb.

Charlotte and her momma playing with the
 Rainbow Loom...and thousands of tiny rubber bands. 

They're watching some silly cat videos on my laptop...I'm not sure what Caleb
is thinking...but he sure looks cute!

Charlotte, Lulu, Penelope....my three sweet grandgirls!

This guy will be six...tomorrow!!!  What?!!

Cousins.

Mandy thought this tree had sold out at Target...but her mom found her one! 
Such a good mom!

Elijah got this Spelling Bee game from GGma.  He got a birthday card from her on
Saturday and told me that GGma spells great-grandma!

We love having Mark's mum visit us from England each Christmas. 
I know Brenda loved having some special time with Lulu...
the last time she saw her was in June.

Guess what Johanna's favorite Christmas movie is?  Yep,
"A Christmas Story"!
Katie gave her the tote filled with fat quarters
of fabric.  I think she likes both the tote & the fabric!

Joe - "I never cease to amaze myself".....and you
never cease to amaze me either!!

How blessed I am....just look at them all!

Not only do we all live close by...we all get along!

We love each a other  bunch!!

Most importantly, we all love the Lord, and we had a blast celebrating Him and celebrating family during Christmas 2013!!!

 

The whole crazy, wonderful bunch!!

 

The Greatest Gift

 

As little children we would dream of Christmas morn.
Of all the gifts and toys we knew we'd find.
But we never realized a baby born one blessed night
Gave us the greatest gift of our lives.

We were the reason that He gave His life.
We were the reason that He suffered and died.
To a world that was lost, He gave all He could give
To show us the reason to live.

We Are The Reason

Wishing All of You a Joy-filled Christmas!

 



The Savior



He is not here: for he is risen, as he said.
Come, see the place where the Lord lay.

Matthew 28:6

 

Good Friday

"But, isn't our failure the perfect place to start?

It leaves us empty, even despairing.

It leaves us hanging on by a thread for Easter, for resurrection, for renewal -

for someone to save us from this mess we've made.

It leaves us needing Him, more than ever."

Edie

 

I am feeling like a bit of a failure this Good Friday.

A failure in my spiritual life. My life as a believer.

So many good intentions...not nearly achieved.

Too many excuses for not doing the right thing.

Not enough time....for Him. For praise and worship.

For fellowship. For prayer.

 

I visited a blog the other and read the quote at the top of this post.

It ministered to me, it blessed me. It encouraged me so much.

 

What am I waiting for?

 

What better day than today to say to myself..."remember, you are redeemed in Christ"! 

Not only has He paid for my past failures (something I seem to remember),

He's already paid for the failures going on right now too.

 

Edie's right....our failures are the  perfect place to start. Our emptiness doesn't have to last. 

As a believer, I have hope, I have the Resurrection, I am Renewed.

I am Redeemed.

 

  

 

Snapshots of Christmas

Some last looks at Christmas decorations in my house....tomorrow "the faces" of Christmas. 

Those will be sweeter than any decorations ever could be!!

 

gifts and thrift store purchases

fun books from a sweet (blogging) friend

a little pouch made from a sweater

Joy

a woodland elf...a gift to me from me

"Lucy & Me" teddies....I've had these for a very long time

my living room

a gift for Mandy is hiding under the Santa hat

thrift store decor...my favorite kind

my newest thrift store decor

hope

an ornament from my very dear friend Patricia

 

thrift store find...$1.91!

this little trio was also $1.91

Ronny's 2012 ornament

 

look what Elijah made for me this year!

 

The reason for the season...we are so blessed to have a Savior!