It's that time of year

It's the time of year where you'll see lots of people all over the place.  Some shopping for their loved ones.  Some traveling to see their loved ones. 

It's the time of year where people go to the grocery store to buy holiday goodies to serve at dinner or a party.

It's the time of year where people are dressing up and going out to dinner or holiday parties.

It's also the time of year where you will see people with less living on the streets.

People who count their pennies to get one small gift for each of their children.

People who carry away food boxes from the community food pantry.

People who are all alone in their rooms at an elderly assistant living center.

People who sit in their chair or bed by the window and just sit there as life goes on around them outside those 4 walls.

Many people do not know Christ.  If they knew Christ their lives would be different.  I know mine is different.  I pray that the Lord places me in someone's path during this season of so many people that I can be used some how to share His word and be a shining light to them in their moment of need.

Let God Raise Them

Our children are gifts from Him.  He didn't just give them to us.  He loaned them to us so that through Him the gift is shared and grows as they grow up.  The children are each a gift and they don't even know it.  It is through the caring of this gift that we learn to not be selfish.  We learn to love others.  We learn to accept and forgive.  We learn things that brings smiles, laughter and sometimes tears, loss and heartache.  But these "gifts" help to create more Christlike in each of us.  I'm thankful for my three "gifts".I also have the opportunity to nurture a gift that really is just on loan to me, since he is my step-son.  I'm also thankful for the opportunity too. Looking at it like this helps me get through the hard moments and cherish the good moments.

Reflecting

It is amazing how many bumps in the road come and as I make my way over each of them.  But the road continues and the bumps that develop from wear and tear of life can be small or big but it never ends and just knowing God helps to keep moving forward.

I have learned over and over each bump to not give up.  So thankful that I haven't given up.  So much more strength to move forward....His strength.

New refined character qualities and a closer relationship with the Lord along with more joy and peace in this life where I'm waiting until I see Him.

Downsizing

Downsizing on the "Christmas" but not His gift of Christmas

My husband and I were talking a couple of weeks ago about Christmas.  What started it was looking at our closet and wanting to de-clutter it.  He tells me we should get rid of the tree and all that goes with it.  Its to big and Christmas isn't about the tree and all the stuff.

I agreed but I wasn't ready to get ride of it all.  So time went by and I decided that the tree we had was big and I always had to re-arrange and remove pieces of furniture.  I asked my husband if we could compromise.  If I could get rid of the big one and replace it with a much smaller one.  He said that was okay.

The kids were not quite on board with the whole idea at first.  I did have to remind them about what Christmas was really about and that the size of the tree or having one at all didn't matter.

My daughters and I went and picked out a small, simple little tree, bought a few new ornaments (knowing that we would have to down size what we had at home since the tree was smaller)  When we got home we looked to see what we had and realized we sort of had a theme going on, which it made it easy to part with some of the ornaments, soon the girls were smiling with approval.

My husband came home.  He smiled and like it and also approved.

God's Promises

God's promises are faithful and enduring.

God promises trials in our lives.  It doesn't matter the time of year or season.  That is when we should always choose to see Him.  To hold on to the wonderful, glorious, powerful hope He has given us through knowing Him. God is so good to us.  He always provides for us no matter what is going on in our lives.

In the midst of trials He will always place joy and give us blessings.  In the middle of it all He is there listening to us and loving us.  So yes during our Thanksgiving prayer this year I did thank the Lord for the blessings and trials that he has given to me and will continue to give.

The first Thanksgiving

This was the first year since Micah and I have been married that we didn't have a full house for Thanksgiving.  Ever since we've been together, we have had my mom, step dad and grandmother and Dillon's grandparents and his half brothers and sister join us.  There was a huge difference with less people....the space in the house, and way too many left overs.  They were all missed.

I missed my little mommy the most.  I enjoy her company in the kitchen.  But I pulled out her recipes and managed just fine despite missing her. 

So it was just us plus my ex-husband.  The kids enjoyed having their dad there to share in the day.  The day was full.  We enjoyed a great meal, a movie, playing darts, karaoke and smiles & laughter.

It was a really nice day.

A quite moment

Its amazing what one quite moment, a pen and note book can lead too....

I haven't had much time to write.  But today I have managed to write several entries for my blog.   The pen keeps flowing, the pages in the notebook keep flipping as the thoughts keep flowing out onto the paper.

Thank you Lord.  Thank you for allowing me to have some time with my thoughts.
It helps me in so many ways.

Thank you