Happy New Year!!

Well just watched the ball drop with Dick Clark so I can officially say


I am thankful for all my fellow bloggers and I pray that the Lord will bless each one of you in 2008 in ways beyond all that you can ask or imagine. I look forward to reading about some of those blessings and telling some of my own as we blog together this next year.

Hopefully you have spent tonight with the ones you love and in safety. Steve and I went to our favorite Chinese restaurant and came home and watched a movie called "Conversations With God". It was interesting but ended up being more New Age philosophy but riddled with the truth of God's Word.

Looking forward to waking up and indulging in my New Year's tradition of watching the Rose Bowl Parade. Never does justice to the years I used to go and sit on the streets of Hollywood and watch it or get to walk them after the parade and see them up close, but nevertheless am always mesmerized by what they do with the flowers.

Here are a couple of New Year's funnies I found.

An optimist stays up until midnight to see the New Year in. A pessimist stays up to make sure the old year leaves.
Bill Vaughn

A New Year's resolution is something that goes in one year and out the other.
Anonymous

People are so worried about what they eat between Christmas and the New Year, but they really should be worried about what they eat between the New Year and Christmas. ~Author
Unknown

New Year Prayer for the Elderly

God, grant me the senility to forget the people I never liked anyway

The good fortune to run into the ones that I do,

And the eyesight to tell the difference.

Plant A Seed

One of the things I really like about the internet is discovery. Today I discovered some good thoughts from a man named Jim Rohn. I did find a website but it looks outdated, www.jimrohn.com. Apparently he is a business philosopher.This particular article I thought had some good thoughts about change, especially with the New Year around the corner and the thought of resolutions.

"Two thousand years ago on April 15th one of Jesus’ disciples came to him and said it was time to pay taxes (that’s how I know it was around April 15th), but they had no money. In response to his disciple’s statement Jesus said "no problem." Now why could he say "no problem?" Well, word had it that Jesus was a miracle worker. If you hand a problem to a miracle worker what they are inclined to say is "no problem." You’ve got to hang out with people like that.

I belong to a small group and we do business around the world. These guys are all miracle workers. What an incredible group. If you hand any of them a problem guess what they say, "no problem." How many books will they read to solve a problem? As many as it takes. If they need to consult—how much consulting will they do? As much as it takes. How early will they get up? As early as it takes. "No problem"…you got to hang out with people like that. You cannot believe the thrill of being associated with miracle workers, people who will do whatever it takes to get the job done and perform miracles.

When asked about paying the taxes Jesus said it was "no problem." In fact, he said it was going to be easy—he told the disciple to just go fishing. Now it couldn’t have been any easier than that, especially for this disciple whose name was Peter, because Peter was a fisherman. Now if you can fish and you should fish and you don’t fish—then that is why you do not get a miracle. But Jesus told his disciple to go fishing and the first fish that he caught to look in its mouth. Peter, who was used to strange things happening, agreed. Well, the first fish Peter catches, he looks in its mouth and finds coins. Peter then adds up the coins and they are exactly enough to pay his and Jesus’ taxes.

"Wow!," you might say, "That is a miracle!" Here is why we call it a miracle—simply because we don’t quite understand how it works. That’s all. Doesn’t mean it doesn’t work; it just means we don’t quite understand how it works. Which is true of all miracles. In fact, for most of us our whole life is a miracle.

How about this miracle…God says if you plant the seed I will make the tree. Wow, you can’t have a better arrangement than that. First, it gives God the tough end of the deal. What if you had to make a tree? That would keep you up late at night trying to figure out how to make a tree. God says, "No, leave the miracle part to me. I’ve got the seed, the soil, the sunshine, the rain and the seasons. I’m God and all this miracle stuff is easy for me. I have reserved something very special for you and that is to plant the seed."

I have found in life that if you want a miracle you first need to do whatever it is you can do—if that is to plant, then plant; if it is to read, then read; if it is to change, then change; if it is to study, then study; if it is to work, then work; whatever you have to do. And then you will be well on your way of doing the labor that works miracles."

To Your Success,
Jim Rohn

Back In The Land Of The Living

Well finally at about 3:00 p.m. I started feeling like maybe I was feeling better. The headache finally stayed gone and I wasn't chilled anymore. Watched one of my favorite movies "Everafter". So my question today is how many of us truly believe in "Happily Ever After?"

If we are Christians then we know it is true. What it requires though is keeping our eye on the prize instead of the ins and outs of the here and now. Trusting God for His promises. So even though the uncertainties of a New Year are ahead of us we have the confidence of Philippians 3:20-21 "But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body." Sounds better than any New Year's diet to me!!

Post Christmas Depression

Anyone else struggle with the blues when Christmas is over? There is so much activity and excitement building up to Christmas and then it seems like it is over so fast. I just find it hard to get re-motivated. Of course the fact that I still don't feel well today has not helped.

I hate days like today when I look at the clock (9:00 p.m.) and have no earthly idea what I have done today??? Just spending time in la-la land.

Taking down Christmas decorations is just not near as much fun as putting them up.

Hopefully it is going much better for many of you!!

After Christmas Yucks

I had made the decision that after going and blowing for 3 weeks that I would just take today to sit and relax and read a little book I picked up called "Christmas Promise". Instead I have tried to keep warm (having major chills) and get rid of a nasty headache. Spent most of the day reading a few pages and then falling asleep in my chair.

But I thought I would share a few thought provoking quotes that were in the book.

"What do we live for, if not to make the world a less difficult place for each other" George Eliot.

"From what we get, we can make a loving. From what we give, however, makes a life." Arthur Ashe

"Life's most urgent question is: What are you doing for others?" Martin Luther King.

"If the will to walk is really present. God is pleased even with your stumbles." C.S. Lewis

12 Days Of Christmas

I want to start this post by asking you to join me in prayer for Tatum Null. Sherry sent out an email saying that Tatum's levels have been elevated for about 4 weeks now. The transplant team says it is either a sign of rejection or infection. Matthew 18:19 tells us "I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven". Let's join together and believe for Tatum's sake that this latest scare can be solved quickly and that she will continue on her journey of healing. She will have a sonogram tomorrow and a biopsy on Friday. The biopsy will require anesthesia and she usually reacts to this with a very hard recovery where she is very agitated. So pray that she will be at peace and can feel God's arms embracing her.

You thought I was finished posting about Christmas, but those of you who have been following my advent postings realize that according to the advent tradition the 12 days of Christmas are actually celebrated beginning Christmas Eve and continuing until Epiphany on January 6th. You can read more information about it after my post.

We made it to Bryan and back today to attend the funeral of Harold Pruessner. His service was at his church, St. Andrews Episcopal Church. It had to be the prettiest church I have ever been in. The stained glass windows were beautiful, it was small and so intimate. Of course with the Christmas poinsettias and candles it was just so quaint. They had hurricane lamps at the end of each pew with gold bows. It was just so
pretty.

But the real blessing was hearing Hal's brother David speak about their father. It was a blessing to learn about his life. He was a pioneer in the medical field and even the Houston Chronicle wrote a special article about him today. You can read it at this link http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/deaths/5403619.html

Since this is the 2nd funeral I have been to in the past two weeks, it has caused me to think about what do I hope to be remembered by when I leave this world? I can only pray that people will be rejoicing because I am with the Lord not because they will no longer have to put up with me :)

You're all familiar with the Christmas song, "The Twelve Days of Christmas" I think. To most it's a delightful nonsense rhyme set to music. But it had a quite serious purpose when it was written. It is a good deal more than just a repetitious melody with pretty phrases and a list of strange gifts. Catholics in England during the period 1558 to 1829, when Parliament finally emancipated Catholics in England, were prohibited from ANY practice of their faith by law - private OR public. It was a crime to BE a Catholic.

"The Twelve Days of Christmas" was written in England as one of the "catechism songs" to help young Catholics learn the tenets of their faith - a memory aid, when to be caught with anything in *writing* indicating adherence to the Catholic faith could not only get you imprisoned, it could get you hanged, or shortened by a head - or hanged, drawn and quartered, a rather peculiar and ghastly punishment I'm not aware was ever practiced anywhere else. Hanging, drawing and quartering involved hanging a person by the neck until they had almost, but not quite, suffocated to death; then the party was taken down from the gallows, and disemboweled while still alive; and while the entrails were still lying on the street, where the executioners stomped all over them, the victim was tied to four large farm horses, and literally torn into five parts - one to each limb and the remaining torso.

The songs gifts are hidden meanings to the teachings of the faith. The "true love" mentioned in the song doesn't refer to an earthly suitor, it refers to God Himself. The "me" who receives the presents refers to every baptized person. The partridge in a pear tree is Jesus Christ, the Son of God. In the song, Christ is symbolically presented as a mother partridge which feigns injury to decoy predators from her helpless nestlings, much in memory of the expression of Christ's sadness over the fate of Jerusalem: "Jerusalem! Jerusalem! How often would I have sheltered thee under my wings, as a hen does her chicks, but thou wouldst not have it so..."
The other symbols mean the following:
2 Turtle Doves = The Old and New Testaments 3 French Hens = Faith, Hope and Charity, the Theological Virtues 4 Calling Birds = the Four Gospels and/or the Four Evangelists 5 Golden Rings = The first Five Books of the Old Testament, the "Pentateuch", which gives the history of man's fall from grace. 6 Geese A-laying = the six days of creation 7 Swans A-swimming = the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit, the seven sacraments 8 Maids A-milking = the eight beatitudes 9 Ladies Dancing = the nine Fruits of the Holy Spirit 10 Lords A-leaping = the ten commandments 11 Pipers Piping = the eleven faithful apostles 12 Drummers Drumming = the twelve points of doctrine in the Apostle's Creed

Christmas 2007 Came and Went

Hope you all had a wonderful Christmas celebration today! Steve and I were blessed to spend it with my mom and dad. Here are some pictures from our day together.

The tree before we unwrapped presents, do you think we had enough?

Don't know what was wrong with my camera today, all the pictures are very blurry :(

We made it so easy on ourselves this year. Ham, baked sweet potato, aspargus, fruit salad.
Was the first time ever we didn't leave the table so stuffed it hurt. Easy cleanup. It was great

Steve's mother and brother gave me the "Perfect Pet". It is just adorable. When we had visited at Thanksgiving they had a new cat and I fell in love with it, even though prior to that I had been fearful of cats. The best thing about this one is it doesn't shed, or need much attention :)

It has batteries that make the back rise up and down like it is sleeping. Really sweet.

We will be leaving in the morning to drive to Bryan to attend the funeral service for Hal Pruessner's father. Please be in prayer for Hal, Debra and their family during this time. I would appreciate your prayers for our safe travel as well.

Sand Castle Nativity

These are pictures of Sandcastle art from the Canary Islands. Someone emailed me a powerpoint and I couldn't figure out how to download it, so I just copied some of the pictures. I wonder how long it takes to do something like this? If you would like to see the powerpoint just give me your email address and I will forward it to you. There are probably about 8 more pictures.

Today Steve and I went to Christmas Eve service at Fellowship church in Plano. Oh my. What a different experience than the tradtional service we usually go to. No one on the stage was over the age of 25. Their first two songs sounded like the Trans Siberian Orchestra. Very loud! Ed Young had a good sermon on White Christmas using the play on words to talk about the passage in Isaiah where God says he washes our sins as white as snow. And that instead of a White Christmas we need a Right Christmas. Getting our hearts right with God. It was a very contemporary service. I was impressed by the seven greetings we got from the front door to our seat in the sanctuary by ushers saying "Merry Christmas".

Hope you all have a most BLESSED Christmas Celebration!

Christmas Fun

There are a couple of songs on Youtube that will bring a smile to your face. Or at least they did mine.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D09DCZryG2U&NR=1

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Fe11OlMiz8

Can you believe we're just minutes away from it being Christmas Eve?

Advent, Week Four, Day One
Sunday Isaiah 11:1-10
There shall come forth a shoot from the stump of Jesse, and a branch shall grow out of his roots. And the Spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and the fear of the LORD. And his delight shall be in the fear of the LORD. He shall not judge by what his eyes see, or decide by what his ears hear; but with righteousness he shall judge the poor, and decide with equity for the meek of the earth; and he shall smite the earth with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips he shall slay the wicked. Righteousness shall be the girdle of his waist, and faithfulness the girdle of his loins. The wolf shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the kid, and the calf and the lion and the fatling together, and a little child shall lead them. The cow and the bear shall feed; their young shall lie down together; and the lion shall eat straw like the ox. The sucking child shall play over the hole of the asp, and the weaned child shall put his hand on the adder's den. They shall not hurt or destroy in all my holy mountain; for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the LORD as the waters cover the sea. In that day the root of Jesse shall stand as an ensign to the peoples;

Christmas Is For Giving

Steve and I had a fun day today. We went out to eat for breakfast (one of my favorite things to do). I had a pecan waffle, yummm. Then we went to see the new NationalTreasure movie. Usually sequels don't live up to the original, but we both really enjoyed this movie as well. It is just an interesting twist on history and historical figures. Then tonight we watched our tradtional viewing of Christmas Vacation. It is always fun because Steve laughs so heartily at this movie and I love to hear him laugh.

Steve told me about this story today and I thought I would share it with you as we just don't get enough good news these days. Let's applaud Southwest for not just being concerned with the bottom line.

"DALLAS, Dec. 21 /PRNewswire/ -- Southwest Airlines will fly 171 Texas Army National Guard soldiers from North Carolina to Texas on Sunday, Dec.23. The 436th Chemical Company of the Texas Army National Guard is stationed at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, waiting for deployment to Afghanistan. They recently got news that their deployment has been delayed,so now they are able to spend the holidays with their families, and Southwest Airlines is making it possible! The soldiers will arrive in Austin, Dallas, and San Antonio on Sunday courtesy of Southwest. Southwest Airlines Employees and Customers will be alongside their families to welcome home the soldiers! "Southwest Airlines is happy to be able to grant this Christmas wish for these troops to reunite with their families," said Southwest Airlines President Colleen Barrett. "We are so proud of what these soldiers are doing for our country, and we are blessed to give back." When the troops' scheduled departure to Afghanistan was delayed, the Commander said the soldiers could go home for the holidays if arrangements were possible for every soldier. Families scurried to raise money to fund everyone's trip to Texas, but were unsuccessful. Southwest Airlines learned of the effort and stepped in to offer flights to all 171 soldiers! "The support and generosity of Southwest Airlines is an unbelievable blessing to our soldiers and their families," said Dora Cortez, member of the 436th Chemical Company's Family Support Group. "Many of the children haven't asked for Christmas presents this year; they simply want their daddies home." Southwest Airlines is proud to support our troops. The airline has more than 700 of its own family who serve in the National Guard and Reserves."

Advent, Week Three, Day Seven
Luke 3:1-6 In the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiber'i-us Caesar, Pontius Pilate being governor of Judea, and Herod being tetrarch of Galilee, and his brother Philip tetrarch of the region of Iturae'a and Trachoni'tis, and Lysa'ni-as tetrarch of Abile'ne, in the high-priesthood of Annas and Ca'iaphas, the word of God came to John the son of Zechari'ah in the wilderness; and he went into all the region about the Jordan, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. As it is written in the book of the words of Isaiah the prophet, "The voice of one crying in the wilderness: Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight. Every valley shall be filled, and every mountain and hill shall be brought low, and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough ways shall be made smooth; and all flesh shall see the salvation of God."

All Wrapped Up

So the presents are wrapped, the cards are in the mail. The shopping for dinner is done. I might can actually just get to relax for a couple of days. Sounds nice. Hope you all have a good weekend as well.

Today is my mother-in-law's and nieces birthday (83 and 17). Happy Birthday mom and Aly!

Advent, week 3, day six
Friday John 9:1-7
As he passed by, he saw a man blind from his birth. And his disciples asked him, "Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?" Jesus answered, "It was not that this man sinned, or his parents, but that the works of God might be made manifest in him. We must work the works of him who sent me, while it is day; night comes, when no one can work. As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world." As he said this, he spat on the ground and made clay of the spittle and anointed the man's eyes with the clay, saying to him, "Go, wash in the pool of Silo'am" (which means Sent). So he went and washed and came back seeing

Holy Ground

Today John Siburt preached Morris James funeral and did an amazing job! I was so blessed to have been present. John said that in his 5 years of being at R.E. he has learned that funerals are actually holy ground. Some of what he said is actually what I said in my blog last night that all God asks us to be is a ministry of presence and He will be the promised comforter. So many of the funerals that I have been to since I have been at R.E. have been conducted by Larry James (Morris' son). Larry has spoken to my heart every time he spoke. Today John reminded us all that while Larry, Mildred and Morris had all been God's presence to others in times past, that today it was our turn to be His presence to them. I looked around the room and saw so many of the faithful R.E. servants that understand what it is to be faith community and who attend most funerals. It has been interesting to me in past times and today that there are not many people under the age of 50 who attend these funerals. I am not sure why that is, but all I know is that each one that I attend I come away with the desire to be a better servant of the Lord most high. Today was no different. I could not help but think of so many that have gone before us: Alan Bryan, Nancy Mooney, Doris James, Marti Paxton, Doug Aldrich,
Kathy Osborne, Ken McFarland, John Wood, Sue Vestal, Rosemary Collins, Nina Merklen and it hit me that they are Hebrews 12:1-2 "Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus' " They are in heaven with Moses, Elijah, Noah, Ruth, Esther, Paul, Peter,Mary etc. and they are just applauding and cheering us on this journey we are on. I also could not help but think of Steve Green's Song "Find Us Faithful".

We're pilgrims on the journey
Of the narrow road
And those who've gone before us line the way
Cheering on the faithful, encouraging the weary
Their lives a stirring testament to God's sustaining grace
Surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses
Let us run the race not only for the prize
But as those who've gone before us
Let us leave to those behind us
The heritage of faithfulness passed on through godly lives
Chorus:
Oh may all who come behind us find us faithful
May the fire of our devotion light their way
May the footprints that we leave
Lead them to believe
And the lives we live inspire them to obey
Oh may all who come behind us find us faithful
After all our hopes and dreams have come and gone
And our children sift though all we've left behind
May the clues that they discover and the memories they uncover
Become the light that leads them to the road we each must find

I wish I could remember exactly how John said it this morning, but it was something like "Morris lived life in such a way that the rest of us are just the Amen". I am thankful for all our senior saints who show us what Micah 6:8 looks like in the flesh for they all act justly, love mercy and to walk humbly with their God, and yours and mine. I thank God for allowing me to walk among them. I am indeed blessed abundantly.

Advent, Week Two, Day Five
Thursday Isaiah 40:1-11
"Comfort, comfort my people, says your God. Speak tenderly to Jerusalem, and cry to her that her warfare is ended, that her iniquity is pardoned, that she has received from the LORD's hand double for all her sins. A voice cries: "In the wilderness prepare the way of the LORD, make straight in the desert a highway for our God. Every valley shall be lifted up, and every mountain and hill be made low; the uneven ground shall become level, and the rough places a plain. And the glory of the LORD shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together, for the mouth of the LORD has spoken." A voice says, "Cry!" And I said, "What shall I cry?" All flesh is grass, and all its beauty is like the flower of the field. The grass withers, the flower fades, when the breath of the LORD blows upon it; surely the people is grass. The grass withers, the flower fades; but the word of our God will stand for ever. Get you up to a high mountain, O Zion, herald of good tidings; lift up your voice with strength, O Jerusalem, herald of good tidings, lift it up, fear not; say to the cities of Judah, "Behold your God!" Behold, the Lord GOD comes with might, and his arm rules for him; behold, his reward is with him, and his recompense before him. He will feed his flock like a shepherd, he will gather the lambs in his arms, he will carry them in his bosom, and gently lead those that are with young.."

God in Flesh

Tonight as I went to the visiting hours for Morris James I could not but think of all the people standing in line waiting to give Mildred, Larry, Brenda and their girls a hug, a comforting word, etc. being God's way of making His love and mercy known in the flesh. Again I ask myself what do people do that do not have a Christian community? I always find these times difficult because I just don't know what I can say that would make any difference. But I have learned it is insignificant what I say, it is just important that I "be". It is God who is present and it is Him that has promised to be our comforter. My heart ached for Mildred as she talked about this being the worst thing she has ever had to go through. I knew that she indeed was walking through the valley of the shadow of death. I am so very thankful that she has the Lord who loves her more than we can comprehend promising that He will walk with her. As I looked at Morris' body it really hit me hard how fast life leaves our bodies when we die. He was an empty shell. It really hit me hard that it will not be too long before I have to face the death of my father. Also I caught myself thinking that it could of been me in the coffin and Steve receiving comfort. I cried out thanks for God's mercy and grace.

Later in evening I went to a Christmas gathering with my Wednesday night supper club friends. We had such a good time of fellowship,not to mention great food! Tanya brought this to die for chocolate ganache. I ate two bites and could eat no more because it was so decadent. It will take a couple of days to finish it as I will only be able to take two bites at a time. Hey that might be a healthier way to eat all sweets, yeah?

Advent, Week Three, Day 4
Wednesday
John 3:16-21
For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God sent the Son into the world, not to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through him. He who believes in him is not condemned; he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God. And this is the judgment, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For every one who does evil hates the light, and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed. But he who does what is true comes to the light, that it may be clearly.

Tuesday Musings

Today was a full day. First I sat with the daycare children while they napped so their teachers could attend their Christmas lunch. I was with the pre-kindergarten kids. It was rather amusing to see the lengths some of them would go through not to go to sleep. I also was in awe of how many of them had really bad coughs. I couldn't help but wonder how the teachers don't get sick? I imagine it just cycles continually from one child to another. I guess it doesn't matter how bad the cough is as long as they are not running temperature?

I left there to finish up my Christmas shopping. I had one more thing to get my mom. On the way I heard Joy William's "Here With Us" on KLTY. I had stop at Lifeway and buy the CD, while they didn't have her Christmas CD, they did have her greatest hits and the song was on it. I just think it is beautiful. See what you think. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ymuU76NafrE By the way the Lifeway on 75 and Park will close its doors on January 5th. That makes me sad, guess will just have to order all my Beth Moore items online.

Then Steve and I headed for the hospital to meet Audrey Hall and visit my friend Sandy. On the way I asked Steve how he and Morris James began their "do you know of good church". He said he ran into him one day at some restaurant and went up to him and said "I am looking for a good church, do you know of one?" Morris replied "Out in the pumpkin patch to the left". So that began their encounters of Steve always asking and Morris creatively replying the whereabouts. Steve said it always made him smile.

So when we were Brooke and Michael Hall and meeting Audrey I could not help but think of God's cycle of life. We are saying "goodbye" to a faithful servant brother and "hello" to a precious new little sister. Brooke looked amazing by the way. And Michael was such a proud Daddy holding her.

And finally there is a major annoyance going on with my computer. Every time I get on Internet Explorer I am getting these weird pop-ups. My pop-up blockers are on and I cannot figure out how to get them to stop. I know all I have to do is close the windows but it is just an annoyance.

Advent, Week Three, Day Three
Tuesday 1 John 1:4-7
And we are writing this that our joy may be complete. This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light and in him is no darkness at all. If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not live according to the truth; but if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin.

Time for sadness, Time for joy

For all of you who are part of the Richardson East church, our hearts our saddened at the news that Morris James passed away last night. What a sweet, sweet man of God and servant of Jesus. We will miss him so much, but no where near as much as his sweet wife of 68 years Mildred. How difficult it would be to lose your life partner, but it has to be so much more difficult at this time of year. Our love and prayers are with Mildred and their son Larry. Steve and Morris always had this standing joke between them. I don't know how it ever got started but one or the other one of them would always say "I am looking for a good church do you know of one?" I am so very thankful that because of our Lord Jesus Christ we can also be full of joy in knowing that Morris is home with his Lord tonight. Wish we were there with him.

Last night our Life Group had a great Mexican dinner, great fellowship and a sweet time of celebrating the life of our Lord Jesus. I was touched by one particular reading and thought I would share it with you.

In Search of Our Kneeling Places
By Ann Weems
In each heart lies a Bethlehem,
an inn where we must ultimately answer
whether there is room or not.
When we are Bethlehem-bound
we can no longer look the other way
conveniently not seeing stars
not hearing angel voices.
We can no longer excuse ourselves by busily
tending our sheep or our kingdoms.
This Christmas let’s go to Bethlehem
and see this thing that the Lord has made known to us.
In the midst of shopping sprees
let’s ponder in our hearts the Gift of Gifts.
Through the tinsel
let’s look for the gold of the Christmas Star.
In the excitement and confusion, in the merry chaos,
let’s listen for the brush of angels’ wings.
This Christmas, let’s go to Bethlehem
and find our kneeling places.

Advent Week Three, Day Two

2 Corinthians 4:3-6
And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled only to those who are perishing. In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the likeness of God. For what we preach is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, with ourselves as your servants for Jesus' sake. For it is the God who said, "Let light shine out of darkness," who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ.

Advent, Week Three, Day One

1 CORINTHIANS 13 - - A CHRISTMAS VERSION -
By an unknown author
If I decorate my house perfectly with plaid bows, strands of twinkling lights and shiny balls, but do not show love, I’m just another decorator.
If I slave away in the kitchen, baking dozens of Christmas cookies, preparing gourmet meals and arranging a beautifully adorned table at mealtime, but do not show love, I’m just another cook.
If I work at the soup kitchen, carol in the nursing home and give all that I have to charity, but do not show love, it profits me nothing.
If I trim the spruce with shimmering angels and crocheted snowflakes, attend a myriad of holiday parties and sing in the choir’s cantata but do not focus on Christ, I have missed the point.
Love stops the cooking to hug the child.Love sets aside the decorating to kiss the husband. Love is kind, though harried and tired.
Love doesn’t envy another’s home that has coordinated Christmas china and table linens.
Love doesn’t yell at the kids to get out of the way, but is thankful they are there to be in the way.
Love doesn’t give only to those who are able to give in return but rejoices in giving to those who can’t.
Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
Love never fails.
Video games will break, pearl necklaces will be lost, golf clubs will rust, but giving the gift of love will endure.

Sunday
Isaiah 60:1-3
Arise, shine; for your light has come, and the glory of the LORD has risen upon you. For behold, darkness shall cover the earth, and thick darkness the peoples; but the LORD will arise upon you, and his glory will be seen upon you. And nations shall come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your rising.

Jesus Loves Us SNOW Much!

So here is the puzzle I put together yesterday. It was fun. I have a snowman fetish, so it made it extra fun. So now I have to decide whether to save it or just put it back in the box. It would be fun to display with all my snowmen, but I don't now how I could do it?

Part of my snowmen collection

The Puzzle

Seemed apropos to post about snowmen when it was soooooo cold outside today! We had to get out to get our picture taken for the directory (a great day to try to keep a hairdo). I am so thankful to have a warm home to stay in. I cannot imagine what the homeless do on days like today? Just talking about it, I think I will get some hot peach tea.

Advent Verse

Saturday

1 Peter 2:5-9

"like living stones be yourselves built into a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. For it stands in scripture: "Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone, a cornerstone chosen and precious, and he who believes in him will not be put to shame." To you therefore who believe, he is precious, but for those who do not believe, "The very stone which the builders rejected has become the head of the corner," and "A stone that will make men stumble, a rock that will make them fall"; for they stumble because they disobey the word, as they were destined to do. But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God's own people, that you may declare the wonderful deeds of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light."

Advent, Week Two, Day Five

So after mailing all my gifts today, I took a little break and started a new jigsaw puzzle of snowmen. I ordered an easy 350 piece (with larger pieces), so I am already about half way through. I was so thankful at the post office too! Absolutely no line!!! I was amazed. I just hope all my packages make it before Christmas because it was $60.00 and that was without sending anything priority mail!!

Found this clip on YouTube and thought it was amazing. It was such a great visual of how "two are better than one" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mK29iPaQDbg

Hope everyone has a GREAT weekend!

Friday
Ephesians 5:6-14
Let no one deceive you with empty words, for it is because of these things that the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. Therefore do not associate with them, for once you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord; walk as children of light (for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true), and try to learn what is pleasing to the Lord. Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them. For it is a shame even to speak of the things that they do in secret; but when anything is exposed by the light it becomes visible, for anything that becomes visible is light. Therefore it is said, "Awake, O sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give you light."

CDC Christmas Program

Tonight I went to the Care Child Development Christmas Program. Oh my goodness! Were those little ones just precious! Each class sang a song or two and the teachers had done a great job of working with them and having them learn motions. It is so funny how some children are just natural "hams". My favorite song was the "12 Days of Christmas" because they had groups of two children singing each day and "A Partridge in a pear tree" and "5 golden ring" kids just really stood out. Then there was one little boy on "Rocking Around The Christmas Tree" that really danced. Then there were the little babies that they brought in a "bye bye buggy" as everyone sang Jingle Bells and they were waving their little hands and ringing their bells. Just the cutest things.

The whole auditorium was packed with parents and families with a gazillion cameras flashing.
I could not help but look around and think what other ministry does Richardson East have that has as much outreach to such a wide demographic of people? 120 children are being left every day and are being taught about the Bible, God and Jesus. Tonight an entire auditorium got to hear "Happy Birthday Jesus" and hear the story of Christ Birth read from the Bible and reinacted by the children. It was an opportunity for God's love to be planted in every heart. I was thankful that I was able to be a part of such a special moment.

Spent the day wrapping presents, I am actually finished with everyone that needs to be mailed. Now I get to stand in the long line at the post office tomorrow. Every year, I say I am not going to spend money on postage and every year I still do. It is just part of Christmas when all your family lives out of state.

Found this recipe on an Advent site and thought I would share it.

Scripture Cake
Ingredients
· 1/2 cup (125 ml) Judges 5:25 (butter, softened)
· 1/2 cup (125 ml) Jeremiah 6:20 (light brown sugar)
· 2 Jeremiah 17:11 (eggs)
· 2 cups (475 ml) I Kings 4:22 (unsifted flour)
· 1/2 tsp (2 ml). Amos 4:5 (baking soda)
· 1/4 cup (60 ml) Exodus 16:31 (honey)
· 3/4 cup (175 ml) Judges 4:19 (milk)
· 1/2 cup (125 ml) Nahum 3:12 (figs coarsely chopped)
· 1/2 cup (125 ml) I Samuel 30:12 (dark raisins)
· 1/2 cup (125 ml) Numbers 17:8 (sliced natural almonds)
· 1 tsp (5 ml). II Chronicles 9:9 spices: suggested -
· 3/4 tsp (4 ml). ground cinnamon
· 1/4 tsp (1 ml). ground cloves
Preparation
· Heat oven to 350 degrees (175 C.).
· Grease and flour a 9 inch square pan.
· Beat together butter, brown sugar, and eggs until light.
· Add flour, soda, honey and milk all at once.
· Beat until smooth.
· In a medium bowl, toss together figs, raisins, almonds and spices.
· Fold into cake batter and turn into prepared pan.
· Bake until center springs back when gently touched,
· about 45 to 50 minutes.

Thursday
John 12:35-36
Jesus said to them, "The light is with you for a little longer. Walk while you have the light, lest the darkness overtake you; he who walks in the darkness does not know where he goes. While you have the light, believe in the light, that you may become sons of light." When Jesus had said this, he departed and hid himself from them.

Advent, Week Two, Day Three

You know how I asked last week if it ruffled anyone's feathers when stores refused to use the word Christmas in their advertising and changed it to "Holiday" whatever? Well click here and take a look at this video http://www.citizenlink.org/Stoplight/A000005834.cfm?eafref=1 and see what Merry Tossmas is all about. How do people come up with such ideas?

Wednesday
Psalms 119:105-106
Thy word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. I have sworn an oath and confirmed it, to observe thy righteous ordinances.

Customs from Various Countries and Cultures
by Victor Hoagland, C.P.
Centuries ago Christians brought plants and flowers into the celebration of Christmas, for did not Christ come to uphold the dignity of all God's creation? The natural world, as well as humans, angels and animals, should have a part in welcoming him.
Evergreens, from ancient times symbols of life and eternity, have always had a prominent place in Christian celebrations. Holly, with its green leaves, its prickly points and red berries, suggested that the Child born in the manger would wear a crown of thorns and shed drops of blood. Mistletoe, long associated in the pre-Christian world with healing, became a symbol of the healing power of Christ.
The poinsettia, from Central America, with its bright, star-like flowers, is a natural reminder of the Star of Bethlehem. Other plants that bloom during this season are images also of the Root of David that flowered with new life.
Many nations have contributed a rich mosaic of Christmas customs. Among the Latin peoples, the Christmas novena, nine days of prayer before Christmas, is a popular tradition. The Christmas meal after midnight Mass, in which all the family participates, is traditional among the French. Among the Slavic peoples on Christmas eve, the father of the family breaks the feastday wafers of bread and gives them to the members of his household, while wishing all the peace of Christmas.
From Ireland came the custom of placing lighted candles in the window during Christmastime. It originated in penal times when the Catholic religion was suppressed in Ireland and priests were forced into hiding. Irish families put a burning candle in their window and left their doors unlatched, hoping that a priest might come to their door and celebrate the Christmas Mass with them.