A Merry Little Christmas

I love Christmas Eve.  I love the feeling of barely suppressed excitement, of such joy.

In the midst of last minute plans and presents, I want my heart to focus on who and why we are celebrating.  We're celebrating the birth of a King.  The King of kings and Lord of lords, our Savior, Jesus Christ

And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.

And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.
And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.
And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,
Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.
And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.
And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.
And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.

I want to be like the shepherds who, when they heard the glad tidings and saw Jesus, told everyone about Him!  And not just this time of year, but all the year long.  Thank you Jesus for saving me and washing me whiter than the snow that is falling outside!

Update: Totally forgot about this picture!  Hank trimmed this wood circle off the bottom of our tree and I turned it into an ornament for our first Christmas together!

This first Christmas with Hank has been a joyful one.  His family parties hard this time of year, and I'm loving it!  Since Hank and I are spending Christmas day with my family, we celebrated with his family on the 21st.  We exchanged presents and watched Christmas in Connecticut.  Love that movie. *smile*  Last night we went with some of the sibs and saw the Hobbit movie.  And tonight we're getting together for their traditional Christmas Eve meal - lasagna!  We'll probably watch more movies and go to the candlelight service at their church.

Hank has a half day at work today, which I'm super excited about.  Which also means I have to run, because I need to finish sewing his Christmas present before he gets home! Yikes!

Have a wonderful Christmas everyone, filled with the joy that only Christ can bring.

I'll see you next year. *smile*

What are some of your family's Christmas traditions?

Are you going to have a white Christmas, or are you dreaming of having one?

I want to know!

Dream a little bigger.

Awhile back, I was talking to two very dear sisters in Christ.   We covered many topics, including desiring God's will above all in your life.  And then we started talking farming, and I said, "Someday, when I have my own place, I'd like a covered walkway from the house to the barn!"  It's kind of a joke I have with myself, although it certainly would be nice!  But they responded with, "Be careful not to let your dreams interfere with God's plan!"  They were half joking, half serious.  I know they meant it well, but I kind of felt like someone had pulled the rug out from under me.  Like all of my dreams had just fallen to the ground in a broken heap.

If you are truly desiring His will and seeking Him in your life, then your dreams will line up with that.  Girls, don't let anyone make you afraid to dream big, to hope!  There is nothing wrong with dreaming about your future home, hoping that someday you'll be a wife and mother, wishing for that dream farm, or whatever it is that you're dreaming of.  The danger is not in the dreaming, it's in your focus.  Are you focused on Jesus?  Is drawing closer to Him your hearts desire?  Is He first in your life?  Yes?  Then dream on!  

Trust in the Lord, and do good; so shalt though dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed.

Delight thyself also in the Lord; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.

Commit thy way unto the Lord; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass.

Psalm 37:3-5

And never discourage one of your sisters from dreaming.  Sometimes, they're doing everything they can just to keep the tears back and that smile on their face.  Don't take away their dreams.  Don't bring those tears to the surface.  I'm just as guilty as anyone of doing that.  It's so easy to tear someone down, even when our intentions are good.

One more thing.  Don't be afraid to let go of dreams when God tells you to.

What are some of your dreams?  I want to know!

Christmas Twenty Thirteen // The Day

Here I sit, cuppa peppermint tea in hand, typing up my final Christmas 2013 post.  I still can't quite grasp that this year is almost gone.  It's been the happiest and also one of the hardest years of my life, and the Lord has blessed me throughout all of it.  But this isn't my years end post, this is my Christmas Day post...

I've had a beautiful Christmas this year.  Honestly, they just keep getting better as the years go by.

My Christmas began on Christmas Eve.  Still recovering from a bit of a cold I picked up somewhere, opening my dear friend Winnie's package - clearly marked "open December 24th" in red ink - was just what I needed to cheer me up. *smile*

beautiful handmade fingerless gloves + yummy Christmas goodies + tea = a warm and happy person

Later, my bro and I settled down on my bed to watch A Christmas Story while feasting on summer sausage, saltines, cheese, and chocolate.  It's tradition!  (Only I skipped the chocolate this year since I've been recovering from that cold.)  There is no other film which gives me the giddy feeling of being 10-years-old and joyously anticipating Christmas morning like A Christmas Story.  They so perfectly captured what it's like to be a kid, and it's contagious.  By the time we're finished, my bro and I are bouncing up and down on the bed...we're both over 21.  Still kids at heart. *grin*

Bonnie thought we were selfish, not to share our sausage with her. ;)

And then, before you know it, it's Christmas morning!  We opened presents with my mom and dad and then dad read us the account of Jesus' birth from Luke 2.   My daddy surprised me with a new lens for my camera (a 55-200 mm), and my bro gave me a Star Wars graphic tee shirt (I may or may not have sent him a link and told him to buy it for me;).  My dad gave my mom the entire dvd collection of Road to Avonlea, so we watched a few episodes while I peeled potatoes for our Christmas dinner.

After feeding the animals, I got to work on the rest of dinner.  Bro was in charge of cooking the ham and mashing the potatoes, while I put together candied yams and a pecan pie.  I had never made a pecan pie before, so it was experimental.  It ended up being cooked for too long, so it was more like candied pecan pie than an actual pie.  Well honestly, how do you tell when a pecan pie is golden brown??  Oh well...my grandparents brought cheesecake, so it was all good. *wink*

The ill fated pie, before it was baked to a crisp.

Dinner was delicious, if I do say so myself...and I most certainly do. *smile*

And after dinner was over, and my grandparent's headed home, it was time to sit, relax, and watch more Road to Avonlea while the Christmas tree lights twinkled.

Merry Christmas!!
How was your day?  Did you spend it with family, friends, or both?  I want to know!

Merry Christ-mas!

All is still and quiet in the house.

The freshly fallen snow outside is glittering in the blue night-light of winter.

We've watched How the Grinch Stole Christmas and Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer and still have A Christmas Story to look forward to.  My bro and I had a "light-saber" fight with the wrapping paper rolls, and my tummy is telling me that I ate too much chocolate and sugared popcorn.  But I don't care, because it's Christmas Eve!

What can I say?  A Muppet Christmas Carol is one of my absolute favorite Christmas movies. :)

But through all of the warm feelings of peace on earth, goodwill to men, I pray that I will never lose the wonder and awe of what Christmas truly is...it's the celebration of the birth of my Saviour, Jesus Christ.

And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.

And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.

And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.

For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.

And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,

Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will towards men.

and it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said on to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.

And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.

And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.

: : Luke 2: 8-18 : :

During this season of celebrating Christ's birth, my church has been focusing on the wonder of His birth.
Just a wee babe born in a stable, yet...
Jesus was God.
Jesus was man.
Jesus was a servant.
Jesus was/is our Saviour.
Is that enough wonder for you?!  I can't even begin to fully take it all in.
Let's take the shepherds, who were the first to hear of Jesus' birth, as our example and share the wonderful news with everyone we meet!  Our Saviour is born!  Glory to God in the highest!


Merry Christmas everyone!

Art thou weary?

I don't know about the rest of you, but sometimes it feels like I've got the entire world resting on my shoulders.

Okay, we're all human, so I know you've all had days like that.

It's so, so easy to get bogged down with everything that's going on in our lives.  With everything that we have to do every single day.

Sometimes, I just need to remind myself to give my burdens, no matter how great or how small they may be, to the Lord.  He is willing and He is more than able to carry them for me.  In fact, He loves to carry them for me, because He loves me.

Once I've allowed Him to bear my burdens, I can breath and I can see.

I can see His hand in my life.

I can see how beautiful this world that He's created for us is.

I can see how much my family needs me and appreciates me.

I can see that sometimes, I just need to be still and wait.

 I can be still, and know that He is God.

I can rejoice in Him and glorify Him once more.

I can thank Him for giving me this life to lead, for putting me exactly where I'm most needed.

I can see that I have a purpose, even when it seems I'm going nowhere.

The following are some verses, quotes and songs that lift me up and give my soul a much needed boost.

I hope that they will lift you up today, too.

 

 Be still, and know that I am God:

I will be exalted among the heathen, 

I will be exalted in the earth.

Psalm 46:10

While I'm Waiting...I listen to this song every morning, and the lyrics never cease to encourage me.

Wait on the Lord: be of good courage, 

and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say on the Lord.

Psalm 27:14

Someday, I'll understand.

And let us not be weary in well doing: 

for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.

Galatians 6:9

Blessed Be Your Name...another song I listen to every day.

Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and he shall sustain thee: 

he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved.

Psalm 55:22

Voice of Truth...love, love, love this song.

As for God, his way is perfect: the word to the Lord is tried: he is a buckler to all those that trust in him.

For who is God same the Lord?  or who is a rock save our God?

It is God that girdeth me with strength, and maketh my way perfect.

He maketh my feet like hinds' feet, and setteth me upon my high places.

He teacheth my hands to war, so that a bow of steel is broken by mine arms.

Psalm 18:30-34

And remember this...

Have a beautiful blessed day, everyone!

Happy Resurrection Day!

He is risen!

And when the sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome, had bought sweet spices, that they might come and anoint him,

And very early in the morning the first day of the week, they came unto the sepulchre at the rising of the sun.

And they said among themselves, Who shall roll away the stone from the door of the sepulchre?

And when they looked, they saw that the stone was rolled away: for it was very great.

And entering into the sepulchre, they saw a young man sitting on the right side, clothed in a long white garment; and they were affrighted.

And her saith unto them, Be not affrighted: Ye seek Jesus of Nazareth, which was crucified: he is risen; he is not here: behold the place where they laid him.

But go your way, tell his disciples and Peter that he goeth before you into Galilee: there shall ye see him, as he said unto you.

Mark 16:1-7

{bold emphasis mine}

I hope you all had a glorious Resurrection Sunday!

The sun was shining and it was 51*F, so my family and I headed to the lake at Farragut State Park.

There was a bit of a cool breeze, but it was so wonderful to be outside and we didn't mind a bit.

Bonnie was brave and got in the water...but not for long;)

beautiful Lake Pend Orielle
{pronounced pond-er-ray}

It's 65 miles long and 1,150 feet deep in some areas making it the fifth deepest lake in the United States.
Farragut State Park used to be the Farragut Naval Training Station during WWII.  Part of the station is still active and is used for acoustic underwater submarine research.  Pretty cool, huh?

And I think I told you all that before in previous Farragut posts...
Well, now you know again;)

This pair of ducks flew in and landed on the water in front of us.

They're so beautiful:)

The Bonnie dog dislikes sitting on gravel/pebbles/anything-that-pokes-her-rear...
...so she sits on me;)

My awesome brother:)
He gets the credit for most of these pictures.
All I did was edit them.
Thanks Alex!

A smug Bonnie thinking how well her "pet" is trained;)

Happy Trails, y'all!

Do you remember?

Do you remember the feeling of anticipation?  When you couldn't fall asleep you were so excited? 

 

Do you remember feeling, shaking and squeezing each present under the tree, trying to guess what delights they contained?

 

Do you remember the magical feel of Christmas morning, when you slunk downstairs to stealthily filch your stocking, and then race back to your room to explore the contents?

 

Do you remember?

 

I remember.

 

I remember camping out with my brother, snuggled up in sleeping bags, in our new Christmas pajamas, eagerly anticipating the moment when we could finally open those tempting packages under the tree, far too excited to fall asleep...or so we thought;)

 

I remember trying to guess what was in my wrapped presents.  My brother and I were pretty good, especially my brother;)

 

I remember waking up super early, and sneaking downstairs to grab my stuffed stocking (we were always allowed to look in our stockings as soon as we woke up), then sneaking back upstairs to tell my brother that "Santa was here!".  Neither my brother nor I ever really believed in Santa Claus, but it was fun to pretend.  We used to build elaborate "Santa Watching Stations" out of cardboard boxes, with eye-holes cutout, to try and catch a glimpse of the elusive old fellow.  We never did, and it was really just an excuse to camp out, but oh it was fun!  Those were the days when I could sleep in a sleeping bag on the floor, comfortably;)

 

Christmas is important to me in a different way than when I was a kid.  I understand the real reason we're celebrating.  We're celebrating the birth of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, who came to save us from our sins and give us hope.  I love reading through Luke 1 & 2, and I especially love it that the shepherds were the first to see Jesus - it's one of the reasons that I enjoy raising sheep so much:)  I pray that I would be like the shepherds, glorifying and praising God for all that they had seen and heard.

 

But all the same, there are times that I wish I was a kid again...I wish I hadn't lost the magical feeling that Christmas used to bring.  I'm glad my mom video taped us on many Christmas mornings - it's so much fun to watch how excited we were, our wonder and amaze increasing every time we opened a new gift.

 

It's a special thing, being a kid.  Everything is new and wonderful.

 

Never forget the wonder of Christmas.

 

.....

 

And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.
And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.
And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.
And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,
Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.
And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.
And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.
And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.
And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.
But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.
And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.

Luke 2:8-20

 

.....

 

I wish you all a very merry and blessed Christmas!