I'm taking time away from the constant worry that I won't have everything ready in time to remind myself (and hopefully others) that Christmas is not about the presents, the food or the cards (which hopefully made it into the mailbox today).
I shouldn't be worried that Meijer is closing at 7pm today, but I am. I have to get my traditional Christmas food. Hot chocolate and Pannetone for tonight, and Pigs in a Blanket for tomorrow morning.
We have the joy of inviting another family to join us for our "big" Christmas Eve dinner. While they don't know it, they are helping us get over the two empty seats that would be at the table... the ones for my daddy in heaven and my mom in Peru.
The Lord has blessed my socks off! Being an over-emotional person, I tend to build that wall that keeps my heart from bouncing all over the place when it comes to finding joy. Christmas seems to be that occassion that allows me to break the wall down and gush about it all!!!
Not only has joy touched my life, but my friends have opened their lives and allowed me to share their joys. Adoptions that have happened, and some that are still in progress. Surgeries that have occured and recoveries that are still in proccess. Babies being born... two of which are my precious nephews.
Not only have I had the privledge of sharing joy but being able to pray for the not-so-joyful occassions that have been a blessing to me. Hurting marriages, financial struggles, saying goodbye to loved ones and losing one's foster children.
I thank God for my rich life. Rich as in full of so many colorful experiences and not necessarily the monetary type of rich. I pray that I can somehow reflect a glimmer of Jesus in my life and that my loved ones do the same for me.
Much love and blessings!
Marianne
Thursday, December 24, 2009
Monday, December 21, 2009
Splish splash...
Isn't it funny how attitude is everything?
I've had a trying day at work today and coming home seemed to bring my bad attitude into the house. The kids spent their day with their Grandma B who had them out sledding and having fun.
Work was busy and I ended up bring some work and my laptop home to get caught up. I sent Jeff and the kids to go get haircuts and in the quiet, I managed to calm down and realize that I don't want to pass my days hurried and crabby.
The kids came back, (with tons of candy!) and got sent down to take a bath. The girls are splish splashing in the tub, Jeff is strumming on his guitar and I am getting some work done and enjoying the sounds of my family. Tristan is probably playing with his Bionicles quietly.
No matter how stressed out I will get about work, the truth is that it is just a way to get our family to where we want to be: debt free.
So in the meanwhile, I can handle the struggle to keep up a house that I don't spend as much time in as I wish, and while I cannot be the one giving them their bath, I will give praise for a wonderful husband and praise for the giggles that float upstairs.
Thank you God!
I've had a trying day at work today and coming home seemed to bring my bad attitude into the house. The kids spent their day with their Grandma B who had them out sledding and having fun.
Work was busy and I ended up bring some work and my laptop home to get caught up. I sent Jeff and the kids to go get haircuts and in the quiet, I managed to calm down and realize that I don't want to pass my days hurried and crabby.
The kids came back, (with tons of candy!) and got sent down to take a bath. The girls are splish splashing in the tub, Jeff is strumming on his guitar and I am getting some work done and enjoying the sounds of my family. Tristan is probably playing with his Bionicles quietly.
No matter how stressed out I will get about work, the truth is that it is just a way to get our family to where we want to be: debt free.
So in the meanwhile, I can handle the struggle to keep up a house that I don't spend as much time in as I wish, and while I cannot be the one giving them their bath, I will give praise for a wonderful husband and praise for the giggles that float upstairs.
Thank you God!
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
Rude awakening...
Yesterday morning, I was having a normal day in that I was yelling at the kids to get ready and they were bickering and calling each other names.
it just so happened that Tristan came up to tattle on his sister...
"Mom! Trinity said to mind my own bee's nuts... Not the regular nuts... but the ones that get girls pregnant!"
Needless to say... I was stunned and shocked. I told them to get ready for school and I realized that I needed to figure out a way to have "the talk" with Tristan and possibly Trinity.
In my heart, I think that Trinity was just engaging in potty talk (butt, etc). I don't think she knows that nuts get girls pregnant, but I do (now) know that Tristan knows that nuts get girls pregnant.
Help! Anyone out there have experience with this?
it just so happened that Tristan came up to tattle on his sister...
"Mom! Trinity said to mind my own bee's nuts... Not the regular nuts... but the ones that get girls pregnant!"
Needless to say... I was stunned and shocked. I told them to get ready for school and I realized that I needed to figure out a way to have "the talk" with Tristan and possibly Trinity.
In my heart, I think that Trinity was just engaging in potty talk (butt, etc). I don't think she knows that nuts get girls pregnant, but I do (now) know that Tristan knows that nuts get girls pregnant.
Help! Anyone out there have experience with this?
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
Christmas Spirit
It has taken me until this morning to get into the Christmas Spirit....
I've already wrapped 70 Christmas gifts and co-hosted a work party... but still nothing
I've tromped through snow and bought snow pants, hats, mitten and boots... but still nothing
I've purchased gifts for my family... but still nothing
So what put me in this spirit?
This devotional... stolen from Girlfriends in God.
Today's Truth
"But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all people. For today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; He is Christ the Lord" (Luke 2:10-11 NIV).
Friend To Friend
The Family Life Today show on my local Christian radio station once featured an author named Ace Collins who wrote a historical book about Christmas carols. One traditional carol they talked about was the song, "God Rest Ye, Merry Gentlemen."
Before that day, the first line of that song never made sense to me. The title, "God rest ye, merry gentlemen," seemed too old-school-English to embrace. Was it encouraging us to sleep happily? I just didn't get it. But, I'm excited to share with you that the scales have fallen from my eyes! What I learned about this song is really cool, and I think you are going to find it fascinating as well... Ace explained to the listeners that he had dug through a bunch of English text from the 1500 and 1600s. One of the first things he learned about this carol was that the comma in our modern day version is actually misplaced in the title. It's not "God Rest Ye, Merry Gentlemen." It's supposed to read, "God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen."
While that information alone might not seem to make a difference, this next bit of information will bring the main point home. His research revealed that back in the day this song was written, the word "rest" actually meant "make" or "keep." And the word "merry" actually meant "mighty" or "great."
So...if we put that all together - in a modern translation - it should sing:
"God make you mighty, gentlemen, let nothing you dismay.
Remember Christ our Savior was born on Christmas day;
To save us all from Satan's power when we were gone astray.
O tidings of comfort and joy, comfort and joy;
O tidings of comfort and joy."
If you would allow me the freedom, I'd like to translate this even further. Call it the Girlfriends In God Revised Edition. This is powerful:
"God make you mighty, girlfriend! Do not be upset, discouraged, or frightened!
Jesus came to earth to take on our brokenness and sin so that we could be made beautiful and whole in Him!
This is great news, which should bring you comfort and joy! Rejoice!"
Have a mighty Christmas! Have a powerful Christmas! Our hope is alive because 2000 years ago, Jesus Christ left His throne in heaven, was born of a virgin, lived a sinless life, suffered and died for our sin, and defeated death in resurrection.
This is surely "good news of great joy!" (Luke 2:10).
Celebrate Christmas this year in His strength, in His peace, and in His joy. God make you mighty, girlfriend!
Let's Pray
Lord, You are mighty and powerful. No matter what I face, I want to walk in Your might instead of my weakness. Help me to remember that Your Word says: "Greater is He who is in me than he who is in the world" (1 John 4:4). In Jesus' Name, Amen.
I've already wrapped 70 Christmas gifts and co-hosted a work party... but still nothing
I've tromped through snow and bought snow pants, hats, mitten and boots... but still nothing
I've purchased gifts for my family... but still nothing
So what put me in this spirit?
This devotional... stolen from Girlfriends in God.
Today's Truth
"But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all people. For today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; He is Christ the Lord" (Luke 2:10-11 NIV).
Friend To Friend
The Family Life Today show on my local Christian radio station once featured an author named Ace Collins who wrote a historical book about Christmas carols. One traditional carol they talked about was the song, "God Rest Ye, Merry Gentlemen."
Before that day, the first line of that song never made sense to me. The title, "God rest ye, merry gentlemen," seemed too old-school-English to embrace. Was it encouraging us to sleep happily? I just didn't get it. But, I'm excited to share with you that the scales have fallen from my eyes! What I learned about this song is really cool, and I think you are going to find it fascinating as well... Ace explained to the listeners that he had dug through a bunch of English text from the 1500 and 1600s. One of the first things he learned about this carol was that the comma in our modern day version is actually misplaced in the title. It's not "God Rest Ye, Merry Gentlemen." It's supposed to read, "God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen."
While that information alone might not seem to make a difference, this next bit of information will bring the main point home. His research revealed that back in the day this song was written, the word "rest" actually meant "make" or "keep." And the word "merry" actually meant "mighty" or "great."
So...if we put that all together - in a modern translation - it should sing:
"God make you mighty, gentlemen, let nothing you dismay.
Remember Christ our Savior was born on Christmas day;
To save us all from Satan's power when we were gone astray.
O tidings of comfort and joy, comfort and joy;
O tidings of comfort and joy."
If you would allow me the freedom, I'd like to translate this even further. Call it the Girlfriends In God Revised Edition. This is powerful:
"God make you mighty, girlfriend! Do not be upset, discouraged, or frightened!
Jesus came to earth to take on our brokenness and sin so that we could be made beautiful and whole in Him!
This is great news, which should bring you comfort and joy! Rejoice!"
Have a mighty Christmas! Have a powerful Christmas! Our hope is alive because 2000 years ago, Jesus Christ left His throne in heaven, was born of a virgin, lived a sinless life, suffered and died for our sin, and defeated death in resurrection.
This is surely "good news of great joy!" (Luke 2:10).
Celebrate Christmas this year in His strength, in His peace, and in His joy. God make you mighty, girlfriend!
Let's Pray
Lord, You are mighty and powerful. No matter what I face, I want to walk in Your might instead of my weakness. Help me to remember that Your Word says: "Greater is He who is in me than he who is in the world" (1 John 4:4). In Jesus' Name, Amen.
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