twins

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christmas caroling

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go tell it on the mountain

Will's first ever church choir performance.  He was a shepherd and they sang Go Tell it on the Mountain.  He did such a great job.  He has a really neat set of friends at church and it's been so fun watching their friendships grow this past year.  My prayer for all my boys is that they are blessed with strong friendships that stand with them in their faith at school and in life.

holiday traditions

the list

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holiday grace

Every December we all get several invitations in the mail to different events...church parties, gift exchanges, end of the year giving fundraisers and couples celebrations.  This year I was honored to be invited to a Christmas tea.  The invitation was simple.  It asked us to step away from the stress and hussle and bussle of the season and join a few ladies for tea.  A simple request.  Not easily done.

If I were to be honest, I would say I dragged my feet about going.  I drag my feet about going to lots of holiday events.  It's the wallflower in me.  All morning I worried about going to this party.  I was afraid I would feel inferior in my clothing choice.  I fretted that my hair would not "do" or my shy personality would not be a good fit.  I was afraid to mingle.  In truth, I was afraid of not fitting in and sitting alone feeling left out of friendly conversations.  God knew.

The moment I walked in the door of this sweet home, I had the most welcomed feeling.  It was warm and cozy.  The hostess, Jill, greeted me with a hug and an I am so glad you came.  There were round tables set with the most lovely tea services.  My grandmother would have loved to have been there.  At the tables women were already seated, chatting and grazing on the delicious tea cakes.  Jill pointed out my seat and it was in between the dearest of friends at a table with several women I have never met before.  There were conversation starters for us, beautiful tea bags and such yummy treats to choose from.  Not once did my inferiority take a hold of me.  I felt like I belonged there.  Surrounded by such kind women, my insecurities melted away and I was myself.  God is so kind that way.  I became acquainted with some ladies I had heard of, but had never met.  They were just as lovely as I expected they would be.

Leave it to Jill, a little girl from my bible study so long ago, now all grown up, to teach me that life is about what you put into it.  Had I skipped out of the blessing of yesterday, I would never have known that the biggest gift of this season is "putting into life what I would love to get out of it."

And to me, that's the gift of real, genuine relationships.  We were created for relationship.  Lord, please help me not to shy away from relationships but to pursue them with a passion.

oh come let us adore him

hope times two

It was our honor to serve our community along side our church today.  We served over one thousand people and gave away countless bags of groceries.  The provident hand of God was so evident today.  "It's not about me" was the theme of the day.  I hope I can carry this on in my daily life.  So many times I get wrapped up in my life...what I am going to wear to what event, who am I going to see there, I "need" some new jeans, I am sick of the winter coat I just bought last year,  I just "need" a few more sweaters, and the "needy" list goes on and on and on.  But I learned today that I don't "need" anything.  I have all I need.  There are people all around me with real needs like where their next meal will come from and if their kids will be warm enough this winter and will they will have a paycheck this month.  And suddenly my "needs" are very selfish and superficial and I am totally ashamed of myself.  God has richly blessed me and I take that for granted everyday.  Ahhh, when will I learn?

Lord, create in me a clean heart and renew a right spirit in me.  Let the lessons of today remind me always that you are good, you are in control and you've got it.  Remind me daily of your provision and let me never forget how good you are to me.  Bless those who came through our doors today.  Provide for their needs.  They need you physically but most of all they need you spiritually.

family time equals love

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just boys

Such a blessing to be raising our kids in a town and in a church where there are plenty of amazing boys to look up to and for them to grow up with.  They truly have great friends.  It's so neat to watch these kids grow up.  We've got lots to look forward to.  I can't wait.

old things made new

We loved being a part of our town's old bridge reopening.  We drive on that 80 year old bridge multiple times a day and were very grateful that they shut it down for reconstruction.  We like safety.

Walking along the old bridge, watching my kids draw chalk drawings on it and seeing how they made it new again reminded me of  life.  Every morning I am new.  What happened to me the day before or the choices I made no longer matter.  I am new.  God makes all things new and I am more grateful for that than I am for the much safer, new, old bridge.


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

beautiful things

This weekend I had the honor of spending two days and nights with these 8th grade girls.  It's funny how quickly time passes.  I was just one of these 8th grade girls not long ago and a dear woman named Brenda spend two days and two nights with me and my closest friends.  She taught us in Sunday School every week and poured into our young lives daily.  She shared with us how to live and cope in this world as teenagers and she really made a difference in my life.  I guess that's why I spent these two days with these seven girls.  I wanted to make a difference in their young lives.  But the truth is, they didn't need me.  They've got it more together at 14 than I'll ever will.  Their wisdom is way beyond their years and God truly shines in them.  My response to them all weekend was...I am so glad you can learn this lesson at 14 rather than 40.

But let's face it.  Fourteen is such a tough age.  The issues they face daily are real.  The gossip, the girl drama, the rumors, boys, girlfriends, classwork, parents, puberty, peer pressure, fashion, fitting in, making the team, making the grade, where to sit at lunch, who to trust, who to tell, who to cry with, who to laugh with and on and on.  Their issues at 14 are not so unlike mine at 39.  So really, who am I to be their leader?  I am just like them.  And I would not go back to junior high age if you paid me real money.  Big money.  And yet, some days, being a grown woman is so much like junior high.  Life comes full circle, I guess.  It's my prayer that I do it better this time around than last.

This song is so appropriate for my sweet small group of friends.  They really are beautiful things.

because family pictures are supposed to be fun

oh how i love this boy

halloween with loads of friends

traditions

sunday school at the pumpkin patch