Aww, shucks! - Day 11

Day 11 of Christmas Praise and Prayer


My dear friend introduced me to a little taste of heaven this weekend (thanks Christ!).  Two bags in two day and three pounds later (I'm not kidding) finds me thankful for this amazing stuff:

Even more thankful that it is all natural and gluten free! 

Furry Babies

Day 10 of Christmas Praise and Celebration

Thank for my two little buddies and their unconditional love for me!

La La La La - Day 9

"The best way to spread Christmas Cheer, is singing loud for all to hear." Buddy The Elf

Spreading a little Christmas cheer by singing loudly (a little too loudly) this afternoon is what I was doing as I strolled the aisles of my local major retailer.  In fact, I didn't even realize I was singing until another 'aisle stroller' starred at me with a not-so-friendly-Christmas glare.  Oops!


How could I not sing along?  One reason why I love, love, LOVE this time of year is because of lyrics to some of the Christmas songs.  What other time of year can we hear lyrics proclaiming Jesus is Lord blaring in stores area wide? Or how about the words "Joy to the Word, The Lord is come.  The Savior reigns?"  Only at Christmas do we hear Pop-stars, Country singers and everyone in between belt out songs on the radio stations (who have put "political correctness" aside for a short month) to play songs with lyrics like these:

Truly He taught us to love one another, 
His law is love and His gospel is peace. 
Chains he shall break, for the slave is our brother. 
And in his name all oppression shall cease. 
Sweet hymns of joy in grateful chorus raise we, 
With all our hearts we praise His holy name. 
Christ is the Lord! Then ever, ever praise we,
His power and glory ever more proclaim!
His power and glory ever more proclaim!

Today, Day 9 of Christmas Praise and Celebration, finds me thankful for the precious Christmas songs that proclaim the true meaning we celebrate Christmas.




(What's your favorite Christmas song?)

Getting Hit in the Head - Day 8

Day 8 of Christmas Praise and Worship


My youngest girl has been under the weather this week.  Her constant coughing has taken its toll on her voice.  The timing (as with any sickness) is never welcome as- in addition to finals - she was facing a "one time...do or die" audition Tuesday Night which involved singing.    I assured her I would be here at home praying fervently for her and encouraged her just go, do her best and leave the rest to The Lord. 


 "Lord, give her strength as she is weak" resonated over and over within me and became my prayer for her.  After a while of praying the same thing over and over, I felt (note the "I" emphasis) I should find "more verses" to pray (as if one wasn't enough I seemed to think more verses were needed).  Quickly becoming obsessed with the amount of verses  "I should" pray (again--note "I"),  I decided  ("I decided" as in I decided to stop listening to the leading of The Spirit) to randomly flip open my Bible to see what other verses I could find to pray.  One random open turned right to this page in my Bible:

I love when God just hits me in the head with a 2x4 when "I" decide to walk away from His Voice and do things "my" way.  I am also thankful for His mercy, grace and confirmations that put us back on the right track when we need it!  


(*update to the audition - she was called back twice this week but will not know more until later in the weekend.  Regardless of the result, our faith was increased as she sang with power in her voice and was not hoarse. )




Today I am joining my buddies over at Company Girl!

LOL (all caps, underlined and in bold)! - Day 7

Day 7 of Christmas Praise and Celebration


I am thankful for laughter and fun!  Our family certainly loves to laugh and have fun (goofy, silly fun!).  

We were filled with laughter, and we sang for joy. And the other nations said, "What amazing things the LORD has done for them." Yes, the LORD has done amazing things for us! What joy! Psalms 126:2-3 NLT

 

 

Yes, I love technology - Day 6

Day 6 - Christmas Praise and Celebration 


As Kip sang in Napoleaon Dynomite, "Yes, I love technology but not as much as you, you see!".  (Did I just quote Napoleon Dynomite?  Oh dear. My husband has brainwashed me! )


I just disconnected my video camera and I am fill with thanksgiving that we live in the day of Skype so I can keep in touch with my girls when they are far from home.  

God Winks - Day 5

Day 6 - Christmas Praise and Prayer


God Wink - when something happens that makes you smile in a way that only God can.  It seems as if He is looking right at you with a smile and a wink as if to say, "That little blessing is JUST for you! I love YOU!" *wink*.


Well, that's my definition.  Hopefully, you get the point.  


I totally love when I get a God wink.  God knows my heart and He knows exactly what and when I need some encouragement.  I am always thankful for each random "God wink". 


**Preface to my recent God wink:  My nickname for my grand daughter is Pepita.  (Here's why).  Pepita means little seed in Spanish.  Hold that thought.**


Last week I drove my daughter back to college.  My man had a wedding and was unable to make the road trip with me.  So, as they say I was "riding solo" which meant I would be traveling back home alone at night for a few hours.  I didn't mind but I must admit driving alone that far (at night) was a little out of my comfort zone. I asked a few of my dear prayer warrior buddies to pray and off I went on my adventure.


After delivering my girl to her dorm, nature decided to call so I made a quick stop at the College Bookstore before hitting the road back home.  While at the bookstore, I picked up a little snack for the road.  I decided on trail mix since it was a good source of protein.  I turned the bag over to read the ingredients (didn't want added sugar) and imagine my delight when I got a little "God Wink".

It was as if He was saying to me, "You'll be just fine on this trip home, Beck.  I'm with you. You know how much you love your little grand-baby, Pepita?  Well, I love you MORE than that. You are MY little seed!"


What God-winks are you thankful for?

Monday Morning Dance Party - Day 4

Ding Dong. ( followed by banging on the front door)


"Hi Miiiiiimiiiii!"


That is what I heard first thing this morning as a little visitor came by to see us before she returned home to NC.   She entered our house bright and early with tons of energy and an equal amount of giggles.   Her mama (my oldest daughter) enjoyed a cup of coffee and a moment of quiet before hitting the road.   I enjoyed a unexpected Dance Party with my precious little Pepita.  

Jaelynn a.k.a. Mimi's Pepita

Day 4 of Christmas Praise and Celebration finds me so thankful for life and for God's Miracles.  Jaelynn is nothing short of a miracle.  (click here for her story).

Church Lady - Day 3

Here is the church, here is the steeple, open the doors and see all the people.

Day 3 of Christmas Praise and Celebration finds me full of gratitude for Church.  Not a particular church. Not a building.  Not a denomination.  The Church.  The Body of Christ.  Christians.   The collective church that is made up of many people worldwide with many backgrounds from various denominations.  That Church. 

Photo credit:  Kathryn Fincher "Here's the Church.."

This morning, I had the honor to visit the church where I received my Christian foundation for many years.  The church where I met my husband and the one both of my daughters grew-up in and attended every week--everytime the door was open.   I was invitied to interpret for the Deaf at the early service of my former church and  I was excited to be able to return to serve.   When I arrived I was bombarded with love and hugs.  It was such a blessing to see precious brothers and sisters I had not seen in quite a while.   Many of those precious people spent years investing in me and my husband in teaching us and demonstrating Godly lifestyles for us in our early years of our Christian walk.  Needless to say, it was a fantastic reunion this morning. 


After the service as I was walking across the parking lot to my car,  I couldn't help but to think how amazing heaven will be.  When all Believers will be together and re-united.  All denominational barriers will be gone and we will be in unity worshiping Christ together.  With that thought, I proceeded to drive to my current church--the one my husband pastors.  The one where I found many more big 'ol hugs awaiting me from even more precious Christian people.


I experienced two very different worship services this morning in two different locations.   The common denominator that I experienced was the love of Jesus at both places.   Though differing in many ways, both are part of the Church universal.  Oh, the anticipation as I think of how many more Christians gathered together this morning in churches through out the world.  All that make up the body of Christ. The Church.  What a day of rejoicing it will be when we all see Jesus (as the song says) and we are united together around the Throne. 

The Gift of Java - Day 2

Day 2 of my Christmas Praise and Celebration finds me super thankful for this:   

photo from Keurig.com

I totally heart my Keurig. We received ours as a gift last year from my brother and super SIL.  My faithful Mr. Keurig makes getting up to go to work at 6:00am on a cold Saturday morning much easier.  Did I mention, I heart my Keurig?

Oh yeah--throw in a few of these K-cups and it is guaranteed to make one happy (and wide-awake) Beck!

greenmountaincoffee.com

In case you think coffee is not "spiritual" enough to qualify for a post , need I remind you of the "Hebrews" joke?  Okay--here goes:


Q:  How do we know that Jesus made coffee?
A:  It says so in the book of He Brews (Hebrews).

Only A Mom - Day 1 Gift

 Christmas Praise and Celebration - Day 1  

They are not mine.  They belong to Him.  Yet, my heart overflows with thanksgiving that He loaned them to me to nurture and raise. They make me laugh.  They make me cry.  They are the reason for my grey hairs (kidding).  I miss the days when they were little but I am so proud of each of them and the beautiful, Godly young women they have become. 


I am thankful for the gift of being a mother.

Some things only a mom can do. Only a mother can powder a baby’s behind with one hand and hold the phone with the other. Only a mom can discern which teen is entering the door just by the sound of the key in the lock. Only a mom can spend a day wiping noses, laundering enough socks for the Yankees, balancing a checkbook down to $1.27, and still mean it when she thanks God for her kids. Only a mom. Some things only a mom can fix. Like Hamburger Helper without the hamburger.Like the cabinet door her husband couldn’t and his bruised ego when he found out that she could. Broken shoelace? Broken heart? Breaking out on your face? Breaking up with your sweetheart? Moms can handle that. Some things only a mom can fix. Some things only a mom can know. The time it takes to drive from piano lesson to Little League practice? She knows. How many pizzas you need for a middle school sleepover? Mom knows: How many Weight Watcher points are left in the day and days are left in the semester? Mom can tell you. She knows. We men usually don’t. The kids are usually clueless.

Moms are a breed apart.

 ~ Max Lucado (pg. 89 - Next Door Savior)

Also, today I am thankful to link up with my buddies at Company Girl.  I have missed them!