God loves each of us as if there were only one of us.
~ Saint Augustine
Monday, December 19, 2011
Sunday, December 18, 2011
Bella The Elf - Day 17
Day 17 of Christmas Praise and Celebration
According to reliable sources, December 18th is "International Answer The Phone As Buddy The Elf Day". Being an elf myself, I just had to give it a try this afternoon when the phone rang. My precious mom was the recipient of my "Buddy The Elf, What's Your Favorite Color?".
You see, I am thankful for a mom who never ceases to make our family laugh with her Pat-ism and misunderstandings of words. Our all time favorite line to date of mom's is when Jordyn's cell phone was on vibrate and my mom exclaimed, "your phone's wiggling!!".
My Mom has only seen Elf once (unlike me who has seen it a bazillion times) and can't quote the lines like yours truly can. Therefore, I found it totally hysterical when I had to call mom later tonight to ask her a question and she answered her phone by saying, "Bella the Elf, what color you like?" Another classic Pat-ism moment.
I am thankful for my mom who loves Jesus but knows how to love life and have fun too!
You see, I am thankful for a mom who never ceases to make our family laugh with her Pat-ism and misunderstandings of words. Our all time favorite line to date of mom's is when Jordyn's cell phone was on vibrate and my mom exclaimed, "your phone's wiggling!!".
My Mom has only seen Elf once (unlike me who has seen it a bazillion times) and can't quote the lines like yours truly can. Therefore, I found it totally hysterical when I had to call mom later tonight to ask her a question and she answered her phone by saying, "Bella the Elf, what color you like?" Another classic Pat-ism moment.
I am thankful for my mom who loves Jesus but knows how to love life and have fun too!
Saturday, December 17, 2011
Give Me Liberty - Day 16
Day 16 of Christmas Praise and Celebration
Whether you were a fan or not, the late Jerry Falwell, Sr.-- had a vision. His vision? Liberty University. A college "with a vision to train Champions for Christ". Our family is thankful for this college that is 'un-apologetically Christian'. A place where parents can have peace knowing there are NO co-ed dorms on the 6,000 acre campus. A place where classes are started with prayer requests. A place where each student is prayed over every day by prayer teams. A place where the name of Jesus is lifted high. A place I am proud to support as a parent.
Thank you Liberty University!!
Whether you were a fan or not, the late Jerry Falwell, Sr.-- had a vision. His vision? Liberty University. A college "with a vision to train Champions for Christ". Our family is thankful for this college that is 'un-apologetically Christian'. A place where parents can have peace knowing there are NO co-ed dorms on the 6,000 acre campus. A place where classes are started with prayer requests. A place where each student is prayed over every day by prayer teams. A place where the name of Jesus is lifted high. A place I am proud to support as a parent.
Thank you Liberty University!!
Friday, December 16, 2011
Feeling Flakey - Day 15
Day 15 of Christmas Praise and Celebration
(clears throat) - ready, sing: I'm dreaming of a white Christmas. Just like the ones... (voice trails off with a discouraged tone.)
The temperatures are a bit mild in my area for a white Christmas. I better keep on dreaming (and praying)!
Until Suzie comes to visit I'll make snowflakes with coffee filters and this uber cool site: Popular Front Snowday.
Of course, I will enjoy the snowflake decor hanging from my ceiling.
My point? I'm unashamedly thankful for the white stuff when it comes my way!
(clears throat) - ready, sing: I'm dreaming of a white Christmas. Just like the ones... (voice trails off with a discouraged tone.)
The temperatures are a bit mild in my area for a white Christmas. I better keep on dreaming (and praying)!
Until Suzie comes to visit I'll make snowflakes with coffee filters and this uber cool site: Popular Front Snowday.
Of course, I will enjoy the snowflake decor hanging from my ceiling.
My point? I'm unashamedly thankful for the white stuff when it comes my way!
Thursday, December 15, 2011
My King - Day 14
Day 14 of Christmas Praise and Celebration
I'm thankful for my King. Thankful that He stepped down from His throne. All for me. All for you.
I adore this song by Downhere, "How Many Kings" (lyrics below). Beautiful video too!
I'm thankful for my King. Thankful that He stepped down from His throne. All for me. All for you.
I adore this song by Downhere, "How Many Kings" (lyrics below). Beautiful video too!
Follow the star to a place unexpected
Would you believe after all we’ve projected
A child in a manger
Lowly and small, the weakest of all
Unlikeliest hero, wrapped in his mothers shawl
Just a child
Is this who we’ve waited for?
Cause how many kings, stepped down from their thrones?
How many lords have abandoned their homes?
How many greats have become the least for me?
How many Gods have poured out their hearts
To romance a world that has torn all apart?
How many fathers gave up their sons for me?
Bringing our gifts for the newborn savior
All that we have whether costly or meek
Because we believe
Gold for his honor and frankincense for his pleasure
And myrrh for the cross he’ll suffer
Do you believe, is this who we’ve waited for?
How many kings, stepped down from their thrones?
How many lords have abandoned their homes?
How many greats have become the least for me?
How many Gods have poured out their hearts
To romance a world that has torn all apart?
How many fathers gave up their sons for me?
Only one did that for me
All for me
All for you
All for me
All for you
Wednesday, December 14, 2011
Climb Every Mountains - Day 13
Day 13 of Christmas Praise and Celebration
I've had a mountain that I have been avoiding in my personal life. In fact, I have been avoiding it for about a week. One night last week I realized I could no longer continue to ignore the mountain or it was soon going start taking control of my life. Instead of avoiding the ginormous task I faced, I thought I would give myself an incentive/reward to help deal with what was the inevitable. I decided to make a deal with myself. I would receive a reward after, and ONLY after, I had dealt with this mountain. My "incentive to self" was a success.
I am please to report I dealt fiercely with my mountain and in less than an hour I was enjoying my reward.
My mountain: (of laundry. It was as tall as the back of my recliner. No lie. And it is just the two of us here this week.)
My reward: Homemade sugar cookies with glazed icing. (Only captured a picture of the mess I made making the cookies. They didn't turn out too cute--so no after pictures...but they sure were delicious!) If you want cute sugar cookies be sure to visit Sweet Bella Bakery.)
Once again this week, I am sad to report the mountain is back. I guess I'll be baking another batch of sweet incentives for myself in the very near future.
All that randomness to say that today I am thankful for abundance. An abundance of clothes (that leaves me a mountain of laundry). Even an abundance of food (thus the luxuary of making sugar cookies just because I "want some"). I realize many in this world don't have these luxuries of abundance. My we never take for granted the blessings we have been given.
I've had a mountain that I have been avoiding in my personal life. In fact, I have been avoiding it for about a week. One night last week I realized I could no longer continue to ignore the mountain or it was soon going start taking control of my life. Instead of avoiding the ginormous task I faced, I thought I would give myself an incentive/reward to help deal with what was the inevitable. I decided to make a deal with myself. I would receive a reward after, and ONLY after, I had dealt with this mountain. My "incentive to self" was a success.
I am please to report I dealt fiercely with my mountain and in less than an hour I was enjoying my reward.
My mountain: (of laundry. It was as tall as the back of my recliner. No lie. And it is just the two of us here this week.)
My reward: Homemade sugar cookies with glazed icing. (Only captured a picture of the mess I made making the cookies. They didn't turn out too cute--so no after pictures...but they sure were delicious!) If you want cute sugar cookies be sure to visit Sweet Bella Bakery.)
Once again this week, I am sad to report the mountain is back. I guess I'll be baking another batch of sweet incentives for myself in the very near future.
All that randomness to say that today I am thankful for abundance. An abundance of clothes (that leaves me a mountain of laundry). Even an abundance of food (thus the luxuary of making sugar cookies just because I "want some"). I realize many in this world don't have these luxuries of abundance. My we never take for granted the blessings we have been given.
Tuesday, December 13, 2011
5 Golden Rings - Day 12
I was searching my pictures tonight when I randomly came across the following video.
My mother-in-law (MeMaw) and I had a yearly Christmas tradition where we would sing The Twelve Days of Christmas as off key as possible. (Well, MeMaw actually sang on key--I was the "off key" one.). For as long as I can remember, each Christmas Jordyn would play the piano and we would sing our hearts out. Every year without fail we would sing and pause our way through this song trying to remember each verse/day by memory. I don't think there was ever a year that we got the verses in the correct order (except for the "five golden rings" part) but we would laugh until we cried at our attempt.
This year MeMaw is with Jesus. I miss her. I will miss singing "The Tweleve Days of Christmas with her but Jordyn and I will continue this tradition in her honor.
I am thankful for the memories I had with my precious mother-in-law. She was amazing. A few years ago one of our friends took this video and I am thankful I found it tonight...on my Day 12 of Praise and Celebration.
Monday, December 12, 2011
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!
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!
Sunday, December 11, 2011
Furry Babies
Day 10 of Christmas Praise and Celebration
Thank for my two little buddies and their unconditional love for me!
Thank for my two little buddies and their unconditional love for me!
Saturday, December 10, 2011
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?)
Friday, December 09, 2011
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!
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!
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