We are back from church. The girls looked so cute in their angel costumes, though I think I may have gone overboard. Oh well!
The little people just opened their Christmas Eve gifts...Christmas PJ's and I am cooking our snack supper.
I have tons of pictures to post and will probably have tons more after tomorrow, but tonight I have an inspirational quote from the church program.
"Somewhere in the night of our lives, a baby cries, and that cry is our hope. The grace of God has appeared for the salvation of our world. The Light of the World has broken through the darkness! Look for the Light! Be the Light for all the world!"
Merry Christmas!
Showing posts with label Momicles/Inspirational. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Momicles/Inspirational. Show all posts
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
Friday, December 19, 2008
20 Little Things to Treasure at Christmas
*My little list was inspired by "The Inspired Room."
1) I absolutely love how Olivia is so interested in Jesus and the story of his birth. We talk about it everyday!
2) I like how everyone seems to have a little swing in their step. People are sharing little holiday treats around the office and if you duck out early, no one seems to mind!
3) Opening Christmas cards and seeing photos of friends and family throughout the year. I have all of mine on display in my living room and I sent out over 100 cards this year!
4) Christmas cookies. All of them. I think I gain 5 to 10 pounds every year.
5) I love the hustle and bustle at the shopping malls. Even though it can get choatic, I like that everyone is there for the same reason. We are all trying to pick out just the right gift for someone that we care about!
6) I love Christmas music. There is a local radio station that starts playing Christmas music a month before Christmas (that was even before Thanksgiving this year) and they play it 24:7 until December 26th. My station never changes until December 26th.
7) Holiday T.V. commercials. I am not a huge T.V. watcher, but I am a sucker for the holiday commercials showing families gathered together in plaid sweaters, opening gifts, and drinking hot chocolate!
8) Speaking of T.V., I do like the Christmas specials that come on year after year. Charlie Brown, Rudolph, Frosty the Snowman, The Grinch, and of course, the lighting of the tree in Rockafeller Center.
9) Peppermints! I love peppermint bubble bath, candy canes, peppermint coffee and hot chocolate. If it has peppermint then I am in!
10) Choir programs at church and school. There is nothing like hearing Christmas carols sung by a real live choir.
11) Coming home to find packages or sweet treats left on the doorstep. Today I came home to both!
12) I love that there were no angels left on the Salvation Army Giving Tree at our local mall and that everytime I see a toy donation barrel, it is overflowing. Even in these hard economic times!
13) Family. Christmas is a time for sharing and being with people that we love.
14) Christmas is also a time to remember those that will not be with us, but who are celebrating with Jesus in Heaven.
I lost my mom this year, but know that she will be celebrating Christmas in a big way with her Lord and Savior.
15) Stockings. Christmas stockings are so fun. I love looking at other people's stockings hanging from their mantles. I also LOVE waking up on Christmas day to little treats from "Santa!"
16) I love watching the Santa radar with Olivia. We always check to see where Santa has been and where he is headed before we go to sleep on Christmas Eve.
Yes, that's the burnt orange tower you see!
17) I treasure going to church on Christmas Eve. My mother always included church as a part of our Christmas Eve tradition. It just doesn't seem like Christmas Eve to me unless we attend a service.
18) Our children and the magic that they bring to Christmas. It is amazing how the light in a child's eyes can put everything into perspective!
19) Christmas decorations. I have somewhat worn this one out with all of my "decor" posts, but I love having my home decorated for Christmas. I put decorations up early and take them down at the last minute...usually Jan 1st or 2nd.
20) Lastly, I treasure Jesus Christ for whom we celebrate Christmas. Without God's son, we would have no reason to celebrate.
God Bless and Merry Christmas!
1) I absolutely love how Olivia is so interested in Jesus and the story of his birth. We talk about it everyday!
2) I like how everyone seems to have a little swing in their step. People are sharing little holiday treats around the office and if you duck out early, no one seems to mind!
3) Opening Christmas cards and seeing photos of friends and family throughout the year. I have all of mine on display in my living room and I sent out over 100 cards this year!
4) Christmas cookies. All of them. I think I gain 5 to 10 pounds every year.
5) I love the hustle and bustle at the shopping malls. Even though it can get choatic, I like that everyone is there for the same reason. We are all trying to pick out just the right gift for someone that we care about!
6) I love Christmas music. There is a local radio station that starts playing Christmas music a month before Christmas (that was even before Thanksgiving this year) and they play it 24:7 until December 26th. My station never changes until December 26th.
7) Holiday T.V. commercials. I am not a huge T.V. watcher, but I am a sucker for the holiday commercials showing families gathered together in plaid sweaters, opening gifts, and drinking hot chocolate!
8) Speaking of T.V., I do like the Christmas specials that come on year after year. Charlie Brown, Rudolph, Frosty the Snowman, The Grinch, and of course, the lighting of the tree in Rockafeller Center.
9) Peppermints! I love peppermint bubble bath, candy canes, peppermint coffee and hot chocolate. If it has peppermint then I am in!
10) Choir programs at church and school. There is nothing like hearing Christmas carols sung by a real live choir.
11) Coming home to find packages or sweet treats left on the doorstep. Today I came home to both!
12) I love that there were no angels left on the Salvation Army Giving Tree at our local mall and that everytime I see a toy donation barrel, it is overflowing. Even in these hard economic times!
13) Family. Christmas is a time for sharing and being with people that we love.
14) Christmas is also a time to remember those that will not be with us, but who are celebrating with Jesus in Heaven.
I lost my mom this year, but know that she will be celebrating Christmas in a big way with her Lord and Savior.
15) Stockings. Christmas stockings are so fun. I love looking at other people's stockings hanging from their mantles. I also LOVE waking up on Christmas day to little treats from "Santa!"
16) I love watching the Santa radar with Olivia. We always check to see where Santa has been and where he is headed before we go to sleep on Christmas Eve.
Yes, that's the burnt orange tower you see!
17) I treasure going to church on Christmas Eve. My mother always included church as a part of our Christmas Eve tradition. It just doesn't seem like Christmas Eve to me unless we attend a service.
18) Our children and the magic that they bring to Christmas. It is amazing how the light in a child's eyes can put everything into perspective!
19) Christmas decorations. I have somewhat worn this one out with all of my "decor" posts, but I love having my home decorated for Christmas. I put decorations up early and take them down at the last minute...usually Jan 1st or 2nd.
20) Lastly, I treasure Jesus Christ for whom we celebrate Christmas. Without God's son, we would have no reason to celebrate.
God Bless and Merry Christmas!
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
My Quote for Today
"WE'RE NOT NECESSARILY DOUBTING THAT GOD WILL DO THE BEST FOR US; WE ARE WONDERING HOW PAINFUL THE BEST WILL TURN OUT TO BE."
-C.S. LEWIS
I saw this quote on another blog today. (I am a blog-oholic!) I liked it. Therefore, I stole it to be my inspiration for today!
-C.S. LEWIS
I saw this quote on another blog today. (I am a blog-oholic!) I liked it. Therefore, I stole it to be my inspiration for today!
Sunday, July 13, 2008
Notes on a Weekend Getaway
I have just come back from a fun weekend in Granbury, Texas. One of my very best friends, Lauren, got married on Saturday. I have some really fun photos to share!
In addition, Olivia attended a birthday party today at Gymboree. (It has been busy!) I have some adorable pictures to share from that party as well.
I plan to share my stories and photos a little later, but am writing now to ask for your prayers. My mom is having her biopsy tomorrow. The ideal outcome would be for the tumors to be non-cancerous, but I am not sure if that is realistic. I just ask that you pray for her recovery, for her health, and for doctor's strong minds and skilled hands. Per her request, I am not going to post much more, but please keep her in your prayers.
******
As I type, I am watching Extreme Home Makeover on television. There is a 19 year old boy on the show who was born without eyes and without the ability to fully extend his limbs leaving him blind and wheelchair bound. He is telling Ty Pennington that his blindness is NOT a disability, but an ability. He is able to see people for who they really are and not what they look like. He does not see skin color, but sees what is on the inside. This boy is truly an inspiration. He is so positive! He is currently attending college and plays the trumpet in his college marching band. He is the most amazing guy!
In addition, Olivia attended a birthday party today at Gymboree. (It has been busy!) I have some adorable pictures to share from that party as well.
I plan to share my stories and photos a little later, but am writing now to ask for your prayers. My mom is having her biopsy tomorrow. The ideal outcome would be for the tumors to be non-cancerous, but I am not sure if that is realistic. I just ask that you pray for her recovery, for her health, and for doctor's strong minds and skilled hands. Per her request, I am not going to post much more, but please keep her in your prayers.
******
As I type, I am watching Extreme Home Makeover on television. There is a 19 year old boy on the show who was born without eyes and without the ability to fully extend his limbs leaving him blind and wheelchair bound. He is telling Ty Pennington that his blindness is NOT a disability, but an ability. He is able to see people for who they really are and not what they look like. He does not see skin color, but sees what is on the inside. This boy is truly an inspiration. He is so positive! He is currently attending college and plays the trumpet in his college marching band. He is the most amazing guy!
Thursday, June 26, 2008
Going Green
Sunday's sermon at church as titled "Going Green." I wasn't sure where the minister was going to go when he began, but Adam and I both agreed it was one of the best sermons we had heard him deliver. I took a page of notes so I could remember and think more about what "Going Green" would mean in my life.
The verse is from the book of Romans, Chapter 6 vs. 1-9.
First the minister talked about how we are taught that things are disposable from our very first days on earth. Example: we use disposable diapers on our babies. From the very beginning, children see us use and throw away. (Though this is a good example, the minister did say that he was not saying that disposable diapers were a bad idea!) This led to a story about Rev. Adkins father-in-law who lives near the coast and is very "resourceful." He loves to dumpster dive near the resorts because of the treasures that others have thrown away as trash. He has found whole coolers, still filled with good food and drinks. He has found expensive fishing rods and reels. He even found a $50.00 bill one time! People buy and use items for their vacations and then trash them rather than have to travel home with them. We look at what things are worth and deem them "not worthy" and throw them away. Do we throw people away too?
Then there was the story of Irwin and Martha. Martha was a committed church member, church go-er and church employee. She attended every service, evaluated every attendance roster, ensured that every new member and every guest was welcomed to the church through a personal phone call. Irwin, her husband, did not attend. When asked why, Irwin said "I don't need God right now. I will come to church when I need him." Martha died unexpectedly. At Martha's funeral, Irwin came to the minister and simply said "I cannot find him!" 2 days later Irwin shot himself. He was hanging his head over the dumpster looking for what he had thrown away and he could not find Him. Irwin was probably not looking closely enough because He was there, but Irwin had thrown Him away so long ago that he was unable to find Him. Irwin thought he was bigger then God's simple words. He got lost.
God doesn't slip out of our pockets when we're hanging our heads over the dumpster. He is there. He is with us.
We throw people away, deem them not worthy. We look at what people can do for us and if the answer is "nothing right now," we tend to let them fall out of our pockets into the "proverbial" dumpster.
What or who have you thrown away lately?
The verse is from the book of Romans, Chapter 6 vs. 1-9.
First the minister talked about how we are taught that things are disposable from our very first days on earth. Example: we use disposable diapers on our babies. From the very beginning, children see us use and throw away. (Though this is a good example, the minister did say that he was not saying that disposable diapers were a bad idea!) This led to a story about Rev. Adkins father-in-law who lives near the coast and is very "resourceful." He loves to dumpster dive near the resorts because of the treasures that others have thrown away as trash. He has found whole coolers, still filled with good food and drinks. He has found expensive fishing rods and reels. He even found a $50.00 bill one time! People buy and use items for their vacations and then trash them rather than have to travel home with them. We look at what things are worth and deem them "not worthy" and throw them away. Do we throw people away too?
Then there was the story of Irwin and Martha. Martha was a committed church member, church go-er and church employee. She attended every service, evaluated every attendance roster, ensured that every new member and every guest was welcomed to the church through a personal phone call. Irwin, her husband, did not attend. When asked why, Irwin said "I don't need God right now. I will come to church when I need him." Martha died unexpectedly. At Martha's funeral, Irwin came to the minister and simply said "I cannot find him!" 2 days later Irwin shot himself. He was hanging his head over the dumpster looking for what he had thrown away and he could not find Him. Irwin was probably not looking closely enough because He was there, but Irwin had thrown Him away so long ago that he was unable to find Him. Irwin thought he was bigger then God's simple words. He got lost.
God doesn't slip out of our pockets when we're hanging our heads over the dumpster. He is there. He is with us.
We throw people away, deem them not worthy. We look at what people can do for us and if the answer is "nothing right now," we tend to let them fall out of our pockets into the "proverbial" dumpster.
What or who have you thrown away lately?
Friday, June 13, 2008
Friday the 13th
This morning I was reading my Max Lucado Inspirational Thoughts for Each Day of the Year devotional book. (Grace for the Moment, Volume II) Today's message really made me think, so I thought that I would share.
The page is titled "God Sees What We Can't."
The verse "No one is like the Lord our God, who rules from heaven." Psalm 113:5
The message:
On a trip to the United Kingdom, our family visited a castle. In the center of the garden sat a maze. Row after row of shoulder-high hedges, leading to one dead end after another. Successfully navigate the labyrinth, and discover the door to a tall tower in the center of the garden.
Were you to look at our family pictures of the trip, you'd see four or five family members standing on top of the tower. Hmmm, someone is still on the ground. Guess who? I was stuck in the foliage. I just couldn't figure out which way to go.
Ah, but then I heard a voice from above, "Hey Dad." I looked up to see Sara, peering through the turret at the top. "You're going the wrong way," she explained. "Back up and turn right."
Do you think I trusted her? I didn't have to.
But do you know what I did? I listened. Her vantage point was better than mine. She was above the maze. She could see what I couldn't.
Don't you think we should do the same with God?
--From Next Door Savior
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
I think that I liked today's message so much because it seems so simple, yet it's something I always seem to forget. God is watching our every move and trying to guide us to Him. If we just trust Him and listen, He will lead us through the maze of life and to Him for eternity.
The page is titled "God Sees What We Can't."
The verse "No one is like the Lord our God, who rules from heaven." Psalm 113:5
The message:
On a trip to the United Kingdom, our family visited a castle. In the center of the garden sat a maze. Row after row of shoulder-high hedges, leading to one dead end after another. Successfully navigate the labyrinth, and discover the door to a tall tower in the center of the garden.
Were you to look at our family pictures of the trip, you'd see four or five family members standing on top of the tower. Hmmm, someone is still on the ground. Guess who? I was stuck in the foliage. I just couldn't figure out which way to go.
Ah, but then I heard a voice from above, "Hey Dad." I looked up to see Sara, peering through the turret at the top. "You're going the wrong way," she explained. "Back up and turn right."
Do you think I trusted her? I didn't have to.
But do you know what I did? I listened. Her vantage point was better than mine. She was above the maze. She could see what I couldn't.
Don't you think we should do the same with God?
--From Next Door Savior
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
I think that I liked today's message so much because it seems so simple, yet it's something I always seem to forget. God is watching our every move and trying to guide us to Him. If we just trust Him and listen, He will lead us through the maze of life and to Him for eternity.
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