A New Year, A New Hope

(photobucket)

2010 is coming to a close, and we celebrate the coming of a new year, 2011.

The ebb and flow of our lives reminds me that God is ever with me, and He has

brought into my life the sureness of this promise.

He is with me, and you, through the ups we enjoy and the downs we would rather not go

through. But it is in going through the tough times that we are brought closer to Him,

and we are held close in His arms with a strength only He can possess. In the good and happy

 moments of our lives, it is as if we are receiving a kiss from the Son

 who shines in the beauty of the day, bringing a light into our world

 that fills our very being.

 Both of these times, the tough times and the good and happy times,

are gifts to us that bring us ever closer to Him and into the person He has made us to be.

All we have to do is trust Him, and we can open these gifts without fear that we will

be disappointed and want to return them. These gifts may not be what we think we want, but

God knows exactly, exactly what we need in our lives, and what He gives us will always be

a perfect fit and will not be a hand-me-down.

What does it mean to trust God? For me, it means to believe Him, not just in Him,

and to know that as I stumble and fall or as I skip along the path of joy, He keeps His promises.

 In Jeremiah 29:11, He promises that He has a plan for each of us, a plan with the best for us in mind,

even as we are going through difficult times. He gives us a new day every morning to step into,

 and even though our circumstances may not change, our attitude can.

 He even goes on in verses 12-13 to promise:

 "Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you.

You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart."

 So 2011 brings a new year, a new hope and future; let it begin today.

"What day is it?"

It's today," squeaked Piglet.

My favorite day," said Pooh."

— A.A. Milne

"It is never too late to be what you might have been."

— George Eliot

"Yesterday is gone. Tomorrow has not yet come. We have only today. Let us begin."

— Mother Teresa

"Though we may not be able to see His purpose or His plan,

 the Lord of heaven is on his throne and in firm control of the universe and our lives."

— Max Lucado

"You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream."

— C.S. Lewis

"You're off to Great Places!

Today is your day!

Your mountain is waiting,

So... get on your way!"

— Dr. Seuss (Oh, the Places You'll Go!)



Our Anniversary ~ 35 Years Together

On December 27, Lauren and I celebrated our 35th wedding anniversary.

We met at the University of Northern Iowa where we both got our degrees,

his in social work and mine in teaching. We moved to Montana in 1980

and we have lived in our present home for 27 years. We raised our daughters

in this house and now we are blessed to share it with their families.

Our grandchildren climb the same tree in the backyard and are learning to

ride their bikes and trikes on the same sidewalks as  their moms did.

My dear husband has spent many hours making our home ours, but most of all,

he is a wonderful father and husband, always putting his family first.

He has especially been here for me through the "in sickness and health" parts of our lives,

with the sickness part becoming the part where I have really learned what he is made of.

Lauren is a man of integrity and honesty, and he is steady and faithful.

 I know that it is because he loves the Lord that he is able to show his love to me in so many ways.

I thank God for giving me Lauren as my husband and for giving us 35 years together,

and we are thankful for the family He has blessed us with.

Immanuel

(Photobucket)

Let me tell you a true story of a silent night...

 About that time Caesar Augustus ordered a census to be taken throughout the Empire.
This was the first census when Quirinius was governor of Syria.
Everyone had to travel to his own ancestral hometown to be accounted for.

So Joseph went from the Galilean town of Nazareth up to Bethlehem in Judah,
 David's town, for the census. As a descendant of David, he had to go there.
He went with Mary, his fiancée, who was pregnant.




While they were there, the time came for her to give birth.
 She gave birth to a son, her firstborn.
She wrapped him in a blanket and laid him in a manger,
because there was no room in the hostel.

 

There were sheepherders camping in the neighborhood. They had set night watches over their sheep. Suddenly, God's angel stood among them and God's glory blazed around them. They were terrified. The angel said, "Don't be afraid. I'm here to announce a great and joyful event that is meant for everybody, worldwide: A Savior has just been born in David's town, a Savior who is Messiah and Master. This is what you're to look for: a baby wrapped in a blanket and lying in a manger."


At once the angel was joined by a huge angelic choir singing God's praises:

Glory to God in the heavenly heights,
Peace to all men and women on earth who please him.

As the angel choir withdrew into heaven, the sheepherders talked it over.
 "Let's get over to Bethlehem as fast as we can and see for ourselves what God has revealed to us."
They left, running, and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in the manger. Seeing was believing.
They told everyone they met what the angels had said about this child.
All who heard the sheepherders were impressed.

Mary kept all these things to herself, holding them dear, deep within herself.

The sheepherders returned and let loose,

glorifying and praising God for everything they had heard and seen.

 It turned out exactly the way they'd been told!

When the eighth day arrived, the day of circumcision, the child was named

 Jesus

(which means "the Lord saves)
the name given by the angel before he was conceived. 

God gave us the greatest Gift

the world has ever seen.

What must we do to accept this gift?

(etsy)

 For unto us a child is born,

unto us a son is given,

and the government will be on his shoulders.

And he will be called

Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,

Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Isaiah 9:6

I hope you and your loved ones have a very Merry Christmas this year
as you celebrate the birth of our savior.

Blessings and love,
Laurie
 

Scripture from Luke 2:1-21 The Message
Photos from The Nativity Story

Just for fun

"Snowflakes that stay

on my nose and eyelashes"

(source: Sunday in Bed )

Word-Filled Wednesday ~ His Name

(Source: Heartlight)

JESUS

 My eyes often swell with tears at the sound of His name, and reading it in print

also stirs my heart with such an indescribable peace.

 It is as if everything else disappears and I am in His presence,

and it is just Him and me.

It is no wonder, really, for the name of Jesus means,

"The Lord Saves."

Go ahead...whisper it, this name above all names,

and know the peace of the Savior.

JESUS

Fill your cup with the Word at the Internet Cafe!

WFW is not about books, authors, artists.. it’s about God and HIS WORD ONLY.
WFW is about celebrating the gift of creativity through God’s Word.

Hallelujah Chorus

A friend told me about this the other day and then my sister-in-law sent it to me.
(Thanks, Shilloy and Buffy!)
 Over 100 participants in this awesome Christmas Flash Mob. This is a must see!
 Enjoy!

Advent Calendars

I have been seeing a few advent calendars on blogs and in magazines and catalogs,

and even though I am a little late, here are a few favorites...

(source)

Gingerbread cookies serve as the dates!

(source)

I  love the whimsy this was has!

(source)

(source)

Perhaps I still have a few old number flashcards left from teaching!

 (County Living)

pretty with lace

(source)

(source)

(source, via tumbler)

This one...

and this...

are from Potterybarn.

This last one caught my eye on the PB website, but the cost was a bit much,

so I intended to make my own. I sent away for a few small canvas bags and they arrived, but

the snowy roads have kept me from getting to a fabric store for the backing. I have

a stencil for the numbers but also need to buy fabric paint.

 Maybe this will make a great project to make ahead for next year!

In the meantime, I could hang the bags from ribbon...

How about you? Do you use an Advent calendar to countdown the days until Christmas?

The Angel's Song

by William Drummond of Hawthornden (1585-1649)

Run, shepherds, run where Bethlehem blest appears.

We bring the best of news; be not dismayed:

A Saviour there is born more old than years,

Amidst heaven's rolling height this earth who stayed.

In a poor cottage inned, a virgin maid,

A weakling did him bear, who all upbears;

There is he poorly swaddled, in manger laid,

To whom too narrow swaddlings are our spheres:

Run, shepherds, run, and solemnize his birth.

This is that night — no, day, grown great with bliss,

In which the power of Satan broken is:

In heaven be glory, peace unto the earth!

Thus singing, through the air the angels swarm,

And cope of stars re-echoèd the same.

Or say, if this new Birth of ours

Sleeps, laid within some ark of flowers,

Spangled with dew-light; thou canst clear

All doubts, and manifest the where.

Declare to us, bright star, if we shall seek

Him in the morning's blushing cheek,

Or search the beds of spices through,

To find him out?

Star. — No, this ye need not do;

But only come and see Him rest,

A princely babe, in's mother's breast.

Welcome, December!

(my photo)

An old wool sweater that belonged to my mom,

and old skates that belong to Lauren.

A couple of items we always decorate with at Christmas.

The skates will go on the front porch and hold

a sprig or 2 of greenery and candy canes.

It is such comfort to continue a few of the little traditions

we have done year after year. As the days pass, I will

be adding a few more decoration traditions.

What are some of yours?

Oh, Snow!

We received even more snow this weekend on top of the several inches

we already had, with the total for November being 21.6 inches, so far!

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas!

It is a soft, white world out there!

I didn't have to go anywhere today except to the dentist, so I walked the 4 blocks,

and most of the sidewalks did not look like this...

 ... but where covered in knee-deep snow. It was a very good, heart-pumping walk!

Temps are in the upper 20s and it isn't windy.

 Many loved ones, including Lauren, had to drive to work on the

snow packed roads, but all made it there okay. I love the snow but

I do not like to drive in it. They seldom call of school in Montana; in fact, the last time

school was called off (and the only time since we moved here 30 years ago)

was probably 20 years ago and all of the schools in the state we closed due to the

extremely cold weather and abundance of snow and blowing wind.

It is a very good day to decorate the Christmas tree and

read the new book I've started, Jan Karon's In the Company of Others,

which has been enticing me to sip a lot of tea, bake warm goodies, and think in

an Irish accent, since it is set in Ireland!

An Irish Christmas Blessing

The light of the Christmas star to you
The warmth of home and hearth to you
The cheer and good will of friends to you
The hope of a childlike heart to you
The joy of a thousand angels to you
The love of the Son and God's peace to you.

Happy Thanksgiving!

What is home?

Home is the place you want to return to over and over.

(Just a few cozy snapshots from my tumblr blog,

My Heart's Home and Garden. All sources listed there.)

Perhaps it takes a purer faith to praise God for unrealized blessings

than for those we once enjoyed or those we enjoy now.

 ~A.W. Tozer

Yours, LORD, is the greatness and the power

and the glory and the majesty and the splendor,

for everything in heaven and earth is yours.

Yours, LORD, is the kingdom;

you are exalted as head over all.

Wealth and honor come from you;

you are the ruler of all things.

In your hands are strength and power

to exalt and give strength to all. 

Now, our God, we give you thanks,

and praise your glorious name.
                                         1 Chronicles 29:11-13 (NIV)

Our First Big Snowfall

Like many of you, we have had a lot of snow the past few days, and as far as I can tell,

our area got anywhere from 8-12". The snow is beautiful but the streets are very

icy underneath, so travel is difficult. We were out for a while today, as our church family

 had a worship time and Thanksgiving dinner together, and it was such a blessing to spend

this time together, with many sharing how thankful they are for the things

God has done for them this past year.

The JEMs (grandkids) love the snow, and their parents have been scurrying

 to make sure boots, coats, mittens and gloves fit or are replaced. 

They adapt to the snow and

cold temperatures much easier than I do!

When it snows, she has no fear for her household;

for all of them are clothed in scarlet.

Proverbs 31:21

 I recently watched the video The Snowman with Maya after having read

 the book with her at her house a few days ago. I love this music, and the book

 was a favorite of our 2 daughters when they were young.

(photo)

(You Tube)

If it is choppy here, click on the You Tube connection.

I am often reminded, when the first big snow covers everything outside,

of how our Lord Jesus came to take away our sins and to wash us whiter than snow.

Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean;

wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.

Psalm 51:7

Before it snowed, things outdoors were beginning to turn brown and the trees were now
bare of leaves. The temperatures just 2 weeks ago were in the 60s, so the grass wasn't
 brown yet. But everyting looked bare in our backyard, with the outdoor furniture
put away and the vegetable and flowerbeds cleared and tucked in for winter.

And then, it snowed,

and everything has been transformed.

(photo of Jack in his backyard)

We, too, may be transformed, and like the first beautiful snowfall,

our sins are washed clean, 

forgiven,

whiter than snow,

through the Lord Jesus.

We have much to be thankful for this Thanksgiving

and for each and every day.

Even for big snowfalls!

 

Happy Birthday, Jack!

Our grandson, Jack, turned 7 on Monday, and his parents had a party for him
with his classmates from school. It was a wonderful time, especially since they live
near us now and we both were able to celebrate his birthday with him.
His cake was decorated with a soccer ball. Jack is on the left in the white t-shirt.

The house rang with the gleeful sounds of 8 boys and 3 girls running amok through the house,

along with little Eli and Maya doing their best to keep up.  My photography is even worse than usual, because these little guys move fast!

One thing he wanted for his birthday was a Build-a-Bear, so on Saturday, Lauren and I
took him to the mall and he picked out a bear. Of course, I had a camera in my purse,
 but I forgot all about it as I got all caught up in the fun of Jack choosing a bear!

Jack and his new friend,  Jake - I think it is so great that this seven-year-old boy

loves his bear as much as Star Wars and Legos!

Jake came home with a Star Wars outfit and a skateboard - he is a very multi-faceted bear!

Happy Birthday to you, Jack!

I'll love you forever

I'll like you for always,

as long as I'm living

my grandson you

you'll be!

(sung to On Top of Old Smokey)

Heaven is for Real

Heaven is for Real

by Todd Burpo and Lynn Vincent  

Thomas Nelson Publisher

There have been a few books written or narratives told of a person having an experience of being in heaven, but I have been reluctant to read them while still wanting to believe that this experience was true.

In this book, Heaven is for Real, a little boy not yet 4 years old shares his time in heaven that occurred when he underwent emergency surgery for a burst appendix. I was convinced of Colton's story as he shared it with his parents in a childlike way, in bits and pieces at unlikely times, in ways that were proven to not be made up. He told of how he saw what his mother and father were doing at the time of his surgery. He shared of meeting a great grandfather he never met, and recognized him from a picture he'd never seen of "Pop" as a young man, not at the age of 61 when he died and Colton's father was just 6.

I was touched in a very personal way by what he shared about Jesus and family members he met in heaven that he had not met on earth and even one whom he had no personal knowledge of, a sister who died in miscarriage. Colton stressed often that Jesus really, really loves children, and he shared about things in the Bible that he had not yet learned from his minister father or in Sunday School.

I highly recommend this book and I believe it will serve as a reminder to us all that heaven is our true home. As Colton said when asked what he wanted people to know from his story, "I want them to know that heaven is for real."

I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 .

Thankfulness

I wasn't going to post today, but I was reminded of 2 things; today is Veterans Day and it is also Thursday, and it has been quite some time since I posted on Thankful Thursday.  I have also come across 25 Days of Thanks @ The Interrupted Life blog, and I am drawn to the fact that, as I express my thankfulness to God for what He has done and continues to do in my life, my eyes are lifted up to see through the darkness that seems to permeate our nation and this world, and to see what God is doing in the lives of those who love Him.
A man from my church is now in his second tour of duty, this time in Afghanistan, and here at home are his wife, 3 children and extended family. Periodically we receive emails from him that he sends out to our church family, as well as prayer requests from his wife. As we know but perhaps cannot really fathom, it is not an easy life for those loved ones here at home and especially for those serving. Even as I read his emails about the conditions they serve under, my finite mind just cannot see or hear or smell what it is really like. But this I know, this man and many Christians like him acknowledge that they serve a mighty God, and they serve Him by living out their beliefs in Him, being His light to not only the others they serve with but also to the citizens of the country in which they are serving. 

Matthew 5:14-16 promises:

“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden.  Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house.  In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.

(Heartlight)

 It is an honor to pray for this man and for the many men and women serving in the armed forces and to thank Veterans for their service to our country. So today, I thank the Lord for these men and women who have sacrificed and done their duty for the United States of America. May they know and hear the words of the Master, 'Well done, good and faithful servant!' (from Matthew 25:21)

Time with the JEMS

I've been spending a lot of time with our grandchildren,  the JEMS, (Jack, Eli and Maya),

so blogging gets a lot less of my attention theses days.

 Maya,

aka Curious George...

...keeps me company on Mondays and Wednesdays.

Eli,

aka Scooby-Doo...

takes care of me on Fridays.

And Jack,

aka Iron Man...

... in First Grade and ready to celebrate his 7th birthday in just  a few days,

keeps me in hugs and kisses whenever we get a chance to get together.

So I apologize for not visiting your blogs as often as I would like. I try to catch up on Tuesdays and Thursdays, but they are also catchup-at-home days. I wouldn't trade my time with the JEMS for anything, and I know you understand, because I see your devotion to your families on your blogs. I'll do my best to visit you all when I can, and I thank you for stopping by to visit my blog when you can.

Have a great week!

Oh yes, it tried to snow this morning, so it looks like our warm fall is turning more fall-like,

with chillier and shorter days. It's been a wonderful fall!

Puppy Joy

I truly hope you have joy and contentment in your days, just as this cutie seems to!

(photo: hopscotchandgrace)

Bring joy to your servant, Lord,

for I put my trust in you.

Psalm 86:4

Word-Filled Wednesday ~ The Little Children

(The Velveteen Rabbit picture from: Rabbit Ears)

Fill your cup with the Word at the Internet Cafe!

WFW is not about books, authors, artists.. it’s about God and HIS WORD ONLY.

WFW is about celebrating the gift of creativity through God’s Word.



Vote for Principle

Welcome, November

(photo: photobucket; words: mine)

Tucking In

Maybe it's the weather forecast; cooler with a chance of rain or even snow this week. Maybe it's because I wore myself out on Saturday raking leaves and cleaning out the veggie and flowerbeds. Maybe it's because I just stocked up on hot cocoa, chai tea and Good Earth Sweet and Spicy Herbal Tea. (Yum!) Oh, and chocolate, of course. And maybe it's because our daughters' families rival teams, the Vikings and the Packers, are getting ready to play tonight. Most likely, it's all of the above.

(photo; scripture added)

Time to tuck in as the sun sets a little earlier every day.

Time to slow down and savor the times with friends and family or alone with a good book.

Time to hunt for new fall recipes and stock up on apples, pumpkin and the comfort foods from childhood.

Time to cuddle with our grands and to gather up a few warm hats, mittens and sweaters to have

about the house for them to wear when visiting.

I recently had a time off from blogging so that I could spend more time sitting at the feet of God. How assuring it is that there is no particular season for being with Him, for He is near always. My time has been good, and I am finding a better balance in my time with Him and my time doing other things, such as blogging. I might blog a little less or I might schedule my time better, but I do know that I so enjoy visiting your blogs and gleaning from you as you share your lives.

I know I have posted this song before, but it was playing in my mind today and I want to share it again.

 I hope you have a good week and that you are enjoying this season of your life.

The More I Seek You

The more I seek you,

the more I find you

The more I find you, the more I love you

I wanna sit at your feet

drink from the cup in your hand.

Lay back against you and breath, here your heart beat

This love is so deep, it's more than I can stand.

I melt in your peace, it's overwhelming