Christmas Challenge

Christmas weekend is upon us.  I would like to issue a challenge for all of us from now through Christmas night: disengage from social media, engage in real relationships.  Disengage from staring at a screen, engage in staring at loved ones faces, because you don't know when this will be the last Christmas you are together.  A friend of mine buried both of her parents in the past six months.  I know she doesn't wish she had a few more moments this past year that she could have spent on Facebook or Pinterest.  No, she wishes for a few more precious moments with her parents, to hug them, and tell them she loves them.  She did plenty of it while they were alive, but as she said "can we ever really tell those we treasure in our lives that we love them enough?  Can we ever really spend too much time with those who are precious to us?" REAL relationships matter.  

Disengage from playing online, virtual games and engage in real relationships by playing a card or board game. Laugh together, have meaningful conversations, give hugs, go for a walk, enjoy life.  Be thankful. See the beauty that surrounds you in creation, in people.  

REAL people, REAL relationships are what matter.  Take the next few days to deeply invest in real relationships, face to face.  

Merry Christmas!

Quiet Time In The Middle of the Night

It's the wee hours of the morning.  The sky is a deep midnight blue with sparkling stars shining brightly as far as the eyes can see.  I stepped outside with my dog a few minutes ago.  I didn't stay long, as the temps are right around zero, but it makes for an amazing landscape across the sky.  

I sit here in the silence.  The only noise I hear is the fire crackling in our wood stove.  I am in the dark, with our Christmas tree lights giving off a warm glow across the room.  I have been placing ornaments on it the past few hours.  This  year, decorating has been a chore.  I haven't wanted to do it at all, which is not me.  One reason, I started working part time, and life has been very busy.  My mom-in-law's health has drastically gone downhill the past few months, and her life has changed as she is now in a care facility recovering from some health issues.  Her care team told us a week ago that she will not be able to live alone again.  Life is drastically altered for her, and really for us as we now need to adjust to her being dependent, which she doesn't do well.  Many friends & family are dealing with some difficult life events and it's just been a rough season to walk through right now.  My emotions got the best of me earlier in the day, and I just sat in my car and had a little cry.  

Another reason decorating has been difficult is that pulling ornaments out of their boxes floods my thoughts with memories, and fills my eyes with tears.  There are numerous ornaments from my Gram, my Grandpa, handmade ornaments from my father-in-law.  They have all gone on and are celebrating Christmas with Jesus, but their memories flood over me tonight.  I laughed as I pulled out a miniture wooden antique coffee grinder ornament that my Gram gave me when I was probably 12.  I told my husband she must have known that I would turn 40, and love coffee.  When she left this earth, I still thought coffee was disgusting.  Now, I have a bit of a love for a good cup of coffee.  Our tree isn't a fancy tree.  It's filled with ornaments of love, many handmade by my mom, all with a memory attached.  I would rather have a tree like ours any day than a fancy tree.  This tree represents the love and memories in our lives.  

Right now, I need to quiet my mind and my heart, and have a silent night, a Holy night.   All nights are Holy when the focus is clear.  Right now, I need to laser focus on Jesus.  I need to focus on the fact that He knows life is difficult, but this life is not all there is.  I need to remind myself that He is walking right beside me, never leaving my side, or the sides of my loved ones who are dealing with difficulty, loss, and pain.  When following Christ, life beyond this earthly journey has no more tears, death, cancer, sickness, sorrow, or pain.  But, beyond all that sorrow, pain, hurt on this journey, there is always hope, always love, and faith.  That is what I cling to.  I pray you do, as well.  Find Jesus this Christmas season.  Even if you walk with Him, it's easy to lose sight of Him in the busyness.  Take time to sit in the quiet as I am doing right now, and be still.  Connect with the One who loves you through it all, and never leaves your side.  Just like I wouldn't trade in my tree of memories for a fancy tree, I wouldn't trade my walk with Christ for anything this life has to offer.  He is my hope.  He alone can quiet my restless soul and overwhelm me with His peace.  

December Joy Dare

Take some time to find the beauty in each day!

30 Days Challenge

As I finish up the 30 days of thanks, having missed a couple days because I have been spending the time with family, I want to challenge each one reading this to live a life of gratitude and thanks each day.  Look for the gifts around you, and be thankful.  A life of gratitude makes the heart be filled with joy.  It puts our focus on the good in life, not the bad.    I am not saying to live in a false reality and pretend  tough times aren't happening when they do.  I am just challenging each one of us to find a daily gift, a small joy, to see the blessings in life despite the difficulties we all face.  

30 Days of Thanks

Today I am thankful for laughter. Just shared a lot of 'from the toe' giggles with my nieces. Laughter is great for the body, mind, & soul, and it's completely free, no long shopping lines required to enjoy that gift!

Be A Blessing

Happy Thanksgiving! 

30 Days of Thanks, Day 26

Today I am thankful for sunsets and lakes, both of which help me to relax and unwind, and focus on how God truly blesses my life in the simplest, most beautiful ways.  

30 Days of Thanks, Day 25

Today I am thankful for the 4th/5th grade girls group that I am working with at church. They are truly a wonderful blessing and I am loving working with them and getting to know each one of them.

Giving Thanks or Being Greedy

Greed seems to be at a whole new, out of control level this year among the retail industry.  Instead of seeing who can open first on Black Friday, retailers are now having a race to see who can open first on Thanksgiving.  Think of the poor people working who are missing time with their loved ones because of greed.  It makes my heart sad.  

What happened to a day to spend with family and friends and give thanks?  Thanksgiving isn't about grabbing the biggest deals, standing in lines to buy things.  Thanksgiving is about, hmmm, giving thanks.  Being grateful.  Spending time with loved ones.  Instead of going out to the stores, spend time playing games, talking, laughing, watching a movie, even start decorating for Christmas.  Make a statement, and stay out of the stores.  Spend some wonderful time with your loved ones and enjoy giving thanks!

30 Days of Thanks, Day 23 & 24

Today I am thankful for a home to share with my hubby-a place to unwind, rest, have shelter, and share love.  




 From Saturday...I am thankful to be up late, packing shoeboxes for Operation Christmas Child. My nieces picked items for girls their ages, and did a great job picking out some wonderful items.  What a blessing to share small items with children to touch their lives in such a big way.  

30 Days of Thanks, Day 22

Today I am thankful for all the wonderful hope, food & water, and relief  Convoy of Hope brings to the world after disasters and hardships hit areas. They are a legit, honest organization, doing amazing work across the world.

30 Days of Thanks, Day 21

Today I am thankful that in spite of very chilly temps, we had gorgeous sunshine and now a beautiful starry night.

30 Days of Thanks, Day 20

Today I am thankful for the amazing sunshine that sparkled on the lake, sharing a great lunch time with my hubby, a wonderful stylist who got my hair looking manageable again, and for the ability to put together a shoebox for Operation Christmas child.

30 Days of Thanks, Day 19

Today I am thankful for people whom I can walk alongside during tough times, and for those who walk alongside us in difficult times. While no one enjoys trials and sorrow, we all experience it. It helps to have others available to lean on.

What Did You Do Today To Show Thankfulness?

While I focus a lot on what I am grateful for each day, I had the question pop in front of my face tonight of 'what did you do today to show you were thankful for your blessings?'  The question made me stop and think.  How did I live it out, make it apparent, show the world I came in contact with today that I was thankful?  What did I do that showed the world that living a life of thankfulness and gratitude makes a difference in my day to day attitude and choices, in how I see the world, in how I live?  

Want to focus on changing the world with a grateful heart?  Ask yourself these questions each day.  

30 Days of Thanks, Day 17

Today I am thankful for the many great teachers and mentors in my life that have taught me so much. I believe learning should be a lifelong experience! Mentoring has changed my life for the better and made me a stronger person. So thankful for all that have invested in my life at one point or another.

30 Days of Thanks, Day 16

Today I am very thankful and grateful for the church we are a part of, and how blessed we are to share a journey of faith with such real, genuine, caring people.

30 Days of Thanks, Day 15

Today I am thankful that my hubby made it home safe from Montana with the snowy roads! I am also...yes....thankful for the pretty snowfall tonight. 

30 Days of Thanks, Day 14

Today I am thankful for my parents. They taught me to live a life of integrity, to laugh, to love others deeply, that family is important, to be true to my word, and most importantly, that having my life anchored in a real relationship with Jesus are what are important in life. Thanks mom and dad for the living example. I love you!

30 Days of Thanks, Day 13

Today I am very thankful that my husband and I are both employed, and enjoy our jobs.  

30 Days of Thanks, Day 12

Today I am thankful for the many keepsakes and gifts from family members that have been passed down to us that hold such precious memories.

30 Days of Thanks, Day 11

Today I am very thankful for all who have served and are serving our country. Thank you to you and your families for your sacrifice!

30 Days of Thanks, Day 10

Today I am thankful for the ability to read & learn, for the books that line my wall, and the way I can get lost in a good book.

30 Days of Thanks, Day 8

Today I am thankful for my very talented, beautiful sister.  We have had our ups and downs, as most siblings do, but we love each other, support each other, and love each other.  She is a blessing in my life.  

30 Days of Thanks, Day 7

Today on my thankful list says 'makes me smile.' Today is one of my niece's bday, she makes me smile. My hubby came home from being out of town for work, that makes me smile. I had lunch with friends, that made me smile.

30 Days of Thanks, Day 6

Today I am thankful for the food we grew in our garden and were able put in the freezer to enjoy through the cold winter months.

30 Days of Thanks, Day 5

Today I am thankful for friends. I am very blessed to have some friends who have helped me journey through some rough days, and who share laughs and joy with me.  I am thankful for friends who have been around for a long time, and for new friends.  I am thankful for friends who are far away, and others who are nearby.  All are a blessing.

30 Days of Thanks, Day 4

Day 4, family...today I am thankful for all my family, of which there are many members, who have touched my life in wonderful ways.  I have a lot of family, all over the country, and each is a blessing in their own way.  

30 Days of Thanks, Day 3

Day 3 is a place. I am thankful for where I live. Beauty everywhere, mountains, trees, prairie, lakes, sunsets, and four seasons. These pictures are from today.