The Most Wonderful Time of the Year...

Christmas is only 5 days away! I think back on the times as a kid getting so excited that I wouldn't even sleep through the night. Every little sound or peep I would hear I would say, "what was that?! do you hear it?!" I would never get out of bed because I just knew I would get into SO much trouble:) As soon as I saw the sun come up, I was already downstairs ready to go! It was always so much fun the night before getting the cookies and milk ready for Santa and we usually could open just ONE gift. Having 5 younger brothers and sisters makes it still so fun. They get excited just like I did and it makes me smile remembering great memories as a child. Sometimes I wonder what Christmas would be like without all the presents and craziness. It would be the way it should be..focused on a Savior who was born so that He would then die on the cross for US and we could live eternally in the kingdom of heaven! So think about this..If Jesus thought you were worth dying for...(Which He DID and there's a blood stained cross and emtpy tomb to prove it!)... Don't you think He is MORE then worth living for?? Just sayin! Live for HIM this Christmas and remember that it is ALL because of HIM!!! Count your many many blessings! Think about all the people all over the world who have absolutely nothing and be thankful for just the gift of life..that is enough!

My favorite song this Christmas...

It's still a mystery to me
That the hands of God could be so small,
How tiny fingers reaching in the night
Were the very hands that measured the sky
Hallelujah, hallelujah
Heaven's love reaching down to save the world
Hallelujah, hallelujah
Son of God, Servant King,
You're here with us
You're here with us
It's still a mystery to me, oh,
How His infant eyes have seen the dawn of time
How His ears have heard an angel's symphony,
But still Mary had to rock her Savior to sleep
Hallelujah, hallelujah
Heaven's love reaching down to save the world
Hallelujah, hallelujah
Son of God, Servant King
Here with us
You're here with us
Jesus the Christ, born in Bethlehem
A baby born to save, to save the souls of man

ANYDAY where there is fear or doubt, worry or sorrow, confusion or hurt, remember this verse...

"Don't be afraid, I've redeemed you. I've called your name. You're mine. When you're in over your head, I'll be there with you. When you're in rough waters, you will not go down. When you're between a rock and a hard place, it won't be a dead end—
I paid a huge price for you. That's how much you mean to me! That's how much I love you! I'd sell off the whole world to get you back, trade the creation just for you. Isaiah 43 MSG

Words of Wisdom...

Just what I needed to hear at the right moment..we need to be STILL and know that He is God putting ALL of our HOPE and TRUST in Him everyday in EVERY single situation.
There are so many times that I do not understand why things happen the way they do or why we are given the hardest of situations, BUT I do know that God has a plan and a reason for everything! I am so thankful for the hard and tough times because they bring me closer to the Lord to FULLY rely on Him and need Him with my all. When we are weak, He makes us stronger! He is beside us ALWAYS!! He is FOR us and not against us. His mercies are NEW every morning. His LOVE is unconditional and never ending. His promises are not broken. He is our provider and ultimate healer. SO thankful that we serve a God who loves us no matter what and who will NEVER leave us nor forsake us!

Amazing words of wisdom...

"We need to find God, and he cannot be found in noise and restlessness. God is the friend of silence. See how nature - trees, flowers, grass- grows in silence; see the stars, the moon and the sun, how they move in silence... We need silence to be able to touch souls. "

"We too are called to withdraw at certain intervals into deeper silence and aloneness with God, together as a community as well as personally; to be alone with Him — not with our books, thoughts, and memories but completely stripped of everything — to dwell lovingly in His presence, silent, empty, expectant, and motionless. We cannot find God in noise or agitation."

"As for me, the silence and the emptiness is so great, that I look and do not see, — Listen and do not hear — the tongue moves but does not speak … I want you to pray for me — that I let Him have free hand."

Your Great Name

Lost are saved; find their way; at the sound of your great name
All condemned; feel no shame, at the sound of your great name
Every fear; has no place; at the sound of your great name
The enemy; he has to leave; at the sound of your great name
Jesus, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain for us, Son of God and Man
You are high and lifted up; that all the world will praise your great name
All the weak; find their strength; at the sound of your great name
Hungry souls; receive grace; at the sound of your great name
The fatherless; they find their rest; at the sound of your great name
Sick are healed; and the dead are raised; at the sound of your great name
Jesus, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain for us, Son of God and Man
You are high and lifted up; that all the world will praise your great name
Redeemer, My Healer, Almighty
My savior, Defender, You are My King
Jesus, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain for us, Son of God and Man
You are high and lifted up; that all the world will praise your great name

Looking Back..

I have had this blog for months and months now and just now deciding to use it. I love to write and express my thoughts on what is going on in my life and around me. Tonight we decided to go get our Christmas tree like we do every year as a family. While dad went to get it we were all going through the boxes of decorations. He returned and we began decorating the tree while we watched Elf and drank hot coco. As I sat there by the fire watching dad putting the ornaments on the tree, I thought to myself how far he has come and how far we have come as a family since his cancer diagnosis back in March. Tears began to pour as I was overwhelmed by the JOY that we STILL have because of our Lord. I never in a million years would have expected any of this, but I do know that I am SO thankful for it as crazy as that sounds and for this season and what it means. You see so many people forget the true reason for this season. Yes I love shopping and getting new things and that is all great and wonderful but let's get real..how long do all those things really last? How much TRUE happiness does it really bring? We have a heavenly Father who is with us ALWAYS through the good and the bad and who we will be with in eternity one day. None of the stinkin things can or will come with us so we all need to remember what the TRUE reason for the season is. I know that this Thanksgiving as I was in the car riding to Memphis to see family, I was thinking about all that I am thankful for. This year the things were different and so much more meaningful than ever before. As I was listening to my ipod tears began to pour yet again, I do that alot lately ha I am a baby I guess, and I just started naming all these different things in my head...I am so incredibly thankful for God's grace, mercy, forgiveness, unconditional love, His many many many blessings, healing, miracles, family, true relationships that have so much meaning, and being able to do what I love and what is my passion everyday! Until next time...
Colossians 3:15
"Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful"