~Merry Christmas~

It has definitely been one of the strangest holidays by far.  Lots of emotions running around my house.  Those of teenage heartbreak (hurt and forgiveness), memories of loved ones lost (both past and present), the EXTREME joy of blessing upon blessing, the rampant gathering of pumpkin, sugar and spices, the flurry of ribbons and packages and tape and scissors and tissue

paper, all to come to this...  Him.  Just Him.  Nothing more, nothing less.  Him.

I tend to loose that sometimes.  The simplicity of it all.

The pure, sweet, gentle, calm, simplicity of...  Him.

May Jesus pour His peace over you no matter what your situation is this holiday.  May He give you such quiet peace and wrap His love around you so snugly this season that, well...

that it just plain boggles your mind.

Merry Christmas!

Jen

A Corinthians Christmas...

A friend of mine emailed this to me and I knew the minute I started reading it I needed to share it.  I wish I knew who the author was but alas, the email said "unknown".
Whomever you are, thank you.

A Christmas Version of 1 Corinthians 13

As you prepare your heart and home for Christmas this year,

consider the following words of wisdom and have Christ be the

center and essence of your celebration.

If I decorate my house perfectly with plaid bows, strands of

twinkling lights and shiny balls, but do not show love to my

family, I'm just another decorator.

If I slave away in the kitchen, baking dozens of Christmas

cookies, preparing gourmet meals and arranging a beautifully

adorned table at mealtime, but do not share the true meaning of

Christmas, I'm just another cook.

If I work at the soup kitchen, carol in the nursing home and

give all that I have to charity, but do not demonstrate

kindness to strangers, it profits me nothing.

If I attend a myriad of holiday parties and sing in the choir but do

not focus on Christ, I have missed the point.

Love stops the cooking to hug the child. Love sets aside the

decorating to kiss the husband. Love is kind, though harried

and tired.

Love doesn't envy another's home that has coordinated Christmas

china and table linens. Love doesn't yell at the kids to get

out of the way, but is thankful they are there to be in the

way.

Love doesn't give only to those who are able to give in return

but rejoices in giving to those who can't.

Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things,

and endures all things. Love never fails.

Video games will break, pearl necklaces will be lost, golf

clubs will rust, but giving the gift of love will endure.

-Author Unknown

Becky Kelley - Where's the Line to See Jesus - OFFICIAL MUSIC VIDEO

Beautiful song!  Perfect message!  Glorious reminder!

Kingsland, TX: "The Last Supper"

This last Saturday we attended the Easter program put on by First Baptist Church Kingsland.  They were set to perform it two different times.  Friday AND Saturday night.  The most saddening thing.... Thursday night, someone (more like MANY someones) broke into the church, busted down every door (toilet paper storage rooms, come on!).  Stole all the laptops, video camera, some sound equipment?  GRRRRR!  Unbelievable what some people will do!  Good thing that vengeance is His, hehehe!  He'll get 'em! (See the newscast here)

Because it was a crime scene, the program scheduled for Friday night had to be canceled.  Saturday was it.  They based it off of Leonardo Di Vinci's painting, "The Last Supper".  Each disciple stood, gave an explanation of who they were, how they met Jesus and asked the question, "Is it I?", in response to Jesus' statement that someone would betray Him that night.  It ended with Judas leaving to betray Him.  The beginning to the crucifixion.  Not normally what you would expect for an Easter program.  No cross, no scourging, no Jesus hanging, paying the price.  Different.  Good but different.  I would soon find out why.

The most impactful, most controversial part of the production.... that will be shared later.

Brandon Heath, "Your Love"

Have you ever heard a song that makes you want to spend all day in front of the speakers, blasting the sound, letting all else fade away, tears streaming, arms raised, feet dancing and twirling? All day? This is mine ♥

lyrics

Sweet Sunset Promises

Alas, I am a happy woman.  Well, I generally am one anyway but tonight, especially so.

After having to take my baby (11yr old baby) to the doc for ear infections :(, picking up groceries, waiting on the meds, and canceling a play date (photogin' with a precious friend), heading home I saw something.  Something amazing.  Something growing.  Something that was about to take my breath away.  I saw the signs and couldn't ignore them.

For over a year now, I've been dying to get another fabulous sunset.  I've evaluated my way through every season, every possible location (preferably void of electrical lines) and ashamedly, missed MANY!  I have realized that part of the recipe to capturing a spectacular sunset consists of several things.  Clouds, ribbons of clouds actually.  Too many or too fuzzy and they block too much of the sun.  Calm.  No 90 mile an hour winds (that's just my personal preference, whether it affects a sunset, don't really know).  Winter.  I think this is important.  I have tried for MANY months to find another sunset like the one I took last February.  I've tried and tried but found nothing as showy and splendiforous as I have seen in winter.  No science that I've looked up, just gesture based on personal experience.  The last item you need.... your camera.  You think I'm just being silly.  Nope, you may remember my venting about this same subject not long ago.

After slapping myself, many times over the last few months, I finally had to just hand it over to God and ask Him to provide the moment.  The perfect sunset (and help to have my camera on hand).  Well, whether this is the one He planned on or if this is just a tease for an even BETTER one; He promised, AND delivered!

Tonight, I saw the makings of what proved to be a most magnificent display.  I prayed the whole way home (didn't have the camera with me, of course!).  I took MULTITUDES of deep breathes.  Prayed, breathed, prayed, breathed and then I realized something.  He wouldn't show me what He was about to do only to not help me get there in time.  Trust.  I had to trust Him.

What a wonderful God He is!  Not only did I get there in time, but it all worked beautifully, even down to the gloves I had just put in the car.... TODAY!  I love His promises.  So simple, so gentle, so true and trustworthy.  If He cares to give me a gift as simple as a sunset, what MORE does He desire for me????  Almost like getting Christmas everyday.  Oh, wait... it is :D

This is comprised of three images, processed with my new PSE9 program, using the Panoramic option :D

A new favorite....

I am one of those that gets stuck.  Sometimes.  Not all the time, but sometimes.  I DEFINITELY have my favorites though.  It takes something pretty doggone FANTASTIC to change my mind.

My favorite color, "peacock green" (just ask my bridesmaids).

My favorite dog, small.

My favorite vacation, ANY.

My favorite smell, lemon.

My favorite flavor, sweet.

My favorite cat, none (sorry, never have been a cat lover).

My favorite emotion, laughter!

My favorite holiday, Christmas.

My favorite dessert, ANY!

My favorite Christmas Carol singers.... Nat King Cole, Jim Reeves and Burl Ives!

Maybe it's because I grew up with these last few every year.  Their melodious voices make me feel like a child again, every year. In fact, it's not officially Christmas until I hear ONE of their songs, either here at home or out shopping somewhere.  Christmas has always been my favorite holiday.  Always!

That almost changed 9yrs ago.  My father passed away from a massive coronary, December 14, 2001.  The only thing we had been anticipating that day was getting to see them in 7 days to celebrate the holiday together.

Our family has always been very close. Christmas was always at my parents house.  Even my mother's parents always stayed the night Christmas Eve.  Every year.  It was  always a wonderful time!  That year, 2001 was going to be different.  They were coming to us.  That was the hardest thing I've EVER had to go through.   I wasn't sure if I would survive.  I did, by God's grace and love, I did.

It was a few years afterward that I finally recognized I wasn't a saint.  Literally.  Jesus broke open my heart so He could come in and make it soooo much better than it was before.  My whole life has changed.  Growing older, the switch in generation, the loss of loved ones.  Going from the child at Christmas to the parent at Christmas.  Things change.

Since then, Christmas has slowly changed for me.  Evolved in a way I guess.  Wanting less of the busy, more of Him.  I haven't fully achieved that yet :(  I've had a desire for something different though.  Peace.  That's it, peace.  True, simple, peace.

Even the old carols, though absolutely dreamy and always invoking that fuzzy feeling, didn't quite do it.  I love them, but... peace?  This year as I pulled out the Christmas CD's (yes, even Glen Campbell but he's not in the stereo yet, lol) I found one my sister had given us last year for Christmas.  It's by Casting Crowns.  A wonderful and gifted group of Christian artists.  I'm pretty much a stickler when it comes to my Christmas tunes but I thought I'd give it a try.  Hey, I'm game to try new things, besides, I can always change the CD, right?

OH WOW!  It mesmerized me.  Absolutely took my breath away, brought me to my knees and to tears.  It is my new favorite.  My favorite, my family's favorite EVER.  The carol that physically moves us.... "I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day".  Never my favorite carol, by anyone.  This one, it's not a carol.  It's more than that.  It's worship.  A TRUE worship song, to the Christ Child, Savior, Mender of Broken Hearts, Lover of My Soul, Forgiver of Sins, My very best friend.

Peace.  It's captured here.  In this song.  True peace, wrapped in swaddling clothes, given as the greatest gift.  I'm so glad that He helped me keep Christmas as my favorite holiday and has given me the added pleasure of a different, new favorite.

Life lessons in a bowl of breakfast...

I am trying (italicize, bold and STAR this!) to change the way I do things.  I need to eat better, exercise, and de-stress (insert exasperated sigh here).  I decided to try some different grains (instead of bad carb loaded pasta) that I found from HEB.  One such package was bulgar wheat.  Hmmmm..... In my search for better breakfast ideas I thought I'd treat it like oatmeal and make it hot (we play with our food here :D).

I'm a sugar FREAK and therefore I'm also attempting to utilize other means of adding flavor and sweetness to things.  I had some canned plums a friend had given to me and I thought I'd make a plum sauce.  Add a little agave nectar for sweetness and I'd be set.

I opened the can and started to mash up the plums.  What in the world??????  PITS!  There were HUGE pits!  Every single plum had a massive pit in it.  I got so upset.  I didn't have time to deal with pits, grrrrr!  There were probably 15 plums in that can!  What had I gotten myself into?!?!?

I started muttering under my breath how stupid the canning people must be.  I mean really, who wants CANNED plums WITH the pits?!?!?  It's not like you'll be picking up the plums and nibbling around them.  The time it would have taken the factory to de-pit them would have been only seconds compared to how long it was taking me to slog around in the mushy plum mess to search for and eradicate them.  What goobers!  I shouldn't have to deal with pits!  I mean REALLY?!?!?!

 Awww dang :(   Life lesson moment.

Pits ARE the pits!  I hate them.  They cause me stress, they take up my time, they HURT if I'm not paying attention and I bite into one.  Plus, they are down right ugly and just a plan nuisance. Truth moment.  Who am I to think that life should never have any pits?  Even Christ said we would have pits.  In John 16:33 He says, 

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace.

In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

So, we have a choice.  We can stumble upon the pits.  Grumble and complain about them.  Try to find a way to avoid them, refuse them (good luck) and throw a MASSIVE pit-y party (teehee).... OR...  We can remember that they will happen.  Be on the look out for them.  Expect them and move through them.  We can embrace them knowing that He will grow us through them. We can look to Him not focusing on the pits in the bowl.  We can focus on the yummy result instead of the pain we have to go through to get there.

Bulgar wheat cereal with plum sauce was DEFINITELY worth the effort of dealing with the pits.  If I had given up and not bothered with the plums, I never would have experienced the joy of eating them :)

 "Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds,

because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.

Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything."  James 1:2-4

CBS: Letting your little light shine....

I have the joyous pleasure every Tuesday to participate in something so wonderful, so heart warming, so uplifting and so beautiful it makes my heart smile from here to Kalamazoo.  CBS.  No, NOT the tv station (heaven forbid, lol!), Community Bible Study.  I joined CBS almost 8yrs ago.  I started because my life was falling apart.  My dad had just died suddenly of a massive heart attack (2wks before they were going to be here for Christmas). We were trying to sell the house (9/11 had just happened), my husband was living an hour away (we only saw him one day a week) and I was raising 3 little kids (two babies) all by myself.  Life was a living hell.

I needed help.  I needed "Him", God, Jesus.  Him.  The only way I knew how to survive was to find Him.  The only way I knew how to find Him was to attend a Bible study.  There had to be answers there, right?  Right :D  Not only did I find Him, I found an unbelievable support group in women that loved the Lord and sought after Him with their whole hearts.  Women that went through even greater tragedy than I had but continued to serve Him with their entire being.  Woman who can cut a joke and roll on the floor laughing one minute and then turn around and speak immeasurable praises and thanksgiving to Him, praying for the deepest needs of loved ones, crying out to Him for each other.  This is where I was meant to be.  Always, every year.  This is where EVERYONE needs to be.

I joined the leadership part of CBS I guess about 6yrs ago.  This is my "core group".  And I have the best one ;) (insert inside joke here).  CBS runs during the school year and breaks when public schools break, all holidays and during summer.  Even though we "officially" take breaks, we still get to see each other in the summer with a luncheon once a month, we get to have a beautiful Christmas dinner with each other every year, and this year we even did something extra special.  We had a fall fellowship.  We made special designs in pumpkins, baked and decorated cookies and played games.

The goal of this was to celebrate friendship and God's changing of the season. Since my family doesn't set up for Halloween, I wasn't too certain if I wanted to carve anything and if I did, what in the world would I do, lol!  He reminded me that He is the light of the world and that others needed to know that.  I decided to google scriptures on "light".  When I read John 8:12, I knew what I would do.

When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said,

“I am the light of the world.

Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”

These women are such a testimony to me.  They love with a love that is so deep and so real.  They love, sharing in each others joy or sadness, making it their own.  What a beautiful gift He gave me.  Not just in His word, but in His women.  I love you all from the deepest depths of my heart.  Thank you for all you have been for me over the years.  Thank you for being willing vessels and "letting your little lights shine"!

Even the dog had fun, lol!!!

Cookies.... YUM!!!!!!!!!!

I LOVED the collaborated efforts on this fairytale/cinderella pumpkin!  Sooooo cute!!!  She used an apple corer and melon baller to make the polka dots.

Unfortunately my design didn't hold up to the test of time.  It ended up full of toothpicks holding it together, lol!  I tried :(

What a cute idea!  Just carving a design on the outside layer.  I think this would have been a better idea for mine.

"Being a Christian is like being a pumpkin.

God lifts you up, takes you in, and washes

All the dirt off of you.

He opens you up, touches you deep inside.

He scoops out all of the yucky stuff, including

The seeds of doubt, hate, and greed.

Then He carves you a new smiling face and

Puts his light inside you

For all the world to see."

Artichoke hearts and a cute little pair of red shoes...

These two simple items may not drum up the word "hope" for you but for some, they are the pure essence of it.

My Friday's consist of several things.  Getting up at the crack of dawn, well, shortly there after  (this is a miracle for those that truly know me).  Getting two children dressed, fed, lunches made, books together, water bottles filled,  myself dressed, hopefully fed and out the door.  We are part of a home school group called "HEART Club", Home Educators Activities for Righteous Training.  It is full of wonderful women that love the Lord and allow Him to use them anyway He can.

HEART Club consists of multiple hours in which we have PE, two class hours and now an optional "outdoor" class, graciously offered by the place sponsoring us this year, Camp Peniel.  It's a wonderful Christian camp in a BEAUTIFUL location in the hill country.  It's farther away from home (meaning I have to rise and shine much earlier) but sooo worth it.  It was by God's design and purpose we had to change locations.  I complained inwardly at first, I mean let's be honest, who wants to get up that early?!?  But now.... NO complaints outta this momma!

One of the things that was introduced last year was a class for the moms :)  Normally we are in a room, either as the teacher or a helper.  Now during one of the class hours we get the chance to be edified and blessed.  This Friday was no exception.

It can get heavy sometimes.  We mom's carry many loads and  it's wonderful to have someone come along side you and offer aide.  This class is exactly that.  Individual women, same heart, sharing Jesus and carrying each others burdens.

This particular Friday was going to be a light-hearted time.  We played the "Un-game".  It's not a competition, just answering questions and learning about one another.  One of the ladies read her question and in thinking and hearing her response, I knew immediately I had to blog about this.  Her question read, "I know God loves me because_________________."  As she answered each woman around the circle was able to share as well.  One sweet friend mentioned something that I'm sure many of us have experienced but must continually be reminded of.

There was a time in this woman's life where things were so difficult that they couldn't afford groceries.  It's a hard place to be.  A very humbling place to be.  She loved artichoke hearts and spotted them on the grocery aisle shelf.  She was with her mother-in-law (who was lovingly purchasing groceries for them) when she stopped and made a profound statement.  "One day, my pantry will be full of those little jars."  We all know, when you can't buy milk, eggs and bread, you DON'T purchase luxury items like artichoke hearts.

The next day she came home to find a bag of groceries on the kitchen table.  Within the contents of that package, she discovered a jar of these delicacies.  She questioned her husband about the possibility of her mother-in-law having dropped them off.  He stated that someone from the church had brought the bag by and left it for them.  God gave her a glimpse of hope.  A moment in time where He reached down, put His arms around her and said, "I love you, and I care about you more than you know".  It's those moments when we realize that if He cares enough to give us a jar of artichoke hearts, why would He not care about the bigger things?

For some of us, it's artichoke hearts, for some it's the $5 you find at the bottom of an old purse.  For some, it's finding a pair of cute little red shoes that fit like a glove after searching and searching and not being able to find a single pair anywhere.  It's also when you find those cute little red shoes at a thrift store for only $2 and then remember that you have a credit at said store and they are yours... free of charge.

"If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!"

Luke 11:13

Heavenly gates and a friend named Carolann...

I have an amazing friend. She is full of spunk and laughter, hugs and I love yous. Her name is Carolann. I met Carolann when I first moved to the Hill Country from Albuquerque 10yrs ago at the end of this month. I started attending a woman's Bible study through one of the first churches we visited. While we ended up somewhere else for a little over a year I still attended this same Bible study. I found myself to be the only youngin' of the group. :) This group of precious ladies were so willing to help me with my then 1yr old, 3yr old and 6yr old. They loved on them, encouraged me, loved on them, loved on me.... They were a rock for me through some very difficult times.


Carolann was part of this group. She had several physical conditions that didn't allow her to come every time but she did whenever she could. Through out the years I would visit with her a little here and there, but our relationship really started to grow the most about 3yrs ago. She become an adoptive mama. I became an adopted daughter. We would talk about shopping and would even manage to go a few times. See, Carolann still couldn't do much away from home. We would visit numerous times at her home or at church. Talk many times on the phone and try to do things together as much as she was able. Every time I was done spending time with her, I was in awe of how joyful she could be in spite of the many surgeries and difficulties she faced. She carried joy with her. Everywhere.


My precious friend, Carolann doesn't have to be frustrated over dentures that would never fit right, not being able to drive herself somewhere, words that would escape her though her mind went a mile a minute, or surgery after surgery, after surgery. This last week, she went into the hospital again and this time they told her that there wasn't any more they could do. We know that our Jesus is the one with the final say, and He told her that it was ok to come on home. They placed her in hospice and only a few days later, she did exactly as He told her.  She went home. I was blessed to be able to see her the morning she passed away, but that isn't how I will remember her. My memory of her smile and laugh will always carry me to a rememberance of how great our God is and perfect is His plan.


It's a strange thing this time. Death. I'm reminded of 1 Corinthians 15:55 "Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?"  Yes, there is a part of me that carries with it a sadness for the selfish fact that I won't see my friend for a while but it's not like the sadness I've encountered so many times before. Unfortunately I've seen death far too much. This time is different. Not because the situation is different or the friend is different. I think I understand that verse more this time than I ever have before. There is no sting. She's with my Jesus and she WON'T hurt EVER again! Just having that new heavenly body has got to be INCREDIBLE for her! What rejoicing is goin' on up in there!!! With her rejoicing, how can I mourn? She went through soooo much on this earth and still gave God glory and praised Him all the time. What a gorgeous example she was for me and so many others.


Thank you Carolann. For your friendship, your hugs, your laughter, your stories, your phone calls, your visits, but most of all, thank you for loving Him the way you do.

A Question about Heaven....

Wow, I'm really out to do what Jasmine says, lol! Another blog already, oh my :O   Actually, I wish I could say this is a bubbly, happy, "look at the gorgeous sunrise", kinda post but alas, I'm keeping it real today. (KIR! Jas would be so proud!) 

 

I just received an email from my precious sister-in-law and I felt extremely compelled to share it here. My sis just lost her young, vibrant niece this summer. What a horrific situation! Beautiful 14yr old, stunningly gorgeous, her whole life ahead of her, Angel was her name. 

 

This has caused many to question, think, ponder, cry, scream, yell, curse, weep, sink into dark areas that aren't safe for anyone to be. Angel's father has been struggling with many things and sent this email out. Becki (my SIL) sent it on to me. I have shared his initial question with my answer at the end. I pray that this reaches the heart(s) God has intended it for.

A Question about Heaven

by Michael Cartwright on Wednesday, August 18, 2010 at 9:03pm

"I would like to pose a question about Heaven for my eternal compass. But, I want to preface this question with a bit of my own history.

As many may know, I have had a life-changing event that has altered the course of my existence. My daily focus has now been occupied by faith, purpose, intention and sadness.

I have realized that I've always tried to live my life as a "good" person. Whether it was how I was raised, my very nature or just happenstance. But I never thought of why...until recently. I was sort of raised Catholic but not really (baptized as an infant and attended Sunday school irregularly and an occasional Mass). I did not really look at my Christian nature until my mid twenties, and that was just a shallow glance prompted by marriage and my first child. My thirties happened fast! Learning to be a parent of three adolescents kept me on my toes, but trying to juggle partying and parenting was a moral challenge. My forties brought my faith more front and center, and taking my life inventory started to get more of my attention.

I now find myself as stated earlier in a multi-faceted focus of faith, purpose, intention and sadness. Which has me consumed with the happily-ever-after of Heaven. I do consider myself a "good" person and my Christian faith even prior to Angel's passing was taking root at a much deeper level. My faith now seems to be approaching my core and it's the only thing that keeps me going. I've asked myself, have I been a "good" person all this time, just to get into heaven when this earthly adventure ends? Or, is there MORE to my being that has driven me to be kind, giving, and as non-judgmental as possible. Or again, is it just to get into Heaven?

I know Angel is in Heaven watching over me and guiding her loved ones the best she can. And I pray that I will be with her when my journey here ends.

So my question is this: What drives you to be a "good" person regardless of your faith? Is it to get into Heaven or something else?"

My desire to be a "good" person is based solely on the fact that I have come to the realization how horrid a person I really am. I am selfish, not a good steward, mean, not loving like I should, I don't share Him like I need to, I don't call my disabled neighbor enough, I don't visit my friend in the hospital like I should, etc. I know how much Christ desires for me to do these things. I fall short. I also know that my salvation has NOTHING to do with my ability to be a "good" person. If it did, I would never make it!!!!! For all intents and purposes, most people would probably call me a "good" person. I home school my kids. I love to laugh, I love my family, I try to be a good mom and wife, sister and friend. I'm not perfect and I never will be.
 

My choice to try to do what is right, to be a "good" person is based on the fact that I love my Jesus so much because He loved me first. He has given me a command.....
 

"Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?" Jesus replied: " 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments." Matthew 22:36-40 (New International Version) 

After all He has done for me, His willingness to be separated from His Father, to experience that moment away from Him, that moment of complete and udder darkness, hell, torture and death... for me. How could I not have a desire to give back to Him? I believe that the Holy Spirit has moved in my life and caused me to become aware of all I have fallen short of, only to show me HOW much He has done for me. It's by returning that love and showing it to others that will share His love with them. This is what His heart is. This is what ours should be as well.
 

My choices to be that "good" person.... come from a heart that desires to bless and please my Jesus. How could I do any less? He's here, He's real and all He wants and desires is your heart. Will you give it to Him now? Unabashed, exuberantly, fully and completely? Do it now, we never know what tomorrow will bring. 

*love and hugs* 

Jen