Thank You 2008

Here are my Top 8 for 2008:

1) I started blogging, instead of just reading them.

2) Craig and I finally took a honeymoon after 17 years and went to Hawaii.  

 

 

 

 

 

3) I flew to Oklahoma and I met the most AMAZING women… My Round Table Friends! Cindy, Robin, Deleise, Kim, Natalie and Erin…Thank You Ladies for all the Love!!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

4) I turned 40!  (I swear Alece it is better than 30)

5) I got to meet over the phone and talk with regularly Heidi.  She doesn’t think it is true but she really has kept me together on more then one occasion.  She also makes me laugh like there is no tomorrow.

6) I lost 50+ pounds with no surgery!  God, Thank You for Weight Watchers and the Support of my Friends and Family!

7) I got to attend in person the LifeChurch.tv Campus in Edmond, Oklahoma!  It has the Biggest Cross I have ever seen!

 

8.  I got closer to God.  My relationship with the Lord has flourished and is secure on the Rock instead of sand!

I really have so much to be grateful for.  I have met a bunch of wonderful people that if I could list them all it would take me at least a day and I would still miss some.  I truly believe that the Lord knew who I need and lead me to them.  I have received so much wisdom from so many of you I could never thank you all.  I appreciate that you have opened up a part of yourselves to the world and allowed us, the people you didn’t know, to participate in this corner of your world.

I look forward to 2009.  I pray that we all have a great year.  That our families prosper! That we see tons of people come to know Christ as their savior.  May God Bless Us All!

How Do You Humble Yourself?

So humble yourselves before God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.  Come close to God, and God will come close to you. Wash your hands, you sinners; purify your hearts, for your loyalty is divided between God and the world.   Let there be tears for what you have done. Let there be sorrow and deep grief. Let there be sadness instead of laughter, and gloom instead of joy.   Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up in honor. – James 4:7-10

HUMBLE means marked by meekness or modesty in behavior, attitude, or spirit; not arrogant or prideful.

How do you Humble yourself?

In 2009 I want to “Come Close to God, and God Will Come Close to You”.  I want to Humble myself before Him.  I want Him to be CLOSE to me

What do you want to accomplish in 2009?

Christmas Eve Eve

Tonight we attended our Church’s Christmas Eves Eve Celebration.  By we I am referring to Craig, Myself, Ryan and I.  Ryan was worried that the floor would open up and suck him in.  I am glad to report that there was no structural damage to the church and Ryan is still with us. 

We are a pretty casual church.  So it was surprising when the Christmas Choir came out in beautiful white robes.

I love our Christmas service.  I love to sing the songs.  I love to hear the stories.  I love to see the people that I have become closer to this year. 

Last Friday, Craig and I were suppose to go to an informal potluck.  That was the night that Craig came home and had been laid off.  Tonight we were informed that we had been missed.  I was surprised that anybody noticed we weren’t there.  Then when I explained why we had not come to this person, he stood there and prayed over us.  It was great!  As most of you know Craig hardly ever goes to church with me.  I see the Lord working in him.  Recently he said he wanted to start attending Saturday night services with me.  I am patiently waiting for that to start. 🙂  Sorry rambled off the subject.

After a Family Story was told and a Prayer was said.  The Choir came back out and the Children’s Choir joined them for a wonderful rendition of Silent Night. 

I so Love the Lord.  I am so filled with Happiness that He loves me enough to become human and sacrifice himself for me and you.  I am praying that you all have a safe and blessed CHRISTmas. 

God Make Me Brave

God, make me brave for life:
oh, braver than this.
Let me straighten after pain,
as a tree straightens after the rain,
Shining and lovely again.
God, make me brave for life;
much braver than this.
As the blown grass lifts,
let me rise
From sorrow with quiet eyes,
Knowing Thy way is wise.
God, make me brave,
life brings Such blinding things.
Help me to keep my sight;
Help me to see aright
That out of dark comes light.
-Author Unknown
  

I am weary.  I am tired of being strong,
quietly worrying, wearing this smile.
God Please Make Me Brave For Life!

I credit Fire Flies of Hope for this post. I visit her blog often she is all about HOPE. Thank you Unveiling Hope for leading me to her.

I’m Getting There

As most of you know I am usually pretty up, pretty happy, most of the time finding the positive.  This year I am having a hard time getting into the Christmas spirit.  I am not having any problems with celebrating my Savior’s Birthday!  This is the only part of the holiday that is making me happy.  I am having a problem with the excess that the media, non-believers and children are trying to push on me.  I don’t need to take on six figures of debt to have a wonderful day on Christmas. 

Well last night I had the big turn around.  I was going through the channels and what did I see…..?  The ONE the ONLY…The ORIGINAL……. GRINCH

 Who could not find the Christmas spirit in themselves after watching mean old Grinch’s Heart grow THREE Times it’s size?  C’mon Don’t you want to help carve the Roast Beast and who could resist little Cindy Lou?  OK I am a sucker for the real Grinch….I must also admit to loving Snow Miser and Heat Miser too!

So I got up off my duff and decorated my little tree in my bedroom.  We had already done the one that my Father in Law gets to look at in the living room.  So here is a picture of my little tree.  Three things to note, 1 it is a living tree, 2 the dove was a gift from my grandmother to me in 1976 and is my oldest favorite ornament and finally 3 is my newest ornament the Cute Little Red Cup from Starbucks.  I place it there in honor of our friend Alece as a reminder to pray for her regularly! 

I think I am finally in the mood for Christmas.  The “Holiday” part of it.  I still find the “Bible Thumping” (my mom’s words) part of CHRISTmas the best part!!  I am so excited to once again get to provide a meal to a family that is having hard times.  I am thankful that I am being blessed to be able to do it.  Please gather in the lost and help where you can.  Even if it is a beautiful 80 degree day, it is a cold Christmas without Jesus. 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY JESUS!  THANK YOU FOR LOVING ME AND MINE!