Happy New Year!

    Well it's almost 2012. I am excited! One thing I am not doing this year is making a resolution of any kind. I have a hard time keeping a resolution, usually because it involves loosing weight. Or getting organized or something that I usually get overwhelmed with because I made a resolution.
    Not this year. Not that I don't need to do those things... I just need to do them. You know, like eating healthier, getting organized, loosing weight, reading my Bible more, working harder, etc. No resolutions for me. Just a prayer.
   Father God, I thank you for the year that you have given me and my family. For the sweet friends and wonderful blessings that you have poured out on us. Lord I pray that as we look forward to 2012 that You would draw us closer to you, help us to be more sensitive to the Holy Spirit and to walk in Your will. I pray for continued blessings on our family that we might be able to bless others in Your name. To You Heavenly Father, I give 2012. Help us as a family to commit to you our whole heart and life.
   In the most precious name of Jesus, Amen

"I will also bless the foreigners who commit themselves to the LORD, who serve him and love his name, who worship him and do not desecrate the Sabbath day of rest, and who hold fast to my covenant. Isa. 56:6


My hands have made both heaven and earth; they and everything in them are mine. I, the LORD, have spoken! "I will bless those who have humble and contrite hearts, who tremble at my word. Isa. 66:2


Blessings to All, and a Very HAPPY NEW YEAR! ~S~

Merry Christmas

 
     It is almost Christmas Eve. The gifts have been made or bought. The baking is done, although I'll probably bake a little more before the New Year. How I love this time of year. 
      I have a village that I've been building for several years now. But as time went by I kept looking for a church to put in my little village. This year I found one but, it was kind of expensive and I just didn't have the money for it this year. Well, today we went to the store where it was at and the only one left was the display and it was deeply discounted. I was so excited I couldn't stand it! So now I have a church for my little village!  Thank you Miss Joan for your prayers! 
     So after I set my little church in my village, I started thinking about some of the wonderful things about Christmas. 

•  Jesus, the very best part of Christmas
• my Family and sweet Friends
• the sweet smells of baking breads and sweets
• shopping and hearing total strangers say Merry Christmas
• lots of twinkling lights
• surprises
• and last but not least, LOVE! Which connects to the first one.

I pray that all of you have a very Blessed and joyful Christmas and a wonderful New Year. May you all draw closer to Jesus, with each passing day.
Love, Blessings and Peace to all ~S~


Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the city of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family of David, in order to register along with Mary, who was engaged to him, and was with child. While they were there, the days were completed for her to give birth. And she gave birth to her firstborn son; and she wrapped Him in cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.  In the same region there were some shepherds staying out in the fields and keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord suddenly stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them; and they were terribly frightened. But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people; for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. "This will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger." And suddenly there appeared with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased." Luke 2: 4-14


All right then, the Lord himself will give you the sign. Look! The virgin* will conceive a child! She will give birth to a son and will call him Immanuel (which means 'God is with us'). Isa. 7:14

What I've been up to

 Then Jesus said, "Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light." Matthew 11:28-30 (NLT)

  It's almost Christmas! The last few weeks have been major busy, but we made it through Thanksgiving.                 I've been cleaning other peoples homes, but this week I had none to clean but my own. My home is clean but, it's hard to deep clean your own home when you clean other peoples homes. So we got started. We made progress, but it still isn't where I'd like it to be. Maybe for spring cleaning I will make better progress. :) I need to take down the curtains and wash the dust out of them and then clean the baseboards, and move everything out of a  room give it a good scrubbing and then put it back, in an orderly fashion. That also means throwing much stuff out.

   I will be organized, I will be organized, I will be organized! 

   This spring I am going to get rid of some of my fabric that I have also. I have way more than I will ever use and I don't want it to go to waste. Perhaps if I narrow down what I have I won't be so overwhelmed when I look at it, and actually be able to get a project finished. Let's hope anyway.

   The next two weeks will be spent finishing up the school work that Aimee has before Christmas break. HooRaH for Christmas Break! Then it will be on to Christmas baking. YUM! and finishing up a few last minute shopping details. I'm getting tired just thinking about it and I've only been up for a little while. I think that I need more coffee. 

   I've been making these cute little angel ornaments too. So much fun, and easy to make. I've given a couple of them away, and put one on our tree. Most will go on Christmas presents this year. Then I will probably make some to sell next Christmas.

 

Yesterday we did our family photo for our Christmas cards. Always a fun time. Hard to get one that everyone likes, so we usually end up with several. This year though it only took about 2 or 3. And I'll never tell that Dad was wearing his pajama bottoms. 0: )

Merry Christmas!

too scrunched up.

a little too dark for printing.

    Jessica has a special project that she does every year around this time. If you feel led, go to Anysoldier.com and choose a soldier to send a Christmas care package to or a card. Let our troops know that you haven't forgotten them and that you care and are lifting them up in prayer. We've made several new friends this way and learned a lot about different cultures. Some of them are even our pen pals now.

    Another special project that you might consider is sending Christmas cards or care packages to missionaries. If your church doesn't have missionaries, check with one that does. They will share their list with your family.

Merry Christmas too ALL

Praying that your Christmas is filled with special moments that become special memories. 

Blessings and Love, ~S~