It's almost 2009!!

I think computers could be hazardous to your health. I mean, you sit. The last two days I have been sitting in front of this screen a lot. It's not like the phone when you can multi-task. Maybe I should get one of those treadmills I recall seeing on the news, they have a desk for the computer and at least you are off of your butt moving-even if it is at a turtle's pace so you can type...I guess that would be multi-tasking at it's best.

I have been praying about what God wants me to focus on in the coming year. One year He told me to "be strong in the Lord" and "abide in His Love". I really focused on looking for reminders of His love for me. I also grew in my faith in challenging circumstances...of which there was no shortage that year....Our Father is so wise in what He gives us! It is good to find our limitations in challenges and learn to lean on the One who holds our right hand.

Isaiah 41:13 For I am the LORD, your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you.

Through many dangers, toils and snares I have already come, 'tis grace that brought me safe thus far and grace will lead me home...When I look back over the years of my journey with the Lord and see how He has indeed been holding my hand and helping me, I am awestruck. I wonder @ where I would be without the guidance of His Word and His Spirit. Would I be in a psych ward? I was anxious and depressed. Would my kids be on drugs and crossing lines they shouldn't? His wisdom and authority is invaluable for parenting. Would my marriage have disintegrated? There was a time when I felt love was dead. I can confidently say that Jesus is my Wonderful Counselor, my Redeemer regarding my marriage, and my Teacher and Lord when I needed guidance for parenting.

So what is on the agenda this year? Self-denial keeps coming to my mind. Take up your cross and follow me. Trusting more, serving more, loving more. I still have a couple of days to "get it". How about you? What can I be praying for in your life this year?

Jesus Power

This morning, as Jesus says, "Come to me all who are weary and heavy laden and I will give you rest..." I came. Weary. It seemed everywhere I went in my house was an unfinished task or one needing tending. Laundry, messy bathroom, etc. On top of that were the other duties of the day: wrapping, baking, and preparing for hosting Christmas here on Thursday. I was frankly feeling like a failure and discouragement was threatening to set in. You know the kind? Like you are sitting down to eat an elephant in one sitting...and you think you might throw up just looking at it...

As I came to Him, His word spoke clearly, "Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit," says the Lord Almighty. Zech 4:6

I took note that He added 'Almighty' to the end of His Name.

Then He said to me, "I remove mountains, part seas & bring down walls by the hands of my servants."

I realized the emphasis I was placing on me to get the things done that I was feeling overwhelmed about. And He gently re-reminds me that it is not in my strength that I accomplish anything.

I said, "here I am again, Lord." relying on little ole me. Isaiah 41:14 Do not be afraid, O worm Jacob (Kathy), O little Israel, for I myself will help you," declares the LORD, your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel.

Forgive me. Cleanse me. Help me.

I then rearranged my expectations by stepping back and looking from a different angle, changed my focus (From me to HE), and set about conquering the elephant "one bite at a time" with the help of my Emanuel. God with me. The Great Gift of all time. The whole point of our Christmas celebration.

I just needed to experience His Presence (my Present) afresh.

And to think...He gave me frosting on the elephant, I have time to blog at the end of the day!I'll say it again...AMAZING GRACE!

MERRY CHRISTMAS

Well...here it is. The one. After 30 some photos taken by self-timer on a home-made quad-pod (stacking together three 4 legged stools) This is the one.

Our photo experiences from year to year are maybe the most memorable part of the advent season...sad, I know...I am the last minute planner who is always behind on my own Christmas plans. The men in our home are the goofiest guys when it comes to picture taking. I used to think it was "fun with the photographer" but this year I learned differently......"DO SHARE", you are thinking...well, okay. A small sampling...

In his ever-expressive dramatic way...Ethan "smoking" my battery-operated candle with Dale holding his favorite CARS character. Then there is Dale...nearly never a normal face on the guy...he was born to laugh! Which makes life interesting here for this more serious gal.

So again I say, MERRY CHRISTMAS!! from our house to yours!

Luke 2
The Birth of Jesus In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) And everyone went to his own town to register.

So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

Is it not profound that the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords, the Glorious, Majestic, Magnificent, Holy God was born to us in a barn? Then the angels appeared to the "riff-raff" of society first, the humble shepherds... That tells me something. He came as the most lowly to make the way for the most lowly to be holy. OOOH AAAH

And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ[a] the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger."
Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests."
When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let's go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about."
So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.

Be amazed by grace!

My Country Christmas Decor '08

For my dial-up friends, I posted a few pics here because I heard the album is too much to load.

This first photo is a cupboard my husband made for me out of old doors and old wood. It was used to house our home school books and supplies in our last house which was old and had no closets. I place high value on it, because I always wanted primitive antiques, but we couldn't afford them. The second photo is one of my kitchen gingerbread men. The thrid photo is the dining room/ living room doorway. I used one of my artificial trees from the shop this year because we couldn't find a time to go get a tree, and the cold hit early (too cold in my opinion) so one night, I just went out to the shop and traded a smaller tree for that one, and tada!! It was done! The fourth photo is the dining room I just finished wallpapering. My husband made the table too. I found the legs in his parents' barn, and he built it. I still need to change the color to black.

Here's an album of the main rooms of my home. Nothing fancy, as much as I like fancy. I got stuck in country mode. It is what I feel most comfortable in.

You will notice I didn't get things photo-ready, it's just "as is" ...mud on the entryway rug, a bit of clutter...but it's home, humble as it is. I hope you enjoy it. I am looking forward to seeing the other homes on the tour!

Make a Smilebox slideshow

And for more home decorating tours...visit the Cafe by clicking HERE!

Pick-Me-Up Cafe

I was in charge of our Christmas ladies' event; planning, and decorating. Unfortunately, I FORGOT to take photos of the decorations:( But here are some of the ladies.

Make a Smilebox greeting

Temporarily "out of order"

Or...."out to lunch" :-p lol

Please excuse me for the temporary absence from blogging. In the midst of a crazy holiday season, I am installing microsoft word, and have alot to learn. I will hopefully post photos on Thursday of my home decor' for the Cafe.
Blessings!!