a caroling we go

The little things don't mean alot, they mean everything.

As I was driving to work on Monday morning I heard someone on the radio say that. Didn't think much about it. Throughout the week though it's proven itself to be true several times. Most recently, last night.

We went caroling with a group from church at Lawman's request. He thought it would be a good Christmas activity for us to do as a family. He was right.

Several that we sang for were elderly folks that are homebound so a visit from anyone means a lot. We sang to a group at a care home. And our last stop was a family (18 children) that lost their mother last spring.

The first lady we sang for got teary-eyed which meant I got choked up too and could barely get through the first verse of Silent Night. Alison got choked up too. Good thing Lawman and Madison didn't notice so they could carry the tune. Our youth pastor spoke to her before we left; don't know what was said but I'm sure this lady very much appreciated our group's visit to her door.

At the care home there was a gentleman that appeared to be much younger than the average citizen there and Alison noticed he had tears streaming down his cheeks. Don't know what his story is but he probably never expected that his life would be like this.

Our last stop was the home of a family that has 18 kids. Most have left the home, married and have their own families. There are just 2 or 3 left at home. They are a wonderful family. A couple of their daughters babysat for our girls when they were younger and the youngest boy is in Madison's class. One of the older boys answered the door. I know he was glad to be able to close the door as it was obvious that he was trying hard to keep his composure.

Our small gesture of singing Christmas carols meant so much to everyone we sang for. All in different circumstances. All have a different story to tell. All appreciated a group of strangers singing for them. It meant that someone had thought about them, cared about them.

The little things don't mean alot, they mean everything.

It's not too late to do something for someone else this holiday season. A hello. A phone call. A plate of food for a homebound neighbor. That's what the season is about ~ spreading the love. A little gesture would be sufficient.

a quiet moment

It's early for a Saturday. I'm the only one awake. Enjoying the quiet and the simple beauty of our white lights on my favorite decoration display in the house.



For years I collected snowmen and trees. This year they have found a home together atop the Baldwin 1919 Grand Piano my father bought for me in 1971.

As I sit in quiet, it's a perfect opportunity to reflect on the events and blessings of 2009 as well ponder what lies ahead in the new year. I plan to spend the remaining days of 2009 focused on time with family and friends, enjoying each other's company, laughter and creating new memories together. I also hope to carve out a bit of time to finish a list I started a few days ago; a list that includes books for reading in 2010 and goals for self and family.

May you and yours find a moment of peaceful quiet during the busy-ness of the next week. Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas!

"Today a Savior, who is Messiah the Lord, was born for you in the city of David." ~ Luke 2:11

31

1 book. 31 days. 31 chapters. That's the reading plan this month. One chapter each day from Proverbs.

They are full of wisdom. So thick & meaty that it requires me to read each chapter more than once. They are packed full of food for thought, literally.

Yesterday (Ch. 6) was Warnings Against Folly. I'm still thinking about it. Get busy. Don't slumber. Be like the ant ~ work hard and prepare for the future. I needed to hear that yesterday. After a 2 day conference for work, the last thing I wanted to do was get out of bed and go to the office. Hmm...He always knows exactly what I need to hear. Funny how that works.

Lessons Learned

Here's a few lessons I learned last week during Vacation Bible School.

~ it doesn't take long to fall in love with a child ~ it's nice to have others prepare the evening meal ~ i prefer crafts that don't invole lots of paint and glue ~ i miss exercising ~ i'm not cut out to work 14 hour days every week ~ i need time to unwind at the end of the day ~ new songs don't take long to learn ~ my oldest daughter is a great pre-school teacher ~ my youngest daughter likes to have responsibility ~ young children crave the human touch ~ it's sad that not all children get it ~ excitement in a child is easy to see ~ i smile at joy in the face of a child ~ youngsters can praise our Creator ~ per a child, "sin is black & ugly" ~ per a child, "Jesus makes me clean like i just took a bath" ~

It was a good week at VBS. I'm always glad it's over but it's worth the time and energy required of me.

Music Strikes a Chord

Today was band day for the jr. high. Since a jr. high girl lives in our house and plays the clarinet, you know where I spent a portion of my day.

Typically, it is something I don't look forward to.

Today I was pleasantly surprised at what I heard at their performance.

The music moved me. Nearly to tears.

Yes, I kid you not.

Their first number was a rendition of a childhood hymn ~ Jesus Loves Me.

I couldn't believe the reaction I had to their music. It was lovely.

I've been known to have damp eyes during our worship services while we are singing. I don't know what it is about the words of certain songs that chokes me up so. My girls don't understand it. Nor do I always. I do know it's about my relationship with Him. Something that I can't always put into words. A more accurate statement might be that my words don't begin to do justice.

As I was listening to today's music, it reminded me of a poem I read yesterday. I leave you with a portion of that poem. If you'd like to read the poem in it's entirety, go here.

Why is it that music

At its most beautiful

Opens a wound in us

An ache a desolation

Deep as a homesickness

For some far-off

And half-forgotten country

A Message of Hope

This past Sunday was the first Sunday of Advent. My Sunday School class did the Advent reading. A first for us. Usually it is a married couple or a family. I found such enjoyment sharing in this portion of our worship service with my church family.

The message in our Advent reading was one of HOPE.

"So we stop and look around and come to grips with the fact that much of this life consists of waiting. Nothing satisfies fully and completely because it is not meant to; every joy and pleasure is meant to be only a preview for the whole and complete joy that we will know on that day when we finally see him face to face. We wait - eagerly - expectantly - hopefully."

We are merely passing through in this life we live on earth. As believers, we find hope in knowing that one day we will meet our King.

Our King lived a perfect life on this earth for about 33 years. Something that had never been done before him and something that no one can repeat. One would think that such a person would come from a very impressive and 'perfect' lineage. Not the case. In Matthew 1 is Jesus' genealogy. It's filled with what our world calls the less desireables. There are men and women in His family tree that are liars, cheaters, those who committed adultry, murderers, prostitutes, and those who violated others. Not the kind of family history that you want to write home about.

Yet from those who were less than perfect came the perfect One. That One who brought hope to all the earth. This didn't occur by chance. God controls the flow of history. He knew that each person in Jesus' family tree would play a vital role in the history of the world.

Since hearing our sermon on Sunday I've been feeling less than excited about buying Christmas gifts. Not because I don't enjoy giving but because it really isn't all that important. The season isn't about the gifts, the decorations, the parties, etc. We've all been given the best gift possible if only we choose to accept it. The gift from above...a little baby who arrived in less than perfect conditions and then lived a perfect life only to be the sacrifice on our behalf.

May God bless you and yours during this holiday season. May you find hope.

Changing My Attitude

As the Thanksgiving holiday is fast approaching, I've been giving much thought to what I am thankful for.

When I take the time to actually think about this, my list is long. However, I find that as I go through my day, I don't always have an attitude of thankfulness.

I get frustrated. With things that don't even matter.

no parking place

waiting in line

crazy drivers

not getting a return phone call

children not doing what they are asked (the first time)

not as much fun money left in the budget as I would like

etc.

In reviewing that brief list above, it's pretty obvious that in the grand scheme of things, none of the items on my list matter. At all.

So, if they don't matter, why do I expend the effort to be frustrated by them?

I've challenged myself to make a conscious effort to have an attitude of thankfulness for the remainder of the month and to thank my Maker for the bounty He provides. I always remember to thank Him for the BIG things but there are many little things I fail to give thanks for and maybe that's because I take them for granted.

Starting today, I'm going to find something to be thankful for each and every day. They may be big, they may be small, but either way I am going to give thanks.

It has been said that it takes 21 days to create a new habit. I'm already behind for the month but I'm willing to start now and maybe, just maybe by early December my new attitude will be habit. Will you join me? Or at least hold me accountable.

After the Storm

As B2 and I were on our way to piano lessons this evening, we got caught in a downpour. I nearly had to pull off the road it was raining so hard. I sat in the car and waited for her to finish her lessons. The double rainbow above is what we saw when we left the piano teacher's driveway. The photo doesn't do it justice; the colors in the bottom rainbow were so incredibly bright. God did some nice handiwork today.

It's all in the Attitude

Don't ever let it be said that I'm afraid of a challenge. As a mother, wife, domestic engineer, employee and all the other job titles I wear, I muster up the courage to take on at least one challenge, if not more, every single day. Some days are harder than others.

We all face challenges. Sometimes it can be just having to get out of bed. Anything can be a challenge -- getting to work on time, being patient with your children or spouse, folding laundry, preparing a meal, committee obligations, etc.

I've found one thing that makes all the difference. It's attitude. Yep. Pretty simple. The course of my day can be determined by my attitude. I alone have the ability to make my day a good day or a bad day. It's not up to my family, co-workers, friends, or the gal at the drive-thru window.

Attitude was mentioned in our Sunday sermon. It was one of three* things that should be noticeably changed after becoming a believer. The Bible says that "Your attitude should be that of Jesus Christ." (Philipians 2:5) That prompted me to think about my own personal attitude. Can people tell I'm a Christian by my attitude?

Each day I decide what my attitude will be -- positive or negative. I've found that for my sake, as well as those around me, if I decide to 'wear' a positive attitude, it makes for a good day.

I have my bad days just like everyone else. And because of that, I'm grateful that He forgives. I make mistakes and sometimes it's pretty evident that I'm not 'wearing' a good attitude. I do find though that if I make a conscious effort to have a good attitude, it can and usually does make all the difference.

(*The other two things that should be noticeably changed are lifestyle and willingness to serve others.)

Random Thoughts

Just sharing some random thoughts with you today.

Could you limit your expenditures for a month? Check out what Rachel and her family are doing.

Since it's nearly July 4th, it's about time to start cranking out the homemade ice cream. I think this Chocolate Toffee Crunch sounds good.

And with July 4th nearing, take a moment to reflect upon your independence. There is much that we, as Americans, have to be thankful for. Here's Amanda's list.

Meg's wondering how to deal with an empty fridge, not to mention those who think they need to be fed every single day. Any other mothers having problems keeping plenty of food around to feed the hordes (I mean, children) during the summer? I'm hoping my fridge looks like this by the end of the week as we're leaving town and I want to be able to give it a good cleaning before it's time to fill it again.

The Word

Law-Man and I both grew up in church goin' families. We can't remember not going. Except for early in our marriage. Sorry God. That changed though when Blonde 2 was born. She was in church when she was just a couple of weeks old and when Blonde 3 arrived she was only 3 days old when she made her chuch debut. So, since we've had kids we've been back on track. And that's a good thing.

There's something about beginning a new week with my church family that gives me a really good feeling. I look forward to my Sunday School class. It's as if they love me unconditionally; just like my real family. I've shared laughter, tears, ups and downs with those folks and that creates a bond.

I read a scripture this week that struck me. It is Isaiah 42:16.

I will lead the blind by ways they have not known, along unfamiliar paths I will guide them; I will turn the darkness into light before them and make the rough places smooth. These are the things I will do; I will not forsake them.

I am glad the Lord leads me for I know not where I go. I do know that by trusting in Him and living by faith I will make it. It won't necessarily be easy but it is doable.