Merry CHRISTMAS!

Take time to focus on Jesus.... the one that was born to deliver us all!

Luke 2(Bible Gateway)

King James Version (KJV)

2 And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed.

² (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.)
³ And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.
⁴ And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:)
⁵ To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.
⁶ And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.
⁷ And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.
⁸ And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.
⁹ And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.
¹⁰ And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
¹¹ For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
¹² And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.
¹³ And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,
¹⁴ Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.
¹⁵ And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.
¹⁶ And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.
¹⁷ And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.
¹⁸ And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.
¹⁹ But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.
²⁰ And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.

Just a Christmas Play.....

What??

Did I get your attention with the title of this post?

Well, this is what some people may think. Maybe it seems odd to them that I feel differently about a children's Christmas play. Sometimes I even want to shake them (don't judge - just being honest). But, I just keep my ugly thoughts to myself. Because, I understand, that God does not lead everyone to serve Him in the same way.

God uses everything He calls us to do for Him, and sometimes I totally miss the lesson He has for me.

God puts opportunities in our paths daily, maybe its just in the slow checkout line at the grocery store, and maybe its a children's Christmas play that takes two months of practicing.( which means learning the same songs over & over & over, which are still in my head, lol) He has a plan for each of them. Maybe its so that I will slow down and pay attention instead of hurrying along for my benefit. Or maybe its to bless me with being a part of something that requires patience, understanding, and being able to see that His hand is all over. And no matter what, He has everything under control and I just need to trust Him.

Not to mention, the most important thing the HOPE that was born on Christmas. In Christ's birth God provided HOPE. Hope to a lost and dying world.

God poured a blessing out on me through this play.Poor B, he has to put up with me, but he is so encouraging and I thank God, that He called B to children's ministry in the first place. He is such a kid at heart!! I love that man!! All the helpers that God placed to help us blessed me so much. And our children....  I know I am biased, but I mean it when I say... we have the best kids ever!!! They are such a blessing to me! A special  thanks to Deidre for posting the pictures  (I hope you don't mind).... I rarely get pictures of the play!!

My little Stable Boy!! He did such a good job!!  He was really into his part. As well as everyone else's!

Sing it Kea!!!

Pictures of most of the kids.... and E! She gives me goose bumps when she sings!!

This picture  - the donkey...he is cracking me up. And the sweet little maid... seeing her overcome a fear of singing  alone is a true blessing. Not to mention she loved doing the play.

Another sweet little voice!! 

Cutest angels & animals ever!

Our Hotel Manager!

This sweet girl has grown up way too fast.... I changed her diapers. (come to think of it... I have changed a lot of these kids daipers!!)

Sam, the Samaritan was great!!

So proud of all the kids that were in the play. They worked hard and they did their best for Jesus!! So for me it was NOT just a Christmas play.

In the busyness of this season, or in the daily struggles of life, in your heartache or pain, remember

When the mountain seems to high
and the river way to wide
there's a hand that is waiting to lead you to the other side
Never forget there is Hope!

Sounds (& more Sights) of December 2011

I know my last December post was lengthy, and nothing I did seemed to work. Hopefully this one will be different and I can it to post today!

One of the many parades... Go Bub!!

Baby C's got it going on!!

I pinterested!!!(I know... easy peasy!!)

Am pinterested...matched my bathroom perfectly!!

Baby C loves Uncle Bub!! @Christmas concert

Finally a couple pix of Kea during basketball.

Everybody get your hands up...lol!!

Well.... finally I got the videos to upload.... I am still missing my special one... our main computer is still sick.

Have a great week!

Sights of December 2011

I had something special I wanted to put on this post, but the video card went out on our big computer :( and I had planned to post tonight, so prayerfully we will get it fixed and I can post it another time. I was so excited because we got a video camera, until it STOPPED working! errhh!! Lost some videos..... sooo sad

The month of December is challenging at our house, well most months are, but December seems to be very hectic. Beginning on Thanksgiving Day, our oldest son is in the Carolina's Carrousel Parade, which is the first of 5 parades in 2 weeks. Then there is Children's Christmas Play at church....A BIG DEAL around here. (especially when your associate pastor compares it to a Broadway production!! YIKES!!!) We pray, plan and pray some more for months and then all of a sudden the day is here. Then there's my mom's birthday, Bub's band concert,  school party, first college exams for Sis (stressful!!), the boy's basketball practices & games begin, the decorating, the shopping  .....all that and more that I know I have forgotten about.....

Are you tired yet? Just reminising over all of it I am very tired...very....

Then finally, let the Christmas festivities begin!!.

This year tradition was shaken a bit.....since 1989, I have always spent Christmas Eve at my parent's house. Well.... they have their house on the market and my lovin' Christmas, decorating every room Momma, didn't decorate on the slight chance that an offer would be made on their house. So they came here! We still had the traditional ham biscuits, sandwich tray, more than enough goodies, just like we did at my grandmother's when I was growing up. Before the presents were opened Keaton read the true meaning of Christmas!! I was sooo proud!! We played Apples to Apples and had a great time together!! Breaking tradition wasn't heart wrenching at all....It was great! After everyone left the kids were in bed before 10! Now that's a miracle!!

As tradition has held since Sis was a baby, both sets of grandparents returned Christmas morning, to watch them open their gifts. Then what Bub says is his favorite part of Christmas.... CHRISTMAS BREAKFAST!!! To hear him tell it, it is like no other, as if, eggs, homemade sausage, bacon, has brown casserole, biscuits & gravy are just different at Christmas.....And just as we were beginning to cook...our favorite family from Texas joined us for breakfast!!! To hear her tell it....Bub bragged about it sooo much, they just invited themselves, lol!! We love having them and they are part of our family whether they claim us or not!!

After breakfast, Am, M & Baby C came and spent some time with us. We are very lucky and we get to hang out all day at our house!! It's a stay in your pjs kinda day. Unfortunately, later in the afternooon, I begin to fight a terrible migraine which I fought until Tuesday, nothing like being down on a day off from work. Although, I think that God allowed it so that I would just stop for a bit. I had been running on empty......

I usually have tons of pictures, but this year I chose to leave the camera alone and be more intentional about being with my loved ones.

I do have some of what December held for our family!!! Enjoy!(sorry they are not in any sort of order!)

In a parade!!

Sis & Baby C in a parade!



See the cutie in the red tie...my very own drummer boy!




Baby C loves Uncle Bub and the drums!



The best kids E-VAH!!

 

Sweet Angel on the left & my Kea on the right.

 

You may remember this pic from a few posts back.... Do you recognize them?? They are now 6 & 7 years old!



Miracle on Main Street!! They did an AWESOME job!!!

 

My precious baby boy. Shhh don't tell him I said that!!




Oh yeah, we now need to add 2 front teeth to Santa's list.....

 The next few are while they are playing Hedb*nds...that's funny right 'der!


Hmm, am I an animal?

 



I don't get this?!!



Am I a food?

 



This was soooo funny(look at his card)....He is Pop & I am Lolli.....lol!!!

 

Waiting on Bub to march in parade!

 


Bub is done!!! Waiting on Santa!!



Hope you enjoy a little of our December Madness!! I have more to post...for some reason I cannot get some pix or videos to cooperate.....Sounds of December 2011 coming your way as soon as I can figure out my tech problems....to be truthful its probably the operator!

December 23rd? Really?????

I think I may have slept or blacked out at some point the first week of December, because my calendar says its Dec. 23!  WHAT??!!! Seriously, I was thinking more like the 15th?? Would someone please explain where time goes??

Another week has flown by and I haven't posted. I don't know about you, but it sure doesn't feel like Christmas.....  its been very warm. Average temps here, 60ish, I am not complaining because I am not very fond of COLD.... the decorations are out, Santa is at the mall and most of my shopping is done (much better than last year at this time!!) Oh and I am soooo excited that I actually have some wrapped presents under my tree before Christmas Eve!! You are probably thinking, CHRISTMAS EVE!!??? Cause you probably have yourself all together, have had shopping done since September, and all you gifts wrapped before you put up your tree. Well, don't fret, cause the past few years, well.... that's just how I roll.

SO LAST MINUTE.....yes that's me.

I know, I  know!!!

Every year I vow to do better next year, and usually I am still frantically running around on Christmas Eve. This year, I have kept that vow, if only by one day, I still made it. All I have left are a few gift cards, (don't criticize, what do you get for the parents that have EVERYTHING???) and some wrapping to do. Oh yeah, and something that I am making, I must finish it tonight. I can't tell you what it is or who its for, cause then it wouldn't be good if I didn't finish. And some of you can't keep a secret :)

I had different plans for the days leading up to Christmas, I wanted

• to be more intentional about my family focusing on Christ's birth
• the gifts to be more personal
• to perform R.A.K.ing (random acts of kindness people!! cause I definitely do not rake!)
• to spend more time with my family
• to make some "pint*resting" stuff (Pint*rest a NEW obsession)
• to be more crafty
• to make Christmas goodies (especially chocolate covered cherries for my hubby)
• to go to Billy Graham L*brary.....today is the last day, :(
• to do many other things differently (I could go on & on but I don't have much time to post) 
• to post all about this month & Christmas so that one day my children could look back and remember....lol!

To list all that makes me feel guilty and sad all at the same time.....I have already beat myself up enough over all that and more. So I am going to just pick myself up and try, try again! Thank God that His mercies are new every morning!!

Something that I have been thinking about this season, my husband said to me when we were getting Angel Tree stuff together, "Why is it we (& others) only help people out at Christmas? Shouldn't we make it a point to help them all through the year?"

Yes, we should..... we need to be more intentional about making a difference in others lives. At least I know I do.

God has blessed me this month, with laying children, and several families on my heart. I couldn't have helped them very much on my own, but with the hearts of our church family, my co-workers, and even my daughter, we were all able to make a difference this Christmas in many lives. One said to me, "thank you", I said, "I didn't do all this" and he said, "without a willing vessel, nothing is accomplished, without your obedience, my children would not have anything for Christmas."

Oh, (tear) I never even thought of it that way. How many times have I missed what God what leading me to do?? I am on the lookout for opportunities He places before me. How about you??

In case I don't make it back on here, may each of you that stop in to see what a mess I am, have a  Merry Christmas.... May Christ be your focus and enjoy your time with your families! Take every opportunity to share the love of Christ, the New Born King this Christmas!! He came that we may have life! He came to change the world!!

 

Merry Christmas to you and yours!!

Piper

Friday Flashback!!

Oh, my this week has been another wild one.... I want and NEED to slow down. I found these and they just made me smile and a little sad..... because these same precious children are growing up WAY too fast!! 

An angel & a wiseman!!

Just last Sunday, during our Children's Christmas Play, these same two cuties sang together again (they are 6 & 7 now), (hopefully I will share more about that wonderful play later) I love love seeing these kids grow up together!!

My babies several years ago..... love this picture!!!