Ahhhh...can you hear it? That's the sound of serenity. Christmas vacation has officially started at our house, and I think I'm even more excited than the kids! For the next two weeks, the title of "homeschooling Mom" is not on my wall. Of course, there are others that take its place: Santa's helper, baker, "hostess with the mostess"...you know, things like that.
This time of year is full of extremes. Have you ever noticed that? It seems that no other time of year can make us this blessed, this stressed, this happy, or this sappy. We're all kind of living life on full throttle right now! It's funny how my opinion of the Christmas season has changed since I was a kid. Then I was all about the fun and magical feeling of it all. Now I see all the work that goes into the fun and magic...and I'll admit it stresses me out! Not to mention the togetherness of family. That's not something I really want to discuss at the moment, but I'm sure you would share similar feelings. Oh to find reason to be thankful for all the little blessings even in the midst of chaos. I'm making sure I take extra B-Complex as needed this week. (It's the stress vitamin.)
So, I have to share a fun experience I just had. As part of one of my presents from my parents, I was sent on a mission to find a piece of clothing for them to wrap. Most women may get excited about such a thing - the trying on of new clothes. For me, it's usually an experience I don't enjoy. Well, I knew that this would be a slightly more enjoyable experience than last time, since I am down 20 pounds...but I still wasn't getting my hopes up too high. Turns out it was actually an encouraging endeavor! I liked what I saw in the mirror (comparatively at least) and was also happy with the size I was able to fit into. In fact, I even had a hard time narrowing down my choices! (Gasp!) It's usually more of choosing the lesser of two evils, if you know what I mean. Of course the enemy quickly pointed out all the things I still dislike about my body (as I was standing there seeing myself from WAY more angles at one time than any woman should EVER have to do)...but I could respond to the enemy's feeble attempts at discouragement and confidently say: "I'm not there yet, but I'm on my way!". It was a little pat on the back experience that I needed to have. How fun that my parents' generosity allowed me to have it!
I want to take this moment to wish each of you (whether there are 5 of you reading this or 50) a very blessed and Merry Christmas! I pray that each of us will make time (notice I didn't say "find" time) these next few days to really appreciate the fullness of what Christmas means to Christians. Without the baby in the manger, there would be no Savior on the cross. This time of year the song that captures the moment for me is always "Mary Did You Know?". Just imagine holding your precious newborn baby boy and knowing that He's going to someday save the world! Gives me goosebumps every time. I'll post it on here so you can hear my favorite version.
Merry Christmas, friends! Enjoy yourselves and all those wonderful treats...but not TOO much. ;-)
This time of year is full of extremes. Have you ever noticed that? It seems that no other time of year can make us this blessed, this stressed, this happy, or this sappy. We're all kind of living life on full throttle right now! It's funny how my opinion of the Christmas season has changed since I was a kid. Then I was all about the fun and magical feeling of it all. Now I see all the work that goes into the fun and magic...and I'll admit it stresses me out! Not to mention the togetherness of family. That's not something I really want to discuss at the moment, but I'm sure you would share similar feelings. Oh to find reason to be thankful for all the little blessings even in the midst of chaos. I'm making sure I take extra B-Complex as needed this week. (It's the stress vitamin.)
So, I have to share a fun experience I just had. As part of one of my presents from my parents, I was sent on a mission to find a piece of clothing for them to wrap. Most women may get excited about such a thing - the trying on of new clothes. For me, it's usually an experience I don't enjoy. Well, I knew that this would be a slightly more enjoyable experience than last time, since I am down 20 pounds...but I still wasn't getting my hopes up too high. Turns out it was actually an encouraging endeavor! I liked what I saw in the mirror (comparatively at least) and was also happy with the size I was able to fit into. In fact, I even had a hard time narrowing down my choices! (Gasp!) It's usually more of choosing the lesser of two evils, if you know what I mean. Of course the enemy quickly pointed out all the things I still dislike about my body (as I was standing there seeing myself from WAY more angles at one time than any woman should EVER have to do)...but I could respond to the enemy's feeble attempts at discouragement and confidently say: "I'm not there yet, but I'm on my way!". It was a little pat on the back experience that I needed to have. How fun that my parents' generosity allowed me to have it!
I want to take this moment to wish each of you (whether there are 5 of you reading this or 50) a very blessed and Merry Christmas! I pray that each of us will make time (notice I didn't say "find" time) these next few days to really appreciate the fullness of what Christmas means to Christians. Without the baby in the manger, there would be no Savior on the cross. This time of year the song that captures the moment for me is always "Mary Did You Know?". Just imagine holding your precious newborn baby boy and knowing that He's going to someday save the world! Gives me goosebumps every time. I'll post it on here so you can hear my favorite version.
Merry Christmas, friends! Enjoy yourselves and all those wonderful treats...but not TOO much. ;-)
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