For whatever reason, the word "advent" wasn't always used in the church I belonged to growing up. We still had our special Christmas services, but the mention of advent, and the lighting of the specific candles was missing. However, over the last ten years, the concept of advent has moved to the forefront of the Christmas celebration in our church. This change is exciting, but I want to learn more so my family can make the most of this special time of year.
A couple of my friends have recently mentioned planning their family advent activities, which has motivated and inspired me to look more closely at the idea of advent and how our family can prepare our hearts to celebrate the birth of our Savior. To start, I checked out pinterest to see what type of advent calendars I could find. Whoa...so MANY ideas! I was excited, but had a difficult time trying to narrow down one to use. So, I talked to my hubby and the older two kids, and I think that over the course of the next three years, we are going to attempt to make an advent calendar each year. Each child will pick their favorite idea, we will try to re-create that idea (to the best of our ability), and then we will alternate which one we use according to birth order. When the first child is married, they will take their favorite to start the tradition in their family, and so on.
I have also looked for specific suggestions related to daily devotions, recipes, activities, etc. we can use as part of this celebration. A FB friend suggested http://www.d365.org/followingthestar/ yesterday. Our church also distributes an advent devotional guide, but we forgot to pick ours up after the service, so we may have to play catch-up later this week. :)
I want to hear from you. How do you celebrate advent? What resources can you suggest to make this an even more meaningful celebration?
Monday, November 28, 2011
Friday, November 25, 2011
There's Thanksgiving, and then, there's Black Friday
Is it just me, or does it seem a bit of an oxymoron that within one 24-hour period, our country goes from "I'm so thankful for the little things" to "GET OUT OF MY WAY OR I WILL RUN YOU OVER IN MY PURSUIT OF THE PERFECT GIFT?!"? I really don't get it. I worked retail during my college years, and I cannot understand the temptation to go out and fight the crowds in order to save a few bucks. In recent years, I have endured "Black Friday" on a couple of occasions with family members, and I have decided it just isn't worth it to me. I prefer to stay home on the Friday after Thanksgiving, spend time with my family, take a nap (or two), and relax. I enjoy shopping, but not in a rush, and not with a thousand other people within a 20 ft. radius. So, just to clarify, you will not have to fight me for the final (insert gift of choice here). I will be at home...on my couch...in my pajamas. Help yourself to the Black Friday bounty. :)
And, now that we have that cleared up...my list of things I am thankful for (a day late but I really started this post on Wednesday, so still valid, right?)...
1-My Jesus, who loves me unconditionally. Amazing...
2-My hubby, who has put up with me for 18 years and still loves me. He is an incredible daddy to numbers 3, 4, and 5...I am so blessed.
3-My Ashton, who makes me crazy with her teenage sassiness, but blesses my life in so many other ways because of her faith, intelligence, beauty, and love of life.
4-My Jonas, who makes me smile daily with his quick wit and smart mind. His sloppiness at age eleven is a test of my patience, but I guess it is making me a stronger person (or something positive like that).
5-My Thomas, who brings joy to his mama's heart with his smile, belly laughs, and mischievous ways. I sometimes feel I am too old to have a 20-month-old, but God has a sense of humor and perfect timing, and I am so thankful for my sweet surprise baby.
6-My parents, who have constantly set a godly example for me in their lives. They are always supportive and eager to participate in our daily lives, even if it is via phone calls since they live almost a thousand miles away.
7-My sister, who will listen to me rant, offer advice, tell me the truth when I need to hear it, and is a wonderful mommy to my precious niece.
8-Long distance friendships where quick phone calls are cherished communication.
9-New local friendships that are teaching me new things about myself and others.
10-My church...the community of believers that is truly a family.
11-My job...even when it is stressful, I realize I am blessed to be able to work from home so I can better care for my bambino and the rest of my family, too.
12-Delicious food...I thoroughly enjoyed the squash dressing and cranberry salad yesterday...my two Thanksgiving favorites.
13-Needs that are met...we received a call from our rental agent yesterday saying the septic in our home in FL was backed up, and he wanted permission to call a septic company. We felt horrible our tenants had to deal with this on Thanksgiving, but we were also concerned about it costing an exorbitant amount due to the holiday. Hubby called to give the company payment information, and he ended up speaking with a high school classmate. We aren't sure if that had anything to do with it, but we found out the bill is only $300...the exact amount we had set aside for Christmas. Even though we will now have to come up with more money for Christmas gifts, we know this unforeseen expense is handled, and that is indeed a blessing.
Our pastor spoke last Sunday about a truly thankful heart being one that is thankful in all circumstances. I am working on it...what about you?
And, now that we have that cleared up...my list of things I am thankful for (a day late but I really started this post on Wednesday, so still valid, right?)...
1-My Jesus, who loves me unconditionally. Amazing...
2-My hubby, who has put up with me for 18 years and still loves me. He is an incredible daddy to numbers 3, 4, and 5...I am so blessed.
3-My Ashton, who makes me crazy with her teenage sassiness, but blesses my life in so many other ways because of her faith, intelligence, beauty, and love of life.
4-My Jonas, who makes me smile daily with his quick wit and smart mind. His sloppiness at age eleven is a test of my patience, but I guess it is making me a stronger person (or something positive like that).
5-My Thomas, who brings joy to his mama's heart with his smile, belly laughs, and mischievous ways. I sometimes feel I am too old to have a 20-month-old, but God has a sense of humor and perfect timing, and I am so thankful for my sweet surprise baby.
6-My parents, who have constantly set a godly example for me in their lives. They are always supportive and eager to participate in our daily lives, even if it is via phone calls since they live almost a thousand miles away.
7-My sister, who will listen to me rant, offer advice, tell me the truth when I need to hear it, and is a wonderful mommy to my precious niece.
8-Long distance friendships where quick phone calls are cherished communication.
9-New local friendships that are teaching me new things about myself and others.
10-My church...the community of believers that is truly a family.
11-My job...even when it is stressful, I realize I am blessed to be able to work from home so I can better care for my bambino and the rest of my family, too.
12-Delicious food...I thoroughly enjoyed the squash dressing and cranberry salad yesterday...my two Thanksgiving favorites.
13-Needs that are met...we received a call from our rental agent yesterday saying the septic in our home in FL was backed up, and he wanted permission to call a septic company. We felt horrible our tenants had to deal with this on Thanksgiving, but we were also concerned about it costing an exorbitant amount due to the holiday. Hubby called to give the company payment information, and he ended up speaking with a high school classmate. We aren't sure if that had anything to do with it, but we found out the bill is only $300...the exact amount we had set aside for Christmas. Even though we will now have to come up with more money for Christmas gifts, we know this unforeseen expense is handled, and that is indeed a blessing.
Our pastor spoke last Sunday about a truly thankful heart being one that is thankful in all circumstances. I am working on it...what about you?
Sunday, November 13, 2011
Starving...
...for worship...it has been three weeks since I have been able to participate in corporate worship due to family camp and illnesses among our family members. I need to hear God's word, I need to sing His praise, and I need to fellowship with my church family.
...for my husband...he has been out of the country for a week, and will be back in three days. I am so spoiled by all he does to help with our home and our kids. I CAN handle things by myself, but I don't want to.
...for a day off...I actually TAKE days off, but at the back of my mind, I am still beating myself up because I know I have work to do. I just want one day when I can completely relax and not be concerned about anything related to work.
...for my husband...he has been out of the country for a week, and will be back in three days. I am so spoiled by all he does to help with our home and our kids. I CAN handle things by myself, but I don't want to.
...for a day off...I actually TAKE days off, but at the back of my mind, I am still beating myself up because I know I have work to do. I just want one day when I can completely relax and not be concerned about anything related to work.
Tuesday, November 1, 2011
Friends forever?
I do not take friendship lightly; I believe true friends are a blessing. I have known one of my dearest friends since we were three. She turned 40 last week, and I wished I lived close enough to celebrate with her. We have a friendship that no matter how much time elapses between visits, it is as if only minutes have passed. Don't you love having friends like that?
I have another friend from high school that I talk to a few times each year. We had our differences sometimes in high school (all probably my fault), but when we went off to separate colleges, we stayed in touch, and spent quite a bit of time together with our hubbies as young married couples. She is ALWAYS positive, and any time spent with her is encouraging to me.
I have another friend I worked with over the summers during my college years. We were acquaintances then, but ended up at the same church in our late 20's. A few years later, our church began "40 Days of Purpose" and we had a small group in our home. She and her husband came, and now, they are some of our closest friends.
I have a friend who is ten years younger than me, but oh, so much wiser than I am. We met while we lived in Florida. Both families have since moved to different states, but we typically talk at least once every two weeks, even if it is a text requesting prayer. Her husband is interviewing for a job near our home (within 1.5 hours driving distance), and I am hoping and praying it works out because I miss spending time with her and her sweet family.
I have other precious friends, but none as close as these. I am a bit of introvert, and I don't actively seek out friendships. If I feel something "click" with another person, I will exert more effort, but if I sense only superficial connection, I am friendly but less vulnerable.
Since we moved to this area a couple of years ago, I have met many wonderful people through our church, the kids' schools, sports teams, etc. I would consider many of them "friends", but not necessarily close ones. I have met a few women who I seem to have much in common with, though, and I am thankful for that. I am waiting to see how God blesses each of those friendships. My mom always said, "If you want to have friends, you have to be a friend", so I have tried to open myself up to share life with them. I believe He places everyone in our lives for a reason, and I want to learn through the experience, whether the friendships develop into lifelong ones or not.
How about you? Is developing new friendships easy for you?
I have another friend from high school that I talk to a few times each year. We had our differences sometimes in high school (all probably my fault), but when we went off to separate colleges, we stayed in touch, and spent quite a bit of time together with our hubbies as young married couples. She is ALWAYS positive, and any time spent with her is encouraging to me.
I have another friend I worked with over the summers during my college years. We were acquaintances then, but ended up at the same church in our late 20's. A few years later, our church began "40 Days of Purpose" and we had a small group in our home. She and her husband came, and now, they are some of our closest friends.
I have a friend who is ten years younger than me, but oh, so much wiser than I am. We met while we lived in Florida. Both families have since moved to different states, but we typically talk at least once every two weeks, even if it is a text requesting prayer. Her husband is interviewing for a job near our home (within 1.5 hours driving distance), and I am hoping and praying it works out because I miss spending time with her and her sweet family.
I have other precious friends, but none as close as these. I am a bit of introvert, and I don't actively seek out friendships. If I feel something "click" with another person, I will exert more effort, but if I sense only superficial connection, I am friendly but less vulnerable.
Since we moved to this area a couple of years ago, I have met many wonderful people through our church, the kids' schools, sports teams, etc. I would consider many of them "friends", but not necessarily close ones. I have met a few women who I seem to have much in common with, though, and I am thankful for that. I am waiting to see how God blesses each of those friendships. My mom always said, "If you want to have friends, you have to be a friend", so I have tried to open myself up to share life with them. I believe He places everyone in our lives for a reason, and I want to learn through the experience, whether the friendships develop into lifelong ones or not.
How about you? Is developing new friendships easy for you?
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