Christmastime is Here!

Can't you just hear that classic song from Charlie Brown in your head right now?

I love Christmas and what it means for our family times together.

Grandkids on Ice


Grandkids with Santa


Jess with Santa


We saw "White Christmas" at the theatre - a gift to my parents for Christmas and birthday. It was great!

Advent: Hope and Peace

Advent means "waiting with great expectation". I can't imagine how God's people must have struggled to wait patiently for their promised Messiah. They had waited so long for their redeemer. I am ashamed at times to realize that I don't fall on my knees often enough to give thanks for my salvation and for the One who saved me.

I want to use this season of Advent to worship my Lord - to thank Him for dying in my place - for saving me from eternal separation from God - for giving me life here on this earth that is full and abundant because of the work that He does through the Holy Spirit - to thank Him for the HOPE that He brings into our lives.

The observance of Advent also reminds me of the Peace that comes with knowing Jesus. He came to bring Peace on Earth and He promises Peace for all who will put their faith in Him. He is our Peace - our Jehovah Shalom.

Do I live like I have this Peace? I confess that I am consumed by "busyness" and don't allow Him to be my Peace - to bring down all the things in my life that are unnecessary - and allow Him to simply "lead me beside the still waters". Will you allow Him to take you to the still waters this season? Let's just sit down- be still - and worship Him - rest in Him. What could be more important?

Soles 4 Souls - Buy 2 pairs of shoes for $5

You can too!
Join the biggest blogging charity challenge ever!
Buy some shoes and then put this link on your blog, facebook, twitter, etc...
Get your credit card out and go here to buy shoes! Five Dollars is something we can all do.
Read more about where this idea started from Anne at flowerdust.net

Sponsor a Compassion child today!

My son Brian is in the Domincan Republic this week with several bloggers. They are working on getting children sponsored. Read more about it here. The need is great. Sponsor a child today.

In the News!

My son made The Houston Chronicle again. Please forgive me for being a proud mom - but I just need a moment.
Chris is my oldest child. He was a strong-willed, determined child and teenager. I always told him that he was going to make an amazing adult. And he is. We are very proud of him!
As we did for all of our children, we prayed for God's plan to unfold in Chris' life. We watched as he shared Christ with classmates in high school and as he did amazing things at Baylor and God has continued to take Chris to really cool places. One of the latest of these is in the project - The Voice. Chris has worked for years to make scripture come alive to people who may never have realized the beauty and power of God's Word. It a beautiful translation of scripture. To learn more about it read this article that appeared in the Religion section of the Chronicle last week.

It's Time to Vote!

I am not into politics, though I am passionate about our freedoms and our right to vote and being involved in the democratic process.
I have heard so many Christians speak of fear when they talk about this election and it makes me sad. We serve a sovereign God who knows all things and who is in control. I take complete comfort in that truth. Fear is not from God!
I encourage you to read this article. It is a great reminder of how Christians should vote.

It's almost over!

Wow - it's already been a week. We are sad and ready to get home all at the same time. This is probably the best vacation we have ever had! That's a big statement because we have always loved to "cruise" but this vacation has had a different element - a complete get-away from the city - people - tourist activities - a total disconnect.
God has really been working on me and my inability to relax so this week has been one lesson after another on how to rest in the Lord.
I will share more about what God has been saying to me. Just know that I have never relaxed like this - maybe in my whole life.
God has been gracious to give us such an awesome time away together.