A Mother's Legacy

Today is my Mama's birthday and I want to say, "Happy Birthday, Mom!"

My mom has had a profound influence on my life and she is the first woman I think of when someone asks me who has had the greatest influence on me as a woman. This is a small tribute to her and all that she has meant to me my whole life...

She is a survivor.

She is a woman who loves her amazing God.

She is determined to live her life in such a way that it positively impacts those around her.

She is devoted to her family and sees the value of investing in her children's lives.

She has faith in what she cannot always see, because she trusts in God.

She is adventurous.

She is one who works diligently at all she puts her hands to.

She challenges herself and is always looking for opportunity to grow and learn.

She loves deeply and whole-heartedly.

She is a one who has left a beautiful legacy to her children of a woman who fears the Lord and works hard each day to make a difference in the place God has placed her. I am most grateful that she has taught me how to love, how to trust God and how to live life to the fullest.

Thank you mama~ Happy Birthday!

Merry Christmas

I love this time of year and I love the simplicity of God sending the Savior of the world as a newborn babe. I cannot imagine what Mary felt as she looked into the eyes of Jesus; our Wonderful Counselor, Prince of Peace, our everlasting hope. This past Sunday morning, our pastor spoke about the spirit of Christmas, using the precious story of Simeon and Anna. (Which happens to be one of my favorites!)

He challenged us to find some time this Christmas to show God that we do put our hope in Him alone. There is much around us that is going awry and circumstances we face that seem to be impossible...for me. But certainly not for God. The "spirit of Christmas" is not the hustle and bustle, the music and favorite cookies made by your grandma or aunt. It is our choices and our actions lived out during the season that say we are truly putting all our hope in Christ!

Come thou long expected Jesus! What a beautiful thought for all mankind. What a precious gift that He did come to seek and save the lost~ Have a blessed Christmas, celebrating our precious Savior.

His plan, not mine

Hello! I have been out this week with two sweet boys and two cases of the stomach bug :(

Anyway, I am a bit drained and do not have much to share. Except, that I pray that we will all take sin seriously. That we will put into practie the vital role we have in confessing and repenting. This means that we say outloud what God says about our sin and then we turn from it, completely.

I think that we have this tendancy to "categorize" our sins...big, bad, not such a big deal, little. Well, all sin (yes, ALL sin) is the same in God's eyes. Why? Because sin separates us from our Heavenly Father. It gets in the way and slowy errodes the soul, the heart, the mind.

This world is full of distractions, so here is my challenge to us all. Take the time to be still and cut out the distractions. Search your heart and do only that which you know God asks of you. Leave the other stuff behind and do what He asks.

Also, be aware! The enemy is like a lion ready to snatch us up in his fearsome paw. (1 Peter 5:8) Stand your guard and do not let him have a foothold. God gives us this encouragement in His word:

1Corinthians 10:13 No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.

Hebrews 13:5-6 Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, "I will never leave you nor forsake you." So we can confidently say, "The Lord is my helper; I will not fear; what can man do to me?"

Christmas seems to be a time when indulgence goes overboard. Everyone seems to be able to justify the spending of money more at this time of the year. Christmas is about the birth of Christ, so we should be taking time to see what would be valuable to Him. What does He say to do with our money and time during the holiday season?

I love that God's word tells me, if I have food and shelter, with these things I shall be content. (1 Timothy 6:8) Great, I have both those things, so I shall be content. Any discontented attitude comes from my rotten heart. Which leads me back to the cross and God's amazing sacrifice for my sin. A plan in the heart of God before the foundation of the earth.

The most striking part of this plan? That Jesus came as a newborn babe, on a cold night in a manger to a teenage mother, who was a virgin. How beautiful, the day that God touched the world with the greatness of His love, through the birth of His Son.

Thank you Father God for that precious babe, my Savior. A priceless gift of love, made on my behalf. This certainly does seem like something we should "go tell on the mountain!"

The Simple Woman's Daybook

December 8, 2008

Outside my window...a perfect day, just enough cool and lots of sun!

I am thinking... how peaceful my home feels today

I am thankful for...the fact that my mom is coming in 10 days :) :) :)

From the learning rooms...the library and lots of reading

From the kitchen... the wonderful smells of a roast cooking. rice pudding, bread & cookies

I am memorizing... 1 John 2:1-10 this week

I am creating...a "Look Back at 2008" scrapbook

I am going...to do some Christmas shopping, prepare for a piano recital, just simply enjoy my home & boys this week

I am reading... "The Mission of Motherhood", 1 John

I am hoping... for some snow this winter season

I am hearing...the sounds of my boys fighting the pirates

Around the house...very clean and warm from the fire, scrapbook stuff still out from this weekend

One of my favorite things... my living room lit only by the Christmas tree in the early morning or late night

A few plans for the rest of the week: Cookie Swap for Hope House, rehearsal for the recital, shopping

Here is picture thought I am sharing...


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