We Bring the Sacrifice of Praise

What am I willing to sacrifice? Would I give it all up and be able to trust God? Could I really do what Abraham did with his son and bring him to the altar if God asked? I can barely follow the simple things would I be able to follow the hard and have faith that God knows what He is doing?

I need to work on believing that all things are according to God's plan even when every human part of me doubts. I need to sacrifice the things that are important - the time, busy is a choice, the money, God has always provided, the house, it is not mine but God's, my children, they are not just here for me to protect, but to be witnesses for God and to serve Him also, my husband, his time and his decisions are directed from God.

Comfort and those things that are comfortable are not the only choices I should make but whatever God leads me to do! This is what I will work on, probably for the rest of my days, but starting today is good.

Go Tell It on the Mountain

Go tell it on the mountain, Over the hills and everywhere,
Go tell it on the mountain, Our Jesus Christ is born.
When I was a seeker I sought both night and day,
I asked the Lord to help me, And he showed me the way.
Go tell it on the mountain, Over the hills and everywhere,
Go tell it on the mountain, Our Jesus Christ is born.
He made me a watchman Upon a city wall,
And if I am a Christian, I am the least of all.
Go tell it on the mountain, Over the hills and everywhere,
Go tell it on the mountain, Our Jesus Christ is born.

Baby It's Cold Outside!

Here are some fall pics!

This time of year is for remembering the blessings of all you have including God's Son, Jesus, humbling Himself to become a baby in this earth.

Silent Night Holy Night

One mother's dream to have a night that is silent - the whole night of sleep. Another mother's terror as they worry should I check on them, are they really OK. Another woman's hope to have a child to interrupt their sleep, to worry about, to love. It is amazing the stories there are about how woman have been blessed with their families and how I have never heard one that wishes the kids have not been there at all. So this moment I will pray for those kids and those mothers who wish they had different families. I know that there are kids who endure abuse and neglect and I wish I could financially take them in my home and love them, but I will pray. Pray that their night is silent and they will know a Holy God who loves them so much. I will thank God for that Baby and those parents who choose to be obedient and follow God in love on that Silent Night so everyone may know Peace!

You'll Go to Sleep Counting your Blessings

I realize what joy I have when I take stock in all the good and God-given things in my life. I am truly blessed and usually truly grateful. I am working on that daily. Joy is a gift and a decision and I want to choose Joy!

J - Jesus
O - Others
Y - Yourself

My daughter likes this and so do I.

Rocking Around the Christmas Tree

Had a ton of fun at the Merit Electric Company party last night. It was held this year at Treasure Island Resort and Casino and the hotel is awesome. Steve's company offers a hotel room for the night, feeds us dinner and then entertains us into the wee hours of the morning. This year we learned to play blackjack with fake money and then the top 6 of the night won wonderful prizes. I was third and Steve was sixth and we came home with great prizes. After that they booked lanes for us to bowl and it was so fun! We did not stay until 2:30 am like most but we bowled a game and enjoyed sleeping in and hung around Red Wing until after lunch and picked up the kids.

It is somewhat strange to be so sheltered as I am. I work at a church, socialize with most people that attend church and don't see the 'real' world much. This company is a glimpse for me and the cool thing is as we are getting older we all seem to mature. (I am trying to at least!:P) It was loud and different language and different conversations but way fun!

Steve has been there for 10 years now and we have grown to love the family owned business he works for as part of ours. They gave him a gift last night to Grand Superior Lodge for being there for 10 years and no he did not make a speech but was grateful, not only for the gift but for the job and for the party and for the family that is keeping him with a job.

I took no pictures so no one will get to see my dress that was so fun to wear, but you can come and look at it hanging up if you like!

Love and Marriage

Our Thanksgiving was full of fun and a relaxing date-filled weekend. My kids each got a 'date with daddy' this weekend and had fun. Our Thursday was spent at my sister in laws and there was lots of fun, food and relaxation. I always laugh as everyone has a story about what wacky thing your family member did or what really got on your nerves, but I must admit that I still love Steve's family and how much they love my kids. I am very thankful.

We got to spend some time with friends that have become family and that was great to enjoy an evening with people my kids consider family and Ashley really started treating them like family by starting to be a bit sarcastic but now they know they can hand it right back to her!

Sunday we read as a family for Advent and it was a moment I won't forget, particularly because it may never happen again. I love hearing my kids tell about Christ coming to earth!