Music

And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them and they were greatly afraid. But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all t...he people. Today in the town of David a Savior is born to you; He is Christ the Lord!" Lk 2:8-12
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I love music. I am not much of a musician, and I can't sing a lick, but I love music. I love to hear it, sing along - alone :), play it with my one finger on the piano, anything. It moves me, makes me feel and just gives me such pleasure.

My mom bought us a clock for an early Christmas gift. It is a Thomas Kinkade clock that plays a Christmas song every hour. I just love it! I love all the Christmas songs from Silent night, O Little town of Bethlehem to Frosty the snowman. They give me a warm and snuggly feeling all over.

The other night when I was singing to Isaac - the last of my children who enjoys my voice!! HA! He asked me about the songs on the clock. We talked about them for a while and then he asked if one of his favorite songs is on that clock - "In Christ Alone". I told him it wasn't, it isn't a Christmas song. He asked, "Well, why not?"

Good question! Have you heard this song? I suspect that most of you have. It is a beautiful song and I have written the lyrics below if you want to look at them again. My favorite rendition is done by Avalon.

Anyway, Isaac is right, why isn't this a Christmas song? Yes it isn't completely focused on his birth, but it IS the entire circle of His life. How He came down, as flesh, was scorned and died for us! US! This ALWAYS amazes me. When I look at my life sometimes I just can't wrap my brain around the fact that He came for me. A sinful, ugly mess of a gal!

But the fact remains, HE DID! He did all of that, he came here to this earth on a very special day, unknown to so so many. He walked this earth as the Prince of Peach, the Mighty Counselor, the Messiah. He died, a horrible death, a painful seemingly unfair death. But then he rose again so that we would know that he wasn't just another god, but THE GOD. The one who came to save the people.

I encourage you to not only listen to "Christmas" music this season, but CHRISTmas music as well ..............today and everyday. I find when that type of music fills my house, then my heart is sweeter, my day is more relaxed and my life in general is better.

MERRY CHRISTMAS to you all!!
XO

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In Christ Alone
In Christ alone my hope is found, He is my light, my strength, my song
This Cornerstone, this solid ground Firm through the fiercest drought and storm
What heights of love, what depths of peace When fears are stilled, when strivings cease
My Comforter, my All in All Here in the love of Christ I stand

In Christ alone, who took on flesh Fullness of God in helpless babe
This gift of love and righteousness Scorned by the ones He came to save
‘Til on that cross as Jesus died The wrath of God was satisfied
For every sin on Him was laid Here in the death of Christ I live

There in the ground His body lay Light of the world by darkness slain
Then bursting forth in glorious Day Up from the grave He rose again
And as He stands in victory Sin’s curse has lost its grip on me
For I am His and He is mine Bought with the precious blood of Christ
No guilt in life, no fear in death This is the power of Christ in me
From life’s first cry to final breath Jesus commands my destiny
No power of hell, no scheme of man Can ever pluck me from His hand
‘til He returns or calls me home Here in the power of Christ I’ll stand

Just a thought I had today while driving for 7 hours. There are a few words, or phrases, I would like to delete from my children's mouths: The list is short, but distinguished :) HA!

*I'm bored
*I don't know
*I don't care

I am sure there are others, but these are the few that have been thorns in my side for the day!

Blessings

Growing up

Watching your children grow up is an amazing thing. We have a lot of family videos from when they were young and every time we watch them (which is often) I am taken back to what seems like just yesterday. Those sweet little voices, those brave and innocent souls dancing about without a care in the world. Where have they gone? Where has the time gone? Too fast if you ask me. I am not ready to have them leave the nest, but I am just about at that point in my life.

Remember those time? When you could get them to dress up and act silly for the camera? When they would beg you to video them and take their picture in this new outfit, or playing house or whatever? So cute! "Mommy watch me!" "Mommy did you see that?"

Although at times I miss them, especially those little voices, I do enjoy them big! I really do. I have nearly 3 teens and they all are great. Yes, they give me moments of UGH! But most days they are a joy to be around, to hear their thoughts (what they will share anyway), watch them laugh, interact with their little brother, wrestle, bust on each other, it just warms my heart.

And, even though our times on the road can be tough and cramped, I cherish the fact that we are together as a family learning to work out all the kinks. I wouldn't trade it for the world and I hope that when my children look back on this time, they would feel the same.

"Mom, remember the time we took that year long road trip?..........that was a great memory!"

XO

What's in a name?

We took a trip to Focus on the Family while we were in Colorado. It was cool. We have been listening to the "Odyssey" CD's for many years and to hang out in Whits End and drink milk shakes and play in all the different places was cool, even for my 17 year old!


This picture was taken while we were touring the building. Isn't it awesome? I don't know if you can see it, but it says JESUS on top and all the names he is called. Just to name a few: Prince of Peace, Lamb of God, Shepherd, Cornerstone, Messiah, I AM, The Way, Alpha and Omega......and so on. So cool! I just LOVED it so much I had to take a picture. It is the one I use for my profile.

What is in a name? Look at all those things above that describe Jesus. I am sure you could add some more, some maybe even a little personal. Confidante, best friend.......?

What about ourselves? If someone where to think of your name, you as a person, what would they come up with? I know we all hope to be labeled first and foremost - A CHRIST follower. But what else? I can think of a few I hope that people would think of me, and many I hope they do not! HA!!

I guess it would depend on who you were talking to. If it was my kids you were asking, some days I think my name would be "Mean Mommy!" What about my husband? When he thinks of me is he thinking of a complaining wife or an encouraging spouse? What about friends? Would they say "blabber mouth?" HAHAHAHA!!

So I am thinking, how do I want to leave this earth? Do I want to leave it as a grumbler or someone who was content with her lot, her path, her life?

I think that as far as I am concerned, what I would like people to say about me is.......She really did love the Lord. Maybe a few choice adjectives as well :) Lets all try and make this easy for people when they think of us eh?

Blessings

Quiet time........missing

So I am in the middle of writing another post and I can't get a moments peace! I don't kow about you, but I swear I have ADD! Not kidding, if I need to think I have to have absolute peace and quiet or it just doesn't come.........My brain freezes or something. So, I gave up that piece I was writing and am writing about what is going on now.........interuptions!!!

I know, my circumstances are different from most at the moment. I am living with 5 other people and an 85lb dog in a 31ft RV traveling around the country. We have a master bedroom in the back and a bathroom and living space that sleeps everyone else. So, in order to escape the noise, I crawl into my room and try to think.

Like most mom's the second you are quiet and invovled in something in come the troops with a 1,000 problems. Why doesn't this happen when you are with them? I am sitting at the table, grading math papers and the kids are all around me and I ask my teens a question..........no one answers! I ask it again and this time I use their names. I get an answer, but nothing monumental, just a quick response.

But the second mom is no where to be found they turn into the FBI and come hunting you down in order to ask you a pile of very unimportant questions. Most of my kids questions have to do with food: ie: Mom, can I have another cookie? Mom, when is dinner? Mom, what are we having for dinner? (menu is on the fridge, but apparently they have all forgotten how to read). Or they are tattlers: ie: Mom, I asked so and so to get off the computer and she won't and she isn't doing anything important. Mom, he won't share the bed with me. Or, my favorite: Mom, when are you going to be done? - 10 minutes later - Mom, are you almost done?

Now, let me say that I love my children. I enjoy their company and I love teaching them. BUT, everyone needs a little space now and again, especially when you are home with them all day. So why is it that they can't understand that? I know my teens need their alone time. They crave privacy at times. So why don't they see mom in the same light?

Quiet time with God can be difficult as well, but I have tried to make a point of getting up early, turning on my light and doing some Bible reading and praying before the troops arise. Most days this works just fine. Others, not so much. I am blessed with a husband who gets up early and goes to the gym or biking EVERY morning. Most of the time I feel blessed because I can get up and have some quiet time. Other times I miss him......but that is another story. Anyway, my point is that there are times during the day when I can get a little peace, but I reserve that for God, otherwise it would NEVER get done.

Growing up my mom used to lock herself in the bathroom just to read a book. We would plant ourselves in front of the door and wait until she came out. Why? I don't know. I have tried to relive that moment to understand my feelings, but I can't seem to bring them up. She also used to mop the kitchen floor and we had to go in the basement (rec room) while she did it. Then we couldn't come up until it was dry. The basement door was in the kitchen. I always wondered why it took over 2hours for a floor to dry.........now I know why :)

XO

first post

I love the picture at the top of this blog. This is Bryce Canyon National Park in Utah. The tree is growing against all odds, out of this barren rock formation where the sun never shines. It reaches and stretches toward the sun and after many years finally has come out of the shadows and into the light. I look at the ground on where it roots itself and can't believe it gleans anything off of it, but apparently I am mistaken. Amazing to look at.

What is even more amazing to me is how God does the same thing to us. He calls us to Him. He indwells us with the Holy Spirit, which inturn encourages us to grow, stretch, reach toward the light. Come out of the shadows, even though there seems to be nothing around us to help us out. We have to reach within to be pulled out of the pit. When we turn inward, looking for the One who can help, we see what is in our heart. We see who has the the reins, us or HIM. If it is HIM, it is all we need to stretch, seek and succeed on reaching the light and leaving the shadow in the dust.

Sometimes those searches inward are pretty ugly, at least they are for me. Even though I pray quite often, the words from Psalm 139: 23-24 (NIV) "Search me, oh God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting."
my heart still fails, the flesh is weak. Daily I find that I need to be reminded to reach for the Light. But scripture like this helps me. It reminds me to get in there and get the yucky stuff out of my heart and continue my journey upward - toward the light.

I want to be like that tree. It is so strong! It has stretched itself for the goal. It hasn't quit. Its roots are strong, even in a barren land. It is a testimony of what a person can do with the proper focus on the only thing that can pull us out of the shadows. Christ the King.

Thanks for listening!

XO