Processing Another Year

2011 has been quite the year. I can honestly say I did accomplish one of my new year's resolutions - finishing Glen's quilt. I don't remember any of the others... It had a wonderful visit with my family back east, as well as some disappointing, trying times, like L's broken arm. This year had lots of laughs, growing, and joyfulness. It carried with it sadness, grief, and struggles. My children earned Tae Kwon Do trophies and continue to work their best at school. Glen and I had a wonderful week retreat with Zarephath Ministries in May.

All in all, it's been a good year. God has been gracious to my family and I. He has blessed and cared for us in ways that I perhaps have even forgotten. So, I desire to take some time this weekend and throughout the next year to say thank you, Lord, for your continued presence in my life!

Psalm 67:1-3
¹ May God be gracious to us and bless us
   and make his face to shine upon us,
                         Selah
² that your way may be known on earth,
   your saving power among all nations.
³ Let the peoples praise you, O God;
   let all the peoples praise you!

Thankful Thursday ~ A Kept Promise

I know some one who always keeps a promise! I am so thankful to the Lord for being so faithful and for showing us how to be more like Him.

Earlier this year, I set a resolution to finish an unfinished project - one that I've just been putting off for a variety of reasons. I told the ladies at Bible study in January that I was resolved to finish this project and then I waited until November to begin to finish it.

What is it you may ask? For those who haven't heard, here's the full story.

Glen and I had been married for five years, and I decided to make him a quilt. We chose an Amish design called "Bars," and he chose the fabric colors. This quilt is seven different fabrics made into strips and sewn together forming bars with each strip getting a different design quilted into it. Glen chose seven shades of green with a green patterned back. I finished the top in 1996, basted the quilt together, and then began some hand quilting. Different things happened ~ I can't even begin to explain it all. Nevertheless, the quilt was shelved for awhile. Then we moved west and I brought it with me. It's sat on the floor, on the closet shelf, and on my hope chest. My favorite excuse was that it was too warm here to lay this large quilt on me for working on it.

Tired of moving it around and cleaning all the dust off it, I chose to have my Bible study ladies hold me accountable for finishing my project. In November, the ladies and I went to our annual retreat and I took this "thing" with me. Now here we are a few days before Christmas and my goal is to have it finished and washed by Christmas Day. It's not done exactly the way I planned. However, it's going to be finished. I'll even post pictures when it's done.

Remember, I started this when we had been married five years. We just celebrated 20 years of marriage this year. My hubby is so patient. God is so faithful. I'm glad that I've not had to wait 15 years to see the fruition of some of God's promises to me!

Visit Grace Alone for more Thankful Thursday entries.

Update - 12/23/2011 - Here's the finished product lovingly placed on our bed.

The Week Before..

The week before Christmas and all through the house,
the children are fighting, all in a tizzle.
I thought I'd burst,
or go into a frizzle.
There was too much to do
and not a lot of time.
Just me and my hubby,
and our last little dime.
But we pulled it together,
and quilted and baked.
Just in time to know that
Jesus is not faked.
He is the reason
that has brought about this season.

I am so thankful for God and His gift of eternal life through Jesus, His Son. I am thankful for the entire picture of His birth, death, and resurrection! Enjoy your time with your family and make some precious memories!

Christmas Tour 2011

I'd like to take a little time and share my favorite collection with you! My snowmen! Living here in the southland, the snow (when there is some) is an hour drive away. Since moving west, I began to collect these little guys. It's been 11 Christmases since we've been away from our east coast family.

My latest addition - a night light in the bathroom!

From a friend during our life in the San Fernando Valley.

The best of both collections - Steelers and Snowmen!

I love his icy hat!

Part of our school room - a countdown to Christmas!

I love this snowman! He reminds me of how much sled riding can be!

A handmade present from my daughter.

A gift from my hubby - There's "snow" man like my snowman! I love you, honey!

I love his forest look!

These friendly snowmen greet you as you enter our door.

I cannot do a house tour without one of my nativity scenes. I've had this frosted glass one for over 20 years. However, I've had the Lord as my Savior longer than that! He is the reason for all the celebration!

This is a repost of an irretrievable deleted house tour post.

Visit other homes at The Nester and Mama's Little Treasures.

Thanks for visiting!

The Christmas Season

Each year, memories of past Christmases abound. Memories of childhood with my mom, my sisters, and my brother. Today as I was putting my son's battery operated train for him to play with, I was reminded of the year my brother put an electric train under mom's tree. I'm thinking of my brother-in-law and the race track he always set up somewhere in the home. I'm remembering my dog eating all my peanut butter balls (without the chocolate - mom and I went to the store to buy more chocolate for the cookies and left them on the table). I'm remembering the year Santa arrived with a bag full of toys (and no one knew who Santa was). Then there's the 20+ Christmases I've shared with my husband - hours on the road traveling between families, packing everything we owned to move cross country, and our first Christmases with our children.

Nevertheless, with all these memories, the one most important one is found in Luke 2:1-20.

The Birth of Jesus Christ

 ¹In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. ²This was the first registration when Quirinius was governor of Syria. ³And all went to be registered, each to his own town. ⁴And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, ⁵to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. ⁶And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. ⁷And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.

The Shepherds and the Angels

 ⁸And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. ⁹And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with fear. ¹⁰And the angel said to them, "Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. ¹¹For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. ¹²And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger." ¹³And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,
 ¹⁴ "Glory to God in the highest,
    and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!" ¹⁵When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us." ¹⁶And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger. ¹⁷And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child. ¹⁸And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them. ¹⁹But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart. ²⁰And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.

And so, take some time this weekend to reflect on this blessed memory!

Thankful Thursday ~ Answered Prayer

Thankful Thursday is being hosted by Iris at Grace Alone during the month of December. Be sure to visit other posts listed for Thankful Thursday.

We are having a very busy time of year. Each day is packed with school, ministry, and life. This year, our family has begun a new venture as part of homeschooling. Our daughter has joined the local Action Impact Missions team (AIM San Diego West). This is a discipleship ministry that shares the gospel through mime, dance, and drama.  It is made up mostly of homeschool students; however, it is open to all youth.

I am thankful for this ministry in our lives, particularly my daughter's. After ten years of serving with Word of Life clubs and Teens Involved, I miss being a part of the service portion of a preteen or teenagers life. Mentoring and teaching others ways to serve Christ is an amazing task. I had been praying for a service activity similar to Teens Involved for our daughter. AIM San Diego West is the answer to that prayer. Last evening I was watching the young people share their presentations with a retirement community. The seniors enjoyed the visit. Watching the people and children, I was reminded of many times working with, teaching, judging, and watching many Teens Involved presentations. It's different for me now. Now, I'm the parent watching and supervising while someone else disciples and teaches my child.

So, it is with a thankful heart, I praise the Lord for answered prayers and the opportunity to serve Him.

Weary and Forgotten

Did you ever get weary and feel forgotten? I've been feeling that a lot lately. Not that any one or thing has changed outside of my feelings. I feel like I'm just operating on auto and going through motions. Nevertheless, I know a God who hasn't forgotten me, who loves me as His child, and will strengthen me when I turn to Him.

Galatians 6:9 - And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.

My plate is full of activities and plans. I need daily to lay these things at the cross and seek Him above all else. 

Coming soon.....

Planning out the Christmas tour of our home ... details coming soon!