Laverne and Shirley -- Barker Style!

Just had to include this shot in this year's Holiday Photo Fun. Kristin and Kelli have a tradition of entering the living room Laverne and Shirley style when it's time to open Christmas presents. Crazy but true :) I can't remember how it got started, but it has stuck.

I love that my girls love to have fun. I love that my girls still cling to their traditions. In fact, I just plain love my girls :)

"Then young women will dance and be glad...I will give them comfort and joy..." Jeremiah 31:13

Merry Christmas to All!

Merry Christmas from all of us to all of you! And in the words of Tiny Tim, "God bless us everyone!"

"'The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel' -- which means, 'God with us.'" Matthew 1:23

Blast from Christmas Past

Thought I'd kick off some Holiday Photo Fun for the next couple of weeks with a blast from my Christmas past. The photo quality isn't great but still worth sharing. Here I am with my older sister Debbie and younger sister Janice decorating our tree, probably in 1960 or 61 (my baby sister Carolyn didn't come along until 69). In this shot, somebody caught us before we had time to plaster smiles on our faces. How do you like those fancy hairdos? :)

Pop in from time to time over the holidays for more Holiday Photo Fun, but for now, go out and capture some surprise shots of your own! Have yourself a merry little Christmas!

"Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy," 1 Peter 1:8

The Christmas Star Still Shines

Christmas 2001. Just a few short months after the 9/11 attacks. The peace and security of our nation had been shaken. Many were grieving, including friends we knew here in the Midwest suffering from their own losses, though unrelated to the terror attacks. Folks were hurting and unsure of the future that Christmas.

As I prepared to write my annual Christmas poem, I wanted to minister to those whose worlds had been shaken. As a result, God blessed with the words to "The Christmas Star Still Shines". This week that poem has gone out again, but this time to the prisoner parents of our church's Angel Tree kids. We also gave it to the children and their caregivers when they attended the Open House this past Sunday. How I pray that it ministers to these folks in some very special ways.

I thought you might be blessed by reading it as well so I'm including it below. Since the poem I wrote this year is more appropriate for the beginning of the season, I'll save it until next year and share it then.

Starting Sunday, I'll kick off some Holiday Photo Fun and share photos every now and then throughout the holidays and then resume regular posting in January when we all get back to our normal routines. For now, here's my Christmas 2001 poem. Hope it blesses you today!


The Christmas Star Still Shines

Every Christmas should be celebrated
With carefree abandon and glee,
Every home should shine with joy
As bright as the best Christmas tree.

But maybe this year is different—
Maybe your world’s been shaken somehow,
Maybe your joy’s not shining as brightly,
Maybe the sun is behind a cloud.

If that’s the case in your life today
Why not bow your head in prayer,
Thank God for the things that are constant—
His love, His Word, His care.

He’ll brighten the night around you,
Your way will no longer be dim,
For the Christmas star still shines
In the hearts of those who love Him.

"and, lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy." Matthew 2:9b-10 KJV

*Flickr photo by emrank

Christmas Fun with Julie Gillies (Plus our Giveaway Winner!)

Today's post is all about fun -- and Christmas fun at that! When I read fellow blogger Julie Gillies' Dec. 5th post, I thought, "I like the way this gal thinks!" I asked her if I could share her benefits of dashing to and fro here on my blog, and she graciously consented. I'm sure you'll be very glad she did :)

But first, a little Stocking Stuffer Giveaway fun -- we have a winner! Congrats and merry sipping to Kirsten at Comfortably Domestic! I'll get your Starbucks gift card to you as soon as you contact me with your mailing address. I pray the rest of you will have some fun surprises in store this month, too.

In fact, here's one from Julie now. Enjoy!

The Benefits of Dashing To and Fro

I can zip my pants. This may not sound like earth-shattering news. But given the number of Christmas goodies I’ve already consumed this season, I assure you it's no small feat.

In fact, this may even qualify as a Christmas miracle, since all my spare time has been sucked into the Holiday Vortex, along with my usual daily two-mile walks. I lamented my lack of exercise until it dawned on me: Wait one cotton-pickin’ minute! I am busy! And busy burns calories!

So, in the spirit of holiday giving, I joyfully offer my contribution to society at large: The Holiday Equivalents Chart. By my calculations, and according to this Official Chart, I can enjoy the many flavors of Christmas without loosening my belt even a tiny bit. And so, my friends, can you.

The Official Holiday Calorie Equivalents Chart

*Lugging holiday boxes from basement/attic/garage = 3 Powdered Pecan Balls

*Screaming from creepy crawlies in box = 2 Frosted Sugar Cookies

*Beating creepy crawlies w/ broom & cleaning up the mess = 1 Peppermint Brownie

*Driving to 3 Christmas tree lots in search of perfect tree = 1 Mug of Hot Cocoa

*Untangling aggravating Christmas lights = Cheeseball and ¼ box of Triscuits

*Tossing tangled Christmas lights and driving to store for new lights = 1 Candy Cane

*Taking out a 2nd mortgage to pay for Christmas tree =3 Pieces of Fudge

*Keeping up with the laundry in the midst of it all = Chips & Dip on a festive tray

*Toting child(ren) hither and yon to choir practice and holiday parties = 4 Mini pigs-in-a-blanket

*Constructing and decorating Gingerbread house = 25 Red & Green Peanut M&M's

*Chasing wayward cat away from partially eaten Gingerbread house = 2 Homemade Chocolate-Almond Biscotti

*Attending 142 (or 9) Christmas play rehearsals = 9 Peanut Butter Kisses

*Brainstorming stocking stuffers for entire family = 3 Gingersnaps

*Composing witty yet meaningful Christmas letter = 2 Rum Balls

*Posing for annual holiday picture without blood or tears = 3 Christmas Oreos

*Shopping, shopping, shopping = 1 ½ cups Home made Chex Mix

*Waiting in line without Losing It = Handful of Spiced Pecans

*Baking umpteen thousand Christmas cookies = 4 Snickerdoodles

*Ranting at teen son (and friends) for snarfing most of cookies = 1 Piece Pumpkin Pie

*Wrapping Christmas presents until back spasms =1 Dinner Out OR ELSE


This concludes the annual milking of the system. With cookies, of course.

Thanks for the smiles, Julie!!

"...God...richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment." 1 Timothy 6:17b

A Christmas Peek

Taking peeks -- or at least teasing about it -- is one of the delicious childlike aspects of the holiday season, isn't it? I may not be able to help you get a peek at one of your gifts, but I can give you another Christmas peek. A peek into my Christmas journal.

Last year I shared an entry from 2005 about a Christmas first for us, and today I'd like to share another entry from that year -- the very first one, in fact, of the 05 Christmas season. Since it was still in the early years of not having either of my girls living at home anymore, sometimes I struggled with the empty nest, especially during the holidays. Here were my thoughts that year:

"Last night -- the Sunday after Thanksgiving -- I decided to read the entries in this journal to kind of kick off my Christmas season. I loved reading about the special moments of the past couple of Christmases, but there was a part of me that ended up feeling afraid that I might not have anything special to write about this year. Kind of silly, but that's how I felt.

This morning I was able to enjoy my first private Christmas worship and prayer time, and as I did, my fear of the night before melted away. Once again, I reflected on God's great love for us in sending Jesus and on Jesus's great love for us and the sacrifices He made to be our Savior. I realized afresh the real joy in Christmas is in Jesus, and because of that, I will always have special moments during the Christmas season -- no matter what circumstances surround me. Thank You, Lord!"

God went on to bless me not only special time with Him that year but no less than ten entries in my Christmas journal about memorable holiday experiences. About midway through the month, I wrote:

"To think I had been worried about not having any special moments to write about this Christmas season! They just seem to keep coming one right after another! :)"

I pray that special moments -- with the Lord and with your loved ones -- will just keep on coming one right after another for you this Christmas. And if you're so inclined, write them down. I know you'll be glad you did.

"But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart." Luke 2:19

**Don't forget to sign up for the Stocking Stuffer Giveaway! Deadline is noon Sunday (CST).

Season of Anticipation

Ah, the days leading up to Christmas... Such a season of anticipation. We find ourselves looking forward to many things with excitement -- visits with family and friends, giving our loved ones special gifts, indulging in our favorite holiday treats, helping make Christmas a little merrier for a hurting soul, or carrying out our well-loved traditions. We each could add our own personally anticipated events to the list, couldn't we?

I pray that reflecting on the coming of our Savior and time spent worshiping Him will be at the very center of our season of anticipation this year. Let's take time each day to celebrate the fact that our Savior indeed was born so many years ago. Let's not wait until Christmas Eve to begin our Christmas worship. Let's let our season of anticipation become a holy one and fill our hearts with joy each day.

One good way to do this is with music. As you sing the carols of Christmas this holiday season, truly think about the message of each verse. With songs that have become so familiar, it's easy to sing along happily but fail to really hear the messages of the carols with our hearts. Let's not miss those messages this year. Let's sing with our hearts.

There's no better time to start than now. Join me in hearing afresh the message of "O Come, O Come, Emmanuel" (Latin hymn, author unknown) as we sing our worship today!

"O come, O come, Emmanuel
And ransom captive Israel
That mourns in lonely exile here
Until the Son of God appear
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel.

O come, Thou Day-Spring, come and cheer
Our spirits by Thine advent here
Disperse the gloomy clouds of night
And death's dark shadows put to flight.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel.

Oh, come, our Wisdom from on high,
Who ordered all things mightily;
To us the path of knowledge show,
And teach us in her ways to go.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to you, O Israel!

Oh, come, Desire of nations, bind
In one the hearts of all mankind;
Oh, bid our sad divisions cease,
And be yourself our King of Peace.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to you, O Israel!"

"Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us." Matthew 1:23 KJV

*Flickr photo by Per Ola Wiberg~Powi

**Don't forget to sign up for the Stocking Stuffer Giveaway!

Stocking Stuffer Giveaway!

December's here! That means it's time for me to shift into my "Ho, Ho, Ho" persona :) So to start getting into Santa mode, how about if I help stuff someone's stocking a little early?

You've probably already guessed that the winner of my Stocking Stuffer Giveaway will be treated to some yumminess of his or her choosing at America's favorite coffee shop.

Leave a comment on this blog post by noon Dec. 12, and you'll be entered for a chance to win a $15 gift card to Starbucks. To make it fun, tell me about a favorite stocking stuffer -- either one you like to give or one you like to receive. If I don't know you personally or can't contact you via your own blog, be sure to leave your email address in your comment or you won't be included in the drawing.

I'll kick off our stocking stuffer sharing. When my girls were little, I used to put Hershey's Kisses, Miniature Reese's Cups, and Snickers minis in their stockings -- all in holiday wrappers, of course. Now that they're grown, I go straight for the big bags of whatever their (and their husbands!) current favorite candy might be. I put a variety of other gifts in their stockings as well, but they can always count on some candy of some sort. If I love chocolate, I guess I figure they will, too :)

This holiday season as we're busy stuffing stockings and placing presents under the tree for our loved ones, let's also try to make Christmas a little merrier for someone less fortunate.

There are lots of organizations we can contribute time or money to who carry out wonderful ministries during Christmas, but let's also be ready to act on unexpected opportunities that come our way. Let's be ready to reach out with love and kindness and the hope that comes with the good news of our Savior's birth. Let's be ready to stuff a few stockings!

"She opens her arms to the poor and extends her hands to the needy." Proverbs 31:20

*Flickr photo by stephenccwu