I have been thinking about my word, my focus for 2016.
When I think about the new year, I get excited. A fresh start. A blank slate. A chance to get it right.
Then worry sets in... The what ifs... What if nothing changes... What if everything changes... What if I am not good enough or just not enough period.
This mornings devos again reminded me. I am who I am. Where I am. For a reason. For a purpose. His purpose. I am just where I need to be today. I am enough. And if I screw it up... Well there's grace & and a chance to begin a new.
My word for 2016 is Purpose.
For Christmas I received this mug.
Philippians 4:13 stamped around the rim. I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.And so I shall. Whatever he has for me on this bright, shiny new year. I will do it in His strength, for His glory.
For Today... {December 29, 215} Happy Birthday Kendra!!! :D (a sweet little girlie in my SS class)
Outside my window... I think winter has finally arrived. Freezing rain and snow. Yuck. An unwelcomed sight especially after having the temp in the 70s on Christmas Eve!
I am thinking... about 2016, goals, hopes, pipe dreams...hard to believe another year is drawing to a close.
I am thankful... for time with family. We had 4 full days of Christmas celebrations. I enjoyed every moment. :) This week we are headed to Grammy's for New Years.
I am creating... my goals and plans for 2016, more to come on that in the next entry. Just ordered my 2016 planner and am way more excited about it than I should be ;)
I am going... to a Painting Event with one of my besties in January. I have wanted to do one of these for a long time, bonus its a fundraiser for the Library =) Come join us? ;)
I am reading... Pride and Prejudice, Jane Austin
I am learning... trust... I have really enjoyed Jesus Calling the past couple days...
A peek into one of my days...
One of my favorite things... Christmas Eve service at our Church <3
A few plans for the rest of the week: Grammy's for New Years! :D
I can not believe tomorrow is Christmas Eve. I am alternating between panic of all that there is yet to do, indifference because what does it matter anyway? In a couple days it will all be over.
And the desire to just sit in the glow of the Christmas tree, with my Bible and my coffee- reflecting on His presence. The glory if it all. Be still.
There is so much to do. The kids and I are headed out this afternoon to finish up our shopping. I still have to finalize my menus and go grocery shopping in the morning. There is a bit of wrapping left to be done. Cookies to be baked.
The worry of what comes after the holiday. Back to everyday worry and stress. Worry of having spent too much. Worry that still I can't find a "real job". Worry its never going to get any better.
Part of me is hopeful. Hopeful good things are coming in 2016. That this will be our year. We will have jobs we love, that provide. Have a normal life, where we get to see each other everyday, go on dates, spend time with our children and not worry about having enough.
The other part of me wonders if there is any hope at all. What good is Hope anyway when it is just ripped away. We will carry on, struggling just to survive. There must be more...
Come, let us bow down in worship, let us kneel before the Lord our Maker; for he is our God and we are the people of his pasture, the flock under his care.
Today, if only you would hear his voice.....
--Psalm 95:6-7New International Version (NIV)
He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?
--Romans 8:32New International Version (NIV)
Be still. Focus on the things that really matter....
The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
He makes me lie down in green pastures.
He leads me beside still waters.
He restores my soul.
He leads me in paths of righteousness
for his name's sake.
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil,
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
they comfort me.
You prepare a table before me
in the presence of my enemies;
you anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
all the days of my life,
and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord
forever.
One week from today is Christmas Eve! I can't believe it. I am still struggling a bit to feel Christmasy. Every once in a while I do. My heart is flooded with joy and anticipation. Quickly though reality and anxiety take back over.
I could really use some wisdom. I am completely overwhelmed by the lack of options and yet the push that things need to change. I just wish I knew what I am supposed to do...and how to get there. :-/ I keep reminding myself its about perspective. Also that God is in control and for whatever reason I am where He wants me right now. This morning on KLOVE encouraging story of the day , was kinda confirmation that maybe I am where I need to be as a man talked about having similar feelings driving to work and praying about it. How moments later he heard on the radio-- You might not think you are making a difference where you are right now but you are... Or something to that effect.
Trust in the Lord, and do good; Dwell in the land, and feed on His faithfulness. Delight yourself also in the Lord, And He shall give you the desires of your heart.
-- Psalm 37:3-4
I have been a complete slacker in the running department. I feel it in every aspect of my being. Today I am determined to go for a run after work.
If my calculations are correct and I am 98% sure they are. I have earned some of the new Spring Pampered Chef goodies! I can't wait to find out what they are. I can earn more in January too, if I can keep some momentum going for once. :P
Why is choosing a new planner so hard?! Last year I used the one from Pampered Chef. This year though they decided not to make one. Leaving me scurrying to find one i like. Currently I have a printed monthly page of January and February tucked in the back of my planner, to get me through until I find something satisfactory.
Mikayla's Select Choir performance from the other week ;) Actually it was December 2 not the 4. Not that it really matters all that much. But I forgot to check and fix the date before I uploaded it this morning. Oh well.
Outside my window... crazy weather we are having. Its been up in the 60's. I am not complaining per-say as I am dreading winter's inevitable arrival. But it doesn't really feel very Christmasy out there. I am thinking... about Pampered Chef! I realized this morning I am going to earn some of the Spring products! I am so excited I can hardly stand it! Have anyone in your life who might like some Pampered Chef goodies? There are still two days left to order for Christmas delivery! If you are in the USA you can order via my website ;) I have a party I need to get in tonight that still needs a couple orders before it will qualify ;) Here is the link... https://pamperedchef.com/go/rleizw
I am thankful... today I am thankful for prayer. My heart was full as I drove to work this morning. Praying for my best friend. For Ryan as I drove by his school. Mikayla's friend as I drove by his house. Drive-by prayer is fun. There are days I wonder if God hears my prayers. After the shooting in California, prayer took a lot of flack as being useless. Sometimes it feels like. Sometimes when you say to someone, I will pray for you, it feels like a cop out. But really isn't it the greatest thing you can do for a person, if you are earnestly and sincerely praying. God does listen. He does care. He doesn't always answer the way we think He should...but then we can't see the big picture either... That being said-- I think if He is urging us to take action and do something...we should. Not just hide behind prayer as our "action".
I am wondering... what 2016 will hold. I am hoping for good things ;)
I am reading... I finally finished that A Catered Thanksgiving book. It was mediocre. I am hoping to read a few more off my Full Shelf before 2015 draws to a close... I started Pride and Prejudice.
I am hoping... to get some January parties booked and start off 2016 going strong!
I am learning...
In my kitchen...
Hannah's birthday cake! I asked her the morning of her party after I had mixed the batter if she wanted a round or rectangle cake. After a moment's thought she asked what shaped pans we had. We went and looked on the basement shelf-- she chose the kitty and we decorated it like her "kitten" Rosy. Its been a long time since I made a shaped cake, and I'm pretty pleased with how it came out. :)
A peek into one of my days...
Hannah turned 9 on Friday! She had a sleepover with three of her best buddies.
Birthday dinner: Pizza and mini corn dogs.
Facials; they also did manicures and played dress up with Mikayla's dresses and shoes. Mikayla was very gracious and even let the girls sleep in her "awesome" room. Nothing a bunch of preteen girls love more than getting to hang out with the super-cool-16-year-old big sister.
Saturday we finally got our Christmas Tree!
I am optimistically hoping, after stealing three ornaments, the pup is learning to leave it be. Rosy loves to sit under the tree...which drives the dog crazy.
One of my favorite things... our pup. My secret santa at work gave me puppy toys. He scored major points with me for that. We had a pretty great time watching Chance play with them last night.
A few plans for the rest of the week: Mikayla is trying out for the Spring musical (Hairspray) tonight, Thursday she and the rest of the Select Choir are singing with Kenny Rogers! Hannah and I have our Girl Scout Christmas Party. Friday I think we might actually have the night off! Saturday Mik has another select gig, is babysitting and we have our Christmas Pajama Party at the Brasky's :) Monday night we'll be celebrating my sister-in-law's birthday. Can you believe next week is the week of CHRISTMAS!
From the board room {Pinterest}...mini corn dogs I made for Hannah's birthday. I cringed when she requested "homemade corn-dogs" for her birthday dinner. Then I found this recipe on pinterest. It was a total pin-win! (I didn't use sticks at all, still came out great!)
Pinned: This Week's Menu
Source: justataste.com
Post Script
* Last night was Hannah's holiday concert. Also I was finally able to get the videos of Mikayla's Select Choir holiday concert onto the computer. Hopefully I will be sharing that soon as well.
Just last night I said to Mikayla...It doesn't feel like Christmas. I am tired and weary, there's not enough. Not enough me, enough time, enough money. I find myself wondering-- what's the point? This morning across Facebook and blogs I am reading similar things. It makes me sad. I can't control the world. I can't control anything, it feels like. But somehow in spite of all this craziness, chaos and tragedy going on. God is still God. He ultimately is still in control.
This morning our internet was out, so instead of SheReadsTruth I picked up my Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus devo. Naturally, it was just what I needed this morning.
A reminder that in the midst of everything. Jesus is the one we need to cling to.
"Open your Bible. Read his promises. Reflect on all the storms that God has already seem you through and trust that this storm is no different than those."
I filled the next few pages with prayers. Letting His peace wash over me. I felt refreshed and light.
Funny thing about peace though...Its so elusive. Its so easy to let frustration take over. To just want to give in and up. But I refuse. I am going to be thankful. To continue to look for the good, the gifts...and if there is none to be found to BE the good and the gifts. To let the light of Christmas shine through me.
Here is a little tidbit to help with your Christmas spirit... Kari Jobe as been one of my favorites since one of my best friends randomly gave me her album for my birthday one year. Here is a sampling of her Christmas music from youtube.
Don't give in, don't give up.
Today I will have a joyous Christmas spirit. I won't stress, I won't worry. I will enjoy this day as the gift it is intended to be. I will put up a few more Christmas decorations.
Outside my window... its chilly and rainy...not very Christmas-y at all, Hannah says that ok...she says we don't need snow until the eleventh {her birthday}.
I am thinking...I don't feel much like blogging today. Yesterday I had some many things to write, and no time to write them. Now they are gone.
I am thankful... for this past holiday weekend with the family <3
I am creating... I worked a little more on my 2015 photobook on shutterfly this weekend, posted our August and September videos. Also slowly quilting Greyson's quilt. So far behind :(
I am wondering... what happened to the joy and peace I felt yesterday.I hung onto them all day until it was time to go home. Driving home the doubts, discouragements and frustrations found me. I am reading... I am happy to have picked up a few books this week! I am reading A-Z Mysteries with Hannah, as well as a seasonal favorite, The Best Christmas Pageant Ever.
She was reading to me while I ate supper on Sunday night.
Hope is a candle
A light in the window
Showing the way for
A heart to come home
Hope is a Savior
Who was born in the manger
Sent down from Heaven
To rescue our hearts
Our Christmas hope
A peek into one of my days...
Hannah and I sitting in church on Sunday. A friend behind us snapped the picture :)
Oh that sweet puppy face! We love him so.
A few plans for the rest of the week: 'Tis the Season-- holiday concerts & parties galore, not to mention girl scouts and piano lessons and work. I had grand plans of getting out the Christmas decorations last night but it didn't happen.
