Nourish

"Nourish your soul by praying and making a stronger commitment to reading your Bible every day."

Today was definitely a day that nourished my soul. We had baby dedication this morning. It's special to me, because it helps to remind me of my commitment to raise my children in the Lord. It's hard work and overwhelming at times, but when you have God to help you and a whole church to also help you, it's a very comforting feeling.

Take some time today to remember the birth of our Savior today. Let Him nourish every part of you!

Here are the pictures I promised:

My middle man: He said he wanted to show Jesus his Christmas.









My big man:He is hanging his ornaments as high as he can, so his brothers can't reach them.

Light

Matthew 5:16 "Let your light shine before men, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven."

My favorite verses are ones that speak of light. Psalm 119:105, Phil 2:15, and many others. I'm reminded of those verses today as I look at our Christmas tree and take pictures of my boys. The rest of the pictures are on my phone and I don't know how to download those. I'll post them next time. This one is of my baby man. If you sit him anywhere on the floor he will roll to the tree and play with the lights. Well, we have a big day of baking today!

Tomorrow: M is for money...saving not spending:)

Random Acts of Kindness

K is for Kindness today! I found this in a magazine...

Random Acts of Kindness
Make the holidays more meaningful by trying some of the following acts of kindness. Others will appreciate your kindness and you will feel blessed.

*Say thank you even for the smallest acts of kindness.
*Open a door for someone.
*Allow the person behind you in a checkout line to go ahead of you.
*Bake cookies for firefighters at a fire station or nurses at a nearby hospital.
*Volunteer to read a story to an elementary school class or during story time at your local library.
*Take out the trash for someone else.
*Purchase a meal for someone who needs one.
*Make holiday cards with your child and visit a local nursing home to distribute them to elderly people.

To me random acts of kindness means you don't plan them, you just do them, randomly. So, the idea of planning to do them seemed a little weird to me, at first. Unfortunately, I get so wrapped up in the everyday of my life that I don't think about what others "everyday" looks like. Honestly, I was feeling very overwhelmed last night...how many gifts do we have left to get? What should we get everyone? I need to get everything mailed off. When do you get paid again??? I know I'm chasing rabbits here, bear with me. I decided today that I would have to make a complete turn-around. I want my kids to KNOW and LIVE the truth. The truth being, it doesn't really matter! What really matters is family, friends, neighbors, people, and showing the love of Jesus to all of them.

Believe me, I'm preaching to myself here! Let me know if you have any Random Acts of Kindness to share.

The Reason for the Season

So, I didn't get to post yesterday. I was busy cleaning my house from top to bottom. Although, as I look around now, you can't tell a bit! Gotta love boys:) At least everything is sterilized.

Well, I did mention in my last post that yesterday was Invite for I. Today is J is for Jesus. I love to read to my boys. It is one of our traditions to read a Christmas story every night in December. My goal is to have 25 different ones, kind-of like a countdown to Christmas. There are so many books out there that have wonderful illustrations and sweet story lines. But, none of them should take the place of reading the story right from the Bible. This year I plan on having Adam help read it, I'll have to get the video camera out!

We have a lot of fun with the boys. They love to sing Christmas songs and look at lights. It's just that the time we have been given with our children is very precious to me. Why spend it doing things that they can't take with them?

Have a blast this season, celebrating the birth of our Savior!

H is for Happiness

"Bring joy and happiness to others by doing simple things, such as surprising a neighbor with a freshly baked batch of cookies."

The boys thought that it would be really nice if we raked our neighbors yard so they could have fun jumping in the pile of leaves! I had fun explaining to them that their idea of fun probably wasn't the same as our neighbors. They're an elderly couple :)

Tomorrow, "I is for Invitation" Invite someone to church with you, or have them over for a visit.

G is for Give

Today is, G is for Give. It simply says, "Remember the gift God gave to you- Jesus! Give to others this Christmas."

I don't give as often as I would like. I don't have the money or don't know who to give to..... Well, I found out about this ministry through Angie Smith's blog http://audreycaroline.blogspot.com/ (She's the wife of lead singer Selah) Anyway the ministry link is http://nilmdts.com/start.php It's a non-profit photography organization, infant bereavement. I'm not explaining it very well. If you'd like to know more visit the site. Anyway, I have a link at the bottom of my blog that you could use as a search engine. Every time you search you help raise money for NILMDTS. If you go to IGive you can get the same thing for any cause you like.

I have some really cute pictures of the boys I plan on posting soon. Today my baby is sick:( So, till tomorrow...

What's a friend?

So, F is for Friend. For me a friend is someone you can talk to about things you're going through, no matter what it is. A friend is someone who will listen and be there for you. A friend is someone who wants to know you...all of you.

This song came to mind today:

What a friend we have in Jesus,
 all our sins and griefs to bear!
 What a privilege to carry
 everything to God in prayer!
 O what peace we often forfeit,
 O what needless pain we bear,
 all because we do not carry
 everything to God in prayer.

2. Have we trials and temptations?
 Is there trouble anywhere?
 We should never be discouraged;
 take it to the Lord in prayer.
 Can we find a friend so faithful
 who will all our sorrows share?
 Jesus knows our every weakness;
 take it to the Lord in prayer.

3. Are we weak and heavy laden,
 cumbered with a load of care?
 Precious Savior, still our refuge;
 take it to the Lord in prayer.
 Do thy friends despise, forsake thee?
 Take it to the Lord in prayer!
 In his arms he'll take and shield thee;
 thou wilt find a solace there.

Today we are celebrating Danny's birthday! He has been singing "Happy Birthday" to
himself all morning. It goes something like this; "Happy birfday to me happy birfday
to me happy birfday to Danel, happy birfday to me!" It's just not the same without
hearing him. Too funny :)