Traditions for the little ones--part 1

Den Hearth--pack camel from the middle east like the wise men would have had--

One of 4 Swedish dolls we put out on Christmas.

A sweet friend asked me to write about the traditions we practiced when our children were little. There are so many that I would have to write pages to adequately describe them all. We did different things at different stages. However, the goal of Christmas traditions is not to do the most elaborate and difficult, but to help your children love Jesus, revere Him, enjoy His story, to transport the beauty of the Christmas carols so deeply into their hearts. I tried to make things so familiar when they were quite young,  that when they hear the familiar carols as adults, it will flood them with deep memories cherished even from the rocking chair of their sweet mothers.

Of course, it is the whole year that will make our children fall in love with Jesus if He is daily cherished in our home. "Look at the twinkling stars that Jesus put into the sky for our pleasure. Isn't He wonderful." I am so glad that Jesus made grapes. I love to eat them." "Isn't it wonderful that Jesus created us to love music so we could sing and dance?" and all in the midst of the other rhythms of life.

When the Christmas season is at hand, we would always say, "Now we get to have the best birthday celebration of all! God came to the earth through a little baby to help us, love us and save us. And we get to celebrate His birthday and love Him more by telling his story and singing to Him."

We need to look at little children as Jesus did--they have innocent hearts, they freely love, they adore great stories, surprises, fun and giggles--they want to be generous and give of themselves without self-consiousness. And so we approach the season with their sweet minds in consideration.

I started out by singing the carols each night to my babies as I nursed them, so that they learned them from infancy. At two and a half, one night as I was singing "Away in the manger" to Joy (very verbal and articulate at an early age), and she looked up and me and said, "Mama, isn't it amazing that the cows blew Jesus and he didn't even get mad?"

I said, "What do you mean?" She said, "The cattle were blowing the baby awake, but little Lord Jesus, no crying he makes."   She had engaged her little mind seriously thinking about cattle blowing Jesus awake!

As the children multiplied and became a little older, we would put all in pajamas and have advent with them each night, singing a carol together, in the light of the candles of our advent wreath and then reading our advent verse before they climbed into bed. It is easy for others to hear of our traditions and imagine that somehow we had total cooperation, but of course our children wiggled or argued about "You sat next to mama last night! It's my turn!" or "He keeps tickling my toe with his feet."

But somehow, it was the rhythm of keeping going and celebrating it the same way year by year that made it precious to the children. The expectation that when the dark of night came, we would all cuddle up on the couch and sing and eat little snacks and read fun Christmas tales and have one more piece added to the adventure of the story of King Jesus.

One of my friends gave me this lovely idea. We would buy at least one new Christmas book a year. But her idea was to wrap all of your Christmas books in tissue paper and put them in a basket and after advent each night (or whenever you do it), the children take turns picking out one book each night to unwrap as a present and get to read that one before going to bed. This also makes each book a treasure. If you want to make it easier, you can have an older children wrap up the book each night after it's been read so that it will be ready for the next year and then you won't have 24 books to wrap!

Delight, Anticipation and Wonder

• 

Oh, Christmas tree, Oh, Christmas tree, .... Raggedy Ann and Andy dolls my mom made for me 50 years ago.

************************************************************************************************* Flickering candlelight, shimmering slivers, golds, reds, greens and blues sparkling on a real tree inside the house; familiar songs that beg swaying and dancing; the smells of pine boughs, vanilla, sugar, spices, cookies, coffee, breads filling the air with invitation each different time of the day, lots of friends and family and hugs and kisses and celebration and presents,stories to stir up imagination of babies, wise men, young mothers, animals--all of these wrapped in one short period of a few weeks--all to fill the heart and stir the imagination to new dreams and the heart with lots of love---what's not to love about Christmas?!

I have had many women write to me and ask if I thought it was pagan to celebrate Christmas and have trees and presents. Of course Clay and I pondered this many years ago and studied the Word and we came to our own conclusions as each family must do. But, we now see even more, how it was the delights of our home and the filling of emotional cups and the fun and making of memories and cherishing Christ and carols every day, that gave our children even more love for Him. Since our family is not pagan, the celebrations in our home are not pagan--nor the ways we choose to celebrate.

And I so love the family togetherness. When my children have lived far away, and now the boys do, coming home to celebrate together--to celebrate all that it is--is something they can hardly wait for--it is another of the invisible strings that ties our heart so strongly together..

When I think about the wonders of the first Christmas--astonishing, bewildering, unimaginable beings appearing on the earth; terrestrial choirs filling the heavenly sky; a heretofore unheard of star filling the night sky; wealthy, learned kings traveling from afar; a virgin birth in the midst of a love story; an old woman and an old man marveling and speaking of the messiah as the baby is dedicated- with celebration and feasting;--our Heavenly Father was the first to celebrate. He was the first one to document the birthday of Jesus--supernaturally with music and feasting and amongst the humble and the kings.

I love seeing the feasting--usually for days--in the old testament. God is a God of celebration. Christmas is a time when we bring friends and family into our home to be refreshed. It is a time of personal worship as I mentioned yesterday and a time of joy-work and preparation to say I love you to our family, whom God designed for the passing down of His story and of His love.

I think that sometimes people are afraid to have too much fun or to celebrate life. Yet, it is only when we do this fully, from our heart that we understand the joy of the Lord--the God who gave us the ability to be satisfied, to laugh and play games and eat merrily.

So, our family makes time to delight together. It is the organic life of Christ, the tastes, smells, fun, love and theology that gives the whole picture of this baby become king and savior. And so in a spirit of love, we celebrate Christmas--His coming to earth--fully and happily.

Some happy photos  friends sent me from the  coming and going in our Christmas festivities. Pictures of Christmas spaces in my home.

Living room coffee table--the stocking my mom made for me when I was a little girl. I love glass jars to put all sorts of things inside. (A good source is pickle jars--the big kind-- from Sams. Good Will is another spot, and Hobby Lobby with great half-price sales.) 

 

Kitchen nook table--old Austrian table cloth on table with little snow houses collected through the years.

Den coffee table with Romanian hand-stiched cloth.

Living room hearth

Friends and food and feasting in the kitchen!

 

and of course sweet babies

 

and children delighted with food and a full house!

 

the dining room table and talking

The gathering room--living room from the stairs above.

 

Ending on the Word,....,

and a good time was had by all!

My Gift to Him....His gift to me

My personal, Christmas quiet time table, in my bedroom, private--sequestered away from the hustle and bustle of my home.

Getting my body to move, my mind to clear, was as if I was coming off of a thick cloud of  anesthesia--and then a heaviness began to creep over me as I began to awaken and remember what day it was--another event in my home, just two hours away. Stress crawled over me like mist over the sea--weariness bade me stay in bed, beckoned to me, urging me back to sleep. Then suddenly--the memory  of all that needed to be done moved my body into action and made me hit the ground quickly.Too much to do, too much cooking, too many activities, too many people's needs to meet, too much, too much....was beginning to take its toll. All of these feelings were familiar from so many years, months and days of knowing this feeling--and so the assurance that I had made it through many other such seasons,  kept me from panic or the blues. Resolve, familiar resolve, whispered to my heart, that soon--very soon, all would be well. A plan began to form--tomorrow morning, I would ignore everything on "my list" and arrange a special meeting. Decorating a place just for me and him; clearing out the clutter from this space, giving time to beautify--I began to get pleasure and peace in my heart just knowing what I had to look forward to--my time with him.

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I have always loved the passage in Genesis when, after creating a breath-taking, dazzling, wondrous world, breathing with life, color, sounds, scents, pleasure--that God, the master artist, was strolling in the garden--looking for Adam and Eve--the ones for whom He had created such a personal gift. -He was walking along in His garden, surely admiring it, wanting to know what His children thought--if they were happy--if they appreciated it--looking for them in the heat of the day. "Where are you?" He called out--and they were not looking for Him---

Most of my mother-life, after I fell in love with being a mother, I have found I receive such pleasure at providing for my treasures--cooking, decorating, providing, loving, serving--hoping to be God's very hands and breath and words to them so that they can better perceive what He is like. I look for them in the garden of my own life--"how do you like what I have provided? I want to be close to you--I want your companionship."

Recently, after Nathan had been home from California for 10 days, I was looking, as always, on my email to see if I had any letters from him--or Joel. There in my in-box, was a short note--

"Mom, I don't know what I would do without your love and encouragement. I appreciate everything you have done to make home a haven. Thanks for your love and prayers."

No money or thing or experience could have topped the pleasure he gave me--he was my special one--he is the one from whom I long for time and friendship.

and so it is with God, my very own Father, who prepares life and looks out for me--to see where I am, to spend time with me! Imagine!

I realized very early in my knowing Him, that the miracle was that He was always looking for me--wanting me to be His companion, friend, to talk, to commune, to live together hand in hand--to delight in the pleasures He had prepared for me. 

And so I knew that my Christmas season would not be complete, unless I gave Him what He wanted, unless I made my plans--around Him, around just being with Him, listening to Him, loving Him--just what I needed--just the gift of my love I would give back to Him. He was not looking for my works--my good deeds, my Martha effort to beguile my family or my friends with dazzle and good food and fine presents--but He was looking for simple, feet of clay--me--to tell me more that was on His heart.

As I desire the companionship of my own children--that is what--amazingly--he desires of me.

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And so I made it through the day, talked with so many, fed, cleaned, rushed about to the other tasks that needed to be cared for--but I knew that my date was just ahead--so my heart took pleasure.Sunday morning as I opened my eyes, I looked out my window upon a purple-ish, blueish sky that promised colder weather again. My eyes lit upon the table I had late last night prepared for myself and for Him--a place of beauty, a place of quiet, a place of worship

--the framed picture Sarah had framed for me at Christmas years before--"The Peace of Christ be with You."

Just what I longed for....A beautiful, delicate bird nested upon pine boughs--the reminder of the years before when I was spotting again--after a miscarriage, and yet pregnant again--but again beginning to bleed--alone in the mountains of Austria--when praying to God, wondering if I would ever be able to keep a baby--God sent a small bird, to perch upon the very window sill in which I was pouring my heart out to Him from my small hotel room.

--He spoke to me His comfort--"Not a  bird falls to the ground without My knowledge--I see you--I hear you--I am with you"--and the baby inside of me became Sarah--in spite of 6 months of bleeding. And so small birds, when they hop across my path or are collected in my home, are a symbol to me of His love, His care. This new little bird, recently purchased for its lovely colors and simplicity--was appropriate for my table before Him.

My berry and vanilla candles--the flickering lights a delight to me-- a reflection of light--a reminder of His light into my world. The fragrance like incense--lifting my prayers to heaven.

My little cross that reminded me of what I wanted the new season of my life to be characterized by--belief. All spoke to me of our special bond--I was His and He was mine.

It was worth the little extra effort it took to make the setting of my date a special one--after all He had done to make the place I lived in His world such a place of beauty.

One of my favorite instrumentals softly set the stage. I had picked a book the day before--Prepare my heart, Lord, through one of my favorite authors, Elizabeth Goudge--a beautiful, lovely children's story--the picture of a child's faith--the heart of faith, the delight in life, the expectation of goodness--contrasted by an adult who had forgotten how to have grace of life, compassion, to live in freedom, not under constraint. And so as I sipped my coffee, the Lord greatly encouraged my heart--I want a heart of innocent, loving trust.

And then to my Celtic Daily Prayer book--verses from the Psalms, the Old Testament, the New Testament--and more from His heart--Psalm 18: 28, "The Lord lights my lamp; The Lord illumines my darkness." Verse 32,  "The God who girds me with strength, and makes my way blameless." Verse 35, "You have given me the shield of Your salvation, and Your right hand upholds me; and Your gentleness makes me great." Psalm 118: 6, "The Lord is for me; I will not fear; What can man do to me? It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in princes."

And so it went. He spoke of His love for me; His presence; His strength; His peace. I gave Him the gift of myself, my time. He gave me the gift of peace, rest, delight and strength to keep going. Now, I had what I needed and longed for--perspective, a plan of simplifying, dancing one more time knowing He was with me in the minutes of my days.

Have you given Him the gift of yourself during this busy season?

He is walking in the garden, calling your name. May His peace be yours today.

Joy to the World indeed the Lord has come!

 

A blurred but artistic picture Joy took of our mantel before a Christmas party at our home in our living room!

Oh, my! As usual, the days are flying by! I have so much to write to you in the next few days that I may just write a blog a day for a while! But I haven't been writing because I have been making family and friends a priority! And of course having lots of fun myself. 

First, Joy and I are reading every day in our devotionals a wonderful advent book, called The Jesse Tree. We are loving it. A very sweet friend sent us a bag full of wrapped little presents that we open one day at a time and read the verses that go with it! Loving my time each morning, staying in our gowns and eating home made mcmuffins with home made bread, sipping our juice and sharing our wisdom in scripture over candlelight and fire place. What a luxury to have the opportunity to have leisurely time talking to my sweet daughter about our wonderful savior without having to hurry this memory. (It has been quite cold!)

Flying to Nashville and on to Earlington, Kentucky to visit my sister-friend! We are not really related, but I never had a sister and neither did she. She flew to my home for 28 years in a row over the Christmas holidays to keep the commitment to be family to each other we had made as single missionaries. So now, the past few years as she is homebound, I fly to Gwennie's house to celebrate Christmas. She has been the family God knew we would need when we didn't have many around to love us. She always wraps mounds of tiny gifts to delight each of my children and me--even if it is tiny, like a flashlight or pocket knife or pair of pretty socks. We go one gift at a time and ooh and ahh! It is like really having a real live auntie or grandmom for my sweet ones.

 

Mrs. Janie's tea room--Sarah, Joy, and Gwen enjoying the civility!

Our trip included a luncheon to a tiny town in Sacremento, Kentucky to Mrs. Janie's, a tea house in a Victorian home that serves on the weekends only. We had 3 courses--ambrosia with pineapple scones, buttered asparagous with a baked chicken breast in herbed cheese and wrapped in phyllo dough and a baked potato casserole with cheese and chives and red velvet cake and ice cream for desert with a cup of tea--all girlish memories. I love making memories with my girls around other like-minded, godly women who are life-giving and build into their souls. Gwennie loves them and models Christ to them and on the side is just a lot of fun.

After this, we celebrated Christmas and I got two blue--blue shirts and a cd of great music. We ate coconut pie--a classic that Gwen's mom always made! And then one of my best times was attending the Messiah with all the girls. I dearly love the Messiah and always marvel at the way God stirred Handel to gather all of the scripture in such a way as to tell the Great Story. Everyone should gently lead their their family to love the Messiah. Joy and I were humming under our breath, Sarah and Gwen were living in ecstacy during several of the choruses. Such beauty in words and music.

Finally, went to Nashville to visit with precious friends who have shared life and history with me since our 25 year olds were wee ones. Such a fun time to pray, talk, share, have lunch at Puffy Muffin and watch our girls catch up with each other. Of course there were lots of, "I can't believe how much you have grown up!" on all sides.

 

Nate driving off to California in front of our home with his car. I was so brave! till I went inside! :)

Having Nathan on my mind. Would you pray with me for the Lord to show Him favor and find him a good job that can help to pay rent-- And to find  favor with his agent so that she can get him auditions and also that the Lord would specifically direct Nathan in a place where he can find a good community in this work and have a settled, long term job or one good commercial!  Nathan loves the Lord and is hoping to serve Him in the arena of music, acting, speaking and writing--but at this moment needs our wonderful Lord to open doors for him and give him favor with the right people. Would so appreciate your prayers for my dear, fun, loving Nathan boy! Can't wait to see what God will do as I have seen Him love answering prayer the past few years and He is the Lord of North Hollywood. All this mothering is a continued walk of faith and labor in the gates of heaven.  And of course it is the training grounds of my sweet son as well. Thanks ever so much.

Oh so much more this week, but it will have to wait till tomorrow. May God bless you, every one! I have some cookies to get out of the oven! Preparing for our two book parties for Sarah and there will be such treats. More later this week about the pictures of my home during this season; weathering the blues and storms during this season with Him, our humble king; recipes, babies, favorite catalogues and things to order and traditions for all ages. Oh, I am blessed today.

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Forgot to mention that the winners on December 1 for the drawing from all of you who promoted our conferences were:

 

  Kristin Kerley (TN)

  Jennifer Tammeling (CA)

We will have another drawing on January 1 for $50 in books and cd's or free conference registration for all those who advertise our conference in their newsletters, on facebook, on blogs and in support groups or Bib le studies. Just write Jennice to let her know where you advertised. We so appreciate your help in getting the word out to as many moms as we can reach as we see the Lord change lives, encourage and give inspiration to so many every year. 

For more information and to get links for your area, go here

You can click on the different conferences and then open the folders at the top for flyers and information to copy for the conferences.

You can also get a link to read our most recent Whole Heart e-letter by connecting here

Have a great Friday!

A little Christmas pondering.......

I love words and people who craft them in such a way as to bring me into their world. Two posts you might be blessed to read today.......

Here, from Sarah,  is where I am committing my heart to be--still, to notice, to hear..... 

Here is a place that brings me to worship my king in a more focussed manner, worthy of my contemplation.

Happy Sunday, Happy Advent to you and your precious ones.

From the sublime to the ridiculous--the joys of raising my teenager!

Lovely Joy--There is 11 years difference between Sarah, my oldest and Joy, my youngest. When Sarah was around Joy's age, we had one computer that all of the kids shared. (Clay had his own since he was at our home office.) Each child had an allotted time to spend on the computer during the day and that was all. (Now all of us have our own computers--Joy was in a homeschool expermental Mac class where she got her refurbished one for classes, fully loaded for $500.)

There were no cell phones, at least not commonly and no teens had cell phones. Certainly no texting. Face book was a thing of the future. Girls loved reading Anne of Green Gables and Victorian style was the craze--even in magazines Victoria Magazine flourished. There were no tight, straight leg jeans as many of Sarah's friends wore dresses and especially to church.

Now, Joy is growing up in a different world. We got each of our older children cell phones when they started driving so that we could keep up with them when they were on the snowy highway. Joy got her first cell phone when she was 12 as we had a "buy 5 get one free" offer from the phone company. Because of it not being a big deal to her (she has grown up so much around our older kids) she rarely texts her friends and usually only when she needs to know a meeting time or occasionally a short message when we are out of town. It is mainly so I can get a hold of her.

I have had to learn to change with the times. It would be ridiculous or at least very insensitive  for me to make Joy have the values of her older siblings. (at least when it comes to style--which has greatly changed--the girls hoot and laugh when they see older pictures of all of us with poofy hair, elaborate puffy sleeved dresses and such.) I have had to learn through much thought and prayer what is of eternal value and what is only a "standard" I used to think was a spiritual code, but really only a cultural historical value.

Now things are more natural--no more permed, fluffy hair--straight and sleek and natural is in. Or at least no hair spray look even if you do use hair spray.

One of my older friend's kids said, "Mom, a lot of your friends got off the fashion train at some point in their lives and stayed at that place and never got back on the train again!"I have had to get back on the train again and figure out who the real Sally is--contemporary, or middle aged, conservative or hip, or whatever--as my older kids have lots of opinions about how I should look to reach the "post moderns" and they regularly shop with me to pick out my clothes--they are now the parents and I am the obedient child--at least when it comes to style! Still seeking to be feminine and conservative as my heart dictates.

Music is different, too, especially at church. I still love the old, meaningful words of the hymns. But I have also learned to enjoy and accept many of the new contemporary songs. I try to stay in the world of my children so that I can still speak into their hearts. I have learned to enjoy them so much and I still see good hearts. I have also had to learn to trust them and the Lord in them, so as not to hold them so tightly that they would want to run far from our legalism.

It is difficult to change. Scary. Often, we are fearful of the "culture" and how it might corrupt our children.But, really the important issues are still the same. There might be different wrappings on the outside of teenagers, but the heart is still the issue. The character of kids. Their need for love, affirmation, friends, purpose, and their need for God to guide them in truth and morality. And so, I have changed a great deal and tried to understand the heart of my new teenager--almost 15. Her style and personality are different, but her heart is strong. She is an extrovert who needs friends--even if only a few. And so we go to great lengths to help provide her with a sense of "community" of like-minded kids who also share our Biblical values. And, just as it was with our older children, it is a walk of faith--trusting God, seeking His wisdom and creativity and ideas about how to reach and launch this child just as faithfully.

He is faithful. He is good and He is strong. Joy is much more "contemporary" at this age than a couple of my older ones--but she has had them for a model--clothing, music, discussions, values. She came out of the womb more hip. But her heart is so very sweet and she loves the Lord and she has a good, strong conscience and seeks to have an influence on her own peers.

God has never let me just rest or stay still in my life as a parent, marriage partner or ministry speaker and leader. He always requires new things of me--new lessons, new faith issues. But in the end, as I hold to him and not to my rules, I find He is faithful and true and good and still reaches hearts as I walk with Him in front of my children. So, I trust Him today, that He has access to each of my children's souls, and I seek to cultivate a spiritual life, not based on style or fashion or music, but on heart--that part that never changes in its needs or design.

Joy's poems--reflecting her heart and her daily life with peers in her arena--so very different but still, she walks with Him! And I am so very thankful.

Closer than a Heartbeat

Closer than a heartbeat,

He will be to me.

Every breath I take,

In my lungs He'll be.

Every step I take,

He's close by my side.

Every move I make,

He constantly with me bides.

Every tear I cry,

Splashes in His hand.

When I can't move a muscle,

He'll pick me up and stand.

Every piece of broken heart,

In His hands He's holding.

Breaking my imperfect self,

To create a whole new molding.

I am weak and weary,

But you can make me strong.

You have won my heart and mind and soul,

To you alone I belong.

Teenage Joy

(Upon being at our local coop one day, Joy came home and recorded the conversations she heard.)

 

 

Teenagehood

I am too short,

And you are too tall.

He is a fatso

And your bod is small.

She has some pimples,

And he's just obscene.

Isn't it fun, being a teen?

That's so medieval,

Those shoes are a bore,

Oh look at that emo!

Ain't she a snore?

That sweater is bad,

but worse have I seen,

Isn't it dandy, being a teen?

OMG (Oh, my goodness?!), LOL, BRB hahaha,

When we texted he said I was stupidly

I wanted to like that cute handsome Dean,

Too bad, oh so sad,

The joys of a teen

This is her new world. God is still in this world and He is good and faithful--and as usual, I am still on my knees.

An Inklings Christmas celebration

For each new morning with its light, For rest and shelter of the night, For health and food, For love and friends, For everything Thy goodness sends.

Ralph Waldo Emerson

There can be some sad times at Christmas--perhaps for family far away, or broken relationships, or difficulties. Yet, as those filled with the Spirit of Christ, we are called to bring redemption, community, love and feasts into the life of our home so that we can remember the Life of Him who came into darkness to bring light, beauty, love and redemption. We miss our family and have missed close family relationships over the years, as circumstances have separated us from those we love and are our relations. 

We have learned, in the midst of these years, to bring into our home, that, though they will never replace our family, will instead be those who bring the love of Christ's family to our lives and hearts.

What fun we had last night as we celebrated with our new friends--the Inklings reading, writing and discussion a precious friend, Deb Weakly,  and I started for our teens this fall. There is always great discussion over a book by an English author, food and fun. Last night, we decided it was time to get to know the parents of these stalwart, civilized, hilarious teens

.

First a feast and talking about family history.

 

Then a reading outloud of Tolkien's Christmas letters to his children.

(Joy was particularly fond of her purple socks that matched her shirt. :)

And finally an ending with singing of Carols. What fun we had as we made new friends and celebrated life together. 

Please tell me what some of you are doing this Season to celebrate with your friends!

Now I am off to Nashville to celebrate Christmas with Joy and Sarah with my sister-friend of old, Gwennie. She came to my home for 28 years, so now that she is with her sweet elderly mom, it is our turn to repay the favor! Better go pack! Have a great weekend!

Give a gift that will serve for a lifetime

  Joy's garden " Joy is a seed that must be intentionally planted in the soil of life and all the circumstances life brings. It must be watered with faith and fertilized with obedience at every choice in life and protected at every juncture. The weeds of selfishness and cynicism must be plucked at first growth. The storms of bitterness must not be allowed to damage the fragile crop that is growing.  Joy is a gift of the Spirit that must be celebrated, practiced  by the caring of it, cultivating it and the choosing of it every day, every moment, so that is may  grow into a lovely heart that gives forth fruit of His love and joy in every small and large interchange in life."

Sally Clarkson

Many of you know that I began to pursue joy--Biblical joy--as a goal of my life several years ago. Seeing so much sadness, brokenness and grief and discouragement, I realized that all believers could be overcome by the wearying of living in a fallen world. I did not want to go into heaven gasping, tense, weak of heart--making it, but just barely.

Seemed to me that if joy was a fruit of His spirit in my life, I wanted to understand more how to live in that place in my heart, regardless of what was whirling about me in the storms of life outside my soul's walls. Jesus said that in this world we would have tribulation--didn't cover it up or pretend or sugar coat it--This is the broken place, the place where ideals are compromised by those in high places, and those close at hand. 

Yet, the miraculous truth is that normal people like me, can live a supernatural life and have eternal results in this world and bring His light to bear in very strategic, poignant ways. He is here with me, with you. He is all powerful to conquer kingdoms of darkness and to bring down thresholds. He lives to love, redeem, restore, give hope and grace. But we must seek Him and love Him and cultivate our heart as our life's treasure every and every day. 

But how? First, by hearing His voice and understanding His counsel and teaching. There is no substitute for investing in reading and studying the word. He has left us His heart by giving us His word and His life, by allowing us to have the Bible. Jesus is the perfect representation of God--we must ponder Him, His life and words, love Him, emulate Him.

No busy, good works and good intentions can ever "make" you holy, if you are not regularly in the presence of the Holy one. 

No gift you give to your children or loved ones can make up for what they long for--a loving, joy-filled, grace-filled relationship with someone who is devoted every day to their best and has the time to invest love, a listening ear, and grace giving words.

I have had to learn this slowly, over many years. And when it comes to this busy season of feeling the pressure to give the "perfect" gifts to our beloved ones, friends and family, I can feel stressed and pushed and a need to live up to expectations surrounding me in this materialistic culture. But, long after this year's gifts have been forgotten, if we give to our loved ones, a joyful heart, we will give them a gift that will be with them their whole lives. They will come to us again and again for the "Life" they need to feel, hear and be comforted by! I know this by experience--I just had Nathan home from LA for 10 days and to see His appreciative heart--to know we are who he would rather be with--shows me again, that the investment was worth the effort and time.

 

Nate, 20, and me--home for a break from the real world.

A joyful heart is one that seeks to encourage them every day--a heart that intentionally gives words of life and encouragement to those who so need to hear words of love.

 

 Words like: 

 I appreciate you; you are a gift of God's love to me; you are faithful, funny, fun, creative, or whatever is the key need of the person God has strategically placed in your life.

A heart that says, "I receive you into my life as a gift from God." 

"I believe in you and know God is going to use you in a special way."

"I have made so many mistakes in my life, but God has forgiven me and given me grace. He has already forgiven you and wants you to know His love."

A joyful heart is one that plans surprises--

lighting candles, putting on beautiful Christmas music often and serving a cup of tea, hot chocolate or coffee--even in the midst of a busy day-- with a little treat--and says, "Let's make a memory together right now--you are special to me." 

Bringing a single rose to a friend or leaving a love note on a pillow or on an email-- to a weary husband; a struggling friend; one you appreciate; a far off child--

making time to play a game, giggle at stories, laying in bed with a toddler or teen even when we are   tempted to be weary, we still make the habit of stretching ourselves--to extend ourselves as purveyors of His joy and grace and He shows up and gives us the strength.

A joyful heart says, where can I leave a spirit of Christ's fragrance today--where can I dance the dance of life in the midst of darkness? And then practicing the dance steps as He gives them every day. 

I have been so blessed by the writing of my book, "Dancing with my Father" because in the pursuing of it, my heart has learned so much more about how to be joyful. Whatever you pursue, you will become more like. 

May God grant you a December where joy is planted in hearts, cultivated with the presence of God overflowing and giving a memory to your loved ones that they have been in the presence of God, because they have spent time with you.

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Don't forget that if you sign up for the Mom's conferences before the end of Monday, November 30, you will get a $20 discount. You can go here to find out more. Our theme this year is to renew moms, renew and restore them to vision, joy and a closer walk with the Lord in the midst of their very demanding lives. I hope many, many of you will be able to come and be encouraged! Ask for the conference registration as a Christmas gift as so many moms do!

Tomorrow is the last day to announce our conferences this month in order to be entered into the drawing for 2 free conferences or 2 $50 certificates to our bookstore. If you advertise it on your blog, or in your group newsletter, please send Jennice an email and she will enter you in the drawing. This will start all over again on December 1.

Be sure to get your copy of Sarah's new book as a gift for yourself or someone else for Christmas. She will receive them on December 6 and send out a signed copy with your friend's name, and a Christmas card to all who order in the next week. (larger format--360 pages, $17, 1500+ book recommendations she was raised on!) You can read more about it at itinerantidealist.com and at storyformed.com

The Lord is still in His heavens, ruling over all

I love Thanksgiving! It is a time of family, resting, celebrating God's goodness, feasting and reflecting on all that HE has done faithfully in our lives. After gigantic cinnamon rolls, and lounging in our pj's, we will all take a few moments to make a list, personally, for all the things we are thankful for--then the Daddy will read whatever psalm or praise is on His heart and we will all spend time thanking and praising the Lord together.

Then comes the feasting. We have not had the privilege of having much family in our lives over the years, so we have spent some Thanksgivings alone. But, I am always so grateful when we can fill the house with friends, new and old, who also need a home for celebrating. This year, all of my children will be here except for Joel, who is being well fed at a friend's house in Maine! (Thanks for taking care of my son!) Added to our family, a sweet family with three young children, missionaries with WYAM will join us, a man from church who has no family in town, and Nate's friend and parents who will also be alone this year. So, I will have 14 at my table and we are truly going to celebrate and have a grand day together.

On our menu will be, turkey, of course, apple, pecan, cranberry pecan bread dressing, celery, onion, cornbread sage dressing, sweet potato casserole,  a congealed cranberry salad, fresh cranberry sauce, yellow squash and onion casserole, peas, green beans, lots of potatoes, and gravy, 4 dozen of my homemade rolls (great for leftover sandwiches), pumpkin chiffon pie, upside down gingerbread apple caramel cake, pumpkin cheesecake, pecan pie, and all with whip cream and ice cream to choose. And we always have a variety of sparkling juices. I think I will go do my 2 mile exercise video and sit ups to prepare for the time--or I might just take it as a day of rest.

(if you want a distracting activity for your children and you don't use the neck or giblets, put them outside a window and the birds will make a feast of it and give a show all at the same time!)

In the old testament, feasts and celebration was commanded by God--he is a celebrating Father. May You all have a wonderful day with your precious ones. And may He bless Holy is the Lord. Of all my blessings, I am most grateful for my precious family and friends. I love you who God has brought into my life to be a visual picture of His hands, heart and love for me. May He bless you today in His abundant grace.

Sing for joy in the Lord, oh you righteous ones;

Praise is becoming to the upright. For the word of the Lord is upright,

And all His work is done in faithfulness.

Psalm 33: 1, 4

The past few mornings, I have awakened early in the wee hours of the morning. I get really sleepy about 9 or 10 and can't hold my eyes open, but sometime during the 3 o'clock hour, I awaken and have difficulty going back to sleep. I have learned not to panic about lack of sleep over the years, having had 3 asthmatics and lots of other non-sleeping issues in our home. Usually I just look at this time as a time to pray or write or read my Bible and other spiritual books.

Myriads of details are on my plate right now--Nathan needing a job in California; Joel's scholarship issues; Sarah's book and possible pending move; Joy's schooling and final years with me; ministry conferences and all that is there; book proposals; 14 people for lunch today; supporting Clay in his work and multitudinous responsibilities and pressures;Christmas, Bible studies and celebrations and book parties in my home; sad circumstances of friends; the future; etc. etc.

And yet, God is above and over all of these things. His work is done in faithfulness. God is good and He is good to me. And He will always be good. As I turned my heart to praise Him this morning in the dark hours of the early morning, my heart was deeply touched and so deeply grateful for His sustaining and loving presence.

Verse after verse flooded my heart. He deserves all of our worship and thanksgiving. He is working in and through all of us in this moment in history. He is bringing us closer to the time when He will cast satan away and rule as our righteous judge forever. He is preparing a place for us. He has promised never to leave us. He works all things together for His good to those who are called to Him.He loves us with an everlasting love. He hears our prayers and He even prays for us. He is with us, always, everywhere.

There are no details of my life that He is not over and in which He cannot help. Mine isn't to figure out all of the answers to my families' needs. Mine is to rest in Him; to adore Him as a child who cuddles against its mother. To sing to Him the songs and peace of my heart because I am in worthy hands.

As I ponder so many of these truths, I see His wonderful faithfulness through all the other busy years, so that I can say with David, "I have been young and I have been old and I have never seen the righteous forsaken, or their seed begging for bread." Even when I didn't know how things would turn out, He was at work, in faithfulness and love.

May we all bring a smile to God's face today, because of the appreciation in our hearts and on our lips and in our deeds for His faithfulness, righteousness, generosity and love. May God be praised in our land today and in our homes.

I pray you have the happiest of Thanksgivings.

Oh, no! I am going crazy! Arrrgggghhhhh

My sweet daughters read my post today about Sarah's book and said, "Mom, why did you put up a quotation from Margaret Sanger, the Planned Parenthood founder?" My reply was, "I put up a quote from Margaret Sangster, one of my favorite Victorian writers and the quote was about embracing your children."

"Mom, the quote was about using birth control and only have children when you want them."

Arrrrggggghhhhhhh! It was afterall, 4:30 in the morning when I wrote this. 

Well, if I could rewrite the day, I would have written it without such a blonde moment in it. Please, all of you precious friends out there, know that I believe with all of my heart that all children are a blessing. I can just imagine the emails I will be getting and the gossip that will ensue about my support of planned parenthood!

Then, when I was writing back the sweet mom who brought this to my attention, I accidentally pushed the delete button on my computer instead of the copy--so I don't think I will be using Joy's computer anymore today! I will get mine back tomorrow and hope for a better start!

You never know what a day will hold or what new mistakes you can make--thanks for grace! Onward to the rest of the day, hopefully with no new mistakes. Love to all!