Brunch in a Blender--making time for friendship this week!

What can I say about food and friendship?  It creates a connection that takes conversation and culinary experiences to a higher level.  Some of my deepest, mind provoking, healing, growing moments in life were experienced while sitting around the table with friends and any  

So, what's for Brunch? I suggest Brunch in a Blender. My dear friend Brandee, who is a great cook, gave me this recipe. It has to be fun and uncomplicated...and even if things tend to take longer than expected or you add way too much lemon juice to your sauce, it will definitely personalize the experience! Pick a dish that you can share with a friend so they can take home that recipe and add it to their menu, or maybe they have the "to die for" recipe that they have to share with you!  Either way, just get together and start cooking!  I always try to include the kids too. Kids are more apt to eat food from someone other than mom without one complaint!  I will share the Eggs Benedict recipe from a recent Brunch I shared with my good friend.  When cooking, always remember to make it yours. I never make the same Eggs Benedict twice! Yes, the poached eggs are a must and it would practically be a sin if there were no hollandaise to accompany those soft, sweet eggs, but everything else depends on what is in the fridge or fruit bowl!

In this picture, you can see I added bacon (instead of the traditional Canadian bacon/ham), sautéed mushrooms, and avocado piled high on a whole grain english muffin. With herb roasted potatoes by their side, it was a wonderful, comforting meal! I had some potatoes in my pantry, 3 exactly, so I cubed those up, skin and all, and tossed with some good olive oil, salt, pepper, and herbs and slid them into my 400 degree oven for almost 45 minutes until nice and crispy on the outside and soft on the inside.  Whatever you have is good enough. I find that when I throw a meal together from what I already have, God helps me to use my creativity to make an amazing dish! My mother used to make Eggs Benedict for Christmas mornings when I was a little girl. And even recently when I took Nathan out for breakfast, he picked this for breakfast--a taste from our home.

Eggs Benedict with Creamy Blender Hollandaise Sauce...that even Julia Child's would love!

2 large egg yolks

3 teaspoons of freshly squeezed lemon juice

a pinch or two of cayenne pepper

1 stick unsalted butter

1 tsp kosher salt

Directions:

Melt butter in small sauce pan or microwave oven. Set aside. Put egg yolks, lemon juice, and cayenne in blender. Pulse a couple of times to combine. With blender running, gradually add the melted butter into the egg mixture to make a smooth, frothy sauce. If the sauce is too thick, blend in a teaspoon of lukewarm water to loosen it up. Season with salt and serve immediately OR to keep warm, put in a small heat proof bowl or glass measuring cup and set over hot (but not simmering) water until ready to serve. (This is important, you do NOT want to cook the egg yolks in your sauce!)

Eggs Benedict Ingredients:

Eggs (depends on how many you are serving. I usually serve two eggs per person)

English Muffins (1 per person, divided into two and toasted)

Canadian Bacon, ham, or regular bacon (cooked)

Butter (for poaching pan if needed)

Toppings - steamed asparagus, sautéed mushrooms, avocado, bacon bits, steamed broccoli crowns, sautéed spinach...the list goes on and on!

Directions:

Cook up your bacon, ham, toppings, sides, etc... so that it is ready when your eggs are done. Slice all English Muffins in half and prepare to toast. Poach eggs in egg poaching pan with a tab of butter melted in each ramekin for 2-3 min. If you do not own poaching egg pan, click on link that I have provided and you can poach your eggs in any large pan you have at home. For as many eggs as you are poaching, toast that many english muffins so that they are ready as soon as the eggs are done. To assemble the Eggs Benedict, place two english muffin pieces on a pretty plate, then top with bacon/ham, or any other toppings, then the poached eggs, then any uncooked toppings (ex:avocado), then the yummy hollandaise sauce to finish. You can garnish with fresh chopped parsley or a sprinkle of cayenne or anything you please!

Bon Appetit from my kitchen to yours!

YOUR MOM HEART MATTERS, AND A GIVEAWAY

You matter! Your Mom Heart Matters! Your children matter! Come be inspired and encouraged!

As January comes upon the Clarkson household, we begin getting very excited about the Mom's Conferences ahead. Thousands of women have attended one of these conferences and gone away refreshed in their vision of motherhood. After 15 years, we know that somehow the Lord strongly is in our midst and that this life-changing weekend brings life, excitement, inspiration and strength to the families of the moms who attend.

This year, I will be recasting a vision for the Biblical and significant call of mothers in this strategic time of history. God's design was to use mothers strategically in each generation to bring about civilization, moral strength, beauty and spirituality in each generation. God wants to use you to change the world for His glory, right from your own home. But you cannot do it alone!  We want to provide support, friendship, fellowship and strength for you to complete your task.

Messages both practical and inspirational will fill your heart. We know how depleted a mom can become, and so we want to consider her special needs for encouragement, grace and affirmation. There will be wonderful music, a great luncheon, workshops that give lots of practical ideas about how to have a life-giving home;  giveaways and a great book table with hundreds of choices.

For the first time, you will be hearing stories and ideas from lots of other moms just like you. We are inviting our moms from the mom heart intensive to share some of their best ideas with you, as well as a few other moms who have great mom blogs. We will address the importance of all moms finding God's grace and freedom and forgiveness in their own lives, also educating their children, no matter what educational choices one makes; traditions in the home, discipleship of hearts and finding fellowship with moms to provide fun, refueling and a prayer partner. You won't want to miss this special year of conferences. A wonderful book table with hundreds of offerings will give you resources to bring home.

Will you please help us reach mothers all over the country to be able to attend a conference in their region?

We have already given away two registrations to the Mom's conferences coming up.  Now is your opportunity to enter a drawing for 2 more conference tickets. (If you win the drawing and are not able to come to the conference, you may give it away to a friend or you will receive a $50 coupon to use on any book, dvd, or tape series from 12 years of previous conferences.)

For information on all the conferences, go here!

There are several ways you can enter!

1. Put the Mom Heart Button on the side of my blog bar into your own blog, facebook page, facebook wall post or website, and you will receive an entry.

2. Write a short blog article (not just listing it in your sidebar) and you will receive one entry.

3. Twitter about the conferences coming up and you will receive one entry.

4. Advertise it to your local support group, church group, homeschooling group and receive one more entry.

Fill out the form at: http://www.wholeheart.org/giveaway-signup/ to let us know what you have done and we will tally your entries. We will do the first drawing December 15.

We are so very grateful for all of you who have helped us get the word out in the past  and we hope we can get the word out soon to moms all over, who need encouragement and inspiration.  Your invitation to another mom may just change their lives for eternity! Many dads have given this weekend every year to their wives for Christmas or Valentine's day, because their wives are so encouraged and energized in their roles as wives and mothers each year.

Your help keeps this ministry alive. Blessings upon blessings to each of you today! I so appreciate all of you who are partners in our ministry to moms. May His grace and peace be yours today.

PS If you leave a comment on this blog about the conferences, I will give you one more entry! :)

CALIFORNIA: We will be hosting a Possibili-tea for moms interested in cultivating a ministry to moms, at the Hilton Hotel, on Friday morning. We will also have a special reception on Saturday evening, for those staying at the hotel,  where you can speak to me and some members of my family and ask questions and just spend time together---a sort of pajama party after the conference. The hotel is providing 2 free buffet breakfasts with each room! 

IF YOU RESERVE A ROOM AT THE HILTON HOTEL BY JANUARY 4, YOU WILL BE ENTERED INTO A DRAWING FOR A FREE DINNER FOR 2 PEOPLE. (Reservations: 949-833-9999 (Hotel: select “0″ for hotel front desk; “1″ for national reservations line)

TEXAS AND NORTH CAROLINA, BE SURE TO REGISTER BY DECEMBER 31 TO GET THE EARLY REGISTRATION DISCOUNT! YOU WILL SAVE $20

Register Here!

The Way to spell stress--FAMILY

The days after Christmas are always so very interesting. Sweet Moms have expended so much energy, trying to make everyone happy, cooking, cleaning---again, loving, giving, giving, giving in every way and then the adrenalin is all spent. What goes up, must eventually come down, is the saying that comes to mind. Expending so very much can logically make one empty. And then there are all the interesting factors of each family. When children are little, too much excitement, sugar, stimulation eventually takes its toll on them and they can't help but express their own physical exhaustion by grumpiness or agitation. Same with older kids. We can only take so much entertainment and celebration before we crave the normal, routine, productive.

I had such a great time with my kids and I think that they even want it to all be good on the holidays, because somehow it makes them feel they have a strong foundation to depend upon when they are far away. But by Sunday morning, they were all chomping at the bit, engaged in what is ahead--what they need to accomplish, already looking to the day they will go back home to their real lives. It is not because they do not love me, but it is the life God has called them to.

There is undeniable stress amidst it all.

Yet still, in my home this week,  Boston, classical music Joel was in the same room with Hollywood, contemporary Nathan; boys humor verses the girls humor, twenty somethings with teenage sweetness, introverted, used to the "quiet" Daddy  adjusting to loud opinionated house full of our own children; lots of angst about jobs, school, money, futures, present activities, and it is like riding the ups and downs of a roller coaster, extraverts amongst introverts.

Because of this normal pattern of stress amidst the wonderful celebration, it is why we scheduled our Mom Heart conferences in the early months after Christmas. I always needed to regroup--to remember my ideals, to refocus, to keep inspired to finish the rest of the year well. I do find this regrouping and re-inspiring to be an anchor for the rest of my year. So, consider attending as a shot in your mother-arm!

My personal place in all of this home reality, though, is to be as an un-moveable mountain amidst the raging waves and storms and flurries. As I look back over the years, I realize that I have taken on the role of peace-maker, and conducting harmony in our home. Soothing this one, encouraging that one, pushing the toe of one under the dinner table to gently encourage them to stop talking! But ultimately, it is the normal jousting of a family, all sinners, redeemed, but at different points of maturity. I cannot make all of these sweet ones be at peace--but I can be at peace.

As I was pondering all of this in my quiet time this morning, I looked out the window and there was a beautiful, crimson sunrise. It was as though the gentle voice of the Lord called out to me. "I am here. Look for me today. Look for my presence in the midst of your messes, moments of relationship positioning and the life of your family. I am responsible for each of these precious ones--you are not. You walk with me, extend my love and be my servant. All will be well."

My family is His responsibility. I am responsible to keep my heart and body as healthy as possible to be an anchor of His presence in the midst, but He is at work. All families are a work in process and one day or one hour of conflict is not the measure of the overall family.

I think many of us need to give ourselves grace, a break from all the work, and rest as far as possible--and choose to see the little ways of His beauty and joy in the midst of it all. I always come back to this,

"But I have stilled and quieted my soul; like a weaned child with its mother, " Psalm 131:2--I picture myself as a young child, snuggling up next to my Father, quieting myself and all of the buzzing thoughts, because I am next to Him, and He will be strong enough to manage my affairs. I choose to still and quiet my soul as I hide in the secret place with Him.

Peace, be still. The Lord is near.

My Heart is very full, and a few Christmas day pics

My Christmas present from Joel -- Enjoy! Christmas Suite, Mvt. I: For Mom

Christmas Suite - Mvt. 1 For Mom by joelclarkson

The Shepherd's meal--potato soup, herb bread, roasted nuts, cheeses, sparkling apple juice!

I had so very much in my life and on our schedule this year, that I never got to a Christmas letter. But I do send my love and thanksgiving for each of you who have written, sent cards, thoughtful gifts and prayers. We love and appreciate all of  you!

Just  little of the last 24 hours!

Our home is full of traditions and I am eating every single moment up with my sweet ones being home, kissing them and squeezing them more than I probably should--but they give me grace during these few days we get to all be together.  So fun to see that though I didn't know if the trouble of creating all of these traditions mattered, it was  going to the heart. Now, all of the kids look to these very traditions as anchors to their souls, that our family keeps all of accountable to ideals that we cultivated in our home. Such a blessing to have them all around and to see the invisible thread of life lived purposefully together that bind us so close to heart.

So much laughter--we are not always a serious or pious group--we could hardly be serious during the shepherd's meal last night when Clay read the Luke 2 passage--so many stories, jokes, quips and fun. We turn off all the lights, of course,  and eat by candle light, as was the night sky when the Lord appeared to the shepherds.

Then morning stockings, treasures. And going out to a favorite place for breakfast every year. We have not had the privilege of having family in our lives for many years, so to add to the day of fun, we go out for a sumptuous Christmas buffet and have traditional family pictures taken every year--with antics all the way--smile, don't look goofy, there is a ball coming out of your head, and so on.

Everyone!

Nathan, 21, Sarah, 26, Joy, 15, Joel, 24--funny to get one right!

I thank the Lord that He built family as a support system, nurturing place, holy to pass on righteousness in every generation--the working and sanctifying place of my own heart. To have invested these years by faith and to be blessed to have our own best friends--all of us quirky, but grounded in the foundation of the Lord. I feel very humbled and blessed for this season where we are today. Never is our life without issues and prayers and needs and faith to have to exercise, but when the Lord is in our midst, we stand strong together through all that is on our mutual plates!

I pray that all of you may know His grace, peace, love that binds hearts together and covers a multitude of sin, and the faith to hold His hand day by day until you see Him face to face.

Thank you, Lord Jesus, for giving so much, so that we could have your life day by day. We adore you and worship you today with hearts full of humility and thanksgiving.

The Gift You Can Give Every Day

Mary Cassatt Maternal Kiss

The excitement of last minute shopping is underway! I always mean to have everything done ahead of time, but day leads on to day and minutes run out and....! Maybe excitement is not the right word for that adrenaline rush you get in the mall parking lot or seeing the "Sale" sign over something you wanted to give a special person. And it is so funny for me to watch my sweet husband. He loves surprising the kids and makes a grand effort after I think we have all in order.

This is the season of sacrifice ~ giving up time and money to give gifts. Christmas for me is not so much a materialistic issue as it is wanting to consider the delights of my precious ones and seeking to bless them with something they will cherish. We have cultivated such a precious family time because of a legacy of traditions over the years, that we indeed celebrate in the love we share and the love He shared and shares with our family. We learned the delighting in those we love by looking at God who enjoys delighting in His children. It is what we see in God's creation--the color, the beauty, the tastes, the sounds, and touch, the sacrifice--all gifts He gave us to satisfy, because He is a God who is near and personal.

Gifts are a way of telling someone we care about them, we are considering their own unique personality and dreams and desires. We try to give the best possible gift, knowing their likes/dislikes and the current needs in their life. The gift of Christ over 2,000 years ago shows God's delight in us. The God of relationships and kindness,  knew exactly what we needed. He gave us His most precious Gift and it cost Him everything!

As wives and mothers, we give gifts of our true selves to our families each day--or at least we should. When the milk is spilled, do we give the gift of acceptance and patience? When our husband comes home tired after an extremely long day, do we give the gift of listening and looking into his eyes,  so he knows we truly care? Do we give our children the gift of a quick hug as they walk by? Or a butterfly kiss? Or a backrub? Sometimes these are the same gifts we would like to receive!

We will never be in control of our lives, as the busy moments seems to suck our energy and bodies dry at times, but we know the One who is. He promises to provide for us, even when circumstances push us to our limit. He promises to be with us no matter what! But opening our eyes and our hearts to praise and worship Him as He gives to us His patience, love and attention each day, gives us a pattern for celebrating life. Here is a section from The Mom Walk:

"There will always be giants in our land. There will always be things that could potentially threaten to overwhelm us. We have to make a choice to believe in God's ability to provide and so free us to celebrate. We must trust Him to take us into His generous provision or we will allow life to demoralize us and we will give our children instead a model and attitude of complaining and grumbling.

This story (Numbers 13-14) was personally convicting to me, as I do have a real dark side which can become easily focused on the difficulties. However, I have learned an important principle: It is natural to whine and complain or to be selfish and unloving -- but it is supernatural to praise and be thankful and to choose to express love and faith -- even when my feelings don't agree.

When we choose to practice praise, joy, and love, when we cultivate celebration even as God did, we then find that we experience the love of God to a greater degree in our own lives. He is there, walking in the garden of our own lives, looking for us to see Him and to respond and walk with Him in His providing love. But in order to see Him, we must turn our eyes and hearts to Him seeking to listen to Him in our souls and thus validating for our children and ourselves the reality of His joy.

A mother who gives her children a heart to celebrate God's life and beauty gives a gift that will help her children draw joy from their lives and memories that will bring them strength and pleasure all their days.

So today, look for joy. Seek out beauty and model to your children what it means to live in celebration of God's marvelous life."   ~ The Mom Walk  pp. 48-49

Psalm 19:8 says, "The precepts of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart; The commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes."

When you are struggling with your attitude, where can you turn? What passages of Scripture bring joy to your heart?

How can you live in celebration of God's marvelous life today?

May the Lord bless you and keep you and make His face shine upon you!

He came because I needed Him

Daily, year by year, day by day, it seems, I am running into presence of God with needs beyond my capacity to meet. When Clay and I were young and our children wee, there were bills, ear infections, sleepless nights, discipline issues, family issues, and exhaustion and always future dilemmas and dreams.

Not a lot has changed, but now my children are just bigger and Clay and I are older, and still I find I am daily looking to Him, pouring out my heart and soul. Never has there been a magical time in this life where life has been totally smooth with no needs on the agenda.

And yet, again, as I approach Him this season, I am reminded that He came out of compassion for me--his child. He initiated to give to me all that I need, not because of anything I deserve, but His nature is to always love, always provide and always give. And so He is still my:

Wonderful Counselor

"If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask it of God who gives to all men generously, and without reproach." James 1:5

He has all the wisdom, truth, advice and direction I or my children will ever need.

Mighty God

He raised Jesus from the dead, he turned the 5 fish and 2 loaves into enough for 5000, He opened the Red Sea, He gave the widow enough oil to make bread every day so that she would not starve.

He has the power to overcome all forces against me, all giants in my land, all of those things that threaten the peace in my heart. It is not for me to power over all the challenges in my life, He will be my strength and my one who can overcome.

Everlasting Father

"Even as a Father has compassion on His children, so the Lord has compassion on us." Psalm 103

He knows my frame, he understands my weakness, my flaws, my personality, my puzzle of life, and yet as my own Father, He has compassion and He will take care of me as I rest in Him.

Prince of Peace

"My peace I leave to you, my peace I give to you, not as the world gives to you. Let not your heart be troubled or let it be fearful."John 14: 27

The peace that passes all understanding.........

Though the world rages all around me, He is the peace at the center. He extends His rest to me if I look to Him. He gives me the assurance that I am not invisible in my needs even though I do not always know how he will provide or direct. His peace if offered me at the engaging of my heart by faith in what He is so willing to give.

"For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given and the government will be upon His shoulders, and His name shall be called wonderful counselor, mighty God, everlasting Father, prince of peace." Isaiah 9:6

And so, this holiday season, may you find our sweet, precious Jesus to be the source of all you need and may you find rest in His love and generous heart.

Kissing the Face of God

This artwork by Morgan Weistling called Kissing the Face of God evokes awe in my heart as a mother. To think of cuddling the soft, warmth of a newborn, precious from my body and to understand that this wee one is also the transcendent who cast the universe in its place. This tiny one, God, needed the kisses and love and attention of His own mother. The print is one of many that graces this frame during advent season, and it is one of our favorites.

The artist has this to say about her print...

"This painting was first inspired by a song that I heard one day. Sometimes, hearing one phrase is all it takes, and then a flood of inspiration follows. The phrase 'kissing the face of God' immediately struck me with this powerful image of Mary and the Baby Jesus. It is an image that we have seen depicted many times, but never simply as a mother and her child with real tenderness. I started to contemplate the awesome privilege that Mary was given, being able to hold God in her arms, but also keeping in mind that He was still her baby. This cute little child whom she bore was also God in the flesh. And yet, she cuddled and kissed Him, just as all mothers do with their babies. This thought propelled me right into this painting which I wanted to be a very human representation of divinity. My prayer is that the viewer will be struck, as I am, with the amazing way that God chose to send His Son into this world — in pure humility."

Mary has been on my mind lately. Our pastor delivered an insightful sermon about her Sunday. Then at the Christmas Tea for my monthly Bible study, we talked about Mary's faith. God submitted himself to a fallen, dangerous world by becoming the most  vulnerable creature,  a baby who required protection, nurture, love and care from one He had crafted Himself.

God chose precious Mary to be His mother, the one who would daily mold the soul memories in the life of her beloved child and creator. That she would inform His earthly tastes for living; she who would worship God, her Father daily in front of her very own infant son, to share with Him in the glory God in her own home is the miracle of God incarnate, on earth as one of us.  Mary's  humble beginnings, were from a common  family, and yet  she and Joseph were the ones entrusted to raise the son of God.

What a statement--that a normal family could be the very place holiness would be lived out, a place competent to hold and protect and shape the human side of the son of God. And so this speaks to us today--a normal family, dedicated to His life and righteousness, the place adequate to be the home of God. But there is an attribute about Mary which we may glimpse to see just what qualified her for the task.  She had invested  her life engaging in Scripture, pondering it, embracing it, owning it for her own soul.

What was Mary's response when she met her cousin Elizabeth? Her words are recorded in Luke 1:46-55. She rejoiced! She called the Lord holy. She talked about His strength, His provision, and His help. Mary knew the God who called her to mother His Son. She called herself "His maidservant."

This Christmas season, pray daily that He would make you His maidservant. Take time to read -- really read -- the Christmas story with your children, the precious ones God chose you to mother! End your reading time with a gentle kiss. May you be blessed as you minister to your sweet family.

****************************

Congratulations to Heather Ashe and Stacie Nelson--the winners of the MOM HEART CONFERENCE DRAWING. We will be drawing for new winners in January. Stay tuned for the information on how you may enter.

Trying to dance today and hear the music, amidst the noise

Our home is starting to rock.......two kids became three yesterday and Monday it will become 4. More of everything. I am seeking to look for the humor, enjoy the pontificating, enjoying the cooking, and hear the true music amidst all the noise--and today, my goal is to dance, not trudge! "Those who dance are considered insane by those who can't hear the music." George Carlin

The Best Gift I Can Give

Investing in your children for eternity ~ prayer George Romney ~ Lady Hamilton praying "The eyes of the Lord are toward the righteous,

and His ears are attentive to their cries." Psalm 34:15

Babies are dependent on us for our very existence--our milk, our protection, our love and words and care, daily, every moment. When they cry, we, like God, are attentive and respond. It is the way we know their needs.When we respond to them with tenderness and an overflowing of our love, deep in their beings, they begin to understand that God is one who responds to their cries.

God has designed them to be fragile so that we can put an imprint of God's very hands and love and grace into the molding places of their hearts and minds, so that in "feeling" our love, they become predisposed to know and believe in His love and touch when they hear the stories of Him. Our constant service to them and pouring out of our lives when they are tiny, become a familiar pattern to their brains to understand His generous love, sacrifice and redemption.

But as our children grow, they become more able to stand on their own feet, to think for themselves, to begin making decisions that will have consequences. When we are young and our children are young, we have some sense that we are in control of their lives--that what we do and how we control them will determine what they will become.

However, the older my children become, I realize that apart from God's working deep in their souls, they will not follow His course of righteousness. I cannot control their lives, circumstances, or inform their decisions. There is a dark world of temptation, idolatry, despair, immorality at calling to them at every point. But I am not left helpless or hopeless. I can have a big impact on their lives and can help shoulder their burdens every day.

Over the years,  I slowly grew into an understanding that unless the Lord stirs their hearts, quickens their minds to the scripture they have learned to love in my home, they will be sorely tempted to go the way of the world. And so, now, though I am in constant communication with my older children and encouraging and listening, I know that my biggest work in their lives will be before the throne of God.

Even as I see Jesus so often praying the whole night, and read that He prayed for Peter, and look at the loving, tender words of prayer in John 17, I know, too that I must model my life after His. The real work in my children's souls, the fingertips that will mold and shape their hearts, is that of the Holy Spirit. My work is to mysteriously engage with Him before God's throne, and it is there that the life of my children will bloom afresh. I share with you a small portion from one of my books:

The more time I spend with my Father in prayer, the better prepared I will be to help my children. And even more important, the more I can rest in the Lord knowing, by faith, that my children are in his hands. When I can trust in God's providence, draw upon his grace, join in the spiritual battle through prayer, and praise his name, all the other things I do as a mother seem to pale in significance. The more I grow as a mother, the more I grow convinced that the most important impact I will ever have on my children will be through my prayers for them.  ~ Seasons of a Mother's Heart p. 201

"Therefore, brethren, since we have confidence to enter the holy place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way which He inaugurated for us through the veil, that is, His flesh, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water." Hebrews 10:19-22

What are you praying for your children? Write down one thing for each child and commit to approaching God's throne in confidence daily until Christmas Day. May the Lord bless you as you give your children the best gift ever ~ your prayers!

Christmas ~ A Time to Enjoy Reading Aloud!

On a storm-blown Sunday afternoon in a creaky old manor house in England, I rediscovered the timeless delight of classic children's books. It took me by surprise. I was one of about thirty international students studying and living in England for the summer, and this was our first British teatime all together. A shy, awkward silence had fallen about us as we tried our best to balance philosophy, sophistication, and hot mugs of tea, when one of our tutors said something that sent us all staring. "Let's read Winnie-the-Pooh."

A swift current of suppressed mirth ran the length of the room, but we were up for some fun, and the tutor assigned each person a part in the story. Pooh's expedition to the North Pole was the story of choice, and before we knew what was happening we were immersed in the comical, compact world of the Hundred Acre Woods. The story had all of us -- tutors, college students, post-graduates, old, and young -- laughing until our sides literally ached." Read for the Heart pp. 113-114

Reading together as a family is a Clarkson tradition. Hours of memories have been made around good books. During the holiday season, busyness can rob you of precious time spent together as a family. Since all children should sleep at night, should being the key word, start the bedtime routine a little bit earlier and pull out a favorite book to read. If Pooh is a bit daunting by its size, try some holiday picture books or some shorter chapter books. Two Christmas selections that are recommended by Whole Hearted children are The Best Christmas Pageant Ever and Cosmic Christmas. Enjoy their reviews!

The Best Christmas Pageant Ever is a book I like each Christmas because it is a funny, family-friendly story.  It has inspired me to look at Christmas differently and a little more realistically.  For example, what if Jesus had colic?  The only thing about this book is that it has some questionable language so is better if Mom or Dad reads it aloud and edits as they read. ~ Reviewed by 10 year old young lady

Cosmic Christmas by Max Lucado ( also recently published as The Angel Story) opens a unique porthole into the uncommonly written realm of angels.    It is written from Gabriel's perspective on his mission to give Mary the seed of Christ as Satan is desperately trying to stop him.   While it is written from a biblical Christian perspective, this soul stirring book provides a new look on the " all is calm , all is bright"  normal theme of Christmas.

This book is a must read in our home each year. ~ Reviewed by 13 year old boy

Other great choices selected from Read For The Heart you can read include:

Little Women and Little Men (Kindle versions are FREE) or grab the whole collection for Kindle for just .99.

The Merry Adventures of Robin Hood (also free on Kindle)

The Railway Children (also free on Kindle)

What books are you reading to your children this holiday season? May the Lord bless the time you spend together!

Sarah's Book on Books ~ a great Christmas gift idea!