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Well Christmas once again has come all too soon. I know it is not good to up-stage Thanksgiving but it sure takes time to get it all done. I vow each year to start preparing earlier so I can just spend the whole month of December just ~ "oh come let us adoring Him."

 The shopping is done~ the gifts are wrapped ~the pantry is full of food to be cooked beginning tomorrow. The week is full of being merry and bright. I am so looking forward to spending time with my loved ones. Even though we have family in Washington, Michigan and a son-in-love in Afghanistan we will not see~ we will get to see them on facetime or talk with them on the phone. We are so very blessed! 

Please remember to pray for our men and women who are serving our country ~ many will not be coming home for Christmas. I appreciate your prayers for our Jacob and Hannah too as they will be spending their first Christmas apart. 

Revelation 11 :10

It is just not Christmas until you finish the Sugar Cookies.  My sister makes the best sugar cookies in the world~ just ask my husband. He likes hers better than mine even when I use her recipe. LOL

So here is Angie's recipe!



Angie's Sugar Cookie Recipe
2 cups sugar
1 cup Crisco
1 cup milk
2 eggs
1 1/2 tsp. vanilla
1 1/2 tsp. baking soda
2 tsp. baking powder
2 tsp. cream of tartar
5 cups of flour
scant of salt

* Cream sugar and Crisco together until light and fluffy.

* Beat in eggs.

* Add milk and vanilla.

* Add in sifted flour cream of tartar, baking soda and baking powder ~ slowly.

Bake at 350 degrees for 8-10 minutes. Do not over bake. Take from oven when just lightly golden.

Frosting~

2 pounds powdered sugar
2 Tbs. Butter
2 tsp. almond flavoring
evaporated milk to desired texture


Yummy~ now just serve with ice cold milk. They are sure to be Santa's favorite cookie in my house anyways!

This morning as I woke up at o'dark thirty with my mind swirling with my to-do list. It is two weeks until Christmas and the clock is ticking. I am determined to finish shopping this morning and have all the wrapping done today. I have managed to simplify things this year but now I want to enjoy some time celebrating with some of the people I love.

As I read my devotion this morning I read this. Remember Harry Reasoner? In 1971 he gave a commentary that I believe deserves to be repeated. Here is just a part~

“Christmas is such a unique idea that most non-Christians accept it, and I think sometimes envy it. If Christmas is the anniversary of the appearance of the Lord of the Universe in the form of a helpless baby, it’s quite a day. It’s a startling idea, and the theologians, who sometimes love logic more than they love God, find it uncomfortable. . . . It is either all falsehood or it is the truest thing in the world. It is the story of the great innocence of God, the baby, God in the power of man. And it is such a dramatic shot toward the heart that if it is not true, for Christians nothing is true. So even if you have not got your shopping all done and you are swamped with the commercialism and the frenzy, be at peace. . . . The story stands.

 Are you stressed this morning and feeling anxiety because of the "hustle and bustle" of the season? If so~ can I encourage you to take just a moment and focus on the true miracle of Christmas. God came down as a babe wrapped in swaddling clothes in a manger to become our Saviour and die for our sins.


 Focus on that message today and every day of your life. It will slow you down and help you keep the right perspective this Christmas season and every day of your life. 


May we never be guilty of keeping Christmas but losing Christ.

Luke 1:35

 And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.

About A Christmas Homecoming:  Seven Christmases have passed since Sonia Pettit last heard from her daughter Jody. Since Jody's departure, Sonia's world has been turned upside down. Her husband has died of a broken heart, and her son, bitter over his sister's destructive actions, has become rebellious. Her greatest desire is to have her family together at Christmas, but after what Jody has put them all through, can Sonia truly forgive her daughter? Jody Pettit O'Dair ran away to experience a life of adventure and excitement, but since her departure, her world has been turned upside down. She's been abandoned by the man she met and married, lost her job, and is unable to care for her two children. With nowhere else to turn, this prodigal daughter begins the long journey home and prays she will be welcomed after walking away so long ago. Will Jody find forgiveness in the arms of her family as easily as she received it from God?  Link to buy the book: http://ow.ly/fKkNc    About MaryAnn Diorio    Dr. MaryAnn Diorio loves God, people, children, and dogs, in that order.  She also is passionate about story and its power to transform the human heart. Dr. MaryAnn, as she is affectionately called, writes compelling fiction that deals with the deepest issues of life.  She is Adjunct Online Professor of Fiction Writing for Regent University and coaches writers on their journey to publication.  MaryAnn and her husband Dominic are the blessed parents of two wonderful daughters and a fantastic son-in-law. Grab a copy of MaryAnn Diorio's "A Christmas Homecoming" for JUST .99 and enter to win a Paperwhite Kindle! Details below! One "merry" winner will receive: A Paperwhite Kindle A Christmas Homecoming by MaryAnn Diorio Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on December 22nd. Winner will be announced on 12/23/12 at MaryAnn's Blog. Tell your friends via FACEBOOK or TWITTER and increase your chances of winning.

How is that "making merry" coming along? You got the tree up? Have you started shopping? My tree is up, the list is made and I have just started shopping. But~ I am not stressing. I may not have my normal "go- all -out decorations" up~ maybe I will finish them and maybe I won't.

However~I plan on enjoying all the sappy~happy Christmas movies with French Vanilla Cappuccino. We are having a stress ~free Christmas if it kills me~ lol.

I hear so many Christians do a lot of complaining about Christmas. So many say it is too commercial~ or too pagan. Not me! I love the music in the stores. I love all the decorations. When I see a Christmas commercials~ it brings back sweet childhood memories. When the commercials started that meant it was the Christmas season once again. I love Christmas. I love buying gifts, baking sugary treats (that I don't need) and decking the halls with all the glitter this girl can find. ( I love me some glitter.)

Maybe we do get too commercial but the reason we buy and wrap gifts is to celebrate the silent testimony to the supreme gift of God's Son ~who gave His life so that we may have eternal life. What a reason to celebrate if there ever was one!

You know I make a list almost every day with what has to be done that day. Today is cleaning day and I am trying to finish up the Christmas decorating. I need to freshen up the chicken coop. Caleb and I are finishing up his last year of school~ no stress there. I need to get a package ready to send to my grand-Boston for Christmas. Those Christmas cards need addressed. Well as you can see my list each day never gets shorter. I know you are much the same. How about you? Is your list a mile long today?

Thanksgiving is behind us and it is time to get merrily busy for the most wonderful time of year.  The Christmas season is here. Our calendars are full. Our bank accounts are getting empty. Our hearts and lives seem to be crowded with things we deem important but have we made room for Jesus?  Each year I seem to realize there are more important things in life than my never ending to-do list.

I just don't want to think of a world without Christ! Yet ~ how often do I get so caught up in living that I live my life as though He doesn't exist? This time of year is busier than most and I confess I get so busy I leave no room for Him. How about you?

 Oh ~ I make mental notes each year to not allow it to happen. Then on  Christmas Eve I silently pray for God to forgive me for crowding Him out once again.

I just wonder what was the inn keeper's excuse the night he had no room for Jesus? He was surely over extended with an inn full of all those weary travelers who had returned to be taxed. I am sure he was busy feeding and tending to the people~ even probably being a servant to those who needed rest from the long journey. I am just sure he was exhausted himself. Was that his excuse for turning away the King of Kings?  He must have had some sympathy for he offered them his stable. Yet ~ he had no room.

I am planning to make room for Jesus this year. I am putting Him on the calendar first this year. I don't ever want it to be said of me that I had "No Room."

Oh~ where does the time go? Are you all decorated for Christmas? I am trying but I seem to be turning in circles. We are back in Missouri. Hannah is unpacked and Jacob has landed in Afghanistan. Grammy has dried her tears but I am missing my Washington grandbaby so very much. Back to a new normal~ or at least doing my best to get there. 

 If I am not careful all the planning, work, decorating and everything else that goes along with "being merry" has a tendency to rob me of my joy. It really is not so important if it all gets done but it is very important not to leave Christ out of it all. 

Just reminding myself and you too if you are listening.

Never doubt in the morning what God has promised you in the night. Don't let anything or anyone take away your joy ~ it is yours to have and hold.

"Isn't life glorious!

 Isn't it grand!

 Here-take it-hold it tightly in your hand;

 Squeeze every drop of it into your soul. 

Drink of the joy of it, sun-sweet and whole!

 Laugh with the love of it, burst into song! 

Scatter its richness as you stride along!

 Isn't life splendid-and isn't it great.

 We can always start living-it's never too late!"

-Helen Louise Marshall

John 16:22

 (KJV)

 And ye now therefore have sorrow: but I will see you again, 

and your heart shall rejoice, and your joy no man taketh from you.

. 

How does time go so quickly? I am up above the clouds and heading back to Missouri. I had a wonderful time in Washington with my Washington kids. I had so much fun with my little Boston. He is a ball of fun and very smart. We colored and colored and colored some more. We watched Charlie Brown's Christmas and Rudolph and a few other movies too. I am trying to remember I can eat lunch with him any time I want. He is only a flight away. It helps with the tears.



Jacob is on his way to Afghanistan. Hannah and her Dad have made their two day drive back to Missouri and have already unpacked. Wow- what sad goodbyes. This Military thing is tough. I guess I need to harden up to it but I am not so good at it.



It helps in knowing that God has a plan for my children bigger than mine. So I quietly pray my prayers asking for my heart's desire for them all to be a bit closer but trust God to answer according to what is best for them all.



I can't believe it is Thanksgiving already again. Are you ready? I am not so I will be hitting the ground running. I am counting me blessings today. I am so thankful for those Wright brothers this morning- so I can fly all the way across the states and see my kids. What a blessing! I never want to take for granted the opportunity to be able to do so.


I watch my little Boston as he places such great trust and faith in his daddy and it reminds me that I too can trust my Heavenly father with child like Boston faith. I can rest assured that he has it all in His hands....He has it under control. Now that is something to celebrate today.


I pray that you and yours have a blessed Thanksgiving!

I am writing from Washington this morning.......yep I am here with that grandbaby. We are having a time. The boy loves to color, work puzzles and play games. So I know you can guess how I am spending my time.


 This morning my devotion was called, Standing By The Beans. I seem to have turkey and ham on the mind so my thought was why are we discussing beans the week before Thanksgiving. Well let me fill you in.

 Shammah was one of King David's men. He was assigned to stand guard over the field of lentils (just plain ole' beans)- just a lowly assignment. Yet, I am sure it was the livelihood of many. He was faithful to his duties no matter how trivial they may have seemed. There were others there but the Bible tells us they all fled. I wonder if they thought is was a job that was beneath them. Not Shammah- he stayed and stood guard when all the others fled the scene.

 Guess what? Standing guard over a field of beans did not sound so appealing but then an army of Philistines showed up. Shammah defeated that entire army by himself landing himself right in the pages of God's Word as a great man after David. God helped him fight that battle because he had been faithful to do the little and unnoticed job. He became a hero for standing by the beans. 

We live in such a ego-inflated society. We look at what people do,   what they look like and how much money they make to decide their worth. Well I am here to tell you that God will help us fight our battles too if we continue to remain faithful in the simple tasks that God calls us to do. It may seem like your day today is as unimportant as standing by the beans. May we all be encouraged to remain faithful because just around the corner is a victory waiting! Woo hoo.... Now that makes tending to the beans a little more exciting!

"Moreover it is require in stewards,that a man be found faithful." (1 Cor. 4:2)

I will be back soon ~ I am being called away to color great masterpieces.

About Courting Cate:  When This Couple Gets to Courting, Sparks Will Fly! In Paradise, Pennsylvania, Cate Miller is known more for her sharp tongue and fiery temper than her striking appearance. Her sweet and flirty sister, Betsy, on the other hand, seems to have attracted most of the bachelors in Lancaster County! But the sisters' wealthy father has made one hard-and-fast rule: older Cate must marry first, before younger Betsy can even start courting. Unfortunately, untamable Cate has driven away every suitor-until Pete Treger comes to town, that is. Prodded by the men of the area, Pete turns his attention to winning Cate's hand. But is his interest true or is there a scheme at play? Book 1 in The Courtships of Lancaster County series.  Link to buy the book: http://ow.ly/eSNfb

Meet Leslie:   Leslie Gould is the co-author, with Mindy Starns Clark, of the #1 bestselling The Amish Midwife and The Amish Nanny. She is also the author of numerous novels, includingGarden of Dreams, Beyond the Blue (winner of the Romantic Times Reviewers' Choice for Best Inspirational Novel, 2006), and Scrap Everything. She holds an MFA in creative writing from Portland State University and has taught fiction writing at Multnomah University as an adjunct professor. She resides with her husband and four children in Portland, Oregon.  Learn more at www.lesliegould.com.

To CELEBRATE the release of her newest novel, Courting Cate, Leslie Gould is giving away a Kindle Fire! Then on 11/20 she'll be hosting a fun Facebook Party where she will be chatting with readers and giving away fun prizes! Click for details and don't miss the fun.http://ow.ly/eSNIZ

Enter Today - 11/1-20!


I have a confession to make. I have been asking the Lord to let me live to be 100 since I was a little girl.  I want to grow very old and wear bright red lipstick and have blue hair~ really I do.

 I know God is not a good luck charm and doesn't answer our every whim.  But I love life and I will have eternity in Heaven forever so I want to spend as much time as possible on this earth.  I love living~ I love to celebrate everything there is to celebrate!

 So even in my childlike thinking~ I wanted to stay on this earth as long as I possibly could and can. Will I get too? Not sure because God does give us the desires of our heart but they are filtered through His knowledge of what is best for us.

 I was so blessed to grow up in a church that taught me the Word of God. I remember hearing that God gives us the desires of our heart if we are truly committing our ways to Him. I learned that at a very young age.