Christmas Season.

Christmas Season.

Luke2:8-14
8That night there were shepherds staying in the fields nearby, guarding their flocks of sheep. 9Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared among them, and the radiance of the Lord’s glory surrounded them. They were terrified, 10but the angel reassured them. “Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people. 11The Savior—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David!12And you will recognize him by this sign: You will find a baby wrapped snugly in strips of cloth, lying in a manger"

13Suddenly, the angel was joined by a vast host of others—the armies of heaven—praising God and saying,

14“Glory to God in highest heaven,
and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased.”

The Christmas season is crazy. Especially around our home! It’s always baking/traditions/to-do list’s filled. . . .

The baking is always the same but forever an adventure.

The traditions obviously happen yearly, but we are forever adding more and it’s great.

The to-do list’s never actually get shorter they just get more added….

This year we baked like mad women. We made things such as:

-Peanut Butter Cups

-Turtles

-Chocolate covered pretzels

-Chocolate covered Oreos                             

-Chocolate covered Marshmallows

-Peppermint Bark

-Tangerine Bark

-Boysenberry Bark

-Haystacks

-Chocolate covered Peanuts

-Chocolate raisins

The list could go on…..but let’s be honest; you don’t even want to know!!

The traditions were crazy and great as always! We did things such as:

-Going to see Scrooge the Musical (Two times it was so good!)

-Made our candy!

-Went to Downtown Seattle for a day.

-Rode in a Horse drawn Carriage.

-Shopped till me dropped, multiple times.

-Black Friday Shopping, YES.

-Decorated the house, decorations everywhere you look.

-Did crafty things.

Again, the list could go on and on and on. BUT I won’t bore you with all the details.

The tree is up, the cookies are baked, the presents are bought (Still need to be wrapped!) and the craziness is almost past so now is the time to sit back and remember what CHRISTmas is really about our Saving LORD Jesus Christ. For he was born on CHRISTmas morning and it was a beautiful thing. Sometimes I wonder if he knew. As a baby wrapped in the little clothing in a manger, if he could even begin to understand his purpose.

Can you imagine that night? Hearing that Jesus Christ the Savior is Born? Holy cow. I can’t even fathom hearing that or wanting too. It would blow my mind. Jesus came as a BABY on CHRISTmas morning and he humbled himself. He didn’t come as this mighty big crazy strong person. The cool thing about Jesus is that he came as a baby. Pretty cool he came the same way we did on the best day ever!!

Christmas can fly by and we can easily get so caught up in the hutle bustle of the life. I am praying and hoping this CHRISTmas season you can truly spend time with you and Jesus to remember what CHRISTmas really means. This is a beautiful time of year fully of sparkly joyful and pretty things. (These are definitely a few of my favorite things!)

Hope you all have a very merry CHRISTmas!!

Marvelous Meatloaf Muffins

This amazing recipie is from a friend. She is a marvelous cook and i couldnt help but make this. Thats why i named this post the Marvelous Meatloaf Muffins.

I have made them three times and all three times it has been nothing but good. Its very fast and great for people on the run like me! If you cant read my recipie card, this recipie and many others can also be found right here.

Please enjoy as much as i did!!

Dont worry readers, a new post is coming and its gonna be a fun one! I just though i would share my awesome recipie, especially with all the crazy times coming up, everyone will be busy, so heres to a perfect nights dinner!



Refuge and Protection

Psalm 25:20
"Guard my life and rescue me, let me not be put to shame for I take refuge in you."

Holy Cow. 

I take refuge in Jesus?

Yeah, i definitely DON'T think i do enough.

During my wonderful time with God today i was reading a little bit in Psalms, it always helps calm my nerves a little something extra...

Since classes end a week from today i thought this would be the perfect time to dive in.

The word Refuge means:
A Shelter, or Protection from Danger or Distress

Just sitting in the quietness of my home in my comfy favorite "mom" sweater and sipping on my Starbucks it hit me. Just how little those around me and myself really love and treat Jesus as "Shelter".

Crazy right? To Shelter means to COVER.

Looking back in time, Jesus covered us in his blood and paid the price for us, now and forever.

He has sheltered and protected us from the danger and distress of dying for our sins.

Sometimes our world is crazy, sometimes its UN fair, and sometimes our world hurts in ways we cant always describe. For some, it's a college paper they have to write by midnight. For others, it's their son or daughter dying at a young age. We never will know what God has planned for us next, so we need to prepare our hearts, spirits and attitudes.

In the crazy times to come, the good and bad, the happy or sad, it doesn't matter. Jesus is waiting for us, to run into his arms needing his protection, for that is what he yearns for. Our heart and time.

 

Lets time some time out of our daily lives and take refuge in the protection from Jesus Christ.

Thankfulness in the middle of craziness.

Wow. The last time I posted was HALLOWEEN. Craziness. I have been running like a chicken with my head cut off. I have dreamt about posting on my blog, even attempted to start but something (usually school or sleep) gets in the way. So ill give you the low down on what been happening since Halloween, if I can even remember!

-Of course I’ve started listening to Christmas music.

-Have bought more harvest decorations at Target.

-Also bought more Christmas Decorations at Target.

-Started Grocery Shopping at Target.

-Ordered all 50+ Christmas cards at Target.

-Apparently, spent a lot of time at Target….

-Started Couponing. Felt AWESOME, its actually fun!

-Spending lots of free time on Pintrest. So amazing.

-Being Super crafty and making a Christmas Banner.

-Uploading more pictures to Facebook, ATTEMPTING to put all the Hawaii ones up.

-Attempting to exercise at least three days a week, it’s usually been four WOO HOO.

-Making our “Thankful Trees”.

-Taking lots of tests, doing lots of homework and reading endless material.

-Made cake pops for the first time EVER by me.

-Started making candy….Oh gosh.

-Printed off like a million recipes I may never actually make, but I still like to dream.

-Went and stood in the literal first blizzard of winter for the midnight showing of Breaking Dawn. Best Movie Yet, Just Saying.

So obviously there were many awesome opportunities I could have posted. I am actually almost mad I didn’t. Although, I suppose looking back it’s almost a good thing…..I think. I think because I didn’t post it allowed me more time to really enjoy the things I did instead of fretting to take pictures, or think of good things to say. Doing all the things I listed above really allowed me to spend quality time with people I love, learn, have fun and of course grow.

Now of course we all know Thanksgiving just happened. Crazy Right? How is that even possible??! Time flies when we are having fun! God has been SO good to me and my wonderful family. I hope everyone’s Thanksgiving went well. I know we had a feast like no other and we got to spend the best quality time with family. No matter how many times we do it and no matter how long we spend with them it is seriously never enough. Again, we are blessed. During Thanksgiving I prayed for all those families who didn’t have anyone or any food. I hope they were Thankful as well. No matter WHAT we always have something to be Thankful for. Trust you me, I have SO MUCH. I basically live like royalty compared to other people.

I really hope your Thanksgiving was all you wanted and hoped it would be. Don’t worry my fellow readers, all 3 of you! ;) I will be posting again soon. The last couple weeks has just been more
then crazy.

Holiday: Halloween

Before I officially start this post I would just like to say, right now I am listening to Christmas music. It is definitely a beautiful thing!

Alright, now back to today’s holiday, Halloween. I honestly don’t know much about the history of it, or even the true logistics but I do know about my own memories. Every Halloween was a big deal around here. Not for my mother, not for me…..but for yes, my father. He seriously loved Halloween more than I can even fathom. It’s like me with Christmas. So as I am sure you can imagine, my memories are pretty hefty with Traditions. Every year our Traditions were as follows:

-          We both go to the Pumpkin Patch every year!

-          At the Pumpkin Patch we would pick out our pumpkins, do the corn maze without cheating, eat a carmld apple and pet all the animals. Every once and a while he would be a dork and decide to just do funny stuff.

-          We would bring all of our great pumpkin finds back to the house and gut them out. Full on, spending what felt like forever and do very detailed faces.

-          We would full on decorate the house. Top to Bottom. No matter what he didn’t care if anyone else saw it, he loved it and that’s all that really counts.

The last five years have been a little weird around Halloween. My mom just absolutely does not like Halloween with a fiery burning passion. Therefore, she just doesn’t celebrate it at all. We do volunteer on Halloween, but we do not celebrate it. Even though we don’t celebrate it, I think it’s really fun to decorate for it. So that’s my job. Decorations are the coolest, but mine aren’t scary or creepy!! Praise Jesus!! Mine are usually sparkly and have SOMETHING to do with Harvest Time instead of the creepy side of Halloween.

Anyways, whatever your traditions are, what ever you may be doing tonight have fun. Please do remember that Gods light is much bigger and better than the Enemies. I encourage you tonight and even tomorrow to be praying for those whom souls are not the same and are giving into the enemy. Pray we can be a light of Jesus to those who need it. Hope you have tons of fun, eat WAY too much candy, and get exhausted…..CAUSE ITS WORTH IT!!!!

Gods Mercies.

To be as honest as possible, this past week has really sucked. More than you even can know. Everyday there seemed to be something that went wrong, something big that just made me really be a debbie downer. Normally, i am a positive polly, but not this last week.

Every morning i woke up saying "God, please allow today to be different. I hated yesterday" It was the truth, i wasnt lying to God. I did want things to be different, i did hate it when it when my day wasnt awesome. Although i wasnt going about my days right. Every day i was being Me, and not relying upon God to fill me up. BIG MISTAKE.

Finally, after being a stubburn, sassy sally all week i decided to figure out what was really happening. I, when having the day off on Friday spent some time in Prayer. Really great time. I just sat in my car, cried a little and talked to God. I told him i was tired, i didnt understnd why all this stuff was happening, especially all at once, and that i just wanted to breathe. During this time, God really lifted up my head and loved on me. Sometimes i forget how amazing he really is and how amazing his mercies are. This was such a great reminder of his heart for us. . . .

While i just felt him in my presence it came to me.
Matthew 11:28-30   ²⁸ “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. ²⁹ Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. ³⁰ For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

In case you were un- aware this is my life verse. I desperately need it everyday all the time. I believe everyone does. So maybe you should put this on your mirror too. Anyways, so this verse came to me i got out my bible read it and poundered, then realized something. I had not read my bible. The whole week, Monday-Friday i had not even picked it up. This is a big deal, at least to me. I usually dont do that, but boy when i do i can tell. Then it all started to add up. Why i was crying, why i was tired, why i felt so empty and why my whole week sucked. I cried a little more and sent God some praises he taught that to me again, and that he forgave me for being such a selfish sinner. Reading our word is important. Reading, is just like eating. Without eating we would die. Therefore, without feeding ourselfs Gods Word, we will die, especially emotionally.

To be honest again, im not perfect. I dont spend an exact amount of time everyday in my word, i dont write notes everytime, but when i do read his word, i get such a fire in my heart i just seem to not be able to stop. Praise God his mercies are new every morning. Praise God he understands and forgives us our sins anyways. I need him and his mercies more than ever. Praise God, The Lord Of All. For he is good, every day. (Especially when he helps me realize why im a wreck.)

The Life of a Nanny

Sorry its been so long since i've posted, i wanted to kind of vamp up my blog so maybe ill get some more followers and readers. Although now, no matter how many readers/followers i get im still going to keep blogging my little heart out. This time i thought i would share with you the heart and life of being a nanny. Being a nanny, you would think would be easy, or i thought so. Well my dear friends i was MORE than wrong, i think its one of the hardest jobs around.

Everyday its a little different. Its definitely not the same as sitting at a desk, filing paperwork or making calls to customers like my old summer job, it is much more giving and needy. Daily we have a routine, and try to stick by it well. Although we do have the occasional occurances of spilling milk all over, falling into the wall and bonking a head, playing in the bowl of ceral, which includes putting it all over their head and more. Its a never ending trial of my patience and love for these sweet two little crazies i get to hangout with.

Through these sweet days of watching curious george, playing cards, and of course taking naps it has made me really think about my future. My future as a wife and momma of course. Now talking about my wanting to be a wife and a yearning heart to be a proverbs 31 woman, thats a completely different blog posting (which BTW will definitely be coming soon). Excepty this time i wanna talk about the yearning heart to be a momma.

I do understand, especially after being a Nanny that kids are very draining, hard work, and exausting. Although, i have also come to understand that kids are more than a blessing and that with them it only makes our life more joyous, yes all you "now" mommas, even through the screaming. During the two little crazies nap time, sometimes i watch them sleep. Seeing how small, timy and wonderful they are makes my heart melt daily. Being able to care for someone who is unable to do it themselfs gives a whole new meaning to loving others.

Being a nanny means, playing weird wacky crazy games from 7:50am all till 8:30am when breakfast is served. Getting the kiddos through that, then comes more crazy games till 10:00am. Then its usually changing time and with two boys, thats never simple. Of course then off to MORE crazy games till 12:30am, which is great but lunch it greater. See, then after lunch comes nap time. (MY TOTAL FAVORITE) In which then they wonder out of dreamland about 2:45pm and their momma comes home about 3pm. The day is done and complete filled with many of my favorite things. The life of a nanny is fun, great and sometimes hard work but in the end, its more of a blessing then a job. Now more than ever, my heart yearns to be a momma, but ill be patient, and wait upon the LORD Jesus all in his PERFECT timimg.

Work Place.

I thought i would write a little about my workplace.
I am absolutely, positvely beyond blessed in my crazy workplace.

I work at a boxing company and i am their receptionist (as i mentioned before). Its a really great job it really is im totally not just saying that. although the onmly thing is i leave here in September and i am really not too excited about that.

Lets start from the begining,
It all starts when i went for my interview sick, snot running out my nose like a faucet , me wearing my tennis shoes in which have a lage hole where my big toe pokes out, my holy jeans, my senior sweatshirt, and my hair an absolute nut case. So to say the least my getting this job based off my attire, not very likely. Although, through thr love and grace of God it happened. She called me not even 2 hours later after interviewing 4 others and asked me if i wanted the position. Saying i was the best from the day and they loved me!!

Obviosuly i took the position making a whopping $12 bucks an hour. So far it has been nothing but amazing, as i said in my last post (DEVO TIME) God has really been working on my heart. So in tht case i would share some of the things i really loved about it here, then all probably write a big sappy post at the end of the month talking about how much ill miss everyone.

So here it goes:- I love: My little cubical.
- I love: My personal email.
- I love: The view from my little cubical.
- I love: The guy upsatirs named Steve who brings me coffee.
- I love: The Taylor Swift Radio i get to play 24/7 here.
- I love: My daily hours.
- I love: That they have Starbucks Coffee and Hot Cocolate on stock ALL THE TIME.
- I love: That all my fav photo wbsites are saved on here and i look at them every friday.
- I love: When i have a crazy morning, makes it go alot faster.
- I love: Sorting all the mail.
- I love: Looking at wedding Dresses with a wonderful, beautiful coworker who is getting married.
- I love: Our normal UPS guy, Larry.
- I love: All our pretty postits here.
- I love: Gettign lots of free stuff on a monthly basis.
- I love: Seei Ernie. (Sweet old man that visits)
- I love: Sitting in my car and reading.
- I love: Getting calls from my mom at work.
- I love: How they dont care about what i do, as long as i am here.
- I love: The bathroom decor.
- I love: The pretty flowers that are planted out and about!

Thats only the begining. My workplace is a wonderful place to be even though its very busy its also a VERY blessed place...

Gifts Of The Heart.

DEVO TIME

Today, during my DEVO TIME God really put my heart at peace with something i had been wrestling with since mid June...
If youve been in the loop, you might know i had recieved a Summer Job as a receptionsit. Which, well is pretty much my favorite thing of all time, Administration. In fact, funny story it's my first spiritual gift. So long story short, i started as a receptionist and for some odd reason started hating it. Hated it alot. Everyday i would get up wishing i didn't have to go. Wishing i could call in sick. Then, when i had reached there, my attitude only seemed to get worse.

Everyday it seemed like a constant battle between, God and Me.Of course i was always the one starting it, and God always seemed to win. Yet, i never gave up i satyed sour about it as long as possible, i allowed Satan to get a foot hold on my heart and i allowed him to run crazy with it. So finally one day on my break, i took a walk in the rain attempting to keep myself dry with my little umbrella and had a very serious conversation with God. Like always, it was a good one and at that moment he proved to me why he had me there, and how i was to find joy in every aspect.
 
Right then and there, in the down pour of Seattle. It Hit Me.

God had wanted me to be at the place i was, so i could learn and grow upon my spiritual gifts. Especially the first gift of administration. God gives us these gifts for a reason. He allows us to do things we love to see joy in our lifes, and i was blinded. Blinded from that and blinded from the joy of christ.

Now i go into to work every day, usually smile, say hello to everyone and i try my hardest to have true joy. Joy from the lord. Everytime i sit in that desk, i answer that phone, i count those papers i am growing my strengh in administration. With growing i am blessing others, there fore the joy should be ENORMOUS!!

Remember: Everyday you spend, doing the gifts of YOUR heart that GOD has blessed you with...means you are growing more and more.

My Goal, With My Busy life: Trying to find ways to use the gits of my heart in small, out my comfurt zone ways!!

VERSE:

 

1 Corinthians 12:4-12