Needing some help writing my Christmas letter...........

I need some help with my Christmas letter!

Honestly, it has been quite a challenge to write a Christmas letter this year. As I have thought through all that we have received, endured, survived, and enjoyed.....the only conclusion that we can share this Christmas season, is that we have MUCH to be thankful for! It's not easy to write about though.

God is teaching us, molding us, pruning us, and blessing us! In the midst of tumultuous circumstances, he gives us the 5 most precious grandchildren ever! When we want to succumb to the challenges before us, we take a breather, and spend a night in Myrtle Beach, enjoying the ocean, searching for sharks teeth, & walking along the beach. 

We spent the July 4th weekend at a friend's mountain home with our kids and grandkids.  It was such a great time!  We don't take it for granted! 

When it seems that work is just too hard, we receive the most loving encouragement from our “kids”! Whether they bring us supper, drive three hours to visit us and bring our grandkids down for hugs, or help us at work----we are so blessed!  Or, a friend from the past comes to South Carolina and drives 2 hours to Columbia JUST to have dinner with us.  What a love gift God gave us in that special evening! 

 

When I am writing my Christmas letter, I want to be encouraging, and I want to share all of the wonderful, exciting, beautiful things that show God's Glory in our lives.  This year, most of what immediately comes to mind about this year falls short of that.  Of course, we have learned much.  My last post about "definitions" truly expressed my "aha" moment of the year.  Wow....giving God my definitions!!??  This is BIG!  I have not fully mastered this yet, by the way. 

 

So, as Thanksgiving draws closer and closer, and I usually have my Christmas letter written by now, I am taking a few moments tonight to pray.  God, how can I declare YOUR Glory in my Christmas letter this year when I feel so overwhelmed with life?  How can you "shine", when I don't feel like I'm a vessel fit for such a purpose?  Is this a year to skip the Christmas letter, or does God have something that He'd like us to share....even about this most difficult year, that would point others to Jesus, our reason for the season?!

 

This week, our son Mark has had a "health crisis".  He ended up in the hospital, and he could have had a stroke!  Whoa!  He's only 33 years old.  God uses these situations to remind us that life is short, we must love each other, take care of ourselves, and keep our hearts right with God!  We never know when such a crisis will occur!  Thankfully, he had great doctors and they were thorough.  He will need to make some lifestyle changes and take a couple of medications.  The blessing is, that he will be fine!  God heard our prayers for Mark, and we are thankful!

 

The last 6 weeks of the year should be filled with "wonder", laughter, joy, anticipation, baking, family, etc............and though it most likely will contain some of the above, I'm tired.  I dislike decorating for Christmas by myself.  My dear husband has his plate full----I hate to ask anything else from him!  Though I have always loved baking, it was much more fun when the kids lived at home.  I have barely taken time to "Swiffer", and now I need to decorate and rearrange the house only to take it all back down a few weeks later?   

 

I need a good "pep talk"!  I may also need  help or permission to decorate less, or bake less.

Tonight, as I should probably get started on a Christmas project I have planned for the grandkids.............making them sock puppets...........I find myself in my "jammies", warmly cuddled up in bed with my computer.  I guess I am just relieved that Mark is ok, that he is now home, and well.  ( I just took him home from the hospital this afternoon)

 

For tonight, I'm just going to ask God for our Christmas letter.............after all, the season is all about Him!

 

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

Pam

 

Definitions..............

Definitions..............

There's the dictionary definition, and there are also words, and concepts that we have our OWN definitions for.
How I define love, or protection, or provision, or safety or security............may not be the same as how you define those words.
This week, I had a "letting go" of my definition of certain words and it has been freeing, and yet adds more unknown.
I know, I'm not really making sense.

Let's take the word: provision....provide.
I have wrestled with God on this word, because I have MY definition of what God's provision, or how God should provide "looks like".  If the measure of God's provision in my life, circumstances, etc. hasn't met what I determined needs to be provided for.........it has been a source of "defeat" for me.

Just what the "enemy" wants!  He would want nothing better than for me to be defeated my relationship with God. 
No more! 

So, instead, every time I catch myself  thinking God's love and care for me is measured by how I define love, provision, security, or safety.............I will stop myself. 

OH, how I love the verse in 2 Corinthians 5:7 that reminds me that we walk by faith and not by sight.  We need to live  knowing and believing the truths in God's Word, and not let our feelings hinder what we know to be true.

If you have written your own "dictionary"----put it away. 
God loves you. 
Remember what the first chapter of James says....the trials are to test our faith and produce perseverance. 
They are to make us mature and complete, lacking nothing, AND if we persevere under trial, we will receive the crown of life, reserved for those to love Him.

THAT is worth enduring for....struggling for....believing, hoping, trusting, and having faith for!
God is writing the story of my life, and I will daily give up my definitions, and know that I see in part, but God has the full picture!

Have a blessed holiday weekend!

We just have to trust that God loves us and knows what's Best!

I know it's been quite a while since my last post.  Life....it just takes a lot out of you sometimes!
    
     Yesterday, my daughter was telling me that one of my grandson's went to his first t-ball practice.  He has watched his older brother play ball for two years.  He has gone to most every game.  He knows what happens, and what to do.  He knows that his parents aren't going to leave, and that it will be fun.  He's watched, and wanted to play...........until his very own first game.

    This little boy is smart as all get out!  But he's also cautious, and analyzes things, and doesn't just join in.  Sometimes he has to be coaxed, and sometimes.....forced.  He's a little timid, especially in group things, where one of his parent's can't just stand beside him the whole time.  This happened at t-ball.  The little guy who doesn't want to draw attention to himself, made a scene, had a tantrum,and threw his parents for a loop!

    He wanted his parents to stand in the ball field with him, because he didn't want to do it alone.  It was a water-works display.  His parents held their ground.  They know that part of parenting is training the kids to do things without them.  Honestly, it's probably harder for the parents (at least, the mom) than the kids-----this separation, detaching, pushing the baby birds out of the nest!  But it must be done.

     It will most likely take this little guy a few times before he allows himself to have fun, and gives it his best shot.  Crazy deal is that he is really going to be an athlete.  He's coordinated, and loves sports, and runs fast, and can "figure it out".  He just has to trust, and submit to his parents, and the coach.  He has to believe he will be ok when his parents aren't right next to him.....they are just a few more feet away, watching his every move.  They'd be there in a flash if something happened, but they know this will be good for him.

     I think I am like this little guy with the scarey things in life.  I have watched God work in the lives of others, and even in my own life.  I have seen miracles.....cancers cured, babies born, jobs found or saved, money come in the nick of time.....prayers answered.  I have read the Bible, memorized many of the promises, and had others pray for me.  I have felt the shelter of God's love wrapped around me when I have grieved a loss.  I'm a fairly strong woman.  I can "get it done".  But sometimes, I let fear grab ahold of me and paralyze me.  I get into a stubborn mood and tell God "I can't"!  God replies,
Matthew 19:26
Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”

I tell God that it's too hard, and I don't want to!  He reminds me---
2 Corinthians 12:9a
"But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”

I resist, and at times, I refuse His blessings because I'm afraid, or I just want Him to hold my hand, and He gently nudges me "out of the nest"..........BUT He never takes His eyes off of me.  He knows that I am equipped to do what He's asked me to do.  He prepared me.  He lets me get a skinned knee, and sometimes a ball hits me in the arm, or the side.  Sometimes, when I'm up to bat, I strike out.  Sometimes, I don't catch the fly ball thrown out into the field.  That's how I learn.  I make mistakes.  Sometimes my weaknesses show.  (Oh my!)  Sometimes, I really screw up and it affects the "team".

If everything came easy, if I had lots of self-confidence, and believed it was all ME.............I wouldn't seek HIM!  What wonderful lessons we can learn just from being nudged out of the nest a bit, and having to play t-ball!  My grandson is just a little guy, so he won't understand all of the important lessons he will learn from playing on a team, or just being required, or "forced" to give this game a chance.  His parents wouldn't ask him to do something they didn't think would be good for him!  They love him! 

God, who knows the whole story from beginning to end.  He has many lessons for us to learn, blessings to shower on us, struggles we need to trudge through, and gems for us to find.  We will get bumps and bruises, cuts and scrapes, and even sometimes-----feel alone, on this journey called life.  But this life is not all about us!  There is so much more than we can see that is happening every day, all around us!  The greatest blessing in all of life is to be used by God to bring others to Him.  Each struggle, trial, and victory is to prepare and equip us for His purposes. 

Time to pray:
This week, as I anticipate a challenging one...........Lord, keep your eye on me!  As you allow the tough things in life to strengthen me, and equip me, let me see you!  When I tell you it's too hard, or I'm scared, or I can't......remind me that nothing is too difficult for YOU!  You are with me!  You will pick me up when I fall, and I am never alone.  When I just don't want to play the game, when I'm tired, and worn, and ready to just watch.........remind me that there is a purpose in all of this, and you have a plan to give me a future and a hope.  (Jeremiah 29:11)
In Jesus Name,
Amen

Focusing on Jesus...........

There is a verse in the Bible that tells us to "fix" our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith. (Hebrews 12:2) When something is "fixed", it is "set".  It does not look to the right or the left.  It has focus.
That is what I am trying to do right now.
I am succeeding part of the time, and failing miserably at other times.

I am also remembering Matthew 11:28 "Come to me all who are weary and burdened and I will give you rest". 
I'm claiming it. 
I'm looking to Jesus for my safety, my protection, my rest. 

Are you burdened?
Are your trials heavy and you feel you can't see beyond them?
God sees!  God hears the cries of your heart!

He tells us in 1 Corinthians 13:9 that now we see in part, our knowledge is incomplete.  Someday, we will see in full!  Someday, we will know the "whys" and we will see how it all fits together.

God has been reminding me of these verses because I too easily "forget"!!
He wants me to trust in His Word, and not live my what I feel!  Feelings are not necessarily truth.
God can be trusted.  He loves us and knows us by name! 
This world is not our eternal home! 
He has overcome the "world".  There is VICTORY in Jesus!
The sun will shine tomorrow.
But the rain................oh the rain..........is God's provision!  His hand to provide:  all life needs water.  He provides!

Rest, my dear friend, rest in knowing that when we fix our eyes on Jesus, and take it all, laying it at the feet of our Savior, we can trust Him.
We can trust Him!
Sleep well, sleep well!
Love,
Pam

"Colgate or Crest"?

Today's topic is on how to stretch your grocery budget.
Recently, I have been a part of a small group of ladies that are trying to control portion sizes to lose weight.  I have battled the same 10 pounds for a few years now, and since I am now over 55, something has got to change!  Thus, I am a part of that small group.
Often I hear people say that it is expensive to eat healthy. 
Groceries are getting more expensive, that's true.  Also, shows like Extreme Couponing, have made it more difficult for consumers to get good deals, because they have been "extreme"!
Here are some practical tips that ANYONE and everyone can use.  Some, you will have heard, and already use.
1.  Don't be an impulse shopper.  It causes money waste.  When you wastefully spend "over here", you won't have money for things you need "over there".
2.  You don't have to shop at 15 stores to get good deals, but make the most of wherever you go!  For example:  My church is close to Trader Joes, and Sam's Club.  I keep a running list....and if there is sufficient reason to go, we make those stops after church.
3.  Don't assume generic is the cheapest!  Also, don't assume Walmart is the cheapest.  I do a good portion of my shopping at Publix.  Our new ad comes out on Wednesdays.  I try to look online at their ad and see what is buy one get one free.  If I need those items, I look to see if there are also coupons I could match up with that.  For example:  this week, Angel Soft toilet tissue is buy one get one free.  That is an amazing deal!  I seldom see tissue for that good of a price.  I would be foolish to just get one.  I will stock up as much as my budget will allow.  This will save me money in the long run because I won't have to purchase it for a while.  The more you do this, the more money it will "free up" in the long run, and you can make the products last until the next cycle of sales (which is about 3 months).
4.  I set goals for myself.  My main goal is to NEVER, EVER pay full price!  Another goal I have is to have my overall result to be a savings of 50% or more on my receipt.  This can be accomplished through items being on sale, buy one get one free, items that have coupons:  both store and manufacturer, etc. 
5.  I'm not brand loyal.  Hence the title of this post:  Colgate or Crest!  If I have a coupon for Colgate that will give me a free toothpaste or almost free toothbrush...that is what I will use.  My husband likes Colgate best, and that is good because mostly, the coupons are for Colgate.  If a coupon will give me the smallest size free, that is what I get because then I can use the savings for fresh fruits and vegetables.
6.  Buy what is in season!  Right now, there are farmer's markets everywhere!  I see people selling produce on the side of the road!  Know you prices, and cash in on the savings!  That said, keep some CASH in your pocket!  Roadside stands won't take credit or debit most of the time.  I usually spend about $20 at a time when I hit a farmer's market.  Often I will have 5 or 6 plastic bags with produce!  I buy a basket of tomatoes for $3.00, a cabbage for $1.00, cucumbers are often 3-5 for $1.00, sometimes I can get fresh farm eggs for as little as $2.50/doz., etc.  Take advantage of your local farmer's market. 
7.  Don't wait until you run out to get items you use all of the time.  I know you must make this fit within your budget, but you MUST buy when items are on sale, NOT wait until you run out.  The toilet paper I told you about in #3 is a perfect example.  Also, I love Vanity Fair napkins.  I ONLY buy them when they are buy one get one free and I also have a manufacturer's coupon.  Thus, I don't get to buy them very often.  When I do, I get as many as my coupons and budget allow.  Same with Bounty napkins.  I like them too!
8.  Be willing to try making some of your own products with recipes from Pinterest.  Recently, I tried making liquid hand soap with a recipe from Pinterest.  The recipe I chose was the easiest one!  I took a brand of bar soap that had some glycerin in it, and I grated it with my grater.  (the whole bar) Then, I took a gallon of water and put it in my largest pot and set the burner on medium high.  I added the soap shavings and kept stirring until it was all melted and bubbly.  I turned off the burner and stirred every once in a while as it cooled.  Then I took my hand held emersion blender and whipped it a bit.  I poured the cooled mixture in hand soap bottles, water bottles and whatever else I had to use, as it makes a gallon +.  I had a whole gallon of hand soap!!  Every 8-10 oz bottle can cost $1-$3, so that saves me at least $13.  (I got the bar soap with coupons and paid about .25cents for it!)
9.  The more you save on non food items, the more you have to spend on the healthy foods you want.  Homemade granola is a great option for your family!  Right now, Quaker Oats is buy one get one free at Publix!  Pick up some nuts or seeds at Trader Joes, or wherever you see a good price.  Get some raisins, and you will need some oil and honey.  I buy local honey at the farmer's market.  Recipes abound on Pinterest.  It doesn't take very much time to make your granola homemade.  It is delicious, you know what is in it, and it is healthier than store bought.  Plus, ounce for ounce....it is less expensive.
10.  Distinguish need from want.  Examine your last few grocery store receipts.  If you really want to spend more on fresh fruits and vegetables, where can you "trim" your expenses so that you can do that?  Did you pick up a magazine or two at the check out?  Did you buy that bag of chips that was calling your name....and not on sale?  Did you just grab a jug of Tide, when another brand was buy one get one free?  Take a look.  Plan before you shop.  I know it takes a bit of time.  But hey, you work hard for your money.  Shouldn't you want to make it go as far as you can? 

I hope these tips will help you be able to get the most from your shopping trips.  My youngest daughter has become quite good at saving money, and yet stocking up on things she needs and uses most.  She can stretch a dollar about as far as it can go!  Here is the link to her money saving, frugal living blog.  www.frugalfitmomma.com

My other daughter has discovered the love of cooking and trying to keep her dinner meal at 500 calories, while pleasing her children's tastes, and her son's extreme food allergies.  She is also an amazing photographer.  Her food blog address is: www.dancinandcookininthekitchen.com

I'm a mom, so I can "promote" my girls, can't I???  :-)
Have a blessed day!  I hope you have read something here that will inspire you and help your family eat healthier, and stretch a dollar farther!  Perhaps you can even start a vacation "jar"!!  Maybe money saving vacations will be my next post....?????!!!
That's all for now,
Pam

Fearfully and wonderfully made

Psalm 139:14

I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.

 

 

It's been over a month since my last post.

I've been busy, and streeeetttttcccchhheeeedddd!  :-)

But a topic came to the forefront today when there were some movies on tv about young girls and boys with anorexia.

The need to control, to be thin, to be the thinnest, to think that our worth comes from what we weigh.

That we are disgusting and valueless unless we are super thin.

 

From the time I was a young teen until now, I have battled within myself the question:  Where do I get my value?  What determines my worth?

Most teenage girls. and many young guys struggle with food issues in one form or another, and I was not immune. 

 

Now, as a 55 year old woman, whose body is changing, and I am getting thicker in the middle, and clothes don't fit as they used to.....I have to shout God's truths in order to fight what the "world" says is valuable, and beautiful and lovely.

 

How ridiculous!  Are we not more than flesh and blood?  Do we not know that no flesh and blood will enter the kingdom of heaven?  This body is ours to use while we are on earth, but focusing every bit of energy on what the body looks like keeps us from our purpose.  It focuses on self, SELF!!!

 

Instead:

Hebrews 12:1-2

New International Version (NIV)

12 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, ² fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

 

 

What our focus, our attention, our discipline is best spent on, is Jesus!

He is God's son, who bore our sin on his body....one  beaten, scourged, and battered, so we can spend eternity with Him. 

Wow!  Nothing we can do can earn that.  We can't starve our way to acceptance.  He doesn't love us more if we fit the world's standards of: thin, tan, flawless......HE is the only sinless, flawless one.

Luke 9:23

New Living Translation (NLT)

²³ Then he said to the crowd, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must turn from your selfish ways, take up your cross daily, and follow me.

(Someday soon, I will write a whole post on Luke 9:23.)

Join me.  Let's take our eyes off of what the WORLD says our focus should be on:  status, looks, weight, body image, possessions, etc.....anything that "hinders", and let's look to the ONE who loves us as we are.  Let's point someone who doesn't know Him to the one true hope.
What would happen if we spent as much time in God's Word as we do exercising, and focusing on outward beauty?
What would that say to our families?  What do they think is our priority?  What do they see us doing, saying, where is our focus?

Take care of your body, don't hurt it.  God made you, and He loves you, and you are using this body while you are here.  Let your light shine for the WORLD to see!

Love,
Pam

 

Being all things to all people............

Is it even remotely possible to be all things to all people?
By my actions, you'd think so. For some reason, I seem to think that it is possible to be all things to all people.  The truth is, that the answer is no.  If it were, I would definitely do my best to make that happen.
You cannot please all of the people all of the time.
Some people you can never please, and some people you shouldn't be your priority to please, and others, you can do your best, but there will always be something "more" that needs to be done, to please them.
How do you decide who to please, when?

It's not easy....my head spins so often.  Honestly, I consistently ignore the truth, and run around like a crazy person, as though my very worth depends on meeting everyone's needs.

So, what should your priority be?  Let's start with the one who made you, and the one who loves and understands you most.  God!  He loves, loves, loves you!  He says that we need to come to him, when we are weary and heavy laden and he will give us rest!  We are to take HIS yoke upon us because HIS burdens are light.  He knows what we need, and He wants to meet OUR needs.  He died for you, has a purpose for your life, and will be with you through thick and thin.  I'd say that is a pretty good reason to please God first and foremost!
How can we do this best?  By loving the Lord your God with all of your heart, soul, mind and strength, and your neighbor as yourself. 

You don't please God by the clothes you wear, your "style", your material possessions, whether you keep your cool in stressful situations, etc.  You love Him, thank Him, serve him, praise him!  The priorities need to be:  God first, husband (spouse) second, family third.....others, after that.

It's impossible to please everyone, all of the time.
It sets you up for failure and discouragement.  It can ruin your day.
Seek HIM first, and everything else "will be added to you".  It isn't easy, but it can be done!

Happy weekend!
Pam