wish list

"I know it's probably too late, mom, but I'd like to add to my Christmas list...."

Hard to imagine I've heard this statement about 50 times since the beginning of December.  (and they've been working on their "lists" since October.)  We try hard to focus on what Christmas really means, we even talk about why we give gifts to each other....why we focus on the giving, not receiving...how spending time together is more valuable then the things money can buy....what it means  to have the hope only Jesus can bring.....

and yet....

"I know it's probably too late, mom, but I'd like to add to my Christmas list...."


I've been working on my own list.  But my list does not give me a sense of joyous anticipation...

~shopping - for the most perfect gift for everyone on my list
~cleaning, laundry, cleaning, laundry - these things don't go away just because there are other things to do
~shopping - oops, I forgot so-and-so and such-and-such
~concerts and parties and plays, oh my!
~baking - to bake or not to bake, that is the question (and I'm thinking "not")
~wrapping and decorating, card writing and mailing
~shopping - oh, I guess we should have some food in the house
~planning and prepping, cooking and crafting

the list goes on and on.

I long for the peace that passes understanding, and I told the Lord that very thing.  You know what He showed me? 

~ a verse written into a card from a friend: "Christ Himself is our peace" Eph 2 :14
~two blog posts that I read regularly: Simple Mom  and  chatting at the sky
~even the cheesey Christmas movie I watched on tv was a great reminder

Perfection is not the goal.  Getting everything done to my impossible expectations will not make the Season more enjoyable - in fact it will likely do the exact opposite, because even if I did get it all done my way, I would end up so exhausted that no one would want to be around me.

And so I thank the Lord and I move forward, doing the things I can (forgetting what I can't do) and celebrate!  Enjoy the quiet moments, enjoy the "lively" moments (that's a reference to my kids' excitement which has been wearing me out!) and everything in between.

I praise God for a family that loves me as I am - imperfections and all - and for a gracious and hard working husband that surprised me by finishing all the Christmas cards, that happily runs the errands I hate to do and keeps upbeat in stressful times.

The Truth never changes and when the Lord says He is the "Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace" (Isa 9:6) - this is Truth.

Shout for joy, you heavens; rejoice, you earth; burst into song, you mountains! For the LORD comforts his people and will have compassion on his afflicted ones.

Isaiah 49:13

 “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”
Luke 2:14

how you'll know

How will you know what I've been wearing 

~whether or not I'm keeping up with my commitment to not give in to the temptation to wear sweats every day~

now that I'm no longer taking pictures of myself?

I can answer that!

#1

Look back at some old WIWW posts:

here & here & here & here

I've been wearing alot of those outfits

#2

Go take a peek at the sales rack at the Gap.

If there's one thing I've learned over that past weeks is that I really am a creature of habit and shop at the same places all the time.

always.

#3

Meet for coffee - better yet breakfast!

I always get dressed for that.

and finally...

#4

Just trust me.

I've never been a "sweats all the time" girl and yoga pants do me no favors.

I liked accessorizing with cute necklaces long before I started linking up.

I've tried to be intentional about not letting the frump get to me since I first had my first baby.

She's ten - that's alot of practice.

It was fun while it lasted - thanks for playing along!

And if you really like to see what other people are wearing from the comfort of your own home, be sure to stop by the Pleated Poppy every Wednesday - I still will. :)

be blessed!

shh...

 The LORD said, “Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the LORD, for the LORD is about to pass by.”
Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the LORD,
but the LORD was not in the wind.
After the wind there was an earthquake,
but the LORD was not in the earthquake. 
After the earthquake came a fire,
but the LORD was not in the fire.
And after the fire came
a gentle whisper. 
When Elijah heard it, he pulled his cloak over his face.

1 Kings 19:11-13

This passage has been on my mind for the last few days.  I've been thinking about the Season... and Jesus... and His coming... and what people expected it to be...and how differently it all turned out.

expectations.

I've been thinking about how nice it would sometimes be to hear God's voice speak into my life like a powerful wind, an earthquake or a fire...but how it comes in a whisper.

soft.  still.

I've been thinking that it would be great if my shopping were finished and there were no parties to attend - do I sound like Scrooge now?  ...Just imagine if you had to intentionally carve out time to go to this-and-that festivity because you were so busy being still, listening for the voice of the LORD....

quiet and waiting.

And when the Voice comes, you cover your face because it is too much to bear and He tells you the way to go... and He tells you're growing and changing just like He hoped you'd be... and He tells you that He loves you...

then and now and always.

And then you've had Christmas - and it was the best one ever.



wiww - week 7

So I'm late to the party, but decided to link up with the pleated poppy on a thursday about what i wore last week.

i only have a couple of shots, but i did try a new way to photograph to hopefully have better light.  i think it'll be better....

this was friday - my husbands birthday

we had a long and very frustrating day and it was COLD!

(that's all my defenses for the sweater-layers...)

black wool turtleneck - club monaco

grey sweater - banana republic

jeans - i think they're gap

(drawback of new photo method - can't really see the bottoms...)

necklace - gift from BIL from mexico

belt - banana republic

busy saturday at home during the day

and dinner with friends in the evening - FUN!

gap jeans

cowl neck - new fron the gap - $10! woot woot

(it is SO comfy i went out and got another in ...grey...)

church Sunday

denim skirt - gap 

black tank - target

black velour blazer - jacob

apparently i took the week off with accessories...

hope you're having a blessed week and enjoying the preparation of the season in your home and in your heart!