12 days of Christmas

My family used to select a family (or some years multiple families) to give 12 days of Christmas. We would buy a Nativity set that contained 12 pieces. Then late at night we would deliver a piece of the Christmas set and the verses from the Bible that went along with the piece. For twelve mornings the family would find a surprise on their doorstep. On Christmas Eve the family would receive the final piece, the baby Jesus, to complete the set.

This was so much fun! There was the one year that we gave it to all of the families in House Church. I remember driving all over town with my Dad and siblings for deliveries. We enjoyed getting to bless other families in this way.

Still Here

I'm still here, it has just been a crazy past couple of weeks. I have been swamped with final projects, presentations, papers, and am now studying for finals. But I have been blessed because there has still been time for hanging out with friends and having fun, just not blogging.

Right now in Ames it is 6 degrees outside and the wind chill makes it feel like -17. In Tempe, AZ it is 52 degrees. That's almost 70 degrees warmer!!! I am excited to get into that weather in 4 days! :)

My plan is to spend the next two weeks writing about favorite Christmas memories and traditions. Keep an eye out for them.

Running thoughts

Today I had a great time with the Lord while I was working out. I have been working on scripture memory and listening to Pachelbel's Canon in D. I love that in the middle of the gym, I can spend time alone with Jesus. He is so great!

I have been feeling emotionally, spiritually, and physically weary lately and the following Bible verses really stood out to me this morning.

Lamentations 3:24 "I say to myself, 'The Lord is my portion; therefore I will wait for Him.'"

Psalm 143:8 "Let the morning bring me work of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go, for to you I lift up my soul."

Jeremiah 29:10-14 "This is what the LORD says: "When seventy years are completed for Babylon, I will come to you and fulfill my gracious promise to bring you back to this place. For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you," declares the LORD, "and will bring you back from captivity. I will gather you from all the nations and places where I have banished you," declares the LORD, "and will bring you back to the place from which I carried you into exile."

Jesus is so good to bring me the strength that I need for today. Oh how I love Him!

Weekend Happiness

Here are a few stories from this past weekend:

I had invited my neighbor Don to come over for Thanksgiving dinner. (You may remember him from the posts here and here.) He wasn't feeling well so he declined. I told him that I would bring him over some leftovers later in the day. Yesterday as I was coming home from church he poked his head out the door and asked me to come over. He had filled the containers that I had given him with Jello. It was so sweet of him. Granted, I probably won't eat it (I told my roomies they could have it), but it was such a nice gesture. It made me happy.

This isn't really a story...but I finished one of my paintings. It made me happy to get to spend some time relaxing and painting this weekend.

I was able to run two laps around the track, indoors of course. (Note: this should be read with sarcasm.) That is less than a 1/2 mile. Sigh. When is my hip ever going to get better?! Now that would make me happy.

I got three packages of rice tortillas. This may not sound too exciting, but for someone who doesn't get to eat a lot of things like this it makes me happy. I had a yummy turkey wrap for dinner tonight. :)

Beauty of the Lord

Jesus your love, has come one step closer
I will trust, that you will never let me go
Jesus your love, has won me over
All my trust has found no other

I will declare the beauty of the Lord
Nothing compares to the beauty of the Lord
Jesus your love takes my breath away
Now I'm living everyday for the beauty of the Lord
Jesus your love it takes my breath away

I listened to this song probably ten times today. Well actually I didn't just listen, I also sang along...sometimes loudly. :) My breath has been taken away today by the beauty of the Lord. It hasn't been any one thing in particular, but rather just getting to see the world through an 'artist's eye'. You can listen to the song here. But don't just listen, sing it loudly while smiling, dancing, and gazing upon something beautiful.

Praying the truth

Psalm 119:28-30
My soul is weary with sorrow;

strengthen me according to your word.

Keep me from deceitful ways;
be gracious to me through your law.

I have chosen the way of truth;
I have set my heart on your laws.

These are the words that I am praying for myself right now. They depict how I am feeling right now and what the Lord is doing in my life.

Time and Snow

Wow, where has the last month gone? I can hardly believe that it is already December. It seems like November faded as quickly as the leaves. Now Fall is gone and winter has taken her place.

This past weekend we got our first major snow storm. I have a real love-hate relationship with snow. I love watching the snow fall. It is like little stars dancing all around. Beautiful. As I sit behind my window watching it snow, it is like all of the cares of the world fade away and the peace, quiet, and purity of snowflakes take there place. I love watching it snow from the comfort of my home, wrapped in a favorite blanket, wearing fuzzy slippers, and sipping on hot tea.

I don't like to have to go out in the snow. I hate driving anyway and driving in the snow is far worse. I don't really like to shovel the snow. I don't care for the sludge and ice that it leaves on the sidewalks and streets. I don't really like the fact that it will be our companion until April.

But for today, I am going to continue to enjoy the beauty.