Lord Reign in Me

Happy New Year!!

I'm very excited about 2012! Although I must admit, I was ringing in the new year in deep sleep. We've had such a busy, fun, family packed two weeks that my sleep schedule has suffered and I'm gonna feel it when I have to go back to work this week. We celebrated Christmas three times over the past week and it seemed that Christmas could go on forever! One thing that I love about our Christmas celebrations is that every year it's a little different. This year we celebrated with Trevor's family on Christmas, Trevor and I celebrated the day after Christmas, and then we traveled to my parents to celebrate on the 30th. It has been a blessed week.

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I've been thinking a lot about 2012. I've been thinking of goals I want to set and changes I want to make. It's no secret my husband calls me "the list queen". I know I may annoy some people with my lists. I have a to-do list at work that I keep on my desk to keep me on track of things needed to be done each week.  I have a cleaning list, monthly menu list, shopping list, gift list, and so on. To keep them organized so I don't lose them all, I keep them in a  three ring binder. To some people that may be too much but it works for me. So, making lists and setting goals for the new year just comes naturally. I can be quite detailed when it comes to my goals but this year I'm trying to keep it simple. I have been praying about this years goals... to have a clear direction of what God wants me to do. As I've been thinking about this, one song always comes to mind and we sang it in church today, Lord Reign in Me.  I think this is my song for the new year. The words reflect my heart and desire to be filled with more of Him and less of me so that I can be vessel He works through. In case you've never heard the song, here it is.....

 

Praying you have a blessed new year!!!!

Keeping Christmas Simple

Since Trevor and I've been married, for the most part we've kept Christmas present giving simple. As we started out, 12 Christmases ago, we agreed we would stay within a budget and purchase gifts that we could afford. Some years we didn't get each other anything, some years we bought a together gift of something needed or just bought for stockings, and then there have been a few years where we did purchase gifts for each other. Even our first year together, we decided not to buy gifts but that we would make something for the other. That's when I discovered my husband's talent in carpentry. This was my gift!!

That Christmas was so sweet and special.

For the most part, we've done really well sticking to a budget. We always wanted to make sure we had some funds to buy presents for family. Over the years, especially our second Christmas, money was extremely tight. We were both seminary students and had moved to New Orleans. As I love to give and enjoy picking out presents for others, I had to learn to be creative in order to stay in a budget. That particular year, we combined gifts for couples in our family. Over the years, as I've really learned who God made with my likes and dislikes, I realized how much homeade gifts mean to me and how I enjoy making gifts. I guess I'm kind of old- fashioned. I think how our society over indulges themselves and sometimes I wish I lived in a more simpler time period where "stuff" really was not the focus. So, since God placed me in this place and time, I'm gonna try to keep my home focused on keeping Christmas simple and to adopt traditions and gift giving that glorifies God. - Not the way our world abuses it today!

I also attribute this to my upbringing. My parents were always thinking of others and lived it out in front of me. Every Christmas Eve for most of my childhood and until I was in college, my parents invited a couple from our church to eat Christmas Eve dinner with us. This couple did not have children and didn't have any family close by. My brother and I kind of adopted them as grandparents and always looked forward to spending Christmas Eve with them. I have so many wonderful memories of them, who've both gone on the be with the Lord.

Another year, as a family, we went and bought a Christmas tree, some decorations, and groceries for a family who faced financial difficulties and who were in great need. When we went to deliver the "goodies", no one was home. So, we left the items on their porch. I can remember being so excited. We weren't able to see their expression but what an impact that made on my life!

Another year we delivered presents to a family with young children who were not able to afford gifts. I could go on and on. An important part of this that impacted my life is that we would pray for and with the families.

So as an adult, I want to continue looking for opportunities to bless, encourage,and be the hands and feet of Christ.- Not only at Christmas, but throughout the year.