Why Are We Surprised?

I just read the sweetest story of faith and provision. You can check it out here.

It makes me wonder why we are surprised when things like this happen.

If I'm honest, I have to admit that I'm a little envious too. I really, REALLY want to be a conduit for God's blessings...allowing them to flow out to others. It makes sense that if they aren't flowing out, then there must be a blockage somewhere.

Hmm...that could be an interesting blog post in itself.

Comforting Thoughts

I've had a sore throat for several days and finally got to the drugstore today to pick up some lozenges. I stood looking at the variety of items available, when I noticed the familiar tin box promising relief...Sucrets.

When I was a child, my mom bought Sucrets for us. I have not used them in years, but I decided to get a box (the fact that they were on sale helped my decision as well).

After I got home and popped one in my mouth, I sat looking at the box...memories flooding my mind. Memories of the Sucrets box sitting on a shelf in a bathroom cabinet so long ago...and of my mom taking care of me when I was sick.

It's so strange where we find comfort...sometimes even in a little tin box.

A Cowboy Story

My sweet girl loves to tell stories. This is one that she told me in the van this week. Little girl has quite an imagination.

Holiday Recipes Galore

I just happened upon Mrs. Claus' Cookbook at www.northpole.com. There are great recipes for cookies, candy, pies, cakes and much more. Check it out here.

It's Beginning to Look Like...SNOW!

Who says it doesn't snow in Mississippi? Wow...twice in one year! Baby girl had a blast running and playing this morning. Her favorite was throwing snowballs at her Daddy and sticking out her tongue to catch a few falling flakes.

Son Shine

Today is one of those overcast, gloomy days that tend to make me feel a little gloomy as well. I happened to remember a poem that I wrote several years ago and thought I would share it here.

Son Shine

When darkest clouds cover the sky
And the day's light is almost nil,
I know that high above the clouds
The sun shines brightly still.

So it is with the storms of life
Bringing doubt, confusion and pain.
I search about for a ray of light
But I can only see the rain.

I have to look with eyes of faith
To be able to truly see
That the light of Jesus always shines
Regardless of what it looks like to me.

So, high above my circumstances,
No matter how they seem so real,
The Father watches over His child
And the Son shines brightly still.

Working Up Some Holiday Cheer

Holiday traditions are important to me. The day after Thanksgiving I do not hang out in the mall. That is my day to put up my Christmas tree. It has to go up that day...and then it comes down promptly the day after Christmas. It's a rule.

Well, due to circumstances beyond my control, this year the tree didn't go up at it's scheduled time. So today I was pondering whether or not it was even worth all the trouble for it to just be up for 17 days.

Then I remembered my sweet girl's eyes lighting up as she looked at a friend's tree over the weekend. It was a magical moment for her. I would do anything to see that sparkle in her eyes. So tonight we decked the halls...or at least the tree.

Saturday Thoughts

This post is going to be a hodgepodge of thoughts and ideas. I have a lot of different things on my mind.

**I am still being held captive in my home by little four-legged terrorists. A person's home should be the one place that they can rest and relax without worry or fear. We have put out traps and have caught a few of them, especially since Mike re-baited the traps using a whole peanut sticking out of some peanut butter. We have searched for how they are coming in and have sealed a few holes. I called an exterminator and they told me that they would do what I'm already doing, so I'm not wasting money on that. I am so sick of this and just want my home back.

**We took BK and my grandsons to the Natural Science Museum this morning to make ornaments for the birds. Well, what do you suppose they had for the kids to make the ornaments with? They had bread, popcorn, crackers, cranberries, grapes, apples, oranges, cheerios and donuts. Now, kids are kids...and it was getting close to lunch time, so everyone was having to fight with their kids to keep them from eating the stuff...not a good idea. But we all had a good time. When we got home, Mike helped BK hang her ornaments in "her" little tree in our front yard. I'm sure the birds will enjoy the treats.

**If you are feeling stressed this holiday season, I found an article promising to help. If you would like to read it, click here.

**I went to a CPC volunteer luncheon this week and the speaker said something that has reverberated in my spirit for days now. She said that especially in these days when there is so much gloom and doom around us, we must be "women of faith and not women of feelings." That was such a good message to us all. As women, we sure do get stuck in our feelings, don't we?

We may not have all the answers and we certainly don't know what tomorrow will bring for any of us. But the constant in the life of a Christian is that our Father holds the world in his hands and He knows the future that He has planned for each of us. We don't have to know they whole story...we will be okay as long as we keep our eyes on Him and just do the next right thing.

Seasons Greetings!

Merry Christmas from our family to yours! Click here.

Gifts From the Heart

Apparently there are folks offering an alternative to the craziness that often accompanies Christmas buying frenzy. The movement is called Buy Nothing Christmas. You can go here to get over 50 ideas of what you can give this holiday without stepping foot in the mall.