Tuesday, December 29, 2009

Those In-between Things

I love this time of year. It's when I do some yearly fun chores that only come at this season. Yesterday, I went through all of my receipts from Christmas as well as the whole year of '09. All got looked at, ripped, and tossed. That felt good. Then I took my old calendar where I keep track on the back each time someone has a birthday, and transferred them all to my new calendar, so there won't be any misses.

Another thing I like to do is to go through my closets and make sure all is in order and I have everything I need for the next few months.

I yearn to clean up the Christmas ornaments and have a sparse, clean home for awhile, but I am still in a festive mood and I'm not ready to get rid of any of it yet. In a few weeks, I'll be right there.

The last thing I need to do is to write down my year. I have been doing this for quite some time now. Some years seem barren, like there was a long wasteland where nothing happened. I start by thinking back to the year's beginnings and add a few items. Always by the end, I find that I and my family have moved forward and a lot has indeed taken place. It is a wonderful thing to read these and see how faithful God has been to "crown the year with (His) goodness." Psalm 65:11

I also need to do a good long "CFO" letter, one of those letters from God I learned to do at a Christian family camp years ago. I have done short ones regularly, but I need at least a three pager. That's when things start to flow and are awesome to read in the future.

I haven't done resolutions for a long time, but this year, I would like to try to keep the spirit of Christmas all year long, and to remember to praise God in all things, as He has asked us to do. This has been such a sweet time for me and I don't want to lose my gem amid all the outside bustle. When I re-enter the routine, I want to take my treasures with me.

Next time, my thoughts on the New Year which I also love. Nancy

Thursday, December 24, 2009

Christmas Greetings and More

On Saturday, my husband and I went to Ohio to visit my mother in a nursing home. At first, we were at a table in the public area. She read her comics and looked a bit confused at me and my attempts at conversation. Then my older sister came and she went into her very cozy, very cute room. We sang carols to her and she joined us as she was able. Later, I fixed her blanket in the chair, leaned in and said, "you know who I am don't you?" She leaned back and said, "Of course," and kissed me. There was a look in her eye that was different. I choose to believe that she does know me. The very kind attendant said she calls my name out at times. Well, there you are. We had such a good time. Did I mention that my mother is 97, after a recent November birthday? She is feeling pretty good. She should be excused if she has a few lapses of memory. This is from a daughter who can't visit as often as she'd like. My sister is the caregiver of the family and everything else. She is wonderful. I love her. I'd like to give her a big thanks here as a public announcement of all she has done. Thanks and love, Jean.
Now, I'd like to wish all of my blogger friends a Merry, Merry Christmas. I love you. This year has been so blessed because of all of you. Nancy

Tuesday, December 22, 2009

Creating With a Passion

A little while ago, I said I did a collage and had fun creating. It was so much fun that I made two more. The first one says, "So many books, so little time," the second one says "Multitasker Extraordinarius" (which is from the dictionary and Latin for very extraordinary,) and the third one says "CREATE - that's what I do." They are for my three favorite ladies who I hope have a tongue-in-cheek sense of humor. Anyway, they are getting them in a frame to do with as they please.
While I was away in Cleveland, I saw some gorgeous collages on a wall in a nursing home. In one, real curtains portrayed the ones in a still life. The bedspread was actually quilted. I have never seen material groupings quite like that before. (I don't get out a lot.) Also, there was one with a set of old keys and weathered wood. Now I am sure I have stumbled onto something. I had already decided to do some more of these beauties. Now I believe I'm being led in a definite direction, for what purpose I don't know. All I know is that I have a new growing desire to create again using the arts. God is such a great Creator, I want to join Him in some way with this work. Maybe someday I can finally do my dream - a picture book with both pictures and copy. That would be a miracle. But hey, it's Christmas and with the New Year coming, anything can happen. What is your wild and crazy dream for the New Year?
(I'm posting my Friday greeting and story on Thursday of this week. See you then. Nancy)

Friday, December 18, 2009

Lingering

When I get to this time in the Christmas holiday season, I just want to be done. I know I can't have all my work done. There is the daily work like cleaning, laundry, dishes, babysitting, and blogging - things like that. I just want all the extra Christmasy stuff to be over. My shopping is done, the presents wrapped, the cards sent. I usually have holiday baking, but with my daughter a diabetic, it just seems silly to do that. So on the twenty fourth, I'm making an almost sugar -free pudding, Vanilla Wafer torte instead.

It probably seems selfish to be this way. And when I worked full time, I had to do "my thing" the week after Christmas which I had off from the kiddies at school. Now I can do it ahead of time and I will. It's just listening to Christmas music, looking at the lights, spending more time than usual with my Bible and readings, and just enjoying my immediate family and helping them since my things are basically done.

This time is so sweet - this pre and even after Christmas time. I just love to linger. One thing I hope is that I will be able to carry the spirit of Christmas with me every day of the New Year. Just like old Ebeneezer Scrooge and George Bailey. Which reminds me. I haven't watched my favorite Christmas movie yet. (Guess which one) See you soon. Love, Nancy

Tuesday, December 15, 2009

Praise Brings Joy

The words said "New Post." A new page. Empty and ready for words. I'm not sure that I can express all that is in my heart. This Christmas season shines more brightly than any I can remember. It is partly because of my "Jubilee" year where many of my promises have been answered. But it is much more than that. In fact it is in the hardships with my eyes and that long process that I have learned to search the Lord for answers which led eventually to seeking Him more than ever for Himself. I have been reading an old book by Terry Law called The Power of Praise and Worship. It has a copyright of l985, but the message is right on for today, especially in our economy. How amazing that I can sense such Holy Spirit power from something written then. When the fire is there, it stays. Don't you just love it? Basically the book shows how to praise God when times are hard. That doesn't do it justice. I'm sure there are many similar books in the bookstore on the psalms and praise. Get one if you can. If you don't have funds, it doesn't cost anything just to start praising the Lord. Say His wonderful Name, Jesus. Sing it. I have a rather off-key, non-melodic voice. Yet I will praise Him, even in song.

It just seems like the Christmas cards of the nativity draw me more than usual. The people seem friendly and I feel so much more like saying or shouting, Merry Christmas! Most of all it is the Christian hymns and carols that I love. The farther into the versus you go, the more meaningful the words for me. "Joy to the World" says in a later verse, "He comes to make His blessings flow, far as the curse is found." That is what Christmas is all about. Jesus came to show us the love of the Father, to destroy the works of the devil, and to save us from our sins on the cross. Joyous, joyous news!

There are some people on my followers list who can write beautiful praise to God every day. I wondered how they could just do that. They must be praising God a lot during the day. What a glorious way to live. Today was harder to press into praise. It doesn't always just come. I couldn't remember any songs. Things didn't flow. But I am going to do it anyway. My Christmas prayer is that God will help me to continue this new way of life that has given me such joy and that I will not to go back into other thoughts during the day that are not helpful.

I prayed about what to say here. It's not about me. It all is in Him and from Him and I am so very thankful. Merry, Merry Christmas!

Friday, December 11, 2009

To My Readers

I have been doing a short post on Fridays for those who don't care for the story. I'm sorry, but I have to rush today. Will do a friendly blog or devotion early next week. Thank you, faithful readers. Have a Joyful Christmastime! Nancy

Tuesday, December 8, 2009

Advent

"The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light." Is.9:2

My favorite part of Christmas decorations is the Christmas tree and my favorite part of that is the multicolored lights I put up that remind me of my childhood tree. I especially love the way the lights shine on the glittery glass balls.

My plan is to turn out all the lights so that it is very dark and nothing can be seen. Then, I turn on the tree and light gleams and shines and radiates all over the whole room.

It was a very dark time in the history of the world. Rome and its soldiers were in control of nearly every facet of life. Into this world, Jesus came and shone so brightly. The people saw a great light.

The more you look at the tree lights, the more beautiful they seem. When we look deeply at Jesus during Advent (the four weeks before Christmas,) we see more and more of His radiance.

Some people don't like my lights. Some people didn't like Jesus. But what a contrast against the night!

Prayer: Father, I thank you for the True Light that came into our world at Christmas. Thank you for all that He means. Amen.

Friday, December 4, 2009

I Can See Clearly Now

Yesterday I had my right eye implant installed. The operation went well though it wasn't the fantastic experience I had the first time. (I only got one warm blanket this time.) Today I found out (Joy of joys!) that I can see! My right eye is good for distance now. I did great on my eye chart at the Doctor's office and he said I could drive. Yeah! My left eye helps me read. It's a bit complicated but it seems to work out. Lots of exclamation points in here because I waited over three months to get to this point. Some people get it right away. Anyway, I am so thankful to God for my healing. He gave me a great doctor but My Great Physician healed me. He said He would give me clear eyes and He did! We had a lot of great study learning about faith and healing and perseverance and things like that. It's all good. Love, Nancy

Tuesday, December 1, 2009

The Still Small Voice

Read I Kings l9: 1-12

"...and after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire; and after the fire a still small voice." I Kings l9:12 NKJ

I was hungry for the Lord. I had missed church because of a family emergency a while back. When I miss the Lord, it seems like I try to fill my mind with nonsense or I get busy with daily tasks until I can find my way back to Him. So during the week, I was looking through an envelope of coupons that came in the mail.

You know when you're really hungry you want meat and potatoes? You don't want cake and ice cream. That's how it was. Each coupon was something I didn't need. It all looked so cheep.

Then I spied it. On one side of a page there was a children's sponsorship program and a scripture of how God loves the little children. It touched me deeply. There among the worldly advertisements was something of eternal value. It greatly encouraged me. God can interject Himself into the midst of the world and its ideas.

With that little heart tug, I was on my way back.

Prayer: O God, help us to hear your voice amid all the clamor of this busy season of life and turn to you. Amen.

You know, God yearns to meet with us. Will we notice when He speaks?