5 WAYS TO REALLY 'EXPERIENCE' CHRISTMAS!

5 WAYS TO REALLY 'EXPERIENCE' CHRISTMAS!

And a Easy Yummy Recipe- Don’t Miss It!

Usually, it is right around this time that the press sets in...

You know what I’m talking about – the ‘still have Christmas cards to send, gifts to buy, cookies to bake, a house to clean and plans to make,’ press.  It’s precisely at this time that tensions begin to rise, intentions start to fail, focus begins to wane and joy starts to sneak out the back door…

It’s right at this time, less than ten days before Christmas, that we start to lose perspective…

In November, my husband and I welcomed a beautiful six pound baby girl into our lives.  To say that we have been busy and tired would be a huge understatement.  We are beyond blessed and excited to be a family of four, but if I am being honest, keeping a super clean house, being ready for Christmas and, well, even getting a shower on some days has proven to be a challenge for me...

With that being said, my perspective has truly been a bit off until recently.  In a mad dash to clean my house before company was coming over, I found myself extremely fatigued and frustrated as my two year old was literally under my feet at every single step.  Mix that with a screaming newborn and I am sure you could sympathize with my fleeing thoughts of running away to some remote island by myself!  It didn’t take long however, for my witty two year old to help me see my error.

With all the wonder one could ever muster, his eyes glowed and he said, “Look Momma! Look at the stars!!!” as he whimsically stared at all the dust catching sunlight, as it came through the blinds in our bedroom window.  For five still minutes, he stared at these ‘stars’ as if they had fallen from the sky itself.  I was speechless.

Stars.  He saw stars. I saw mess and felt frustration because I believed my house just might not be clean enough for Christmas guests, that I am sure are not coming for a clean house anyway.  Here I was a half second away from blowing my top, putting him in time out and allowing myself to feel bad about ‘all’ I have going on in that moment, when his sweet perspective gently changed mine.  Staring at him staring at the ‘stars,’ I felt my heartrate slow, my mind clear and in that moment I entered his little world of wonder- only to experience it for myself.  Had I stayed in my hustle and bustle I would have missed it.  I would have missed Christmas too…

This incident only happened a few days ago, but it taught me something that I pray the Lord will have me remember for years to come.

PERSPECTIVE.

In a season known for endless to do lists, busyness and sadly frustration, it is easy to lose sight of ALL that matters this time of year.  To help keep my mind where it needs to stay, I made a list of Christmas songs, which will help me keep the right perspective this beautifully blessed Christmas season.  Maybe this can help you too if you can relate.

1.      My Grown Up Christmas List:  Make yourself a grown up Christmas list.  Not filled with gifts for yourself (although the benefit will turn out to be just that) but a list of ways YOU can be the gift!
 

a.       Bake for a neighbor
b.      Serve food at the homeless shelter (great to do with your kiddos)
c.       Bring coats downtown and hand them out to the homeless.
d.      Sit with your elderly family member, listen with your whole heart, and let them tell you all the stories their heart desires. (you can do this at the nursing home if you have no elderly family members.)

2.      Silent Night: Give yourself a silent night and some time to reflect.  Turn on the old Christmas Carols that mean the most to you, pour yourself some hot chocolate, and be intentionally reflective for even just 5 minutes.  Sit, think and soak in the beauty of the Christmas season.  You won’t regret it.

3.      There’s No Place Like Home For The Holidays:  Home does not have to be your house, but it could be.  Home is the place and time you spend with the people you love most- while doing the most simplest of things.  It’s there in the simplicity that the spirit of Christmas can most sweetly be experienced.

4.      Away In A Manger:  Although many choose not to, true holiday joy cannot be experienced without first accepting the real Gift of Christmas.  Christ is the gift, cliché or not, he is a true historically documented figure that came to the Earth, lived a more than righteous life, performed miracles, was crucified to death only to be seen alive again by hundreds of eye witnesses’…  His birth, His life is the Gift of Christmas. Belief in Him comes with the promise of eternity, joy, fulfilling love and peace in abundance.  Now that’s better than any Black Friday deal I’ve heard of! (People, churches, religions and even I myself have made a mess out of who Jesus really is.  If you do not know Him, please do not let the mess we’ve made of Him dictate Who He is to you.  He would love the opportunity to introduce Himself to you, with no help from any of us, just ask Him.)  Unwrapping His love at Christmas is a gift that truly is priceless.

5.      Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas:  Finally, remember that it is not always the circumstance or trial that is permanent but our memories.  As crazy as this season can be, and as hard as some of our lives are at the current time, usually these things past.  How we respond, the way we allow ourselves to react- that will be what we (and sometimes others) remember most as our Christmas experience during this season.  SO- Have yourself a Merry Little Christmas. Relax, Reflect and Rejoice in this beautiful Christmas Season!

Quick and Easy Yummy Chocolate Bark Recipe

Make This With Your Kiddos- Make a Memory!  Makes a Great Gift!

Ingredients:

25 Oreo cookies

3 cups white chocolate chips or semisweet chocolate chips (can do half of both)

1 teaspoon vanilla extract (use with semisweet chips only)

To Make:

Line a 9-inch-square baking pan with waxed paper. Coat the paper with nonstick spray; set it aside. Pour the cookies into a large bowl and break them into small pieces.  Melt the chips in a large microwave-safe bowl according to the package directions. After chips have melted add extract. Remove from the microwave and quickly fold in the cookie pieces with a spatula. Scrape the mixture into the prepared pan and spread to about a 1/2-inch thickness. Refrigerate until solid, about 1 hour.

Remove the bark from the pan and carefully peel off the waxed paper. Set the bark on a cutting board. Using a sharp knife, cut the bark into 12 bars for wrapping or 24 triangles for boxing.  Store in an airtight container.

 

Because Each Minute Is A Gift, Let's Be Intentional This Christmas Season and

Truly Experience Every Second!

 #MinutesMatter

 

And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.  For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord...“Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!”

Luke 2:10-14

 

Mothers Inspiration

 

"Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her." Psalm 31:28

 

MOTHERS YOU ARE LOVED AND APPRECIATED! 

 

 

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Kmi1rP1wng

UNFULFILLED

Sitting behind me in church, I see her hold her precious boy as if there were nothing that could ever pry him from the safety of her arms.  She doesn’t realize that I know her story…

Truth is, there is something that she just can’t seem to let go of.  It’s not him; it’s not even a person for that matter.  Sadly, it is what she continually uses to satisfy and fulfill a longing she does not fully understand.  By choice, she has replaced the embrace of her sweet boy, with the tight grip she has on the neck of a bottle…

 

As she sat behind me, boy in arms, I knew that was probably the first time she has seen him all week; she is losing him to her addiction and soon to the foster system.  In that moment, my eyes well, for I am a mom.  I KNOW in her heart’s pit, that the last thing she wants is to give her sweet baby boy that she labored into this world, up to the shuffle of the foster system- but she also knows the demon on her back is a nasty one and she is slowly losing the battle.  It’s easy to look at her situation and swear to NEVER be so selfish, so addicted, so         sad.

‘Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed that he does not fall… God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with that temptation He will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it.’ 1 Corinthians 10:12-13

Truthfully, each of us are always just one decision away from what we know could be our own demise.

Many of us already have, will or just may not realize it yet, fill certain aspects of our lives with things that are or can potentially be hazardous for ourselves and our families. No, I am not saying we all will be addicts or extremists, but I am saying, that we are all made to long...

How we fulfill 'that' longing, that deep hungering call of our hearts for validation/satisfaction- ultimately love,

'that' longing that even the most rich/established/loved people cannot fulfill on their own (Robin Williams)

how we fill ‘that’ longing will determine how well we live out our days here.

But why?

We were made with an intentional void that NOTHING from this world will ever satisfy.  No person can be another person’s ultimate fulfillment.  No drug, food, outfit, physique, house, car, well-behaved child/ren, vacation, wife, husband- NOTHING was made to fill the void that the Creator of our souls made only for Himself to dwell in!  But- we want control, effort and a say-so on what ‘we’ think is ‘best’ for us- and then we start to fill. 

I am lonely- so I’ll fill up on over achievements, temporary relationships, food, unnecessary purchases, alcohol, or other substances. 

I have been hurt- so I’ll fill up on hurting myself, hurting others, or just remain so negative and guarded that no one will really want to be around me anyway.

My spouse doesn’t help me enough, love me right, or validate my efforts so- I’ll fill up on over-indulging in my children, gossiping with friends, bad mouthing my mate, fantasizing what about what others have etc. 

Or…

My life is great, I have all I ever wanted, however I still feel like something is missing…

‘There probably is!’

What we fail to realize or often forget, is that the Person who made us with the need for fulfillment is the only One who is truly able to fill it.  Long time church goer or atheist, millionaire or homeless, there is not one who can say that they are 100% satisfied 100% of their breathing days.  Not one. 

We are meant to need Him.

God, The ProviderPlenty Through GodHa'You open Your hand and satisfy the desire of EVERY living thing.’ Psalms 145:16

His purpose was, is and will forever be to pursue a real and working relationship with His creation.  It is our choice as to whether or not we really let Him.

The one who attends church every Sunday and has the whole Bible memorized still needs a real working relationship with Jesus as much as the one who warms the bar stool and can recite the ingredients of every mixed drink available without hesitation.  

Point being, He is and will always be the only best lasting and permanent solution to our always changing and longing desires.

If I were to speak with the woman I told you about at the beginning of this post, I would hug her,  hold her hand and let her know that I too struggle.  I would suggest the following thoughts that often help me back get back to the arms of the One whose Love is Real and Satisfying:

·         Realize what you’re really seeking- (The answer is usually deeper than we’re willing to admit.)

·         Recognize that you’re temporarily trying to fill what is a permanent/eternal longing. (A temporary fix is just that, but a permanent solution is always a prayer away.)

·         Redirect your focus.  (Don’t stay focused on what you are without, once you realize what it really is, ask the Lord to help you keep your eyes on Him rather than the problem at hand.)

·         Replace ‘your’ plans for His plan. (Trust that He loves you and has a plan for your life far better than anything you can dream up yourself.)

·         Rest in His all sufficient Love, Grace and Absolute ability to be enough. For You. For Always.

‘For I satisfy the weary ones and refresh everyone who languishes.’ Jeremiah 31:25

I may not have a drinking problem that will keep me from my son, but I have a heart problem that can often keep me from peace and contentment.  That problem is selfishness, pride, materialism and often times fear- BUT when I remember that He loves me, desires to be ALL that I need and simply just waits for me to surrender my concerns at that time- I say this as 100% truth based on experience- He ALWAYS exchanges my ___(depends on the day)___ with His peace and contentment.

 

Whatever you are facing today that is keeping you feeling unfulfilled, discontented or lacking at all, I pray that you ask the Lord to take it from you and exchange it with His Love and Peace.  Trust and wait for Him to do this.  He will, be patient and learn to be satisfied with all that He has to offer.  He LOVES us so very much.  Belief is all He asks from us in return...

Join the Mom Squad as we take time September 20^th to Re-Ignite the fire in our hearts for Christ and His presence in our homes and families.  Registration is kicking off, so make sure to sign-up quickly, availability is limited to 100 participants!  We can’t wait to start off the fall season by fellowshipping with you and setting our hearts ablaze for Him! Check this out: Re-Ignite RegistrationPhysical HungerWeakness, Spiritual

Love Notes for Mom

Have you ever received something really special, so special that you tuck it away for safe keeping? Then, you go to retrieve it and can't remember where you put it?! :-)  That happens to me more than I care to admit! Specifically, it happened to a special little note I received a few years ago. Then over the weekend I was cleaning out the junk drawer, and there it was. A handwritten letter from a dear elderly friend in Wisconsin. I stood there, admiring her cursive penmanship, her sweet words of encouragement and the message of wisdom it contained.

What a sweet surprise to find this treasure! It was inside of an old address book and the moment I read it, I was filled with warmth and love and wonderful memories. It was sent during a time of great excitement and life challenges in our family. We had welcomed our beautiful daughter through adoption and were also expecting a new baby through my (surprise!) pregnancy. In addition to that, my father was dying of cancer. This little note from a woman who had raised a family and experienced lots of hard times in her day, was a beautiful gift. Her prayers and support helped to uphold me. And all it took was a small love note.  On the front is printed a "Homemakers Prayer"

Dear God, give me the grace to see

The blessings which have come from thee;

Give me the strength to do my duty,

Tolerance and decent living;

Make our home a place of sublime,

Where there's no room for hate or crime,

A place where good friends gather 'round;

Where laughter, mirth, and cheer abound.

Not selfish thoughts nor worldly greed,

Let this, dear Master, be our creed.

Today, I pray that little message will bless you as well. From a beautiful wise friend who lives in a log cabin built by her husband in a log cabin in Wisconsin, consider it a love letter to YOU too, mom.  I pray you'll tuck it away in your heart for safe-keeping where it will never get lost. :)  God bless you. And thank you, dearest sweet Jeanne for loving me through a simple letter. 

Love and prayers to you, this day.

The ‘Simpler School Day’ Finale: What We Can’t Send Our Kids To School Without! (PLUS A FREE PRINTABLE)

It won’t be long before they take Him out completely.  God, that is.  Detrimentally, He is being removed from our schools at a pace faster than we can react.  This is scary to me.   However, the truth is that they may be able to take Him off of walls and out of books, but they cannot take Him out of our children.  In fact, as sad as this is, some of our kids’ peers and even the adults they see on the daily basis, may only have experiences with ‘God’ through their interactions with our children.  This leaves us with a great obligation- how can we keep God in our schools and share His love inside those walls in a way that accurately represents Him and yet is still real and personal to our kids?  I came up with the following.

My final ‘Simpler School Day’ tip is called:

Simple Showings-

Showing God’s Still In Our Schools: Because They Can’t Take Him Out Of Our Children!

1.         Encourage your kids to practice love in action.

o   Have them pick a classmate that they feel is in need of ‘something’ extra- The need can be friendship, attention, or even just conversation and then have them follow-up on that need by taking action.

o   They can share a favorite snack, a kind note or even a beloved toy from home that would surely make that classmate feel extra special.

This practice will help them learn how to see through the eyes of Jesus as well as understand how to demonstrate His ability to love, even when it’s uncomfortable.  This may inadvertently touch the other kiddos heart for Christ in a way he/she has never experienced.

Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth. 1 John 3:18

2.         Encourage your kids to love being last. (With balance of course.)

o   Challenge them once a week to give up their place in line, their favorite seat, or even the option of going first while playing a game and instead offer these things to another classmate.

This practice will help them understand the humility of Jesus and His actions while on Earth, as well as demonstrate this now-a-days peculiar behavior to their peers.  It could be trend setting.

Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves. Philippians 2:3

3.         Encourage your kids to bring joy and reassurance to their teachers.

o   Have them tell their teacher at the end of the week what their favorite lesson was for the week and why.  They can thank their teacher and even tell him/her how they are going to apply this lesson to their own lives.

o   Have them bring a handwritten note or a special handmade gift to school once a week or so thanking the teacher for something that they REALLY felt grateful for.  Maybe it was a fun lesson, a kind word or something special that the teacher did uniquely just for your child.

This practice will help them understand how to respect authority and understand why it is so important to God for them to do so.

 

Everyone must submit to governing authorities. For all authority comes from God, and those in positions of authority have been placed there by God. Romans 13:1

4.        Finally, pray with your kids.

o   Pray with your kids before the school day and ask the Lord to bless teachers, staff and students.  Ask the Lord to give your children opportunities to demonstrate His love and grace so that they may be a blessing to others.

o   After school, ask your kids if there was anyone they thought needed prayer that day.  If there was, what made them think so?

o   Then pray with them in the evening.  Ask them what they were most thankful for that day and what they think would be most important to pray for in the day to follow.  It will be a blessing to show your kids how the Lord answers prayer throughout the school year.

This practice will help them understand communication with the Lord as well as develop in them an ability to trust Him as they see Him work through prayer.  They will share this ‘help’ method with their classmates at some point, especially as they grow more confident in Him and His abilities.

Never stop praying.  1 Thessalonians5:17

There are so many ways our children can keep Christ in schools.  The above are a just a few, but the list could go on forever.  I pray that we see and hold tightly onto the value that our testimony is to our kids.  If we live at home in a way that misrepresents who Jesus really is, then our kids will not only struggle to believe in Him, they will also never bring Him to school.  Our part of this is just as important as theirs.  

Remember- They can take Him out of buildings and books,

but they can’t take Him out of our children!

I DID NOT FORGET!  I put together a FREE PRINTABLE!  Use this SUPER CONVENIENT ‘Simple Stick-up’ for your fridge.  Print it once on Sunday and then use it all week long. This worksheet will help you keep notes on your Simple Solitude time with the Lord, plan meals for everyday of the week, jot down ideas on how the kids can bring Christ to school daily and finally, keep track of any mom must-do’s that pop up along the way.  If you need suggestions on any of the above check out my posts from Week 1 and Week 2 of this ‘Simpler School Day’ series.  Lastly, if you can think of any additional ways our kids can share Christ at school, please share them here- the need is real friends and we’re all in this together.  Any thoughts or suggestions would sure be a blessing to us all!  Until next time, be blessed!

(IF 'FREE PRINTABLE' LINK DOES NOT WORK I HAVE INCLUDED A PICTURE YOU CAN PRINT OUT HERE: PRINT AT 8 1/2 X 11 SIZE AND STICK IT TO YOUR FRIDGE!

The 'Simpler' School Day! -Part 2-

So maybe this momma’s week was busier than anticipated...  With that said, today I am just going to share a handful of links that I feel are a great ways to simplify your hectic school day.  As generic as this may be, momma was busy, but I wanted to hold true to my word and offer up some great ‘Simple Sandwich’ lunch ideas, as well as some ‘Simple Savory’ dinner choices.  I am confident that you will find the ‘help’ links as amazingly beneficial as I still do.  I promise next week will be packed with a punch, and hopefully come delivered with the ‘Simpler School Day’ downloadable worksheet that I discussed in last weeks post. (Assuming that I will not be technologically challenged and am able to put it together!) Let’s Get Started!

SIMPLE SANDWICH LUNCH IDEAS:

 

Here are a few links jam packed full of INCREDIBLE lunch ideas and tips.  I keep these links in a folder on my desktop called, ‘makin it easy.’  They have done just that, made my life easier- they will do the same for you! J

1.     Good Housekeeping offers some AWESOME and super SIMPLE lunch ideas here: 30 School Lunch Ideas!

2.     This link offers some really FUN and creative ways to make lunch enjoyable for our kiddos, may take a bit more time, but most likely would be worth it- the ideas are that cool!  Silly Simple Fun Lunch Ideas

3.     This link is cool! Not only does it offer 15 homemade lunch box ideas, it includes 6 lunch box tips that I promise you will want to know: Homemade Lunch Box Best's!

SIMPLE SAVORY DINNER IDEAS: 

This section makes me happy.  Dinner can not only be chaotic, it can be disappointing- We wait all day to finally sit with our entire family and by the time it actually happens we can be tired, worn-out and done.  That makes the whole experience lack luster and the momma discouraged.  These links will help provide relief, save time and money, as well as bring some joy back to the table!

1.     Ummm, 40 crockpot meals in 4 hours, yes please!  Need I say more? Too Good To Be True? Nope!

2.      Yeah so #1, ^^^ Even comes with an entire shopping list!!!!  Praise the Lord! Praise the Lord!

3.      Quick and Easy Back to School Dinners with recipes like Cheeseburger Quesadillas and Pepperoni Pizza Spaghetti Casserole- all recipes given with pictures! Score!!

4.      These truly our game-changer recipes right here- especially the 2 minute chicken recipe! Believe me, you will make one of these recipes this week! 10 Easy Family Dinner Recipes!

5.      Lastly, this link is a bit more creative, yet still incredibly easy and doable for even the busiest of mommas! Enjoy!!

So, the above are a few more tools to add to your ‘Simpler School Day’ folder! J If you missed lasts weeks tools you can read them HERE!  Last week we discussed helpful ways to get your morning rolling with Simple Starters, which are quick and versatile breakfast ideas, as well as, Simple Solitudes- ways to spend quality time with the Lord before the rush of the day begins.

Until next week mommas, happy planning and remember, make the minutes that you have with your kiddos matter!

Time doesn’t always have to be a word of measurement, minutes-seconds-hours… 

It can instead be word of action, give-share-embrace, Time!

Time = Love 

~The hunger for love is much more difficult to remove than the hunger for bread.~

Mother Teresa