Ponderings of the Heart

12 Pearls of Christmas - Day 9

2009-12-20T20:58:00.001-05:00

12 Pearls of Christmas: God Intervenes

The Answer
by Susan May Warren

Whos, Here, we are Whos here, smaller than the eye can see. Whos here, we are Whos here, I'm a Who and so is she...

I've always wanted to live in a musical. When I was a kid, I loved Oklahoma, Sound of Music, West Side Story. I seriously thought that, if the moment was right, maybe the stars aligned, people would break out into song and dance.

I was sorta right. Because in my house, one needs to be able to talk in movie lines and song lyrics to effectively communicate. At any moment, someone might break out with a quip from the Princess Bride, or Finding Nemo. They might sing Tomorrow from Annie, or My Favorite Things like Julie Andrews.

But, most recently we've found ourselves speaking in "Suess"...

It's suppertime, son, and the time is near To call far and wide the sneetches who hear Just the sound of their bellies, the whir of their gear The Gurgles and Burbles that give them great fear Tell them all, tell them loud, tell them clear Their hands they should wash, check their face in the mirror Because the food is now ready and it's time to steer Close to the table, where they'll find hot gribbles here.

Why, you ask? Because David and Sarah are performing in the community theater's production of Suessical the Musical, a hilarious conglomeration of Dr. Suess' fun work, from Horton hears a Who to Horton Hatches an Egg.

As the Christmas season draws close (and the songs from the play linger in my head), one line has stood out to me... "We are here, we are here!" You know the story - that part where, after everyone has called Horton names and they're about ready to boil the speck that contains Who-ville, Horton calls out to the Whos to send up a cry to prove themselves as real. "We are here, we are here!"

It strikes me that sometimes we can feel like Whos...smaller than the eye can see. Tossed hither and yon by the wind, helpless and facing being boiled. Tired, perhaps, or alone. Wishing someone might find us and pay attention.

Someone has, and that's the good news about Christmas. Because we don't have to "make ourselves heard," like the Whos. In fact, even before we realized we were headed for the cauldron, God intervened. God demonstrated his own love for us in this - while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. (Rom 5:8). That's what Jesus is all about - he's the answer to even the unspoken cry of our hearts, saying, "I am here, I am here." Lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.

So as this season approaches with its whistles and bells I hope you hear the voice where the Mighty One dwells -- down deep in your hearts, so nothing can shake the knowledge of his love, given all for your sake.

Merry Christmas from Susie May Warren

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Susan May Warren is the award-winning author of twenty-one novels and novellas with Tyndale, Steeple Hill and Barbour Publishing. Her first book, Happily Ever After won the American Fiction Christian Writers Book of the Year in 2003, and was a 2003 Christy Award finalist. In Sheep's Clothing, a thriller set in Russia, was a 2006 Christy Award finalist and won the 2006 Inspirational Reader's Choice award. A former missionary to Russia, Susan May Warren now writes Suspense/Romance and Chick Lit full time from her home in northern Minnesota. http://www.susanmaywarren.com/ Check out her Christmas Novella, The Great Christmas Bowl.

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A three strand pearl necklace will be given away on New Year's Day. All you need to do to have a chance of winning is leave a comment here. Come back on New Year's Day to see if you won!

12 Pearls of Christmas Series and contest sponsored by Pearl Girls®. For more information, please visit www.pearlgirls.info

This is quite late today.....sorry! It's been a busy and snowy weekend!.

in HIM-

The 8th Pearl and a Birthday!

2009-12-19T05:00:00.000-05:00

Christmas in a Barn
by Mary DeMuth

The Christmas of 2006 we were homeless. We didn't have keys. Not to a car, not to a home. We'd flown halfway around the world, leaving behind a ministry we toiled over. Much, particularly in our hearts, lay in ruins.

Some friends had a camp, and on that camp stood a barn. In the corner of the barn was a tiny apartment, flanked by this caboose and hundreds of acres of Texas pasture. We'd never been there before, so we followed directions at night, making plenty of wrong turns.

When we found the place, we drove a borrowed car over the cattle guard toward what would be our home for a month. String lights illuminated a small porch, a window and a door in the corner of an aluminum-sided barn. We hefted large pieces of luggage to the apartment.

And when we opened the door, Love welcomed us.

The place, usually completely unfurnished in the winter, was decked out with just the right amount of beds, couches and tables. The pantry was full. We had dishes and garbage cans, and cups and forks and food. But even more, we had a Christmas tree. Friends had hijacked the place, decorating it for Christmas. Cookies preened on the table.

I will never, ever forget that Christmas. We had so little. We felt the painful burden of failure. But we were loved, so terribly and wonderfully loved.

Christmas felt right there, in a barn. We heard the nickering of horses, the meowing of kittens, the clop of hooves against the barn floor. Chickens and goats and cows served as a holy object lesson of the incarnation. Although we were warm and clothed, we understood more keenly the Savior's homelessness, how He left the splendor of heaven for the sodden earth. We experienced barnyard life alongside him, without much to call our own except our Heavenly Father and our sweet family.

He was enough, that Christmas. And He will always will be.

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Mary DeMuth writes fiction and nonfiction. Her latest book, A Slow Burn released in October and she has a memoir entitled Thin Places coming out in February of 2010. You can meet her: http://www.marydemuth.com/, http://www.thewritingspa.com/, on Facebook and Twitter!

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A three strand pearl necklace will be given away on New Year's Day. All you need to do to have a chance of winning is leave a comment here. Come back on New Year's Day to see if you won!

12 Pearls of Christmas Series and contest sponsored by Pearl Girls®. For more information, please visit http://www.pearlgirls.info/

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We had a birthday in our house last week. It was hubs birthday and it was on Sunday. We went to eat lunch after church to celebrate and then came home to open gifts.

A insisted on wrapping her 'gift'.

Pretty good job for an 8 year old I think!

Her gift was a picture that she had colored. =)

I took the girls with me to pick out a birthday card from the kids to Daddy.

They (of course), had to have a card that played music.

They picked one that played "You've Got To Move It".

That is funny to me because last year, the girls went through a phase where

they sang that song all the time. I don't have any

clue where they would have heard it.....

The girls were SO excited about the card.

The funniest thing, though was so was their brother.

B loved the music.

We got Daddy a new Appalachian Golf Shirt and

this Appalachian toboggan for his birthday.

He loved it!

After all the gift opening was done, I took a few pics

of the kids with Daddy.

This one is a little blurry (sorry)

but it is my favorite! Everyone is smiling!

And another one that I liked.

I think this one is SO SWEET!!!

Hope you all have a fantastic Saturday. It is icy and snowy outside my house so we are just staying in.

In HIM --

12 Pearls of Christmas - Day 7

2009-12-18T09:23:00.002-05:00

The Pearls We Pass Down
by Holley Gerth

Ten years ago my Grandma Frances went home to heaven in her sleep just before Christmas.

My Grandpa carefully handed me a brightly-wrapped box on Christmas morning and said, "This is her gift. Now I want you to have it."

I opened the lid slowly and tears came to my eyes as I saw a lovely string of pearls.

My Mom gently helped me fasten them around my neck. As I ran my fingers over each one, I thought of my Grandmother and all she taught me through her life...

And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.
1 Corinthians 13:13

FAITH

At age twenty-nine, my Grandma contracted polio and learned she would never walk again. She had a husband, two little girls, and a future suddenly very different than she imagined.

A pastor came to visit her in the hospital. He said, "Frances, this can make you bitter or better." She often told that story with a sparkle in her eyes as she said, "I chose better." I learned through her example that faith is a choice and with God we can thrive through anything.

HOPE

My grandparents took a leap of faith and started the first Christian bookstore in their city with a small kiosk in the center of a mall. Over the next few decades that little kiosk grew into a large and successful store that touched countless lives.

Many of my favorite childhood memories are of curling up in the back room with a stack of books. My Grandma taught me hope is like a small seed and, watered with prayer, it can grow into a huge blessing for many.

LOVE

For fifty-six years my grandparents shared a life together. I adore these two pictures because one is taken when they were dating and the other just a few weeks before she died. The twinkle in their eyes is still the same-and that's not easy in this world. They faced their share of challenges, like my Grandma's disability, but always got through them together.

My Nana also loved her family deeply. When I went to college, she often wrote notes to me and signed each one, SCTH (Stay Close to Him). She showed me love is a commitment that begins with Christ and then overflows to everyone else in our lives.

I still miss my Grandma Frances, especially this time of year. Sometimes I pull out her string of pearls and hold them in my hands. Then I think about how we're all creating our legacy as we live. And while the difficulties we face may seem hard to understand now, God can turn each one into beauty that blesses our family for generations.

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Holley Gerth - Cofounder of (in)courage, editorial director for DaySpring, author of Rain on Me, wife of Mark, lover of Jesus, friend to YOU.

Visit Holley at Heart to Heart with Holley or follow her on twitter as @HolleyGerth.

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12 Pearls of Christmas Series and contest sponsored by Pearl Girls®. For more information, please visit www.pearlgirls.info

12 Pearls of Christmas - Day 6

2009-12-17T09:58:00.002-05:00

12 Pearls of Christmas: God Provides a Way

A Long Ago Christmas Memory
by Patricia Crisafulli

The old farm on a dirt road in the backwoods of northern New York State was described to me so many times, I can imagine the place, even though I never saw it: the big frame house with the wide porch, the pair of maple trees out front, and the barn in the back where my grandparents kept a cow or two, pigs and chickens, and a team of work horses.

That old house came alive for me in dozens of stories that my mother told, of how she and her sisters grew up there during the Depression. The stories had that long-ago feel not only because of the years that had passed, but also because of the era: tales of riding in a horse and buggy in the summer and a horse and sleigh in the winter. My grandfather owned an old Model A Ford, but the tires were patched beyond repair and there was no money for gasoline.

One story that has always stayed with me was of a particular Christmas in the early 1930s, a time my mother remember as the "depths of the Depression," and there was no money. In order to pay the interest on the mortgage, to keep the bank from foreclosing on the farm, my grandfather needed a relatively small sum. The amount I remember being told was $13, but for the little they had in those days it might as well have been $13,000.

Tested by trouble and sorrows, my grandparents relied on their deep and abiding faith. As Psalm 34 tells us, I sought the Lord, and he answered me, and delivered me from all my fears. The answer to their prayers was to be found right in their own backyard with gifts of the earth. My grandmother went into the woods to gather bushel baskets full of ground pine, with green sprouts like miniature boughs that spread in great patches along the earth. From willow branches she made hoops, around which she bound the ground pine to make wreathes.

She sat up all night making wreaths, enough to fill a large hamper basket, which my grandfather strapped to his back. At four in the morning, he hopped a ride on the milk train into Syracuse, where he went door-to-door selling wreathes. Night after night, my grandmother made wreaths, and day after day my grandfather sold them.

As Christmas approached, my grandmother had saved coupons that came in tins of coffee to get a Kewpie doll for her daughters. The only other things she gave them were mittens she knit herself.

Then on Christmas Eve, my grandfather came home from the last day of selling wreaths, exhausted but relieved. The farm was safe for another year. From what he had earned, he had a dime left over, which he spent on his beloved wife to buy her a powder puff. That night, my grandmother gave him her surprise: enough money from selling butter and eggs all year to buy four new tires for the Model A Ford.

Hearing this story as a child, my head was too full of the Sears & Roebuck "Wish Book" catalog to really comprehend it. As an adult, I try to fathom living with no money at all. What lingers in my heart, however, is the love of my grandparents for each other: the dashing young American soldier in World War I and the beautiful French girl he met overseas and then returned to her country to marry.

Many years, thousands of miles, and untold hardships later, that love continued. During a very dark December, they found a way together to keep the farm and the family together. And so it would always be for them.

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Patricia Crisafulli is a writer, published author, and founder of www.FaithHopeandFiction.com, a monthly e-literary magazine with stories, essays, and poetry to inspire and entertain.

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A three strand pearl necklace will be given away on New Year's Day. All you need to do to have a chance of winning is leave a comment here. Come back on New Year's Day to see if you won!

12 Pearls of Christmas Series and contest sponsored by Pearl Girls®. For more information, please visit www.pearlgirls.info

Hope you enjoyed this as much as me!!!!

In HIM ---

12 Pearls of Christmas - Day 5

2009-12-16T10:04:00.000-05:00

How to Cope with Christmas
by Stacie Ruth Stoelting

Last night, I dreamed that God resurrected my beautiful adopted aunt, Mary Jo Hoffman. But morning renewed my mourning for her: Christmas trees, snow globes, and music greeted my grieving heart. Relate?

In previous years, my maternal grandpa (a.k.a. "Papa Ray") died near Thanksgiving and my adopted "Grandpa Morley" died near Christmas. Now, people cannot compare grief. But I believe we all know that the holidays challenge the grieving.

Christmas arrives like a pretty package full of grief triggers: Empty chairs, missing faces, and silent voices seem to haunt the holidays. Here are "12 Ways of Christmas" for the Grief-Stricken that have worked for me:

12 Ways of Christmas for the Grieving

1. Don't put excessive expectations on yourself. Don't expect the holidays to be the same.

2. Rest. Cut down the Christmas clutter and just get away from the typical, if possible.

3. Rearrange furniture to reduce "absence" reminders.

4. Avoid sugar highs and lows because they naturally induce emotional lows. Also steer clear of over-eating and under-sleeping. Eat well-balanced diets. Some mood enhancing natural foods include yogurt, kefir, green tea, omega-3 rich foods (i.e. salmon, cod liver oil, etc.), and lower sugar dark chocolate. One excellent resource for healthier lifestyles is First Place 4 Health, founded by the knowledgeable and kind Carole Lewis: http://www.firstplace4health.com/.

5. Admit grief. Trying to move forward while denying the reality of grief causes one to fall face forward. Does your face smile while your heart weeps? Give yourself permission to cry. Jesus wept. Weeping releases excessive tension. Address depression. Don't deny it. Pretending the nonexistence of depression only promotes its growth. (I include a list of counseling centers on my page for hurting hearts: http://prayingpals.org/linksforhurtinghearts.html.)

6. Forgive and receive forgiveness through Jesus. Release everything to the Lord -including any so-called regrets about your departed loved one. In Loved by Rebecca St. James (FaithWords, 2009), the point of God's abiding love encourages us: "He [Jesus] is ready to...stand in the gap between you and the pain, and to be your constant companion in the dark hours. He loves you."

7. Reach out to the more burdened and hang around kids this Christmas. It may not feel easy. It may even feel impossible. Ask Jesus to love thru you and get your eyes off problems and on to Him and others.

8. Understand the concept of new normalcy. The onset of new traditions and expectations may seem daunting, but God gave you your previous normal. Ask Him to give grace/hope in the face of the new normal. Let Him lead you to a place where you can relax and let Him beam His light on you.

9. Take a "hands off and hands folded" approach to the holidays. Reduce activity and increase connectivity through prayer and Christian companionship. If you're isolated, feel free to join my weekly online prayer group (http://www.prayingpals.org/). And stay in touch with your local church.

10. Face and treat chronic health issues. If you feel sick, everything feels worse. (One excellent resource for those with chronic health conditions is Rest Ministries.)

11. Reclaim your Heavenly purpose on earth. Ask Jesus to grant supernaturally His grace, hope, love, peace, and comfort this holiday season. Then don't fight His help. Be open to His opening of doors to cope and hope this holiday season. Just receive Jesus. Ask Jesus to give you a Heavenly perspective on earth. God holds good things for you! He grants you great purpose for your life hereafter...and here, too. Embrace His grace and seek His face. He's there. I know. In the face of grief, I'm with Him right now.

12. Remember: Trials don't indicate a reduction in God's love for you. He loves you and promises to make things right in the end. Spend time focusing on His unchanging love for you. "For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord." (Romans 8:38-39, ESV)

Holidays include lots of grief for relationships/loved ones that left, forsook, or died. But let's focus on the essence of Christmas: the present of Jesus' presence in our lives! Wow, may a relationship with Jesus be our miracle and encouragement this Christmas! "Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!" (2 Cor. 9:15)

Could you think of anything greater than receiving God for Christmas?

While my dream didn't come true today, I know it will: Mary Jo will be resurrected and we will be reunited. This year, focus on a different angle of Christmas: Let Christmas remind you of Jesus' birth to banish death.

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After Stacie Ruth met Jesus, her life blossomed with true joy and purpose! Life's blows hurt her, but Jesus heals and strengthens her. Now an author, actress, and recording artist, she laughs at the irony and praises God, who uses unlikely people...like herself. To find out more about her ministry visit http://www.brightlightministries.com/.

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A three strand pearl necklace will be given away on New Year's Day. All you need to do to have a chance of winning is leave a comment here. Come back on New Year's Day to see if you won!

12 Pearls of Christmas Series and contest sponsored by Pearl Girls®. For more information, please visit http://www.pearlgirls.info/

12 Pearls of Christmas - Day 4

2009-12-15T05:30:00.000-05:00

12 Pearls of Christmas: Just God

A Tangible Reminder
by Mary Byers

Last year I read Me, Myself, & Bob: A True Story About Dreams, God, and Talking Vegetables by Phil Vischer, creator of the Veggie Tales video series. I was interested because my children grew up on Veggie Tales. But I was also interested because somewhere along the way I noticed Phil Vischer was no longer with Big Idea, the company he founded. I knew there must be a story there, so I picked up the book.

Though millions of children can sing the Veggie Tales theme song, Big Idea no longer exists. After expanding too quickly, the company was forced into bankruptcy. Vischer writes about the experience in his book, which is part memoir and part business tutorial. And it's a touching example of how one man encountered grit and allowed it to be turned into grace.

At the end of the book, Vischer outlines the lessons he learned from the rise and fall of Big Idea. In part, he shares, "I was ready to be done, if that's what God wanted. To just rest in him and let everything else fall away. At long last, after a lifetime of striving, God was enough. Not God and impact or God and ministry. Just God."

His words convicted me. As an author and speaker, I realized that I'm often more focused on my deadlines or my next speaking engagement than I am on God. I have it backwards. God first, then everything else will fall into place.

It's a powerful message for us as women, too. When we focus on God first, we'll have everything we need to handle whatever is happening in our families and our lives. As Vischer reminds us, God is enough. As we approach Christmas, I'm reminded that this is the time when God shared his Son with us-a tangible reminder of his love for us. And a reminder that when we have him, we have everything we need.

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Mary Byers is the author of Making Work at Home Work: Successfully Growing a Business and a Family Under One Roof. She offers advice and encouragement for moms work from home for profit at www.makingworkathomework.com.

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A three strand pearl necklace will be given away on New Year's Day. All you need to do to have a chance of winning is leave a comment here. Come back on New Year's Day to see if you won!

12 Pearls of Christmas Series and contest sponsored by Pearl Girls®. For more information, please visit www.pearlgirls.info

Enjoy!

In HIM -

O Christmas Tree

2009-12-14T10:09:00.007-05:00

Last Thursday, I mentioned to you that we were going to get our Christmas tree. We checked our older girls out of school early and headed to another part of the mountains a couple of hours away from home. A and M knew that they were getting out of school early but they had no idea why. Once we were on our way, and they figured out where we were headed, they were very excited!

We were to meet some friends of ours at their house and go get a tree from their farm. We arrived a little early, so we got a tour of this school that is in the area. Is is a wonderful place and has a lot of wonderful 'friends' who make it a wonderful place to be for kids who can't be with their own families. The time came and we met our friend and went to the farm to get out tree.

It was 23* up on top of that mountain so we chose our tree as quickly as we could without

compromising on what we were looking for....

We finally found the perfect tree.

M and L watching as they cut down the tree we picked.

K and B ......
A decided to help carry it back to the car...

B decided that being in the 23* cold was not much fun.

I concur!

We got the tree home late on Thursday and because we had so much to do on Friday,

we didn't get it decorated until Saturday.

I really do love the tree, but since trees definitely look smaller outside

than they do inside, it is almost too tall for our

living room. SO, there is no room for the angel on top.

To be honest we need a new tree topper anyway, and

I'm hoping to get a pretty star of some kind.

But for this year, I will probably be adding a ribbon of some

kind at the top since there is no room for a star.

Here is a shot of the tree (minus the ribbon).

I think it looks beautiful!

Christmas Trees make me happy!!!!

Have a great Monday everyone!My to do lists are a mile long as I've a LOT more decorating and gift buying to do. (I'm very behind!)

In HIM -

12 Pearls of Christmas - Day 3

2009-12-14T09:57:00.002-05:00

A "pearl" for you today! Enjoy!

COMING HOME FOR CHRISTMAS
by Virelle Kidder

My mother had remarkable zeal for Christmas. Weeks in advance, she would come home from teaching school and bake late into the night. I helped clean the house and decorate the tree while my older brother Roger wired the house with Christmas lights, transforming our humble red house into a place of magical beauty. Following the church candlelight service, a crowd of happy people crunched through the snow to our house for cocoa and cookies.

We were, like many, quite alone in the years after my father left. Our Christmas open house was my mother's supreme effort to make us feel complete. It almost worked.

Despite years in church and Sunday school, God was more a distant relative I wished I knew. I grew up with a gnawing sense of incompleteness, and longed to find meaning and purpose in life. Strangely, it was shortly before Christmas years later that it found me.

My husband Steve was fully absorbed with his new job at Johns Hopkins University, and I was home with a two year old. We wanted friends, but were both hesitant when Steve's officemate his wife invited us to attend their church. We had nothing in common with "religious types," but Steve said, "Let's be nice and go just once."

Sitting in church that Sunday, my temples pounded. Hymns and Scripture verses long ago ignored called to me from my childhood. Could others tell I didn't belong here? Oddly, I felt jealous of their peace. They looked happy.

First thing Monday morning I began tearing through the unpacked boxes in our basement. At last, I found my mildewed Bible from fifth grade. I resolved to read it cover to cover. I opened to Genesis, chapter 1. Same old story; I've heard this a hundred times, and quickly slammed it shut.

No one told me God could hear my thoughts. A soft Voice whispered, Why not read as if it were true? I opened my Bible again. Suddenly I was listening to the most interesting person I had ever heard. By afternoon I was still reading in my pajamas. I couldn't stop.

I read for weeks until one day, a picture popped in my mind of a beautiful old house with wide porches, brightly lit at night. Music, laughter and lively conversation carried onto the porch where I stood in the dark, peeking in. I saw a feast and a fire on the hearth, much like the Christmas open houses from my childhood, with one important difference. There was a Father here whose face mirrored love and warmth at His children's presence. This was God's family, and I desperately wanted to be inside. But how?

A voice taunted, Why would God want you? You don't fit in this crowd! It was true. I considered giving up. Instead, I marched upstairs to our bedroom, knelt down and prayed out loud, "Lord, help me find the way! Please don't let me go!"

Verses I'd read made sense. Jesus said, "I am the Way and the Truth and the Life. No one comes to the Father except through me." (John 14:6)

Our friends explained that God already knew I was a hopeless mess and loved me anyway. Opening the door to Heaven was a gift that cost God everything. It was on the cross Jesus died to pay for my sins. He rose again to prove forever that He is the Truth. Weeping at such love, I knelt and gave Christ my life. I found that, with or without a happy family, no one is ever complete without Jesus.

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Virelle Kidder is a conference speaker and the author of six books and numerous articles whose passion is sharing the love of God with women around the world. For her latest books, please visit her at http://www.virellekidder.com/ and http://www.meetmeatthewell.fm/

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A three strand pearl necklace will be given away on New Year's Day. All you need to do to have a chance of winning is leave a comment here. Come back on New Year's Day to see if you won!

12 Pearls of Christmas Series and contest sponsored by Pearl Girls®. For more information, please visit http://www.pearlgirls.info/

12 Pearls of Christmas - Day 2

2009-12-13T14:52:00.001-05:00

12 Pearls of Christmas: Life Beautiful

Life Beautiful
by Margaret McSweeney

During a quiet moment after Thanksgiving, I started reading my parents' stack of love letters that I recently found in a storage box. As a Christmas gift to you, I would like to share my father's words to my mother written to her during Christmas 1949. This incredible "hug from heaven" has been a tangible affirmation that Pearl Girls has true meaning and great worth for women throughout the world. I pray that God will continue to bless this ministry and outreach. May we all realize that the grit in our lives can be transformed into grace through the love of God.

This is what I found written on a tiny folded card inscribed with "Christmas Greetings" on the front:

Christmas 1949

My Dearest Carolyn,

Truly a jewel is a thing of beauty, but a life that is lived to serve others and to glorify our Christ, such as yours, is my dearest, a far surpassing gem in radiance and beauty.

Pearls to me, symbolize this "Life Beautiful" that you have achieved, Carolyn. Each pearl is a result of a great hurt to the oyster's life. But the little mollusk builds an iridescent coat around this source of hurt, and as a result, the precious pearl comes into being. Life is like that too.

If we, like the pearl, can make of our hurts the basis of a thing of beauty, then we can bear witness to an on-looking world how Christians can overcome through Christ, blows that are seemingly insurmountable.

At this happiest season of the year, I give thanks to God for you, Carolyn - my Pearl of Great Price.

Your Claude

Isn't this an amazing Christmas Pearl? I hope this message has touched your heart, too. Another Christmas gift I would like to share with you: My father's lessons on leadership. These can be found on my guest blog post at Michael Hyatt's website.

During this holiday season, decorate your life with Christmas Pearls --- strands of God's grace-reminders that nothing can separate us from his love, not even the grittiest of circumstances.

And please celebrate the "Pearls of Great Price" in your life through Post a Pearl. It's a fun and free gift that you can share with special people who have been a blessing to you over the years.

Merry Christmas!

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Margaret McSweeney lives with her husband David and two teenage daughters in the Chicago suburbs. She's the founder of Pearl Girls and a published author. Please visit http://www.pearlgirls.info/ for more info. You can also find Margaret at her writing blog, From Finance to Fiction or on Facebook and twitter.

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A three strand pearl necklace will be given away on New Year's Day. All you need to do to have a chance of winning is leave a comment here. Come back on New Year's Day to see if you won!

12 Pearls of Christmas Series and contest sponsored by Pearl Girls®. For more information, please visit http://www.pearlgirls.info/

Hope your Sabbath is a meaningful day!
in HIM -

12 Pearls of Christmas and a little extra

2009-12-12T07:03:00.003-05:00

Hi everyone! I am so happy that the kind folks over at Litfuse have allowed me the opportunity to post these great stories on my blog. I was also allowed the gift of reviewing this awesome book here. So, I was excited to get to share these pearls with you all each day between now and Christmas. I hope you enjoy reading them as much as I do! So without further ado:

12 Pearls of Christmas: Gifts of Purpose

Too Precious to Wear
by Sarah Sundin

One Christmas when my mother was a girl, she received a string of pearls from her father. Since her parents were divorced-an unusual situation in the 1950s-she treasured the pearls as a sign of her father's love. When he passed away her senior year in high school, the pearls took on even greater significance.

When I was growing up, my mother talked often about the pearls, but my sister and I never saw them. Mom kept them safe in their silk-lined velvet box tucked in her jewelry box. For dressy occasions, she wore other nice jewelry, but never the pearls.

The pearls were too precious to wear.

What if the strand broke and even a single pearl was lost? What if the clasp broke and she lost them forever? She couldn't risk it. Better to keep them cocooned in silky security.

When my mother offered to let me wear her pearls on my wedding day, I was deeply touched. This was more than "something old" or "something borrowed," but a sign that she trusted me and loved me.

A few days before the wedding, my mother pulled the box from seclusion. My sister and I watched with curiosity and awe.

The pearls had turned a deep grayish-yellow, they were flaking, and some had fallen apart.

They were fake.

For over thirty years, my mother nurtured a piece of costume jewelry. All that time she could have worn them and enjoyed them without worry. Her father gave them to her for a purpose-to wear them and feel lovely and ladylike and special. He didn't mean for her to hide them away.

On our wedding day, my husband gave me a strand of real pearls. They symbolize my husband's sacrificial love for me-they were expensive for a graduate student with half-Scottish blood.

I vowed never to tuck them away but to wear them often. Yes, I'm careful. I inspect the cord and knots and clasp, and I plan to have them restrung when necessary. But I wear them and enjoy them. That's why my husband gave them to me.

Our heavenly Father gives us gifts too-brilliant and costly. We should cherish them, but we should use them. Whether our individual gifts involve serving, teaching, encouragement, evangelism, or even money-they have a purpose. The Lord wants us to use our gifts to bless others and to spread the message of His love.

While pearls make women look lovely, using our God-given gifts for His kingdom makes us even lovelier. And just as pearls grow more lustrous with frequent wear, our gifts from God grow in beauty and strength the more we use them.

This Christmas I plan to wear my string of pearls, a sign of my husband's love-and to display my pearls from heaven, a sign of my Father's love.

Have a lustrous Christmas!

__________________________________

Sarah Sundin lives in northern California with her husband and three children. She works on-call as a hospital pharmacist. Her first novel, A Distant Melody, historical fiction set during World War II, will be published by Revell in March 2010. Please visit her at http://www.sarahsundin.com/ or her blog or find her on Facebook.

_______________________________________

A three strand pearl necklace will be given away on New Year's Day. All you need to do to have a chance of winning is leave a comment here. Come back on New Year's Day to see if you won!

12 Pearls of Christmas Series and contest sponsored by Pearl Girls®. For more information, please visit http://www.pearlgirls.info/

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

And one last thing that I would like to share with you all today -- I was reading a devotional this morning and was reminded once again that Jesus is the Way -- He is the Great I AM! Which led me to think about the think that is God's theme for me lately -- HE is EMMANUEL!

I have this cd, and God has been stirring my heart when this song comes on. In this Advent Season of waiting for my saviour, HE is reminding me that He IS Hope restored! He is in us! He is for us! He is with us! Emmanuel!

I hope this day that each of you feels that HE is Emmanuel for you. NOW, I'm off this Saturday to do some decorating. We did get our tree and we are decorating the tree today. My girls are SO excited! I hope your Saturday is full of love today -- from you family and your Saviour!

In HIM -

Christmas Tree Day!!!

2009-12-10T10:39:00.004-05:00

WOW! I'm busy. I LOVE Christmas but I always feel really stressed to get it all done. BUT I'm excited about my to do list because it is such fun stuff!!!! =)

Last night was our Children's program at church. I know I'm a bad Mom....I didn't take not one picture of anybody. I was running the sound for the play and just didn't even think about it. Bad Mom -- I know! BUT, the play was precious. I'm hoping that I can put a plea out on FB and at church and some of the wonderful folks who were there will share their pics with me.

Also this week --I'm behind on my Christmas shopping so there is lots to do in that area. Maybe tomorrow. I've got lots of decorating still to do....I've not even got the decorations out yet. YIKES! I'm also hosting the staff Christmas party next week so I have that to get ready for too!

I'm so excited about today though. DO you know what today is? That is right! Today is Christmas Tree Day at our house! We were going to go this Saturday but since the weather is "iffy" and we are traveling even further up into the mountains to get our tree, we are going today.
We are even getting our older girls out of school early because it is a 2 hour drive to where we are going......shhhh. don't tell on us! Plus I've created great excitement in the kids because they know I'm getting them out of school early but they don't know why. I hope they aren't disappointed! It is only in the 30's where we are headed today so we are going to be cold but I'm so excited.
Hubs has a friend whose family runs a Christmas Tree Farm and we are going there to get our tree and greenery and such. We are excited to get to visit with his family, too! Last year we didn't get to visit with the family -- they were out of town so we are very excited about it all.

SO - ya'll have a great Thursday but I must go. It's that time of year and I've gotta get going.
But I'm also very nostalgic this time of year. Come back tomorrow and we will talk all about that!

Say a prayer for safe travel for us today.
See ya tomorrow!!! I will try and remember to take some pics today.....

In HIM -

A Giveaway!

2009-12-08T09:20:00.004-05:00

Hey Ya'll! Go on over to The Design Girl! She is hosting a giveaway for an adorable Christmas shirt from Zingo Tots.

Just look how cute this is!!!!!

Go on over and enter now!!

In HIM -

Christmas Traditions

2009-12-07T11:18:00.000-05:00

I was talking to a friend of mine last week and I said "I love Christmas!" She responded with "Not me." And led into a discussion of the commercialism that Christmas has become these days. I completely agree about the commercialism but I just have to admit that I LOVE CHRISTMAS! I do hate that people get so caught up in we have to buy all these gifts and they have to cost *THIS* much money and all that jazz. It drives me beyond crazy! But I also have to admit that I like giving gifts to those I love. I love to see something bring someone joy. I think it is a love language thing for me. Now, don't get me wrong having someone tell me that we are setting a gift price limit of between this price and this price -- that annoys me just to be honest. I think that gifts should be from the heart no matter the expense. BUT I want to give people gifts and show my love for them. And I think we can relate it back to the GIFT of our Saviour from the Lord above for all of us. THAT gift cost more than any of us can even imagine, didn't it?!!?

Thinking about all of this has gotten me thinking once again about what we do that makes our children understand that this holiday isn't about Santa Claus (even though I'm ok with that see the above paragraph on gifts) but is about Jesus and celebrating HIM and His birthday.

I talked about a lot of these things here last year, but here is the list for this year.

On December 1, we began our advent devotions. We have an advent calendar that our kids open and we put pieces of candy or other very small gifts in each evening to count down the days til Christmas. On Christmas morning however, the last door is opened and there is the Baby Jesus that gets added to our Nativity Scene. The sweetest gift of all! I'm torn though. I feel like they look forward to the advent calendar because of the candy only; Not the devotions we do with it. I'm wondering if we should find something else besides candy to put behind the little doors....

This year, we area also doing this small Nativity entitled "What God Wants for Christmas". I bought this on clearance after Christmas last year. I love it because when you open the last box and answer the question "What DOES God want for Christmas?" there is a mirror so that your kids understand that God wants them for Christmas!

For our devotions this year we are doing The Jesse Tree devotions. This is new for us this Advent Season. I got this book, hoping to use it at church with the kids but didn't get to it this year. HOWEVER, my friend, Brandi, had a fabulous idea for a Jesse Tree swap - I fully intend to steal it for next year. Anyway, since I didn't get it all together until the actual day we were to start (such a procrastinator - I know!), I didn't have time to use actual branches like I wanted to. SO, I drew some branches and printed some ornaments from here and here and even drew a few of my own to go along with the devotions in the book.

What else will we do this year so that our girls know WHO we celebrate at Christmas?

Well - they are allowed to ask Santa for 3 gifts -- since the Wisemen brought 3 gifts for Jesus.

Also on Christmas, we will have a birthday party for Jesus complete with birthday cake and singing for HIM!

Not to mention that we will attend at least two of our churches three Christmas Eve services .The first one will be led by our band and I am way excited to at this one because they are awesome and they are learning a song that I had requested....I LOVE THIS SONG!!! And in the second one, my girls are going to be singing. I am such a sap these days. I tear up at the thought!!! Can't wait to see how sweet they will be! The last one is at 11PM and as much as I would like to make it to that one, my kids usually turn into pumpkins about 7:30 so we are pushing it with the second one......

I'd love to incorporate more though -- so, internet friends. Let's hear it! What are your Christmas traditions that teach your kids the real reason for the season?

in HIM -

Love Finds You Book Review

2009-12-02T13:32:00.006-05:00

I have a question for you! What makes you feel like a work of fiction was worth your time reading it? In other words, what makes a good read for you?

There are many things that make a book a good read for me. Depth of character as well as realistic, relatable characters -- not to mention story line. But one of the biggest things for me is this. I know thta this book is a good read for me when I get to the end of the book and wish that I knew the 'rest of the story'! That is exactly what happened with Love Finds You in Lonesome Prairie, Montana. I found that I didn't want to stop reading about Pastor Ike and Miss Julia Cavenaugh. I wanted to know the rest of the story of their lives. What's next for them? What's next for the people of Lonesome Prairie? That, for me, is a good read. This story is heartwarming and real and I love historical fiction. I really do hope that when I get to heaven I can sit and watch movies of what really happened for the people who were homesteaders of this great country of ours. I also wanna watch movies of Jesus and the disciples, and Moses, and Noah among others -- but back to the book! Thank you, Litfuse, for providing this book for me to read and review!

Ya'll check it out!!!

About the book: In 1890, Julia Cavanaugh travels west from New York City to unite orphans in her care with new families.

Imagine her horror when she discovers that she's to be "delivered," too--as bride to an uncouth miner! But with no return fare, Julia's options are bleak.

What does God have planned for her on the lonesome prairies of Montana?

Read more!

ABOUT THE AUTHORS:

Tricia Goyer is the author of several books, including Night Song and Dawn of a Thousand Nights, both past winners of the ACFW's Book of the Year Award for Long Historical Romance. Goyer lives with her family in Montana. To find out more visit her website: www.triciagoyer.com

Ocieanna Fleiss is a published writer and has edited six of Tricia Goyer's historical novels. She lives with her husband and their four children in the Seattle area. Connect with Ocieanna on Facebook!

BUY THE BOOK!
http://www.triciagoyer.com/store.html?n=1

LOVE THE BOOK?
Don't forget to post a review on Amazon, CBD or B&N!

CONTEST

The authors, Tricia and Ocieanna, have put together one humdinger of a contest for this blog tour! Enter the Fall in Love With Lonesome Prairie Contest and WIN a perty Montana Gift Basket!

To enter, simply fill out the entry form (http://www.triciagoyer.com/contest.html ), (then tell 5 or more friends about the contest)! The winner will be announced December 14th, just in time for an old-fashioned Montana Christmas. Giddy-up!

The Winner of our ‘Fall in Love with Lonesome Prairie’ giveaway will receive a fantastic Montana Gift Basket, including:

*Winter fleece throw

*Huckleberry chocolate bar

*Paula Dean candle

*Burt’s Bees gift set

*Wild Huckleberry taffy

*Montana stationary notebook

*Montana greeting card set

*Montana ball cap

*Montana apron

*Montana refrigerator magnet

*Charlie Russell 2010 Montana Calendar

Ya'll have a great Thursday!

In HIM -

Tales of Thanksgiving (mostly in pictures)

2009-12-02T10:57:00.009-05:00

Our Thanksgiving started last Tuesday at L and B's preschool where we had a Thanksgiving Feast.....of finger foods. =) Here are some of our friends.

From L's class: Miss M. (but could be Miss A --she has a twin).

Mr. T

L in her turkey hat. SO CUTE!

In B's class theres

Mr. C. Their class made indian hats.

Too cute!

Mr. A and his Mommy, K.

B's friend Miss H.

Isn't her turkey shirt the cutest?

Her Mommy made it!

L's class sang a song entitled

"I'm a Little Turkey."

On Tuesday afternoon, we checked the big girls out of school early and headed to Grammy's house in Georgia. On Wednesday, Daddy went to play golf so the rest of us hung out at Grammy's house while they were gone.

We took a walk with the wagon down Grammy's long driveway

to get the mail.

Here are the kids on the way down the driveway.

M did some jumping rope

A and L played some soccer with Grammy

B refused to get out of the wagon

so the girls took turns pulling him around.

On Thursday, we went to my Grandparents house for Thanksgiving with

my Mom's family. My mom is one of 6 and 4 of those kids were there.

As were a lot of the grandkids and the great grand kids.

It was a great time visiting with family!

We did pictures of everyone -- but I won't bore you with all of them.

Here is a picture of my Pa and M. I love this one!

This one is my Granny with my L.

I don't know what she was asking her!

This is a picture of my grandparents with some of the great-grands.

There were 5 missing and they have 1 more on the way right now.

That makes 12 great-grandkids as of now.

From 5 out of 12 grandkids.

I can't even imagine how many more they will have

when the other 7 have kids. =)

Here is a picture of my family. My brother, with A in his lap. My brother in law and sister with M in her lap, my Mom and step-dad with L in his lap, and B with me and K.

That evening we just hung out at Grammy's house. The girl's wrote their letters to Santa.

Can you guess what my girls are into this year?

Here is Miss L. copying what she wants out of the magazine.

Miss M. She is using her "best guess" spelling.

Look at that sunset out the window by A.

Isn't it beautiful?

Tickle fest with Uncle T.

The next morning, Grammy, Aunt G and I did our Black Friday shopping. It was a lot of fun and there weren't as many people out as I thought there would be.

On Friday night, we gathered with my Dad's family.

These are 5 of the great grands on this side. (We were missing a BUNCH--like almost 20 -

I'm not kidding!)

These girls had a blast!

"No Boys Allowed!"

B really enjoyed the food. He was definitely a grazer.

He just walked from person to person and begged for food.

The next morning, Saturday, Grammy and Granddaddy made us a big breakfast.

This is Uncle T and B waiting on those yummy waffles.

Here is Miss L with the heart clip that Aunt G gave her.

She loves it!

We packed up the van and met Pa Pa and Nay Nay for lunch

at our favorite Mexican place. It is a must while we are in town.

It was a wonderful Thanksgiving!

Full of family. Going home always makes me

miss that little corner of the world.

We had a great one. Hope you did,too

Now - this post has taken FOREVER so I must go and do the house work

that is calling my name.

Ya'll have a great rest of Wednesday. It is a yucky, rainy day here in the mountains

of NC. Wish I could hunker down and not go anywhere else.

But since we have dance and church activities tonight, that won't happen.

oh well.

Talk to ya'll later on!!!

in HIM -

I Forgot (with a winner!)

2009-11-30T08:54:00.004-05:00

In my rush to get out of town for Thanksgiving last week, I forgot.

I forgot to take my son to his scheduled appointment to get the flu shot.

I forgot to go pick up my dry cleaning. It's been there for a week and a half now. I'm sure they think that I'm never coming back.

I forgot to announce the winner of the Pearl Girls book. So, without further ado ( and before I forget something else) -- the winner is:

Jen

Jen, please email me and send me your address and I will get the book out to you asap. SO, now you all know why I have to have a TO-DO list everyday. Otherwise, I will forget everything. Let's just call it "mommy brain" !!

Have a fabulous Monday. Lots of catching up to do around here from being out of town. Talk to you all tomorrow!

in HIM --

Mindy

101 Dalmatians

2009-11-23T09:12:00.004-05:00

This past Saturday, A and M made their Theatrical debut in this awesome production...

They did a fabulous job! They were both dalmatians. A was one of the

Canine Narrators so she stayed dressed as a dalmatian for the whole program.

M got to be the dogcather at the end of the play and

drag Cruella off stage. So she had a costume change.

Here are the girls with Ms. Valerie, their teacher.

We LOVE Ms. Val! She is amazingly

talented and does a fantastic job with these kids!

(sorry for the blurry picture-- I very much dislike my camera sometimes.)

We had lots of friends in the show, too.

M's friend W was a Dalmatian, too.

M is wearing her dogcather costume in this one!

This is another friend, S, with A and M.

And, lastly - one of A. because I just this it is a good one!

SO, the girls had a great time in their first musical.

And while it was a LOT of work, I think I had fun too!

Ya'll have a fab. Monday. I have a million and one errands

to run and the ever present laundry to do

before going over the river

and through the woods to Grandma's this week!

Talk to ya'll soon!

In HIM--

Pearl Girls

2009-11-21T20:11:00.003-05:00

I'm absolutely delighted to get to tell ya'll about the book called Pearl Girls. When I first was given the opportunity to look at this book, I wondered what kind of book it was. Was it like a devotional? Would I like it? Well - it isn't a devotional but let me tell you that it really could be!!! These stories are all pearls! I have loved reading the experiences of these women and how God has taught them things in their lives. These stories will make you want to pay attention to what God is teaching you so that you can share your pearl story, too! Thank you Litfuse for providing the books for me to review and giveaway!

Here are the details ---

About the book:

With His love and grace, God covered the unexpected pain in my life of becoming an adult orphan and transformed this pain into a pearl. We are all Pearl Girls. Each of us has been touched by God's gift of love and grace, and it's a gift that I want to share with others. That's why I am launching Pearl Girls.

Actually, my very first gift from my parents was a pearl. The gift of my name. Margaret means "precious pearl." So perhaps this is what I was always supposed to do. My heart's prayer is that Pearl Girls will be a blessing to others - to the women who contribute their literary talent to the Pearl Girls projects; to the readers who are inspired and comforted by the life experiences shared through these projects and to the women and children who will benefit from the proceeds given by Pearl Girls to various charities. This is a win-win for everyone, and each of us has a special part in making the Pearl Girls projects "blessed sellers."

After the first Pearl Girls tea in Atlanta, I went to my brother, Claude's home to help sort through our parents' boxes in his basement. It was an emotional experience and tedious process to discover what was in each box, to decide what to do with each item and to discard those belongings which we needed to let go. After several long hours of sorting, I received an incredible hug from heaven - a confirmation that Pearl Girls is something that is meant to be. I discovered a three strand necklace of painted pearls belonging to my grandmother from the early 1900s! Isn't that amazing?

Read an Excerpt here! http://www.mpnewsroom.com/images/excerpt/PearlGirls.pdf

It’s about Connecting Hearts and Souls to Impact the World.

As you know Margaret doesn’t keep a penny of any proceeds. When getting the word out about Pearl Girls, please let people know that 100% of the royalties go directly to two charities:

WINGS (women in need growing stronger). The proceeds will help fund a Safe House in the Chicago suburbs. It costs $50 a night to provide safe shelter for a woman and her children. During this economy, WINGS is receiving even more phone calls for a safe place to stay. Already, the Pearl Girls have provided 60 nights with the advance royalties. www.wingsprogram.com

Hands of Hope. The proceeds will help build wells in Uganda for school children. Can you imagine a child at school without a water fountain in the hallway where he or she can grab a quick sip of water in between classes on a hot day? These children have to drink from puddles and other water sources which carry diseases and parasites. It costs $12,000 to build a well in Uganda. Already, the Pearl Girls have provided funds to build ¼ of a well. www.handsofhopeonline.orgFirst and foremost Margaret would like you to highlight above all else that 100% of the book’s royalties go to Charity.

Link to buy the book online: http://www.amazon.com/Pearl-Girls-Encountering-Experiencing-Grace/dp/0802458629/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1253048057&sr=8-1

Check out this video!

Pearl Girls from Michael J Garvey on Vimeo.

And Guess what else! I have an extra copy! If you want a copy of this fantastic book, leave me a comment on this post. I will draw a winner on Tuesday morning. Sorry that this is such a short giveaway but we are headed out of town for Thanksgiving on Tuesday and I wanna get the book out to the winner asap!

Have a fabulous weekend everyone!

In HIM -

Should I be Concerned?

2009-11-19T09:51:00.003-05:00

SO, this morning I was watching the news when they started talking about "Twilight". Now, in my younger days, I will go ahead and admit to you that I would have jumped all over this series. Because I was all over "Interview with a Vampire". I will also go ahead and and admit that I did read (and enjoy) the Harry Potter Series. I tend to think that as long as one realized that these are stories and FICTION -- then it's no big deal. I mean I don't believe in vampire or witches and wizards that fly on brooms. It is just a story the same as any Disney movie one might watch.
However, I was completely appalled this morning when I heard that this series had spawned a book entitled "How to Date a Vampire". I'm sorry? What? Obviously, someone believes in vampires?
I don't think that a book like that honors God at all.
So, now I'm left wondering -----
Should I rethink Harry Potter (my kids are NOT old enough for HP yet...)as well as the Disney movies I allow my kids to watch? Or as I tend to do--- am I being legalistic about it all?

I don't know..... what do ya'll think?

How Beautiful!

2009-11-16T10:11:00.005-05:00

Dear Breaking Free Girls,

I'm so sad that our journey together is over. I hope that you feel like this study has changed your life. I know that it has changed mine. Now is the time to go forward in our own journeys without the daily lessons to spur you on. My hope for you as you go is that you will remember what you've learned and how far you've come in the last couple of months.
Keep on the right trek of breaking free from the things that are keeping you from having those amazing benefits in your relationship with Christ. Keep on praying for one another and keep on reading your bible.
A few things we learned that I wanted to remind you of on this first day of being completely 'on your own'.

**Don't forget what we learned from the Kings we studied! Tear down those high places -- we don't want to pass those things on to the next generation.

**Don't forget those huge obstacles to the awesome benefits and get do the work to get rid of those obstacles. Lay them on the alter and let them go!

**Remember that HE is God! He has the Right to Rule and His Rule is Right!!!

**Remember that He loves you UNFAILINGLY!!!! Give HIM your whole heart -- every ugly little part and let HIM change it and make it new!!! Read Ephesians 3:14-21 here -- this was my favorite scripture reference from that week!

**Remember the battle of the mind and the steps you learned to put ON the TRUTH! If you haven't already -- buy those cards and start working on replacing lies with truth. Take those thoughts captive!!!!

**Lastly, don't forget to write your binding agreement with God. Make a covenant with him and get serious about it!

Do all of these things and imagine the beauty you will have as a true display of HIS splendor! And! AND!!!! Remember what we heard Beth say last night?!!? People are drawn to us when we are truly a display of HIS splendor. YOU can be a part of a REAL revival in the life of others in your life, in our church and in our community.
And isn't that our purpose that we have learned? We are here to know Christ and make HIM known to others!!
What an awesome responsibility. Are you up for the task? Are you ready? Let's get going together!
And check this out --- This song is about Jesus. But remember you are HIS bride --- Make yourself ready for HIM and become a magnificent display of HIS splendor reflecting HIS character!

I love each one of you and can't wait to do join you for another journey. Be looking for information on that soon.

in HIM --

********PS*********** For those of you who are reading my blog and wondering what in the world this is all about ---- you MUST do this study at your church. And I got a flyer in the mail that said Ms. Beth has just updated the whole shebang! Go do it now. You won't be sorry!!!!
Have a fabulous Monday everyone ----- I have two loads of laundry to fold and put away and a little boy that just woke from a nap!

M2M Scavenger Hunt

2009-11-13T18:18:00.004-05:00

So, Lisa at The Preacher's Wife is hosting a scavenger hunt for all of us others who are "Married to the Ministry. This is the last day to play along. Hope I get my name in on time!!!!
Here are the questions and answers =)

1. Name ---- My real first name is Melinda. But everyone calls me Mindy.

2. State and Country of Residence -- I live in North Carolina these days. But Georgia will always be my home....(don't tell my hubby ;) ). Both of those are in the good ole USA.

3. Husband's Ministry Title-- ummm....slave. NO, sorry. Senior Pastor

4. Length of Time in Current Ministry Location -- We've been in this little mountain town for 1 year and almost 5 months now.

5. Children? Gender and ages? I have three very dramatic girls ages 8,6, and almost 5. I also have 1 very much all boy -- he's 14 months old.

6. Number of unique homes I've lived in during my marriage? They've ALL been unique -- they are parsonages of course......we've lived in 3.

7. Cook Sunday lunch or eat out? Well - I prefer to eat out but a lot of times I can't convince hubby that it's the thing to do so we eat sandwiches.....I never cook Sunday lunch.

8. Typically on time for Sunday School or not? Well - since I attend the 9 am service, then yes - I'm on time for Sunday School. Whether or not I'm on time for the 9 AM worship service remains to be seen.

9.Favorite TV Show. Hmmmm. This one is hard for me. I love NCIS and hubs and I like to watch The Big Bang Theory.

10. Something I watch/like/do that I would never tell church people? Well. Let's see.....every once in a while I get a hankering to watch Days of Our Lives just to see who is still on there and what is happening in good ole Salem.

11. Most annoying church related pet peeve. People who expect things from hubs and I that they don't do in return. Meaning.....that PW never calls me and asks me to go to the movies.....and yet -- they've never asked me either. Also -- people who don't like us just because we aren't someone else and yet they've not tried to get to know us. this might be a bit of a sore spot for me so we will move on now....

12.One thing I need to throw away but can't bring myself to do it. LEFTOVERS! I hate pouring out leftovers from the fridge.....i make hubby do it.

13. The one food I cannot live without....I don't know. I Like all food!!!! I love Reece's PB Cups and Peanut M&M's but they don't come into my house much -- lest I be the size of a house.

14. Parsonage or I have my own home.....parsonage.....but long to one day have my own home.

15. Freak when the doorbell rings or always ready for visitors? Are you kidding me? FREAK!!!! And by freak I mean I might not answer the door at all!!!!!

There it is. Feeling a little cheeky today ladies. Can't wait to read the rest of the posts!

in HIM --

Griped by Fear

2009-11-11T11:39:00.008-05:00

I'm having a bad day. Honestly, I'm having a bad week. And I'm feeling REALLY guilty about it all.

A bad week how? Well - physically, mentally and spiritually! All of me!!!!

Physically, I've been having heart rhythm issues lately. It's been too fast at times and too slow at times too. I've been dizzy a lot, had lots of heart palpitations, chest pain, shakiness and many other symptoms that I don't understand. So, I've been wearing a heart monitor for a month and I go see the electrophysiologist on Friday to see what is going on.

And then there's this....***.WARNING -- if you don't want to hear about "womanly issues" then skip on down to the next paragraph.***..Since my menstrual cycle has come back after B was born, it has been different. It is has been VERY heavy for the first two days, and then would stop completely for a day and then come back for a few days getting lighter each day. THEN last month it came and was VERY heavy for two days and then stopped altogether. I really didn't think much of it -- maybe just that I got lucky for once....And then -- on day 18 --- I started bleeding again. That was last Friday. I spotted the first day and then it got very heavy for the next couple of days and then lightened up for a day. Yesterday there was NOTHING and today? I'm spotting again--- pretty heavy spotting too. I'm having lots of cramping, too. I have NEVER had issues like this with my menstrual cycle. I see my Gynecologist tomorrow.

All of this plays right in to the battles I am facing mentally and spiritually. I'm not going to lie. Ya'll. I am scared !!! I've told ya'll before about my struggles with fear. All of these physical problems are making my anxiety and fear go through the roof. And just to be completely honest -- I'm so scared that I am going to die and not get to see my kids grow up.

I am desperately trying to use my "Truth Cards" and fill my mind with scriptures reminding me that God doesn't want me to live in fear and that He is good and that HE is in charge. But right now, I'm losing that battle.

I'm terrified!

And quite frankly, I feel really guilty about all of this. I know that there are people who are living with things that are a lot worse than what I'm dealing with and they aren't complaining. I feel guilty that I was so griped by this fear that I didn't go to sleep until about 2AM this morning for fear that going to sleep would slow my heart rate too much. I feel HUGE guilt over the lack of faith that is making itself obvious in my life.

Why am I being so open and honest for all of you to read about the ugliness that is in me? Well for a few reasons I guess. I know that secrets are where Satan thrives and so I need to be honest about this stronghold. Second, I guess I am writing it down because it is somewhat cathartic to write it down. Third, I am begging for your prayers tomorrow and Friday as I see these doctors. I desperately want to ask that ya'll will just pray for complete healing, but I'm not sure I have the faith.

I'm also so uneasy about being so brutally honest and vulnerable about where I am right now. I know that there are those who would read this and see me as weak and basically think I'm just losing it. Frankly, I am in agreement with those two things.

I don't know what to do. I keep crying out to God and saying I NEED YOU!!!!! I long to feel his presence. At the same time I know it isn't about feeling that is about choosing to believe! '

Today -- I'm scared. I'm empty. I don't know what to do......

can you please say a prayer for me?

I feel guilty even asking.

Hokie Heaven

2009-11-09T11:13:00.005-05:00

I mentioned on Friday that hubs and I were getting away for a couple of days. Well ---- I have a confession to make. I had Friday's post scheduled to appear then because we actually left on Thursday.

We let A and M skip school on Friday (I know! Bad parents we are!) and so we left as soon as they got off the bus on Thursday. We met my in-laws on the way and they took all 4 kids for a couple of nights.So, we drove to "Hokie Heaven" which is my in- laws mountain home near Blacksburg, VA. Hubs and I had that evening and the following morning to ourselves. It was really wonderful. We've not had a night completely alone since before B was born so it was so NICE!

The view from Hokie Heaven....pretty huh?

Hubs and I took a pic. of ourselves with the view!

Our friends arrived sometime after lunch on Friday. Since our friend, Rob, is a graduate of VT, we decided to spend the late afternoon/early evening in Blacksburg. We drove through campus and then went downtown and walked around. Checking out of the maroon and orange! Matter of fact, hubs and I bought B the cutest Hokie shirt in honor of hubs step dad who also attended VT. It is adorable!

We went and ate supper of Cabo Fish Taco (delish) and then had dessert here....

On Saturday we ate a great breakfast and then went to the Draper Valley Overlook and saw this.

And took a few pics!!!

We then took a detour and ended up an hour away, sick to our stomachs from the curvy mountain roads just to have to turn around and go back the way we came. SO much for an adventure.

Saturday afternoon we drove back to meet the inlaws and get the kids. The kids were all so excited to see us which made this Mama so happy!!! We had supper and then headed home.

It was a wonderful weekend! Now we are back to reality!

Hope ya'll have a great Monday. I doubt there is anyone out there who doesn't read McMama's blog but just in case you don't know. Stellan is having his ablation today (RIGHT NOW) instead of tomorrow. Be in prayer for them!!!!

In HIM --

I'm seeing a Theme Here

2009-11-06T05:00:00.003-05:00

SO - after I had that whole day this week thinking about the depraved mind, Wednesday came.

And on Wednesday, the Lord showed me and spoke to me about what it is I need to work as far as 'changing my mind'. Let me just tell you about Wednesday.

On the way to my Women's Community Bible Study, I was listening to Greg Laurie and he said "Heaven is not for good people. Heaven is for forgiven people." I know -- you are thinking "duh - we all know that". And yes we do....but let's just continue shall we?

Then at bible study, it was all about Jonah and the Ninehvite's. You know the story. God told Jonah to go to Nineveh. Jonah didn't want to - told God no and ran. God on a boat-- a storm came-- Jonah says throw we overboard and the storm will stop. So, that's what happened and he gets swallowed by a big fish- sits in the belly for 3 days and then cries out to God. God has the fish spit him up -- and then Jonah goes to Nineveh and does what he was told to do but then he's mad at God because he didn't like the Ninehvites and he didn't think God should give them a second chance. So that was the big question. "Who do you need to give a second chance?"

Also at bible study, I heard the Lord say to me "You've just been playing at breaking free. Now you need to get serious about it."

And lastly, I came home this afternoon and did my Breaking Free study for today which had me practicing Beth's process of changing the thoughts in my mind to His Truth. And guess what the topic was that she had us practice with. You guessed it : "FORGIVENESS!!!"

SO! Looks like the Lord has in mind what he wants me to work on. See, I know WHO he wants me to forgive and I know that I don't really want to do it. I'm just being real here. These people. They've really hurt me and my family and in my own humanness I don't really want to forgive them. BUT GOD -- he has other idea's. SO, I will choose his way because it is the right way.
I am on a road to forgiveness. It may take a LONG time. But the Lord will be with me and I will keep trudging on til I am free!!!!

Ya'll have a fabulous weekend. Hubs and I are getting together with another couple who are also clergy. We are going out of town for a couple of nights. The kids are going to stay with my inlaws. SO, say a prayer for our safe travel and for my kids to be good....and for B to sleep so his Nana can get some sleep too!

Talk to ya'll next week!
in HIM -

A Depraved Mind

2009-11-05T05:00:00.001-05:00

I think I've mentioned a time or five that I'm doing Beth Moore's Breaking Free Study at church right now. Now, I've led this study about 5 different times and each time I still have things to break free from.
A small aside here: Got a flyer in the mail that she just updated this study! I'm so bummed that we are almost done with it. I wish we were just starting so we could do the new and updated version.....dern!

Anyways -- if you have never done this study, I highly recommend it! It is an awesome study!
This week marks week 9 in the study for my group of ladies. It is all about the "Battlefield of the Mind".....based on taking our thoughts captive and making them like Christ's (2 Corinthians 10:3-5) and also Isaiah 26:3 "He shall keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast. because he trusts in you."

Everything was going along great in my lesson that day until I ran across this nugget.

Romans 8: 28-32
"Furthermore, since they did not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God, he gave them over to a depraved mind, to do what ought not be done. They have been filled with every kind of wickedness, evil, greed, and depravity. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, and malice. They are gossips, slanderers, God-haters, insolent, arrogant, and boastful; they invent ways of doing evil' they disobey their parents; they are senseless, faithless, heartless, ruthless. Although they know God's righteous decree that those who do such things deserve death, they do not only continue to do these very things but also approve of those who practice them."

Whoa! Those are some strong words. Like I said -- I've done this study 5 times and for some reason these words are striking me hard tonight.

Then there were verses of God giving his people over to their depraved minds for a time and even permanently. Check out 1 Corinthians 5:5 and 1 Timothy 1:20.

Ya'll. This has rocked my world this week Let me just tell you that I DO NOT want to be given over to my depraved mind! I have a feeling that you don't either. As I've worked though the rest of this week of study, I'm becoming more aware of of the thoughts in my head that don't line up with God's thoughts. I am becoming more aware that there are things in my life that I need to change...people I need to forgive, fear to rid of, the need to love people as God loves them, as well as some unbelief.
These are the kinds of thoughts that can be controlling for me and it's time for me to work though them and get RID of the wrong thinking and replace it with God's thinking.

I want my thoughts to be Godly. To have the Mind of Christ about everything in life. There is a LOT of work to do but I'm up for it! Because I don't have to be handed over to a depraved mind!

I'm sorry if this post seems random, just sharing my thoughts here tonight. Ya'll have a great Thursday! I'm working on changing my mind today.....

In HIM -