Merry Christmas

Here's wishing you a very Merry Christmas and a wonderful New Year!

 I've have really tried to discipline myself to stop and enjoy the moment, to take time out to do special things with my husband when I might otherwise be inventing more work to get done before the kids start coming in on Wednesday.

I have enjoyed everything I've done so far and none of it has seemed like a chore but totally enjoyable.

I have a wall plaque I got years ago that reads, "It's not doing the things we like to do, but liking the things we have to do that makes life blessed.

I think there is a lot of truth to that old adage.

 Here are a few things that have been going on in our lives.

Our 13 year old granddaughter, Ashton, was promoted to 'pointe' in ballet this past week.  That is a great accomplishment for her and something she has been working hard for for several years.

We have mirrors across from one another in the master bath.  I strung lights over my vanity and ended up getting an infinity effect--it just goes on and on and on.

These are right out of the oven--my husband went golfing and brought back these big, beautiful pine cones.  But it's a good thing to bake them in the oven at about 200 for an hour to kill any varmints that might be residing in them.  They make their presence known later if they are not eradicated now.  But that's all I'll say about that.

Then i placed them in an arrangement in my new dough box.  They were just exactly what it needed!

Yesterday I made place cards for the "girls" table.  I have never done this before but I'm having a table for the boys and one for the girls.  We will have 9 at the girls' table and 6 at the boys.

Still need to make the boys' place cards.  Theirs will be a bit more masculine!

I hope your holidays celebrating the birth of our wonderful Savior are the best ever.

God bless you and talk to you soon!

He Restores My Soul

This is short and very sweet.

Sweet because it speaks to the spirit within us and calms and restores our soul. I studied with Randall Hasson a few years ago and this is a website hosted by him and his wife. This particular post is written by his wife about a canvas he painted that I was privileged to see in person when I went to his studio in Santa Fe, NM. Her post is about the peace of God which we all immensely need especially during this Christmas season. Praying that it will calm and restore your soul. Merry Christmas!

Here is the link.

Let Your Heart Be Light

Time is marching on and Christmas is almost here. I can't believe it's been nine days since I have posted. I am so sorry. I had such awesome plans at the start of December for all the wonderful things I was going to post. Things about Jesus--after all, He is what this season is all about, right?

There are so many loose ends I need to tie up and it seems that every Christmas I am never as organized as I want to be--I want to have things DONE so I can just sit back and relax and take in the sights, sounds, smells, joys of the season.

I think I've done a little better this year as far as not stressing out about not getting everything done that I want to get done but I still find myself more anxious than I want to be at times.

I try to keep reminding myself that this is about love, togetherness, and celebration.

Not about things or glitter or presents.

However, I did get my husband the best Christmas gift I've ever given him. (Well, maybe the second best)  I am so excited for him to see it and to tell you the story behind it--it's not about the cost of the gift, it's about the thought behind it.  I think he is going to love it and I think he might cry.

I only made him cry one other time in all our years of marriage.

His mom had an old "seed" box--yes, years ago when you ordered seeds for planting in the spring--they were sent to you in beautiful wooden boxes.  She had had this old box for 30 years most likely.  It was dilapidated and falling apart at the seams.

We usually don't spend very much money on each other at Christmas but I did splurge a little by taking it to an antique furniture refinisher.  The box turned out so gorgeous.  I had the kids and grandchildren write him letters and filled the old box with their letters of love.

If I remember correctly it was the first Christmas after his mom had died--between the sentimentality of the box and the letters from his descendants, he pretty much dissolved.  I love gifts like that.

So I say all of that just to say something--just to converse with you--just to let you know I am thinking about you, loving you, praying for you wherever you are.

I know that Christmas can be such a hard time for so many--my sister lost a son two years ago and Christmas with all of its joys can still be very hard for her.  There is a big vacuum in a room that is not filled with his presence.

I pray that Jesus' presence is what we focus on and that knowing He is here for us always will drive away all doubt, fear, unhappiness and sadness and all that remains will be seeds of joy that will spread the gospel of the greatest gift to ever be given.  And it was given to all.

I pray your heart is light this Christmas!

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

P.S.  The above pictures are the dough box my brother-in-law made me--Got the table all ready now all I need is my family!

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Just Keeping In Touch Here

Hi from me here on my little end of the sofa.  This is where I blog from, have my devotionals, read, write, etc.  It seems like the only picture I ever take is taken right here.  

My hubby brought these this beautiful poinsettia plant home to me the other day.  It is huge--maybe 3 feet tall-- Anyway, when he first brought it in the door my heart sank as I thought, "Where in the world will I put that?" But I found the perfect spot for it and now I think the room really needed it. I just ran and took this picture and it is late at night.  The lighting was terrible but you can at least see the size of it and where I put it.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ I don't have a lot to say today--my heart is hurting and I am not handling it well. Our family has been going through a particularly hard trial since last March.  I'm thinking of all of you who are in difficult spots at this holiday time. My heart goes out to you and I pray His peace for you. She Reads Truth (at www.shereadstruth.com) was particularly good today. It really helped lift my spirits. It helped me get in the mood to "get on" with the decorating.   I spent the whole day working in my living room.   I purged a lot of the pictures I had on the walls--I now have a more "clean" look. It is nice, I think, for the holidays since I have a lot of other clutter in the house that I don't normally have but I also miss the "homey" feel that all the pictures gave. I wonder what I'll end up doing after Christmas.  I don't think I will go totally back to the way I had it but will probably add something.  I don't do the "bare" look very well. God bless you sweet friends.  I am praying that God especially touches each one who comes here today. I hope I didn't sound like too much of a "downer." I know they (whoever they is) say that bloggers are supposed to be transparent etc. And it's not that I care if you know when I'm hurting, it's just that I believe what the Bible says about "counting it all joy." That is the way I try to live my life--I don't always do it well but that is my goal-- To handle life like Jesus would want me to.

One Deep Cry

'I
f we maintian the place of humility and stillness, and surrender until God's spirit has stirred up in us confidence that He will perfect His work, our waiting will become the strength and the joy of our soul. Life will become one deep cry: 'I have waited for Your salvation, O Lord."

Andrew Murray from Waiting On God

In this advent season, may we be willing to wait on Him so that His complete redemptive work will be made manifest in our lives.

Tonight:  Pondering and waiting for changes--come and make them, Lord Jesus. 

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He is Worth Waiting For

As we patiently and humbly wait for our God to appear at this Advent season, may we learn the true joy of waiting and total dependence upon Him.

Just as the tiny babe made his appearance and lay helpless in His mother's arms, so we are to make our appearance into the kingdom of God--not demanding when and where our birth should take place but in all faith depending on the God of the universe to govern the circumstances.

It is amazing to think of the circumstances surrounding Christ's birth--the journey on a donkey, no room to house them, no familiar surroundings of home, family or friends--just the quiet dependence on a Holy God to bring all of the circumstances together.

The babe lay helpless, totally dependent upon His parents to love, clothe, feed and nurture Him.

Can we come to Him today just the same?

Why, Father, do we fret and toil so hard when You have told us to be reliant on You, that You will take care of all our needs?

Father, forgive our faithlessness and show us how during this season of waiting to truly learn what it is to wait for You.

When I am rushing, help me to slow down.

When I am fretting, let me learn to give my anxious thoughts to you.

When I am distrusting, pierce my spirit with conviction and show me your faithfulness once again.

When I am not loving, quicken my heart to the needs of those around me and my need to depend on You to love through me.

When I am being less than the vessel of Your grace you intended me to be, empty me and fill me up with Your power and goodness.

When I am impatient, teach me to wait on You--You are worth waiting for.

Truly my soul silently waits for God; from Him comes my salvation. Psalm 62:1

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Son of God, Love's Pure Light

I would be hard pressed to try to define pure light.

When I started researching it for this blog post, I quickly got in over my head--just in the physics of what pure light is.

 But one thing I do know is we were a people who were walking in great darkness and a light appeared to us--the light of the Messiah, Jesus Christ, Son of God.

Today I look forward with anticipation to welcoming this great light into the world all over again.  I welcome His light into my life for wisdom, guidance, and knowledge.

The passage of scripture below is from the She Reads Truth devotional for today.  I read it very slowly, meditated on it and it blessed me so much, especially the verse right before "Unto us a child is born, to us a son is given."

Peace on Earth, good will toward men.

No wonder the angels declared it loud and clear.

In the words of Joni Eareckson Tada,

"The war between heaven and earth, God and man, ended with the birth, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.  And the beautiful thing was this:  it wasn't just for a day.  The war had not simply been suspended.  It wasn't a temporary truce.

Christ, our Prince of Peace, was God's way of announcing the close to an awful war.  The Lord Jesus invaded enemy territory to lay claim on what was rightfully His.  He confronted sin and His battle cry told men that He had come to set them free.  Through his death and resurrection, He signed the peacy treaty with His own blood." 

When Jesus was born, no wonder peace was declared--the greatest peace treaty ever known was sanctioned by our heavenly Father.

THE WAR WAS OVER--even the boots and garments rolled in blood were to be burned--the government will be on His shoulders!

The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned. You have enlarged the nation and increased their joy; they rejoice before you as people rejoice at the harvest, as warriors rejoice when dividing the plunder. For as in the day of Midian’s defeat, you have shattered the yoke that burdens them, the bar across their shoulders, the rod of their oppressor. Every warrior’s boot used in battle and every garment rolled in blood will be destined for burning, will be fuel for the fire. For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this. Psalm 9:2-7

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Messiah Come, Be Born In My Heart Anew!

This reckoning of the past with the future--this looking ahead anticipating His arrival--but looking back at what happened in a lowly stable over two thousand years ago--brings us to a crux--the crux of now--this minute--this moment--will I invite Him in to my heart again?

There to rule and reign and have full control of my life, my thoughts, my actions--

 or will I leave Him stranded out in the cold of my hardened heart?  

So tonight, Father, I ask You to come into my heart afresh, anew--

Cleanse me of anything that is foreign to faith in You.

Wash me and I will be whiter than snow.

I will start over with no past to bind me.

I will fly free to explore the heavens you left in all your glory,

To come, a meager babe, like me in so many ways,

And yet divine,

A n d   Y e t   D i v i n e!

As Christians we speak of being 'born again'

Tonight I want Him to be born again

Right in the middle of my heart.

Come, thou long expected Jesus.

Come, Messiah, Come

Be born In my heart anew!

"There is something extraordinary about Christ being born in your heart, isn't there?  There is something special and unique about having Jesus live within you.   And although you may not be wealthy or wise in the eyes of the world, the very riches of His kingdom have been promised to you. The Word of Christ can dwell in you richly, giving you His very mind. And if you remain available to Him, He will use you to accomplish His wise and mighty plans in this old world.  Like Mary, you have something to sing about this Christmas season!  Because God has chosen you.  Because you've been blessed.  Christ the King has been born--not just in a stable, but in your heart." Excerpt from A Christmas Longing by Joni Eareckson Tada

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My Wish For You

Today is the first Sunday of Advent--a time to look forward to the coming of the Messiah, to dwell upon His richness versus our poverty, his righteousness against the backdrop of our sin, his wholeness in comparison to our fractured hearts-- His peace surrounding our fretting.

My prayer for you and me during this holiday season is that we would remain stress free, that decorating, shopping, wrapping, baking, and buying would just be a casual by-product of an otherwise "meaningful, take time to stop and rest and enjoy your family more than ever" kind of holiday.

I have always been kinda "over the top" as far as wanting each room decorated--nothing fancy or expensive--just wanted to do it for the kids and grandkids--and that is okay--unless I get my focus on that more than spending time with the people I love, especially Jesus.

This year I am going to take it slow and easy.  If a room gets decorated--fine--if it doesn't fine--last year I worked for weeks getting the house ready for my family--Even painted a big canvas that said, "I'll be home for Christmas--you can plan on me"

Well, guess what--we had a huge snowstorm--our power was out for several days and our family never came "home" for Christmas--we celebrated at my brother's house and they never saw all the work I had done in those weeks before Christmas.

That has placed somewhat of a different light on all the time I spend decorating.  I will do what comes naturally and easy this year BUT with God's help, my goal is to spend more time with my Savior--more time anticipating the joyous celebration of His coming.

I wish you Peace--

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.  John 14:27

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Good News!

Don't you just love it when your mailbox has nothing but good news in it? No circulars, no bills, no junk mail--frankly, we don't have many days like that around here anymore.

 But, think for a moment if you will, if every mailbox of any kind, any kind of delivery service, were only filled with the good news of Jesus Christ today.

Well, I can't fill every mailbox, but I can fill just one outgoing mailbox (blog, if you will) with the news that God loves you and has a wonderful plan for your life.

I love what John said in the very last chapter, the very last verse of his book about Jesus--It goes like this--

Jesus did many other things as well. If every one of them were written down, I suppose that even the whole world would not have room for the books that would be written.          John 21:25

Just for today, I like to think it could be said--
If every one of the things that Jesus did were written down, I suppose that every mailbox in the world could not even begin to hold them.
If you would like to know more about this Jesus who cares so much for you, why don't you consider starting with the book of John in the New Testament.  Here is a link to it.

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Holiday Nostalgia

I love Christmas decorations. Today as I placed a berry wreath on the back door and went over to take a picture of it, I noticed that my reflection was in the glass.

 I thought that might make an interesting "selfie," as they call pictures people take of themselves with the main purpose of sharing them on the internet.

 After I looked at it--I liked it--mostly because the reflection of the glass hides lots of wrinkles and double chins--smile. I also liked that the composite of the face looking into the distance with an antique-like look, the white door and the in-your-face red berries is such a contrast.

I couldn't help but get nostalgic just looking at it--the picture of me getting older, all of the memories stored in that one head--the memories of good Christmases, of ones that weren't so good, of Christmases spent with loved ones who are no longer with us--of children and grandchildren who are now grown--well, I am a big old softie I guess-but it really made me nostalgic.

I hope you make many wonderful memories this holiday season.  Memories that will make other holidays painful--painful because it hurts so bad but feels so good to remember.

On this earth, today is all we have.  We are not promised tomorrow.  This holiday season hold all of those you love ever so close.  And take a picture of yourself and share it.  It's fun!

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Loud Applause!

I love this portion of scripture from Isaiah 55.

…So will My word be which goes forth from My mouth; It will not return to Me empty, Without accomplishing what I desire, And without succeeding in the matter for which I sent it.  "For you will go out with joy And be led forth with peace; The mountains and the hills will break forth into shouts of joy before you,  And all the trees of the field will clap their hands.  "Instead of the thorn bush the cypress will come up, And instead of the nettle the myrtle will come up, And it will be a memorial to the LORD, For an everlasting sign which will not be cut off."

This whole portion of scritpure is just wonderful but after finding the leaf shown above, it got me to thinking.

Can you imagine how much noise a tree with thousands of leaves like these would make in a big wind?  And they not only clap their hands--they give Him a standing "O" at all times.

I surely don't want the trees of the field to outdo me in praise so today I will sing, clap, shout, dance and praise with a loud voice.  I will worship the Giver of Life, Jesus Christ, in all His glory and splendor.

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

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Joy Comes In the Morning!

Weeping may endure for a night, But joy comes in the morning. Psalm 30:5b

Joining Texture Tuesday today--I used one layer of Kim's Total Grunge at 61%

You can find Texture Tuesday here.

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Golden Inspiration

After a Saturday morning granddaughter's basketball game, my husband and I went out to eat lunch at a small local pizza joint that has incredible pizza.  

We got the supreme, thin crust with white spicy cheese sauce instead of the regular red pizza sauce.  Oh my goodnes, it was definitely a winner.  Will order that one again someday.

The restaurant is in an older quaint little section of Little Rock.  The parking is very limited so we had to park a block or so away and walk through the neighborhood.  What a treat.

I thought it so frugal and clever to use the yellow gold ribbon as a decoration.  Of course, it didn't hurt anything that they have a beautiful black, wrought iron gate to hang it on. 

The next family probably spent a little more on their decorations but not a massive amount, and they are so welcoming and festive--not too overdone--just right to me.

But I was definitely inspired by the golden bow to just make the effort to add a touch of festivity no matter how simple.

This is part of an old church in the neighborhood.  I thought the golden leaves of the tree looked so pretty with the white-washed bricks in the background.

Sure hope your weekend was a lovely one.  I have so much to be grateful for and I am so very, very thankful.  

The sunshine in my soul far outweighs any storms thrown at us.

Praying that your week ahead is exactly what God wants for you.

And the greatest inspiration of all to me--the Word of God  For the LORD God is a sun and shield; the LORD bestows favor and honor; no good thing does he withhold from those whose walk is blameless. Psalm 84:11

© all photographs, art and text property of Elizabeth Dianne unless otherwise noted

In Him We Live

Hoping your weekend is filled with work, play, fun, relaxation, living, moving, being, rejoicing, worshipping.

 As for me, I will be watching a granddaughter play basketball, spending some quiet time with the Lord, watching cheesy Christmas movies with my husband and praying for you if our paths happen to cross here.

For in him we live and move and have our being.' As some of your own poets have said, 'We are his offspring.' Acts 17:28 More versions of the verse can be found here.

© all photographs, art and text property of Elizabeth Dianne unless otherwise noted

Power Supply

This morning as I was having my devotions, I found it hard to concentrate on God's Word.

 My mind kept going to a couple of nagging situations--me wondering how to handle them--them taking my mind off God's Word.

 I struggled with this but finally got through my regular reading of five psalms a day and the reading for She Reads Truth.

I always get something from God's Word even if it is one of those days when I am struggling.

After all, Hebrews 4:12 says that his Word is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword. 

God always knows just what we need though. After reading those selections, I picked Jesus Calling for November 15 and this is an excerpt from today's reading.

"Approach problems with a light touch. When your mind moves toward a problem area, you tend to focus on that situation so intensely that you lose sight of me. You pit yourself against the difficulty as if you had to conquer it immediately.  Your mind gears up for battle, and your body becomes tense and anxious.  Unless you achieve total victory, you feel defeated."  Jesus Calling, Sarah Young

We have such an incredible power supply.  Thank you, Lord, for ALWAYS responding when we are trying to seek You with our whole hearts.


© all photographs, art and text property of Elizabeth Dianne unless otherwise noted

Many Many Tears For Me Today

Our Muhly grass is going nuts.

I couldn't decide which picture to post so I will bore you with all of them.

It does seem redundant to keep posting almost the exact same picture.

Please forgive me but there was just a mood or something about the one above that made me put it on here and leave it.

And this is kinda a boring pic but just couldn't hurt the little Dianthus' feelings and not show it.

And this one---it almost looks like a doily or lace, doesn't it.  God's creations are really just so magnificent.

And the dogwood--well, I should have taken the picture about two days ago--that was when it was showing off the most.  But you know how you ignore your kids sometimes when they're showing off--guess that's what I did.  I know, I know, I really regret it now.

And I love my little flag that says, "Praise God from Whom all blessings flow."  Yes, they do, amen!

Our first big cold front of the season is coming in tonight.  When I went out to take these pictures today it was around 70 degrees.  Tomorrow the high is supposed to be 47 with real feel of 37.  I will be driving to Conway to Renewal Ranch.  We had part of our class outside last week.  Well, we won't be doing that tomorrow, I'm pretty sure.

Another view of the side of our front yard.

Back in the post a ways, I spoke of the magnificent, wondrous creations of our God. Speaking of that, I wanted to share this little tad of news about my class at Renewal Ranch last week.

This is what I posted on Facebook last Wednesday.

"Great time at the Ranch today--16 men and I walked the grounds, ascribing to God in loud voices 365 different names or attributes He is--from far and near I heard one voice and then another as these mighty names flowed forth--Precious cornerstone, Coming Again, Morning Star, Rose of Sharon, Holy One of Israel, Fragrance, El Shaddai, and 358 more……………..

If you haven't praised Him yet today, I pray that you will.  He is all deserving.  I know that some of you may be going through very hard times.  This is when we offer a sacrifice of praise.

My heart is really heavy today.

This was my post tonight on Facebook:

This precious man, Mikal Hunt, one of my former students, passed away today. Please say a prayer for his family and also for me--my heart is so very heavy and sad at his passing.

When he was in 7th grade, he ate lunch with me on numerous days. I would be in my room working/eating and he would come and we would discuss the deepest issues of life. He always wanted to talk about God. He was such a deep thinker, very caring and loving and thoughtful for such a young kid. 

When it came time for me to retire, he planned (with help from the awesome Marilyn Cullum I think) a retirement party for me with all the 7th graders--at least the ones in our "family." He also sang to me that day--You're Still You by Josh Groban. 

When we studied about the Holocaust and all the Jewish people endured, we made butterflies in remembrance of them. We hung the butterflies (each of them represented a real child) on the walls and at the end of our 6 week study, he framed his and gave it to me. 

When we read the book, The Hiding Place, and then watched the movie, at the end he came up to me, put his arms around my neck, his head on my shoulder and sobbed like a baby.

I had moved to Little Rock several years before he graduated from high school but we had a deal that I would be at his graduation. I was. 

He will always have a very special place in my heart. I loved you so much, dear Mikal.

Here is the song he sang to me--sung by Josh Groban--





Yes, I cried more than a few tears today.


©  2008-2013 all photographs, art and text property of Elizabeth Dianne unless otherwise noted