CLICK HERE FOR FREE BLOGGER TEMPLATES, LINK BUTTONS AND MORE! »

Sunday, December 25, 2011

Merry Christmas

From my family to yours....


"Today a light will shine upon us, for the Lord is born for us;
and he will be called Wondrous God, Prince of peace, Father of Future ages;
And his reign will be without end."


Wednesday, December 21, 2011

Tis The Season

This brought tears to my eyes this morning.  I WISH I could see something like this at my local shopping center.  Remind people the reason for the season.
http://youtu.be/Vnt7euRF5Pg

Sunday, December 11, 2011

Gaudete in Domino Semper(Rejoice in the Lord Always)Phil 4:4-5




Today is the 3rd Sunday of Advent, Gaudete Sunday, Rose Sunday, or the Sunday of Joy. We mark the halfway point of advent today.  This Sunday is about Joy.  Gaudete is latin for Rejoice. Where do we find joy? What do we rejoice about? Some may say it is in our shiny new cars or computers, or maybe we rejoice that our football team won the championship.  Our deacon gave a great homily and none of these things made the list of where we should find joy.  "True Joy" is knowing that despite our struggles, God is near. Christians make it through the wars, illness, challenges, because we have hope and joy and the promise of Christ.  I know looking at my life this is so true. I know I have made it through infertility, death of loved ones, adoption ups and downs, everyday problems, because in my heart I have true joy. I know God is carrying me through these times for a future I cannot see at this time. I wish this Christmas that everyone can find "true joy".

"Brothers and Sisters; Rejoice always. Pray without ceasing. In all circumstances give thanks, for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus. Do not quench the Spirit. Do not despise prophetic utterances. Test everything retain what is good. Refrain from every kind of evil.


May the God of peace make you perfectly holy and may you entirely, spirit, soul, and body, be preserved blameless for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. The one who calls you is faithful, and he will also accomplish it."  Thessalonians 5:16-24

Saturday, December 10, 2011

Christmas in My Hometown

This is what christmas is all about....kettle corn, hot chocolate, shopping, music, and time spent with good friends in my small town.
Christmas Kitty

Hot Chocolate

Letters to Santa

Silliness

Friends

Kettle Corn sure is Yummy

Red Balloons and Garland

Christmas Card Photo that won't be sent in time

BFF

Monday, December 5, 2011

Christmas Waiting: Part 3:Supporting the ones you love who are waiting

Okay, so I decided I would round out my day and make this a 3 part Christmas Waiting series(kind of like the 3 purple advent candles while we wait for baby Jesus)  and then I'm done about this topic until the new year. I thought I would take this opportunity to thank the family and friends who support me every day. Despite my ups and downs, you are there for me and I really appreciate and love you.

Sometimes, during this journey you(the adoptive family) are subject to many odd and uncomfortable comments. I thought I would reference a good blog on being "the village" to those who are waiting to adopt. I think is has great perspective and most families can identify with her thoughts.

http://elderadventures.blogspot.com/2011/11/village-supporting-adoptive-families.html

Christmas Waiting: Part 2

I spent some time with some gingerbread friends, and a dog trying to be santa and my melancholy has turned to Christmas Cheer! I even had a dove chocolate promise, and it had a nice message. 


Doves Promise"Open your eyes to all the love around you"



Christmas Waiting

Christmas waiting sucks! Any family who has suffered infertility, or is waiting to adopt, as well as any orphan who is waiting for their forever family, will probably tell you this is a true statement.  There are reminders everywhere of babies, toys, families, etc. You get the picture. There are "well meaning" comments of what you need to do to get pregnant, or get picked by a birthmom, because after all...It's your fault that you don't have a child.(This sounds angry, but that is the way it feels, even if that's not the way it is intended) There is joy and hope for the coming of baby Jesus and what that means for your soul and eternal life, yet at your core there is a numbness, a self preservation to protect yourself. I sit here on a rainy, dreary day feeling sorry for myself as I type this and knowing that this is not what I truly feel, yet these feeling surface and threaten to choke out any hope I may have.  I know as I sit here, I wait for baby Jesus to come, knowing I am very blessed. I know I love Christmas. I have memories of a wonderful childhood, with the best Christmas. I have a great support system of family and friends. I love Christmas! So today, I will listen to Christmas music, make gingerbread man, shop online for gifts, and try to get a picture of Sadie with a Santa cap, because this stuff makes me happy. I will tackle Christmas head on with joy, hope, and love. I will turn my blog purple, like the purple candles in my advent wreath. Purple the color we see in the morning before sunrise as we wait for the "Son" to come. Purple and all the hope it means...