Christmas!!

Full House, Full hearts, Full of Christmas! What can I say?! The last few months have been a good kind of crazy around here. And now.....that Christmas is here, my favorite time of the year, my heart overflows with the goodness of God, His faithfulness to us, His gift that He gave for all mankind! To be able to share that this year has my heart leaping for joy...
One of our family traditions over the years has been to read advent devotions in the evenings & to have an advent calendar in which I come up with fun activities that we can do as family. This has been so much fun this year! Here is a little peek at some of the Christmas fun!

The kids had so much fun decorating their cars for the drive in movie. Made out of big cardboard boxes & just so you know Sierra may or may not have been persuaded to get in a box. I think she really enjoyed helping decorate the cars. I even set up a concession stand with snacks & drinks & gave the kids their own envelope of play money to use at the concession stand. This was so much fun! Thinking back on it I'm not sure who enjoyed it more...the kids or me. The movie of choice was one of our faves...The Legend of the Candy Cane.

Snowman Doors...yep, all throughout the house. We got started & just couldn't stop!

We have been counting down the days to celebrate Jesus' birthday!

Luke 2:10 And the angel said to them "Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of a great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.

Glory to God in the Highest!!

Who Is This?

Sierra & Allie were invited to a masquerade party for a friend's sweet 16!
They had a ball!   :)

You Were Made To Shine!

I find it hard to believe that another year has passed & she is now 12! This little girl of mine who has brought so many smiles to my days. This one who I used to call "my little honey sunshine." Still would if she would let me. :) Beautiful in God's eyes & mine! My prayer for this girl is that she will always "burn bright!"

Winning Shot

A few months ago Sierra was out riding her horse when a neighbor came over to ask me if she could take some pics for a photography class she was taking at college. Her assignment was to capture the light from a sunset behind a subject, Sierra being her subject. Needless to say she got it! I found out later that she scored an A & the above photo was used as an example to the class to show the other students exactly what the professor wanted them to capture. The second one shows just how fast the light changes a shot.

In the Quiet.....

O Lord, the scripture says, "there is a time for silence & a time for speech." Savior, teach me the silence of humility, the silence of wisdom, the silence of love, the silence of perfection, the silence that speaks without words, the silence of faith. Lord, teach me to silence my own heart that I may listen to gentle movement of the Holy Spirit within me and sense the depths which are of God.            ~German Prayer

I love this prayer. It speaks volumes to my heart. I am reminded of Psalm 46:10 "Be still, and know that I am God."

In 1 Kings 19 scripture tells us that Elijah didn't hear God in the wind, in the earthquake, or in the fire, but in a still, small voice. Yes, a still small voice. That same voice that is heard through the silence of my own heart. Sometimes our outside influences can be a distraction to us but we must remember that a quiet heart is an attentive heart.

"Sew" Much Fun

Sierra has been enjoying sewing classes again this summer. Thanks, Mrs. Debbie. The girls have been making some really cute things & they have been inspired to sew things on their own at home. Each week when we meet they have a little show & tell about what they are working on at home. For class each week they all bring their sewing machines, fabric, & any supplies they need. They get to make their project from start to finish & take it home that day. I think Sierra has really developed a love for sewing & has made so many fun memories with friends.

Thirsty?

As a deer longs for a stream of cool water, so I long for you, O God. I thirst for you, the living God. When can I go and worship in your presence?     ~Psalm 42: 1-2  


Our thirst for God is his gift to us to help draw us daily into the power of his presence!

Oh, that this would be my heart's desire to be led each day to drink from the Living Water...that He alone sustains me.