December 21, 2007

Christmas day is fast approaching. I'm sitting in the living room; as I write this, Matthew has challenged Reed to a game of chess, John is standing by to see who is to be the victor. My father has fallen asleep in the recliner, and my grandmother is in the other reading. Charles, as usual, is talking about football; my grandfather is on the phone, and my mother, Allison, and Kathryn are wrapping gifts. Hope is, as usual, baking in the kitchen. It'll be something special, of course; ''as usual''. :)
Celtic Christmas music is playing in the background; now daddy has woken, and is in the kitchen pestering Hope about her cookies; wishing they were done already so he could have one, no doubt. The lights are on, the greenery hung; and finally, I feel that sense of peace, love, and belonging that make Christmas so dear. And now that we have grown, and are moving in different directions, having us all back together makes it even dearer.
Earlier, as we sat around the dinner table; packed in like sardines, knocking elbows with daddy and John, I once again realized the importance of family, and the great blessing I hold in having so many. And again, I feel the Lord's goodness; His love for me.

I made Reed's wild hog sausage, eggs, and homemade biscuits for breakfast. The biscuits turned out better this time than they ever have. That's not saying much, since I only started making biscuits this summer. But at least I'm improving. :)
We had rather a late start today, as we girls had gone out last night to see a movie. We saw August Rush, and though I don't agree with everything in it, it was a sweet movie. After we got out, my mother comes up with a crazy idea: "Why don't we go back and see Enchanted?!" Before I realize that she is, indeed, serious, she rushes back and buys tickets for us all! When we got home around 11:30-12, everyone had gone to bed but John and Charles, who had waited up for us to make sure we got home alright. Wasn't that sweet of them?!
We are having a good time with my grandparents while they are here, and I'm very glad they were able to make the trip from TX. The must leave on Sunday, but I'm grateful for the time we have together.

OK, I have given my spill on family and feelings; now I should check my mail, and get back to the family.
Good night, all you out there.

December 10, 2007

Today I got together with 8 other women of all ages and made candy and cookies; it was lots of fun, and oh boy, were we packed in there! :)

I've been having trouble with my i-tunes, so decided to try to fix it while I was in town with a high-speed internet connection...and guess what? It still won't work! I'm getting rather put out with it.... :)

And, once again...it is too late to think up and post something that is really worth reading. So I'll sign off, and, once again, hope that I'll have some more time tomorrow......I know, it's pathetic. :)

December 8 (Already?!), 2007

Wow, it's the eighth?! :)
I thought I should change my blog layout to something that looked a little more Christmas-ier. :) But this was the best I found. Oh, well....black wasn't all that festive either; at least this one's brighter.

We've been getting busier and busier....I guess that's December for you. So I don't have much time to update my blog or share anything that's been going on, till late in the evening...and then usually I get stuck checking my groups and emails....and then, next thing I know, it's too late to write much of anything, 'cause I need to go to bed; like now. :)
So, once again, I shall try to put something substantial on this tomorrow; but for now, I'll be heading for bed.

December 6, 2007

There are so many things I hope to accomplish; so much I wish to do, before it's to late. There are times I feel the need; there are times when I have a greater sense of urgency than at others. This is one of those times. But what is it that I must do? That is when I am at a loss.....I remember; my whole purpose here is to bring glory to God; so how do I do that? I believe there are things, gifts and blessings He has given me, to aid me in that great purpose. It might be something simple as writing a song, or a whole book; it might be raising cattle, cleaning the house, cooking meals, watching a young couples' children so they can have time together. Whatever I do, it should be done to the glory of God; it should cause others to long for a deep, personal relationship with God, not done with the intent of bringing attention to myself so that others will say, "look at her, she's a great girl!". No, it should 'cause them to say, "Glory to God! Lord, give me that, I want to know You like that! Christ, send Your cleansing rain!"

It's late, and I have to make breakfast in the morning, so I should head to bed. But I hope you will continue to think on this as I will; perhaps we will both be able to fully realize what it means to live your life for Christ, and to bring glory to His name.

December 3, 2007

Let's see...what did I do last week?
Monday I had a practice for the Messiah, and Tuesday evening was the performance. It was a lot of fun, and I hope I can do it again next year. :)
Wednesday, my sisters and I volunteered at a Special Olympics event held on campus. It was such a blessing to work with those people. They were all so cheerful, and sweet.
Thursday was my last 'cello lesson till the end of the Christmas break; so I'll resume sometime in January.

I read something very neat in My Utmost For His Highest yesterday: "I am called to live in perfect relation to God so that my life produces a longing after God in other lives, not admiration for myself." And I wholeheartedly agree with Oswald Chambers there. I pray the Lord will help me to live so; for, as a sinful, selfish girl, I like others to think well of me, and in my own strength, I cannot do it. "Thoughts about myself hinder my usefulness to God." May we all strive to live like this; with our hearts and minds fixed solely on Christ Jesus, our Lord. "God is getting me to the place where He can use me. Let Him do what He likes."

December 2, 2007

Again, I've slacked off on updating this blog. What can I say but that I've been busy, and maybe just a little bit lazy in regard to this blog. :)

Christmas is fast approaching. I've been getting all the decor out this past week, and Kathryn and Reed decked the house out in lights. I love doing these things. But that's not what makes Christmas. We often get caught up in the seasonal festivities, forgetting the true meaning, or rushing through it, if we admit theres' a true meaning to Christmas at all. Even Christians tend to think Christmas is just a feel good time, created for us to have a good time. But December 25 is the day that we recognize that God sent His Son to earth for us. To save us. In today's culture, it is now a struggle to remember that.
I do love the fact, though, that people distribute love more throughout the Christmas season. I think that is one of the reasons I love this time of year so much. On a normal day, you can be in WalMart for two hours and never a smile from anyone. But this month, practically everyone smiles as you walk along; those with buggies fuller (and sometimes emptier) than your own will tell you to go ahead of them in line, no reason but that they feel like doing a good turn to another. Why can't this behavior stretch throughout the year? I have no answer for that, but I wish it would.

For those of you interested, my cat, Smokey, is doing great. She feels (and looks) much better. I'm very thankful to God that it was nothing serious. That might sound petty, but I dearly love my cats, and as I believe God delights in giving us our hearts desires, I believe that He was very good to me, and heard my prayers ahead of time. Anyway, thank you to those who voiced concern and good wishes for her health. It meant much to me. :)

Maybe I will post more tomorrow, but it is getting late now, so I will bid you "Au Revoir"!