I'm dreaming of a white Christmas

We have snow in Redding today and even had some fall here in Cottonwood.

It was amazing to see snow, even when you are told it will come to see it in the yard is so surprising.

I went to the grocery store at 10 this morning and it started to rain as I left, the snow came down about an hour later and it is still snowing in the area.

My girls went to Redding to see a movie and took the camera, I am looking forward to Jo's photos.

My new job is going well, it is a real change to be working a full 40 hour week.

I am so thankful to have a job when so many are unemployed.

Our Christmas celebration is small and I really never know what we will do for Christmas.

So many people have this grand plan and many gifts to buy, many parties to attend, and many fancy food to eat.

Our Christmas is simple. 

The tree is small.

The gifts are often homemade or necessities.

The parties are church celebrations with cookies and caroling.

No fancy clothes or food.

I made Latkes and Applesauce for the kids and Wes for Friday night, I wouldn't be home in time from work, so I made them the night ahead.

Last night we went to the Anderson Cottonwood Neighborhood Church annual caroling and cookies.

Abbie played her violin at the end with Ellen. 

I love to hear them play together.

My favorite part of the caroling is coloring a picture for my friend Molly.

For the last 3 years I have colored her a picture and made it a Christmas card to her and she puts it on her refrigerator.

Christmas is truly simple to me.

Tree in the corner

Cookies in the jar

Fire in the wood stove

Cozy robe and Slippers

Jr (Corgi) eating popcorn tossed to him by Ian

Carols in the background

Yes, it is beginning to look a lot like Christmas.

The highlight of the Christmas season is going to church on Christmas Eve and listening to the story and scriptures while hearing the old traditional carols and some newer ones. I hope Ora will sing "Mary did you know" this year some time.

That is what I like about Christmas.

This year I will be working  Christmas Eve and December 26th, so on Dec. 29th, I guess I will take down the tree and things and clean for the New Year. Some times I will leave the tree up until January 1st. We will see.

Additions to yesterday

Just when you think it is all working out, something happens to put a bend in the design

That is the way it is with me and my phone pictures

They look great when they are 2 inch squares...

But on my blog they are a blur

The tree below is an example

These pictures warranted retakes as they were some special parts of the Christmas Decor

My Grandma made these carolers and their sled in 1979 for my first Christmas away from home

The retake of the tree is leaning a little

actually, I think it is leaning,
because the sewing machine should be  level
under the shawl from my wedding day
Oct. 17, 1987
25 years ago

We have never been big on Santa
We read the stories and
told the History of Santa Around the world
My children know that all gifts come from God
The nice St. Nickolas from ancient times
gave gifts provided by God


AND WE HAVE THE GREATEST GIFT OF ALL

In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. This was the first registration when Quirinius was governor of Syria. And all went to be registered, each to his own town. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.

And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of 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. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,

“Glory to God in the highest,

and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!”

When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.” And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger. And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child. And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them. But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart. And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.

And at the end of eight days, when he was circumcised, he was called Jesus, the name given by the angel before he was conceived in the womb.

(Luke 2:1-21 ESV)

How Many Days Until Christmas?

My Mom's Christmas Decorations

   Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those upon whom his favor rests.” Luke 2:13-14





My decorations are up and now we wait.

Clean around the decorations and wait until Dec. 26th or January 1st for the deep clean again.

My son said, "Mom, why are you decorating so early?"

"Because I can?"

Son, "Why didn't you decorate earlier before?"

"Because we had school, then I would go into a rush of getting things up before Christmas."

Son, "Why is it different this year?"

"Because I am not teaching you (my children) or going to school myself. This is the first time since 1996 and before that I had a baby and toddlers running around".

WOW! I would not have thought that out if he hadn't asked.

This year I cleaned all the kitchen shelves with the Baking Makin's and cookware using old Christmas wrapping paper for shelf paper.

I cleaned the windows, deep cleaned the dog crate area (including de-flea spray), washed and blow dried the dog before the rain hit and gave him a de-flea treatment, and put away most of the non-Christmas nic nacs.

Then the Christmas box came out last Saturday night.

Johanna's Stocking was on top where it had been put when we found it this summer.
(It was lost last year on Christmas and we had to improvise) 

The stocking are hung behind the wood stove on
Mary's welded horse shoe bookcase side pieces

Snow People came out the week before
This cutie was a secret pal gift when Debbie was my  Prayer Pal

I can't remember where we got him, but he followed someone home
to go with the lady, cuz he has a hat like Wes (Giggle)

I could just have this up and would be happy.
My menorah with the white candle to represent the
LIGHT OF THE WORLD
and
the nativity I made my mom in 1975

Mandy and Rachel are Abbie and Johanna's American Girl Dolls
They now will become Christmas Tradition to set on JR's Crate
(He is hiding in has little den)

I bought this little set when I was 14.
Mary is in the picture  behind, age 6.
The kids use to make Lego and block stable and churches
for these 3 pieces.

Finally, my choir boys again.
One Christmas after my mom's death
my Dad and Step-Mom brought me
these along with a number of my mother's
other decorations.

So, what are we waiting for?

I am not waiting. I chose to celebrate Christmas and Resurrection Sunday every day. 

The exchange of gifts are not going to be a stressor for me this year, I chose to bless everyone I can all year around. "See a need, ask God if He wants me to do something, meet the need."

Blessed Holiday Season.

P.S. Special Offer on Tracie Miles Book, Stress-Less Living. The Book is only $14.99 and you get 7 free gifts.

Abbie's House

"and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness." (Ephesians 4:24 ESV) Proverbs 31 Devotion for today

My memory verse for the week:

"We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ..." (2 Corinthians 10:5 ESV)


On Saturday night Abbie got out the ruler and scratch paper and made her ginger bread house from "scratch". (The pictures above were swiped from her Facebook.)
JR, our Corgi, was watching every moment for the occasional dropped crumb.
We had the Christmas music on and I decorated the tree to the fresh baked smell of ginger cookie.
In the next few blogs I will take some pictures of my decorations and share Christmas memories that go with them, but Abbie's house is already history. She and Ian have enjoyed about 1/2 of her little 4" x 4" masterpiece and the other half is waiting for consumption in the cookie jar.
For today I am remembering baking with my girls.
Sometimes we would invite a friend or two and bake in the church kitchen where there is the luxury of 3 ovens and lots of counter space. This is were we learned that left over candy canes can make excellent hearts for Valentine's Day Cookies.
They will always remember the disagreements about decoration techniques, but in time those will be things to laugh about. They should remember Mrs. Silvers inviting them to decorate Fall Cookies when we went on the Hay Ride with the JV, Christmas Cookies with M. Johnson, Ginger bread house kits from the store, Eatable California Missions and now Abbie's 4" x 4" house from scratch made in 2012.


Joy Dare for December is out.

Today: Dec. 3 ~ 3 Gifts Shinning

1) The star over the place the babe was laid (Luke 2)
2) The lights on my little Christmas Tree
3) Jesus robe on the Mt of Tranfiguration (Mark 9:3)

  And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. 

(Luke 2:12)

WONDER

A few weeks ago I wrote about an expectancy.

A 9 month adventure that had not completely unfolded.

Today I got a small piece of the puzzle turned over and I will use that for my 5 minute Friday post.

It’s the final #FiveMinuteFriday of 2012; be sure and join in!

How to Join:

Want to know how Five Minute Friday got started and how to participate? All the details are here.

Now, set your timer, clear your head, for five minutes of free writing without worrying about getting it right.

1. Write for 5 minutes flat – no editing, no over thinking, no backtracking.
2. Link back here and invite others to join in.
3. And then absolutely, no ifs, ands or buts about it, you need to visit the person who linked up before you & encourage them in their comments. Seriously. That is, like, the rule. And the fun. And the heart of this community..

Here I go:

WONDER

On Monday I got a call from a friend inviting me to help her decorate her house for Christmas.

I don't decorate a lot. I have one rough tote of decorations and that is about it.

This lately had a SHED!

I took 10 trips to pull it all out and 10 trips afterward to put it all back

What an amazing transformation

During our visit I got a phone call for a phone interview on a job

I have been looking for about 2 months daily for a job

I had the phone interview Tuesday

Thursday afternoon I had the interview

and....today I GOT THE JOB!!!

This is a wonder for me.

A new job, in a new field and in the interview I let them know that I was a Christian and I would be going on a mission trip for a couple of week in the summer of 2014. They thought that was great and the supervisor of the team I will be working on said, "Can I go with you?!"

What a wonder, what an adventure I have ahead...

Hallelujah What a Savior.

STOP!

My Christmas Ministry is Gospel for Asia

Please join with me in praying for the Asian National Women who are the only ones who can help bring the Gospel to the dark land.

Catch Up on Joy Dare

Hanukkah, Dec. 8-16,2012

I wait quietly before God, for my victory comes from Him.
(Psalm 62:1 NLT) Air 1 verse of the Day


Today begins my count down to the New Years, January 1, 2013.

My last post was 8 days ago when I was having a rough day.

We had 30 -45 mph gusts on the freeway.

I am still without a vehicle, since Nov. 15th.

We live in a 1969 mobile home in an irrigated pasture and get about 25 inches of rain a year, so we are almost always flood.

Today is the beginning of a series of storms that may leave us with totaling possibly 8 inches by Sunday.

I have these wonderful pictures windows on the South Side and we can see the yellow and green leaves swaying with the wind and the rain.

Since I have been non-comunicato this last week I wanted to catch up on my Joy Gifts for November. Ann has gotten me into the Joy Habit.

So, I will list the Gifts for the past week and then mix them into a narrative of some of the things I have been doing the past week.

Day 21 ~ 3 Gifts of Family (Abbie, Mary and Johanna)
Day 22 ~ A Gift Grateful (Thanksgiving Day)
Day 23 ~ 3 Gifts only in Christ (The Bread, Wine and Baptism)
Day 24 ~ 3 Gifts Humble (Getting rides from my clients and friends)
Day 25 ~ 3 Gifts Ugly-Beautiful (3 turkey carcasses)
Day 26 ~ 3 Gifts Preparing ( Pre-Christmas Cleaning, decorate for my friend Anna May,Christmas side-up Shelf  Paper)
Day 27 ~ A Gift Handmade, Held, Happy (My menorah and snow people)

On Wednesday before Thanksgiving Day I began my Pre-Christmas Cleaning. My Daughter, Abbie had begun the cleaning for me on the weekend while I was working. My daughter, Mary had blessed her sister Johanna by taking her to school on Thursday when my van died and I was on the look-out for some items around the house she could use in her newly acquired apartment as thanks.

Thanksgiving Day 2012

We had our traditional Thanksgiving Dinner with 50 to 60 of my husband's closest relatives. His mother was one of 11 with 9 living into adulthood and 3 still living along with one spouse. Aunt Merna hosts the dinner every year and is the youngest sibling at 78. Aunt Betty is next and she is 83, my mother-in-law would have been 85 this year (she passed away 5 years ago on Dec.11) and Uncle Vernnie is 87. Uncle Jack was married to Aunt Marilyn who was between Merna and Betty. Ian is the youngest of his generation and my husbands brother, Wilson, is the youngest of his generation. 

Getting rides from my clients and friends has allowed me to get to work and I have enjoyed some special Holiday Jobs cleaning and decorating. On Monday I got to decorate for my friend Anna May. She had over 10 boxes of decorations and a floor to ceiling tree.  Candles, dolls,green garlands, ornaments, pillow, poinsettias, and hot soup for lunch made a special memory and a time of sharing.

One of my holiday traditions is to buy discounted wrapping paper and save it for shelf paper. I have always wanted to put it Christmas side up, but have been too busy to change self paper before Christmas, so I put it white side up. This year I got all the kitchen cupboards cleaned out and have Christmas side-up Shelf  Paper on all.

So far, the only decorations I have are a couple of cloth snow people that will stay up until mid-January and the menorah. Hanukkah is early this year, Dec. 8-16,2012 and after years of getting the menorah lost before Hanukkah, I finally put it away so I could get it out first, with the soft snow people to keep it safe.

I will be teaching Jr. Church this Sunday. We are on questions 126-129, which refer to the sacraments. The material being used is Great Commission Publication's "First Catechism". I look forward to sharing the Truth with the children who have some amazing questions that never cease to intrigue me.

Which leaves me to only one Day left and that is 3 Gifts Ugly-Beautiful. I will say that is 3 Gifts Yummy-Ugly. I have 3 turkey carcasses in my freezer. They have been picked and stew, but we only put the bones out for the cats when our Corgi, JR, is staying in the house. He hates the rain and especially thunder, so there wont be much chance of him catching a bone in his throat if we put the bones out in the next few days. To the cats and other scavengers in our neck of the woods those turkey carcasses are something ugly to me and beautiful to them.

So, now I am caught up with the Joy Dares, and there is one more thing I am grateful for today: I get to sing Christmas songs and no one can say I am off-season.

♫ Oh, Come all you faithful....Glo-o-o-o-o-ria, in excelsis Deo! ♫
(click for Youtube on songs)

Rough Winds

John 10: 2-3 “The man who enters by the gate is the shepherd of his sheep. The watchman opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out.”

My youngest daughter went to the Northern  California Coast a year ago last July for a Discipleship Camp near Patrick's Point. As the wind crashes against the window of my house today I am reminded of the waves crashing against the rocks in this photo, she conveniently left on my computer.

Jesus's promises, "He will never leave us or forsake us"

We all have problems in life:

To much work

Not enough work

Difficult people

People who seems to smoother us with love

Not enough of one thing

Too much of another

But we can never get too much of God

This weekend I ran across a magazine for Gospel for Asia

The stories of real life in Asia for women were hard to imagine in our western world thinking

Last night I looked up the site and found these facts:

Did you know that over 50,000 female children are aborted every month in South Asia? Females are often the last to eat and the most likely to be illiterate. They’re the first to work as child laborers and sometimes even sold to become one of 1.2 million child prostitutes. As they grow they gain little respect.

We are so blessed in our country!!!

As I go through the next 5 weeks of our western "Holiday Season", I want to keep in mind the women that have so little and get no respect from anyone. I want to ask God to show me what I can do for the women in Asia. 

It only takes $30 a month to help support a woman missionary to serve full-time to reach other women.

I have a friend and her family that donatated 10 years of their life to Gospel for Asia to train women to reach women. My first stop will be talking to her.

Today I am Thankful for 3 Gifts of Tradition

   1) Going to Aunt Merna's for Thanksgiving Day

   2) Candy Canes in Cocoa

   3) Reading the Wind in the Willows chapter about Mole visiting home

Which reminds me to relax, drink a cup of cocoa and read some Wind In the Willows today.

What happened on Thursday

This is my van happily sitting in front of the window of Starbucks in Safeway. I sat in the window a few weeks ago, writing my blog, enjoying a downpour and the pretty leaves.

Yesterday it did not rain...but it poured. I was only a mile from this spot on the freeway when the engine stopped at 60 mph and I had not power stirring, just breaks and raw nerve to get it over to the side on the overpass of the railroad tracks. Thank you Jesus.

I sat for 45 minutes looking at the old Anderson cemetery . It is fitting that the only picture I find in black and white. Odd-fellows Cemetery  is what they call it. I call it the place where my ugly met   with God. I was mad.

I have been going through Job and though Job was a righteous man, he challenged God's wisdom in His allowing Job to go through bad stuff. By mid day I was saying with Job, "The Lord gives the Lord takes away" blessed be the name of the Lord." By the end of the day I was saying, "It is only a car, I am safe, the dog that was with me is safe, I may have lost my car, (don't know yet), but my kids are o.k., my house is still a dry warm place and my critters are safe too (1 goat, 1 bunny 3 cats and a Corgi).

So, that is what happened to Thursday. I looked a cars all day with my Dad and didn't buy anything. I finally slept in my own bed at 10 p.m. and this morning I took my daughter's car to the auto shop to clean my stuff out. I don't know the outcome of this episode, but I trust that God does.

Blessed be the name of the Lord.

1. Write for 5 minutes flat – no editing, no over thinking, no backtracking.
2. Link back here and invite others to join in.
3. And then absolutely, no ifs, ands or buts about it, you need to visit the person who linked up before you & encourage them in their comments. Seriously. That is, like, the rule. And the fun. And the heart of this community..

Oh and Ahem, if you would take pity and turn off comment verification, it would make leaving some love on your post that much easier for folks!

OK, are you ready? Please give us your best five minutes on:::

Stay…

GO

Today I stay in my own little neighborhood.

I took my son to school in my daughter's car and returned it for her to go to college.

A friend picked me up to come to the church to cook a turkey, but I am staying close to home.

I want to stay close to the Lord, more that anything that is what 

He is my strength, my song, my salvation

He is the one in whom I trust

I will not fear what man will do against me, because He is watching over me

I am resting in the shadow of His wings

I stay close, so I can hear the voice of the Comforter

I want to stay close, and hear His heart beat

I want to stay close and follow His words

He is my mighty fortress, my shield and my protector

He is my love and my One and only God

Some trust in chariots, some trust in horses, (some trust in cars), but I trust in the name of my Lord

STOP

"They cried to you and were saved; in you they trusted and were not disappointed." Psalm 22:5 (NIV 1984)

 "... and we boast in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us." (Romans 5:2 b-5 NIV) Proverbs 31 Power Verse place-where-disappointment-grows: By Lysa TerKeurst

Still Got Some Class

Bless the LORD, all his hosts,

his ministers, who do his will!

Bless the LORD, all his works,

in all places of his dominion.

Bless the LORD, O my soul!

(Psalm 103:21-22 ESV)

I had a Realtor in my home yesterday

We have been waiting to settle family property for 5 years and now it is time to see if selling will settle

Meanwhile, I live in a 1969 mobile home in an irrigated pasture

Waiting, waiting, waiting...

25 years of waiting

I heard she was coming, but I didn't think she cared about the house

It will be scrapped

The new owners will pay for it to be hauled away for recycling

Meanwhile, I still have some class

I decorated my table with an oilcloth that has a fall print

The old cornucopia was dusted off and filled with pomegranates, mini pumpkins and apples

The freshly washed napkins stuffed the napkin holder

And...my little "Hen and Roster" salt and pepper shakers peek over the edge

The pumpkins on the side board expressed "G-I-V-E  T-H-A-N-K-S' on the sideboard

Not slatted for quick sell, so life goes on

***************************************************************

Today I made more business cards and started my cleaning business again

Pray with me that I will be able to pick up some business while I wait on the jobs I have been applying for and will continue to apply.

I knew this was the day as I called the only client I had left that had not gone into a nursing home or died

She needed help, so Monday "Deena's Overall Cleaning" is back in business

New House for Gingerbread Baby

“Do not remember the past events, pay no attention to things of old. Look, I am about to do something new; even now it is coming. Do you not see it? Indeed, I will make a way in the wilderness, rivers in the desert.” (Isaiah 43:18-19 HCSB) I can't believe I heard a lady already singing, "You better watch out..." to her kids. I was never that brave. I never told my kids to be good for Santa.  For one thing, our Santa wasn't that wealthy to keep a kid good for 1 1/2 months. I know the stores have the Christmas stuff up, but my Heart it not there. Today  LET. IT. GO. by Karen Ehman is being released. She talked about her her childhood Christmas and unreal expectations. Let them Go, Deena. I don't know what my expectations will be this year. Mostly I just want to glorify God. We are expecting snow by the weekend. This is a place that is 110 in the summer. I just expect to stay warm. I want a job. I want health for family I want relationship restoration. Thank you Lord, You are in control. November 13 ~ 3 Gifts behind a door 1) Christmas box (with everything I have forgotten I have, which is a gift) 2) Free Book I am getting in my Mail Box in the next couple of weeks 3) Christmas cards coming soon Opps...What did I just do?! I am jumping ahead past Thanksgiving to Christmas too. Oh, well hard not to do, maybe I will get a Thanksgiving card too.

Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving 1991

Isaiah 26:3 “You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you.”







I was excited to see that I won a blog "give away" today. Lynn Cowell 
had a giveaway for Stress Point Thriving Through Your Twenties In A Decade Of Drama. 

At this point in the mothering journey I can't think of a better gift. My 3 daughters are 18,19 (almost 20) and 21 (almost 22).  I feel like I have just lived a "Decade of Drama" and now she tells me there is another to come. WOW! 

I will read the book hand it to Mary, the oldest and she can hand it down to each sister in turn. Mary is the baby in the picture today. She is gumming a piece of celery. She was a slobbery mess.

I will be looking for other Thanksgiving pictures to post in the upcoming weeks.

We had our church annual Thanksgiving feast yesterday. It was such a blessing to had all my children and a boyfriend all under the same roof. 

Today's Gift to be Thankful for ~ 3 Gifts at Noon

  1) My van traveling to an appointment for my son
  2) Leftover Turkey for my sandwich
  3) Sunshine peaking through the clouds

Blessing on your Thanksgiving Season.

Quiet

“Be still, and know that I am God.

I will be exalted among the nations,

I will be exalted in the earth!”

                     (Psalm 46:10 ESV)

FIVE MINUTE FRIDAY

1. Write for 5 minutes flat – no editing, no over thinking, no backtracking.
2. Link back here and invite others to join in.
3. And then absolutely, no ifs, ands or buts about it, you need to visit the person who linked up before you & encourage them in their comments. Seriously. That is, like, the rule. And the fun. And the heart of this community..

QUIET

My heart is quiet

My life is quiet

I only speak when spoken to these days

I wait for speech to come, but it doesn't and I go on

Two souls in time that no long hear each other

I am alone

I am so thankful that I am not truly alone

My master is with me where ever I go

He walks with me and talks to me through his Word

For this I am eternally grateful

Though the time has past for talk, I know I am with Him

My heart no long cries

My eyes may weep, but life goes on

New beginnings, new times of laughter and singing will come

For now, I am quiet.

STOP

DAY 9  ~ 3 Gifts of Harvest

 1) Walnuts

 2)  Potatoes

 3) The gift that the local "legal pot" will be harvested soon and we don't have to smell it anymore (ICK!)

DAY 10 ~ 3 Gifts of  Scripture

 1)  I will never leave you nor forsake you (Heb 13:5)

 2)  God sent His Son not to condemn, but to save (John 3:17)

 3)  He has gone to prepare a place for me (John 14:3)

DAY 11 ~ 3 Gifts of Remembrance

  1)  The smell of rain

  2)  The taste of  fresh homemade bread

  3)  Holding a freshly washed child in a freshly washed sleeper

Welcome to my weekend. 

I don't blog on Saturday and Sunday.

Saturday I clean our church and Sunday I rest (well as much as any mom on a Sunday)

This Sunday is our churches annual Thanksgiving Dinner.

It is Thanksgiving with all the trimmings.

I will be manning (or Womanning) the cranberry scoop

The Holiday rush has begun, but with the advise of my Proverbs 31 Ladies I will be trying not to become

Unglued, Stressed or Tangled.

Shalom.

 GISεїз

    ♫