Just Be..... Just Breathe

Doing it Simplistic this Christmas.

As I went to drop off our advent wreath to get it filled in for advent season, like I do every year, the lady said, Lori, I am sorry but I am no longer doing special orders anymore.  I looked at her and said, nothing surprises me this year, nothing this Christmas is normal thus far.  She said, Lori, this is really simple to do and started one for me and there it lays on our table just like this.  So in all of this I feel Holy Spirit is trying to tell me that all the Christmas traditions you do Lori are nice, but don't lose sight of the real meaning of Christmas and keep it simple and give Christmas away and that will be yourself.  Let Go and Let God!! So that's exactly what I'm doing. It's beautiful and so much peace in doing! Our advent wreath can hold candles and do the same job as a beautiful covered advent wreath.  It's just not as pretty.  But hey when we look at the stuff in our life, it's not always pretty, but God loves us anyway and wants us to give it all to him, not just a small amount. As I watched the snowflakes fall after coming out of the grocery store, I looked up to the sky to watch the snow fall on my face and just savored that special snowy fun time.  That's what real living is, not in the hustle and bustle around.  Time to stop and chat with that friend you haven't seen in a long while and maybe sneak a cup of coffee/tea in there too.  Now that is so special!! The surprises of life that you had not anticipated.   Be encouraged today and savor the Christmas season  and it's meaning instead of just existing and when it's all over, what was it all for?  Bless you friend this Christmas season as you find out what the true meaning of Christmas is with Him.  Hope this song blesses you as it says it all, taking our hands off of our lives and giving Holy Spirit complete control.  Love this song!!

Be the Gift to Someone Today!!

Have you ever thought you have to buy a gift to show up to a friends house to visit that is hurting?
I am here to tell you friend from experience, a friend just wants yourself as a gift which is you and your time. It doesn't cost a thing, but your precious time which is huge!! To sit down and sip a cup of tea or coffee with a friend and their time is priceless and beautiful and very meaningful.  So what are you waiting for?  Be that gift to a friend today that may just need to know someone else cares.  But I hear your heart saying, but I have been turned down before and I can't bear to get hurt again by the word,  "no thanks" I don't want company right now.  Put your best foot forward and know if you get turned down once or twice it's ok and the person will eventually say yes when they are ready.  I know all too well because this happened to me and it hurt.   Oh yes it hurt badly, but I didn't give up and eventually the door opened up wide one day and said, please come in and have tea with me.  My efforts didn't die and didn't go in vain.  So BE the Gift to someone this week and see how it will not only make a difference in someone else's world, but it will be in your world as well knowing you carved out time to do something for someone else in your busy schedule.  Yes you heard me right, God will see that you will get all you need to get done in your world if you will only do His work first.  It happens.  Believe me!!! It's all according to His agenda, not ours.  So what are you waiting for, ask Holy Spirit today whom do you want me to serve today or this week? No strings attached.

Are you being Refined by Fire? A Diamond will come forth through the Refinement.

                                                         Beautiful song that says it all!!!

One can be Broken BUT have a Love on Fire for Christ!!!!

Are you going through the fire as I type?  Our family have been going through the flames over the last 6 weeks, but God has turned those ashes into beauty in so many ways. "When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. " Isaiah 43:2  I just love Him more and more everyday as we walk life out in every situation together!! 

 After almost losing our son of 20 yrs old 6 wks ago from a deadly virus, we have come to realize even more how precious life is here today and can be gone tomorrow like it was 4 wks later with my husband's dad. He went home to be the Lord peacefully.  It's been quite an venture and a testimony of God's goodness and faithfulness.  It's a bittersweet process, but a peace that our family has never had before and it's downright beautiful. It doesn't mean that we don't miss our loved one or aren't grieving, but God has given us grace, but still have joy in the middle of it all, if that makes sense.  When you read the scripture on giving you a peace that passes all understanding.  That's exactly what our family has had through it all. "And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:7   Take Heart my friend  whatever you may be going through right now, Jesus will never leave you nor forsake you.  He loves you so much. Don't run away from your situation. Run into the Arms of Jesus.  He wants relationship with you my friend.  You heard me right, He wants a relationship with you and it starts by talking to Him like you would to your friend in the flesh.  You will feel such a peace that is unexplainable.  You will know that you are in the presence of the Holy One Almighty.  What do you have to lose?  Nothing, but to gain a new friend that will never leave you nor forsake you ever, but love on you forever more!! What are you waiting for? I hope you feel encouraged by this uplifting music video that has spoken to my heart and gets me excited as it says so much of what we have been walking through in the second half of the song my family and I, but yet have a love on fire through it all the storms raging on. 

Praising Him in the Storms of Life

May you be encouraged as you watch this Interpretive Dance!! I was able to do this dance during the middle of our  raging storm to encourage the body of Christ through their own storms of life. I pray the Holy Spirit will speak through this dance to you today and encourage your heart as you watch this Holy Spirit guided dance.  An hour later after I did this dance we found out my husbands dad was admitted in the hospital. God is so good! Just love Him more and more everyday!