• Monday, November 17, 2008 - Things for Thanksgiving...
Just wanted to share the following links if you're looking for some ideas for Thanksgiving... (I've looked over these links, but haven't thoroughly searched through each one, so please share if you use any, what you liked or didn't like. An * is by those that I've used and enjoyed.)
*THE GLORIOUS COMING (To begin the 30th of November, but I wanted to mention it because it's wonderful and we took the pictures and put contact paper on the front and magnets on the back to put on our fridge... so this could be something that you do so you're ready for it.)
THANKSGIVING TREE (which could also be used with a branch and tie leaves cut from construction paper with each thankful thing put on them)
THANKSGIVING TABLECLOTH (I think this would serve as a great reminder throughout the year, or to add more things each month or so with a "praise God" special dinner! This would also make a great addition to reading the THANKSGIVING BOUQUET and then writing the "thorns" you've been thankful for over the year writing dates so you don't forget.)
• Saturday, November 15, 2008 - "The 12 Days of Christmas" is less than a month away!
Well ladies, we're less than one month away from THE TWELVE DAYS OF CHRISTMAS... SHMILY STYLE!
Now, for those of you who may be unfamiliar with this SHMILY Time tradition, The "Twelve Days of Christmas" isn't talkin' about "A Partridge in a Pear Tree. It's a twist that I'm sure your husband will enjoy!
It all started because my husband and I would wind up arguing during the holidays EVERY YEAR because it was so stressful. Spending time and money on friends and family seemed to get out of control no matter how much we tried to "get better" each year and would result in some sort of argument, so A few years ago, I decided I would something different... Twelve days before Christmas just happens to be my husband's birthday, so I surprised him each day, and got us all the way to Christmas day without an argument! I found it really hard to get angry with someone that I was so focused on loving and praying for!
THE TWELVE DAYS OF CHRISTMAS... SHMILY STYLE revolves around the act of love and anything leading up to it. Now, I know this "strikes a chord" with some of you and I know that sex is not the only thing that makes a marriage good... so please don't send me emails or leave comments telling me this. (In fact, if sex is the only thing good in a marriage that's not healthy either.) What I've found to be true however, is how "taboo" sex is in Christian marriages. We don't talk about it or even acknowledge it's importance in our marriages, when the fact is... God created it... and it was His intention that it is good. I understand that we, as a society have ruined that in so many ways, on so many levels... but THAT is not God's fault, nor does it change what He intended for beautiful and fulfilling and to make a husband and wife as one. Because of what sex has become because of premarital sex, pornography, adultry and the like, we have somehow become "scared" to talk about sex in a Christian marriage as if it's "dirty".
Unfortunately, sex is also one of the first things we "take away" or avoid when things get rough in our marriage as well. Let's face it, when you're arguing with your spouse, do you feel like making love?... probably not... and when that happens, the enemy begins his work at destroying our marriage... Think back to when you were falling in love with your spouse... at some point in time, there was a physical attraction... and chances are good it was pretty "intense". Just because you may have been married for awhile, that does not mean that your love making should get boring, or non-existent. It doesn't matter what stage (or state) your marriage is in right now bring the spark back to your marriage, and start withTHE TWELVE DAYS OF CHRISTMAS!
Note: If you are in a process of healing in your marriage, or there is a hurt that hasn't been dealth with or forgiven, then please take a moment to pray the SHMILY PRAYER. I realize that some hurts and problems need more time to heal, and so this year may not be the time for THE TWELVE DAYS OF CHRISTMAS... instead, you may want to tuck this idea away and continue to pray for God to restore your marriage, including the act of love making. (The Power of a Praying Wife is also an excellent book to begin praying every day for your husband.)
With ALL that being said, THE TWELVE DAYS OF CHRISTMAS involves some planning, so take some time to be thinking about what you can do to begin a year that will hopefully start a life long tradition!
It begins on December 14th (12 days before Christmas)... and is for 12 DAYS... 12 consecutive days (or nights)! This is especially fun because most people's traveling and visiting relatives is during these days (keeping in mind that this would be especially fun while visiting relatives because only you and husband will know what's going on...)
This involves an investment in your "drawer of many blessings" drawer as well... and yes, you SHOULD have one of these drawers, so make room (throw out some clothes if you have to... your hubby would rather see you in these anyway!) Start saving money and get your drawer stocked up! You'll be able to "recycle" here so the money you spend here is worth it in the end. You're investing in your marriage and thatis never money wasted. (Your size is NOT an excuse either! Please read, "He loves you... quit hiding!" if you're struggling with your outer appearance. Have all your "little blessings" bought by 14th and plan for each day's surprise, along with any evening you might be able to get a sitter and go out (with your "little blessing" on to tell him about over dinner), or a friend to watch the kids so you can stay in (and put your "gift" to use)!
Make or get a card to give to your husband on the 13th. An idea would be:
"To celebrate the next twelve days of Christmas I have planned a special "gift" for you each day with only you in mind! Anticipate what each will bring as we celebrate the next twelve days of Christmas... twelve you're sure not to forget!" (Don't forget to sign it, SHMILY!)
So with all that being said, get to work ladies! This is going to be a year your hubby won't soon forget! Don't forget to remain especially prayerful as you plan and prepare for these wonderful days. The enemy loves to seek and destroy marriages, and he will do what he can to ruin this by getting to you and your attitude. Pray for the Lord to help you be loving toward your husband (even when the kids have been arguing all day, the laundry tub overflows, the bills are adding up, or... whatever). As women, we have a tendency to be more emotional, which certainly can backfire when things go wrong (or not according to our plans!) Stay focused on the wonderful and endearing qualities you love in your husband (just in case he upsets you... tee hee) and the wonderful gift the Lord gave you in your husband. Be determined to succeed in this wonderful "gift" to your husband and when things get tough, fight back with the strength of the Lord!
For some ideas, on what you can do for your Beloved, check out the SHMILY Time blog and please feel free to email me with more of your ideas to share with others (include your name and/or your blog address if you're willing to share that too!) AND you can sign up to join the SHMILY Time group on facebook too!
Put the spark back into your marriage and tell others about THE TWELVE DAYS OF CHRISTMAS by posting the blinkie on your blog/website! Be sure to sign up on the "Mr. Linky" below! May the Lord be glorified as we seek new ways to put the spark back into our marriage!
Dear Heavenly Father,
Thank You for all the miracles You have done in my life... there have been so many in the past, but even more since we've been following You on this path toward planting a church... even before we knew that's what we would be doing. We've continually been amazed by Your goodness and provision to us... and even when times have been tough, You have shown Yourself in the most amazing ways: a gallon of milk on our doorstep after we prayed for some the night before... $400 worth of Cub food gift certificates sent in the mail with no return address and signed "from the Lord"... some of our curriculum bought for us... a car that a family is loaning us for the year Mike needs to drive 30 miles to work... the monthly financial commitments for the next three years for our future church plant... food that people have blessed us with... and most recently, money for snow tires so Mike didn't have to sell his guitar.
Lord, You have been so good to us. I'm so sorry for the times when I have doubted... I'm sorry for the times when I have worried. You have proven Yourself somanytimes. You are in control even in the midst of my chaos and turmoil, and Your miracles are amazing to behold. Thank You for showing us Your greatness and surprising us in ways we could never expect.
and a woman seeking the Lord's Will (daily), a wife (striving to keep the romance alive), a "Smamma" (Step- mother) of one and a homeschooling mom of seven (I was never going to have children), who starts every day over (after messing SOME thing up the day before), knowing God's grace is overflowing (just like my laundry), and so thankful He's blessed me more than I'll ever deserve.
