I wrote in saying I would not be around much, but had a very wonderful conversation with my mother yesturday that I just have to share it with you all.

Everywhere you turn at this time of year a person asks, "are you ready?"   In fact, I asked that of a few friends a few days ago.    I wasn't thinking about what I said, I was just making conversation.   But I don't like that question.    It gets us thinking that we are focusing on "that day"   that day yet to come when everything must be perfectly ready.   And we are missing today!   Today is the perfect day to enjoy and love.   Today is full of opportunities.

Then my mom told me a story.  She gives a financial gift to her children, but for the family members that come to her home (my mom lives 12 hours away from 3/4 of her family) she likes to have small fun gifts that she picks up at the dollar store.    She went there yesturday and a lady just started talking to her.   The lady wanted to purchase a candle and asked my mom to smell a few and tell her which one was her favorite scent.   When my mom picked, the lady said, thanks, that's what I'll buy.  

Then she turned to my mom and said the following:   I just love Christmas time.  This is the most wonderful time of the year.   Do you know that this is the time that we celebrate the birth of Jesus.  (my mom said she was beaming while she said all this; she was extremely happy)   The lady went on to share briefly about Jesus who is our Saviour.   Then she asked my mom if she knew about this.  My mom said yes, she knew about it, and she also believed.    The other lady went on to say she only found Jesus about 1 year ago and she was thrilled to have a chance this season to celebrate His birth.    Then the lady indicated that she was a Hutterite lady and her children had led her to the Lord, and that she still lived on the colony, and no one had the gospel on the colony and so she was a missionary there....and on and on.  

So I shared with my mom; that is, I became brave enough to voice to her that I too really loved Christmas.  I have totally enjoyed this December.    The other day as I was shopping in Walmart, I was singing praises to Jesus - along with the loud speaker singer.  Yes, every day in Walmart, they play worship music to Jesus, and they tell the story of His birth and how he died for our sins.    It struck me that December is the only time of the year that I would hear this music in a Walmart.

Yesturday I wrote out Christmas cards.   It was so neat to write notes of appreciation to friends.  I marvel at the stack of cards we have - God is so good to give us friends.    I have a basket in the kitchen to collect the Christmas cards that are coming in.   God is so good to us to give us those friends.    I love seeing all the pictures of how families are changing and growing up. 

I baked all day yesterday and feel so rich now.  I have stacks of baking out in the garage and we are ready for coffee if anyone should drop in.   In my Christmas cards to people who live close by, I wrote that the coffee is always on and we would love if they stopped in.     I even  have some specialty flavored coffee.  I'm ready.

We have a warm home.   We have enough food.    Our children are all home.   This is a great time of year and I must say I love Christmas.    I have stopped focusing on "am I ready?"   and started focusing on enjoying today and being ready for today - for the little snuggle moments, for the chance to tell someone I love them especially much. 

So enjoy the day, enjoy the journey.   I love Christmas.  I hope you do too.   

Blessings, Grace