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Dec. 25, 2009

Merry Christmas

I would like to wish all of my fellow bloggers a wonderful Christmas!!

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Dec. 25, 2009

Christmas

MERRY CHRISTMAS !!!!

goatgirl46

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Dec. 25, 2009

Christmas Day Suprises!

  Nope, this isn't about what presents we got.....we haven't even started fixing breakfast yet! :-)  We go to bed seeing snow on the ground, we wake up seeing water on the ground......and this on the ground.....

Our very tall pine tree.....on the ground!!  We had some hard winds all night.....but goodness! I didn't think we had that much!

It just missed the outhouse, and just missed the fence, well....some of it. The wood fence anyways. It smashed the wire one.

I am standing against the house here.....that is how close it came to the house! Thankfully it took a different direction! Leah said that she thought that she heard a crack sometime last night.

We are certainly going to miss it! We'll have to plant another :-)

And all the water.....the snowmen are kind of in the middle of it  :-0 (sorry the pictures are blurry, it was raining and the camera wouldn't take clear ones unless I got right up next to it, but then I would be standing in the water!)

 Have a Merry Christmas!!!

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Dec. 25, 2009

Merry Christmas!

         "For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace."

                                                                           Isaiah 9:6

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Dec. 24, 2009

Delightful Desserts!

This is what we are all currently working on for tomorrow :-)  Ahh.....yes. I almost forgot. A few main dishes might be nice.     But don't they just look so tasty?

And, mmmm......don't look at all those dirty dishes in the background......someone needs to get busy!

But don't stop here.....keep looking at the posts, and go wish Jessica a happy birthday!

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Dec. 24, 2009

A Merry CHRISTmas Story

Due to the craziness of CHRISTmas day, over eating, and life, I probally will not be on here much tommorrow. I want to wish everyone a Merry Christmas, and post a CHRISTmas story I wrote.  Nothing else to write because the good LORD willing, family should be arriving soon. I pray you have a great week in the LORD, and GOD bless.

A Gift For the Nice AND Naughty.

  "Ow!" came the high yelp."Ouch! Stop it!" He turned to face the provoker.

  Joe Kyleson....

  The one who was being attacked was named Freddy Mayapril. He was seven years old, and helplessly small in size compared to the taller, michivious Joe.

  Both boys stood on the sidwalk infornt of their neighboring homes. It was Christmas eve, and though no snow was falling from above, it was still chilly.

  Joe gave a wicked smile."What's wrong?" He pinched the boy on the elbow again."Not tough enough to to stand a few pricks?" He laughed.

  Fredy rubbed the sore spot."No.....I, uh, was just worried that you are going to ruin the sweater grandma made me." He lied.

  And Joe knew."Yeah, right."  He pointed upwards."Better not lie, or jolly old Santa ain't gonna bring you any gifts."

  Freddy frowned."I have been good all year long....no reason why one lie should make a difference." He dodged a splash of water from  vehicle passing. The road was wet from rain.

  The eyes of the taller boy grew big."You aren't serious?"

  "Serious of what?"

  Joe slapped his forehead."That you believe in Santa Clause still....duh!"

  "Of course I do." spat Freddy." Besides, you just choose to not believe in him cause your bad all year long."

  "Well aren't you just mister huff and puff." growled Joe."I get presents every year from my parents."

  Rubbing his hands to warm them, Freddy answered."But not from Santa."

   Joe was agitated now." I don't get presents from Santa, cause he ain't real."

  "Wanna bet?"

  "Yeah!" he answered loud enough that the whole street could hear.

  Freddy smiled."Good. I'll ask my mom if you can stay tonight-"

  "Huh?"

  "Yes. Like I said, I'll ask my mom-

  Joe crossed his arms over his chest."I will in no way stay at your house. It could completely damage my standings in society!"

  The little boy was confused."What is standing in society?"

  "I don't know.....but it will ruin it."

  Now Freddy was irritated."Then how am I gonna prove to you that he is real?"

  A bit thoughtful, which was a rare thing, Joe became quiet. After a minute, mabe two, he finally agreed to spend Christmas eve at Freddy's house. However, there was one condition.

  "You say Santa has no gifts for bad children, right?"

  Freddy rolled his eyes."Yes. Everyone knows that.....except coal."

  "Great!" He leaned over to whisper so only Freddy could hear."If he does turn out to be real, and all..." he stopped.

  "Yes?"

  "Then..."

  "What!"

  "Then."He smiled in a satisfied way."If he can find a gift for both the good and bad children, you still have to pay me two dollars."

  "What!" repeated Joe.

  And, after a bit of negotioation between the two children, they finally agreed.

  Freddy's mother was a bit curious as to the sudden wanting to spend time with the naughty boy. In the spirit of Christmas, though, she agreed. It turned out to be a good thing, too. Joe's parent's had a family emergency come up, and needed a place for Joe to stay while they were away until the morning. When Joe asked his parent's, they called Freddy's parent's, and the arrangements were made.

  After putting a sleeping bag and his pilow on Freddy's bedroom floor, the two of them made plans to see Santa. After arguing, fussing, a bit of pinching, and one incident of hair pulling, they finally agreed to how they were going to see the old man.

  The plan was.....to hide in a box that looked like a really big present. When Santa dropped off the gifts, they would jump out and make him answer the question. Simple.

  "Shhh..!" said Freddy as he put a small finger infront of his lips."Mom and dad are sleeping."

  Joe grinned."Santa is for sure to put you on the naughty list for life after this."

  The smaller boy ignored the bigger as he set up the ver large wrapped box. They had wrapped the box and top seperately do it could be easily lifted in suprise attack.

  Freddy had glued on a ribbon meant for a wreath that fitt the box well. Joe, inwardly laughing at the younger boy, still helped by carrying the box downstairs.

  "Ding Dong." rang the clock. One minute until twelve....Santa would soon be there.

  "Come on, in the box." whispered Joe, holdind the top.

  Freddy became nervous."Uh...mabe we should just go to bed."

  "No way!" spat Joe. Putting the box top down, he grabbed Freddy's arm."Come on, we got fourty seconds to get into position."

  He still was not sure, but he would not look like a baby. With deep breaths, he crawled over the box's side, accidently tearing some of the wrapping paper.

  "Oops." he squeaked, standing up so the box went to his chest.

  Joe rolled his eyes."Oh, Just get in there."And he shoved the boys's head down.

  Taking the box top again, he raised it over his head after making his way in the box. It was a tight fit, but it was the only one they could find big enough. Then, with top above, he quickly squatted, releasing the top.

  "It shut!" yelled Freddy excitedly.

  Joe put his finger infront of hsi lips this time."Shhh....!

  "Oh....sorry." He made a zipping motion infront of his lips.

  "Dong, dong, dong." Twelve time the clocked rang. Twelve times....twelve o'clock!

  "Santa's coming soon." he forgot his lips were supposed to be zipped.

  But Joe didn't.

  "Ow!" but the pinch on his arm reminded Freddy that quietness helped in suprise.

  For thirty minutes they sat there, hunched together in a box. Little holes were in the side for breathing, but it soon became very stuffy.

  Joe waited five minutes more. Finally he could no longer stand it."Alright, he ain't real. Pay up, and let's go to bed." He held hid hand as far as he could out.

Freddy was near to tears, but he would not let them show. Instead he said."The money's in my room, come on."

  Freddy lifted the box's top first, but Joe was the first to stand. He was about to climb out of thebox, when a gasp startled Freddy squished below.

  "You alright?" he asked.

  Joe nodded his head left to right.

  Freddy grunted as he to tried to stand. Managing to after a minute, he put his eyes where Joe motionlessly stared.

  His mouth dropped, his eyes grew, and only two words came from Freddy's mouth.

  "It's him."

  "It' him." Joe echoed.

  "Better close you mouth, boys!" came the deep rumble of a voice.

  Sitting on a rocking chair infront of the box sat an old man with a red coat, red pants, blackboots, and fluffy white stuff outlining the outfit. A cotton candy like beard, though white, went down to his chest. There, a large round belly stuck out with two wrinkled hands folded on top.

  Santa Clause.

  For a minute he sat, staring in amusement at the two boys. But, after he rocked five times, he slowly stood on his feet.

  Freddy and Joe just stared.

  Santa smiled."Took you long enough." With a laugh, he motioned them to come to him.

  The boys immediately obeyed like well trained puppies.

"Now."began Santa, aiming his aged eyes at them."Now tell me why you were going to try and capture Santa?"

  "Uhhhh....." they turned red.

  He scratchd his chin and chuckled."Obviously the song 'He sees you when your sleeping, he knows when your awake' has no effect these days."

 Freddy nodded, Joes just stared.

  Santa walked over to the taller boy, resting his large hand on his thin shaking shoulder."Nothing to fear, boy."

  Joe turned his up to face the red face of the legend."You mean, I'm not on the naughty list?"

  Santa smiled."You have done enough bad things to be on the naughty list until your thirty."

  When a stiffled laugh came from Freddy, Santa used his free hand and put it on the other boy's shoulder.

  "You find someone being naughty funny, do you?"

  Freddy seemed to shrink under the reprimand.

  "Well, for that lie of yours, and this." The wrinkled had pointed at the box."Your only getting two presents from me this year."

  "What!"

  Santa squeezed Freddy's shoulder."You know you have not been nice. Some boys tend to show naughtiness outwardly. Others, like you, are only naughty once and awhile."

  Freddy sighed."Yes sir, I understand sir."

  Santa let go of there shoulder's, and with a jolly laugh, he asked."But how about that gift for the naughy and nice? Would you like to see it?"

  Now Joe perked up."There is a gift for the naughty and nice?"

  "Why sure there this, Joe." Santa turned and went to where a sack laid by the unlit fireplace."But, it is not for me to give."

  Freddy crept over the carpet."Then where do we get it from?"

  Santa searched through his silky white back. Loud noises like pans, voice of a talking doll, and even the yelp of a puppy came from it. After more sorting, he finally stood up, and in his hand was a book.

  "Ewwwwwww." Joe cringed."Who wants a book for Christmas?"

  Freddy' face screwed up."Yeah? Books are boring."

  Santa went back over to his rocking chair. Sitting down, he shook his hand for them to sit. After they had sat, still looking sickly at the book, Santa shook his head.

  "It's what is in the book that holds the gift."

  "A treasure map?" questioned Freddy.

  "Well, sort of. It tells you how to get the gift."

  Freddys smiled like a cat about to get a mouse."Then tell us."

  "Yes," agreed Joe."Tell us."

  "Well, I think showing you would be much easier."

  Both boys were fixing to ask another question, when Santa opened the book. Wind swirled around them from somewhere, sounds of animals met their ears's, and the floor beneath them disappeared.

  The experience was frightful to the boys's. Freddy was just about to cry for help, when it stopped.

  Joe,who's eyes had closed like Freddy's, opened his eyes.

  "A cow?" he asked."The gift is a cow?"

  All six of their feet stood in a little stone structure. Hay was laid about the place, and different assortments of farm animals lay scattered about the room.

  Where Joe had landed, an old gray cow stood with her face infront of his, chewing her cud.

  "That's gross." he almost gagged.

  Freddy had been standing silently nearby. He had landed in the cow's hay, and was covered in it.

  Santa was on the other side, petting a little brown donkey behind the ears. He seemed to pay no mind to the boys.

  "Where do you think we are?" asked Joe.

  Freddy shrugged his shoulders.

  "In a stable in Bethlehem, of course." Santa had spoken.

  "Bethlehem?" they asked together.

  Santa left the donkey and went to the boys."Bethlehem, the city of David."

  "David Hills has his own city?" Joe looked for his classroom friend.

  "Uh, no." answered Santa."You know, David. From the Bible."

  Freddy jumped at that."Oh yeah, I know he is. He's that king in the Bible who slew the big giant when he was a boy!"

  "That's right!" excalimed Santa."But, David has been dead a long time now."

  A little cry came through the room.

  "A baby?" said Freddy.

  Santa nodded."This, my boy, is the birth place of the KING of the world."

  "No way!" growled Joe."Kings are born in castle's, not cow havens." He still watched the cow.

  "Joe, Freddy, I want you to come see why Christmas is here." He walked to a corner on the stable's other side.

  Freddy and Joe followed, scared.

  In a little feed bin for animals called a manger, laid a little baby. He was wrapped in some white material, and he was asleep.

  Gathered around the child a group of dirty men, holding wooden candy cain shaped things. A few sheep moved about under their feet.

  By the manger, looking lovingly down at the child, was a young woman. Joe and Freddy knew she just had to be the mother.

  "Is that his Father?" Freddy pointed at a man standing on the babe's other side.

 "No," said Santa with a serious expression."HIS Father is GOD."

  "Woh" beathed the boy's together.

  "Santa," began Joe after a moment of silence."What does this baby, who you say is KING, have to do with a gift?"

  Santa placed a hand on both boy's shoulder's, for each stood at one of his side's." Christmas is the day when JESUS, the SON of GOD was born. He is also called CHRIST, which also is the first part of the word CHRISTmas."

  Freddy looked at the bay in awe."Is that why people say Happy Holidays?"

  "One of the reasons." Releasing their shoulder's, he scratched his forehead."I know both of you boy's have heard of JESUS, but did you ever think of HIM as a gift?"

  "A human gift?" gasped Freddy.

  "Yes Freddy," answered Santa."You see GOD gave his SON to die for us....that way, when we die, we can go to Heaven, not hell.

  Joe frowned."I don't underatnd, how does this have to with a gift for both naughty and nice peolpe."

  "We're all sinners, Joe."Santa wiped a tear from his face."GOD's gift is that we accept JESUS as our Saviour. That by faith we believe in him. That we serve HIM, and when we mess up ask for forgiveness."

  "But what does that have-"

 "It has to do with everything." interupted the old man."People can be naughty, and that usually shows they GOD's gift of salavation. Others can be nice, but inside they're empty and they need GOD's gift."

  Both boys were silent, looking still at the baby.

  Joe was the first to speak."So....GOD's gift is for the naughty and nice, right?"

  "Correct." He smiled."It is a free gift, and all you must do is ask the LORD to forgive you of your sins."

  "That's all?" Freddy looked unbelieveing.

  Joe looked amazed."I think I got it....can we go home now?"

  And home they went. When they arrived, they were in they're beds and it was morning.

  Joe went to Freddy."I think I want that gift, Freddy. I don't want to be naughty anymore. I want to have JESUS take away my sins.

  Freddy smiled. Sliding to the floor, he got to his knees beside Joe. The only got they would keep forever from earth was recieved.

  And as they opened their eyes, two wrapped packages were set before them. Both boys tore the paper excitedly.

  "A Bible! The book Santa had!" Joe excitedlysaid.

  Freddy grinned."Now we can tell other's of the gift that is for everyone, naughty or nice."

  And that CHRISTmas was the best.

TheReadingMaid

December 24, 2009

Don't Worry...

Matthew 6:27, 34
"Can any of you by worrying add a single hour to his life?  Don't worry about tomorrow -- tomorrow will worry about itself! Today has enough tsuris already!"

I am going to like today is my last day, and tomorrow is too late, say goodbye to yesterday! Live this moment like its my last, leave things in the past, and make no more regrets!

December 24, 2009

Three Christmas Books To Read Before You Die

The Best Christmas Pagent Ever by Barbara Robinson This one may seem slightly irreverent to some, but I love it. Mary, Joseph, the wise men and the shepards were all REAL ordinary people put in a REAL extrordinary circumstance. How would you have reacted?

The Other Wise Man by Henry Van Dyke Matthew 25:40. A fourth wise man traveling more slowly than his better-known companions searches for Jesus his whole life, always just a step behind. Will he have any treasure left to give the King when he finally finds him?

A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens I'm sure you are all familiar with the story line. I would, however, encourage you to read the original if you haven't. The language and word pictures are amazing. (Those of you who were at the Christmas Concert last week have a head start of several pages.)

Do you have a recommendation for my reading list? I'm always looking for more to read!

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