Family Goals
1. Purpose to be home more in 2008.
2. Love one another, prefer one another, be kind and tender-hearted to one another.
(Family Verse for 2008, Ephesians 4:32 "Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you."ESV)
Personal Goals
(Revised from last year)
1. Read my Bible and pray every day possible.
(Growing in grace to do what I know I am called to do, pursue holiness.)
2. Seek out tangible ways to encourage others as often as possible.
3. Purpose and pray to eat only when I am hungry, stopping when I am full, not stuffed!
The way to Heaven is ascending;
we must be content to travel uphill,
though it be hard and tiresome,
and contrary to the natural bias of our flesh.
Jonathan Edwards
Nov. 17, 2007~ Coming Right Along ~
Since I last posted, some awesome things have happened. Working with my husband on this Twaddle Free Christmas is proving to be quite the stress reducer. This week we found the kids "major" gifts online at BIG discounts, without shipping!!! Amazing! I still cannot believe it. (When I think of all the past shipping I have paid around Christmas time, I cringe!) Anyway, they are purchased and either here or on their way.
We took some time last night to look through some more TF (Twaddle Free) catalogs, so that we will be ready on Thanksgiving. Thanksgiving is when my MIL wants her Christmas shopping lists. We usually find things in a catalog so she doesn't have to do a lot of running around. Now I just need to find a few little things for stockings and we are set.
I am also trying to figure out what to do about cards. I enjoy getting cards, so giving them is important. I just need to find a way to make it less expensive. I've made them in the past. And there is no way getting around the postage, unless I was to email them. But does that seem like a "real" card? I like getting ecards, don't get me wrong. I need to get over it and just realize that I can only do what I can do.
I am still having twinges of worry every once in awhile. Worry that the kids will notice that there is a lot less this year. Here is another place where I just need to get over it and realize that I can only do what I can do! And I think we will gently find a way to prepare them. We have to. Last night at dinner, Grace said that her best friend told her there was no Santa. She did not ask me if it was true. But if she does, I am not going to lie to her. I already feel as if I am lying anyway. But until the leader of this family feels the same, then I am silent on the matter.
I am thankful, so thankful for the grace and mercy of my LORD.
Yes, over time I have tried to make Christmas more and more simple. This year I am not sure where we are going to have a tree ??? lol I have wanted to take less focus on it anyway. So I will try to get a small one and focus more on other things.
[ 0= I have already hinted of this in my latest post. [ 0= I really suggest a book " Celebrate With Joy" and I will post this week on it.
Oh how wonderful that you are feeling more light hearted :) It's hard to let go of things that we have always done without feeling guilty. Keeping you in my prayers that the Lord will continue to guide you in your Christmas preparations.
Blessings to you and your family.
Hugs,
Rosina
It sounds like things are going great. We don't know what to do about Christmas cards either. I feel the same way as you. We usually do a yearly letter, with pictures, but only the yearly letter, if we can get the money for stamps. So you're not alone. :)
JoAnn
Leviticus 20:26 says, "You must be holy because I, the LORD, am holy. I have set you apart from all other people to be my very own." This blog is my place to remember this journey I am on and God's goodness to me. I am glad you are here. Welcome to my blog.
