Friday, December 26, 2008

Treasures to Ponder

When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.- Luke 2:17-19

When the Christmas Day came to a close last night I decided to read once again the story of the most wonderful gift this world was ever given. I got dressed in my new comfy pajamas that I received and snuggled into bed with my bible and turned to the pages of Luke Chapter 2. There I found something that I do not remember reading before. Maybe it is because I feel like I have heard this story so many times before. I don't know but what I do know that last night...the night of the day we celebrate our Saviors birth I found something that brought a new light to the wonderful story of Christmas. The shepherds had come to see the baby wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying there in a manger. They were so excited to tell Mary and Joseph what they had seen and heard from the angels in the field. Everyone was excited of the news. Then I came across was Mary did at this time.

Of course I could just be reading into this too much.. Have you ever been in the midst of chaos? Take for instance a holiday party or picnic...people all around...conversations and stories buzzing all around. So much going on that you just cannot focus on a task at hand. Have you ever been in the midst of chaos and then stopped, stepped back and tried took everything in like a camera trying to capture a picture? This is how I pictured Mary last night in the scripture that I read. All this excitement going on all around her and the baby and then her taking a step back and taking it all in. Treasuring up all these things so that she can savor every moment, every emotion and every expression on the face of her husband, her guests and most of all her precious baby.

We should want to live the same way. Taking each moment in like a breath of fresh air. Trying to breath in Jesus the way Mary did on this starry night. She didn't want to miss a thing and you know what? Neither do I........

Thursday, December 18, 2008

Life with Bailee and Boo




Meet Bailee and Boo. Please note their apparent calm, obedient demeanor. Remember...some things aren't always what they seem.

It all started about 8 years ago. Hubby and I moved into our house and immediately hubby thought we needed to get a cat. He insisted that we needed one to help chase mice that may come in from the field that borders our property. Yeah..he really looks like a mouser doesn't he? We got Boo from a local shelter. He was already 3 years old. Truth be told...I was always more of a dog person than a cat person but Boo grew on me quickly. Three months later...enter in Bailee. Bailee was also adopted from a local shelter. She was 6 months old and full of herself and lots and lots of energy. Right from the start the two hit it off. That is of course right after Boo told Bailee that HE is the boss not her. Bailee took the news well.

Our first Christmas together as a family, I decided to be like those of our friends and family who actually have real children and decided to send Christmas cards to all our loved ones of our four legged children. The first year worked great. I got a pic of them together longingly staring out the window. Everyone loved it....and so the pressure was on for each year since. I have not come up with a pic I love more than that one...but I cannot send them the same one year after year. Well for the last 7 years hubby and I have ruined countless hours trying to get these two to cooperate with us. Some how they just know when it is Christmas card time and they purposely act like they have never liked each other before.



This was the closest I could get them to each other one year.....and dang nabbit Bailee has red-eye!

As you can see the next year was sooo much better.......However this is how they act with each other normally......







Anyway...after telling Boo to quit eating the tree, and after telling Bailee that she does not have to scold the cat for eating the tree....we have come up with a photo for our 2008 Christmas Card. I wanted to use the one at the top of the page, however.....Hubby says Bailee looks old and his Bailee is never getting old. So I settled for this one.......done at least until next year!.....

Kids.....they drive me nuts (but I couldn't live without 'em!)







Tuesday, December 16, 2008

Heathy Level of Insanity

Something fun to make you laugh....

Ways to Maintain a Healthy Level of Insanity

1. At Lunch Time, Sit In Your Parked Car with Sunglasses on and point a Hair Dryer At Passing Cars. See If They Slow Down.

2. Page Yourself Over The Intercom. Don't Disguise Your Voice.

3. Every Time Someone Asks You To Do Something, Ask If They Want Fries with that.

4. Put Your Garbage Can On Your Desk And Label It "In."

5. Put Decaf In The Coffee Maker For 3 Weeks. Once Everyone Has Gotten Over Their Caffeine Addictions, Switch to Espresso.

6. In The Memo Field Of All Your Checks, Write "For Smuggling Diamonds"

7. Don t use any punctuation

8. As Often As Possible, Skip Rather Than Walk.

9. Order a Diet Water whenever you go out to eat, with a serious face.

10. Specify That Your Drive-through Order Is "To Go."

11. Sing Along At The Opera.

12. Go To A Poetry Recital And Ask Why The Poems Don't Rhyme

13. Put Mosquito Netting Around Your Work Area And Play tropical Sounds All Day.

14. Five Days In Advance, Tell Your Friends You Can't Attend Their Party Because You're Not In The Mood.

15. Have Your Coworkers Address You By Your Wrestling Name,' Rock Bottom'.

16. When The Money Comes Out of The ATM, Scream "I Won!, I Won!"

17.. When Leaving The Zoo, Start Running Towards The Parking lot, Yelling "Run For Your Lives, They're Loose!!"

18. Tell Your Children Over Dinner. "Due To The Economy, We Are Going To Have To Let One Of You Go."

19. Visit a local clothing store and hide in the clothing rack. When someone comes by yell "OOO Pick Me...Pick Me!"

Tuesday, December 9, 2008

A Dickens of a Weekend



This weekend my husband and I had the pleasure of traveling with our good friends, Kaye and Eric (pictured left) to Wellsboro, PA for their Dickens of a Christmas. We had so much fun! Friday we drove up, rented a cabin in the nearby state park and were completely delighted to find that the accomodations were really outstanding!. The cabin was so clean and tidy. The Lord even blessed us with the gift of a blanket of snow to greet us with.

We went into the town of Wellsboro on Saturday morning. Everyone was decked out in their warm Dickens outfits. The streets were filled with the hustle and bustle of the holiday season. Street vendors were selling their handmade decorations and gifts, and of course lots and lots of food. This was a beautiful day of taking in all the sights and sounds of Christmas. I absolutely loved it! Sunday as we were packing up we had a beautiful snowfall that coated the trees and ground so beautiful and when we did pull out the lake had a pure white blanket of snow on it.






After visiting with our friends relatives we headed back home. Monday we were busy preparing a Christmas meal for 19 of the ladies from church. We ran around all morning trying to get everything set up but in the end it all came together so nice. Everyone had a great time and loved the food and fellowship. I must say this year more than any other year before I am so happy to be taking time with all my family, friends and loved ones. It is much nicer than freaking out looking for last minute shopping gifts!




Wednesday, December 3, 2008

Fun with Family

Last night dear hubby and I got to spend a really nice evening with his brother and wife and two children. It doesn't seem possible that it had been almost two years since we last saw them. They live in N.C. and we are up here in PA. They came up so that we could have an early Christmas together and I must say we really had a great time. Emily and Anna (our nieces) have grown up so fast...we almost didn't recognize them! They are 14 and 12 but they look more like 18 and 16.

We really felt blessed to be able to spend some time with them again. The older I get the more I reflect on how important family is. And that no matter how far apart we live...we are always and forever connected. This has just totally added to the giddyness that I feel during this holiday season. I love to get together with family and friends and to celebrate the true meaning of the holiday. So many years before we allowed ourselves to get caught up in the stressful, oh-my-gosh-lets-just-get-SOMETHING-for them mentality. Not this year...we took a step back and took everything down a notch....and we are so much more at peace for it too!

I pray that all my friends and family have a very stress free, peaceful Christmas- the way it was truly meant to be!

xo
julie

Tuesday, December 2, 2008

Lost Without You

Did you ever have a song that sticks in your head and you can't get it out? That has been me the last several days. I love the feeling I get when I listen to a great worship song. Its much like the feeling one gets when they read a verse from the bible and something just clicks- you get it!

I came across a song by Priscilla Miller on a friends Myspace page and then I started to listen to some other songs by her. WOW! Her emotion really comes out in her songs and I came to work this morning belting out the song "Lost Without You". The words are so true- without Him I would be a total mess and lost in a world of darkness and despair. If you haven't had a chance to hear Priscilla I encourage you to look her up- I am sure that you will be glad that you did!

Lost Without You

The lame and the leper, I call them my brothers
The song of the downcast resounds in my ears
The orphaned and widowed are everything like me
The voice of the beggar is mine...and its clear....

I clearly know.....

I'd be lost without You, Jesus
I've no hope without You Lord
And I'm not ashamed to make it plain
That I'm a desperate soul
'Cause I'd be lost without You, Lord

I've sat at the table of those who've had nothing
I've stood in the midst of the hurting and scorned
I've walked on the path of the truly unworthy
I know what it is to be tired and alone
But you brought me home......

I'd be lost without You, Jesus
I've no hope without You Lord
And I'm not ashamed to make it plain
That I'm a desperate soul
'Cause I'd be lost without You, Lord

Worthy, worthy are you, Lord
Needy, needy am I, Lord
Worthy, worthy are You Lord
Desperate, desperate am I, Lord

Its nice to know that I am found...... :)