Oh Christmas Tree!

It's December 10th and I still don't have my tree. Everything else is decorated. Just waiting on a time when the whole family can get together and take the time to go pick out our tree. This seems to get harder every year. I have been looking at craft and diy design websites all day getting lots of great ideas. I just never seem to have time to do all that I would like. It appears that I need to slow down and slow everybody else around here down as well. It sounds like such a great idea, but when I start figuring what we can cut out... it just doesn't look like there is anything anybody is willing to cut from the list. This is hard. When I look at it, none of us do that much individually, but when you add it all together it is overwhelming! At least driver's ed will be over soon for Collin, but his soccer is just starting back up. We have a few months of cheerleading competitions coming up for Karsan. At least Cassie isn't too busy right now except for traveling all over the county with the rest of us!

The plan is to go get my Christmas tree tomorrow somewhere in between church, soccer practice and Christmas play practice. Maybe I will get it decorated by Dec. 23! Oh well. Until next time... relax and take a break!

Blessings!

"And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men." Luke 2:13-14

Let Go... Give God control!

"Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings. And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. To him be the power for ever and ever. Amen." I Peter 5:6-11

Just let go! We've heard that before. It's easier said than done, right? It requires a ton of faith. Once you can let go, and turn everything over to God, it is the most amzing, freeing feeling. We have such a need to be in control of our lives. The reality of it is, we are not in control... even when we think we are. God is always in control. When we try to take control, we are fighting against Him. He knows what is best for us. Sometimes, things seem bad to us, like everything is going wrong, but God has a plan. We just have to release control to Him and let Him carry out His plan without our interference. We often make our own lives more difficult by interfering. So, as the saying goes...."Let go and Let God!"

Blessings!

Taking Time for God and Putting Things in Perspective!

It's been a while since I've posted. I really miss writing. It's such a shame when we let our lives get too busy to do the things we love. It's even worse when we don't take time for God. When I don't have my daily devotion, my day just doesn't go smoothly. Generally, I'm in a rush, so I'm short tempered and it is just down hill from there. I've never been a "morning person", so getting up early is a challenge for me. I have to make it a priority! It is amazing how much better my day is if I do get started early and have my devotion before anyone else gets up. My kids and my husband reap the benefits of it!

I suffer that syndrome of wanting to do it all. I work full time, have 3 kids who play sports, I enjoy making crafts and want to help everyone with everything. I just can't do it all. At least not and give the right amount of attention to it all. Sometime, I also have to find time for my husband, keep the house in some kind of order, and they all enjoy eating occasionally too. It's easy to feel overwhelmed! That is when I just stop, sit down with my Bible and a journal, read, write and listen! Whew! What relief! It is amazing what 10-15 minutes of quiet time with God can do for us. I can get things back in perspective and focus on my priorities. My goal this year is to simplify my life. That means getting rid of "stuff"... extra junk around the house that clutters up my life and extra things we do that clutters our lives. Go with me on this journey as I attempt to clean out my life! I'm sure there will be ups and downs along the way and plenty of obstacles in between. Let me know if you are in this same boat and we'll do it together! There is motivation in sharing the journey with someone else.

Have a blessed day! I'll see you on our journey!

JaAnna