Good morning and Merry Christmas! It’s a perfect day to be celebrating our Savior’s birth. Before all the festivities begin I wanted to take a moment and remember why all of this activity is happening in the first place. I can easily get caught up with planning, shopping, cooking and all other activities and completely miss the reason for the season. With all the preparations I sometimes loose the peace, the purpose and the spirit of Christmas. I’m ashamed to admit that I’ve purchased gifts at times just to cross a name off my list. Giving can sometimes be turned into completing a task and the heart of why is…

We all know the story of the wise men who followed the star and the shepherds who saw the angels and then met the Savior of the world. Their lives were forever changed and the bible says that they spread the word glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen. (Luke 2) The wise men were seeking Him and had been for awhile. They were deliberate and committed to do whatever it took to meet the one who has been born king of the Jews and to worship Him. When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. Then they saw the child with his mother…

Last night I stayed up late writing.  It was so fun remembering moments and re-reading lessons that God had been teaching me.  Morning was a great time for a test to see if I would apply what I was writing about. It didn’t start off to well.  I was tired, so I slept in skipping my workout for an extra hour of sleep.  Or at least that’s what I was hoping to get.  Tracy’s alarm went off and he hit the snooze button……over and over for an hour!  So needless to say I woke up on the wrong side of the bed and with an attitude.  It wouldn’t be much…

One of the first weekends that we stayed at Heise the weather was beautiful and I decided to take a nap by the river.  I spread out a blanket on the river bank, laid down and was out like a light.  It was so relaxing in the sunshine.  I had been asleep for awhile and then I heard a strange noise that woke me up and it turned out to be me….snoring!  What a way to impress the neighbors! After I so rudely woke myself up I sat in my lawn chair and looked out at the beautiful scenery, listening to water and scanning the riverbank.  In the corner of…

We have always enjoyed camping for as long as I can remember.  When our boys were young we camped in tents and enjoyed every minute of it.  As time went on we purchase our first camper and from then on it was comfort camping.  A few years ago we attended a church camp out in the Heise Hot Springs area.  It’s beautiful there and all the activities we enjoy are available and then some.  We found out that you can reserve a camp spot year round and that sounded very appealing to us.   So on our way home we stopped at the main office and added our name to the…

“Come with me….I have a new chapter to write in your life.  Let’s Go! – God That’s a beautiful invitation and one that I want to send an R.S.V. P. of yes to.  Not only is He inviting me, but He is preparing me.  My recent bible studies have all been about the season of change and counting the cost of accepting that invitation.  An example of one is from the daily devotional, “Come with me” by Suzanne Eller called Harder paths. “Jesus is approached by those who desire to join His team.  Jesus reminds the first that following Him isn’t a road of comfort.  Loving Jesus is an amazing…

On my wall is a plaque that says, “If God brings you to it, He’ll bring you through it.”  I strongly believe this and He makes things possible in the most unique ways.   As I was reading the book “Chasing the Lion,” by Mark Batterson, a section really highlighted my need to change from being dull and boring.  The author commented that adversity makes great moments and destiny.  Italy had great adversity; wars, Caesars etc. and through the diversity they produced the Renaissance.   Switzerland always played it safe and their legacy is the Coo Coo Clock.  I’ve visited both countries and I’ve never had a real passion to return to…

Remember the old adage, ‘Sticks and stones will break my bones, but words will never hurt me’.  It is said to have been written to show that true courage consists in doing what is right, despite the jeers and sneers of our companions.  According to Wikipedia the rhyme persuades the child victim of name calling to ignore the taunt, to refrain from physical retaliation, and to remain calm and good-living.  Sometimes that is easier said than done. When we started remodeling our home we both had ideas of what we would like to do.  I began to pick out paint colors and decor ideas that I would share with Tracy.   He…

Jesus always believed the best  about people, saw them as they truly were and as they could be.  He knew what they were capable of and encouraged them to become all that they were created to be.  I struggle with believing the best in people.  I allow disappointments, wrong expectations and my own opinions skew my view.  One day at church during worship, as hands were raised during a song, I thought about how much more I focus on the worship involved when I raise my hands and it made me think about my prayer posture as well. When I’m fully committed to singing a worship song from my heart,…

I love how God will give me a message and then follow up with an opportunity to put it into practice.  The lesson He gave me on answered prayers was perfectly timed and gave me an even deeper understanding of His word. Mitch is scheduled to leave for a training in Denver in a few weeks.  He hasn’t flown in 20 years and this time he will be traveling by himself.  His work took care of the travel arrangements so I feel disconnected, a little panicked and should anything go wrong, I want to be available to help him.  He called me the night before his flight to talk about…