A Year in Review

Can you believe that 2016 is almost over? I know I can't. Did the year just start? Now we are almost done. This year for me has been the most crazy one yet. So much has happened. The good, the bad and the ugly. LOL :D 

As I have been reflecting over life and the blog this year I'd just like to write about a few highlights and events that stuck out to me. 

January started off great. I had said that it was the New Year, New Beginnings, New Me. Well that all went out the window when my grandma passed away on the 17th. 

February through March I was pretty much a hot mess. I was really grieving the loss of my grandma very hard. There were times when I just wanted to stay home and not wanting to be social. 

March came and I got to go to Winter Jam with some amazing friends, my mom and my sisters. It was an amazing concert. It really helped me bringing me back to reality. Listening and worshiping God with others were amazing. 

April came and we celebrated Easter. That's y favorite holiday after Christmas of course. It's a time to reflect just what Jesus did for us by dying on the cross. 

May was a very busy month for me. It consisted of helping with my parents business as well as working a homeschool convention booth. 

June was my birthday month and I turned 21!! I feel so old. I wanted to go to Chocolate World so that is what my parents and I did. It was so much fun. We also celebrated father's day and one of my sisters birthday. My dad's cousin got married so we had a wedding to attend which is always so much fun. I also took a job at the local pool working in the office. 

July was a super crazy month. It started off with working a ten day craft show dressed in 19th century clothing which was extremely hot! Once I got back we had a small family get together to celebrate my birthday as well as celebrate my cousins upcoming wedding. In between working at the pool before we took a trip to Wisconsin to the big EAA Air Adventure. It was very hot but so much fun. Had a great time with my parents. Lots of memories and lots of pictures. 

August consisted of a lot of fun exciting things. We celebrated my other sisters birthday. I worked at the pool before we took another trip to Missouri for two weeks. It was a crazy two weeks let me tell you. First off we got to see my sisters and go to church and lunch with them. The 24th we celebrated Dad's birthday by going out to eat Mexican. That Friday and Saturday that week I got to go to the homeschool music fest and see friends we haven't seen in three years. They had a dance on Saturday night that lasted until midnight. Barely getting any sleep that night we were up early Sunday morning to drive over an hour to church. I wouldn't have missed that for anything. My sweet sister Amber got engaged to the love of her life. I was so excited to be there when Hayden popped the question after church. If that wasn't excitement enough Monday night my best friend Jordyn who I never met in person came and surprised me with a visit. It was the best three days ever. All this excitement almost killed me. LOL :D 

September was another busy month. We celebrated Mom's birthday and my best friend Jordyn's birthday. Then we took a trip to Washington D.C. for the Value Voter's Summit with Family Research Council. We met lots of people and heard lots of wonderful speakers. I highly recommend going if you have the chance. Later that month we went to Uprise which was another Christian concert. I swear I could spend all my time at concerts. I think the rest off the month settled down some. 

October we went to a wedding in Indiana and then mostly stayed home just going about everyday stuff. 

November picked back up again. The beginning of the month we took another trip to Missouri for a Women's conference. It's was awesome. The conference was put on by Jennifer Rothchild. Then the 13th I got to go to church with my sisters and hung out with them. We went to a Rend Collective, Zach Williams, Urban Rescue concert. I got to spend the night with them and hung out that Monday. It was just what I needed. There's something about spending time with people that think and believe the same as you and that encourages you to be real and yourself. Then we had thanksgiving at my aunts house which was nice. Hanging out with family just eating and playing games. Big news was I joined the writers of Daughters of the Deep. Be sure to check out that community blog. There I write for them once a month. 

December started off with working the huge Christmas Gift Craft show. I have helped work a booth there for three years now. It's always nice seeing returning customers as well as vendors. The rest of the month I was working my butt off knitting Christmas gifts. December was a busy month here for my blog as well. You've probably noticed that I posted everyday up until Christmas. This year for Christmas I was sick with the flu. I've recovered from that now except I have a cold now. 

That my friends is a short year in review. I have big plans for the blog next year. Be sure to check back New Years Day for my post about what all is in store for the blog next year. Also make sure you follow us on Instagram and like us on Facebook to keep up with all the latest news. 

Until next year! May God Bless you today and always. 

Blessings and Shalom,

Grace Mae <3 <3 <3 

Christmas Eve - Emmanuel (Hallowed Manger Ground)

Hi Everyone! 

Can you believe that it's Christmas Eve? Where did the year go? 

This week you have noticed that I have been posting mostly songs the last few days. Again I am posting another song but just wanted to take some time and actually write. 

One thing I have come to realize as I get older is that Christmas isn't about the gifts, the tree, and the lights. Christmas is about celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ. Without Him we would all be lost. I saw something on facebook that said "one unplanned pregnancy saved the world." I thought that was so profound. I am a huge Pro-life supporter and without getting too much into my views on abortion and what not I will say I never thought of the birth of Jesus like this before. Mary didn't plan to have a baby yet she did. Her pregnancy was unplanned but her baby saved the world. Think about it this Christmas. I pray you all had a wonderful Christmas Eve. I will leave you with this song and be sure to check back tomorrow night for my Christmas post. 

Merry Christmas! 

Guest Writer on Daughters of the Deep - Mary's Perspective

Hey Everyone!

Some of you know that I have recently joined the Daughters of the Deep Community as a writer.

Go check out my article that I wrote about Mary for Christmas. 

Hope you enjoy reading it and that it touches someone's life today. 

Mary's Perspective

Be Born in Me

I am sharing another song with you today. This one goes with the post that I am posting tomorrow. Let us prepare our hearts and remember the real meaning of Christmas. 

This song was written again by Francesca Battistelli. Enjoy!

You're Here

Today's post is another song I love. It's written from Mary's point of view. This song was written by Francesca Battistelli one of my favorite singers. Hope you enjoy. 

Book Review: The Polar Express by Chris Van Allsburg

     The Polar Express by Chris Van Allsburg is an illustrated short story about a boy who goes on an adventure to the North Pole. He is picked up in the middle of the night by The Polar Express after he is told by a friend that Santa, elves and flying reindeer are make believe.
     When the train reaches the North Pole, he is chosen to receive the first gift from Santa, which he chooses to be a bell from the reindeer's sleigh. When he puts it into his bathrobe pocket and gets back on the train, he finds it has fallen through a hole the pocket and heartbrokenly travels home bereft of his special bell. When e wakes the next morning, his sister finds the bell in a silver box among the gifts under the tree. The story ends with a happy family unwrapping their gifts from Santa on Christmas morning.

     Though Santa Claus is not the reason for this Christmas season, this is a book that I grew up reading every year in school followed by the movie. We got to take the day off of schoolwork, have a Christmas party, and spend the day in our pajamas and slippers. It is a good story to read to your children for a fun, before bed wind down.

Scripture Quote: Isaiah 7:14

 

Movie Trailer: It's a Wonderful Life

This is a trailer for one of my favorite movies. Hope you enjoy and go watch the whole movie! 

Recipe: Chocolate Covered Better Jets

Here is a recipe that I enjoy making every single year. It is sure to be the hit of the party :D 

Powder Sugar

1/2 butter softened

1 tablespoon of milk 

1 teaspoon vanilla

Peanut Butter to Taste

Mix Everything until it forms a dough. 

Roll into balls and freeze until hard. 

Dip balls in choc. until covered and freeze until hard. 

Enjoy!

Noel

Lauren Daigle singing Noel! Hope you enjoy this song today. Let's continue to prepare our hearts for Christmas.

Scripture Quotes: Matthew 2:10

 

5 Favorite Christmas Movies

Christmas movies have been a tradition in my family ever since I could remember. I thought that I would share 5 of my favorite movies with you.

1. It's a Wonderful Life 

2. Miracle on 34th Street

3. The Bishops Wife

4. Christmas in Connecticut 

5. Christmas Eve 

I hope you all will check out these movies. What's your favorite Christmas movie? Let me know in the comments below. 

Craft Idea: 3D Paper Snowflake Ornaments

Here is a fun craft idea! I love snowflakes and so when I found this video on making paper 3D snowflake ornaments I just had to share it with you all. If you try and make some be sure to share a picture with me either on my facebook page or instagram. Happy Crafting! 

Guest Post- The Gift of Nearness by Tabitha Deller

As a mom of four boys (ranging in age from 9 to 15), there are certain things from their baby days that have never faded from my mind and have etched an indelible memory that I will forever hold dear in my heart. One such memory can be traced back to their quiet, dimly lit, Noah’s ark themed nursery. When they were just infants and toddlers sleeping in a crib, knowing I was near was all the comfort they needed. I didn’t have to be in the crib with them (although if I could have pulled that off, they probably would not have objected), just being beside them normally calmed the anxiety they felt and relaxed them for a more peaceful rest. They wanted me near.

 

Near — where they could lift their weary head and peek through the rungs of their crib to see me there sitting in the rocking chair beside them.

 

Near — where they could hear my voice as I prayed over them, read for them, or sung a quiet song to them.

 

Near — where they could reach their tiny hand out through the wooden slats as an invitation to hold it and provide yet another layer of security to their little hearts. They could literally feel me close by.

 

I also watched this attribute of God illustrated on occasion at the park or when they were learning to walk. Whether they were coming down the slide or taking wobbly, unsure steps in my direction, the one thing that gave them confidence and comfort to move forward was my nearness. Knowing I was near, there to wrap them up in my open arms at the bottom of the slide or at the end of their brief and unsteady jaunt, was all they needed. 

 

Nearness is a precious gift we give those we love, and it has the power to change a heart.

 

When a friend is sad, lonely, or grieving, nearness is a gift we can give them that speaks far more than the words we say in our feeble attempt to comfort them. Nearness is the gift we can give that elderly neighbor or grandparent that lacks the ability to draw near to others because of physical limitations. Nearness invades the empty space of loneliness and fills it with joy. Furrowed brows and melancholy stares are transformed into grateful smiles and softened eyes. This outer expression of the inner joy that moved into that troubled heart reminds us of the power that simply being near can hold. The gift of nearness is a gift that keeps on giving as it produces not only joy, but hope, security, and love. When we receive those things, we live those things, and then we are able to give those things to others.

 

Nearness is a precious gift our Heavenly Father gives us, and it has the power to change our lives.

 

He loves us so much that He chose to leave His majestic, holy, perfect throne in Heaven and draw near to us by becoming one of us. He gave us the gift of nearness in the form of a baby, Jesus, His only son. That gift moved into the lonely space sin had created by separating us from Him. We don't deserve His nearness, but He graciously draws near to us every day…as we draw near to Him. I jokingly commented earlier about how my boys would not have objected to my crawling into their crib with them to physically lie down beside them. That silly scenario provides and perfect picture for what God did for us. He is not only near, He is also with us. Wow. He is Emmanuel, God with us. His nearness not only calms us, it redeems, restores, and reconciles us. He drew near to save us. He longs to be with us, and He is waiting to see how we will respond. 

 

James 4:8a says, “Come near to God and He will come near to you.”

 

We have a part to play in receiving this gift of nearness.

 

Psalm 145:118a says, “The Lord is near to all who call on Him…”

 

We must want it. Desire it. Call on Him. Pray. Seek.

 

When my boys were lying in that crib, perhaps afraid of the dark, lonely, or not wanting to rest, they longed for my presence in that nursery with them. We may have had a terrible day full of tantrums and turmoil, and I may have been physically exhausted myself, but this momma’s heart also longed to be with them, to comfort them, to give them the gift of my nearness. I wanted to be there when those weary eyes opened to catch a glimpse and see that I was still there. I wanted them to hear my voice singing and praying over them. I wanted to hold their tiny hand when they reached out for mine.

 

Perhaps you may be going through a difficult and lonely time, or a time of stress that is hindering your ability to rest. Your Father’s heart longs to give you the gift of His nearness. He hears your cry for help and sees your attempt to draw near to Him.

 

Psalm 16:8 says, “I know the Lord is always with me. I will not be shaken, for He is right beside me.” 

 

He is right there. He is near. He will always be there to remind you of the power of His Presence. When you peek through the problems, listen for His still, small voice, or reach out to Him, you will see, hear, and feel His Presence.

 

He wants you to see Him, in all of His glory and in the amazing things He is doing in, through, and all around you.

 

He wants you to hear Him — hear His Voice and His Word above the lies of the enemy and the loud voices of the world that attempt to drown out His Words of Life.

 

He wants you to feel Him — experience His peace producing presence that causes the weight of the world to fall off as you rest in Him.

 

So, declare that you are going to receive His gift of nearness this Christmas and throughout the year. Draw near to Him. Call on Him in prayer, and then watch and be amazed…He will draw near to you and answer that prayer in ways you never imagined.

Scripture Quote: Galatians 4:4

 

This Christmas

Another song for you to enjoy this Christmas Season. This song is upbeat and I love that! My favorite line in this song is "this Christmas, give me more of Christ." Yes I want to remember that Christmas is about Jesus and what a wonderful gift He was. 

God With Us - Day 9

Just my thoughts from day 9. I love this verse so much. 

“And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.”

‭‭John‬ ‭1:14

When I read this I get to see the beautiful picture of God's character. What stick out to me was the words hesed and emeth. We see the steadfast love of God as well as the integrity of who He is. God came down in human form to dwell with us and gave us grace and faithfulness we can't comprehend. All things were made through him and without him nothing was made. I want to be close to God. I want Him to be the center of my life because it's all about Him and not about me.

Blessings and Shalom,

Grace Mae <3 <3 <3 

‬

Recipe: Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Bars

Today I wanted to share one of my favorite recipes with you. These bars are sooooo amazing! I always eat way too many of them. 

These also work great for Gluten Free. I used White Rice Flour. Also if you want them dairy free use Blue Bonnet Light as the butter and dairy free choc. chips. If you try these be sure to let me know. You can never have too many of these. The recipe doubles great if you have a large family. If you don't like too sweet of bars cut down on the sugar. They are just as good :) 

Oatmeal Choc. Chip Bars Recipe: 

1 1/2 c. brown sugar

1 c. butter

2 tbsp. molasses

2 tsp. vanilla

2 eggs

3 c. quick-rolled oats

1 c. flour

1 tsp. baking soda

1 tsp. salt

2 c. chocolate chips

1 c. of whatever type of nuts you want. :-)  

Bake at: 350 on bottom rack for about 30 min.

Enjoy! Make sure you let them cool completely before cutting them or else they will fall apart. 

Scripture Quote: Matthew 1:21

 

Guest Post - Christmas Party Tip: Stick to “Contact Conversation by Kim Erickson

Once when I was a teenager and had a friend visiting, my Mom stepped into the doorway of my room and said, “oh, I thought Lindsay was here. I heard you girls talking about her, so I assumed she must have joined you. Otherwise, you were just gossiping, which isn’t nice. So, unless you can say it to her, you don’t need to say it about her.” Of course, I was embarrassed. But, I learned a valuable lesson from my Mom. 

“Older women likewise are meant to be reverent in their behavior, not malicious gossips . . . so that the word of God will not be dishonored.” ~ Titus 2:3-5

Nothing is more harmful to relationships between women than gossip. 

Picture a Christmas party. Lots of women, lots of smiling and chatting. Now consider that there may be many pre-believers or new believers in the room. Christmas is a time when our faith is front and center. There are parties and gatherings of all kinds of people. Christmas is one time of year when the door to sharing our faith is wide open. 

Now, back to that party ~ remember that every woman has a suitcase full of hurts she carries around with her. The last thing she needs from someone who says they believe in Jesus is the old, familiar gossip. She may think, “what’s the point ~ Christians are just like everyone else.” If conversations among Christian women sound like gossip, a pre-believer’s skepticism might push out that small, still voice calling her to Christ. A new believer’s trust in a new life with Christ may waver.

Just eight years ago, I was that woman. As I reflected on my time as a new believer, I realized something powerful: I could not recall a single time when I heard my pastor’s wife talk about another person. I really pushed my mind to rewind the memories because I thought surely I could find a moment where gossip sneaked into our conversation . . . nope. Never.  

Her refusal to engage in gossip must be one of the reasons why I connected with her so easily. She began by inviting me to join her for coffee. I felt safe with her. I felt listened to. I felt like she was opening up to me, too. Because our conversations circled around only those present, the conversations were deep and rich. 

If you want to try something new this holiday season, try “contact conversation.” Contact conversation means you cannot say something about another person unless you can literally reach out and touch them. If you are at a Christmas party and something comes to mind about another person and you are about to speak it, picture your hand reaching out and making physical contact with that person. Can’t reach her? Can’t make contact with her? Then don’t say it. Ask the Lord to close your mouth. 

Practice “contact conversations” during this holiday party season and watch your relationships thrive. 

Merry Christmas, ~Kim Erickson~ www.LoveMyWord.com 

 

Adore

Adore is another song that I love listening to during the Christmas season. Chris Tomlin is one of my all time favorite singers that writes amazing and powerful worship songs. Enjoy this song today. 

Guest Post: Christmas Memories by Lisa Alioth

My earliest memories of Christmas celebrations took place on Long Island, the place of my birth and where I grew up from the late 60’s through the early 90’s.  And I’m going to say it just as generations before me have said it. It really was a simpler time than it is today. It was a time where kids heard the word “no” more than “yes.” At least that’s how it was for us. From a very early age, my siblings and I were of the mindset that money did not “grow on trees,” because that was something we heard expressed from my mother on a weekly basis. Money was tight in our home. We did not get everything we wanted, and yet, I don’t remember ever feeling that we went without. However, at Christmas time, it was different. I don’t how my parents did it. My parents raised 7 kids on a teacher’s salary and still somehow managed to make Christmas the most magical time of year for us. 

 

Every year it was the same. We would wait for the Christmas catalogues to arrive, circle the items we wanted most, make our lists and write our letters to Santa. Rigging up the lights, decorating the house, putting up the tree, hanging the stockings…yep, all of that took place weeks before Christmas. Baking pies and cookies you only made that one time of year, buying and wrapping gifts for loved ones and friends, singing in holiday concerts at school, (yes, they called it that back then) attending Christmas Eve service, spending time with family . . . all continue to be beautiful memories for me.  

 

I remember how my sisters and brothers and I would sneak down the stairsat ungodly hours to catch a glimpse of what Santa left us.  We were never disappointed at the sight.

 

Colorful lights twinkled on the tree in the darkened living room, and the gifts I knew my mother sacrificed much for were expertly arranged under and around the tree. My dad would take out his movie camera, and then the fun would begin. It really was a magical sight for a kid with a big imagination.  I don’t know what it is about Christmas trees. I love their simple beauty. My sister Debbie caught me just standing there in the dark looking at our tree one Christmas Day. She put her arm around me and started to sing “Oh, Christmas Tree.” I think she was making fun of me, but it made me laugh.  To this day, it has become our tradition to stand in front of the Christmas tree with arms linked together and sway to that tune.

 

Christmastime has always been my favorite time of year.  I love it.  I love everything about it. I confess proudly that I don’t mind hearing Christmas music being played on the radio before Thanksgiving is over or that the malls are decorated with lights and Christmas trees at the end of October. Don’t get me started on Black Friday deals. I enjoy picking out gifts that will bring smiles on faces receiving them. It’s not surprising that in our home, during this time of year, the Hallmark channel is the only channel that works on our TV. And crazy enough, I even love it when I feel slightly stressed that I won’t get everything done in time before the big day arrives, because I know it is going to be ok. The baking and decorating, the shopping and wrapping and giving and serving; somehow it all gets done. Christmas is coming! Christmas is coming! I feel just as excited about it now as I did when I was a kid. 

 

And of course, I know that Christmas is so much more than any of these other things that bring me joy for the season.  In the midst of the chaos, preparations, and traditions I can’t bring myself to lose sight of the fact that it’s the time of year when everyone just seems a little kinder, a little more generous, a little more loving.  It’s in the atmosphere…this peace on earth and good will toward man.  I can’t lose sight of the fact that this beautiful feeling I have during this time of year is special because of the whole reason Christmas came to be. Yet, it’s more than a feeling for me. It’s a truth that I hang onto not just on Christmas Day. It’s a truth that touches my heart and never fails to bring tears to my eyes every time I hear it or read it from the book of Luke.

 

It’s THE story! It’s the story of God’s plan. It’s the story of a baby in a manger, born of a virgin…a gift of Hope from a loving God to all mankind. A gift of hope! Now that is something to celebrate! On Christmas, I celebrate THIS…the birth of God’s son, Jesus. I cannot forget this, because I desperately need the hope that knowing Jesus brings me… not just at Christmas, but all year round.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

Scripture Quote: Ephesians 1:17

 

God with Us - Day 1

This is part of my Advent study I am doing this year. I posted a little about it over on Instagram and Facebook. I don't plan to share everyday but I will share when something sticks out to me. I wanted to post it here as well in case some of you don't follow by other social media. Monday was the first day of advent for me. Here are my thoughts. 

“I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring; he shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise his heel."” Genesis‬ ‭3:15‬ ‭

This scripture got me thinking that it was the first time God uttered the promise of the Savior. It reminds me that is and Satan are enemies. It talks about how the first sin of Eve affected us. God said that between her and Satan and her offspring and Satan there would be hate. Jesus was a descendant and offspring of her. So when Jesus died on the cross for us the devil made him suffer great injury and pain. To me that sounds like the devil hurt His foot. Jesus however wins in the end and won the fight against Satan. In other words He hurt the devil's head. God had a plan from the beginning that Jesus would come into the world. I am so grateful that God's love met us even in our sin and that His compassion didn't let the story end there. His redemption covers all!!! As we start preparing for the Christmas season lets not loose sight of the main focus which is Jesus. He is the light of the World! 

Check back in with the blog as I may share more on the Advent study I am doing. 

Blessings and Shalom, 

Grace Mae <3 <3 <3 

Come on Christmas

Come on Christmas! I thought this was appropiate for the first day of December. 

Hope you enjoy this song as much as I do and that it will get you in the spirit of the season.