Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas Everyone!

I know it's been a little while since I last posted but life has been crazy as we traveled for the holidays. I wanted to take some time and post a little about my Christmas season.

One thing that I love about this time of the year is that we get to celebrate the birth of Jesus. It was the greatest gift of all. When I think about how a baby boy was born into this world to save me I am so amazed.

I pray you all had a wonderful Christmas filled with love, family, friends and joy. I know I did.

Christmas Eve we went to a candlelight service. We got to see my sweet sisters and it was really amazing. I'm so glad we got to celebrate Jesus' birthday with such amazing people. I love my family and friends.

Blessings and Shalom,
Grace Mae

My Sweet Sisters <3 Christmas Eve Candlelight Service 2015

My Family Christmas Eve 2015 at Candlelight Christmas Eve Service

 

 

 

 

 

Guest Post: Elyse Lauryn

Hi Everyone! Today I would like to share with you a guest post by a sweet friend of mine. She also blogs so you can go check her blog out if you'd like. www.elyselauryn.blogspot.com

Hope you enjoy! Blessings, Grace Mae 

Christmas is such a special time of year to me!  Most importantly, it is special because it is a time to reflect on Christ's birth.  Jesus is the best gift of all!  The Christmas traditions that our family has made over the years are also special to me, and yummy, easy recipes like this one really help to make the season bright!  :)

Prep time: 5 min

Cook time: 15 min

Makes 6 servings

Ingredients:

3 ounces unsweetened baking chocolate

1 1/2 cups water

1/3 cup sugar

Dash of salt (I use about an 1/8 of a tsp.)

4 1/2 cups milk

Directions:

1. Heat the chocolate and water in a large saucepan over medium heat and stir constantly until the chocolate is melted and the mixture is smooth.  

2. Stir in the sugar and the salt and heat to boiling.  Reduce heat.  Simmer uncovered for four minutes, continue to stir constantly.  Stir in milk, and heat just until hot (do not boil because skin will form on top).

3. Stir until smooth.  Serve immediately.  Optional:  Serve with whipped topping or marshmallows.

Enjoy! 

"For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace."

--Isaiah 9:6

Merry Christmas!

Love,

Elyse

Meditation Mondays - A Godly Life~

So I know this is late but I still wanted to share with you all. Today I am copying and pasting from my devotional app. I couldn't have said It any better. Hope you don't mind that this weeks post isn't my own written piece. I was working all week and didn't have time to prepare. 

Hope you all enjoy and I will see you all again on Wednesday. 

Everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution. (NLT) ( 2 Timothy 3:12 ) 

As hard as it may be, this truth is something we will encounter in our lives. We will suffer persecution because we believe in justice and standing up for our belief in Jesus.  This means we will be criticized for our faith.  What can we do to strengthen our faith now so that later when we encounter persecution we are ready? Staying connected in the Bible daily and constantly talking to God.

Worship Wednesdays - Fun by: Desperation Band

Isn't it wonderful that we can have fun because we are living in God's light. We have a reason to sing, dance and praise God for we are unstoppable. He is our everything. We are alive in His grace because we have seen the light and chose it. His love frees us! We are having fun!!! 

We've stepped from darkness to light
In Your grace we are alive
Your fire is burning inside
We've living in Your light
We've living in Your light

So we're dancing with every reason to dance now
We're singing with every reason to sing out
Your love unfailing, never fails to free us
And now we’ve only just begun

Jesus, you pull back the night
you have, opened our eyes
we rise up, and face every lie
we’re fearless in your sight

We’re having Fun
We’re having Fun

Meditation Mondays - Your Grace is Enough

So for the past three weeks our pastor has been talking about God's Grace. It's gotten me to think more about it and look at it in a different way. 

God's Grace is underserved and unearned! 

You are not free to sin; you are free not too sin. 

God is Gracious! God is Compassionate! God is Slow to Anger! God is Rich in Love! 

Isn't it wonderful that His Grace is enough for us? That we are covered in His love? We don't deserve it but God loved us so much He gave us grace. 

Grace comes from God! God is full of Grace! 

Remember that He is faithful in all He does! You are God's masterpiece! You are a child of the King! Remember you are never a mistake. 

If you want check out the song Your Grace is enough by Chris Tomlin. Its one of my favorite songs. 

Have a blessed day! 

Blessings and Shalom,

Grace Mae 

Worship Wednesdays - Forever (Give Thanks)

So as we all are preparing for Thanksgiving tomorrow, I thought it would be good to reflect on one of my favorite songs for Thanksgiving. Forever by Chris Tomlin. We has so much to be thankful for. God is so good and His love endures forever. He sent His Son to die for us because He loved us so much. Forever God is faithful, strong, and is always with us. What are you thankful for?

"Forever"

Give thanks to the Lord our God and King
His love endures forever
For He is good, He is above all things
His love endures forever
Sing praise, sing praise
With a mighty hand and outstretched arm
His love endures forever
For the life that's been reborn
His love endures forever
Sing praise, sing praise [2x]
Forever God is faithful
Forever God is strong
Forever God is with us
Forever
From the rising to the setting sun
His love endures forever
And by the grace of God we will carry on
His love endures forever
Sing praise, sing praise [2x]
[2x]
Forever God is faithful
Forever God is strong
Forever God is with us
Forever
Sing praise, sing praise [4x]
Forever God is faithful
Forever God is strong
Forever God is with us
Forever
Forever You are faithful
Forever You are strong
Forever You are with us
Forever

Meditation Modays - Let Us Be Thankful!

Welcome back to Meditation Mondays! This post is getting out later then I wanted but to share with you my thoughts on being thankful as we are preparing for Thanksgiving this week. 

Sunday I was working in with the 5 year olds/kindergartners at our church. We took them down to the other classroom to meet with the 4 year olds for songs and a mini lesson. Since it was the Sunday before Thanksgiving the lesson was on being thankful. When the teacher asked the kids what they were thankful for their answers just blew my mind. 

Usually you think at that age they would say toys, food, family, etc....but instead they said that they were thankful for Jesus, God, The Bible, their Church, prayer and family. 

I'm so glad that at such a young age our church is teaching them the truth and that they know how important these things are. 

So my question to you is what are you thankful for this year? 

I'm thankful for a number of things. First off, I'm thankful for God and my relationship with Jesus Christ because without Him I would be lost. Second, I am thankful for my family. My parents, Nanna, Aunts, Uncles, and Cousins, and people I choose to be my family. 

I'm thankful for Amber and Summer. They are Godly young women who always know how to encourage me and pray for me. They make me laugh, smile, and I can be completely real with them. I know if I have a problem I can always count on them. One thing for sure is that we all love God and continue to grow in our faith together. They have surpassed being my best friends. They are my unbiological sisters. They are my family and I couldn't live my life without them. I can't wait to see what is ahead of us and how God will use us to bring more people to know Him.

I'm thankful for my best friend Jordyn. She's a pretty awesome friend. She's the only one that understands my craziness for knitting and crocheting and anything that has to do with fiber.  I always enjoy our late night chats and that she makes me laugh. I'm thankful that she and I can totally be honest and say things even though sometimes it doesn't make sense. I love that she is my friend. I can't wait to see what other crazy projects lay ahead of us. Where life takes us? I thank God that we are friends and I don't know what I would do without her. 

Remember Give Thanks to the Lord for He is good and His mercy endures forever.