This morning in my devotion time I read in God's Word a passage that really made me think. Matthew 11:28 says "Come to me, all who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.-NIV. I thought this was good timing to hear that because really for Christmas I wanted peace. Peace is something that is brought up all the time during the Christmas season. Yet, lots of people do not experience peace at all.

Whether you stole a candy bar when you were little, cheated on a test, lied to your boss,didn't pay bills on time causing bad credit, etc., it can ruin the feeling of peace. Some are haunted by the guilt of sin and weighed down by its consequences. I thought about it this morning because I met someone that has lost hope. Sometimes we are the ones to experience this loss of peace because someone else wronged us. I can go to the Father on my knees for wrong doings (sin) that I have committed. That's not an easy refuge for someone who doesn't understand why life has turned out so bad because of someone else. I don't really have an answer for that. No one does. But God calls us to him regardless. He is our ONLY hope. He gave us life and He is the only one to give us hope. Every time we fall into the pit of despair we need to reach for him even if we have never reached for him before. Solutions that seem to throw down a rope for us will only make it worse. We will try to climb out only to find that the rope was not tied down and will let us go. Therefore we fall deeper.

I watched as the rest of the world did when the miners were rescued. One by one they each got into the harness, securely strapped in, and pulled to safety. I imagine that God gives that to each of us. Sometimes He does that several times. There is no reason that only happens once. We don't sin just once. We sin over and over. When we call on His name he rescues us over and over. That is forgiveness. We are ultimately forgiven once and for all. Faith is what keeps us close to him. Aaron told me once, if you worry that you don't have enough faith, just that thought alone says you do. You wouldn't worry about it if you didn't care.

I encourage you if you are one feeling hopeless, to read Psalm 88. It is a picture of what despair looks and feels like. This is not a new feeling. People felt this way in biblical times too. I could type it out but not only would that make this post long:/ I want you to seek out His word on your own. Sometimes opening the Bible when you are falling apart is the beginning of healing. Then read Psalm 46. God is always there to help and rescue us. Let him.

I did get peace for Christmas. The reminder that Peace comes from my Father. He sent that peace in the form of a baby. Jesus our Lord was born and died on the cross to give us ultimate peace. I may have earthly peace every now and then but eternal peace comes from Him. My faith, also given to me by Him, in Him is my peace.

Christmas Part 4...!

Why so many Christmas visits? Well, growing up I constantly moved and my parents are divorced so I grew up with traveling for Christmas. That was just the way it was. Up until a few years ago we crammed it in within a day and a half. We finally came to our senses and insisted that we start at home and then spread out our visits over several days. What a blessing! We were able to spend time with each our families and that I will always cherish!

So, we went to my Dad's house to celebrate in the holidays. They showered us with all kinds of things. The kids just know the are spoiled rotten there:) They raise birds and the kids were super excited to play with each of them. Katie and Georgia immediately took off on their own for a make-over session. JD and Austen hit it off and played for hours. Derek and Alex have always been close and hung out all day. Aaron and I spent the day visiting with my Dad and Sheila. We talked for hours. A great dinner stuffed our bellies as usual!

Thanks for your hospitality Dad and Sheila! They truly go out of their way to make sure we are well cared for:)!

Love ya!

Christmas Part 3....

Seriously every Christmas celebration is unique and has a different location. As soon as we wrapped up at my mom's house we headed out to Grandma and Grandpa's house. We all caravanned over to there house. The gift exchange must happen there. They have the same tree every year decorated with pictures of every generation of children. Wayne and Brittney hand out the gifts, Brittany takes the orders for drinks to fill in cups that are labeled and saved every year for every get together. Cathy brings the pies. Ice cream is dished out. Vanilla and chocolate syrup is the favorite.

Bonus this time was a special relative visit- Crystal!!!! It was great to see her and to learn that she got in to a Phd. program and will be in England for her studies! We are so proud of her!!

Melissa announced her pregnancy. So we will be expecting to beautiful babies in the next year! Claudia is due in May and Melissa will be due sometime in August. We are eagerly waiting for her doctor appointment on January 4th!

Gifts were blessings as always. Jeremy and Adam were dead on with JD. Georgia was quite entertained with the art activities that she of course wanted to open immediately. Aaron and I got a really cool camping grill from Ryan. Camping is a big deal for us and it will be quite handy. Thanks guys.

After a full day, we packed up and headed home. We were all ready for bed. We still had more Christmas festivities planned for the next day:)

Love you guys!

Christmas Day Part 2

This year my mom finally had the kitchen she always wanted. For so many years she has desired and insisted to host the Christmas dinner. She loves the family to come over. This was truly a special sight to see. She was ready with plans of how each setting would be in place. We decided to hang out and do our Christmas exchange with she and Chuck in the morning. We arrived around 11:30ish. Immediately gifts were being exchanged. We all were showered with blessings. She faithfully made each of us new pj pants, gave us Fiesta Tx season passes. What a blessing. I learned alot about the things Chuck likes. He got a puzzle and a plaque of the 10 Commandments. Mom received a Scentsy candle warmer. That was put to use right away! Stockings were filled and emptied.

Soon as she began to get the turkey going. Derek and I got out Yatzee and the kids opened up their new toys to play with. I totally blew Derek away in Yatzee.

Soon it was time to do the challenge of the season! Gingerbread house decorating contest. Our family verses Melissa and Ian. Mom and Chuck were the judges. We both had different brands so our challenges were different. We had plenty of creativity but too much structural challenges. Melissa's was pre-made so all she had to decorate it. She totally owned us. But oh well, next year we will be back bigger and better! We agreed to clarify the rules as well as judging criteria. It is truly so much fun and a great way for the families to work together. Enjoy the pictures. Our goal was a tropical vacation for Santa. Hansel and Gretal were chillin in a pool and lawn chairs with Santa, however our gingerbread house was melting and falling apart. Melissa's house was neatly groomed with lots of curbside appeal and loaded with candy.

Dinner went wonderful. The food and fellowship was fun as always. Mom had a very well organized buffet ready to serve. Dishes were quickly done and left overs put away. We were all ready for the Part 3 of Christmas Day:)