Christmastime is here!

Every year, a few days after Thanksgiving, we take out our four huge boxes of Christmas decorations. We start by putting up the garlands on the doorways and stairways...of course, we can never remember how it was last year, so every year it is different! But that's okay...it's still exciting to see the result.

One annoyance, however, every year at least one strand of twinkle lights are burnt out. That means another trip to the store for replacements. (and it's never a fuse or a burnt bulb to be replaced...oh no! But if it ever turns out that it is, we have a drawer full of them!)

So, the garlands go up, then we get out the rest of the Christmas props...our stockings, the various tins from last year, the train and town; but most importantly our creche. So much to display!

In all the decor we have collected over the years, the most important part of our display is not the sparkle or glitter...it's the Christ-child that is in our hearts. I hope that the people in our lives see more than just a pretty house...I hope they see that what we celebrate, what we believe, what we know, is that Jesus is the reason for the season!

Silly Thankfuls

I am thankful for:

~electricity, *which makes possible at least four of my thankfuls.

~4-5 hours of sleep in a row

~the hair products (yes, I use more than one!) that control my curls

~my height

~seltzer water (of which I am most definitely addicted!)

~*corn bags for my aching body and to warm my feet at night (I miss my Rudy!)

~dental floss (can't stand to have food stuck in my teeth!)

~*the remote control (boy, am I lazy! remember when we had to actually GET UP and change the channel or volume of the tv? Or adjust the antenna for a clearer picture!!)

~*my Bunn coffee maker...'nuff said!

~Target (which makes it possible to now avoid Wal*Mart if I so choose!)

~the Scrabble dictionary...yes, we check to make sure the word we are going to put down is actually a real word!

~*the option to post to the world my silly thankfuls and whatever else I choose to blather on about!! Thanks Blogger!

My second reason for Thankfulness....

Something that keeps coming to mind is how I have been so blessed with such wonderful women of God in my life. Women who are there for me when I need them; to pray with me and just listen. Women who love me for who I am. Women who encourage me when I am going through tough times. (and I have had some VERY tough times this year) They tell it to me like it is; without pulling punches...without putting away the info to use against me later...without judging me for my weaknesses. They are very available to me, yet give me the space, which we all need sometimes, to be my own person.
I would love to list your names, but you know who you are! Thank you.

Thankful Day 1

Hey, ya know what? I am so thankful that my husband is so generous. He gives me so much. One thing in particular: the gift of pets. Through the years we have had a household full of dogs, cats, birds, rabbits, guinea pigs and even a few outside ones! (chickens and goats) Wow.

And now, after recently going through the loss of my longtime friend and companion, Rudy...and then the fiasco with Riley....he has given me permission to try again!

Today. we brought home Bella. A special girl who has already won our hearts. As a matter of fact, it was love at first sight!

So, my first post of Thanks is to my husband for his willingness to open his home to this little girl.

I have been told that my home is welcoming. I have put a lot of effort into making it so. I want my friends and family to feel that when they come to my house, they can totally relax and feel completely welcomed. It is one of my greatest pleasures. When does it become prideful on my part to feel that way? When I stop giving God the credit for my many blessings and abilities to give what I do and create a restful haven.

I have also been told that my children are practically perfectly behaved. This is another area of my life that I have worked on diligently. I have given my children lessons in respect for one another and respect for me and their father. In return, I have received huge blessings in my children and our life together is a joy. Again, when does it become prideful on my part to feel that way? When I start to believe that any positive result is solely because of mine and Paul's experience as parents.

I have been convicted of this very thing recently. It's very hard to admit this; I am prideful of the beautiful life I live and wonderful family I have. There is a line that can be crossed when we claim credit for these blessings. The difference of giving glory to God for everything; to the side of claiming the credit for ourselves. It's easy to forget why we are where we are.

If not for God, I would be nothing!


Psalm 127

1-2 If God doesn't build the house, the builders only build shacks.
If God doesn't guard the city, the night watchman might as well nap.
It's useless to rise early and go to bed late, and work your worried fingers to the bone. Don't you know he enjoys giving rest to those he loves?
3-5 Don't you see that children are God's best gift? the fruit of the womb his generous legacy? Like a warrior's fistful of arrows are the children of a vigorous youth. Oh, how blessed are you parents, with your quivers full of children! Your enemies don't stand a chance against you; you'll sweep them right off your doorstep.

I pray that God is the center of our home, that I can put my prideful self aside and show the world that if it weren't for God's grace in my life, what I do would mean nothing.

To blog or not to blog? I have been asking myself this question quite frequently as of late. First of all, what to blog about? Should I be using this blog as an update of my daily life? Should I be blogging up on a soapbox? Posting movies and pictures for pure enjoyment? Telling of my growth in the Lord?

I have done all of these things and more. Some of which has gotten me into big trouble. Boy, have I gotten myself into trouble!!! Some posts have made my readers laugh and remember the past, etc. Mostly it has been a good experience.

But, now what? I sometimes sit down at the keyboard and type for 45 minutes, only to delete the whole thing, in fear that it will offend or be taken the wrong way. Should I worry about how it's received? or should I just blog away with abandon? Throw caution to the wind and just tell it like I see it?

I do want my God to be behind all that comes out of my heart and is typed on this keyboard. If He isn't, then even the most innocent of posts can become detrimental. I have seen it happen more than once. So, I am praying that God gives me inspiration as to what is next.

Now, I may post some pretty silly things (eg. Spoof Trek, Smash-up car, etc..) in the future, but that's just who I am. I don't think God wants me to completely let that go...

So, on to a new chapter in the blogging world of Susan. I hope you will continue with me on my journey...I love having you along!

One Way

One way, one way to Heaven, hold up high your hand,

Follow, free and forgiven, Children of the Lamb

Two roads diverged in the middle of my life,

I heard a wise man say,

And I took the one less traveled on,

And that's made the difference, every night and every day.

So I say, one way, one way to Heaven

Hold your head up high,

Follow, free and forgiven, children of the sky.


~Larry Norman

SMASH-UP CAR

Let it all go...

What would life be like if everyday we woke up and made the decision not to worry about anything, but to pray about everything. And then really trusted God to handle it all? Wow.

He wants that for us. He can handle it for us. We can just let go. Why not? No matter what happens, no matter how grim and uncertain things look, He can handle it!

Okay, for this moment, I am letting go. (can't guarantee the next moment, but for now I am giving up my control!) May God be in all of my future moments of decision. He's already there waiting for me!

Happy November Tuesday.

Disillusionment or Clearing Cobwebs?

Ever have one of those days? Or months? Or years? You know what I mean. Everything you counted on, were accustomed to or thought would pan out a certain way, turned out completely different?

So much change. Of course I question why. I scream it: "WHY?!"

Even though some of the time I don't want to admit it, I do know why. God is working on me. He isn't going to let me go. Some of the process is confusing, hurtful, and I sometimes feel like I am being punished.

But I know something in my heart. In my desperately, ripped apart heart. I know He loves me. I know He wants the best for His daughter. He won't let me settle for any less.


Just a little while ago
I couldn't feel the power or the hope
I couldn't cope, I couldn't feel a thing
Just a little while back
I was desperate, broken, laid out, hoping
You would come

And I need you
And I want you here
And I feel you

And I know you're here
And you're picking up the pieces
Forever faithful
It seemed out of my hands, a bad, bad situation
But you are able

And in your hands the pain and hurt
Look less like scars
And more like
Character
~Sara Groves

p.s. Please know that I am not talking about any one situation, person or thing in this post...just an accumulation of my recent pain and growth throughout. We all need to go to God to show us what He is trying to teach each of us in our own situations. Only He knows our hearts. I am desperately seeking to being taught by my God.

No, seriously!

I seem to attract all kinds of animals...

Check out the top of my apron...

I know, it's so pathetic!

Just thought you'd enjoy seeing what I did with the leftover chicken meat: