Merry Christmas!

I'm not sure how much I am going to be blogging in the next week or so - I kind of have some things to do! So I am going to use this post to wish all who read my blog a very Merry Christmas! When I started blogging last year, it was a creative outlet for me. And a chance to journal what happens in my life for my kids someday. I had no idea that I would meet and learn to love so many special people around the world. It has truly been amazing. God has used many of you to speak truth to my heart, calm my spirit, and give me hope and joy. And I thank you. I want you to know that you are prayed over and loved in return. It's a strange relationship we have to be sure - but it is a relationship - and I treasure it.

I also wanted to share with you something I do in the busyness of this season to keep me focused and centered on the birth of our Lord and Savior. I have done this since I was 16 years old. I can't remember missing a year. It is so very easy for me to get caught up in the "doing" of the season and run out of precious time to reflect on the true gift of Jesus. Sometimes I think it is a disease I have - trying to do and be everything. I think you all know what I am talking about - you all probably have the same "disease". But every year I carve out some time to read this book:It is Two From Gallilee by Marjorie Holmes. and it is the most amazing "fictionalized" account of the birth of Jesus. And it takes you into the hearts and minds of Mary and Joseph and how it was for them in their day. You can almost feel yourself in the story and when I finish it, it is almost like I have woke up from a dream. It is that real. And when the end of the book comes and Jesus is born - you feel like you have endured the labor pains with Mary and the desperation of Joseph as he tries his best to provide for his wife and child. And tears flow. And hearts fill up with thankfulness to our God for caring about us so much that He was willing to do what He did for the sake of us all. It really happened - it really truly happened. My heart can barely contain it.

I do need to get a new copy of this book. I call it my "take-apart" edition. I literally take each page out of the book as I read it!It's that good! Or I'm that old! But if you have the opportunity to read this book - I hope you do. And you can know that I will be reading it in the next couple of days - to get my heart back in the right place.

Merry Christmas dear friends! I pray this time of the year will "restore to you the joy of HIS salvation"!