Here is our Christmas Card for 2014.
I was able to get this snapped at thanksgiving. Poor Arwen, it was torture to get her in the picture, but it sure made the kiddos happy! :) I love my family!!
This week's Fashion Over 40... I'm not thrilled with...
Eh... not one of my better outfits. I found this skirt at a thrift store, which I've never worn.. It had a slip liner that needed to be fixed. So, I finally fixed it { I've only had it a couple of years...} and thought I'd try it out. I wanted something a bit Christmasy. I remembered this old red sweater and threw it all together. The skirt fits well, I think it would look better with a different ensemble. The sweater is too big... See all the side ripples? Yeah, well it doesn't help that I'm so short-waisted.
I think next year I'm going to attempt to tailor a lot of my clothes. I am pretty handy with a sewing machine, although I might be a bit rusty. I'll let you know how it goes....
~ ~ Believe! ~ ~
This is the season for believing. Some believe in Santa, some Christ, some in nothing. I personally believe in Christ, but He believed in me first.
Now, this might sound confusing, but think about it. Do you believe that Christ believes in you and do you believe in yourself? Sometimes we believe in others more than we believe in ourselves.
Our pastor was sharing about this and how God believed in Mary. She didn't see how she could be the one to carry the Son of God. But God said she was blessed among women. She didn't believe in herself, but she believed in God and that He could do whatever He said. The angel also said that, The Lord was with her.
God sees in us what we don't see. He sees what great things He can do in us and through us, even what may seem impossible!
Christ’s Birth Announced to Mary
Luke 1:26-38 (NKJV)
26 Now in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, 27 to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. 28 And having come in, the angel said to her, “Rejoice, highly favored one, the Lord is with you; blessed are you among women!”
29 But when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and considered what manner of greeting this was. 30 Then the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. 31 And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and shall call His name Jesus. 32 He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David. 33 And He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end.”
34 Then Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I do not know a man?”
35 And the angel answered and said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Highest will overshadow you; therefore, also, that Holy One who is to be born will be called the Son of God. 36 Now indeed, Elizabeth your relative has also conceived a son in her old age; and this is now the sixth month for her who was called barren. 37 For with God nothing will be impossible.”
38 Then Mary said, “Behold the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her.
Mary trusted The Lord; having that trust gave her the ability to have faith. By having that faith, she trusted that God knew what He was doing even if it seemed impossible to her.
There are so many examples in the Bible of where God believed in people more than they believed in themselves. Gideon didn't see himself as a mighty warrior (Judges 6 ), Peter denied Christ, how could he become the Rock Jesus said he would be (Matthew 16:18), Moses, he murdered a man, how could he lead the Israelites out of Egypt (Exodus 2, 3) the list can go on...
If we are followers in Christ, we must believe that He always has our absolute best in mind. Even if we don't understand and it makes no sense whatsoever, we must have faith and trust in Him. When He says, "He will never leave us" He means it!
Since Christ believes in us, we have got to believe in ourselves! We just need to do our best to live for Him, follow Him, trust Him, and obey Him. He loves us so much!
Romans 8:31b (NKJV)
If God is for us, who can ever be against us?
Merry Christmas!
Be Blessed,
