a mixture of emotion

My daughter officially grew up today.

She called bright and early this morning and announced she just got engaged!

That filled me with quite a mixture of emotions.

Thrilled for her of course! (Aaron is amazing!) but...

Sad her childhood went so quickly.

Excited that her engagement was so carefully planned out and special. One of a kind ring, and spectacular timing!

Thankful that her future husband loves her and the Lord so much!

Sad that holidays will have to be a choice between 2 families from now on. (I am selfish!)

But willing to share her because Aaron's family loves her so much too...

We are proud of our daughter, thankful she is so happy, and excited about the future. We will wait to see where God takes them as a couple and what amazing opportunities He gives them ! Today was a wonderful mixture of emotion, an ending to childhood and the beginning of an exciting future!

little time left

We all have little time left to get it just right.

Christmas that is.

Did we forget to buy for anyone?

Did we buy enough...too much?

Will they like it?

Will they take it back?

I wish I had more money I could spend on Christmas. I know, I know that's not what the celebration is about, but it is so much fun to surprise people!

So instead of more spending the effort goes into getting it just right and that of course includes much more than gifts.

God made it right by sending us His son. How amazing it will be this week to worship Him...we will rehearse tomorrow to get this important, life changing message ready for Christmas Eve. The thought of some hearing this message for the first time is my favorite part of Christmas and is what will motivate me to work very hard with so little time left...

a Christmas walk

Our son and his girlfriend Alyssa accompanied us this evening as we headed to one of my favorite places, Easton.

I love to walk outside at Easton Town Center when Christmas decorations are all up. It seems magical.

As I stood outside waiting for my family to come out of the stores it felt like I was the only still thing. Everyone rushed by. People bumped and hurried and sometimes spoke to one another...but mostly they hurried. I stood still and watched.

Tonight I took a Christmas walk...it was amazing!

is there truth

So do you believe there is such a thing as truth? Absolute truth?

Truth: a verified or indisputable fact

What can you think of that is an indisputable fact?

Everyone dies (unless the Lord returns!)

Everyone sins.

God. The world certainly disputes His existence, does your life?

Could it be that we live so much like the world around us that people do not believe God could possibly be true? Is that why it is nearly impossible in many cases to lead our own relatives or those closest to us to the Lord?

meet my team

I have the privilege to work with 4 of the most talented guys I know! Steve, Milo, Dan and Bryan make up our Magnification staff.




We had our Christmas dinner tonight and I gave them their gifts.





It's hard to believe we have just ended another year together! We are excited about 2010 and what God has in store for Crossroads!





Here is a picture of Steve sent by his wife just minutes after he arrived home!







I have a blast working and creating with these guys! Best job in the world!

what I learned today

I learned that although I released my kids to the Lord's will the day they were born, there were aspects that I had not released.

I have always tried to remain influential in my kids lives by being honest, living in a consistent Godly way before them and praying continuously. But today I had a wrestling match with God.

I had to be honest and admit that I was still holding one piece tightly in my hand. That was the piece of - protection from consequences. After quite a time of beseeching Him, sobbing and almost a physical collapse on the couch, I finally handed it completely to Him.

I will always be here for my kids, proud of them, rooting for them and praying for them. Even if I don't understand everything they choose to do. But, as they both graduate from college this year I realize I cannot fight their battles, I will not always know what God's will is for them - only they can know that, and I cannot protect them from the consequences of their decisions.

Why I wanted to hang on to this for so long is beyond me...if I try to control any of their decisions I could be the very influence that leads them down a path God does not want for them! I will walk beside my kids until the day I die, but, I will not try to control them. (silly to think I actually could anyway!)

I gave them to God the day they were born, and this day - I mean it more fully than I ever thought I could.

I release them to His calling fully!

my day off

Organizing is the theme for the day.

Pulled out all my left over as well as new wrapping paper - pitched some, scrounged for gift boxes in attic - laid out bows, ribbon and gift cards.

All my gifts laid out - inventory taken - wrapping has begun. ( not like I have that many!)

Massage (old injury flared up again - I feel old!)

We put up a few outside lights for the first time in years.

Laundry drying.

Dinner = left overs

HGTV

Tonight I am looking forward to finishing my day with Beth Moore study and additional reading by the fire...

The Lord made us with a need to rest, today I did, and it was good!

What is the one thing you find the most relaxing?