This is ONE of the lists staring at me today! This is just the baking one...but at least my girls like to help! Almost done with the wrapping...never before have I been THIS CLOSE!

A Surprise

Here is what was going on in late November...sorry it has taken me so long to post! And I couldn't breathe a word beforehand! My blog-friend Crystal 's husband threw her a surprise birthday party only two weeks after they moved here. We were all happy to oblige! We love a party!

What a day!

Things are crazy here today, but in a very good way! And I think I may have a new gas fireplace by the end of the day....hmmmm...... I'll explain later.

Still love me??

OK, time for some levity here. Sorry for the previous rant. But I feel better (cheesy smile). I guess my perfect world would be one where we rejoice with those who rejoice and cry with those who mourn. I have a dream that one day we could be a people who spur one another on with encouragement and acts of kindness, always holding each other up, as the treasured gifts they are. And when one stumbles, we all close ranks to tend to, to help, to heal those who are hurting. And in all that is a celebration of the hope that new life brings. The promise of redemption. The power of love.

After I got that out yesterday, I heard from the Lord. (yes, unfortunately He is sometimes not heard until after I say my peace....hmmm) I was reminded of Ephesians 6:12 that we wrestle not with flesh and blood, but against powers and principalities, and rulers of darkness...

My beef isn't with people. But it is with the powers and principalities of this world we occupy. That principality says that life isn't sacred. That children are a bother, and we should limit our exposure to them. It is a lie. I stipulate- they will grow up! They will become adults, and they will either change this world we live in, or they will assimilate into the culture of this Age.

It is not my intention to condemn, but maybe to provoke..? Please forgive me if you were hurt.
But we (and I mean me, too) need to ask ourselves this.
What spirit are we walking in when we do certain things?
Are we in agreement with the powers of this world?
Or do we choose to walk following the Light of the World (John 8:12)
Are we joining the Spirit of the promise?

"And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching." Hebrews 10:24-25

Love you more!