Presents!...

 I want to write about Christmas cookies and decorations, that seems like the big thing on my mind lately. I actually don't want to deal with even thinking about buying presents and the stress that comes with being able to afford them ( even the small amount we will buy ) I really desire to write about the Savior coming to the earth as a baby to pay the price for all humanities sins. But I so easily get caught up in all that happens around me with this time of year. As a child I had a big problem with getting expectations way too high. I see that in a child of mine now. To be honest I don't think it has changed too much. The realisation of what often really happens with what I hope for has taught me too see how my hopes don't always become a reality. There is this ingrained feeling in me though, that makes me not want to miss out on all the world portrays of what really brings happiness. Its so easy to be side tracked (for me anyways). The part of me that has leaned so much, thanks to my gracious Lord makes me want to have the feelings of being truly faithful to my beliefs. But the selfish, sometimes ignorant part thinks all the world has to offer is so much more fulfilling.
I, with all honesty hate the commercialism of Christmas. I believe if it weren't for all that hoopla (yes I said hoopla) going on around us, it would make it easier to stay focused on the true meaning of Christmas. Lets face it, Satan's job is a lot much easier these days. Most of the world is happy with doing his job.
 So I started thinking about the first Christmas more deeply. The song of the drummer boy came to mind (I know this is not a historical fact) and how all he had was a song to play for the Christ child. The kings came to bring one gift each. All that they had? I don't know. But they gave what they knew as being very precious. What did the shepherds offer? Their presence.
 What can we do, that means more then anything we could give? How about accepting a gift. Presence from the Father. His Son. He is even wrapped...in swaddling cloths.
 God wants us to un-wrap and share this gift. The gift of our time, or presence in others lives in love through Him.
Well with age I have been slowly slowly been enlightened with these truths through the Lords gentle guidance. Of course its usually, like most learning experiences...two steps forward, one step back. But I trust in the Lord that true faith in Him, will bring me closer to Him. And that is the ultimate blessing. Being able to be in Gods presence!

 

 

 

Please don't get me wrong though. I don't believe giving material gifts to show love is wrong. Or that decorating and baking in celebration is a sign of disrespect to the Lord. Its when that is our main focus, to the point of that being all that is reflected in your Christmas.

It all comes down to what your priorities are, what you consider most desirable.

My prayer for this Christmas: to put off my old self, which belongs to my former manner of life and is corrupted through deceitful desires, and to be renewed in the spirit of my mind and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness. (Ephesians 4:22)...through receiving Christ's gift.



Gift Giving - Values Shift

Here is a reminder to myself and any one else that can relate...

Sometimes when your expectations are let down, what does it matter when life's surprises cover the multiple times in between?

There has been many times in the past when it comes to birthdays, Mothers Day, etc. that I had hopes of certain gifts or gestures that really were brought on by what may have been displayed in ads. or movies or heard from others. Expectations get let down, and some how I feel that this represents the love others have for me (probably due to my "love language"). But no one is perfect, life is always up and down, and no one can read my mind! (the - ! - is for me). So I need to take this time of being appreciated by my family and let it soak in and sink into my mind.

I came home from a conference this past Sat. and was surprised with a candle lit dinner for myself along with a dozen roses, each bearing a note stuck into the roses. Each said something sweet about me or to me. I was overwhelmed by the unexpected gesture. I felt so loved and I thought what does it matter if I don't get anything else this upcoming Mothers Day and when I didn't get my wishes fulfilled the past ones, when I know my family loves me everyday and they show it at random times of the year.

You know what, I believe the tradition of spend spend spending $$ on calendar occasions is mostly built up by commercialism anyways. Its nice to receive gifts but hasn't it been taken too far, for most of the holidays?

Its so hard to find anything that would be appropriate these days, because mostly everyone has everything they want!

The most reluctant gift most are willing to give is time.

I challenge myself and you to make that change. Give your time out of love instead of some stores merchandise, and see what happens. 

Baking and Making Bunting

My Holly, Lake, Violet, and Honey were in the Parade this year!

Well the time of Christmas celebrations has begun. And to be honest I always feel like its pushed so soon in the beginning but then I get right into and miss it when its over. So last year I told myself just get into it right away and it helped a bit. But I guess the part that bothers me the most is the commercialism of Christmas. That's where I always notice it being shoved at me the most. Buy buy buy. I know that I don't need to "buy" into that but it still bothers me that that is the way society goes because of the commercialism.

 Part of my and my families stand against the buy buy buy culture of the eh hem "Holiday Season" is that we do just the opposite and keep spending to a minimum.
I love the bunting I see in many of the British magazines I look at. So I made some in Christmasy colours. This was made from cast off shirts, and pyjama pants. I stitched them into triangles and sewn onto a long piece of yarn.

I finished of my week with a bunch of baking of six loaves of bread, a batch of banana strawberry muffins, and I used up the last of my pumpkin with a pumpkin pecan bunt cake.
I plan on doing some baking for gifts and more sewing for that purpose as well.
Balancing this time of year is tricky, but when I allow myself the same amount of time in the morn. to spend with the Lord but allow myself to spend less time on the things that are not as important. Like the mess in the corner can wait, I'm making a gift. The dishes can wait we are doing advent. This works out so much more pleasantly. Because I don't want to be too stressed out to enjoy the true reason for this season.

M.B.A.H

March Break At Home
 I know I'm definitely not the only family not flying off to a tropical destination this March Break. And so with my kids getting a bit older it makes it a bit tougher for them not to get bored easily. I decided it would be a week of cooking and baking "classes".  Also I made a rule: As much time you spend outside is as much time is allowed on entertainment (movies, wii, Internet). I made a sign out/in sheet to track their time. So far it is working out excellent. It kind of is a whole other activity in itself, teaching the kids to be more aware of time, and I think they think its fun.
 Yesterday morning I had them each figure out a meal they wanted, and I picked one as well.
Here is what is on our blackboard:

This first recipe was my pick. Easy Cabbage Roll Casserole was a great recipe to start off with. It really was easy, and very good.
1 1/2 lbs. ground beef
2 med. onions, chopped
1 clove of garlic, minced
1 tp. salt
1/4 tp. pepper
1 -221ml can tomato sauce
1 cup water
1- 284ml can condensed tomato soup
1/2 cup long grain rice
4 cups (we actually ended up using 8 cups, and was still great) shredded cabbage
1/3 cup tomato juice or water
sour cream

> In frying pan over med. heat, cook first 5 ingredients. Drain fat, return to heat, add tomato sauce, water, 1/2 the can of soup, mix well and add rice.

> In slow cooker, place half of meat mixture, then half of cabbage. Repeat
> In bowl combine tomato juice with remaining soup, mix and pour into slow cooker. Cover and cook on low 8-10 hours or high 4-6 hours.

Very Well done, guys!!

 More to keep them busy: They are both reading a Diary of a Wimpy Kid, book each, and I'm gunna try to throw in some crafty art projects. I'm thinking something to do with the Canadian Geese flying home now. We saw them yesterday and they had some questions. I'm hoping to go deeper with that.

A Concert with Kids

 Yesterday evening was spent in Ottawa at a free concert, featuring a local artist, Scott Towaij. It was a great experience. The music was great and the lyrics were wholesome. Another thing, is that it was so nice to be able to bring our kids and not worry about anything wrong that they might be exposed to but they hopefully were encouraged along with me in the music and the atmosphere. 
 In contrast to this, brings to mind a recent add for M&Ms. It really shouldn't blow my mind how this advertisement has sexualized children's candy, considering other adds for TOILET PAPER, body lotion, jeans, perfume, shoes. But when it is meant to target children, that really makes me feel violated as a mother. My son was on a website for children's games. And I told him I'm sorry but you have to play on another site because of that add. That's not right!!

 Because of the mass amount of advertising most of us are subjected to we become so desensitised and we hardly recognise what the message the add is giving. Most come to think that the references to sex are just funny and harmless. And I guess thats how it all gets worse and worse. Well I guess I'm ranting now. But I wish more recognised what is really being fed to the public by the media. I'm going to look into seeing what I can do about this. There is a reason most children are loosing thier innocence at such an early age, thsese days...It has to start somewhere...