Project 365 - Day 343

Another successful wreath sale is almost in the books! So thankful! The office is covered in pine needles, bow boxes, etc., and it's a mess but next week will be quiet as everyone else is going to a regional retreat and I'll be blissfully alone except for an occasional stray leader who hasn't gone out of town for Christmas.

The other day at staff meeting David was telling us that he and his wife were at the mall over the weekend and he loved the hustle and bustle, kids visiting Santa, the decorations, the music......he commented that all of the celebration stems from the arrival of Jesus so many years ago....alot of folks don't realize the reason for the season but without Him none of these traditions would be taking place.

His words make me smile and be o.k. with all the extra parts of Christmas that man has created, and enjoy them without a lot of self imposed guilt, because I do know the Reason and I have the rest of my life to share Him with those who don't!

treasure pure

I am reading, actually I am savoring, "A Heart Exposed - Talking to God with Nothing to Hide - A Book of Prayers" by Steven James. My Carolann friend has gotten me hooked on this author. At random aka God ordained times one of his books will show up in my mailbox - from the River to the Court with lots of love!

This is not a book you rush through. This book is delicious. This is a book that stays propped up by your Bible and your journal for maybe forever and does not live on the bookshelf with the other J's. This is a book whose margins are filled with hearts, smileys, !!!, ???, people's names, YES!, etc. This book will not get any money from McKays someday when my kids are shoveling out my house.

Listen............

"you loved me so much that you put skin on your story,
and then poured your story into my skin."

See?!

20 words and two punctuation marks later and you have Advent, Christmas, Incarnation, Salvation.

One more and then time for bed.....enjoy....

"You have your own brand of love.
It's a far-reaching, far-ranging love
that invites me to climb over the fence
and step into the wide-open fields
of your grace."

Everyone has the same 26 letters to work with - thankful for the writers who use them to point me to the Author in fresh, wonderful ways!

Project 365 - Day 342

Aren't these fun colors and patterns?! I can't tell you what they are because some of you who read this might be getting one someday!

Home

This is something I love. When Dale Allen gets home before me and he knows I'll be getting home past dark he leaves a light on in the GTCA. When I drive up I see the soft glow of the lamp and the outline of the stained glass cross that my Anne friend gave me and my heart does a happy dance. It brings to mind all of the lovely moments that have occurred in that space and I can't wait to get inside, put on mom's white, fluffy robe and finish out the day inside my warm, cozy house.



When I'm walking up the sidewalk the cross becomes clearer and my anticipation grows to be inside where it's safe and love filled. This is such an ordinary every day kind of happy thing but I wanted to try and capture it in a photo and words.

I found this old hymn by Fanny Crosby called "The Lights of Home" that talks about those who are waiting for me in my heavenly home. "And I'm looking through the shadows for the blessed lights of home." Thankful for just a little taste of how sweet that's going to be. I'm coming!

Project 365 - Day 341

Hope...Wait...Pray

Wait...Pray...Hope

Pray...Hope..Wait

I think these are such basic verbs for a believer. I shuffle the order sometimes but I keep all three words. Every combination is beautiful and true and vital.

Project 365 - Day 340

Long, productive day at work....a little nap after a bowl of soup provided just enough energy to put up the snowmen and bake some oatmeal raisin cookies. So fun to unwrap these guys every year :-)

Project 365 - Day 339

It's beginning to look a little more like Christmas on the Court! We put the tree up yesterday after the guys and Victoria left and I decorated while D.A. watched South Carolina lose. Wrapped and wrapped this afternoon and feel good about how much I got done! Almost finished with shopping - yahooooo!!