Chattanooga Crud!, baby Jackson pics and birthday cake...

I have been in bed the last two days with the Chattannoga Crud!  I'll try to post by the end of the week.  Thanks for your comments, and Beth thanks for my prizes I love them! and Glenda thanks for my gift!  Here are pics of Cousin Jackson & my birthday too...

A birthday,A baby coming, Prayer request, and a delight filled promise!

Hi Bloggers:

       Can I just say first I'm loving the weather we had in Chattanooga lately, It has been in the low to mid 80's.  I love sunshine!  Can I also ask you all to pray for my friend Sandra who has been dealing with chronic pain for more than 8 years, and doctors have yet to be able to relieve it for any length of time.   She is in need of relief, comfort and hope, and is seeking God for his purpose in all of this!  She is an amazing encouragement to me, and a woman who loves God and others.  

    My family is celebrating my 26th Birthday tonight, even though it isn't actually my birthday until Wed.  I am totally fine with that as mom will take me out on Wed.  My little cousin Jackson will be born tomorrow, as they are doing a C-section.  Brady who you've seen in some of my pics, will have Jackson Graham as his little brother.  I'll post phots at some point, if I can.  

     I am going to share something with you that rocked my world recently.    The Lord delights in me!  I use to wonder what that was all about, when people said it, but this week, I found that to be true within his word.  Psalm 18:19 "He brought me to a wide open place; He rescued me because He delighted in me."  My friend Jenn use to talk about this a lot, but I admit I never really understood the whole concept of God delighting in us, but this truth comes right from the bible.   God rescued each of us, not because we deserved it, but because He created us, and chooses to delight in us!  The reality that God personally delights in us, should cause us to know we have great worth, and motivate us to make him our greatest delight!  I'm still soaking up the wonder and joy  that comes from this!  Since God,and Christ delight in you and me, we can have freedom and joy in living for Christ!  He delights in you today and always!  He cherishes you!  Need proof?  Look to the cross and the empty tomb, and you will know he delights in you!

By the way, I will be driving my chair on May 9th to raise money for AAA Women's Services.  The event was yesterday, but due to church event conflict I need to pick another day.  My goal is 500$ I'm 345$ right now.  I have another week to raise.  I have a widget that on my blog that will take you right to my fundraising page with more info.  Please prayerfully consider donating to help those in the midist of unplanned pregnancies, know they can chose life.   Every dollor helps!  I would encourage you to find out more about your local pregnancy center.  Thank you so much!

2 posts in one day?? Remembering Columbine....

Hello,

    Just had something I wanted to write, but please also look @ my other post too.  10 years ago today there was a national tragedy,  but even more so a personal one for those @ Columbine High school.  I will not forget that day.  I will not forget the pain I felt for those students and their families.  I will not forgot that they were, and are the same age as me.  I will not forget the tears I shed over their personal loss, and how impacted me, it was then that I came to understand the importantance of love and compassion, even today as I think upon what happened my heart aches, even though I never met those who lost their lives, or their loved ones.   That day, and that pain I will not forget.    I remember not long after that my own high school got a threat, but thankfully, it was only a similar threat.  Mom didn't want me to go to school that day, but I did.  In fact, it was the one day I felt nearly compelled to go.  I know there have been massive school shootings since, and my heart mourns for all.  I remember though that evil will never win and God heals the broken and makes them beautiful for his name sake!  Has there been one or more tragedy that may not have touched you directly, but has touched you nonetheless?

Enjoy my fun & silly family photos

Macy and me... Before bed pardon the way I look.
Guess who!  I was high on starch! lol
Brady's new John Derre Gaitor!
I got hit with the dart gun lol Jocelyn & the birthday boy!
Jocelyn riding a tricyle...
Brady with his dad-Bill.  Bill and I grew up together!
Brady's cars birthday cake!  My cousin Kim, Brady's Aunt made it!
                                                             Cousin Cole @ Brady's third birthday party
Hi Bloggers:

    Hope all is well with you today.  I'm glad you enjoyed my pics!  Here are more!

Family picture time!

Baby birds nest

Jocelyn on Gran's swing, and Brady in toy car. Cousins age 3

Mom & me Easter 09'

Have you seen Him!

Howdy Bloggers:

I cannot believe it has been 2 weeks since I posted concert pics. The concert was wonderful! Stephen Curtis Champan is such a blessing, and God has just upheld him and given him and his family such grace. They are building a orphanage for children with Special Needs in China in memory of their daughter Maria. Michael W. Smith led an amazing second half with worship. When we sang healing Rain mom & I were just beaming as we thought about God sent sent his healing rain upon her. He also talked about God being the Father you've looked for all your life, which is something I've never heard him talk about before. He reminded us how God is our Abba Father, as he talked I must have prayed that whole time, as I just longed for the reality to permeate my soul. Don't get my wrong, I know lots of children grow up without dad's in there every day lives. It isn't the end of the world, especially when you have an amazing mom like mine. But at times there is a real desire for the void to be filled. It touched me so much to know God desires to fill the longing in my soul! It was great to see MWS again. I find myself amazed at his love for the Lord, and thinking if only I could live solid out for Christ like you. I know he has his failures, but He knows who he is in Christ, and He knows how to be a servant. I left that concert feeling blessed, excited, humbled, free, and yet wanting to have the fullness I see in him through Jesus!

Easter was good. I recently read the story of Thomas, and how he doubted Jesus had risen and appeared. I often think my name should have been doubting T.J., because I doubt almost anything, even my own words and motives. Jesus could have rebuked Thomas, but instead Jesus met him where he was! He deemed Thomas valuable enough to dwell among him. Once Thomas personally encountered Jesus that was enough. Jesus called him, and he answered! Jesus declared that Thomas believed, because he had seen, but blessed were those who believed though they had not seen. My paraphrase, sorry I would write out the verses, but my caregiver will be here soon. The thing is we must change the way we think of seeing when it comes to Jesus. God wants us to have a personal encounter, but that might include seeing him not with physical eyes, but through the eyes of faith! So, I guess there is one question left. Have you "seen" Jesus lately?

A piece of heaven on earth!

Stephen Curtis Chapman

What a testimony of God's grace, this man contiues to be!

His guitar...

MWS & SCC &???

What a night it was!

Michael W. Smith & me!!!!

Smitty's big intro!

My friend Jennifer N., and me before concert! I'll post more details later!

Tonight is the night! + friend marthon and more!

Hi Blogger Pals:



In a few hours I will be at the Michael W. Smith & Stephen Curtis Chapman concert. I am very excited! The meet & Greet will be at 6:15 followed by the concert at 7:00. This is my 6th major Michael W. Smith concert! I'll post an update about the evening soon! I hope the weather won't be too bad here, dangerous weather is being predicted for tonight, last I heard.



You may have seen my quote on my blog that says "The best way to change the world is to begin with those closest to you." My great Michelle is running in the music city Marathon to help fund research for rare types of cancer. We both have had loved ones who have either passed away from cancer, or have battled it. I bet you have too. Would you consider going to her blog, and help her by donating to her efforts??? Michelle is a goodly woman, and I know you will love her blog. http://mygingerbreadfam.blogspot.com/ If you can't find it let me know. Thank you so much for any help you might be able to offer.



We don't like to think about our sin, but I am discovering that when I sin it grieves God's heart. That brings to light a new of looking at sin doesn't it? It isn't just about removing our guilt, or avoiding punishment, it is about not wanting to hurt or grief the very heart of the Living God! When we confess and repent by God's power, we not only free ourselves. but we honor God! I admit I don't grieve over how my sin and how it grieves God, the way I need too. We have all mourned over changes or lost loved ones, but I wonder if we remember the last time we mourned over our sin. Don't misunderstand because of Jesus, we don't need to mourn over sin to the point that we overlook the victory that is ours, but we need to remember that our victory cost Jesus his life, and it cost the Father his Son! Sin hinders our prayers. Ps. 66:18 www.Biblegateway.com If I had cherished sin in my heart, the Lord would not have listened;

Just something I'm thinking about. I'll check your blogs soon! Thank you for reading!

Under the weather....Thankful still!

Hi Bloggers:

Hope you are well. Thank you for leaving messages for my friend Jenn! For those of you who don't know she is a "mesenger" in Nepal. I admit I have not feeling well since last week. I am just worn out and can't seem to rest enough, and have a sore throat and stuffy head. I just wanted post and say I've not forgotten about you all. God is showing how to be thankful in all things! I am thankful that my Bible Study group prayed for me at church, even though I did not ask. I'm thankful for time spent with my amazing mom. I'm thankful for a good AAA prayer meeting this past Tue. I"m thankful Easter is near! I'm thankful you read my blog even though my writing has not been the best lately. My question to you tonight is: What is a new or recent blessing you are really thankful for?

In Honor of a special person in my life!

Happy Birthday Jenn! I am so glad God made you! I love you! I know today is your birthday in Nepal, and tomorrow in America. I hate I cannot talk to you. I consider myself blessed that someone as wonderful as you would call me a friend! I love you and consider it an honor to call you my friend. I love you!

Now, bloggers I want to encourage you that if you have a special friend like I do, never take it for granted! It is a gift from God! Above are pics from the last time she was home!

No telling what!

Hi Blogger friends:

Boy I've missed blogging! The ladies day was wonderful I wish I could post a video for you all, but one I don't have one and two I would not begin to know how. God taught more through preparing for the event than anyone could have ever learned from me. The theme verse for the day was Isa. 26:3 "You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you." It was healing for me to talk about my struggle to finding peace, and God's faithfulness to provide me with his peace. The Lord gave me 5 keys to funding peace. These are:
1st Key We must enter into a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, in order to have peace with God. John 3:18, Romans 10:9, Romans 3:23, Romans 6:23.
2nd Key to peace---Acknowledge that Christ is the only true source of peace. Isa. 9:6 John 14:27.
3rd Key to peace... Surrender to the Lordship of Jesus Christ. Col. 3:15. Something the Lord showed me that every step we take toward total surrender, brings us one step closer to God's perfect peace
4th Key Abide in Christ and develop an honest prayer life. John 15, Ps. 51.
5th Key Get rid of envy and bitterness. Eph. 4:31 So in case you wanted a bit of a recap here it is.

Anyway I was very humbled by the response of the ladies at my church. I'm currently doing a bible study called pray in faith. As you reflect on your journey with the Lord, do you find that you learn more about God's nature through your trials?
The title is because there is a lot I'd like to post, but wasn't sure what would end up being posted. It's good to read your blogs again. My mom did amazing on her testimony. Macy had surgery today. We just love her! She hopefully will recover very soon as it is routine. Thanks for reading!

Bloggers I am home lol! Thank you all!

This Blogger is back in action!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Thank you for all your prayers and encouraging thoughts as I prepared for the ladies day at my church! God poured his blessings out like you would not imagine! I am still in awe, what a trying and yet rewarding process this has been!!!!!!!!!!!
I can hardly wait to share with you. For now though I just came to say thank you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! To those who read my blogs even as inconsistent as the time frame is! I thank you. I thank the Lord that he can bring the body of Christ together even through blogging!

Don't leave me.... Check back after March 7th.

Hey Gang,

I aplologize for not posting. My life is just crazy right now, but I really will try to post regulary beginning in April. Check back after March 7th, and I hope to have posted. Miss you all! P.S. If you are handing out prayers I'd love to have some for my family & I lol. I have not forgetton about you all, and look forward to a time when I can read and respond to your posts!

And... the Award Goes to!

Here is the discription of the award guideline and to pass it on.... "The citation" reads: These kind bloggers aim to find and be friends. They are not interested in prize or self-aggrandizement. Our hope is that when ribbons of these prizes are cut, even more friendships are propagated. Please give more attention to these writers!.There is an instruction that comes with this award. Deliver this award to 8 bloggers who must choose 8 more. Include this text in the body of the blog.

My blogger award was given to me by Dee and Washer Mom Val. I thank you both! I am giving this award to:

1.Jenn- You can enter here blog by going to www.reachingsouthasia.com and clicking on read my journals.

2. Michelle www.mygingerbreadfam.blogspot.com

3. Beth, sorry I am not sure of her address. but her blog is wonderful, and can click on her blog, on my followers.

4.Kat If you read the comments on my celebrating true love you can find her address, because I could not get the addy to turn to a hyperlink.

5. Glenda You can find her if you read my blog followers.

6. I believe I need to regive this to Dee and Val. Again thet can be found on the list of blogs I follow and follow me.

7. fireproof blog.

Sorry guys mom needs me so I have to go for now.

Celebrate True Love!

Hi Gang,



It's Friday! Tomorrow is Valentine's Day. I wonder if there those out there who dread Valentine's day??? I know in the past I have, but today my best friend Jenn sent me the sweetest v-day card, and it just made my day! Do you know that you have something grand to celebrate, not just on Valentine's Day, but every day? Do you know that there is someone who loves you more than life itself? If you are like me you may forget. Close your eyes, and ask God to remind you, how deeply you are loved! Do you see it? Can you feel it? I see a baby in a manger, and a blood stained cross, and I see the stone rolled away! Christ has made us objects of his love, says Angela Thomas in her Bible Study Wallflowers Dance. Romans: 5:8 is such a special verse to me as God used it to minster to me 2 years ago on Father Day. "But God Demonstrates his own loves for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." Think about it, God proved his love for you and me, by offering his Beloved Son Jesus! God's love is so great and so wide that nothing and no one can take it away from those the love he has offered to those who follow him. I don't know about you but I believe that is a love worth celebrating! It's worth talking about singing about, and telling others about! He proved he loves you with his very life, and we can celebrate that daily, not just on Valentine's Day! It is a love that does die or wilt over time! Catch you all soon. Thanks for your prayers!

Struggling Blogger, but greatly humbled!

I am humbled to know that my friend Dee has given me a blog award. Wow!Here is the discription of the award guideline and to pass it on.... "The citation" reads: These kind bloggers aim to find and be friends. They are not interested in prize or self-aggrandizement. Our hope is that when ribbons of these prizes are cut, even more friendships are propagated. Please give more attention to these writers!.There is an instruction that comes with this award. Deliver this award to 8 bloggers who must choose 8 more. Include this text in the body of the blog. I can't seem to get the image to post. Thank you Dee you are indeed so thoughtful, and I will pass the award on as soon I can figure out how! I cannot thank you all enough for reading my blog. I think I must be under spiritual attack right now or something, because I don't seem to have any wisdom right now. I am a bit overloaded right now. I have miles of lists of prayer requests, and it seems little motvation. I am suppose to speak in one month from today, and "feel" more unspiritual than I can recall. Yet, I know God will do something. I am sorry that I have failed you tonight my fellow bloggers. There are many things I could write tonight, but my mind is too scattered to write anything sound. Next time I post hopefully I can encourage you all. I thank you for your understanding as I seek to turn my eyes to the Lord, as I wrestle with my own failings. Thank you all for your comments. There a lot going on here right, but I'll reply soon, Lord willing! Thanks again Dee what a blessing you are!

Taste buds?

Hi Blogger pals,





Hope you having a great Sunday! Thank you for your uplifting comments. Here is the thing, I love food. I know that is a pretty random way to begin a post, but stick with me. I know we all in a sense love food because we never want to be hungry, but God created us each with a diffrent sense of taste. For example, I love Mexican food sea food, and I have a massive sweet tooth. I however hate most foods with slimy textures, like watermelon. Sorry to all who love watermelon. In Psalm 34: verse 8 says "Taste and see the Lord is good! If we have been brought from death to life, then we have seen and tasted the goodness of the Lord. Like our taste buds we may see God's goodness in many different ways, but we have been blessed by His goodness!!!
I started writing this post last night, but didn't get to finish. I have so much richness to share with you blogger friends, but I must wait... I'll try to catch up on your posts soon! Thanks for being so paitent with me. Hope to post soon! Blessings!

Just a quickie Friday post!

Hi,

By the time I finished reading and posting on other folks blogs, it has left me with only 7 minutes to post on my own blog, before my caregiver arrives to help me get in bed. I'll post a real post, hopefully, before the weekend is out Lord willing as my friend Dee often writes on her blog. Have a great weekend Bloggers!

Everything stops for one!

Hi bloggers:

Hope this post finds you doing well, and that you haven't given up on me. I haven't talked to you guys much about my volunteering with Chattanooga's local pregnancy Center AAA Women's Services. http://www.aaawomen.org/ Last week was Sanctity of Human Life Sunday, or SOHLS, and so I was busy trying to get things done for Baby Bottle Blessings which is a campaign to raise money for local Pregnancy Centers through churches and other support. Our Mission, in obedience to Christ, is to provide Life Affirming Alternatives to unplanned pregnancies. If you would like to know more about AAA's Services just ask, or to find your local pregnancy Center, you can vist http://www.optionline.org/ I hope you will find out how you can help. Thank you! The Bible tells us that God knows us before we are even born. (See Jer. 1:5 Ps. 139-13-17 God knows the very number of hairs on each one of us. He took the time to make of us in the womb, to make us each special and one of a kind creation. He wanted each one of us, and his heart delights in each life personally. Is that as overwhelming for you, as it is for me?
Today I read Mark 10:46-52 http://www.bibleresources.org/ They came to Jericho. ) And as He was leaving Jericho with His disciples and a large crowd, Bartimaeus (the son of Timaeus), a blind beggar, was sitting by the road. ) 47 When he heard that it was Jesus the Nazarene, ) he began to cry out, "Son of David, ) Jesus, have mercy on me!" ) 48 Many people told him to keep quiet, but he was crying out all the more, "Have mercy on me, ) Son of David!"
49 Jesus stopped and said, "Call him."
So they called the blind man and said to him, "Have courage! Get up; He's calling for you." 50 He threw off his coat, () jumped up, and came to Jesus.
51 Then Jesus answered him, "What do you want Me to do for you?"
"Rabbouni," the blind man told Him, "I want to see!"
52 "Go your way," Jesus told him. "Your faith has healed you." Immediately he could see and began to follow Him on the road. It warms my heart to think of Jesus stopped and take time for this one man. He could have made excuses or given many justifiable reasons for passing this man by, but he did not. He stopped! In our culture, we don't stop much, Jesus was not doubt busy, but he was not too busy to invest in the life of one who requested his help. The man asked Jesus to have mercy him, and then he shared his heart's desire for that mercy, to be reflected in his having physical sight. Jesus honored the man's request, because he had enough faith to ask for Jesus for mercy, even when onlookers deemed him and his need as unimportant to Jesus. Our lives and our needs are important to Jesus. He will stop when others pass you by. When he stops on our behalf, our response ought to be following him wherever he leads. Jesus is not too busy to care about us! He is not too busy to care about you! Am I, are we too busy to stop and invest in the life of someone the way Jesus did? Are we too busy to follow Jesus?

I've really missed posting, and reading your blogs. I am thankful you are still faithful to read. Please pray for me, the Lord has directed me to lead Women's Day @ my church, on March 7th, but he hasn't given me his message to share yet. -T.J.

By Rick Warren!

First, sorry I don't have long.... I am headed out I just wanted to post this email I got by Rick Warren! Dee I'm glad you are getting to know Jenn! She's my best friend post to her here any time! Jenn I love you... Thank you for the ecard and e-mail!

By: Rick Warren Summary of PDL:

(REMEMBER HE WROTE "PURPOSE DRIVEN LIFE")
You will enjoy the new insights that Rick Warren has, with his wife now having cancer and him having "wealth" from the book sales. This is an absolutely incredible short interview with Rick Warren,In the interview by Paul Bradshaw with Rick Warren, Rick said:People ask me, What is the purpose of life? And I respond: In a nutshell, life is preparation for eternity. We were not made to last forever, and God wants us to be with Him in Heaven.One day my heart is going to stop, and that will be the end of my body but not the end of me.I may live 60 to 100 years on earth, but I am going to spend trillions of years in eternity. This is the warm-up act - the dress rehearsal. God wants us to practice on earth what we will do forever in eternity.We were mad e by G od and for God, and until you figure that out, life isn't going to make sense.Life is a series of probl ems: Either you are in one now, you're just coming out of one, or you're getting ready to go into another one.The reason for this is that God is more interested in your character than your comfort.God is more interested in making your life holy than He is in making your life happy.We can be reasonably happy here on earth, but that's not the goal of life. The goal is to grow in character, in Christ likeness.This past yea r has been the greatest year of my life but also the toughest, with my wife, Kay, getting cancer.I used to think that life was hills and valleys - you go through a dark time, then you go to the mountaintop, back and forth. I don't believe that anymore.Rather than life being hills and valleys, I believe that it's kind of like two rails on a railroad track, and at all times you have something good and some thing b ad in your life.No matter how good things are in your life, there is always something bad that needs to be worked on.And no matter how bad things are in your life, there is always something good you can thank God for.You can focus on your purposes, or you can focus on your problems.If you focus on your problems, you're going into self-centeredness,"which is my problem, my issues, my pain." But one of the easiest ways to get rid of pain is to get your focus off yourself and onto God and others.We discovered quickly that in spite of the prayers of hundreds of thousands of people, God was not going to heal Kay or make it easy for her.It has been very difficult for her, and yet God has strengthened her character, given her a ministry of helping other people, given her a testimony, drawn her closer to H im and to people.You have to learn to deal with both the good and the bad of life.Actually, sometimes learni ng to de al with the good is harder. For instanc e, this past year, all of a sudden, when the book sold 15 million copies, it made me instantly very wealthy.It also brought a lot of notoriety that I had never had to deal with before. I don't think God gives you money or notoriety for your own ego or for you to live a life of ease.So I began to ask God what He wanted me to do with this money, notoriety and influence. He gave me two different passages that helped me decide what to do, II Corinthians 9 and Psalm 72First, in spite of all the money coming in, we would not change our lifestyle one bit. We made no major purchases.Second, about midway through last year, I stopped taking a salary from the church.Third, we set up foundations to fund an initiative we call The Peace Plan to plant churches, equip leaders, assist the poo r, care for the sick, and educate the next generation.Fourth, I added up all that the church had paid me in the 24 yea rs sin ce I started the church, and I gave it all back. It was liberating to be able to serve God for free.We need to ask ourselves: Am I going to live for possessions? Popularity?Am I going to be driven by pressures? Guilt? Bitterness? Materialism? Or am I going to be driven by God's purposes (for my life)?When I get up in the morning, I sit on the side of my bed and say, God, if I don't get anything else done today, I want to know You more and love You better. God didn't put me20on earth just to fulfill a to-do list. He's more interested in what I am than what I do.That's why we're called human beings, not human doings.Happy moments, PRAISE GOD.Difficult moments, SEEK GOD.Quiet moments, WORSHIP GOD.Painful moments, TRUST GOD.Every moment, THANK GOD.

short but sweet!

Hi Bloggers:

Sorry I haven't been good about blogging lately. I've have had some blogger block. Some sickness so I've been away. I wish I had something really Spiritual to write. I hate to blog when I have no direction or clear pattern to my post. I do want to share some great news though. My Mom is begining 2009 Cancer free!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Will you rejoice with me?! Thank you for your prayers for with God all things are possible!

Photos of our Christmas!

Brother's new puppy... Christmas eve present!

Me Christmas Eve!

Jocelyn's mom holding Macee

Brady's mom & Dad playing the New Wii. Brady's mon about 5 months pregnant. This is what a real mariage is made of. (see above)

My mom & Macee

My brother and his brand new puppy he got Christmas Eve! Her name is Macee

Above 3 yr. old cousin Jocelyn playing on my Aunt's porch.

My two year old cousin Brady Above. Below his dad is hooking up his new Wii(the dad's new Wii and my grandmother "Mumzie" is in the picture too.

This was Christmas day at my Aunt's in the afternoon before our meal.

Merry Big Picture Christmas!

Merry Christmas Bloggers!!!!!!!!!

Hope you guys have a terrific time as you celebrate the Birthday of your Savior!! I recomend to you if you have a chance to read the book The Purpose of Christmas by Rick Warren I think it will greatly enrich the way you celebrate this season. Also, Casting Crowns has a wonderful new Christmas album called "Peace On Earth."

Do you wonder what it would be like to celebrate Christmas year round? No, hear me out, I don't mean buying Christmas presents every day, we would all be without a penny in our wallet. Nor do I mean we should keep stockings on the mantle or eat food that make our sides pop out. I'm not talking about keeping age old traditions all year long. What I'm writing about is a big picture Christmas! I love this time of year, but I'm learning that celebrating the Savior is not really a season of the year, but for those of us who are redeemed by Christ, our big picture Christmas is ever lasting. I know this idea has occurred to others, but I admit that it has really hit me this year. For some, Christmas is only something that gives warm and fuzzes in December, but as Christians the hope of Christmas is Christ, and that hope is ours forever! We can have a big picture Christmas. There are so many lessons provided for us in the Biblical account of Christmas that I can never seem to just focus on one part of it. I am glad our hope does not end with Jesus in a manger or even Jesus on a cross, I rejoice that the tomb is empty, and the reality of Christmas is forever! http://bibleresources.bible.com/passagesearchresults.php?passage1=Matthew+1&version1=49 16Jacob was the father of Joseph the husband of Mary, by whom Jesus was born, (I)who is called the Messiah.
17So all the generations from Abraham to David are fourteen generations; from David to the (J)deportation to Babylon, fourteen generations; and from the (K)deportation to Babylon to the Messiah, fourteen generations.
Conception and Birth of Jesus
18Now the birth of Jesus Christ was as follows: when His (L)mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was (M)found to be with child by the Holy Spirit.
19And Joseph her husband, being a righteous man and not wanting to disgrace her, planned [c](N)to send her away secretly.
20But when he had considered this, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, "(O)Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife; for the Child who has been [d]conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit.
21"She will bear a Son; and (P)you shall call His name Jesus, for He (Q)will save His people from their sins."
22Now all this took place to fulfill what was (R)spoken by the Lord through the prophet:
23"(S)BEHOLD, THE VIRGIN SHALL BE WITH (T)CHILD AND SHALL BEAR A SON, AND THEY SHALL CALL HIS NAME IMMANUEL," which translated means, "(U)GOD WITH US."
24And Joseph awoke from his sleep and did as the angel of the Lord commanded him, and took Mary as his wife,
25[e]but kept her a virgin until she (V)gave birth to a Son; and (W)he called His name Jesus."MT. 1:16-25 God is with us! I wonder how many people in the world know that Jesus is the reason for not just for the season, but for All Hope?! Am I prepared to share that Jesus is the reason for the for the hope I have?

Just wondering what are some of your Christmas traditions? Do you find that they enrich or hinder you from focusing on Jesus? We are having 18+ people at our house tonight for dinner and gifts. I always try to remember that the presents I get, are a symbol of the greatest gift I already have! Merry Christmas!!

I love this one... Can you believe he can already roll over???

I think he has learned my "pouty Lip look I'm famous for!

Alex likes to play with his feet

Christmas with my good friend Michelle and my Buddy her4 month old son Alex(Munchkin) He kept giggling at me until we start taking pictures. His Mommy did his Nursery in gingerbread, so that is what I gave him for Christmas! Like my Butterfly christmas tree? Hope you enjoy the pics Jenn! Michelle and Alex send their love to you. Michelle is out of cell minutes, but she miss you and loves you!