Christmas Blessings

My mom did something really special this year as a gift for all of us. My sister approached her with a World Vision catalogue and asked for my mom to bless some families in third world countries by purchasing some items instead if Christmas gifts for her. My mom went with the idea but included all of us, and I must say it truly blessed us as well.

In Brandon's name, 2 Bibles were sent to children that was translated in their language. In my name, safety was provided for a girl who was exploited by the sex slave trade in Cambodia.In Kevin's name, a fishing kit was sent to a family to provide a means for them for food.
Finally, in Kristi's name, a girl in a third world country was sent to school.

These were the last "gifts" we opened. We were all so thankful this was the note we ended our Christmas morning with. These gifts that were provided to these families by my mom's generosity are things that help with survival. It is overwhelming thinking what an "traditional" American Christmas looks like compared to some of these countries. We were left with burdened hearts and overwhelming thanks.

Thank you Mom!

Merry Christmas!

We have been blessed with a great Christmas this year! It often seems a bit overwhelming with all the different family gatherings, but what a blessing they have been!

This year we spent the night before Christmas Eve and Christmas Eve with Brandon's family. Christmas Eve day we went to Knotts Berry Farm. It was my first time there and I loved it. The Snoopy show on ice was definitely the highlight of my day. Then we took off about 7:30pm to drive to Clovis where we spent Christmas Day until today (Tuesday).

It has been relaxing and busy. We are so thankful for our families and this wonderful time of year that we get to celebrate the birth of our Savior, and get to spend such wonderful time with the people we love.

I always love our Christmas pictures. Enjoy. :)

Sitting at the Lord's Feet

“Mary…sat at the Lord’s feet and listened to his teaching.” Luke 10:39

Sitting at the Lord’s feet doesn’t imply what position our body should be in; it represents what position our heart should be in. Where we sit has nothing to do with body posture and everything to do with the posture of our heart.

Mary approached her Lord with a posture of humility. She sat before her Lord as a hungry learner, an eager student. We should come to God’s Word in the same way.

So where’s your heart this holiday season? Is it running frantically through the mall? Is it gazing longingly at an unwrapped present? Is it mingling with guests at a holiday party?

It’s not enough just to sit. There’s a special place we must sit. We must sit at the Lord’s feet. We must come to God’s Word with a humble heart: eager to learn, ready to receive, and determined to obey.

I copied this right from this wonderful blog written by Carolyn Mahaney. This is exactly what I need to focus on this Christmas break. I am so thankful that I have two weeks to slow down, fellowship with people I love, and most importantly spend much needed alone time with the Lord. During the school week my priorities too often get tangeled. I am in desperate need for this time and can't wait to dive in.

Learning . . .

If I were to "title" this current season in our lives, I would call it Learning.

Lately I have been so overwhelmed by the many things I have been learning; at times this was joyful and other times this was quite frustrating. Amidst one of these frustrating evenings, my dear friend Stephanie said, "Isn't funny how we often ask God to use these new experiences to teach us something, and then when He does, we more often than not do not welcome it at the time." Yes! How this hit my heart that night.

Everyday I leave my classroom with my mind filled with all the events that occurred that day. My drive home is usually quiet as I reflect on my reactions to situation and how I handled myself in the classroom and with situations with students. I have been encouraged because I have just recently been pleased with the way I handled some situations. I love the fact that every day brings new occurrences and lessons to learn from, and yet that can be quite difficult as well-and draining might I add. I have learned so much about the power of my words. My goal is through every situation for my students to know how much I care for them, and I desire for them to see Christ through everything I do. I hate the days I come home feeling like I have failed, and failed my students. I am trying to do all I can to learn from these times and do it better the next time around. But I can not be more thankful for this job. As drained as I usually feel, I love going to work the next day.

This past year and 2 months of marriage have been amazing. I have been so thankful of how Brandon and I continue to learn how to communicate and serve one another. I have realized how much I am still learning how to submit to him. I am still needing to learn what it looks like, and how I can fulfill my role in that way. I hope to read more about this topic over my break, and I am so excited to do so. Any book suggestions?

It is an overwhelming thought that our lives will be filled with this learning process; there is just SO much to take it. What peace knowing that God is so faithful in it all, and He promises place us in these trials, and then also to sustain us through them.

"Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet various trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete and lacking in nothing.

If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him."

James 1:2-5

Just finished. . .

a wonderful bible study book that my dear friend Jennae gave me.

It is called "Becoming a Woman of Influence" by Carol Kent.

I would highly recommend it! One of the greatest parts about it was that it had a study guide in the back with in depth questions that challenged me even more. Carol walked us through 9 chapters of disciplines that paralleled Jesus' live on impacting others. We can summarize them into these 7 things:

1.) Spend alone time with God.

2.) Walk and talk with people so that we can influence them through impact moments.

3.) Tell stories and use word pictures to make spiritual truth come alive.

4.) Ask people questions, especially ones that don't have "yes" or "no" answers.

5.) Show compassion.

6.) Practice unconditional love.
7.) Cast the vision of what Jesus can do through the life of someone who is willing to give her potential to Him.

Surprisingly, some of the chapters that challenged me the most were the chapters on showing compassion and unconditional love. I say I was surprised because I have considered myself a compassionate person, but I was revealed big part of this trait that has been missing. One of the things I loved most about this book was that the majority of her examples were straight from the Word, and she pulled out example of how Jesus interacted with people. I have found that I love reading through the gospels and reading about how Jesus lived!

I learned that compassion is not just feeling someone's hurt or pain but also acting on it. She quoted Megiddo Message who says, "Compassion is understanding troubles of others, coupled with an urgent desire to help." Even in a time of mourning, Jesus stopped his need to be alone and helped other people-thousands of people to be exact. I realized how selfish I am. I am too often consumed with my busy life to spend time with others who need it.

I have noticed this most while at school with students. My head is too often wrapped around the million things I have to do, and I do not take the time needed to just stop and have a quality conversation with a student(s). This is why I am there. I want to get to know them and know how to be praying for them, but how can I do that if I do not just stop.

I am feeling overwhelmed and encouraged at the same time! There are so many lessons I could share. This book has been perfect for me, and gave me practical steps towards living a life like Jesus.