you may be Surprised!
Saturday, December 31, 2011
Thursday, December 22, 2011
An Angel at the Manger
She floated with the rest as she was called to. The Shepherds Trembled below as the angels neared. She paid little attention and barely hit her notes as the Heavenly Choir sung in perfection. Her eyes were on the glorious star that lit the blessed place where he lay. She wanted to be there with her lord, though she knew it was a great honor to just to sing of his coming. "Glory to God" she sang out clear her voice floating over the mountains " And Peace on..." she wished to see for herself the Child that was born. “Peace on earth” Angel or not she was not perfect but she knew with his help she could be. As the rest began to fade she drifted lower towards the Shepherds only to be stopped.
Gabriel Stood tall before her and looked at her with such question in his eye. " Young Sister?" He called to her.
She folded her wings behind her and bowed her head. " I only wished to gaze upon our brother"
"but we must sing more of his birth" he set a gentle hand on her shoulder and directed her back towards the heavens.
She did not go and sing with them though, instead she watched from the heavens as the shepherds made their way to the child. She felt so drawn to him She wished to travel with the humble shepherds. With a glance around her she slipped, of course unseen, down and began to walk with the shepherds, guiding a younger boy upon the lose rocks they stumbled upon. As they she came upon Bethlehem she was astonished at how many people went on about their way with out pausing for the King of Kings who laid in their own town.
" Do they not know? " She spoke out though no one could hear her. She wondered why they did not sing to those here. "Should not every one know of his coming." She gazed up at the star and floated along with the shepherds as they started away from the inns and homes. Questions again filled her mind. " How Could there have not been room for the lord?" She could see the quiet place where Mary and Joseph had taken shelter, the humble stable lit by the star's light.
She stood by the door as the others entered reverently. " My lord Lies in a manger?" She whispered peering in from the door way. She watched late into the night, long after all had left and Mary and Joseph had laid to rest. She did not dare enter for she was just a simple angel who had not even been given her body yet. A choir member, with no notable deeds. She knew though that she had to go to him and kneel to see him, It was of her deepest desires. She slowly floated to him and settled by his manger.
Her eyes took in the sight of her sleeping Lord on the hay. She began to cry. " Oh Lord my King forgive me for I just wanted to be near you" She bowed her head as she knelt there at his side. After moments of kneeling in the silence she heard a soft sigh from the babe and looked to his face. His wondrous eyes met hers and she knew that he would see her sitting there. Peace Embraced her. She knew that he understood all. That he even knew of her life to come. Hard and cold with many tears, she would even forget that this child had came for her. She could see his love in his eyes and knew that though she would forget him he would always remember her. Tears in her eyes she softly sung a song of her heart as the baby in the manger drifted back into his slumber.~ By Me
Gabriel Stood tall before her and looked at her with such question in his eye. " Young Sister?" He called to her.
She folded her wings behind her and bowed her head. " I only wished to gaze upon our brother"
"but we must sing more of his birth" he set a gentle hand on her shoulder and directed her back towards the heavens.
She did not go and sing with them though, instead she watched from the heavens as the shepherds made their way to the child. She felt so drawn to him She wished to travel with the humble shepherds. With a glance around her she slipped, of course unseen, down and began to walk with the shepherds, guiding a younger boy upon the lose rocks they stumbled upon. As they she came upon Bethlehem she was astonished at how many people went on about their way with out pausing for the King of Kings who laid in their own town.
" Do they not know? " She spoke out though no one could hear her. She wondered why they did not sing to those here. "Should not every one know of his coming." She gazed up at the star and floated along with the shepherds as they started away from the inns and homes. Questions again filled her mind. " How Could there have not been room for the lord?" She could see the quiet place where Mary and Joseph had taken shelter, the humble stable lit by the star's light.
She stood by the door as the others entered reverently. " My lord Lies in a manger?" She whispered peering in from the door way. She watched late into the night, long after all had left and Mary and Joseph had laid to rest. She did not dare enter for she was just a simple angel who had not even been given her body yet. A choir member, with no notable deeds. She knew though that she had to go to him and kneel to see him, It was of her deepest desires. She slowly floated to him and settled by his manger.
Her eyes took in the sight of her sleeping Lord on the hay. She began to cry. " Oh Lord my King forgive me for I just wanted to be near you" She bowed her head as she knelt there at his side. After moments of kneeling in the silence she heard a soft sigh from the babe and looked to his face. His wondrous eyes met hers and she knew that he would see her sitting there. Peace Embraced her. She knew that he understood all. That he even knew of her life to come. Hard and cold with many tears, she would even forget that this child had came for her. She could see his love in his eyes and knew that though she would forget him he would always remember her. Tears in her eyes she softly sung a song of her heart as the baby in the manger drifted back into his slumber.~ By Me
A picture is worth a thousand words and these tell a story worth every thing
These dont really all Go Together But I love these pieces and wanted to share
Fan
I was some what a fan before now I defiantly am!! No worries tho You all know me well enough that I will not be one of those silly hooked fans!
Wednesday, December 21, 2011
My name is in the News!
The Canyon Singers - This Christmastide
by Diane Grenda
Seated between decorated trees with a wreath and garland above, the Canyon Singers prepared to outshine the lights around them.
The Canyon Singers delighted a receptive audience at Kanab High School auditorium on Sunday evening, December 18. Each year, music lovers and holiday spirited Kanab residents anticipate the holiday concert, maintaining its popularity through their attendance.
Seated between decorated trees with a wreath and garland above, the choir prepared to outshine the lights around them. With firm, yet loving, and comedic direction by Mary McDonald, the Canyon Singers, who have nearly doubled in size over the past five years, performed a melodic and inspirational arrangement of religious and secular Christmas songs. And shine they did!
An opening blessing was followed by voices from heaven: an ensemble singing from above in a candlelit balcony, drawing the audience in with a Russian song, Spaseniye Soldelal, setting the stage of professionalism and talent of Kanab’s chorus of wonderful singers.
Among the many highlights of the evening were several solo performances:
Like a rose in the Kanab desert, Barbara Sanderson’s vibrato blossomed through her captivating solo, There is No Rose.
Spotlighting some of the younger voices in the choir, Breath of Heaven introduced us to new solo voices of Andrea Fisher and Kelly Bistine. Rebekah Marshall, who has been with the choir for several years, sang with a maturity that was exciting to hear.
Soloists Mariah Wheeler and Rex Yancey performed Song of Mary and Joseph in crisp and powerful precision, receiving resounding applause.
Several contemplative, and sometimes amusing, readings by Jo Quinby, Colleen McMullen, Barbara Sanderson and Mary McDonald complemented the musical program.
The Canyon Singers’ performance of Prologue in Heaven (Glory to God) highlighted their growth as a choir over the past five years, a tribute to McDonald’s superb direction and the hard work and dedication of all of the singers during rehearsals throughout the year. An impressive standing ovation before intermission resulted.
One theater goer was “impressed by the dynamic range and soloists and crisp response of the choir to the soloists.”
A local family commented that the concert “put them in the holiday spirit and was special because their daughter is in the choir.”
After intermission, laughter filled the auditorium as an angel appeared onstage to some brief heckling. Everyone was entertained by the song Monotone Angel, a comical “audition” by Terry Parthemore and supported by the choir.
Parthemore showed the audience angels do indeed appear on this earth in many forms, and none so memorable as his angel in white, feathered wings and shiny, long, brown tresses singing off-key with the choir.
Carey Belcher’s vocal clarity exuded an innocent longing for a savior here on earth in her performance of the ballad Child of Our Dreams, accompanied by Virgil Barstad on viola and Ina MaeTait on piano.
Leading the audience into some favorite carols, the choir and an ensemble performed a lively version of Walking In a Winter Wonderland.
In perfect harmony, Irving Berlin’s White Christmas was performed a capella in traditional barber-shop style by Mariah Wheeler, Connie B. Keller, Phyllis Huntington and Carey Belcher.
Virgil Barstad introduced Tammy Yamada explaining how her family was impacted by the tsunami in Japan this year. Her sincerity and dramatic hesitation as she sang I’ll Be Home for Christmas were reminiscent of Christmases past, giving special meaning to all families, and her especially.
True to tradition, McDonald led the audience in a sing-along with the choir - this year, a medley of standard carols to the delight of the audience.
Culminating with the beloved and much anticipated performance of The Halleluja Chorus from Handel’s Messiah, the Canyon Singers demonstrated professionalism and such growth with their combining voices.
The finale, This Christmastide, performed by Olyvia Chairez and Dorene Mudrow, enraptured the audience embracing us in fellowship.
About a dozen musicians from The Symphony of the Canyons accompanied the choir throughout the musical celebration. Ina Mae Tait, pianist extraordinaire, continues to be a joy to watch at the grand piano. First violinist Linda Ghidossi-DeLuca soothed the audience while Mariah Clayson’s talent in percussion added exclamation to The Hallelujah Chorus and many other songs throughout the evening.
Why Christmas means so much to me
Christmas always fills me with hope. There is so much magic in Christmas I just know any thing can happen. My Christmas wishes always seem to come true. Yes not always all at once. Some times it is just near Christmas that the first seed is planted. And then some times there is just that magical moment that it hits. I mean the Christmas Magic is there we just have to believe in it. Jesus Came t this earth that we might be able to do all things and that all things would be possible and they are through him. He gave us all things. Each blessing is ours to claim we just have to live so that e may claim it. I know that I have much to work on that I might reach out and claim all the blessings I wish to obtain.And yes some things I am unsure how to reach out for. Like my first Christmas wish this year. " To find my true love." Well i Don't know where to start to work towards that. I could date more... But the town I live in is so small that there is not much of an opertunity for that. Yes there is quite a few fresh returned missionaries that happened to be in my graduating class, and even a few of them i might be interested in ( tho I would never admit to who of them I might be interested in). I have high doubts that any of them can see me now. I was pretty much invisible in high school why would they see me now? I have gone on 2 dates in the last month or so and that is good, but there is still no way of me really striving to find true love. Some times I wonder if true love already passed me up. You know I ran away from so many guys perhaps I ran away from true love.... Oh Goodness how did I get on that spill Back to working towards Christmas Blessings! Enough on love. Ok so my Christmas Wish really is this year is " peace in my family, for them not to worry about how the next bill will be paid or how we will survive. To know that our Savoir will help us through no matter what" How Can I work towards that. I guess one way is to stop freaking out every time some one is grumpy about bills or not having the things they want to be able to have. I mean we are all human and we all want things, especially the things we can not have at this time. I even find my self sulking over my taped together turtle slow laptop, or not having the money to go back to school. No one is perfect. I could also get over the fact that every year my uncle rushes Christmas and stop feeling like he ruins Christmas. I should just enjoy the time I do get to spend with him and his family and feel blessed that I do not have a father like him. That my father lets the magic of Christmas swell in out hearts and does not let us rush greedily to open the next gift. I should Try not to dream about the past so much and long to live it again and start to look to the future even if it is here in Kanab. And I should feel blessed that so many in this small town love me even if there is not that many my age. I should feel blessed that I have a best friend, Some do not even have one friend. I need to work on so much. But the magic of Christmas is that I do not have t do it alone. Christ is with me to help me along.
Tuesday, December 20, 2011
The Christmas Orange story!
In the very early 1800's, a young boy about 14 years old named John lived in an orphanage in England along with several other children. Orphanages were dreaded. Orphan meant unwanted and unloved. The orphanage was administered by a master and his wife who were results of meager backgrounds themselves and were short on love but high on discipline. No childlike play, no expression of compassion, no understanding.
Every day of the year was spent working. They worked in gardens, cleaned, sewed, and cooked sometimes for wealthy children. They were up at dawn and worked until dark and usually received only one meal a day. However, they were very grateful because they were taught to be hard workers. John had absolutely nothing to call his own. None of the children did.
Christmas was the one day of the year when the children did not work and received a gift. A gift for each child — something to call their own.
This special gift was an orange. John had been in the orphanage long enough to look forward with delight and anticipation of this special day of Christmas and to the orange he would receive. In Old England, and to John and his orphan companions, an orange was a rare and special gift. It had an unusual aroma of something they smelled only at Christmas. The children prized it so much that they kept it for several days, weeks, and even months — protecting it, smelling it, touching it and loving it. Usually they tried to savor and preserve it for so long that it often rotted before they ever peeled it to enjoy the sweet juice.
Many thought were expressed this year as Christmas time approached. The children would say, "I will keep mine the longest." They always talked about how big their last orange was and how long they had kept it.
John usually slept with his next to his pillow. He would put it right by his nose and smell of its goodness, holding it tenderly and carefully as not to bruise it. He would dream of children all over the world smelling the sweet aroma of oranges. It gave him security and a sense of well being, hope and dreams of a future filled with good food and a life different from this meager existence.
This year John was overjoyed by the Christmas season. He was becoming a man. He knew he was becoming stronger and soon he would be old enough to leave. He was excited by this anticipation and excited about Christmas. He would save his orange until his birthday in July. If he preserved it very carefully, kept it cool and did not drop it, he might be able to eat it on his birthday.
Christmas day finally came. The children were so excited as they entered the big dining hall. John could smell the unusual aroma of meat. In his excitement and because of his oversized feet, he tripped, causing a disturbance. Immediately the master roared, "John, leave the hall and there will be no orange for you this year." John's heart broke violently wide open. He began to cry. He turned and went swiftly back to the cold room and his corner so the small children would not see his anguish.
Then he heard the door open and each of the children entered. Little Elizabeth with her hair falling over her shoulders, a smile on her face, and tears in her eyes held out a piece of rag to John. "Here John," she said, "this is for you." John was touched by her youth and innocence as he reached for the bulge in her hand.
As he lifted back the edges of the rag he saw a big juicy orange all peeled and quartered. . . and then he realized what they had done. Each had sacrificed their own orange by sharing a quarter and had created a big, beautiful orange for John. John never forgot the sharing, love and personal sacrifice his friends had shown him that Christmas day.
Every day of the year was spent working. They worked in gardens, cleaned, sewed, and cooked sometimes for wealthy children. They were up at dawn and worked until dark and usually received only one meal a day. However, they were very grateful because they were taught to be hard workers. John had absolutely nothing to call his own. None of the children did.
Christmas was the one day of the year when the children did not work and received a gift. A gift for each child — something to call their own.
This special gift was an orange. John had been in the orphanage long enough to look forward with delight and anticipation of this special day of Christmas and to the orange he would receive. In Old England, and to John and his orphan companions, an orange was a rare and special gift. It had an unusual aroma of something they smelled only at Christmas. The children prized it so much that they kept it for several days, weeks, and even months — protecting it, smelling it, touching it and loving it. Usually they tried to savor and preserve it for so long that it often rotted before they ever peeled it to enjoy the sweet juice.
Many thought were expressed this year as Christmas time approached. The children would say, "I will keep mine the longest." They always talked about how big their last orange was and how long they had kept it.
John usually slept with his next to his pillow. He would put it right by his nose and smell of its goodness, holding it tenderly and carefully as not to bruise it. He would dream of children all over the world smelling the sweet aroma of oranges. It gave him security and a sense of well being, hope and dreams of a future filled with good food and a life different from this meager existence.
This year John was overjoyed by the Christmas season. He was becoming a man. He knew he was becoming stronger and soon he would be old enough to leave. He was excited by this anticipation and excited about Christmas. He would save his orange until his birthday in July. If he preserved it very carefully, kept it cool and did not drop it, he might be able to eat it on his birthday.
Christmas day finally came. The children were so excited as they entered the big dining hall. John could smell the unusual aroma of meat. In his excitement and because of his oversized feet, he tripped, causing a disturbance. Immediately the master roared, "John, leave the hall and there will be no orange for you this year." John's heart broke violently wide open. He began to cry. He turned and went swiftly back to the cold room and his corner so the small children would not see his anguish.
Then he heard the door open and each of the children entered. Little Elizabeth with her hair falling over her shoulders, a smile on her face, and tears in her eyes held out a piece of rag to John. "Here John," she said, "this is for you." John was touched by her youth and innocence as he reached for the bulge in her hand.
As he lifted back the edges of the rag he saw a big juicy orange all peeled and quartered. . . and then he realized what they had done. Each had sacrificed their own orange by sharing a quarter and had created a big, beautiful orange for John. John never forgot the sharing, love and personal sacrifice his friends had shown him that Christmas day.
John's beginning was a meager existence, however, his growth to manhood was rewarded by wealth and success. In memory of that day every year he would send oranges all over the world to children everywhere. His desire was that no child would ever spend Christmas without a special Christmas fruit!
Stay
Can a butterfly be any thing other than a butterfly? Can I be some thing that stays? That will not let any one slip away? Can I be a leach? haha ok maybe not a leach for they feed of the other person. I am so tired of drifting. Or should I say now that I can not drift I am freaking out. Why was I born a butterfly?? am so used to drifting that I never thought there would be a time that I would not be able to drift. All through High school I drifted from one group of friends to the next. From Gothic to prom queen. I college even it seemed that my friends changed. No I never fully lost any friends. I can say that every one that I have ever been friends with I still see as a friend. Just often we drift apart, ages apart some times. Even my Closest of friends and I seem to drift apart though though those times we still saw each other as best friends. My best friend knows that I am used to drifting. And I am. I really am. But what if I want to have some one that will not let me go? I Hate that when a guy asks me for my number and even if I think he is cute I say no and walk away. I pull back, I hide. I run away. I need some one to hold me back. I need some one who will not let me drift away. To.. Chase me round hiding in bushes and pulling me in just to see me again. I need some one that will stay. I learned to drift because no one ever stayed. Now I need some one to teach me to stay by staying. I want to stay. I want some one to want me to stay.
Don't let me walk away.
Hold me back chase me down.
Kiss me when I want to scream.
Take my hand and stay with me.
Teach me how to stay.
Blow me away so I never need the wind under my wings.
Show me what is to me some ones dream.
Drive me crazy just to know my name.
Throw things at my window till I hate you.
Make me see you.
When I avoid you keep bugging me.
Tell me you love me when I cant stand you.
Reach out for me as I turn away.
I am sure to try to run.
To take my leave,
I will hide my heart, Tho I am longing to love.
I will tell you to leave, when I want you to stay.
I have built these walls strong, Tear them down.
Don't leave me here.
Hold me back.
Don't let me go.
Love me, Bug me, Drive me crazy.
Stay with me.
Teach me how to stay.
Don't let me walk away.
Hold me back chase me down.
Kiss me when I want to scream.
Take my hand and stay with me.
Teach me how to stay.
Blow me away so I never need the wind under my wings.
Show me what is to me some ones dream.
Drive me crazy just to know my name.
Throw things at my window till I hate you.
When I avoid you keep bugging me.
Tell me you love me when I cant stand you.
Reach out for me as I turn away.
I am sure to try to run.
To take my leave,
I will hide my heart, Tho I am longing to love.
I will tell you to leave, when I want you to stay.
I have built these walls strong, Tear them down.
Don't leave me here.
Hold me back.
Don't let me go.
Love me, Bug me, Drive me crazy.
Stay with me.
Teach me how to stay.
Saturday, December 17, 2011
Thursday, December 15, 2011
Wednesday, December 14, 2011
Dreamer
Why do I still dream of him when I know he is gone?That when I open my eyes I will not see him any where? I am over it...Right? It does not hurt as bad when I think of him in the day. But when I drift of into a dream that he is here holding me close, teasing me like he did, I can feel his love his gentle touch of my hair, hear him tell me that my hair is finer than silk and my smiles are worth more than all the money in the world, I never want to open my eyes. It feels so real through the night but then when contagiousness starts to seep in I know that he begins to fade away and then I wish to hold to him
as tightly as I can, begging him not to leave me. Then I open my eyes to find he is not here and the pain is left that wraps around my heart missing him even more. Why do I dream of him when I know he will never come back?
as tightly as I can, begging him not to leave me. Then I open my eyes to find he is not here and the pain is left that wraps around my heart missing him even more. Why do I dream of him when I know he will never come back?
Monday, December 12, 2011
Food for thought
If you have food in the refrigerator, clothes on your back a roof over your head and a place to sleep.. you are richer than 75% of this world.
If you have money in the bank in your wallet and some spear change in a dish some where... you are are among the top 8% of the worlds wealthy.
If you woke up this morning with more health then illness.. you are more blessed than the million that will not survive this week.
If you can attend a religious meeting with out fear of harassment, arrest, or death... you are more blessed than Three billion people in this world.
If your parents are still alive and still married you are very well just in the united states.
I do not mean to bring you down in any way but to lift you up. To Remind you to count your blessings every day. :D We are more blessed than we take account for. Look at the things you have and give thanks for them this Christmas time. The time that we were given the Greatest blessing of all... That small babe in a manger.
If you have money in the bank in your wallet and some spear change in a dish some where... you are are among the top 8% of the worlds wealthy.
If you woke up this morning with more health then illness.. you are more blessed than the million that will not survive this week.
If you can attend a religious meeting with out fear of harassment, arrest, or death... you are more blessed than Three billion people in this world.
If your parents are still alive and still married you are very well just in the united states.
I do not mean to bring you down in any way but to lift you up. To Remind you to count your blessings every day. :D We are more blessed than we take account for. Look at the things you have and give thanks for them this Christmas time. The time that we were given the Greatest blessing of all... That small babe in a manger.
The Reason for the Season
My Dear Pres. Gordon B. Hinckley once said. " What a glorious season is the time of Christmas. Hearts are softened. Voices are raised in worship. Kindness and mercy are re-enthroned as elements in our lives."
This is so true. I love this time of the year for the love that I see just shining off of each persons face. Those in the Store that usually do not greet you are fast to wish you the best holiday. There is singing every where you turn ( or at least Humming along to the radio as it plays many well known christmas melodies) Children seem to just shine with kindness ( even if it is to make sure they make in on the "nice list" ) Every where you turn the true meaning of Christmas is shining out for all to see. Though for some reason we forget the meaning all together. How is this with the Love pretty much shouting out for us. The True meaning of Christmas is love. Its the selfless acts we see, the kindness filling each heart as they share what little they have with those around them.
I Have a few stories I wish to share of the Examples of the love and kindness that is streaming out from the heart of those who know how to keep Christmas.
As I was growing up I was often told the story of the children who had wished for alot for Christmas and got just that. They had seen a family with nothing and on Christmas their father had asked them if they wanted to give one of their many gifts to this family and the children gave up all their gifts so that this family could have the best Christmas ever. ( the story went some thing like that. Forgive me if I am wrong) and in return those children that gave the gifts had the happiest Christmas they had ever had.
Tonight I logged into Facebook to see that a Dear friend had posted this touching Story for all to see and to spread the Christmas Spirit far and wide. "The doorbell rang a little while ago. When I answered I saw a beautiful plate of cookies and an envelope waiting on our doorstep. In the bushes there were little children giggling and trying to hide. When I went to investigate, they dashed off before I could see who they were. Shouting a 'Merry Christmas' to them I went back inside and opened the card. Inside I found $150 and a simple note: 'Merry Christmas.'-I am speechless and humbled."
I can even say that my family has been touched by such wonders. One year my Dad had been out of work for so long and there was going to be very little under the tree and also on the table. In fact we did not even know if I was going to make it home for Christmas since I was 4 hours away at college. But miracles seemed to flood upon us. My parents found a plastic jug of coin on there step and tho it might not have seemed like a huge deed it happened to have counted out to about $50, just enough to get me home. And the miracles did not stop there. "Santa" Came to the Marshall home a few hours early that year, For when we returned home from a christmas eve get-together at grandmas we all stood in aw by the neatly placed boxes on our porch. There were two of them. One huge box and one smaller but still large. both over flowing with gifts. Some wrapped and some not. There was gifts for my sister and a card for my mother and I. There was pretty mush a whole Christmas dinner in there and many beautifully wrapped gifts for my sister and one for my father. Dad opened one card to find a $50 Gas card to pay the way for me to return to school. And mom being now so interested in what was in our cards peaked to see that we each had $100 card to walmart. We all started to cry. For this was more than we needed to light the Christmas spirit in our home. And even my Dad sat in tears long after and bore his testimony to me. ( that was the best Christmas gift of all). I was able to buy the things that I was in bad need of at college. And Elisabeth had many new toys to open. And my father got the scriptures on tape that he was lacking. And each of us had been given some thing that no amount of gifts could measure up to. Love. We new the love that Christmas is all about.
Some day when I have the means to I wish to pass that gift along. I long to be able to do such a thing for a family that is in the state that mine has been in. I know that there may be many more Christmas's like that for me and my family in the future. Even this year It saddens me to see my family struggle to get into the Christmas spirit as they see the things that we can not afford. But it is not the price that is on the gift or what even lies under the festive wrap. It is that it was given. To me I really do not mind if I was to go with out from now until the end of time for I know the meaning of Christmas is none of that. It is Love. " For God so LOVED the world.." Love.
There is more to Christmas than Ribbons and bows. It is much much more.
| "And the Grinch, with his Grinch-feet ice cold in the snow, stood puzzling and puzzling, how could it be so? It came without ribbons. It came without tags. It came without packages, boxes or bags. And he puzzled and puzzled 'till his puzzler was sore. Then the Grinch thought of something he hadn't before. What if Christmas, he thought, doesn't come from a store? What if Christmas, perhaps, means a little bit more?" |
I want to learn to do this!
I found this amazing and thought every one should know how talented these two are! I want an odd talent like this. I know God has given me some great talents like Singing, Poetry, Writing, and Drawing. But those are all very well known and the only thing that makes people go " wow" is that I like to sing Opera. But I do not have one that people stare at me and say " how does she do that? " Or " I have never seen any thing like that before!" haha So now I am determined to learn some thing unique!
The Christmas Nail
It's Christmas time at our house
and we're putting up the tree.
I wish I could find some simple way
to remember Christ's gift to me.
Some little sign or symbol
to show friends stopping by,
The little babe was born one day
but He really came to die.
Some symbol of His nail-pierced hands,
the blood He shed for you and me.
What if I hung a simple nail
on my shining Christmas tree?
A crimson bow tied round the nail
as His blood flowed down so free,
To save each person from their sin
and redeem us for eternity.
I know it was His love for us
that held Him to the tree,
But when I see this simple nail
I know He died for me.
- Author Unknown
things I want to give a try this holiday
This is a festive cheese ball that i think is just charming. Every year my family has a little get together on Christmas eve and have snacks and a program. We always have a cheese ball or two so this is a Creative way to have it.
Friday, December 9, 2011
Thursday, December 8, 2011
The Legend of the Candy Cane
Many years ago, a candymaker wanted to make a candy at Christmas time that would serve as a witness to his Christian faith. He wanted to incorporate several symbols for the birth, ministry and death of Jesus.
He began with a stick of pure white hard candy. The white symbolized the virgin birth and the sinless life of Jesus.
He made the candy hard to symbolize the that Jesus is the solid rock and the foundation of the church. The firmness also represents the promises of God.
The candy maker made the candy in the form of a "J" to represent the name of Jesus, who came to earth as our Savior. He thought it could also represent the staff of Jesus, the Good Shepherd.
The candy maker then added red stripes. He used three small stripes to show the stripes of the scourging Jesus received, by which we are healed. The large red stripe was for the blood shed by Christ on the cross so that we could be forgiven and have the promise of eternal life. The flavor of mint is similar to hyssop. In Old Testament times, hyssop was associated with purification and sacrifice. It was also used at the cross as they gave Jesus a drink of vinegar before He gave up the Ghost.
The Meaning of the Snowflake
Every new snowflake comes to the earth
as a picture of our Saviour’s birth,
because they are sent from up above
and remind us of God’s care and love.
Each one is so intricate and small
because Christ sees the details of us all,
and just as two are never the same
the Lord knows and calls us each by name.
Snowflakes gently cover the world in white
and hide what’s unlovely from our sight,
showing us how He covers our sin
and gives us His grace when we come to Him.
So may every snowflake bring Christ to mind
and in every bit of white may you find
a reason to celebrate anew
and a reminder of His love for you.
as a picture of our Saviour’s birth,
because they are sent from up above
and remind us of God’s care and love.
Each one is so intricate and small
because Christ sees the details of us all,
and just as two are never the same
the Lord knows and calls us each by name.
Snowflakes gently cover the world in white
and hide what’s unlovely from our sight,
showing us how He covers our sin
and gives us His grace when we come to Him.
So may every snowflake bring Christ to mind
and in every bit of white may you find
a reason to celebrate anew
and a reminder of His love for you.
The story of the three trees
Once upon a mountain top, three little trees stood and dreamed of what they wanted to become when they grew up. The first little tree looked up at the stars and said: " I want to hold treasure. I want to be covered with gold and filled with precious stones. I'll be the most beautiful treasure chest in the world!" The second little tree looked out at the small stream trickling by on it's way to the ocean. " I want to be traveling mighty waters and carrying powerful kings. I'll be the strongest ship in the world! The third little tree looked down into the valley below where busy men and women worked in a busy town. I don't want to leave the mountain top at all. I want to grow so tall that when people stop to look at me they'll raise their eyes to heaven and think of God. I will be the tallest tree in the world.
Years, passed. The rain came, the sun shone and the little trees grew tall. One day three wood cutters climbed the mountain. The first wood cutter looked at the first tree and said, "This tree is beautiful. It is perfect for me." With a swoop of his shining ax, the first tree fell. "Now I shall make a beautiful chest, I shall hold wonderful treasure!" the first tree said.
The second wood cutter looked at the second tree and said, "This tree is strong. It's perfect for me." With a swoop of his shining ax, the second tree fell. "Now I shall sail mighty waters!" thought the second tree. " I shall be a strong ship for mighty kings!"
The third tree felt her heart sink when the last wood cutter looked her way. She stood straight and tall and pointed bravely to heaven. But the wood cutter never even looked up. "Any kind of tree will do for me." He muttered. With a swoop of his shining ax, the third tree fell.
The first tree rejoiced when the wood cutter brought her to a carpenter's shop. But the carpenter fashioned the tree into a feed box for animals. The once beautiful tree was not covered with gold, or treasure. She was coated with saw dust and filled with hay for hungry farm animals. The second tree smiled when the wood cutter took her to a shipyard, but no mighty sailing ship was made that day. Instead the once strong tree was hammered and awed into a simple fishing boat. She was too small and too weak to sail to an ocean, or even a river, instead she was taken to a little lake. The third tree was confused when the wood cutter cut her into strong beams and left her in a lumberyard. "What happened?" The once tall tree wondered. " All I ever wanted was to stay on the mountain top and point to God..."
One evening a tired traveler and his friends crowded into the old fishing boat. The traveler fell asleep as the second tree quietly sailed out into the lake. Soon a thundering and a thrashing storm arose. The little tree shuddered. She new she did not have the strength to carry so many passengers safely through the wind and the rain. The tired man awoke. He stood up, stretched out his hand, and said, "Peace." The storm stopped as quickly as it had begun. And suddenly the second tree knew he was carrying the king of heaven and earth.One Friday morning, the third tree was startled when her beams were yanked from the forgotten wood pile. She flinched as she was carried through an angry jeering crowd. She shuddered when soldiers nailed a man's hand to her. She felt ugly and harsh and cruel. But on Sunday morning, when the sun rose and the earth trembled with joy beneath her, the third tree knew that God's love had changed everything. It had made the third tree strong. And every time people thought of the third tree, they would think of God. That was better than being the tallest tree in the world.
The next time you feel down because you didn't get what you wanted, sit tight and be happy because God is thinking of something better to give you.
Chick Flicks
I dunno if its a good Idea for me to watch chick flicks. One of my roommates all the time we lived in the same area was convenced I was a true cynic and that I would never day dream of romance. Oh ho wrong could she ever be. I am truly a full blown hopeless romantic at heart and day dream of love and all that every day of my life. I am not as bad as I used to be and yes I can seem a tiny bit cynical but that does not mean I do not dream of finding my true love, I just have a hard time believing it ill ever happen. Do you blame me tho? I thought at one time I had found my true love and he got snagged away from me. Some times I believe it was because I was not good enough for him but then who is good enough for an angel?
Lately I have found my self not having a reason. I hate not having a reason. I mean one of my old friends asked me who I was crushing on and I dont even have that! Yes I have gone months and months with out even being interested in some one but that was at the time I had thought my only calling in life was to be a missionary. I had planned on never marring just to spend the rest of my life serving my Lord. Now what? I am not Interested in any one. Those guys I do know are not interested in me, that I know. There is not even one guy I can look at and say " if I was forced to wed tomorrow I would not mind being with him forever". In fact if I was Told I had to get married by the end of this year ( being less than a month) or never marry I would end up the Former. Not the happiest thought but it is true.
I guess I can not say these things for sure. I mean who knows tomorrow I could go to Honey's and run into the love of my life and e could click just like that and know we are meant to be with each other forever, But the Cynic in me says that there is no way that will ever happen. So for now I am happy with my chick flicks and day dreams of one of these times I trip and fall and drop my groceries all over that a handsome young man will stoop to my rescue and I will finally look in to some ones eyes and know that my chance for love is not lost on the breeze.
And this lil bit is kinda a Rant of some thing that some what really bothers me! I hate when you are sitting there with one of your guy friends ( that you may or may not like) and you end up talking about how you don't date and they say some thing along the lines of " Bellah any guy would be so Blessed to date you, Guys must be lining up for miles to get the chance to meet you. You are wonderful and there is no guy out there that would not want to date you" Well what about him?! If guys are lining up to date me where are they?! Are they ghost? No not even that for I cant even feel them! Are they under some magic spell that I can not see nor feel them as they line up wishing they had the chance to date me? Am I that scary that one f them cant find the guts to ask me out? haha It just makes me laugh when my guy friends tell me this.
" guys would kill just to have one date with you Bells" Really? Perhaps they killed each other all off, fought to the death and the last 2 stabbed each other at the same time. Uhhuh that's what happened. hehe.
Lately I have found my self not having a reason. I hate not having a reason. I mean one of my old friends asked me who I was crushing on and I dont even have that! Yes I have gone months and months with out even being interested in some one but that was at the time I had thought my only calling in life was to be a missionary. I had planned on never marring just to spend the rest of my life serving my Lord. Now what? I am not Interested in any one. Those guys I do know are not interested in me, that I know. There is not even one guy I can look at and say " if I was forced to wed tomorrow I would not mind being with him forever". In fact if I was Told I had to get married by the end of this year ( being less than a month) or never marry I would end up the Former. Not the happiest thought but it is true.
I guess I can not say these things for sure. I mean who knows tomorrow I could go to Honey's and run into the love of my life and e could click just like that and know we are meant to be with each other forever, But the Cynic in me says that there is no way that will ever happen. So for now I am happy with my chick flicks and day dreams of one of these times I trip and fall and drop my groceries all over that a handsome young man will stoop to my rescue and I will finally look in to some ones eyes and know that my chance for love is not lost on the breeze.
And this lil bit is kinda a Rant of some thing that some what really bothers me! I hate when you are sitting there with one of your guy friends ( that you may or may not like) and you end up talking about how you don't date and they say some thing along the lines of " Bellah any guy would be so Blessed to date you, Guys must be lining up for miles to get the chance to meet you. You are wonderful and there is no guy out there that would not want to date you" Well what about him?! If guys are lining up to date me where are they?! Are they ghost? No not even that for I cant even feel them! Are they under some magic spell that I can not see nor feel them as they line up wishing they had the chance to date me? Am I that scary that one f them cant find the guts to ask me out? haha It just makes me laugh when my guy friends tell me this.
" guys would kill just to have one date with you Bells" Really? Perhaps they killed each other all off, fought to the death and the last 2 stabbed each other at the same time. Uhhuh that's what happened. hehe.Saturday, December 3, 2011
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