Best Christmas Gift Ever

Death came knocking several times in the later part of this year through means of cancer. My prayers have come before the Almighty with requests of Comfort and Joy to fill the hearts of the loved ones left on this earth as the holidays have arrived.

I got to know nasty pancreatic cancer first hand when this became the journey for two believers from my childhood days. Even though I saw the wasting away of the body first hand, God brought hope to my heart trough hymns and His Word. Even though tears where in my cup, Joy bubbled up in my heart.

As Christmas neared I found the best gift ever under the tree is where the nativity is nestled. In the shadow of the manger is the Cross and beyond is Sonrise of Everlasting Life. It is a GIFT. All you have to do is receive! Amid the lost of a beloved believer I know that when all get to Heaven, what a day of rejoicing will be.

As I was contemplating what my itching fingers wanted to write, sad news came. My 1st grade nephew was with family saying goodbyes to his grandmotherly neighbor babysitter who was dying of cancer. It ended traumatically as she breathed her last on this earth. Earth is full of pain and lost. We are human and no matter how strong your faith is, the stuff of earth weighs us down. Through it all for the believer the Son always shines through.

Receive the Best Gift ever today and if you have Eternal Life, enjoy your Abundant Joyful Everlasting Life with childhood abandon. Guess what? The Best Christmas Ever will be that Day of Rejoicing for all believers when Jesus Christ comes back for us!!!!!

Merry Christmas!!!

Jesus Christ's gifts to me ...

My thoughts of late have been about gifts and because it is Jesus Christ birth here on earth, I have been thinking about the gifts He has given me. Odd for the One with the birthday to be the giver of gifts but 'tis true!

Jesus Christ's first and foremost gift is Salvation & Eternal Life but you know what? He saves me from myself every day! I can make a mess of things but He is always there with pure and right ways which gives me comfort and joy even if it looks like I walk alone from the outside looking in.

This year Jesus took away my AP job and after a month of me stewing around with unemployment woes, He gave me a job back in Costing. Sure, I don't like this job but I thank Him for it and try to do my best at focusing. My sister-in-law has been without a job for a year now! I've been without a job for a good bit of time back in '03 but not sure how I would have faired this time around. I could be frustrated but I am not. I am just taking it bit by bit. The next gift helps a great deal...

Jesus also gave me a crochet hook this year. I could not have figured it out without Him. I want to make Amigurumi and on January 4th of this year, I was very excited to be making my first stitches. It has become such an addition. It is wonderful to keep the brain preoccupied with creating from the worries of life. I smile a lot and feel pretty fine when a creature is made and is smiling back at me. Sounds silly? No matter. My job feeds my passion and my passion feeds my delight!

There are a million other gifts Jesus has given .... and as I sign off with just a tiny few, know that I am continuing the gift list as mental exercise ... What gifts has Jesus given you this year?

my 14,525th day

1. The 3 monkeys made for my little niece, nephew, and tween niece seemed to be a hit. The nephew was really giving his train monkey a workout! I hope my workmanship holds up to the wear and tear!

2. Made white origami Christmas tree name cards with a different 'fear not' verse on the back of each for each of us to read aloud because I wanted to encourage each family member that we are not given the spirit of fear. Bravo! I didn't chicken out. However, a lot of tears as the sister-in-law whose job was the safest out of the lot was lost past Monday due to false accusations. She has been getting a lot of fear not and trust God messages. I had Dad follow up with prayer. It has been amazing to exhale as a family and see how God has been working in our lives.

3. Added 3 lip goo to my collection! Plus, a really simple patriotic stationary ... hmm, maybe I should start writing long hand!

great gain ...

God-ways + contentment = great gain
I Tim 6:6

I ran across this verse earlier in this Christmas season and was thinking how it was an important thought to teach the little ones. In the following verses it talks about be content with the food and clothing and at this time of pinching everything for all its worth, shouldn't the simple things instead of toys and gadgets make us content?

Last night I was reading God's Word for some mental renewing as I was feeling a bit frustrated. Aloneness has been a long time companion even as I try to make homey traditions that one usually does with a little brood of a family and I find my heart always a bit wanting at this time of year. I want contentment to be very deep seated in my life and I wonder if I will ever achieve it.

Why isn't shelter - shelter of family and friends - added here in this passage? It is simple and it is not a toy or gadget. I know this kind of shelter is important as other passages point to like being friendly in Proverbs 18:24 and like be courteous as we are heirs together in I Peter 3:7-8 and like being knitted together in Col 2:2. I know I failed terribly in the sheltering part last night and even as I saw being neglected by others, I didn't get it until I got into my cold jeep and made way to my small quiet home.

I have a mental picture of the man of the house coming home and the wife greeting him as a king coming home to his kingdom. That wife knows deeply in her heart that she wants him to feel welcomed and safe here so that it is a no brainer that when things are tough and heart wrenching out there that he chooses to home and her than work or another woman every time. So why aren't I developing another picture to work out for the knitted heirs? Shouldn't I treat each moment even when I am physically or emotionally hurting as royal moments?

Teamwork is extremely important to me but it involves two or more - again here I have couple thoughts and motives yet I have a lone life. {Sighs} Anyways as I seek contentment, a wish I have is teamwork in my life as I think it would give me the encouragement I long for .... hmmm, another wish!

Great gain ÷ by God-Ways = contentment
Is this a valid ? a thinker ...

God is not dead nor doth He sleep...

I was loom knitting my first Christmas bells earlier in the month and as I was amazed at how well they turned out, some of the words from a beloved Christmas Hymn came to mind. "God is not dead nor doth He sleep ... peace on earth, good-will to men''. I was trying to recall all the words from the hymn when from the back of the darken memory halls came the thought that this hymn was written in the time of war. Was it WWII? I would search for more info when I got online but it was dark and the Christmas lights were twinkling, bedtime was here, and my heart was very moved thinking how much hope is there was in hearing Christmas Bells. God is not dead to the quaking hearts of man even in war or financial darkness. I prayed with heavy heart for those of us facing turbulent times at work and possible no work in the near future and I prayed with a very light heart because of the HOPE in God who cares for little old me and for all those who SEEK Him.

When I did get online to find the words to this beloved hymn, I found out that it was a poem written by a beloved American poet. It wasn't WWII but the American Civil war on Christmas Day 1864. More info found that Henry had just received news that his son was injured in battle and he also had lost his wife to a fire accident two years prior. This man had so much darkness and despair in his heart and he let it bubble out onto the written page and with it his faith and hope in God poured out too. It still rings out today in any kind of pain or loss or desperation. Let the Christmas Bells ring out in the chambers of your heart today and year 'round!

Christmas Bells by Henry W Longfellow

I HEARD the bells on Christmas Day
Their old, familiar carols play,
And wild and sweet
The words repeat
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!

And thought how, as the day had come,
The belfries of all Christendom
Had rolled along
The unbroken song
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!

Till ringing, singing on its way,
The world revolved from night to day,
A voice, a chime,
A chant sublime
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!

Then from each black, accursed mouth
The cannon thundered in the South,
And with the sound
The carols drowned
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!

It was as if an earthquake rent
The hearth-stones of a continent,
And made forlorn
The households born
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!

And in despair I bowed my head;
"There is no peace on earth," I said;
"For hate is strong,
And mocks the song
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!"

Then pealed the bells more loud and deep:
"God is not dead, nor doth He sleep;
The Wrong shall fail,
The Right prevail,
With peace on earth, good-will to men."

FEAR NOT!!!

Instead of resolutions I choose a theme for each year as a way to seek God on something that I would like to enrich in my life. It isn't about change or self-help but rather seeking and having God-Help in my life. Some years I don't have a theme and what is cool is that God brings a theme into my life just like He did this year.

Towards the beginning of the year the whisper of ~fear not~ began. I saw it in that God never has told us to be discouraged or defeated. He is always saying to ~fear not and to take heart~! I just want to shout because it moved me so. Then September hit me like a freight train on a frantic mission of speed and evil - an old relationship tried to come back and the combining of two companies then with the $markets in a tailspin, I had feelings of sadness and wonderings. God sent in the sparrows so that I could hear His ~fear not~. My strength was renewed and I want to spread it to my family as each of us is affected since 3 of us have manufacturing jobs.

I am so thankful to have these two weeks off here in December even if it is because my place of work is teetering on the unknown. I have been on the go for so long and so fast, this calm is so welcomed and enjoyed. I do not know what January holds but I shout back that God took care of me with one job loss, He will take care of me in this one.

Who knows, maybe there will be a new beginning in work that I am passionate about! Last time God gave me the gift of JOY. So all I can be is excited and expectant for what He will bring!

I do feel frustrated when I see the men in my life get bogged down by the pressures of work and their loss of providing for their loved ones. I know this is crucial in a man's life so how does a girl reflect this ~fear not~ message into a man's life? I don't know but to quietly express it and convey to them how good they are in the providing. God will be showing me the way of encouraging because I seek ...

I am making a list of ~fear not passages from His Word. Try it! I using the Blue Letter Bible.com to do my study.

'The Lord Himself goes before you
& will be with you;
He will never leave you nor forsake you.
Do not be afraid;
Do not be discouraged.'
Deut 31:8

'For I the Lord thy God will hold your right hand,
saying unto thee, FEAR NOT;
I will help thee.'
Isa 41:13

'FEAR NOT for I have redeemed thee,
I have called thee by thy name;
thou art Mine.'
Isa 43:1

'Wait on the Lord,
Be of Good Courage
& He will strengthen thine heart ♡'
Ps 27:14

'I, even I, am He
Who comforts you.
Who are you to be afraid of mortal man?'
Isa 51:12

'The Lord will not allow the righteous soul to famish.'
Prov 10:3

'.. if God is for us, who can be against us?'
Rom 8:31

'The Lord gives strength to His people;
the Lord bless His people with peace.
Ps 29:11

'Look to the Lord
& His Strength;
Seek His Face always.
Remember the Wonders He has done,
His Miracles & the judgements He pronounced.'
Ps 105:4-5

'Rejoice in Christ Jesus
& have NO confidence in the flesh.'
Phil 3:3

'For God has NOT given us the spirit of fear,
but of POWER, and of LOVE, and of a SOUND MIND.'
II Tim 1:7

'And when I saw Him, I fell at His feet as dead.
And He laid His Right hand upon me, saying unto me,
FEAR NOT; I am the First and the Last.'
Rev 1:17

'Who shall not fear Thee, O Lord,
and glorify Thy Name?
For Thou only art Holy:
for all nations shall come and worship before Thee;
for Thy judgements are made manifest.'
Rev 15:4

So quake on earth, I SHALL NOT BE MOVED!

Merry Christmas & FEAR NOT!

FEAR NOT for behold,
I bring you Good Tidings of Great Joy
which will be to all people.
For there is born to you this day in the city of David
a SAVIOR, who is Christ the Lord.'
Luke 2:10-11

not my plan!

She is a teenager with child. Engaged but not married. The child is not his. Honest, she is a good girl. If it was her plan she would not be with child without being married and the child would be his. She doesn't mess around. She knows the Bible stories passed down. She seeks to please her God. But ...

He is a few years older and is engaged but she is with baby that is not his. He knows the law. He could parade her through town and then have her stoned, but he is a gentle soul and will put her away quietly. He seeks to obey his God. But...

But God wanted Mary, a virgin, to carry and bring Jesus into the world. He knew there would be talk of His Son being born of a wayward woman but see His plans are not our own. Can you imagine the glares and the fingers pointing at Mary?

But God wanted Joseph to step up and protect Mary. God wanted Joseph to father the Son who was not his own. Can you imagine the whispers and the eyes avoiding you just because you went a married a woman who was with a child not your own?

It really went deep for me this year for some reason. We think obeying and loving God is a neatly wrapped plan of doing what is right and that it will be easy. Or at least it should be! Why do we think like this? Remember God says His Plans are not our plans so we shouldn't be so surprised when His Plan asks us to obey and love God when it is not so neatly wrapped. In fact our plan is way to easy and we think we should get a ton of favor (human) heaped upon us for doing the right things. Problem - that isn't a true obedience or a true love. We need to do His Messy Wild Plan with all our obedience and love. Now that is true - when you can do it when others laugh at you and think you lost it - true love for Him ... our gift back to a God who loved us first...

Merry Christmas!

Noel {n}

= birth.

As a young girl I remember this word intriguing me. It was night time and I was in the backseat of the family car watching the Christmas nights. This word was painted white on a dark wood plate hanging by a porch light. I still see it as it is engraved deeply in my mind. I thought the word interesting yet didn't understand it. It is not a native word of the English language. It seemed French and I don't like French because they make strange sounds from letters that seem crazy to me.

(Another young memory was when Dad was giving his name and address. Our last name usually has an the letter L in it, but our family line is the only one that does not have the L. So he states his first name with two N's and his last name with no L. The lady repeats it back 'So you live on Noel street?')

Not to long ago I have come to know a man named Noel. To my surprise it is not pronouced like the Christmas Noel but like 'No' with a light L touch. He didn't seem to have a good understanding of his name. That happens if peers make fun of your name or if family use it with distain. I was frustrated by that so I set out to figure out this name for myself. To the name book I went. It means 'Birthday of the Lord'. Ok, he sould be proud of the name! Later, I found another name book (see, I am addicted to name books because I lovvvvvve words and I look up my favorite names). This name book suggested a more modern take on Noel. It was perfect! Noel = precious gift! I took this and wrote a very long letter to encourage him.

Today Noel takes on a new meaning. It is not from the French. I can't remember for sure what country, but Noel = birth. I like that especially when everything is ending. An Ending means a new beginning is there for you to begin. New birth.....

But most of all Noel is about the BIRTH of the MOST PRECIOUS GIFT ever! Have you received the BIRTH of the MOST PRECIOUS GIFT ever? Seek and He will find you. Unwrap the GIFT and HE WILL TRANSFORM YOU AND YOUR LIFE!

I saw Santa Claus ...

... riding his motorbike on the highway that runs through our town. Wow! I thought I wouldn't see anything like that here. Maybe California or the movies but not here. Today our big snow from the previous weekend has melted away. The highs are in reaching for 50's but it is soggy and grey. Guess Santa thought that he should get his motorcycle out for another spin before Old Man Winter blows into town again. It was a great sight - red hat covering his long white hair and his white beard blowing in the wind. He had a brown leather coat keeping him snug and warm. He didn't forget his red pants and black boots! It is a bummer that I left my camera at home. Anyways I would have to be a quick shot and known ahead of time.

Now why would a girl who doesn't believe in the commercializm of this holiday get a kick over a man wearing a santa suit while motorbiking? 'Cause it ain't normal and I love it when I see someone enjoy life. Pretty great to see him all decked in red on such a grey, grey day! Hats off too to those who put wreaths on their vehicles and wear santa hats while shopping. I could not do it but you make me smile. thank you!

Hark! the Herald Angels sing...

I have often wondered why they put the carol 'Hark! the Herald Angels Sing' in my favorite movie "It's a Wonderful Life". What was the connection? I believe it to be in how God can change our darkest night into a Christmas morning. What a transformation God's Saving Power can do to a life ...

Hark! The herald angels sing,
“Glory to the newborn King;
Peace on earth, and mercy mild,
God and sinners reconciled!”
Joyful, all ye nations rise,
Join the triumph of the skies;
With th’angelic host proclaim,
“Christ is born in Bethlehem!”

Hark! the herald angels sing,
“Glory to the newborn King!”

Christ, by highest Heav’n adored;
Christ the everlasting Lord;
Late in time, behold Him come,
Offspring of a virgin’s womb.
Veiled in flesh the Godhead see;
Hail th’incarnate Deity,
Pleased with us in flesh to dwell,
Jesus our Emmanuel.

Hark! the herald angels sing,
“Glory to the newborn King!”

Hail the heav’nly Prince of Peace!
Hail the Sun of Righteousness!
Light and life to all He brings,
Ris’n with healing in His wings.
Mild He lays His glory by,
Born that man no more may die.
Born to raise the sons of earth,
Born to give them second birth.

Hark! the herald angels sing,
“Glory to the newborn King!”

Come, Desire of nations, come,
Fix in us Thy humble home;
Rise, the woman’s conqu’ring Seed,
Bruise in us the serpent’s head.
Now display Thy saving power,
Ruined nature now restore;
Now in mystic union join
Thine to ours, and ours to Thine.

Hark! the herald angels sing,
“Glory to the newborn King!”

Adam’s likeness, Lord, efface,
Stamp Thine image in its place:
Second Adam from above,
Reinstate us in Thy love.
Let us Thee, though lost, regain,
Thee, the Life, the inner man:
O, to all Thyself impart,
Formed in each believing heart.

Hark! the herald angels sing,
“Glory to the newborn King!”
- by Charles Wesley 1739

wonderfully rich

my Navaho Christmas Card ...

I always enjoy getting Lolita's Christmas cards. They are always selected with her heritage in mind. I always want to put them into frames because they are so beautiful and I know carry such meaning.

It is a dark night. Father and son are coming home on their horse drawn wagon to their warm hut. Mother and dauther are waiting for them. Such a beautiful picture. I love it!

May beauty surround you,
Beauty before you and beauty behind you,
Beauty above you and about you,
and may your road home
be on a trail of peace.
Happily may you return.

Yaateeh Keshmish*
(Merry Christmas)
*Navajo Language


my Navaho Christmas card
WinterCount: American Indian Greetings

Noel (n)

Every good and perfect gift is from above,
coming down from the Father of the Heavenly Lights,
who does not change like shifting shadows.
~ James 1:17

Through this year the word 'gift' has toyed with my spirit. As I would try to capture it, off it would go for another spin around me. Quite a dizzy effect. I had a good gift and recognized it from day one. I was always keeping the Eternal in my sight of vision. I did not want to mess up. Well, this good gift expired and I did not quite understand.

I know that Noel means 'Birthday of our Lord' but recently discovered a modern version of the definition means 'Precious Gift'. How fitting! On the human level I tried to express to my gift the value of who he was. But on the Heavenly level I have a Precious Gift like no other.

I do understand that God knows me better than the future I could dream up. He understands my need for 'value' and that that good gift that only lasted four years could not give what he did not have. I can only hope that all I poured into this gift will continue to ripple and nourish my loved one.

Through all the ups and downs and prying my fingers off the gift, Friday past God whipered to prepare my heart and keep it prepared... for what? For the good gift to return... I think more importantly than questions, I need to keep my heart prepared for God Himself. I believe and know for sure that God is the Greatest Gift Giver. You a true gift giver is one who delights in finding that perfect gift that the receiver where the eyes light up and the heart skips a beat or two. Pretty awesome truth.

Christmas Eve this verse came to me. A Christmas Hope that my Heavenly Father and Husbandman does not shift like the shadows of the night. I can whole heartedly trust and lean into Him.

It matters not that good gifts expire because the Precious Gift of all good gifts does not expire. He will continue to bless me with good and perfect gifts. I am here in the moment... expectant...

childhood wonder of Christmas

My nephew Ethen will be three in March and this Christmas was the best one for all of us to watch him as he opened each of his gifts with such glee and wonder. Each gift was a best gift. His eyes were non-stop twinkling and he was non-stop with chatter. All the lights could have gone out and his eyes would have lit the whole room. I think this a best Christmas...

Bethlehem (noun)

means 'house of bread'!!!

How fitting! The Bread of Life came that calm night for any who would partake. What food ... what love!!!

1. O little town of Bethlehem,
how still we see thee lie;
above thy deep and dreamless sleep
the silent stars go by.
Yet in thy dark streets shineth
the Everlasting Light;
the hopes and fears of all the years
are met in thee tonight.

2. For Christ is born of Mary,
and gathered all above,
while mortals sleep, the angels keep
their watch of Wondering Love.
O morning stars together,
proclaim the Holy Birth,
and praises sing to God the King,
and peace to all on earth!

3. How silently, how silently,
the Wondrous Gift is given;
so God imparts to human hearts
the blessings of His Heaven.
No ear may hear His coming,
but in this world of sin,
where meek souls will receive Him, still
the dear Christ enters in.

4. O holy Child of Bethlehem,
descend to us, we pray;
cast out our sin, and enter in,
be born in us today.
We hear the Christmas angels
the great glad tidings tell;
o come to us, abide with us,
our Lord Emmanuel!
Text: Phillips Brooks, 1835-1893
Music: Lewis H. Redner, 1830-1908
Tune: ST. LOUIS

Bread of Heaven, feed me till I want no more ...

winter wonderings ...

Heavenly Father, hear my cry, O God; listen to my prayer. From the ends of the earth I call to You. It is cold here and my family and I are lost. I am searching because after nine days no one has found us. Only You see us. Lead me to find help. My family needs help. I call as my heart grows faint; lead me to the Rock that is higher than I. This cold is taking my energy. The snow and rough earth is making my steps difficult. I really can't see. I need elevation. I need my family to make this outing. I long to have this Thanksgiving sightseeing trip make for a warm Christmas story. I long to gather my family close to me. I need YOU. For You have been my Refuge; a Strong Tower against the foe. I long to dwell in Your Tent forever and take refuge in the Shelter of Your Wings. Oh, I need Your Wings. I am stuck here in down in this earth. I long for Your Tent where You keep the fire burning always and hearty food to strengthen weak bodies. The bitter cold is a fierce foe. I don't know how long I have for my family. Nine days .. I had to find a way..
Ps 61:1-4

He reached down from on High and took hold of me; He drew me out of deep 'snow'. He rescued me from my powerful enemy, from the 'bitter blinding cold', who was too strong for me. They comfronted me in the day of my disaster, but the Lord was my Support. He brought me out into a Spacious Place; He rescued me because He delighted in me. I've been rescued as well as my family. They are still on earth but see how my tears run down my face in Joy? All I wanted was my family to be safe, just as the Heavenly Father has for us. Wow!
Ps 18:16-19

I need a footnote here... What a great teammate you gave in my wife. We made great decisions together to keep our family safe. Guess what? She did not nag or yell at me about directions. We had the map. We both worked together. Respect is apart of Love... What a huge blessing...

I love You, O Lord, my Strength. The Lord is my Rock, my Fortress and my Deliverer; my God is my Rock, in whom I take Refuge. He is my Shild and the Horn of my Salvation, my Stronghold. I call to the Lord, Who is worthy of Praise and I am saved from my enemies.
Ps 18:1-3

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
I wanted in some small way to honor those who take on a battle that is too huge for them. This is for all who wonder on their journey. This is for all who seek Him. It isn't alway as it seems with our feeble earthly eyes. Maybe with a tiny glimpse of eternal eyes, something so devastating can take on a Richness so Heavenly and Eternal...

I have to admire James Kim and I have to admire his family...
I have no clue what he was pondering in his mind and his heart. Like all of us touched by the Kims, I put my own ponderings within their story. I made it my own to ponder especially at Thanksgiving and at Christmas...

a thanksgiving sacrifice of precious gifts .....

NOEL ...

. . . 'birthday of the Lord' (latin)

A reminder of the Greatest Gift of all time was given in a form of a baby. God gave His Only Begotten Son ... to dwell among men and if recieved to indwell in the hearts of men... our second chance at a second birth. The best gift to give God is our hearts...

other forms of this name: Noelle, Natalie...
a word study: emmanuel

Emmanuel...

... God with us, revealed in us

The virgin will be with child & give birth to a son & they will call Him Immanuel which means 'God with us'.
matt 1:2-3