PFH part 2

Preparing for the Holidays (PFH) - I was a government worker too you know :)

Well I have had great success with doing these little extras for my family - (3 days worth).  I can't express how it made me feel when Elijah came downstairs and said "I love you too mom."  I started with the kids oldest to youngest - tomorrow is Miriam's day - of course she did ask me yesterday..."why didn't I get a note?"

While these things are good and I am leaving a note card with a scripture on it; I do feel this is still self-serving - about "US".  I believe I like how the kids responded just a little too much and that is missing the mark for sure.

Matthew 6:1-4 English Standard Version (ESV)

"Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them, for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven.
2 "Thus, when you give to the needy, sound no trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may be praised by others.  Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. 3 But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, 4 so that your giving may be in secret.  And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.

Something is missing - So I have gone back to what God is currently teaching me with Youth Group and with the Women's Bible Study Group (WBS).  Prayer - that's what is missing.  We just finished Daniel with the girls in youth - Holy Habits - Daniel wasn't perfect - but we see him continually praying to God.  WBS we just finished Nehemiah - did you know he prayed and fasted for 4 months before ever speaking to the king about the wall in Jerusalem. I'm doing good when I get 10 minutes in a day.  Pray Pray Pray Pray....asking God to search my heart and to prepare my heart to receive this blessing of holidays in His way that is pleasing and glorifying to Him.  Won't you join me?

Preparing for the holidays

As I heard Pete Allen share from his heart Sunday I couldn't help but think I want this holiday season to be different this year.  I want it be more meaningful.  I must admit I can get caught up in the spend & send mentality oh so easy.  Or I can think-up a million things to do - parties, craft, decorations..this year I keep thinking I'll have all of Miriam's soccer team (20 girls) over to make crafts, eat cookies, and have a grand ole time.  I think I must be going crazy..my plate is full..my eyes are bigger than my stomach and my heart is breaking over it.  Is this going to make our holidays more meaningful?

I need to set a goal and check my intentions, thoughts, events, purchases, etc...to the goal.  I am an engineer remember - this will be my hypothesis.

GOAL: To make my families (& church) holiday season focused on thanks and praise for the many blessing God bestows on us.

November starts Thursday - I better get started.  I'm asking for your help - let's brainstorm together.  I'm looking for ideas to prepare my family and our churches hearts for Thanksgiving.

One idea I have had is do something special or out of the ordinary for one of my family members - a different  person each day.  For example - Elijah is learning to become more independent so he is washing his own clothes.  Today I think I'll go into his room, find his biggest pile of dirty clothes (blue jeans I think) and wash them for him - I'm also going to add a bible verse about thankfulness on top of the clean clothes.

What are your ideas?

General Info

Well, I can't seem to ever make the newsletter deadline.  I must admit I have good intentions whenever it comes out and then just seems to let it slide.  So I thought I would start a blog instead.  Hopefully you will find this helpful.