I know, I know. All 17 days of it.

I’ve had a stubborn head cold since approximately … New Year’s Eve. It came on rather suddenly after putting away the Christmas decorations and cleaning the garage.

Coincidence? Well, maybe. But I’m starting to think I have a genuine allergy to dust (which the garage seems to collect effortlessly and exponentially).

It’s not the first time it’s happened.

Most notably, on the eve of my wedding, when I was packing up the remnants of my single life … in the garage. Long story short, my left eye swelled shut and I spent the rest of the evening alternating between icing it and begging God to heal me by morning.

Anyway, 12 years later, I think I’m beginning to see a pattern. Can anyone say slow learner?

So, I’ve been fighting this sickness/allergy/mutant disease for over 2 weeks now. Not fun. But there has been at least two good things that have come from this – silver linings, if you will.

First, I’m probably allergic to dust.

Um, hello. Is this actually a bad thing?

“I really wish I could help you clean the garage, Honey. But my allergies, you know.”

“Yes, girls, I know you’re too short to reach the top shelves when you’re cleaning, but you’ll just have to try harder. You know I’m allergic to dusting.”

“Sorry, Son, you’ll have to sweep the patio and the driveway all by yourself since Mom can’t. Allergies.”

I’ll do my best to bear the deprivation. To soldier on somehow. Some way.

And the second good thing that comes from being sick for 17 days?

I’ve been able to work on something fun and creative that I could never find time for before.

The Sketchbook Project has been a good challenge for me, as I love to journal but can hardly ever talk myself into it when there are always a million other more important things to check off the list(s). This has helped me view it as a “legitimate” project. When I signed up, they gave me 40 themes to choose from, one of which was Hope. Can you guess which one I picked?

Not saying I’ve finished or anything (even though the deadline is the end of this month), but I’ve gotten a few pages done, while thoroughly enjoying myself in the process – which is worth a lot.

Especially when you’re allergic to dust.

Here’s some sneak peeks – in case I don’t finish and you’re the only ones to ever see it …

Hope Ink: Lamentations 3

Hope Ink: Ephesians 1:18

…

Oh, and if you were wondering how the wedding story ended?

Yes, the Lord had mercy on me and my eye was only slightly swollen on the biggest day of my life. Hardly even noticeable in the pictures. Unless someone tells you …

Favorite. (photo thanks to Sands Photography)

Happy 2012!

This is my prayer for you (and me) this year …

May the God of hope

fill you with all joy & peace as you trust in Him

so that you may overflow with hope

by the power of the Holy Spirit.

(Romans 15.13)

Hand drawn cards from the kiddos make lovely wrapping.
White tissue paper and some pretty ribbon to top it off with.

We made oatmeal chocolate chip cookies.
(super secret recipe from Bible college days, but I’m always willing to share :)
I know, not traditional Christmas-y fare – but oh so good. We needed an excuse to make them.
Shared with neighbors and friends at church for our Christmas afternoon service.

Here’s some of the girls in their angelic roles in the Christmas pageant.
Beyond precious.

My two handsome shepherds.
Well, one was technically Joseph.
Details, details.

Cheery decorations. All packed away now.
I was more ready than usual to put things back in order this year …
Sometimes they stay out till well past New Year’s.
Not this time.

Nope. This time I’m ready to move on.
Ready for new goals, new ideas, a fresh start.
Hope for the New Year.

How about you?
What are you looking forward to in 2012?

I bring you

good news

of great joy

that will be for

all the people.

Today

in the town of David

a Savior

has been born

to you;

He is

Christ the Lord.

{Luke 2:10-11}

May you be blessed and encouraged

by the Giver of all good gifts.

Especially the Gift

of Jesus.

…

Click on picture above or here for a fun Christmas coloring sheet to print out.

Merry Christmas!

…

…

Looking forward to the next few days, and all the blessings that accompany them.

Praying for a heart that is set on Jesus, not on plans or things, or even other people.

Loving Him first. Knowing that if I get that right, all the rest will follow. Can I do just that one thing?

One thing. Remember? Jesus gently reminded Martha (and all of us, who would hear His words down through the ages) …

You are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed. {Luke 10:41-42}

One thing.

Sitting at His feet “listening to what He said.” {Luke 10:39}

I want to listen. To seek Him first and not the fluff.

I love how my sweet friend Shara summarized the story, the real story, of Christmas:

christmas is a story of redemption.

sacrifice.

grace.

jesus came to die.

for me.

for you.

he came that we might live.

forever.

with him.

he came to give us joy.

not happiness or temporary satisfaction.

but joy regardless of circumstance.

The rest of Shara’s post Looking Past The Red & Green is such a good reminder of what this day, Christmas, really means.

A man who was born to die.

Joy and sorrow.

My dear friend Abby’s words cut right to my heart too as she reflects on what this time of year stirs in her …

Maybe this season reveals the darkest parts of my character because they contrast so starkly to the light that was born to redeem them.  Maybe it’s important for me to realize all the Herod, Grinch and Scrooge-like qualities that fight in my heart and remind myself just how much I need Jesus.

Ouch.

But then the joy …

Maybe a reminder of my weakness will help me remember just how important Christmas is.  Remember that Jesus came to earth to save a wretch like me.  A time to reflect on the purity of that sinless, newborn baby born into a world of sin and suffering.  A God who did not leave us helpless, but came to save.  That gives me hope and fills my soul with joy.

Such hope.

Such joy.

The people who have walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them a light has shined.  {Isaiah 9:2}

Hello Christmas Week!

Hello cozy Christmas tree filled with handmade and sweet-kid ornaments.

Hello fun surprise packages from far-away friends.

Hello late afternoon walks through the leaves.

Hello little black kitty whom everyone loves (except me, the deathly allergic one).

Hello fun children’s book treasures from thrift stores.

Hello finishing up gift orders with pretty pink paper & fun stickers.

Hello Christmas and time to spend with family & friends.

What are you looking forward to this week?

{ Linking up with Lisa Leonard for Hello Monday }

psalm 138.2

I’ve been busy with Christmas goodies – making lots of custom orders from my Etsy shop, in between fun crafts with the kids.

I loved what Jeannett had to say today about relishing her imperfect but oh so meaningful tree, covered with sweet family treasures.

Yep. That’s my kind of tree. Cozy and real. Charlie Brown’ish.

Anyway, back to the crafts. While I’m not particularly crafty, I do love a simple cut-out project :)

I aspire to be more craft-like. Really I do. Right now I just need a few more hours in the day … and maybe to live closer to my friend, Jesse, the crafting queen.

In the meantime, here’s a little round-up of some free printables I’ve come across this week.

First, these adorable gift tags from Ginger & George – super cute.

And then these understated and elegant tags from Jones Design Company (another Emily!)

For these fun ornaments, we just printed them on heavy white card stock, cut out (they even had dotted lines for us and everything), hole punched and hung on the tree (the Charlie Brown’ish one) with rustic twine.

I told you – I like easy ;)

Here’s one of the birdies in her new home

And to wrap it up – not exactly Christmas-y, but getting a jump on the new year – I found this customizable calendar from My Owl Barn.

All owls. All the time. And you can pick the pictures you want, where you want them.

Fun is not a big enough word ;)

Apologies for the not so award winning photos. I can’t find the battery charger for my real camera.

Better work on that before Christmas.

Which reminds me … I’m a little behind in the Christmas card department. Just finished ours today.

Here’s hoping I have them in the mail by Monday …

Meanwhile, let me know if you come across any other great printables!

I’m working on a few ideas of my own – these have all gotten me so inspired.

I’ll keep you posted :)

* * Late Breaking News * *

Just found this printable nativity scene, thanks to Pinterest.

We are so doing this tomorrow.

Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life? And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire … Will he not much more clothe you …?

(Matthew 6:25-30)