Keeping Up Klapper

I Hereby Resolve...

2012-01-01T23:46:00.000-06:00

Ahhh, January 1st. That magical day that begins another year with the best of intentions. At least, that's usually how it begins for me. When I was younger, I used to make New Year's resolutions more for fun but can never remember a year where I actually followed any of them through to completion. Because of that, I haven't really given resolutions much of a thought for several years now.

But this year I decided to do things differently. I made a small list of a few activities, goals, aspirations--if you will--that I felt were reasonable, achievable, and measurable. And to take them a step further, I'm throwing them out there to be viewed by others for some accountability of sorts. Here are the 7 "objectives" that I landed on for this new year ahead:

• Go on a weekend camping trip as a family.

• Lose 10 pounds.

• Read the biography of Steve Jobs by Walter Isaacson.

• Run 250 miles.

• Post 25 blog entries.

• See how long our family can go without eating any fast food. <-- This one should be very interesting!

• Finally get our children's digital photos printed and put in albums from 2008 through 2011.

Looks like I've got some work to do. Bring on 2012!

Happy New Year!

Our Christmas... iPhone Style!

2011-12-31T14:03:00.001-06:00

When our first child was born, there was hardly ever a moment when I didn't have a camera in my hand, snapping her every wink and grimace. Almost 5 years later, I'm not even sure I even know where my camera is. When moments come where I can actually get my rambunctious two to sit still for split second, I just grab my phone and get the job done... And this Christmas was no exception.

Here I give you highlights of a Klapper Christmas 2011 in iPhone pics:

Our Xmas Countdown: Each envelope had a special activity inside.

Decking the halls... sort of.

With friends at the Xmas parade.

Rangled in a family shot!

Making Xmas tree cones.

This one ate more than he decorated.

Our little holiday forest.

Xmas party date!

Our half-eaten gingerbread house the kids made with their Nana.

Sister enjoying crafts at her Pre-K party.

Little brother got to join in on the fun, too.

Face painting.

Xmas lunch with kissing-cousins.

Our birthday boy! With blue fingernails...

A happy pair on Xmas morning!

Her face at bedtime says it all!

Hope each of you had a very Merry Christmas, as well!

Many Blessings,

30 Days of Thanks

2011-12-01T15:49:00.000-06:00

It's December 1st already. That date always blows my mind because I really do believe it comes a bit faster every single year. But before I get to posting about our upcoming Christmas adventures, I wanted to be sure and stick a another post in from November.

You might have seen the meme going around Facebook last month called "30 Days of Thanks." Basically, if you participated then your status update for each day of November was to be something for which you are thankful. I really enjoyed taking part in sharing with others the many things that I'm grateful for and was later encouraged by a friend to compile them and record them somewhere to remember each year. And what better place is there to do that than our family blog?! So here they are...

Today, I'm VERY thankful for my friends!!!
Today I'm thankful for the two gifts who call me Mommy. Words cannot describe how much I love those babies.
Today I'm more thankful than ever for God's unfailing promises: "The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new EVERY morning; great is your faithfulness!" Lam. 3:22-23
It has been an awesome fall morning! Today I'm thankful for seasons... both their purpose and their beauty.
Today I'm thankful for health... For my own, my husband's, and my children's. This is a huge blessing that I take for granted way too often.
Today I'm very thankful for a warm shelter for me and my family.
Today I'm very thankful that my daughter has the opportunity to attend preschool this year. She absolutely loves it and is soaking everything up like a sponge!
Today I'm thankful for the few hours of alone time I get to spend every morning with my little buddy while sister is away at school. I absolutely adore the special relationship the two of us have. :-)
Today I'm thankful for my church family at The Bridge Church...
Today I'm incredibly thankful to all the men and women who serve our country. What a huge sacrifice this is and we all honor each of you today!
Today I'm thankful for my community, neighborhood, and great neighbors. : )
Today I'm thankful that because of Jesus I never have to spend a moment wondering and worrying if everything will be okay... Because it will...
Today I'm thankful to have Susan Howerton in my life... a Godly woman who has walked alongside me for the past year... unselfishly mentoring me, encouraging me, and praying for me and my family.
Today I'm thankful for the opportunity to be a stay-at-home mom and for all the sacrifices my husband makes to keep me here...
Today I'm so thankful for impromptu dates with good coffee and great friends!!!
Today I'm SO thankful for the journey I unknowingly began almost 18 months ago when I stepped into my first Zumba class. Today I'm 30 pounds lighter, healthier, and have some AMAZING people in my life because of it. A big thank you to Audrey Goodwin and Tasha Brown for encouraging me to "just try one class." :-)
Today I'm thankful for the freedom of religion in our country... another huge privilege that I take for granted.
Today I'm thankful for a good sense of humor... which saved Alec Klapper from having to sleep outside after secretly short-sheeting the bed.
Giving thanks today for the peaceful, happy, and restful weekend I had...
Today I'm giving thanks that I can be "sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion..."Phil 1:6
Today I'm very thankful that, instead of severe storms that were predicted, we have a beautiful sunset in the making. LOVE IT!!!
‎"It is one thing to release a person from prison, but it is something else to deluge that same person with all the riches imaginable. But that is what our God has done." (Edward T. Welch) THAT is what I'm thankful for today!!!
Today I'm incredibly thankful for the gift of another Thanksgiving Day to celebrate with my family.
Today I'm so very thankful to be blessed with incredible in-laws who always treat me as one of their own...
Thankful that school is back in session tomorrow...
The last but not least of my 30 days of Thanks, I'm SO thankful for my wonderful, hard-working, creative, giving, loving hubby, Alec Klapper.

"Gratitude makes what we have enough..."

Mystery Reader

2011-11-16T22:28:00.002-06:00

This past August, Addy Grace began attending a free Pre-K program at a local school five days a week. It was such a gigantic blessing and answer to prayer for her to be selected to attend. We applied in March, were interviewed in April, and then waited the entire summer with bated breath, daily watching and praying for that little letter to arrive in our mailbox. At the very end of July it did arrived and we received the news we had wanted...

We're now almost finished with the first semester and she is absolutely loving every minute! I'm very impressed with the school, her teachers, and the amount of knowledge that her little brain has already soaked up.

First day of Pre-K!

One of the neat activities her teacher incorporates each week is called "Mystery Reader." This is where a special surprise guest shows up to read a story to the classroom. The kids never know who it will be until they arrive and knock on the door at the designated time.

Last Wednesday, Addy's Daddy was the assigned Mystery Reader for the day... So all three of us-- Daddy, Mommy, and her brother-- showed up and surprised her. Alec chose to read one of her favorite bedtime stories to the class, "The Spiffiest Giant in Town."

As you can tell from the video, the students loved Alec's witty rendition of the story and even gave him a big round of applause at the end. It was such a sweet, fun experience and I can't wait for my own assigned date coming in the spring!

Blogger MIA

2011-11-01T12:22:00.000-05:00

This morning I've been staring at my blog archive for 2011... I really can't believe there are only 6, now 7, posts. Has it really been 8 months since my last entry? Oh my word! Thanks so much to those of you who have let me know that I have been missed in the blogosphere. I've definitely missed it and look forward to getting back in the blogging groove.

What better way to kick off my hiatus than sharing adorable pictures of my little ones?! Here are some shots that I took on our way to our church's annual Trunk or Treat this past Sunday:

Addy Grace, the "good witch"

My lil' firefighter, Cade

The sweet candy corn on the left is my little niece, Annslee.

Cade loved grabbing treats at each of the trunks.

Addy Grace and Annslee "cheesing" for the camera.

A quick family shot before we went home.

Wordful Wednesday

2011-03-02T12:25:00.000-06:00

Howdy to all my bloggy world friends! Did any of you think I had forgotten my own web address? HA! Sorry for the lack of posting lately. Things in the Klapper household have been rather... well, interesting. But at least longer daylight hours and warmer weather (aka SPRING) are right around the corner. AMEN??!

Here are a few pics I quickly snapped today of my munchkins enjoying the nice weather.

Until next time...

Wordless Wednesday

2011-02-16T09:33:00.000-06:00

A New Year, A New Direction

2011-01-26T20:33:00.000-06:00

WOW! There are only five days left in January and this is only my fourth post of the entire month. Whaaaaaaaaaat? With the super cold weather we've had over the last 4-6 weeks, my brain has been mush, mush, mush. My kids and I have been stuck inside a whole bunch because of snow and sickies, which has contributed to much laziness and junk food consumption. So, sort of sad to say, blogging has barely crossed my mind at all.

Even though I've been MIA in blogland for most of the month, I still have to mention and CELEBRATE that my blog hit the one year mark on January 1st! Woo hoo! That's crazy, right?! It has been quite bizarre to go back through my old posts (all 189 of them) from each month, reliving and reminiscing about whatever was going on with my life at that time. And I do have to admit that there are more than a few posts that make me cringe and reach for the delete button. But, hey... that's just part of the blogging journey, I guess.

So, as another calendar year is now in full swing and I begin another year of blogging, I've decided to implement some major adjustments. Over the last six months, my posts progressively took a turn to where I began taking opportunities for financial and personal gain, instead of sticking to my original intentions for this site. Sure, I made some money and my site traffic and Alexa score improved quickly and rather dramatically. But I've recently come to the realization that those opportunities just aren't for me or my faithful readership.

With that being said, there more than likely won't be many more book, movie or product reviews, very few (if any) sponsored posts, or giveaways on this site. I'm aware that I will lose followers and feed subscribers, but I'm totally okay with that. When I look back on this space many years from now, I don't want the posts to be empty or irrelevant. I don't want my blog to morph into a series of random advertisements and vague self promotions. I want to WANT to contribute to this site, not dread it like a chore or lousy job. It's time for me to stop judging the worth of my blogging time by a random result from Google Analytics. No more letting a score from Alexa.com make or break my day. (Sounds silly, but it has happened...)

There you have it, my friends! Goodbye to company badges, site meters, and SEO tricks. Hello to keeping it real! ; )

XOXO

Wordish Wednesday

2011-01-19T13:42:00.000-06:00

Four years ago today, God blessed us with a beautiful, blue-eyed bundle

and our lives were forever changed.

Happy 4th Birthday to our little princess!

My CINCH! Project

2011-01-10T16:28:00.001-06:00

It's a new year and that means one thing... lots and lots of people are making new resolutions. And from the looks of my local gym's parking lot, resolutions revolving around weight loss are as popular as ever. After making my own lofty commitments in the past, I've learned over the years to simply commit to small changes instead of big, unreachable goals. This year is no different, with my main resolutions involving minor steps for feeding my family more healthily... such as incorporating more fresh fruits and vegetables, using fewer and fewer processed items, etc.

To get those resolutions rolling, I recently accepted an opportunity from One2One Network to review a proof copy of a new book by Cynthia Sass entitled, Cinch!. To be absolutely honest, I didn't expect to glean a whole lot of anything after reading multiple diet books in the past. I mostly thought it would be your normal "count fat grams, calories, points, whatever... then be sure to burn them off via exercise" program. But after reading my copy of Cinch!, I found myself both interested and intrigued from all of the quality information Sass gives in this book.

Take a glance for yourself at the publisher's synopsis:

There are no calories to count; no points or grams to memorize.

Just begin choosing four daily meals from over one hundred delicious options (along with a mandatory daily chocolate escape), and you're well on your way to achieving your weight-loss goals. In thirty days on the Cinch! plan, you'll shed pounds and inches—and overcome emotional eating in the process.

Acclaimed weight-loss expert Cynthia Sass has arrived at the exciting secret to sustainable weight loss: her innovative combinations of clean, nutrient-rich foods not only maximize fat-burning but also deliver a faster, healthier metabolism forever. Following the plan is as simple as putting together an easy-to-understand fivepiece puzzle at every meal and enjoying four delicious, easy-to-prepare meals in addition to a chocolate treat. The Cinch! plan includes a full thirty days' worth of quick-fix, satisfying meals and teaches you a simple strategy for creating your own, so you know exactly what, how much, and when to eat, whether you're at home, at a restaurant, or on vacation. Cinch! makes weight loss simple, with meals you'll look forward to eating (no "diet" foods). And best of all, Sass starts her plan with an innovative five-day "Fast Forward," which jump-starts the plan's impressive results and will leave you feeling lighter and healthier.

If you've been trying to eat more clean, natural, and organic foods, but have lacked the structure needed to lose weight, this is the exact plan you've been waiting for. Cinch! includes every tool you'll need for weightloss success: Sass's proven plan, expert tips and advice, daily journals, grocery-shopping lists, chapters on exercise and emotional eating, and a month's worth of recipes—customizable for meat eaters, vegetarians, and vegans. You'll enjoy Chocolate Pear Ginger Smoothies, Jalapeño Guacamole, and Chicken Pesto Pitas—to name just a few luscious Cinch! options!

Best of all, Cinch! weight loss is lasting weight loss. In one month, you'll recalibrate your body, freeing yourself from cravings and erratic eating, and begin a satisfying new relationship with food. With Sass's expertise behind you, you'll be empowered to continue creating Cinch!-friendly meals and feel inspired by a wealth of new eating habits—making this so much more than a diet.

My Opinion:

Before writing an honest review of the book, I wanted to give the "Five Day Fast Forward" plan a shot. I felt as if trying that short burst would provide a clearer insight into whether I felt the book was doable/manageable by other mothers like myself. Well, I have to confess that I tried it for a day and then stopped. I just. Couldn't. Do it. (I'm 100 percent okay with you laughing at me at this point...) My main reasons were:

The taste of the food combinations assigned to the 5 day plan were Gah-ROSS to me. It took almost 45 minutes for me to down one of her smoothie concoctions, because it just tasted so bad. BLEH! (Picture me holding my nose while downing this thing... then keep laughing.)
The separate planning/cooking of meals for myself and my family was too time consuming. If I had nothing else to do everyday but plan, grocery shop, and cook, then maybe...
The ingredients for just the 5 days on top of our already modest small grocery budget were quite pricey.

Even though her Five Day Fast Forward plan wasn't up my alley (Sass even agrees it's not for everyone), the rest of the book has very valuable information for anyone wanting to not only lose weight, but permanently change their eating lifestyle. There are tons of lessons and ideas that I will be (and have already been) implementing into my family's daily diet.

Cinch! is available for purchase from Amazon and most other major book retailers.

A proof copy of the book was provided to me at no cost by One2One Network in order to facilitate my review. I was not required to provide a positive review, only an honest one. The viewpoints expressed in this review are my own.

11 Step Program for Those Thinking of Having Kids

2011-01-07T12:41:00.000-06:00

Here is a very humorous note that's being shared on Facebook. I'm not sure who the original author is to give credit to, but it's too cute not to post here. Enjoy and pass it along!

Lesson 1

1. Go to the grocery store.
2. Arrange to have your salary paid directly to their head office.
3. Go home.
4. Pick up the paper.
5. Read it for the last time.

Lesson 2
Before you finally go ahead and have children, find a couple who already are parents and berate them about their...

1. Methods of discipline.
2. Lack of patience.
3. Appallingly low tolerance levels.
4. Allowing their children to run wild.
5. Suggest ways in which they might improve their child's breastfeeding, sleep habits, toilet training, table manners, and overall behavior.

Enjoy it because it will be the last time in your life you will have all the answers.

Lesson 3
A really good way to discover how the nights might feel...

1. Get home from work and immediately begin walking around the living room from 5PM to 10PM carrying a wet bag weighing approximately 8-12 pounds, with a radio turned to static (or some other obnoxious sound) playing loudly. (Eat cold food with one hand for dinner.)
2. At 10PM, put the bag gently down, set the alarm for midnight, and go to sleep.
3. Get up at 12 and walk around the living room again, with the bag, until 1AM.
4. Set the alarm for 3AM.
5. As you can't get back to sleep, get up at 2AM and make a drink and watch an infomercial.
6. Go to bed at 2:45AM.
7. Get up at 3AM when the alarm goes off.
8. Sing songs quietly in the dark until 4AM.
9. Get up. Make breakfast. Get ready for work and go to work (work hard and be productive).

Repeat steps 1-9 each night. Keep this up for 3-5 years. Look cheerful and together.

Lesson 4
Can you stand the mess children make? To find out...

1. Smear peanut butter onto the sofa and jam onto the curtains.
2. Hide a piece of raw chicken behind the stereo and leave it there all summer.
3. Stick your fingers in the flower bed.
4. Then rub them on the clean walls.
5. Take your favorite book, photo album, etc. Wreck it.
6. Spill milk on your new pillows. Cover the stains with crayons. How does that look?

Lesson 5
Dressing small children is not as easy as it seems.

1. Buy an octopus and a small bag made out of loose mesh.
2. Attempt to put the octopus into the bag so that none of the arms hang out.

Time allowed for this - all morning.

Lesson 6
Forget the BMW and buy a mini-van. And don't think that you can leave it out in the driveway spotless and shining. Family cars don't look like that.

1. Buy a chocolate ice cream cone and put it in the glove compartment. Leave it there.
2. Get a dime. Stick it in the CD player.
3. Take a family size package of chocolate cookies. Mash them into the back seat. Sprinkle cheerios all over the floor, then smash them with your foot.
4. Run a garden rake along both sides of the car.

Lesson 7
Go to the local grocery store. Take with you the closest thing you can find to a preschool child. (A full-grown goat is an excellent choice.) If you intend to have more than one child, then definitely take more than one goat. Buy your week's groceries without letting the goats out of your sight. Pay for everything the goat eats or destroys. Until you can easily accomplish this, do not even contemplate having children.

Lesson 8

1. Hollow out a melon.
2. Make a small hole in the side.
3. Suspend it from the ceiling and swing it from side to side.
4. Now get a bowl of soggy Cheerios and attempt to spoon them into the swaying melon by pretending to be an airplane.
5. Continue until half the Cheerios are gone.
6. Tip half into your lap. The other half, just throw up in the air.

You are now ready to feed a nine-month-old baby.

Lesson 9
Learn the names of every character from Sesame Street , Barney, Disney, the Teletubbies, and Pokemon. Watch nothing else on TV but PBS, the Disney channel or Noggin for at least five years. (I know, you're thinking What's 'Noggin'?) Exactly the point.

Lesson 10
Make a recording of Fran Drescher saying 'mommy' repeatedly. (Important: no more than a four second delay between each 'mommy'; occasional crescendo to the level of a supersonic jet is required). Play this tape in your car everywhere you go for the next four years. You are now ready to take a long trip with a toddler.

Lesson 11
Start talking to an adult of your choice. Have someone else continually tug on your skirt hem, shirt- sleeve, or elbow while playing the 'mommy' tape made from Lesson 10 above. You are now ready to have a conversation with an adult while there is a child in the room.

This is all very tongue in cheek; anyone who is parent will say "it's all worth it"! Share it with your friends, both those who do and don't have kids. I guarantee they'll get a chuckle out of it. Remember, a sense of humor is one of the most important things you'll need when you become a parent!

No Man Is a Failure Who Has Friends.

2010-12-31T14:57:00.001-06:00

As I take the time to reflect on a year rapidly coming to a close, many memories come to mind. Lots of great happenings to ponder on, yet some circumstances I'd rather forget. Of all the matters that life placed in my lap this year, there is one word that stands out among them all. And that word is...

friendship.

Throughout the past year, I've been blessed with a community of people who truly know what it means to care. These friends are the ones who:

-say they will pray for you,

and then they really do.

-ask how you're doing,

then actually stick around and listen for the answer.

-remember that your husband is out of town,

so they bring dinner and keep you company.

-you can send a text message to at any time of the night,

and know that they aren't bothered.

-ask for forgiveness when they know they've unintentionally said something to offend you,

instead of brushing the issue under the carpet.

-see mint chocolate at the grocery store and buy it for you,

because they remember it's your favorite.

-are, you know, the "real deal."

I've had many friendships in my past that I certainly value and for which I am thankful. But the friends my family and I gained in 2010 are ones that will be forever cherished. My prayer for 2011 is that I can become more and more of a gift to these people like they've been to me...

See you next year!

Charter Communications Is Reaching Out to Moms

2010-12-29T21:01:00.002-06:00

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Charter. All opinions are 100% mine.

If you're anything like me, then you often jump at the opportunity to add your "two cents" in to any given situation. Yep, I want my voice heard in both the small things and the big things... especially when it concerns my family. And even more so when it comes to what's being projected towards the innocent, growing minds of my children. Because this is a common reality among mothers, Charter Communications has stepped up to the plate and created a place just for that-- a mom's voice to be heard.

Recognizing that moms have a valuable voice in the online space, Charter Communications has created a new place on Facebook for mothers to dialogue. By joining the brand new Charter Mom's Panel Facebook page, you and other moms will be able to share with them what you love (or don't love) and what they could do to make you happy.

Here are the things they want to hear from you: What do you (Moms) think….

About programming?
About service?
About entertainment?
About what kids watch/don’t watch/want to watch?
How do moms feel about what is available to them?

By liking Charter Moms on Facebook, not only will you be able to discuss these topics and share with other mothers, but you'll be the first to know about their new services and programming. You will be playing a large and vital role in helping Charter find new and better ways to connect with moms, which will then naturally provide better entertainment for both you and your family.

Head on over to join Charter Moms on Facebook and let your voice be heard!

The Missing Pearls

2010-12-29T10:22:00.000-06:00

If you've been following along with the 12 Pearls of Christmas series, then you have definitely noticed by now that I dropped the ball on the last two "pearls." With all the excitement and festivities of both my son's second birthday and Christmas, I simply got too busy and forgot. So, within this one post, I'll be including the last two segments. Once you've finished reading, be sure to enter the pearl giveaway by filling out the form at the bottom of this entry.

An Unforgettable Gift
by Karen O'Connor

On Christmas morning, 1912, in Paducah, Kentucky, fourteen-year-old Charlie Flowers and his three brothers and two sisters huddled in their beds, fully dressed, trying to keep warm as the wind howled outside their small frame house.

It was a desperate time for the family. Earlier that year the children's father had died. And their mother had not found work. The coal had run out and there was little money––none for gifts. Their scrawny tree with decorations made from scraps of colored paper had been given to them the night before by a local merchant.

"Can't sell this one," the man said with a nod of his head before handing it over to the eager children.

To pass the time, the siblings joked and shouted stories from their bedrooms across the hallway from one another. Then suddenly a racket from the alley at the rear of the house broke into their games.

"Charlie," his mother called, "would you see what's going on out there?"

Charlie pulled on his shoes, grabbed a thick overcoat from the hook by the door, and ran out back.

There stood a man in a wagon bent over a load of coal, shoveling it into the shed as fast as he could.

"Hey Mister, we didn't order any coal," Charlie shouted. "You're delivering it to the wrong house."

"Your name's Flowers, isn't it?" the man asked, still shoveling.

Charlie nodded yes.

"Well then, there's no mistake. I've been asked to deliver this to your family on Christmas morning." He looked the awe-struck boy square in the eye. "And I'm under strict orders not to tell who sent it," he teased.

Charlie ran into the house, his coattail flapping in the cold morning wind. He could hardly wait to tell his mother and brothers and sisters. God had provided––just as he had on that first Christmas morning so long ago when He sent his only son to a needy world.

Charlie Flowers died in 1994 at age 96. And right up to the last year of his life, not a Christmas went by that he didn't tell the story of that sub-zero Christmas morning of his boyhood when two men gave his family an unforgettable gift.

It wasn't the coal that was remembered or cherished, Charlie often said––welcome as it was––but rather what two men brought to his desperate family. One, for his gift of recognizing their great need and taking the time to do something about it. And the other, for being willing to give up part of his own Christmas morning to deliver it.

That gift of so long ago has continued to warm the Flowers family from one generation to another, as Charlie's son––my husband, Charles––calls to mind these two unknown men each Christmas morning and whispers a prayer of thanks.

About Karen: Karen O'Connor is an award-winning author and writing mentor living in Watsonville, California with her husband, Charles Flowers. Karen’s latest book is 365 Reasons Why Gettin’ Old Ain’t So Bad (Harvest House 2010).

For more information, please visit Karen on the web at www.karenoconnor.com.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Love
by Lauraine Snelling

When asked to write a Christmas message, one of my first thoughts was Do I climb up on my soapbox regarding changing the words in Christmas songs, using only holiday, etc. I thought about it and decided no. After all, they’re only words and what difference does a word make---really make after all?

Then I kept on thinking. If they’re only words… But we as writers know the power of words, as do readers. When the wrong word is used, it jars, while the right word can be most powerful. Take one highly overused and under practiced word---Love. Four letters is all. We toss it around so glibly, saying love ya and luv and love. But think about the power in I love you. Three of the most precious words in our language when put together. Those of us who write romances or books with romance in them, understand the power when one of our characters tells another, I love you. As humans we can never hear that enough or too much.

Christmas is about love. The greatest love story ever told, that of God for us humans, and it never changes. Customs change, politics change, the years change but God’s love never, ever does. At Christmas we are invited to share that love, to give it away, to pass it around. To find wonder again and joy in simple acts of love. We make contact with people we might never see or talk with through the year. That says I love you. We buy and make gifts to give, we reach out to strangers in need, we try to make sure everyone has a special dinner and every child a present. By giving, we receive.

So, let’s use the power words, but more so, put feet on those words and pass the love around. Let’s look for and find the wonder, the joy and the peace, maybe in small bits and pieces and perhaps in an avalanche of blessings. Make your days brighter with the simple gift of a smile, a kind word, a touch, for every single one that you give away, will come back to you multiplied. As you give, so shall you receive. Merry Christmas my friends. May we all recognize our blessings----and let an attitude of gratitude permeate this holiday and every day. With love and joy on this day, Lauraine!

About Lauraine: Lauraine Snelling is the award-winning author of more than sixty books, with sales of over 2 million copies. She also writes for a wide range of magazines, and helps others reach their writing dreams by teaching at writer’s conferences across the country. Lauraine and her husband, Wayne, have two grown sons, and live in the Tehachapi Mountains with a cockatiel named Bidley, and a watchdog Basset named Chewy. For more information please visit Lauraine's website: www.laurainesnelling.com.

A three strand pearl necklace will be given away on New Year's Day. All you need to do to have a chance of winning is FILL OUT THIS QUICK ENTRY FORM. The winner will be announced on the Pearl Girls Blog (http://margaretmcsweeney.blogspot.com) on New Years Day!

The 12 Pearls of Christmas series and contest is sponsored by Pearl Girls®. For more information, please visit www.pearlgirls.info.

Just give me Christmas this Year.

2010-12-23T14:53:00.001-06:00

Welcome to the 12 Pearls of Christmas! Please follow along through Christmas day as each post shares heartfelt stories of how God has touched a life during this most wonderful time of the year. AND BEST OF ALL... there's also a giveaway! Fill out the quick form at the link located at the bottom of this post to be entered to win a PEARL NECKLACE, BRACELET AND EARRINGS. Pearls - a tangible reminder of God's grace to us all.

All I Want for Christmas…
Is to be able to have Christmas this Year
by Melissa Mashburn

This is a simple request, isn’t it? In the previous years, we had great big bountiful Christmases with our family. Gifts, goodies and general Christmas cheer but this year it was different. The year before has been chock full of disappointments, failing businesses and severe cutbacks for our family.

Sitting with my husband one night we hammered out the bare minimum that we could spend that year for Christmas and even still the total was four hundred dollars. It does not sound like a whole lot compared to what we’ve spent on Christmas before, but this year it could have been four thousand dollars because we just did not have it.

We prayed, I cried, we prayed some more and decided that we would cut back anything else that we could that year so we could have Christmas for our kids. We did not know how we would make this happen, but we knew that we needed to step forward in faith that it would happen.

Answer this question: Does the God who lavishly provides you with his own presence, his Holy Spirit, working things in your lives you could never do for yourselves, does he do these things because of your strenuous moral striving or because you trust him to do them in you? Don't these things happen among you just as they happened with Abraham? He believed God, and that act of belief was turned into a life that was right with God. Galatians 3:5 the Message

Not even two days later, we hear a knock on our front door. We open the door to see some friends of ours from church. With tears in their eyes, they handed us an envelope and said that the felt they needed to give us this. We opened the envelope and inside there was four hundred dollars cash.

Shocked, stunned and with tears flowing down our face we just sat there in a state of crying and laughing at what God had done. We never shared with anyone that year what we needed, how bad it was, what was going on or what that number was for us to have Christmas for the kids, but God knew.

“And God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others.” 2 Corinthians 9:8 NLT

He took a willing servant, led them to our front door and changed Christmas for us that year. After many years of being in full time ministry we knew that God would provide, but when He shows up just at the right moment, you know that it was all a part of His plan to show how much He loves, provides and cares for His people.

Father God, thank you that after all the years of serving and loving you in ministry that you continue to teach, guide, love, shepherd and care for us. You, Father, are abundantly gracious and kind, thank you for showing up for us at just the right moment every time, forgive us when we forget that. In Jesus name, Amen.

About Melissa: Melissa is the founder of the blog, Mel’s World Ministry, co-founder of the Praise and Coffee Nights Ministry with Sue Cramer, Kids Ministry Director at her church. Just last year she launched a new weekly series called Godly Gals ~ Real Women, Real Life, Real Faith where we meet new women each week who are “Taking their everyday, ordinary lives and placing it as their offering to God.” Romans 12:1 (the Message). You can find her on twitter and at her blog. She loves encouraging women to live with an authentic faith by being transparent, renewed and transformed. ~ Romans 12:2.

A three strand pearl necklace will be given away on New Year's Day. All you need to do to have a chance of winning is FILL OUT THIS QUICK ENTRY FORM. The winner will be announced on the Pearl Girls Blog (http://margaretmcsweeney.blogspot.com) on New Years Day.

The 12 Pearls of Christmas series and contest is sponsored by Pearl Girls®. For more information, please visit www.pearlgirls.info.

Wordful Wednesday

2010-12-22T20:51:00.001-06:00

Two years ago tomorrow, God blessed us with this priceless Christmas gift.

I'm so thankful for my rowdy little boy who daily keeps my nerves frazzled but my heart full.

The bond between a boy and his mama is simply magical.

Happy Birthday, my buddy!

I love you so incredibly much...

What's the best thing about Christmas?

2010-12-22T12:55:00.001-06:00

What’s the best thing about Christmas?
by Maureen Lang

The answer to that question will undoubtedly be different depending on the age and the faith of the person being asked. Most children will say it’s all about the gifts. Adults, even if they secretly still enjoy the gifts, will probably strive to sound more mature and say the holiday is all about friends and family. Still others might say it’s about tradition, or memories or the music or even the special food we connect to this time of year. The scrooges among us might say this season is just another marketing gimmick, or materialism gone awry. The faithful will say it’s all about Jesus, a reminder of why He shed the glory of Heaven to step into human skin and frailty.

I’m not here to defend or attack any answer to this question, but rather to ponder those possible answers.

Gifts: They touch us in personal ways, as tangible evidence of someone else’s thought and affection. Even if we don’t get exactly what we hoped, there’s something to be said about the thought behind a gift being the important part. Why wouldn’t gifts be an important and valid part of this holiday in which we celebrate God’s gift of salvation?

Holiday Gatherings: Parties might be a lot of work, forcing some out of their comfort zone, but at the core they’re all about human connection. Isn’t that what most people want?

Traditions and memories: They remind us of the past, of who we are, with the hope that even as we look forward to an unknown future we still hold some things worthy enough to repeat every year. We might find ourselves letting go of some traditions, or we might want to start some new ones.

The music: This is the only time of the year when even secular radio stations welcome songs about a baby born in Bethlehem. As a nation we may be getting stringent about separation of church as state, but the lines blur just a bit with old favorites that reflect this season.

Scrooges: The holiday season is probably a time to endure rather than enjoy, but even the scroogiest-scrooge might admit the lights of the season are pretty to behold. They’re free to look at, after all.

As for the food, the busyness, the expense and all the other things that make up this season: keep in mind that it’s all temporary. This, too, shall pass. Until next year, of course.

I’ll leave you with this thought: we are all made in God’s image, whether we believe that or not. Part of that image is the ability to give—and to receive. So here’s my thought for the day: stop a moment and dwell on all the gifts of the season. From the little mementos that say we haven’t forgotten someone or been forgotten by others, to the costliest gift of all: what God did for us in the form of Christ. As you enjoy the sounds, the sights, the scents and the tastes of this season, may your only trouble be in choosing just one thing among so many best things about Christmas.

About Maureen: Maureen Lang is the author of ten books, her most recent from Tyndale House is The Great War Series which are full of romance, adventure and spiritual journeys. She lives in the Midwest with her husband, two sons and their lovable Labrador Retriever. For more information please visit Maureen at her website, www.maureenlang.com.

A three strand pearl necklace will be given away on New Year's Day. All you need to do to have a chance of winning is FILL OUT THIS QUICK ENTRY FORM. The winner will be announced on the Pearl Girls Blog (http://margaretmcsweeney.blogspot.com) on New Years Day! The 12 Pearls of Christmas series and contest is sponsored by Pearl Girls®. For more information, please visit www.pearlgirls.info.

Good News!

2010-12-21T09:59:00.002-06:00

Good News!

by Deb Kalmbach

The first Christmas card of the season arrived in my mailbox way back in August. How could anyone be that organized? Then I noticed my friend, Nita, had sent me a card I had written to her more than 20 years ago!

Memories rushed back as I read the words penned in my familiar handwriting. It was Christmas, 1991, and my world had unraveled. I could almost pretend everything was all right at this most wonderful time of the year—but not that year.

My husband Randy’s drinking problem had escalated to the point where his job and career were on the line. He had already been through two alcohol treatment programs and managed to stay sober for short periods of time. Then he slipped back into old, familiar patterns. His ongoing relapses were a crushing disappointment for our family.

I had looked forward to Christmas Eve and our family traditions; making homemade lasagna, singing carols around the piano, attending the candlelight service at church, and then coming home to open one token Christmas Eve present.

“Randy, are you ready to crank out the pasta?” I called to him over the Christmas music I was playing to lift my spirits.

I peered into the living room to see what was keeping him. My heart froze. Randy sat on the couch, trance-like, watching a basketball game while sipping a drink.

No, not on Christmas Eve, I screamed inwardly. I felt like I was suffocating. Usually Randy pulled himself together but it didn’t happen that night. He drank vodka all evening while I finished holiday preparations on autopilot. None of us felt like eating lasagna or celebrating.

Only a few days earlier, I had written these words on the Christmas card to my friend, Nita. I don’t know God’s plans, his timing or his ways in accomplishing his purposes, but I am learning to trust him. He is faithful!

I suspect Nita kept my card all those years because she saw a small seed of faith and it encouraged her heart. I didn’t know it at the time, but it would be eight more Christmas seasons before Randy experienced the miraculous breakthrough of finding freedom from alcoholism.

As I read the card I had written so long ago, I felt awed by God’s faithfulness to us—even when our situation looked completely hopeless.

You may be facing great difficulty as the holidays approach. The last thing you feel like is celebrating. And that’s okay. The Good News of Christmas isn’t about picture perfect holidays where our homes are decorated a la Martha Stewart and tables are laden with holiday delicacies. Your days may not be merry and bright. You may be grieving the loss of a loved one or the loss of a relationship through divorce or estrangement. Your world has unraveled.

That’s exactly why the message of Christmas is Good News. The Savior is born! The One who came to set you free, to give you peace and hope and help beyond anything you could ever imagine is as near as your next breath. Today you might not be able to see how God’s purposes are unfolding for your future, but you can be assured that He is working all things for good in your life. A twenty year-old Christmas card came on a summer day as an unexpected gift and gentle reminder of God’s presence—especially in the worst of times.

About Deb: Deb Kalmbach is the coauthor of Because I Said Forever: Embracing Hope in a Not-So- Perfect Marriage and the author of a book for children, Corey’s Dad Drinks Too Much. She has contributed to The New Women’s Devotional Bible, Pearl Girls: Encountering Grit, Experiencing Grace, and other anthologies. She is a vibrant and engaging speaker who gives hope and practical solutions to those who struggle with difficult relationships. Deb and her husband, Randy, live in a tiny town in Eastern Washington. Visit Deb at: www.debkalmbach.com, or on Facebook and Twitter.

A three strand pearl necklace will be given away on New Year's Day. All you need to do to have a chance of winning is FILL OUT THIS QUICK ENTRY FORM. The winner will be announced on the Pearl Girls Blog (http://margaretmcsweeney.blogspot.com) on New Years Day. The 12 Pearls of Christmas series and contest sponsored by Pearl Girls®. For more information, please visit www.pearlgirls.info.

Gift List

2010-12-20T09:12:00.001-06:00

Gift List
by Tricia Goyer

I've been thinking lately how hard it must be for Oprah to Christmas shop. I mean if you were on her "gift list" wouldn't you expect something really, really good? The woman gives away cars and trips to Australia on her television show for goodness sake! It seems by the end of Christmas Day her friends and family would look at the pile of presents and think, "Is that it?" I mean if you knew there was billions of dollars she could spend on you, would you ever feel satisfied?

Sometimes I think we approach God the same way. We look around at our home, our family, our job, our free time and we still aren't satisfied. We wish our body looked better, our clothes were more in style, our husband was more considerate and our kids were more ... well, like the perfect little people we picture in our mind. Our careers don't excel as quickly as we think they should and people don't give us the attention we feel we deserve. We're tired and anxious and the to-do list seems to be tacked to our hearts for all the pain it causes.

Often, we look around and don't speak the words out loud, but think them just the same. "Is that it?" I mean, You're the God of the universe and You have all things in Your hands and under Your control. Couldn't you provide a little more money to help those bills disappear or make me a bit more content with the man I've chosen to spend my life with? And I thought Oprah had it tough.

Is there ever a time when God doesn't hear the murmurs? Again, not with our mouths but in our heart.

I've been guilty of this--of not being satisfied with the gifts I've been given. Yes, there will always be more to want, but today--at this moment--I'm satisfied. And I look to Him with a grateful heart and whisper, "Thank you, it is enough. More than enough."

About Tricia: Tricia Goyer is the author of twenty-six books including Songbird Under a German Moon, The Swiss Courier, and the mommy memoir, Blue Like Play Dough. She won Historical Novel of the Year in 2005 and 2006 from ACFW, and was honored with the Writer of the Year award from Mt. Hermon Writer's Conference in 2003. Tricia's book Life Interrupted was a finalist for the Gold Medallion in 2005. In addition to her novels, Tricia writes non-fiction books and magazine articles for publications like MomSense and Thriving Family. Tricia is a regular speaker at conventions and conferences, and has been a workshop presenter at the MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) International Conventions. She and her family make their home in Little Rock, Arkansas where they are part of the ministry of FamilyLife. For more information, please visit www.triciagoyer.com

A three strand pearl necklace will be given away on New Year's Day. All you need to do to have a chance of winning is FILL OUT THIS QUICK ENTRY FORM. The winner will be announced on the Pearl Girls Blog (http://margaretmcsweeney.blogspot.com) on New Years Day!

The 12 Pearls of Christmas series and contest is sponsored by Pearl Girls®. For more information, please visit www.pearlgirls.info.

Hurting Near Christmas? Ten Tips to Hope Again

2010-12-19T08:58:00.001-06:00

Hurting Near Christmas? 10 Tips to Hope Again
by Stacie Ruth Stoelting

Feel sad this Christmas? Hey, I know the feeling. In fact, many programs have interviewed me to share about it! Last year, I tried particularly hard to share stories and tips on how to cope with grief during the holidays: I wrote a feature for CBN.com, Coping with Grief at Christmas, visited and counseled grieving people, etc.

Then irony hit: Near Christmas, two people I loved died within two days (December 15-16, 2009).

Are you or a loved one hurting during the holidays? I relate. But let me encourage you: Jesus remains faithful! As real as my pain, He met my needs and comforted me with peace unexplainable. I’m serious. He’s real.

Before I continue with tips, let me share this: If you feel suicidal, contact an emergency counseling service like the New Life Call Center at 1-800-NEW-LIFE(639-5433).

10 Tips for Hurting Hearts to Hope and Cope at Christmas time:

1.    Realize and internalize it: God still loves you and wants to hear from you. He wants you to know that there is a Way out of your pit of despair. The Way is Jesus.

2.    Sometimes, our suffering causes us to forget His. Understand He understands you. He suffered more than any of us when we bore the weight of every sin and pain on the cross! In fact, Is. 53:3 describes Jesus: “He was despised and rejected by mankind, a man of suffering, and familiar with pain. Like one from whom people hide their faces he was despised, and we held him in low esteem.” Think of it: He took your punishment and pain on the cross. He was your capital punishment Substitute! And your Deliverer -your Rescuer- wants to hear from you. His heart hurts with yours. Will you pour your heart out to Him now? He’ll pour His love in where the fear previously resided. Let Jesus inside. Do you know Jesus on a personal, one-to-One basis? Visit here to learn why Jesus was born to die and how to be born again. (Hey, Jesus said it: "You must be born again.")

3.    Rather than mere gifts, make a Christmas prayer list of other hurting people. Then pray for them and request prayer for yourself, too. Contact your church. Tap into ministries (including CBN.com) that offer extra prayer support. And feel free to join my prayer e-group at www.PrayingPals.org or on Facebook.

4.    End the Christmas comparison game. Don't compare your Christmas to your neighbor's. Don't compare your Christmas to past celebrations.

5.    Center on the Savior! This year, trade a superficial Christmas for a real one. Deepen your appreciation for the true Christmas: the arrival of Jesus Christ to banish the effects of sin and death!

6.    Whatever your loss or pain, open up and let God be your Gain. Maybe your pain comes from another cause: a divorce, a devastating diagnosis, a job loss...the list extends. God offers to be your Counselor, your Father, your Healer, your Provider. Let Him answer your heart’s cry.

7.    Love on people. Even if you don’t “feel” like it, prayerfully do something for someone else who is hurting.

8.    Remember: Feelings change. God doesn't. Loved ones' deaths never kill His love for you. God's immeasurable, unconditional love still flows to you! When you know Jesus, you know eternal love and security. Nothing separates you from His love! “For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 8:38-39, ESV).

9.    Realize the reality of the sudden reunion. Holidays exacerbate the feeling of long separation from our loved ones in Heaven. Does it feel like it will take forever for you to see your loved one in Heaven? Be encouraged: Jesus IS coming again and it will be a time you don't expect! So the fact that you feel like it won't happen soon is a good thing! Once reunited, it will feel like no time transpired. All sadness will be entirely removed!

10.    When Jesus comes back to earth, it will be a celebration greater than any previous Christmas you've ever experienced!

For believers, losses hurt but never win. We will celebrate Jesus together -and it will be glorious "for everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith" (I John 5:4, NIV). In that Day, all believers will be able to jubilantly say, “Merry Christmas to all and to all the true Light!”

Additional Help: Ready for some practical tips for coping with grief at Christmastime? Here’s one: Rearrange furniture to reduce absence reminders. To read this tip and others found in another of my CBN.com’s articles: “Coping with Grief at Christmas", visit www.CBN.com.

Going through a rough time? Join Stacie Ruth’s prayer group at www.PrayingPals.org.

About Stacie: Stacie Ruth knows pain, but she also knows Jesus! After Stacie Ruth met Jesus, her life blossomed with true joy and purpose. Life’s blows hurt her, but Jesus heals and strengthens her. Now an author, actress, and recording artist, she laughs at the irony and praises God, who uses unlikely people...like herself. Discover why she's written a book at age 15, sung/spoken for the 43rd President, been pictured in major media (i.e. The New York Times, USA Today), and keynoted conferences since she was a teenager. To watch video clips, worship Jesus with music from her album, or get in touch with her ministry for women, visit www.brightlightministries.com.

A three strand pearl necklace will be given away on New Year's Day. All you need to do to have a chance of winning is FILL OUT THIS QUICK ENTRY FORM. The winner will be announced on the Pearl Girls Blog (http://margaretmcsweeney.blogspot.com) on New Years Day!

The 12 Pearls of Christmas Series and contest is sponsored by Pearl Girls®. For more information, please visit www.pearlgirls.info.

Wrapped in His Love

2010-12-18T08:58:00.000-06:00

Wrapped in His Love

by Rebecca Ondov

The temperature is below zero and dropping quickly—probably to -15 or lower. Old Man Winter gusted in a couple days ago, leaving cold temperatures and a foot of snow behind. Moments ago I bundled up in my long johns and Carhartts to go out and feed. Of course I had a warm horse blanket draped over my arm. When it’s below zero I wrap Czar in two horse blankets.

Czar nickered as soon as he saw me coming. When I buckled up the blankets, it was as if I was wrapping him in my love. He buried his head in my chest. I snuggled him and stroked his long red winter hair. I pulled a couple icicles out of his black mane as my mind drifted through memories. I’d bought Czar when he was a month old; it was love at first sight. After he was weaned from his mother, I brought him home.

Czar leaned into me, almost as if he was hugging me. I patted his neck, “That was thirty years ago, Czar. Can you believe it?” Czar had been my main saddle horse when I worked in the Bob Marshall Wilderness of Montana. I’d ridden him over 20,000 miles. Together we’d faced grizzly bears, mudslides, forest fires, and even fallen off a cliff. He’d saved my life more than once. With my finger, I traced a couple gray hairs that dotted his forehead. “You’ve earned your blankets, buddy.”

The icy breeze nipped at my cheeks and I thought how much his blankets resemble God’s love for us. God was there when we were born—and He loved us at first sight. He’s faithfully been with us through every step of our lives—through every joy and sorrow. He’s cried with us and laughed with us. He cheered when we’ve overcome. Most of all, when I’ve gone through tough times, it’s been God’s love which wrapped itself around me like a shield and pulled me through.

I glanced around me. The snowflakes glistened in the sun. His love surrounded me: the wind whispering in the pines, the chickadee that serenaded me this morning, the gurgling creek that flowed through the pasture. And His greatest love is manifested in the prize of His creation –you and me, the ones created in His image.

This Christmas season, I’m praying that you feel the God of the universe—the one who hung the stars in place—wrapping His loving arms around you and holding you tight (two horse blankets worth). And I pray that all of us experience the love He’s given us in Jesus.

About Rebecca: Rebecca Ondov is the author of Horse Tales from Heaven: Reflections along the Trail with God and Horse Tales from Heaven: Gift Edition. She was a contributing author in several books including Pearl Girls: Encountering Grit, Experiencing Grace. She lives in Western Montana with her family, horses, mules, barn cat, and golden retriever. By day she works for Fox Lumber, brokering lumber throughout the U.S., Canada, and Mexico. By night she forges ahead with her mission, writing stories which equip Christians to lead extraordinary lives. Join her on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn by going to her Website: www.RebeccaOndov.com

A three strand pearl necklace will be given away on New Year's Day. All you need to do to have a chance of winning is FILL OUT THIS QUICK ENTRY FORM. The winner will be announced on the Pearl Girls Blog (http://margaretmcsweeney.blogspot.com) on New Years Day!

The 12 Pearls of Christmas Series and contest is sponsored by Pearl Girls®. For more information, please visit www.pearlgirls.info.

Home

2010-12-17T18:10:00.000-06:00

There’s No Place Like….
by Melody Carlson

I grew up spending Christmases at my grandparents’ quaint Victorian home, surrounded by lots of relatives, laughter and love and really good food. For a little girl growing up in a single parent home, harried working mother, no church family, and TV dinners, these extended family holidays spent at my grandparents were like a real gift from God. But as a young adult, my grandfather passed on, the old house was sold, I grew up and eventually had a small family of my own.

Still I longed for those familiar kinds of “big” Christmases—I wanted that house full of relatives and fun times to go home to—I think the “child” in me thought I deserved it somehow. But my grandmother had gotten older and lived in a tiny apartment, and my mother and my husband’s parents were not comfortable hosting Christmas in their homes. For a while we went to my cousin’s, but I soon had to come to grips with reality. The days of going to Grandma’s for the perfect Christmas were a thing of the past.

In other words, it was time for me to grow up—time for me to start hosting our own Christmas celebrations. So biting the holiday bullet, I decided to just do it. With two very small children underfoot, I cooked my first turkey, made my first stuffing, invited some family, neighbors, and friends over, and we all crammed ourselves into our little house, balanced our plates on our knees, and had a very good time. Oh, I’m sure the turkey was dry and the gravy lumpy, but what I remember most is that everyone seemed truly happy to be there. And I realized that I wasn’t the only one longing for that sense of warmth and community—that longing to “go home again”—and I finally grasped that I could (with God’s grace) help to provide that for my family and others.

So for the next three decades we continued to host Christmas in our home. I got better at decorating, cooking, gifting…the works. Some years the place would be packed and crazy. A few years were thinner and quieter. But family, friends and neighbors could always count on the fact that the Carlson’s would be “doing something for Christmas.” It was a no-brainer.

Until this year. This year, for the first time in more than thirty years, my husband and I decided we’re going to take a pass on hosting Christmas—we are going to the beach. At first I felt terribly guilty, and even right now I’m a bit unsure—and wonder if I’ll end up changing my mind at the last minute. And yet, I believe it’s the right thing for us to do—for a lot of reasons. One being that my husband’s birthday is Christmas and he never gets to do what he wants on his birthday—this year will be different. But more than that, I hope that our stepping aside will encourage the younger members of our family to find and embrace some of their own traditions—to grow up and look for opportunities to stretch themselves a bit. Because, similar to how and oyster creates a pearl—or how a young mom learns to be a hostess—with some discomfort and distress a burnt turkeys, the end results are truly valuable.

About Melody: Melody Carlson lives in the Pacific Northwest with her husband and yellow Labrador Retriever. She’s the author of around 200 books including this year’s Christmas novella, Christmas at Harrington’s.Visit her website for more information, www.melodycarlson.com.

A three strand pearl necklace will be given away on New Year's Day. All you need to do to have a chance of winning is FILL OUT THIS QUICK ENTRY FORM. The winner will be announced on the Pearl Girls Blog (http://margaretmcsweeney.blogspot.com) on New Years Day!

The 12 Pearls of Christmas series and contest is sponsored by Pearl Girls®. For more information, please visit www.pearlgirls.info.

The Joy of Unexpected Circumstances

2010-12-16T13:10:00.000-06:00

The Joy of Unexpected Circumstances
by Lori Kasbeer

The Christmas season is upon us again. Starbucks is selling their Christmas blend; stores are posting their holiday hours; and moms everywhere are making a list and checking it twice, planning for a special Christmas day. It has been our family’s tradition to spend Christmas with relatives. Last year money was tight and we were unable to travel, this is not how we had planned to spend Christmas day but circumstances were beyond our control. Realizing my three boys--who are now teenagers--will not be under our roof for much longer, I wanted to have a special Christmas with just the five of us.

Leading up to Christmas morning we all made mouth-watering, cinnamon cut-out cookies, spent time together sticking tape everywhere while trying to wrap presents, and enjoyed spending time together. We did not have much money, but were having fun making memories. When Christmas morning arrived and we sat around to open gifts my eyes welled up with overwhelming joy. This mother was trying to absorb all the activity that was going on all around her: the smiles from each of my teenage boys, the sounds of laughter, and the smell of cinnamon rolls cooking in the oven. If I could freeze a moment in time, this would be it. I don’t know what the future holds for each of my boys, but that Christmas morning I wanted to soak it all in so I could recall this special day for years to come. Despite struggling financially, unexpected circumstances turned into immense joy and a lifetime of memories.

Mothers treasuring special moments is not something new. Mary, mother of Jesus Christ, was one who tried to soak in everything that first Christmas morning. Even after Christ’s birth she was still trying to absorb what the angel had said to her when he delivered the news that she was going to be the mother of the coming Savior. She reflected on the time she had with her cousin Elizabeth while they were both pregnant. Along with comprehending the unusual way her son came into this world.

While very pregnant with child, Mary and Joseph traveled from Nazareth to Bethlehem to register Mary for the census. Never did she image she would deliver her baby in a barn with a manger being the only thing to lay him down in. These were not the circumstances she had envisioned. Before she had time to catch her breath, suddenly all around her there was excitement when shepherds showed up reporting what they had seen and heard. There were angels—a multitude of angels—who were singing and declaring the Savior was born and a bright star led them to her and Joseph. So much has happened in a short amount of time and Mary did not want to forget any of it. Instead she stepped back and “treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart.” (Luke 2:19)

Mary did not exactly know what the plans were for her son, but she knew it was going to change the lives of everyone on earth. She was preparing her heart to obey God concerning her son Jesus, without the full knowledge of what was going to come while at the same time quietly reflecting and capturing this one special moment in time.

May this Christmas be filled with joy and a lifetime of memories, even if you find yourself in unexpected circumstances. Merry Christmas!

About Lori: Lori Kasbeer lives with her husband Tadd and three teenage sons in Florida. She's a contributor for Pearl Girls: Encountering Grit, Experiencing Grace and a Christian book reviewer. Please visit Lori’s Book Reviews for more info. You can also find Lori on Facebook and Twitter.

*A three strand pearl necklace will be given away on New Year's Day. All you need to do to have a chance of winning is FILL OUT THIS QUICK ENTRY FORM. The winner will be announced on the Pearl Girls Blog on New Years Day! The 12 Pearls of Christmas series and contest is sponsored by Pearl Girls®. For more information, please visit www.pearlgirls.info.

Unique Gifts from Pier 1 Imports

2010-12-15T23:01:00.003-06:00

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Pier 1 Imports. All opinions are 100% mine.

With Christmas being almost a week away, the finish line for your yearly shopping marathon is getting closer and closer. Now's the time to really dig in your heels (and your pocketbook) and check those last hard-to-shop-for gifts off your list. For friends and family with unique tastes, Pier 1 Imports (both in store and online) has one-of-a-kind gift ideas for budgets of any size.

Not only does Pier 1 Imports offer elegant and eclectic furniture, but they also carry home accessories and other items that would make a special gift for a male or female, young or old. By visiting the Gift Planner page on Pier 1's website, you can find fabulous ideas for neighbors, teachers, coaches, hostesses, and even students. There are also suggestions for gift wrapping, themed stockings, and gift baskets.
Here are several of my favorite ideas for those last minute holiday gifts to grab:

Ideas for HER...

Blue Floral Appliqued Throw- $55.96

Red Gemmed Pashmina- $24.65

Red Stoneware Teapot Set- $29.95

Ideas for HIM...

Coffee Mugs with Stand- $10.95

BBQ Condiment Serving Set- $34.95

Deluxe Chess Set- $119.99

Ideas for the Younger Ones...

Handbells, Set of 8- $18.00

Wood Tool Set- $20.00

Plush Animals $14-$24

While you're doing your last minute shopping at Pier 1 Imports, you can also support Toys for Tots by dropping off an unwrapped toy and/or making a cash donation at the register any time in December. By liking Pier 1 on Facebook, they will also donate $1 to Toys for Tots for every new fan they get. What a great way to finish your shopping, support an important cause, and continue to spread holiday cheer!

The First Christmas

2010-12-15T09:19:00.001-06:00

The First Christmas
by Pat Ennis

It was October of my eighteenth year of life when my Dad stepped into eternity. As a college freshman I not only had to deal with my own grief, I also was faced with the responsibility of helping my mother adjust to a new lifestyle. You see, when Dad died, she not only lost her husband of thirty years, she also lost her circle of friends. Suddenly the married couples (my Dad was the first of their group to die) didn’t know what to do about Mother—so they did nothing. Her grieving process was actually extended because of the withdrawal of her friends, many with whom she and Dad had enjoyed fellowship for years.

Our plight was magnified by the reality that we did not have extended family and I was an only child. Quite frankly, the outlook for the holiday season appeared pretty dismal!

As the holidays approached our neighbors, who embraced a different faith than we, graciously invited us to share their Christmas celebration with them. The sincere invitation, their effort to fold us into their family, inclusion in the gift exchange, and intentional conversation that focused on recounting the blessings of the year as well as looking forward to the next turned what could have been a miserable day into one of joy. Of course we missed our husband and Dad but the focus on the Lord’s provision for us through the hospitality of our neighbors (Philippians 4:8-9, 19) soothed our grieving spirits.

I have a happy ending to my Mother’s loss of her circle of friends that I described at the beginning of this story! Ever the gracious southern hostess, she did not cease to extend hospitality because of the change in her marital status—in the five years that she lived beyond Dad’s death, we entertained frequently, and eventually our guest list included widows from the group that had earlier excluded my Mother. Though her arthritic condition precluded her engaging in as much of the food preparation as she was accustomed to doing, she continued to help me hone the skills that were second nature to her.

The loving hospitality extended to us on that first lonely Christmas served as a catalyst for Mom and me to open our home throughout the year—especially during the holiday season! Will you consider displaying biblical compassion by including some of the “others”—singles, widows, and the grieving in your holiday celebrations? Who, knows, you might be entertaining an angel incognito (Hebrews 13:2)!

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About Pat: Dr. Patricia Ennis, author of Precious in His Sight, the Fine Art of Becoming a Godly Woman, co-author of Practicing Hospitality, the Joy of Serving Others, and contributor to Pearl Girls, Experiencing Grit, Experiencing Grace as well as professor and establishing chairperson of the Department of Home Economics at The Master’s College. Visit Pat's blog, Unfading Beauty for more information.

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As part of the 12 Pearls of Christmas series, a three strand pearl necklace will be given away on New Year's Day. All you need to do to have a chance of winning is FILL OUT THIS QUICK ENTRY FORM. The winner will be announced on the Pearl Girls Blog on New Years Day!

The 12 Pearls of Christmas Series and contest is sponsored by Pearl Girls®. For more information, please visit www.pearlgirls.info.