I wrote down some ideas that have worked for me, and there’s a printable with some of God’s promises to make it a bit easier!

*** Update on the blog:  through February I’ll be working behind the scenes to get back on my “blogging” feet in March!  Don’t lose faith in me!  I’ll be back!”

I thought I’d just be slowing down for December, but it looks like I need to continue on that vein for a while longer.

I’m getting some things straightened out here on the homefront and probably won’t be writing much this month either.  I’ll give you little updates as we go along!

Much love and best wishes for this coming new year!

Every year I pull it out first when we’re decorating the tree.

And every year I say something like:  Why did Jesus come to earth?

The boys answer with something like: To die on the cross for our sins.

(I’m not a die-hard for precise answers.)

And then we talk about the first sinners, Adam and Eve, who took a bite of an apple…

…even through that sad first moment of sin in the world, God brought something beautiful to light.  His own Son came to earth as a tiny baby and we can celebrate with Him.

This post is part of my Advent series.  Please visit the series page for more posts on celebrating Christmas, and a link-up.

Big Brother

Middle Brothers
Baby Bell-Ringer

This year we got lucky.  It was sunny and pretty warm (as exhibited by all of my boys being in shorts).  I wasn’t in shorts, FYI.  I was in pants, boots, and a down coat, but hey, whatever works.  Last year it was raining, but we made the best of it.

This post is part of my Advent Series: Preparing for Jesus

Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe:

• 3 ¾ c. flour
• 1 ½ tsp. baking soda
• 1/4  tsp. baking powder
• 1 tsp. salt

•  1 c. granulated sugar
• 1 c. brown sugar
• 1 c. butter (softened)
• 1/2  c. shortening
• 3 eggs
• 2 tsp. milk
• 1 ½ tsp. vanilla

• 2-3 c. chocolate chips

• 1 ½ c. chopped walnuts or pecans (optional)

1. Combine and mix first 4 ingredients.  Set aside.
2. In a large bowl, mix butter and shortening.  Add sugar and brown sugar, mix until creamy.  Blend in the vanilla and milk.
3. Add the eggs, one at a time, mix until blended.  Gradually add the flour mixture.  If the dough is too sticky, add more flour (2 teaspoons at a time) until it isn’t sticky.
4. Stir in the chocolate chips and nuts.
5. Drop by tablespoon onto ungreased cookie sheets.
6. Bake at 375 for 8-12 minutes until lightly brown.
7. Remove immediately and cool on wire rack.

 Important Tip:

For fluffy cookies that don’t look oily or flat, pinch the dough (between steps 3 & 4).  If the dough is sticky, add more flour.  Only add the chocolate chips and nuts once the dough is no longer sticky.

This post is part of the Advent Series:  Preparing for Jesus.  Check out the Advent Series page for more posts and a link-up!  There are lots of resources there!

Brownies:

• 2 c. granulated sugar
• 1 c. butter, melted
• ½ c. unsweetened cocoa powder
• ½ tsp. salt
• 5 eggs, beaten
• 2 tsp. vanilla extract
• 1 ½ c. flour
• 1 c. chocolate chips

 Topping:

• 1 10 oz. bag marshmallows
• 1 c. chocolate chips
• Sprinkles

 Preheat oven to 350.  Grease a 13×9 baking dish.

1. Combine sugar, butter, cocoa, and salt.  Stir in eggs and vanilla.  Add the flour and stir until well combined.  Fold in the chocolate chips.
2. Bake at 350 for 30-35 minutes.  Until tester comes out clean.
3. Remove brownies from oven and turn off the heat.  Coat brownies with one layer of marshmallows and replace in oven for 2-3 minutes, until marshmallows are puffy but not melted!
4.  Melt 1 c. chocolate chips in the microwave.  Drizzle over the brownies.  Add desired sprinkles.

Tip:  You can actually make these brownies for any occasion by using different colored and flavored marshmallows and sprinkles.

This post is part of the Advent Series:  Preparing for Jesus.  Check out the Advent Series page for lots of helpful posts on making the Christmas season meaningful, and a link-up.

Have you ever had a past sin come back to “bite” you?  I have.  I can be walking along, having a perfectly wonderful day, and somehow a reminder hits me square in the face.

Maybe something happened that brought the memory back.  Maybe someone else reminded me of what I’d done.  Whatever the case, the words in my head are the same:

Remember what you did?
You know how bad you were.
Do you really think you overcame that?
God hates sinners, you know.

Today I was listening to a Christian radio show and women were talking about abortions they had in the past.  One woman cried because of the guilt, she wondered if her infertility now is connected to past abortions.  How do you get past something like that?  How do I get past sins that I have committed, even after confessing and receiving God’s forgiveness?

There are probably few things Satan likes more than to get us to relive our past.  To remind us of what we have done and who we were.  He wants us to doubt God’s forgiveness.

I don’t have to do that.

Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you^[a] free from the law of sin and death. Romans 8:1-2

…as far as the east is from the west,  so far has he removed our transgressions from us.  Psalm 103:12

One woman on the radio show shared how she finally got past her past abortions.  She remembers that every time we doubt God’s forgiveness we are nailing Christ back up on the cross.  He did not go through all of that pain for me to doubt him.  He went through it that I might be free.

I do Christ a disservice when I refuse to believe in that freedom.  I cause him pain when I doubt that I am forgiven.  When I choose to live in my past. So when those reminders hit me in the face (or gut, as it sometimes feels) I can stand firm.  I can say with confidence:  “Get thee behind me, Satan“.

I am free.  Free indeed.

photo credit

• Truth in the Tinsel an easy, craft-centered guide for Advent.

• Ann Voskamp’s Jesse Tree ebook.  Download it for free when you subscribe to her blog.

• Jotham’s Journey (daily Advent readings in the form of a compelling story)

• weekly reading for your Advent wreath from Veritas Press.

• Christmas link-up.

It seems like everywhere I look this year I see great Advent ideas.  Please feel free to share your favorites in the comments below!

And don’t forget to link up any holiday-related posts on my Advent link-up page!

Advent 2011 is now in full swing!

Please join me over at The Better Mom this morning as I talk a bit more about Advent and what it’s all about!

Then you can join me over at Homemaker’s Challenge and print up your Christmas Baking Planner!  Don’t let that holiday baking stress you out any more than it has to, that’s what I say!