This past year at work we drew for prayer partners, we do not know who gets our name until the end of the year. We pray for each other and give small gifts throughout the year or whatever you want to do. The person who had my name has very limited means. So, thoughout this year I really enjoyed receiving my favorite candy bar. I recieved a Christmas gift from her. She had embroided flour sack towels with apples. My kitchen has an apple theme. Her gifts really humbled me. She gave from her heart. Now, I am not saying that a boughten gift is not given from the heart, but it is given out of our abundance. So, for me to recieve from someone who I know has a hard time making ends meets. It is humbling. It is not the gift, but the thought behind it that counts. She is one of Christ's servants. I know that she didn't go to her dept Christmas party because she couldn't afford to buy a gift for the gift exchange. She does make handmade things, which are worth more than any item you could buy.

I pray that all of you who read this has a very blessed Christmas and New Year.

The count down is on for Christmas. I have been trying to prepare myself for God's message for this season. I am not doing a very good job. Life seems to be getting in my way. But, I will persevere. I am finding that my attitude this year has been better and every time I start feeling threatened with overload I have handed it over to God. God is faithful, he will grab hold of us when we grab hold of him. I have prayed to him that I don't want him to ever let go of me.

I wish everyone a wonderful and blessed Christmas. I pray that all will enjoy Christmas with their families and friends.

Have a Blessed Christmas and A Great New Year!!!

I started to say that it has been awhile since on have been here. but, that would not be the truth I have logged on to see if there has been any comments made to what I have already, written here. I was visiting with God this morning and he told me it doesn't matter about any comments he just wants me to put in words what in my heart.

Today, I am feeling very sad and trying to find the joy in this season. This time of year is very hard for me. This isn't something new. It has been going on for many years. It started when I moved with my husband to his hometown, a very small town in Nebraska(by the way Nebraska is home to me now). I had been lived my whole life (22 yrs) on the south side of Chicago. We did share holidays, but something changed. His family did everything different from what my family did. So, I tried to start our own family traditions. But, that did little to relieve my seasonal blues. My husband always made this statement about me. Stay away from her from Nov 1st till Jan 2nd. He wasn't off the mark. It was like this demon took over. No matter how hard I tried, I could not and still struggle, with this season. Even after experiencing Christ. I love Christ with my whole heart and some wouldn't know it by my behavior at this time of year. I know that part of the problem is the getting ready. All the extra cooking(and I love to cook). The shopping, the expectations. So, I have decided to really focus on the reason for the season. I will do the cooking and the present shopping and wrapping and all that stuff for God's glory. I will call on God this season to rid me of the demon that takes over. The enemy knows what this season means and will do all he can to discredit Christ's followers. He doesn't want the gospel message to spread, so he tries to thwart the messengers. I do feel that I am a messenger of the word.

So, for any of you out there that may be struggling and just trying to hang on there is hope. Grab hold of Christ and God's living word. His word will thwart the enemy.I John 4:4 He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world. God is greater and is our help in times of struggling.