Christmas Song #6 - Hallelujah

Can you imagine holding Jesus in your arms.... I can't even imagine how overwhelming, yet comforting that would be!  This is a song by Barlow Girl - written as if she was Mary was singing these words to her Son Jesus.

Reflecting on what that would have been like.... wow that's all I can say!

Hmm, my babyHeaven sent You to meAll the world's been prayingWho will save?
But who am I?That here tonightI hold the oneWho'll bring us life
Hallelujah, we've been foundA child is born to save us nowHallelujah, light has comeA Savior who will set us freeA promise for those who believe
Do You hear the AngelsSing for You, my baby?Men and kings haveCome to bow to You
But here in my armsSo close to meThe son of GodNow all can see
Hallelujah, we've been foundA child is born to save us nowJesus Hallelujah, light has comeA Savior set us free
So praise to God on highHe has heard our cry

Christmas Series #5 - I Celebrate the Day

A few days ago I asked a group of my Youth Ministry friends to share their favorite Christmas songs.... this song came up numerous times thanks to my friends David Nicodemus and Wayne Yeager!

The song starts almost with a confession that it is once again Christmas and I feel as though I am not as far in my spiritual journey that I had planned to be when the new year began.... boy can I relate to that.  Each year I say I am going to read my bible I am going to pray more, and always feel as though I fail miserably.... then a change of focus, the singer takes his eyes off himself and his failures and begins to ask the question - "the first time that you opened your eyes, did you realize that you would be my savior"  To think of Jesus thinking of me even as a infant... is it possible - I am sure not by human standards (though it is always interesting to wonder what infants are thinking about when you sit and rock them) but by God standards all things are possible - even an infant God thinking of even me.

Praising God that he was born to die just for me!  Do you know about that love and sacrifice?  If not, this year at Christmas would be a great time to receive the greatest gift!  Eternal life through a relationship with Jesus Christ.

And with this Christmas wish is missed
The point I could convey
If only I could find the words to say to let You know how much You've touched my life
Because here is where You're finding me, in the exact same place as New Year's eve
And from a lack of my persistency
We're less than half as close as I want to be

And the first time
That You opened Your eyes did You realize that You would be my Savior
And the first breath that left Your lips
Did You know that it would change this world forever

And so this Christmas I'll compare the things I felt in prior years
To what this midnight made so clear
That You have come to meet me here

To look back and think that
This baby would one day save me
In the hope that what You did
That you were born so I might live
To look back and think that
This baby would one day save me

And I, I celebrate the day
That You were born to die
So I could one day pray for You to save my life

Christmas #4 - Christmas Cannon

Last year I was introduced to the Trans Siberian Orchestra for the first time by none other than Michael Hummel (the most unsuspecting TSO fan!)  I was blown away - wow!  So when I find music that makes me say wow - it just is another reminder that this season is a time to say WOW!  There are few words to this song, simple, yet that is it a simple message!  A baby, a manger, a savior!  As I watch the children singing it is also fun to think that one day my little girl my little girl may be one in a choir standing and singing praises to God!  Sit back and relax to the music of TSO!

Merry Christmas 
Merry Christmas 
Merry Christmas 
Merry Christmas 


[2.] 
The joy that he brings 
The joy that he brings 
The joy that he brings 
The joy that he brings 

[Together] 
Brings... 
[ Lyrics from: http://www.lyricsmode.com/lyrics/t/trans_siberian_orchestra/christmas_canon.html ]
[1.] 
This night 
We pray 
Our lives 
Will show 
This dream 
He had 
Each child 
Still knows 


[2.] 
We are waiting 
We have not forgotten 

[3.] 
On this night 
On this night 
On this very Christmas night

Christmas Day #3 - Christmas Offering

Just as the wisemen followed the star in order to brings gifts to the king, we are also to bring an offering to Jesus - our worship!  As I think about the Christmas season, I often get caught up in all the good things of the season and miss the great thing, taking time to bow before the King and Kings and worship.  Don't miss the King in the midst of the chaos this holiday season - take time to worship the King.

Over the skies of Bethlehem appeared a star 
While angels sang to lowly shepherds
Three Wiseman seeking truth they traveled from afar
Hoping to find the child from heaven
Falling on their knees they bow before the humble Prince of Peace

We bring an offering of worship to our King
No one on earth deserves the praises that we sing
Jesus may you receive the honor that you're due
O Lord I bring an offering to you

The sun cannot compare to the glory of your love
There is no shadow in your presence
No mortal man would dare to stand before your throne
Before the Holy One of heaven
It's only by Your blood
It's only through Your mercy
Lord, I come

I bring an offering of worship to my King
No one on earth deserves the praises that I sing
Jesus, may you receive the honor that you're due
O Lord, I bring an offering to you

We bring an offering to you
We are an offering to you
We are an offering to you, Jesus

We are an offering of worship to our King
No one on earth deserves the praises that we sing
Jesus, may you receive the honor that you're due
O Lord, we bring an offering to you

O Lord, we bring an offering to you

We bring an offering to you
We are an offering to you
We are an offering to you 

Christmas Day 2 - This Baby

About 14 years ago when I was teaching in Clearfield I was part of a group called Spirit & Truth and we did musical productions.  The first one I recall doing was called Code Red Christmas (or something like that, my memory is going)  Anyway - to this day there was one song in the production that often comes back to me.  This Baby - by Steven Curtis Chapman.  It is about Jesus being a baby - God in the flesh.  Though I understand the concept of baby (not that I have it mastered) I can't even begin to fathom that he was also fully God!  So as you ponder Jesus today as a baby begin to think of the fullness of God and the fullness of man - in baby form!  God has a sense of humor, yet a perfect well thought out plan!

Well, He cried when He was hungry,

Did all the things that babies do;He rocked and He napped on His mother’s lap,And He wiggled and giggled and cooed.There were the cheers when He took His first step,And the tears when He got His first teeth;Almost everything about this little babySeemed as natural as it could be.CHORUSBut this baby made the angels sing,And this baby made a new star shine in the sky.This baby had come to change the world.This baby was God’s own son, this baby was like no other one.This baby was God with us, this baby was Jesus.And this baby grew into a young boy,Who learned to read and write and wrestle with dad;There was the climbin’ of trees and the scrapin’ of knees,And all the fun that a boy’s born to have.He grew taller and some things started changing,Like His complexion and the sound of His voice;There was work to be done as a carpenter’s sonAnd all the neighbors said He’s such a fine boy.But this boy made the angels sing,And this boy made a new star shine in the sky.This boy had come to change the world.This boy was God’s own son, this boy was like no other one.This boy was God with us. This boy became a man,And love made Him laugh and death made Him cry.With the life that He lived and the death that He died,He showed us heaven with His hands and His heart,‘Cause this man was God’s own son.This man was like no other one,Holy and human right from the start.(chorus)This baby was God with us, this baby, this baby was Jesus; this baby was Jesus, this baby was Jesus.

Christmas Series - Day 1 - It's True

This year for Christmas I am taking my love for music and my love for the 25 days before Christmas and I am combining them together.  Each day for the next 25 days I will be posting a non-traditional Christmas song.  It will be a song that has grabbed my attention.  I will try to post a video to go along with the song if one is available. (Please note that not all videos are high quality as it may be the only option available on youtube, but I am focusing on the music and lyrics, and the video is secondary) If not it will just be the audio - I will also try to post the lyrics for you to follow if you would like.  

The first song I will be featuring is by one of my favorite artists, Sara Groves.  It is off her O Holy Night Album and it is called - It's true... it starts with her song - sharing about the angel coming to tell Mary about the child she is carrying.  I can't imagine what it must have been like to hear the news that she hear that day, but more so to be faithful to God and trust that no matter what others thought she knew that God had an amazing plan and He chose her to carry His son, Jesus!  

In your heart you know it's true though you hold no expectation in the deepest part of you there's an open hesitation but it's true kingdoms and crowns a God who came down to find you it's true Angels on high sing through the night alleluia heard it told you think it's odd the whole thing fraught with complication the play begins with  baby God and all His blessed implications but it's true kingdoms and crowns a God who came down to find you it's true Angels on high sing through the night alleluia alleluia, alleluia Oh it's true kingdoms and crowns a God who came down to find you it's true Angels on high sing through the night alleluia

Lift Up Your Eyes

This past weekend I had the honor of speaking at a Ladies' Retreat for the Reformed Baptist Church of Lewisburg, PA.  What a blessing it was for me to be in presence of a group of women who long to know God's word!  Thank you for being so welcoming and encouraging as I shared not only my heart but what God has put on my heart.

The theme for the first day was all about being worn out.  We were looking at the first part of the verse from Romans 12:2 - Do not comform any longer to the patterns of this world.  We live in a society that is filled with over commitment, or no commitment, constant comparisons, and feeling like we never can do enough or be enough.

When we look only to ourself for our strength we get discouraged quickly as we come up with so many excuses of why we can't do or be what God is calling us to be.

When we look out around us we find ourselves in the trap of comparing ourselves to others, looking to please ourselves and others above God.

However, in Psalm 121 it tells us to Lift up our eyes!!!  Change our gaze!!  Don't look down at yourself, or out at the world to find peace, comfort, and direction..... Lift up our eyes and look to God the creator of life and allow him to transform you!

Where is your gaze focused today?  Lift up your eyes to the maker of the heavens and earth!

25 Years Of Ministry at RMC

Sunday we celebrated Joel's 25 years of Ministry service to RMC.  It is almost unheard of for anyone to stay in Youth Ministry that long - let alone at the same church.  I am so blessed to call this man my husband.  I am so proud of his integrity and compassion.  He loves the Church and that is apparent in all that he does.  Take a moment and watch this video tribute.  I know that he is leaving a legacy and I can't wait to see what God has in store for him over his next 25 years of ministry!


Celebration

So What Do You Think?

I have been toying around with the idea of doing a daily blog for awhile now.... I go back and forth.... I have some ideas, but I always wonder - if I go through all the time and effort to write the blog will people actually read it????

So as I have been contemplating this over the past two months with no real answer I thought I would put it out to you the readers to see if there is an interest in the topics that I have chosen and a reader base.

This is what I need from you.... your opinion and/or suggestions.  This is what I have come up with as my daily themes.

Modge Podge Mondays - Writing about anything - ideas, home, family, ministry, events, charities, etc.

Tastefully Simple Tuesdays - I will feature a different product or recipes from the TS line

In the Word Wednesday - a verse and/or devotional for that day.

Thrifty Thursdays - Ideas of how to save time, money, or energy

Family Fun Fridays - Ideas of things you can do with your family, or things we have tried with ours.

So there you have it - the potential future blog found at gripofgrace.com  The other thing that I am planning to do it to marry my two blogs (sounds kinda funny).  I would no longer be using the msbabyandme.blogspot.com - since so much of what I write about can fall under either blog - why not save the time and just combine it.

So here are three questions for you - please comment below or leave me a message on my facebook page.

1.  Do you read blogs regularly?

2.  Would you read or subscribe to my blog with this format?

3.  Which of these topics are the most interesting to you?

Growing With Me - "Mommy Maple Tree"

As a new mom I am constantly thinking about ways to incorporate traditions for holidays and special occasions for our new family. You could call me sentimental but I am okay with that.  You might say that I love holidays.....true statement.  I would sum it up and say I love life and I want to pass that on to my little girl.

This year for our first Mother's Day we planted a tree.  Each year I hope to take a picture of Ella and I next to that tree.  It is just a special little thing that we can do to make an ordinary day a little more extraordinary.

PS - I had a great Mother's Day and I look forward to many more great memories and many more pictures by our special "Mommy Maple Tree".

Bracelets for MS

I am so blessed to have wonderful friends in my life.  One of those wonderful friends is my college roommate Christie Hubner.   We lived next to each other freshman year and had to remain on campus over fall break - we were the only ones left on the floor so we spent a lot of time together and realized that we had many great things in common - such as our musical tastes, our love for the outdoors and our distain for pink (now we both have little girls, so we are learning to deal with that one).  Needless to say that year was the beginning of a great friendship.  Throughout college we would often run together - however she would always say that I was the runner and she was just coming along.  Now the tides have turned and she is the triatholon runner and the fitness guru as I at most times must sit back and walk.

Every since I was diagnosed with MS Christie has made a commitment to walk in the Frederick Maryland MS Walk in honor of me.  I am so blessed by her acts of kindness and her care for me.  This year Christie decided to use her talents as she raises funds for her MS walk.  She has created this bracelet to raise money for MS research.  The cost of the bracelet is 7.00 and all the funds go towards the MS walk.  I love how she chose a simple yet unique design - I have already worn mine several times and I love it!  It is made with orange string which is the color that represents the MS Society movement.

If you would like to order one and support the MS walk - just let me know no later than April 7th.  You can give the money to me and I will be sure to submit it with the order I place that day.

Thanks for your support of this great cause!

SYMC - Wives of Youth Pastor's Group

What a blessing this past weekend was..... I had the honor of working along side a new friend named Dana Schmoyer (which actually does rhyme with Jana - in case you care) to lead the Youth Pastor's Wives connect group.  Connect groups are small groups that are focused on connecting people that are in similar situations at the Simply Youth Ministry Conference in Louisville, KY

During our time together we laughed, we cried, and we shared heart felt stories with one another.... we prayed together and shared hope together.  Although I was one of the leaders of the group - I walked away so encouraged.  I feel as though God is adding "loving on pastor's wives" to my list of passions.  I was blessed to be in such a distinct group of women.

Here are a few things that I learned this weekend about Youth Pastor's Wives....
1.  We often feel alone and desire to have solid friendships - but often feel as though we don't have a place to vent and share our hurts.  We want to honor our husband and not speak against our church so we need an outside friend that can listen.
2.  The church has been both a place of great hurt and great healing....  If you ever find a perfect church don't join it because you will mess it up!  We know that churches aren't perfect but it is challenging when it is a place of such hurt and negativity.
3.  We love our husbands and when others say negative things - we don't always handle ourselves well!  Let's just say that our cat claws sometimes surface.
4.  We love ministry - we may not be able to be there every week for every youth event because we are home with the kids or working our full time jobs, but we are invested even when we aren't there.
5.  We have made great sacrifices for ministry.... nights when our "evening alone" is interupted by a student in crisis.  Days when eight hours at the office turns into 12.  Mornings when it is all you can do to get out of bed because you just spend the entire weekend loving and investing in the lives of teenagers.

Here are some things that may help (as shared during our time together)
1.  Have a date night - even if it is just at your house laying bed eating popcorn and watching a movie.  It is a must!  Your priorities must be God then your spouse, then family.... and then ministry!
2.  Know your limitations - you don't have to be someone you are not - find your gifts and use them and delegate the rest - it allows others to experience a blessing!
3.  Protect your heart.... as much as you want to know all the details from your husband - set boundaries - maybe ask him not to tell you the names of those involved in the drama, or just tell you what you absolutely must know - as detail people this can be a challenge but it can help keep the peace and keep our cat claws at bay!
4.  Set up some boundaries as far as phone and computer are concerned - turn off the phone during dinner.... just one more thing doesn't need to happen during dinner.  Family time is fully present time.
5.  Pray for your husband - specifically!  He needs to know that you love him support him, respect him and most importantly pray for him - ask him how you can pray for him today!

Hope this encourages you!  The weekend was a blast and I can't wait until next year!

A note from the Substitute

Over the past two weeks I have been able to get a few days of subbing at local high schools and middle schools.  In those days of subbing I have had two drastically different experiences.  And through those experiences I have come up with few suggestions.

To the staff
1.  If you see me or another substitute - please say hello!  I am a guest at your school, I am there to serve and help out and fulfill a need, it would be great to feel welcomed!
2.  Stop by my room....and if you do - please introduce yourself.  It is nice to know the other teachers you are working with even if it is just temporarily.  It is also nice to know the names of the aids that will be working with you that day.
3.  Smile - if you are having a bad day - try not to take it out on me or the kids.
4.  Lesson plans - thank you for them!  They are helpful to not look like a moron in front of the kids.  I am happy to teach and not just babysit if you leave me a plan.

To the students
1.  Just because I am not your regular teacher, do not mean I don't know how to teach or discipline for that matter.
2.  Smile and say hello!  It's that easy.
3.  Just an FYI - I am not moron - I know that you shouldn't be using pictures of beer as clip art!

Oh the joys of teaching.  I do love it and I will go back, but hopefully when I do I will find my way around a little bit better, I will know a few more people and I will feel less like a stranger.

It also seems like this has some great parallels for the church..... when we see a new face in church - we should be applying all of the above..... I hope no one ever walks out of our church feeling like I felt the day I walked out of school.

My 12 For 2012

So as one of my dear friends pointed out the other day I haven't been blogging much lately.... true story!  I truly believe that in life we go through different seasons just as the earth does.  For me I am in my crazy season - the season where I feel like I am doing a lot of things but none of them am I doing well!  Then on top of that learning how to manage my time and my responsibilities while also keeping my priorities.  So as I think about what I want this year to look like for me - I have come up with 12 Goal for 2012.  I am trying my best to achieve these goals but if I do not I will try again the next day.  I hope to spend more time talking about these goals in the next couple weeks but for now here they are.... (in no particular order)

1.  Priorities - God, Family, Ministry, and then everything else....  I need to focus on "keeping the main thing, the main thing"  too often I get overwhelmed and I think that is often because I don't keep my priorities straight.  My relationship with God MUST come first, then my relationship with my husband, then my daughter..... and then ministry and all the other things that come into my life.

2.  De-cluttering - it is my goal in the next month to have gone through all our things - get rid of what we aren't using, organize and find a home from what we are using.  My mom uses the rule of ten - she gets rid of ten things from each place she is organizing.

3.  Read - I have so many books on my shelf that I have wanted to read, so often I find myself laying in bed at night not being able to fall asleep and instead of picking up a book - I pick up my phone and play solitaire or words with friends - I want to read instead.    I would like to read one book a month - some of you readers may be laughing but for me - 12 books is better than the zero that I finished last year!  Also I want to read more to Ella - I am really good at singing and playing with her and reading my bible outloud to her but I haven't done a good job reading books to her.... let's start with a realistic goal - 3-5 books a week.

4.  Save - I want to do a better job saving!  I find that so hard to do when we seem to be just making our payments.  I want to be sure that each time I get paid for my tastefully simple parties - I put 10% of that in our savings account - it's a start!

5.  A Budget - a loose one!  I know for us - a strict detailed budget will probably just frustrate us and cause us to give up all together - but I would like to take a day - sit down together and come up with a general budget.   Then maybe next year at this time we can be a little more specific.

6.  Blogging - I have to thank my friend Christianna for her encouragment in this department.  She recently launched a blog which you can check out here.  She had a calendar set up so she can blog ahead of time and schedule those.  She blogs for one hour a day on the days she is home.  I would like to blog regularly..... so stay tuned - I am going to come up with a format and hopefully it will be an encouragement and a blessing to you.

7.  Exercising - I have been in remission since getting pregnant with our little one and will "Lord willing" stay in remission while I continue to nurse her.  I want to try to regain a level of fitness while I can - so my goal is to workout at least once a week - and walk 2-3 other times during the week.

8.  Tastefully Simple - This fall I began to sell Tastefully Simple.... my husband and I love the products.  They are simple, affordable and so versatile.  It is my goal for my business that I would host 3-4 parties a month and have a $100 in online sales each month.  If you would like to check out my site go to www.tastefullysimple.com/web/jsnyder6 

9.  Ministry - After taking some time off of focusing on Taraja Minisries so I could put my total focus on being a mom, I am making my return to speaking and counseling.  I do feel as thought this is what God wants from me, so I need to be obedient.  I struggle with how to promote myself, while not coming across as it being about me - because it is not - it is about finding joy and hope in the journey of life through Jesus Christ.  I want to be sure I am taking time weekly to update my website and to make connections with Churches, camps, and organizations.

10.  Offer Grace to myself - that may sound like a weird goal - but it is something that I struggle with on a daily basis - I look around and see things that need done that I didn't get too because something else came up, my baby was crying, or life just happened.  Though I want a clean and organized house - I know that is not always possible with my schedule and I need to give myself some grace in that department.

11. - Finish reading through the Bible - I will get this done this year - it has taken me several years to read through the Bible - I am now in the Gospels and I will finish it this year!  I can do this!  Let's just say I am not a fast reader!

12.  Note writing - I want to write at least one note a week to someone that needs encouragment, a thankyou to someone who has cared for us, or just a note to say that I miss seeing you.  My mother in law is so good at this - I want to again start with a small goal of one a week and then we will see how we do.

I am going to review these goals monthly to see how I am doing.  What are you goals for 2012?

12 for 2012

I didn't realize until just yesterday that I hadn't blogged since Christmas - the time just flew by - I actually do have a few things on my blog idea list, but I also wanted to take a little break from the computer.  Lately at church we have been talking about giving things up so we can better serve, whether it would be time wise, money wise or stuff wise.

I am feeling like I spend a lot of time on the computer and wanted to have family time over Christmas break with no distractions.  Before I knew it January was here and to be honest with our trip to St. Louis I didn't really have a lot of time to reflect on my goals (aka Resolutions) for the new year.  In fact - I still have come up with my list..... however - I do know that I want 12 goals for 2012.  Over the new two weeks I will be blogging about those 12 goals in hopes to encourage you and to be accountable.

Several years ago I did 31 Resolutions and as I look back I kept at least 15 - so let's see how I do this year - if I have 12 and keep 6 I will be thrilled!!  How are you doing with your goals for the New Year?

Advent Adventure #24 & 25

Today's adventure will be easy to follow - all you have to do is STOP reading, turn off your computer, and leave it off until Monday morning - enjoy a bit of a Computer fast as you celebrate Christmas with family and friends.  And since I will also be doing that - I am going to let you in on tomorrow's adventure - read the Christmas story found in Luke 2.  Enjoy some time together as you celebrate the Christ child's birth by attending a worship service together!

Merry Christmas!!!

Advent Adventure Day 22 & 23

Well I made my best effort to blog from my phone yesterday on my way to my parent's house - however, sometimes my best efforts don't lead to a successful ending...so needless to say - today's advent is a "twofer" as my husband would call it.

Today's adventure is to sit back and enjoy a little holiday cheer right here on your computer - over the month of December Joel has a tradition of posting a new holiday video each day.  There are so many different ones to choose from, so today head over to his blog http://www.joelsnyder.net/ and enjoy a little holiday cheer as you are surfing the web, wrapping presents, or just killing some time as you relax and enjoy the evening!

Have a great Friday!

Advent Adventure Day #21

Can you believe there is only five days until Christmas!  Wow - how the time flies!  Thankfully I think I am finished with my Christmas and birthday shopping (my hubby is a New Year's Baby).  As I laid in bed last night I was thinking about there only being five days and thought today I would have a theme of 5!

For our advent adventure today I am encouraging you to take a moment or two and come up with a list of five things that you are thankful for about each family member.

I am thankful for Joel....
1.  I am thankful he is a Godly man
2.  I am thankful he is like Mary (I am like Martha) - he chooses relationships over tasks.
3.  I am thankful he is compassion and forgiving
4.  I am thankful he is an awesome daddy!!!
5.  I am thankful he is a man of integrity

I am thankful for Ella....
1.  I am thankful that she is fearfully and wonderfully made by God
2.  I am thankful she is a happy and content baby
3.  I am thankful for the times that I can just sit and watch her smile and chatter
4.  I am thankful she sleeps through the night
5.  I am thankful she is so loved and prayed for by so many others

and yes I am also thankful for our furry friend - Tucker
1.  I am thankful he is good with Ella
2.  I am thankful that he listens (most of the time)
3.  I am thankful he is a good traveller
4.  I am thankful he is likes the dog food that I get on sale with my coupons
5.  I am thankful he likes to cuddle (aka he thinks he is a lap dog!)

Advent Adventure Day #20

I hope you are enjoying the Advent Season as much as we are.  It has been so fun to be creating memories and traditions with each other and with our little girl.  This past week at our women's bible study we talked about Christmas traditions and we each shared different traditions.  One of the traditions that I would really like to start this year is to have a book each Christmas that Ella can open on Christmas eve and we will read it together before she goes to bed.  I have yet to pick her book out for this year, but I do already own one of my favorites of the Christmas season - The Crippled Lamb by Max Lucado

Whether you are a family with little kids or big kids - I believe we never grow too old to have a story read to us.... in fact most of the books in Ella's collection are my favorites that I collect when I was in my Twentys.  So tonight grab a Christmas book - or any Children's book and sit down together and read.  Maybe even consider starting a Christmas book tradition.

Advent Adventure Day 18 & 19

I do have another good excuse for not posting yesterday.... it was Sunday!  I was resting.... I wish - it was a busy day of ministry concerts and fellowships..... and it is quite funny that yesterday's advent adventure was going to be about attending a concert.

One of the best ways to bring in Christmas is with music - and I especially love listening to Christmas music.  If you haven't attended a concert this Christmas season - check out a church or a school near you - I am sure you will find one.

And if you haven't found one but live in our area - our church is hosting a Cantata on Wednesday night at 7:30pm we would love to have you join us.

Now for today's advent adventure..... today I want to challenge you to look at a passage in scripture.  Just yesterday we got a Christmas letter and this was on the bottom and I thought it was a great passage for us to read and reflect on as we think about the purpose of Jesus life.

John 1:9-14


"The true light that gives light to every man was coming into the world.  He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him.  He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him.  Yet to all who received him, to those how believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God - children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband's will, but born of God.  The word became flesh and made his dwelling among us.  We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth."

Advent Adventure Day #17

Happy Saturday Everyone!  Today is family day!!  I want to encourage you to spend time today with your family!  God has blessed us abundantly with a little girl who brings us joy and today we celebrate his coming as a baby with our baby.

Maybe you don't have a family to spend time with today or over the holidays - remember your church family is your family - call someone up today and ask them to spend time with you... or you can go and join them on a family outing.

Last night we got together as a family and made cookies - not only was the end result and the product wonderful it was a blessing to have those memories and traditions to share.  Make a tradition today with your family - maybe it is getting a tree together for those late folks or making cookies together.  Maybe it is a road trip, or my favorite going to look at lights.

But whatever you do today - do it as a family!!!

Advent Adventure Day #15 & 16

Today is a double adventure!  I apologize for note getting my blog in yesterday - it was one of those days that I had a bunch of things on my to do list and only got through a couple and by the time I got to my computer it was already 11pm.

So your double adventure today starts with a call to a friend.  I have so many friends that live long distance and we don't often get a chance to chat and catch up, so I encourage you today to call a friend that you haven't talked to in a little while and catch up.

Your second adventure also involves a friend - send a message to a couple friends and schedule a time in the next couple days to get together for a meal or a night of games.  One thing I have realized over the years is the importance of friendship within my church family.  Scripture talks about friendship - "a friend sticks closer than a brother","a friend loves at all times","greater love has no man than this that he would lay down his life for a friend".

Have a friend filled day!!!

Advent Adventure Day #14

I love getting mail!  I will be so disappointed if the post office closes.  Our mail isn't delivered to our house so each day I make a trip down to get the mail... if I miss the office hours I literally get frustrated and disappointed thinking I may have missed out on a personal piece of mail (bills don't count).

Just this week we went away for a couple days and the first thing I wanted to do when I got back was to get the mail in hopes of seeing a box filled with Christmas Cards.

This year since our kitchen addition is complete I am hanging the cards from a clothes line that is strung between two doors - I love how it looks.

Today's Advent Adventure activity is to select 3 cards from your pile.  You can select them randomly or pick your favorites - either way once you have picked three take some time this evening as a family and pray for that person or family.  It is such a joy to know that you are being prayed for.... then after you do that - drop them a message on facebook just so they know you lifted them up in prayer.

Advent Adventure Day #13

Just the other day I finally got out my Christmas nativity.  Despite the dog knocking off the shepherd and breaking his arm (which my mother in law fixed) it finally found a new home instead of being scattered all over my living room.

There is something majestic about the Christmas nativity.... it is so peaceful to look at.  Joel's mom collects them and she has close to 200 different renditions of the nativity.  But there is another part of me that each year when I put of my nativity I realize that this is not anything close to what it looked like that day Jesus was born.

So for our Advent Adventure today - check out this video we showing at CRUX a couple weeks ago - I think they did a great job revealing the myths behind the nativity.  Hope you enjoy it and though I know my nativity is a bit commercialized and does not show the exact picture of his birth - I still love to look at it and display it as a reminder of His coming to the earth as a baby.

Advent Adventure Day #12

As we have mentioned before Advent is a time of preparation....we look forward to remembering Christ's birth as a baby and we anticipate his return to take us all home.  As we look back and remember the story of Christ's birth I want  you to take some time to look back and remember your journey to this point.  Beth Moore said in one of her studies - you can't have your destiny without your history - we each have been on a journey to this point and that journey has shaped us into who we are.

Today I want to encourage you to get out some old photo albums, maybe an old year book and remember!  This journey we have been on up to this point is shaping us into who God wants us to be.  Not all the memories will be good ones, but it is often those ones that do the most shaping!

Advent Adventure Day #11

This past Wednesday we did an Advent activity with our youth group.  We had 11 prayer stations set up throughout our sanctuary.  It turned out so well!  One of the stations that we did was a Shepherd station.  Throughout scripture there are many references to us being the lambs and Jesus being the good Shepherd, He teaches us and leads us.

At the station we had several little lambs for the students to pick and reflect on their spiritual journey as lambs - they were asked to then write down who were the people in their life that shepherded them in their spiritual journey as they wrote their names down they were to pray and thank God for them and how they have invested in them spiritually.

Who are your shepherds - the people who have helped to mold and shape you as a Christian - it can be friends, parents, pastors..... take a moment today and drop them a note to say thanks!

Advent Adventure Day #10

Sorry I am a little later in the day posting this advent adventure, but it has been a busy morning of working and decorating our youth room at church.  I hope some of you were able to go out on a light tour last night.  My family enjoyed our drive - we saw many beautiful houses and some very unique houses.  My favorite house was very unique - I tried to take a picture but it didn't turn out.  Their entire from lawn was covered with lighted Christmas gifts of all shapes and sizes - it was really cool!  And speaking of gifts.... that is today's adventure.

Many of you today will be shopping, some in our area will be out hunting - either way you can give a gift. One of the best gifts we get each year from a family in our church is meat for our freezer - a couple steaks, some hamburger and other assorted pieces.  It saves us lots of money and is very practical.  Today I want to encourage you to give a gift of food... maybe to a food bank, maybe to a family in your church or a shelter that is near your home.  For those hunters out there - you can share some of your meat with a neighbor or a co-worker - what a practical way to give!  It has been a blessing to us so I hope that we can in turn give that same blessing to others!

Advent Adventure Day #9

The weekend is upon us and it is time for a big adventure.... but before I start with todays adventure - let me remind you that you have until noon EST to send me a picture of you with your Christmas socks to be entered to win another pair of socks.

Now for today's adventure.  Pile in your car with your friends or your family and go on a Christmas light tour.  If you evening schedule has you running to pick up the kids - take a different route home to take in some new house lights.  As a family take a vote for your favorite house!  And if you think of it - take a picture of your favorite and pass it along to me.

I just can't wait for tonight as we take our little girl for her very first Christmas light tour!  And if all else fails and you aren't able to get out on a house light tour then check out this video

Advent Adventure Day #8

I loved Christmas time when I was in school - especially elementary school.  As soon as I got my homework done I was given permission to sit at my desk and create a one of a kind masterpiece - a snowflake - or my hope many snowflakes.

There is something so beautiful and creative about a snowflake - maybe it is because no two snowflakes are the same.  They so pure and clean and a great reminder of what scripture promises - "though your sins are like scarlet they will be washed white as snow"

Take some time today to create some snowflakes to hang at your home or in your office or maybe the youth room at your church.  For those with little kids - just fold the paper and begin creating.  For those that would like a little more of a decorative elegant snowflake - I have just the pattern for you.  The directions are found here 3D Snowflake Pattern.  If you want more snowflake ideas go to a site called Curbly.com for more ideas

Advent Adventure Day #7

It's the most wonderful time of the year..... is the song playing in your head yet?  I love Christmas Carols - I do usually hold off until Thanksgiving to listen to the publicly however they go through my head as soon as I see the first sign of Christmas and/or winter (whichever comes first).

If I wasn't so shy (I know hard to believe but true) I would just go to random houses and go caroling by myself since it does seem to be a challenge to get people together.  So last year I came up with an idea called Phone Caroling - I got a few of my girls from Crux together and we called a dear friend of mine who is also in Youth Ministry - Stephanie Caro.  The answering machine picked up and after the tone we sang our rendition of Silent Night.

Well just last week - that same group of girls quickly reminded me that it was time again for our phone caroling call to my friend Stephanie - so the only quiet place to make the call was the bathroom at the church so off we went and as people came in they joined in the singing of Joy to the World.  The girls were thrilled and Stephanie was blessed!

Who can you bless today by doing a little phone caroling?  It is so easy all you need is a phone and a joyful noise!

Advent Adventure Day #6

It's game day on our advent adventure.  Our little girl is too young to understand the importance of family time now, but I know that if we don't get into the habit of doing that now - it will be much harder as she gets older.  So tonight I want to encourage you to have family time (if it doesn't fit tonight please schedule a time during this upcoming week!)  During your family time - play a Christmas game together.  Maybe it is name that tune with Christmas Carols, or Merry Christmas Jumble Words (try to come up with as many words as possible made from the words Merry Christmas)  Maybe is a game that you found online.

If you are really bold and want to do a fun messy game you can play one of my favorites - Santa Beard - put shaving cream on someone's face and throw cheese balls at them to see how many you can get to stick!  Such a mess but what a laugh you will have.  Christmas Tree Dress up - have a volunteer be the tree and dress them up with tinsel, lights and ornaments.  If you don't have family of your own - this is your chance to branch out and invite a family over or do this with your youth group!

Have a great time celebrating with your family!

Advent Adventure Day #5

Happy Monday Advent Adventurers - during the Christmas season you will find that many people will be sporting Christmas T-shirts, jewelry, and even the imfamous Christmas sweaters, but to me the most important piece of Christmas attire is the socks!  I love crazy fun socks and that love is multiplied during the holidays.   In fact when I was a Phys. Ed teacher back in the day once a month I would have crazy sock day and my students would get extra credit for wearing their crazy socks to class.

So today - let's pull out a fun pair of Christmas socks and if you dare - wear them with sandals so you can get the full affect.  If you want participate in this, take a picture of your feet (with your socks on, of course) and mail it to me for a chance to win another pair of Christmas socks.  Just send your picture with your full name and email address to janalynn8@gmail.com  Pass this blog along to your friends so they can also have a chance to win.  You have until Friday at noon (EST) to send your picture.  Help to pass the word by liking my blog or leaving a comment.  Let's see if we can get 100 people to participate.

A winner will randomly be chosen on Friday!  Can't wait to see your Christmas socks!