Perfect Pairings ~ Psalms 77:12

I will ponder all Your work, and meditate on Your mighty deeds.
Psalms 77:12

Do You Want to be Blessed?

I read the most moving scripture the other day during my quiet time. It struck me in a way that it had never before.

The word "blessed" is something I think every one of us longs for. So, how do we get it? Well, take a look at the below scripture. I show it in several different versions because they were all so beautiful...I couldn't pick just one!

Luke 1:45

Blessed is she who has believed that what the Lord has said to her will be accomplished!"

(NIV)

Blessed woman, who believed what God said, believed every word would come true!

(Msg )

And blessed is she that believed : for there shall be a performance of those things which were told her from the Lord.

(KJV )

You are blessed, because you believed that the Lord would do what He said."

(NLT )

And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her by the Lord.
(NRS)

So...do you have something you need to be believing?? Let's make a pact to truly start believing what God says He will do...and therefore, allow Him to rain down those promised blessings!

Hope you are cuddled in tonight warm, safe and full of peace on the Eve of our Savior's Birth.

We just finished doing our annual reading from Luke 2 (the story of Jesus' birth)...and then on to my favorite Christmas Tradition of reading the scripture about Jesus being "the Light of the World" (Jn 8:12)...and how He wants each of us to live as a light in the world.

We end by having each of our children blow out one of our Advent candles as we look them in the eye and say, "Will/Abby/Ella/Owen...YOU are the Light of the World." We then escort them up to their room and tuck them into bed.

May each of you be filled with His Light this CHRISTmas, and may each of you be BLESSED.

Please Pray For...

As we are all celebrating the Holiday Season...please take a moment to pray for the following families. You can read about their story at the below links:

The Sponberg Family
http://thelukesponbergfoundation.blogspot.com/

and

The Chandler Family
http://fm.thevillagechurch.net/blog/pastors

Three in One...Oh what a Night!

It would be an absolute crime if I did not journal what a *Magical Night our family had on the eve of Sunday, December 6th.

My three older children were all part of Asbury's Children's Christmas Program:

*~THE FIRST LEON.~*

There were Lil' Angels...

(check out the little guy on the bottom row...he started punching his Angel "robe" up and down...by the end of their performance, the entire group was doing it! It was hysterical!!)

There was "Leon" which my older son Will got the opportunity to play.

(Note: "Leon" is "Noel" spelled backwards)

There were Wise Men...oh, and Wise Women too. :)
This is the 5 & 6 year old Choir...so cute!

And, of course, there were Dancing Angels...which included Abby and other 3rd grade gals.

They did the SWEETEST DANCE!

The premise of the show was how badly Leon wanted to get a part in the Christmas Play. He tried out for every part, and ended up not getting a role. After begging the "director", she offered the part of the understudy of the Inn Keeper - who happened to only have one line. Desperate, Leon accepted the offer.

And, to his good fortune, the Innkeeper was sick and Leon was able to be in the play!

He ended up sharing more than just his one line of "No Room" and sang the most beautiful song called "You can have my room Jesus."

This song melted the heart of all who heard it...particularly our family. There wasn't a dry eye in the house!

Not only were we so incredibly proud of Will for singing a solo, but we were truly moved by the message of the play. That message is that we all need to give up space in our lives to make room for Jesus.

The Finale was the entire cast singing this beautiful song.

The darling girl next to Will was the "Director" of the play...she was outstanding! I think she might be the next Miley Cyrus!! She has such great 'tude! (attitude that is!) :)

Not a great shot, but the lady standing in front of the group is the wonderful Miss Marti. She is the wife of Asbury's Music Minister. It's ridiculous how incredibly talented she is! She wrote the entire program herself! It is awe inspiring at how God has gifted her.

The two *stars* of the show...wouldn't they make a cute couple one day?!

Abby the Angel with two of her church besties.

Some adoring fans...my Mom & Dad.

And some more adoring fans...Uncle Mark, Aunt Teresa & Grandma.

And yet some more adoring fans...Aunt Cindy, Cal & Mimi.

And lastly, the World's Proudest Parents. :)

I do hope that each of you MAKE ROOM FOR JESUS this Holiday Season. After all, isn't HE the REASON FOR THE SEASON!

Perfect Pairings ~ Proverbs 18:24

Not sure what is much better in life than having a GOOD FRIEND.

Meet OWEN & OWEN. :)

These two Cutie Patooties met at church and have become Fast Friends!
They don't look alike, but they sure do act alike! :)
This is them during Sunday School having fun with fake, plastic potato chips. I think it started out as sort of a Duck bill thing...and then turned into a game of "who can knock the chip out of the other one's mouth 1st."

They did this over and over with lots of giggles in between.

(As long as no one got sick from the possible germs on those nasty things in their mouths, this girl was thoroughly entertained! :) ) A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.

Proverbs 18:24

{ "Perfect Pairings" is a fun and easy way to blog. Just find a picture you like and then pair it with a scripture...or, vice versa, think of a scripture and try to find a picture to fit its theme. Then, post your link in the comment section below. What a great way to share a picture, and at the same time, honor God with His Word. LOVE it! }

December 5th Already?! Still THANKFUL...

Even though it's already December 5th, this girl is still thankful. Don't want to let my favorite Holiday fall by the wayside without giving it some much deserved notice.

For one, I am soooooooooooo thankful for this little guy...my baby. I simply can't imagine our lives without him. Pretty much everything he does and says is beyond adorable. I know it's not healthy, but I wish I could freeze him right where he's at and never let him grow up.

Dreamt my whole life to become a Mom...and particularly a Mom with two girls. I love fostering their friendship...sometimes successfully, sometimes not. But, in the end, there is no doubt in my mind that they will end up Besties! How could they not after sleeping spooned up next to each other for the past 3 years!!! (Stay tuned...they are soon to be separated!) We are thankful for Uncle Brad...my hubby's MUCH older brother
(ha ha - had to put that in case he ever reads this!)

Another Uncle that we are oh so thankful for...our newest addition, Uncle Bob.
(Married to Greg's sister Gayle...he makes a MEAN turkey & stuffing!)
Thankful for our new cousins from the Wagner Family. :)

Super thankful to Gayle for offering to host our annual Ruley Thanksgiving...had to pass the torch since I was still recovering from surgery.

Beyond grateful for this pretty lady. This picture sums up the kind of love she has for her grandkids (gave up her adult seat to sit with Owen after his table mate decided to bail)

Thankful for our the food, fellowship and fun we had!

Everything was BEEautiful!!!

Thankful that God created music...and that it can take me places that bless my soul.

Can't say enough about this dynamic duo...so very thankful for their friendship!

My BETTER half...enough said.

Grateful for Ruley Gals!

Don't ya just love a good hug?! Thankful for XOXO's!!

Grateful for Nana & Grandad's annual yummy Thanksgiving Brunch...always deelish!

Grateful that God gave me two boys...watching Will love on his lil bro

brings me so much JOY! (this is him teaching Owen how to drive his 1st remote control car!) SO thankful that I have kids that eat their Veggies...and happily!! :)

Thankful for my Mom & Dad and all the wonderful meals that they host throughout the year. Also thankful for the amazing bond the cousins have with each other!

Love this sweet lady and thank God for all of her gifts.

(She videoed my entire Junior High experience, our senior year State Champ win in softball, & even my Wedding...priceless memories) Love the friendship she shares w/ my Mom.

Ahhh...my Mom. What would I do without her? Recipe questions, prayer requests, mothering advice, you name it...she can provide the answer. Grateful that God chose her for me.