Winter Wonderland

Well, the weatherman finally got it right!

And it is beautiful!

What a great way to end an amazing Christmas!

O Christmas Tree

While visiting my mom in the hospital, we were amazed at how they had the lobby decorated.

There are Christmas trees everywhere.

They are all decorated by different organizations and some are even auctioned off.

These are just a few.

I just LOVE this one, isn't the hat on top cute!

This one has a story, I'll come back to it.

OK, now for the story, you probably noticed the signs at the bottom of the trees.  That just tells you the club/organization that the tree represents.


The purple one is for "Purple Grandma", she is a sweet lady who comes and visits the patients, she is always dressed in purple so she got the nickname Purple Grandma.  We actually got to meet her one Saturday while we were visiting my mom.  She used to go around to every room and visit all the patients but someone told her she couldn't do that anymore.


She told us the devil keeps trying to keep her out of there but she wouldn't let him.  She still goes around to visit all that she can.


I wish I had gotten a picture of her.


What a lady!

Ohhh, I almost forgot, there are 58 trees in all, amazing!!!

Getting in the Christmas spirit!

It's been a while since I've posted, unfortunately my mom is in the hospital and it has been quite the ordeal, but I'll save that for another time.

But we were able to make our annual trip to Linville falls to get our Christmas tree.

Once again we stayed at Linville Falls Lodge, we've stayed here for  about 5 years now and we absolutely love it.

And no trip is complete without eating at Famous Louise's Rockhouse.

Mmmmmm, Mmmmm, Good!!!!

The best jelly EVER!!!!

Then we made our way to Sugar Plum Tree Farms. 

How about this view?  And we aren't even close to the top yet.  This was about 1/4 of the way up and I said just pick one in this area, the hike was worse than you may think.

The tree's look a lot smaller on the side of a mountain than they do at home in your living room so we had to carefully select the perfect tree.

After much consideration, Mr. Wonderful is pretty picky about his tree, we made a choice!

Now we get to start cutting!!!

Baby boy did the cutting then we got to carry her down the hill.

Remember how steep that hill was, just take a look at that first picture.

Steep isn't it?

So we waited on the side of the hill for a tractor, so my boys wouldn't work themselves too hard.

Handsome, isn't he? 

After getting it home and getting it put up, here's how she looks now!

Now all we need are presents!

Radical, Final Chapter

You know how sometimes, you read something, it inspires you to really make changes and then you may start procrastinating about when you will actually begin with the changes.

I DON'T want that to happen after reading Radical!  I have to say this has been a real roller coaster read, but I have really loved it!  It has stepped on my toes, made me feel like a selfish self centered person, and just plain hurt my feelings.  But not without showing me the way to make things right.

I don't feel like I have to change the world, I just have to start with making changes with myself.

I am so taking the challenge.!

I can pray for the entire world.

I can read through the entire word.

I can sacrifice my money for a specific purpose.

I can spend time in another context.

I can commit my life to a multiplying community.

While I know that I can do all of those things, I also know that doing them will take discipline and me really committing to making it happen.

I'm not sure which will be the most challenging for me.  I think the first two will just be getting into a routine of doing them, the last three will be more challenging.  But I am definitely doing them.


I have really enjoyed being a part of Marla's read a long!!

Happy Veterans Day!!

Radical, Chapter 8

Living when dyeing is gain.


WOW!!!


I am so in awe at the amazing stories of the people who choose to be radical.  I mean amazed, I really don't know that I could do some of the things they do.  To say that this makes me feel inadequate, once again, is putting it mildly.


I truly want what they have, I do.  But I also think that there are a lot of things I can do in my own neighborhood to show God's love.  Is that wrong?  I don't think it is.


One of my favorite parts of this chapter was the story of the SS United States.  I think that is what has happened to all of us.  The church included.  We are not using ourselves to our full capacity.  We have become comfortable with just "being" a Christian and not living like Christians.


I know that the world doesn't revolve around me.  And I have lost people and seen others come to Christ because of it.  That is God!  God is truly sovereign, and while I know this, I have forgotten just how sovereign he really is.


Because it is so true that nothing happens that he does not know about.  He is truly in control.  


This book has so changed my way of thinking!  


I am beginning to look at this world through different eyes.  We have become complacent.


It's becoming easier and easier to just show up and not really do anything.  

Are we willing to obey the orders of Christ?  Are we willing to be like him?  Are we willing to risk our lives to go to great need and to great danger--whether it's in the inner cities around us, the difficult neighbor across the street, the disease ridden communities in Africa, or the hostile regions of the middle east?

Radical Pg.171

The key is realizing--and believing--that this world is not your home.  If you and I ever hope to free our lives from worldly desires, worldly thinking, worldly pleasures, worldly dreams, worldly ideas, worldly values, worldly ambitions, and worldly acclaim, then we must focus our lives on another world.

Radical Pg. 179

These were just some of my favorite parts.  Join us at Marla's for the Radical read a long!!!!!

Secrets to a Happy Marriage

Start off with your own Mr. Wonderful.

 
Combine that with a great Tennessee get away.

A nice cottage, and a great view.

 Beautiful, scenery!

All the elements you need for a nice relaxing get-a-way!

The driveway was unpaved, a single lane, and super super steep!!

I think we were pretty much at the top of the mountain.

And last but certainly not least, the highlight of the trip.

The Bear!



If that doesn't make you snuggle up with your hubby, nothing will!



Radical, Chapter 7

I promise, I do usually blog more than this, but things have been really busy.


Went away with my husband for our anniversary, 21 years, pictures to come.


I also want to say it is election day so vote!  I voted early to beat the lines.


Please don't say that your vote won't matter because it does.


Just saying.




Now, on to the Radical read along.  I liked the way this chapter pretty much spells it out for you.  I mean,
             There is no one righteous, not even one;
            There is no one who understands, no one who seeks God.
            All have turned away,
            they have together become worthless;
            there is no one who does good,
            not even one.      Radical Pg 146

OK, I am unworthy, that much I know.  I am thankful that there is good news.  I can be saved by calling out to God.  Praise the Lord!!!!


So, now that we know we should go boldly and proclaim his word, will we?


Honestly, I don't feel capable in the least to do that.  Do I trust God enough that if I were presented with the opportunity to do that would I do it?  I want to think I would but I can't honestly answer that because I don't know.


I want to, but I know that's not enough.  I have really struggled with trying to focus on Heavenly things and not worldly things.  But let's face it, everyday is a challenge.


I try to make good choices, I guess I'll just keep on trying!


Join me at Marla's!

Radical, Chapter 6

Once again, I am joining Marla for the Radical read along.


One of my favorite parts of this chapter was on page 138.

'The way we use our money is a barometer of our present spiritual condition."

This speaks volumes to me.  Have you ever really thought about that?  WOW!!!

With that said, I have to admit that I am a total softy, I cry at sad commercials, if someone around me is upset or crying then I will probably cry too.  

That's why sometimes, I don't like to read the sad stuff.  I don't like to see the faces of the orphans or the children who are starving.  When I look at it, it's real.  And I have to admit that I don't think that I could make a difference.

This chapter kind of changed that for me.  I may not be able to change the world, but the God I serve can do anything.  He can move mountains, and if he can do that, then if enough people try to do something in his name, there will be a change.

I do feel compelled to do something for the needy.  It may be something as small as cleaning out my closet and giving it to our church for the free yard sale.  

I know that really isn't much, but it's something.  

I loved the story of the lady who decided to sell all she had to get out of debt, so that she could give more.

Did you get that, so she could GIVE more.  

Things this chapter taught me.

1)  I need to be more of a giver

2)  What I do will matter.

3)  My actions speak way louder than my words.

4)  If we would just love God first, then love others like he does, we could change the world.

Happy Friday!

Be Blessed!

Do Your Part!

It's election time.


Get out and vote!!!


I did!!

Sunday Scripture

When I was in trouble, I called to the Lord,

and he answered me.

Lord save me from liars

and from those who plan evil.

Psalm 120:1,2

I want to be a farmer!!!!

This weekend our church took our kids to a corn maze at a local farm. 


It was a real working farm.  


We all went through the corn maze, which was great by the way and then we went on the hayride where they tell us all about their farm.


Did you know that the average age of today's farmer is 62?  


Did you know that most farmers will inherit their farms, we are using up most of our land for houses and it's difficult to just go out and buy a farm.


Do you really know where your food is coming from?  


Completely unplanned we watched Food Inc this weekend.  I had seen this guy on Oprah and it just looked interesting so I rented it.


If you haven't seen it you should, you may consider saving up for a farm.  I think I am.

Making an Impact, Radical Chapter 5

Chapter 5 has so much stuff in it, I don't know where to start.


I loved how Bullen had such faith that he boldly stated that he would impact the world.


Two things there, 1st his boldness, he flat out believes he is going to make an impact, and secondly, it was his faith that gave him his confidence.  


God is as real to Bullen as David was.  Of course I know that God is real but to him he was REAL!


Do you have that kind of faith, and boldness?  I like to think that I do, but I don't know if I could make an impact on anything or anyone, but I do know that some people who have made an impact on me probably don't think they are making one either.




Are we receivers or reproducers?  I think today, we are programmed to be receivers but we are suppose to be reproducers.  As humans, it is all about us.  


I don't necessarily mean everyone when I say that, but most people go to church on Sunday, listen intently, then don't even discuss what the sermon was about with anyone.  How often do you talk about what was the topic at church?  


This is definitely something to think on.


Pg. 106     All of a sudden, holiness is defined by what we do.


Ummmm, yeah.


There was so much in this chapter I know I don't even come close to hitting the highlights.  


In response to Marla, I would say that I think the biggest struggle for me in bringing God the glory is that I simply don't feel like I am capable, I have never read the bible all the way through, but I am trying to do that now.  I have so many questions myself I don't know that I could answer any ones questions.


I am trying to be more of a reproducer than a receiver, I am trying to learn more about the bible, I have committed myself to studying his word, and trying to let my kids see what God can do if they open up to him.  I learned a while ago that you can't put God in a box, he is so much more and wants so much for us if we just open up to him.  I think one of the ways we keep ourselves in a spiritual box of sorts is by only seeing part of the picture.  Judgement and consequences are not something we like to talk about but they are all part of God's word.


I think while I have been reading Radical, it has shown me that we should take responsibility for our faith.  If we are going to say we are Christians, we have a purpose, and it is spreading the word.  Making disciples, bringing Glory to God.  Imagine how different things could be if we all were as bold and faithful as Bullen.


I have people all around me who have inspired me and I am sure they don't even realize it.  They are people who are dealing with sickness but have an unshakable faith that is inspirational.  They are people who are struggling with the economy but remain truly grateful for what they have.  These are the people who I look at and know that they love God!


I am linking up at Marla's.

Tennessee Thursday!

Gorgeous weather, GREAT company, and an all around good time!!!