Tis the Season to be Jolly...

So I listened to a sermon Ryan and I missed a couple of weeks ago. One of the things our pastor challenged us to do during the service was to think of five things you are thankful for.
1. Jesus Christ
2. Ryan
3. My beautiful family
4. Our friends
5. Our health
Easy cheesy. Then the sermon went on. He challenged us all to make a list of 25 things we are thankful for during the next week...on top of the five we had already named. That gets a little sticky. I pulled out a sheet of paper and wrote out the numbers 1-25 and put it in my purse. And there it still sits. And every time I open my purse, I see it. So tonight, I'm going to pull it out, and start to think of all the blessings I have in my life. And then, start praying for those blessings. And now, since you are reading this...I challenge you to do the same... :o) Don't you just love reading the blog...now you have homework! Pull your kids in too! Maybe it is their favorite pillow they sleep with at night, or your favorite robe you put on in the mornings to shut out the cold...
Another cool thing I got this week was an email from a speaker I heard at the SAFY Foster Parent Conference. She labeled it "seventeen words that changed my life forever." I highly recommend the article. I am subscribed to a daily email she sends out, and I know she is a Christian, one thing I think is sorely absent from her memo, but anywho, with that in mind...please go read it. And talk to me about it next time you see me...we'll see if it has impacted you like it has impacted me.
"http://www.coaching-forlife.com/documents/Articles/Seventeen%20words%20that%20changed%20my%20life%20forever......pdf"
And if the link doesn't work, go to google and type in Coaching For Life Juli Alvarado Seventeen Words. It'll bring it up.
I printed the phrase out and hung it up in my cube. If you let it sink it, it'll make an impact. Our pastor also gave a sermon in the Spring about praying for ACCEPTANCE. Not praying for specific things, but for acceptance for what life gives us. So there is number one on my list. I am thankful God has given us acceptance of events that have transpired in the past few weeks. See, I'm already on my way. Okay...I'm on a roll...off to go start filling out the list I have been carrying around for two weeks.
Love to all...
Dayna

O Christmas Tree(s)

Unwrapped the package Uncle Robert :o)

Today we spent the day over at Larry and Rita's. We helped them put together a slide show depicting the building of their house. So for anyone interested, email Larry and he'll send ya the link to it. Oh, and Rita had made chex mix and fudge for upcoming Christmas parties...I think after all we ate, she'll have to make another batch of each!

Since I was little, each year, my mom has gotten me an angel ornament for Christmas. They are all part of a series. The blonde headed blue little angel right in the middle of the picture was the first one I ever received. Anywho, because Ryan and I did a red and silver themed big tree this year, I didn't have anywhere to display my angels. Until tonight! I ran by Big Lots this afternoon and purchased a four foot, pre-lit mini tree. I put it up as soon as we got home from church tonight!

Speaking of which...tonight was the "Candlelighting Service" at church. We had never been to this particular service before so kinda expected there to be carols by candlelight or something. We were mistaken. The best way to describe it would be a Christmas pageant for adults.... Ryan really liked it. At one point I looked over at him and he was holding his mouth like he was just going to burst into laughter. I enjoyed the orchestra...and when we sang two stanzas of Joyful, Joyful We Adore Thee...that's about it. Anywho, they have been doing some version of this service for 72 years! We'll be sure all you folks join us for year 73...it'll be the topic of your conversation for at least a few days I'm sure.

the reason for the season...

Thanks be to God for his beautiful son, Jesus Christ. As we decorated Sunday night, I had "O Holy Night" in my head (so as you read the blog, please indulge me by humming it yourself). I am so grateful for all our family, friends, and colleagues. When you feel bah humbug this season, remember what it is really about and trust me, it'll change your mood entirely...well, maybe not until you've left the store, but try humming a tune you associate with how you celebrate Christ's birth.