It's The Holiday Season

Yes, we are fully into that time of year again, when the stores are filled with tinsel, ornaments, candy canes, Christmas trees, wreaths, and the Jolly music to boot!

I do LOVE this time of year, and all of the traditions that come along with it, but a part of me dreads it when the season begins again...I am not here to point fingers at others or judge their wrongs, or rant about how so many take for granted the TRUE meaning of Christmas. Today, I simply come to share my own sinful heart that needs confession, repentance and restoration.

When I say, that I LOVE Christmas, I DO! I am one of those who has the Christmas music blaring mid-November, and who puts the tree up as soon as Thanksgiving is over. I love shopping for family and friends, baking all the treats, decorating the cookies, and sipping the hot cocoa. So why do I dread this time of year? Part of me says I am CRAZY for even mentioning the word dread in the same sentence as Christmas, but there is a stronger part of my heart that knows why.

I am THAT person who sometimes, ok MANY times forgets the TRUE meaning of Christmas. I get so wrapped up in all of the activities and traditions, that I too easily lose focus of what it's really about. Even in my "good deeds" my heart is sinful! I should be more excited to spend time each day with my Savior, then how into and excited I get over the "Americanized Christmas" I choose to celebrate.

Recently I have been so overwhelmed with how unpleasant my heart is. Even in my sin Christ loves me. Jesus came to earth, and suffered terrible and even unthinkable torture so that I could live! This is the time of year, when our MAIN goal SHOULD be to celebrate his life. Jesus lived a PERFECT life, He deserves all of my honor, appreciation, satisfaction, love, admiration, time, praise and SO much more!

When I think of Christmas my mind should automatically think of Christ, but usually I think of beautifully decorated trees, and neatly strung lights, and creatively wrapped gifts. Why is that? Why can't I steer away from that misconception?  Is it possible to enjoy all of the "things" of Christmas but still keep Christ first? I believe the answer is yes, but keeping Christ first, during the season of Christmas isn't a yearly ritual that comes for a season and leaves when it's over. No, keeping Christ at the center of Christmas, means keeping him the center of my life. My daily, everyday, moment by moment life.

So here I am, facing another moment of ordinary day to day life, as the season of Christmas draws near. I have a choice. I can use today, to focus on myself and even others, but that will only drain my joy for the days to come. My lasting, desire is that I would walk through the rest of my moments today loving, speaking, doing, praying and being ALL FOR HIM!

Time Flies When You're Having Fun...

LIFE in the FAST LANE...

Has it really been nearly 4 months since we said "I DO"? So many wonderful, crazy, busy, memorable times have come and gone since the last time I wrote on here. I would like to start by saying, my life is BLESSED BEYOND MEASURE, even though some days and moments don't feel that way....God has been gracious, forgiving and loving in so many many ways, even when we forget to Thank him and praise him for it!

So, this is just a little snip-it of what has taken place in our lives over the past few months....ENJOY! 

Here is a picture of my "Real-Life" prince charming and I on the day we promised forever to one another...I love this picture because it is a picture of how Chase holds me when I have a hard day, pulls me close even when I am unpleasant and looks into my eyes and tells me I am beautiful everyday. This picture reminds me that God is faithful and His promises are Always fulfilled. Just a picture.....but when I look at it, I see so much more!

Which brings me to this picture....our home sweet home! Ah...to some this house may appear to be just a little hole in the wall,old outdated house (especially before the renovations!).....but to me it was always our home with lots of potential, and now our home that is our "own" after 2 months of endless work (most of it done with the generous help of family and friends) and lots of TLC....Again a reminder of God's faithfulness....Chase and I hunted a year for this house....after walking through 70+ houses and wondering if we would ever find one to call our own....God revealed to us a bit more of his plan for our lives when he brought us here....

This is the kitchen the night we closed on the house....looks scary....but we had a vision.....

 of painted cupboards, refinished floor, new ceiling, new appliances,some (or a LOT) of paint and a little TLC to create this....

a space we can feel at home in.....We have the greatest family and friends, this wouldn't have been possible without them!

Recently, we have been so busy with life, that I have neglected to take more pictures of our ever changing house:) hopefully soon I will get on that, so my own eyes and heart can be reminded of how truly blessed we are!

 As a little girl, my dream was to marry the man of my dreams,create a home together that I could decorate and make our own, and be a mommy.....I am perfectly content at waiting a few years before #3 comes true:)

Hope your day is blessed and full of the Spirit!

Until next post....

Lindsey Joy