Vanilla-Spice.net

Yes, I am still doing Christmas. Today I just finished the Stocking Ornaments I was working on to give to friends and family for Christmas. You wouldn’t think finishing 23 ornaments would take as long as it did. Well, finishing four quilts for Christmas presents didn’t help either. My Christmas craftiness has come to an end. I finished all the ornaments and will write some notes to go with them this afternoon. It feels good to be done.

For the ornaments I used this pattern from Better Homes and Gardens. I changed a few things though. I used Fleece instead of Felt since I couldn’t find the right colors of Felt at our Walmart. I also opted out of blanket stitching the edge and stuffing the ornament. Instead I used my iron on adhesive to connect the front and the back. I tried the stuffing route but didn’t like the result. I’m pretty happy with how these turned out.

Maybe now I should get a head start on next year’s Christmas projects.

1. My brother Andrew graduated from Marine Boot Camp. The graduation was in San Diego last April.

2. Our Bible Instruction Class Black Hills camping trip early in June. Wet, cold, challenging, and fun. Right after this I went on a road trip to Montana with a friend.

3. My parents took the job of Grounds Managers at Lost Timber Bible Camp and we moved out there for the third time.

4. Spent five weeks of the summer volunteering at Lost Timber.

5. Got a new job working for my Aunt’s abstracting company.
Photo Found: Freefoto.com

6. Finished four quilts. All for Christmas presents.

7. Decided to pursue a degree in Elementary Education.

1. Sold Out Submission

I commit to living in submission to my Savior. Daily asking of Him, “What is your will for me?” Taking one step with Him at a time, whatever that step is. Doing each task as to the Lord, whether it is washing dishes or taking a stand of faith. Essential in this resolution is a daily quiet time and taking the time to renew my mind.

Hebrews 12:1-3 “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perserverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfector of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.”

2. College Minded Intentionality

For a while now I haven’t really known what I wanted to be when I grew up. I have always wanted to be a wife, mother, and home-school teacher. Because of this, my love for kids, and input from others in my life as well as lots of prayer, I have decided to pursue a degree in Elementary Education. To be intentional in this pursuit I need to develop healthy study habits and be proactive in completing school assignments. Another part of this resolution is to actively make plans to pay for schooling. I will be taking online classes from a community college this spring semester and plan on attending a Bible college this fall.

Proverbs 16:3 “Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and your plans will succeed.”

3. 52-in-52

I will be taking the challenge in 2009 of reading fifty-two books in fifty-two weeks. I bought a set of British Lit. books when I graduated from high school and I would like to incorporate reading that set this year into this challenge. I love to read but find that I have not been making the time for it lately.

Proverbs 15:14 “The discerning heart seeks knowledge, but the mouth of a fool feeds on folly.”

4. An Apple A Day

I know this is something that is one everyone’s resolutions list. It has been on mine for years. That being said, I believe it will continue to be a yearly resolution for me because you can always do better. This resolution encompasses washing my face twice a day, exercise, drinking less pop, and flossing. Among other things. Not terribly exciting, but not something that should be overlooked either.

1 Corinthians 6:19-20 “Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body.”

5. An Open Door

I am a homebody and someone who always has new projects in mind. That is why it is very easy for me to hole up in my room with my computer, sewing machine, or a good book. And my door is usually shut. While I will continue to spend a lot of time in my room, I have decided to adopt an open door policy. The door stays open during the day. Anyone in my family may stop in to talk to me and see what I’m up to. So, this year the door stays open.

1 Timothy 6:18-19 “Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life.”

At Times I feel like Satan is out to get my quiet times with God. Actually, not only do I feel this, but I believe that it is true. There is spiritual warfare going on that we can not even begin to imagine. We do have an enemy of our souls. I believe that Satan has been out to get my quiet times. Most of the time the strategy is to get me distract by my sin or my to do list that I do not make time for reading my Bible and prayer.

The strategy however changes and it is time for Plan B when I do sit down with my Bible to intentionally spend time with my Savior. That is when the distractions come. Today it was my mom cleaning the house and becoming frustrated with the lack of initiative family members were displaying when it came to cleaning and keeping the house tidy. Usually, I would just leave the room to try to finish my Bible study. After all that is what I sat down to do. I set aside this time for that purpose. The end result is usually frustration. I get frustrated because I am not effectively able to focus and my mom is frustrated by the lack of help.

So today I decided to put down my Bible, notebook, and Beth Moore’s Patriarchs study. With a cheerful heart I began doing what I could do to help straighten up the house. And then when I didn’t see anything more to do at the moment, I sat back down to continue my time with the Lord.

This action created an entirely different result than at other times. No one was frustrated and I discovered a gem I may have otherwise overlooked. Towards the end of today’s lesson in my Beth Moore study I cam across this verse:

Matthew 5:23-24 “Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to your brother; then come and offer your gift.”

I was offering my gift to God of time, prayer and study and yet there was an “offense” brought to mind. What a blessing it was to return to the altar of my Lord with a clear conscience! And I thank the Lord for this gem of truth he blessed me with today.

Photo found: FreeFoto.com

http://mylittlemochi.typepad.com/
I fell in love with this ingenious advent calendar when I ran across it. Unfortunately it is too late to make for friends as an advent calendar, but you could still make it as an easy Christmas gift. Or, bookmark it for next year.

Yes, I think I am back to blogging. A new layout, Now Reading plugin added, and my first Saturday Link post back up. I may not be posting everyday, but I will at least be trying to post regularly. Have a very merry holiday season!