Today I challenge you to give up ONE thing that makes your Christmas more stressful and less fun. I have been working on that myself. I have not decorated for Christmas at my house since I won't be spending much time there, I haven't mailed the first Christmas card, and I have been more involved with having a daily devotional and prayer time and more focused on JESUS the real reason for the season and WHAT he's done for me. I can feel it already this is going to be my best CHRISTmas yet because JESUS will be there!
What will you do to make your Christmas more meaningful, more cheerful, and less stressful?
Merry CHRISTmas!
Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. Luke 2:14
Thursday, December 13, 2007
Wednesday, December 12, 2007
Christmas Party & Share your favorite recipe!
Today we had our Student Services Office Bldg. Christmas Party. Everyone brought something to eat and little treats to swap with each other. All the food was so good! We had ham, string beans, crockpot mac & cheese, potato salad, rolls, all kinds of cakes, and candies, and puddings. I am SO stuffed and ready for a nap! Why is it that this time of year we think we have to sample EVERYTHING and make ourselves miserable? Especially during the holidays!!
What is your favorite holiday food? Share some recipes with us! Here is mine to get things going!
Dirt Cake Recipe
Ingredients
1-1/2 to 2 pounds chocolate sandwich cookies (like Oreos®)
1/4 pound (1 stick) margarine
4 packages instant chocolate pudding (made according to directions)
12 ounces non-dairy whipped topping (like Cool Whip®)
Candy gummy worms
Instructions
Clean a new plastic flower pot (a rectangular window box is perfect) and a gardening shovel or trowel. Crush the cookies in a food processor or place them in a ziplock bag and use a rolling pin. The crumbs will resemble potting soil. Mix crumbs with melted margarine and make a 2-inch crust on the bottom of the flower pot. Combine the pudding and whipped topping, then spread on the crust. Put gummy worms on the pudding and spread the remaining crumbs on top. You can arrange some of the gummy worms so that their heads poke out of the "soil". Refrigerate overnight. Wrap the stems of some artificial flowers with foil and arrange in the pot, then serve the cake using the trowel.
Note: This recipe can be made non-fat by using skim milk and non-fat cookies. You can omit the margarine, which will make the crust crumbly, like the "top soil".
Credits
This version of the traditional recipe by: Carol Stewart
What is your favorite holiday food? Share some recipes with us! Here is mine to get things going!
Dirt Cake Recipe
Ingredients
1-1/2 to 2 pounds chocolate sandwich cookies (like Oreos®)
1/4 pound (1 stick) margarine
4 packages instant chocolate pudding (made according to directions)
12 ounces non-dairy whipped topping (like Cool Whip®)
Candy gummy worms
Instructions
Clean a new plastic flower pot (a rectangular window box is perfect) and a gardening shovel or trowel. Crush the cookies in a food processor or place them in a ziplock bag and use a rolling pin. The crumbs will resemble potting soil. Mix crumbs with melted margarine and make a 2-inch crust on the bottom of the flower pot. Combine the pudding and whipped topping, then spread on the crust. Put gummy worms on the pudding and spread the remaining crumbs on top. You can arrange some of the gummy worms so that their heads poke out of the "soil". Refrigerate overnight. Wrap the stems of some artificial flowers with foil and arrange in the pot, then serve the cake using the trowel.
Note: This recipe can be made non-fat by using skim milk and non-fat cookies. You can omit the margarine, which will make the crust crumbly, like the "top soil".
Credits
This version of the traditional recipe by: Carol Stewart
Tuesday, December 11, 2007
Expect the unexpected!
God is teaching me to give thanks in everything and to ASK for what I need in prayer. He provides everything I need, always! Slowly through the help of my mom and dad I am digging my way out of debt. God is using them to help me to spend less, save more, and pay my bills without wondering the money is coming from to pay them. God has provided me with a wonderful boyfriend one that I can't wait to spend the rest of my life with. I love Gene with a love I thought I would never feel again after my husband died. He also loves me with the kind of love I thought I would never find again. Just one more way God reminds us that all things will be made perfect in His time, not ours. I am so thankful and so humble!
and now for a little something that I just got in my inbox that I think you will enjoy. It touched my heart and I hope it will touch yours as well!
The "W" in Christmas
Each December, I vowed to make Christmas a calm and peaceful experience.
I had cut back on nonessential obligations - extensive card writing,
endless decorating, and even overspending.
Yet still, I found myself exhausted, unable to appreciate the precious
family moments, and of course, the true meaning of Christmas.
Our daughter, Holly, was in kindergarten that year. It was an exciting
season for a six year old.
For weeks, she'd been memorizing songs for her school's "Winter Pageant."
I didn't have the heart to tell her I'd be working the night of the
production. Unwilling to miss her shining moment, I spoke with her
teacher. She assured me there'd be a dress rehearsal the morning of the
presentation.
All parents unable to attend that evening were welcome to come then.
Fortunately, Holly seemed happy with the compromise.
So, the morning of the dress rehearsal, I filed in ten minutes early,
found a spot on the cafeteria floor and sat down. Around the room, I saw
several other parents quietly scampering to their seats. As I waited, the
students were led into the room. Each class, accompanied by their teacher,
sat cross-legged on the floor. Then, each group, one by one, rose to
perform their song.
Because the public school system had long stopped referring to the holiday
as "Christmas," I didn't expect anything other than fun, commercial
entertainment songs of reindeer, Santa Claus, snowflakes and good cheer.
So, when my girl's class rose to sing, "Christmas Love," I was slightly
taken aback by its bold title.
Holly was aglow, as were all of her classmates, adorned in fuzzy mittens,
red sweaters, and bright snowcaps upon their heads.
Those in the front row- center stage - held up large letters, one by one,
to spell out the title of the song.
As the class would sing "C is for Christmas," a child would hold up the
letter C. Then, "H is for Happy," and on and on, until each child holding
up his or her portion had presented the complete message, "Christmas
Love."
The performance was going smoothly, until suddenly, we noticed her; a
small, quiet, girl in the front row holding the letter "M" upside down -
totally unaware her letter "M" appeared as a "W".
The audience of 1st through 6th graders snickered at this little one's
mistake. But she had no idea they were laughing at her, so she stood tall,
proudly holding her "W".
Although many teachers tried to shush the children, the laughter continued until the last letter was raised, and we all saw it
together.
A hush came over the audience and eyes began to widen.
In that instant, we understood the reason we were there, why we celebrated the holiday in the first place, why even in the chaos,
there was a purpose for our festivities.
For when the last letter was held high, the message read loud and clear:
"C H R I S T W A S L O V E"
And, I believe, He still is. Amazed in His presence... humbled by His
love.
Again, HAVE A BLESSED CHRISTMAS SEASON!
and now for a little something that I just got in my inbox that I think you will enjoy. It touched my heart and I hope it will touch yours as well!
The "W" in Christmas
Each December, I vowed to make Christmas a calm and peaceful experience.
I had cut back on nonessential obligations - extensive card writing,
endless decorating, and even overspending.
Yet still, I found myself exhausted, unable to appreciate the precious
family moments, and of course, the true meaning of Christmas.
Our daughter, Holly, was in kindergarten that year. It was an exciting
season for a six year old.
For weeks, she'd been memorizing songs for her school's "Winter Pageant."
I didn't have the heart to tell her I'd be working the night of the
production. Unwilling to miss her shining moment, I spoke with her
teacher. She assured me there'd be a dress rehearsal the morning of the
presentation.
All parents unable to attend that evening were welcome to come then.
Fortunately, Holly seemed happy with the compromise.
So, the morning of the dress rehearsal, I filed in ten minutes early,
found a spot on the cafeteria floor and sat down. Around the room, I saw
several other parents quietly scampering to their seats. As I waited, the
students were led into the room. Each class, accompanied by their teacher,
sat cross-legged on the floor. Then, each group, one by one, rose to
perform their song.
Because the public school system had long stopped referring to the holiday
as "Christmas," I didn't expect anything other than fun, commercial
entertainment songs of reindeer, Santa Claus, snowflakes and good cheer.
So, when my girl's class rose to sing, "Christmas Love," I was slightly
taken aback by its bold title.
Holly was aglow, as were all of her classmates, adorned in fuzzy mittens,
red sweaters, and bright snowcaps upon their heads.
Those in the front row- center stage - held up large letters, one by one,
to spell out the title of the song.
As the class would sing "C is for Christmas," a child would hold up the
letter C. Then, "H is for Happy," and on and on, until each child holding
up his or her portion had presented the complete message, "Christmas
Love."
The performance was going smoothly, until suddenly, we noticed her; a
small, quiet, girl in the front row holding the letter "M" upside down -
totally unaware her letter "M" appeared as a "W".
The audience of 1st through 6th graders snickered at this little one's
mistake. But she had no idea they were laughing at her, so she stood tall,
proudly holding her "W".
Although many teachers tried to shush the children, the laughter continued until the last letter was raised, and we all saw it
together.
A hush came over the audience and eyes began to widen.
In that instant, we understood the reason we were there, why we celebrated the holiday in the first place, why even in the chaos,
there was a purpose for our festivities.
For when the last letter was held high, the message read loud and clear:
"C H R I S T W A S L O V E"
And, I believe, He still is. Amazed in His presence... humbled by His
love.
Again, HAVE A BLESSED CHRISTMAS SEASON!
Thursday, December 6, 2007
CHRISTmas
It's the simple song that I learned as a child but it holds the TRUE meaning of Christmas. I hope that everyday I find a new way to celebrate CHRISTmas in my heart. Share your comments, suggestions, and ways you celebrate what CHRISTmas is REALLY all about.
Have a blessed day!
Janet
C is for the Christ child born on Christmas Day
H is Hearld Angels when they sing
R is our Redeemer
I means Israel
S is for the star that shone so bright
T is for three wisemen they who traveled far
M is for the manger where he lay
A is for ALL He's done
S is for the sheperd's when they came
That's why there's a CHRISTmas Day!
Have a blessed day!
Janet
C is for the Christ child born on Christmas Day
H is Hearld Angels when they sing
R is our Redeemer
I means Israel
S is for the star that shone so bright
T is for three wisemen they who traveled far
M is for the manger where he lay
A is for ALL He's done
S is for the sheperd's when they came
That's why there's a CHRISTmas Day!
Wednesday, December 5, 2007
The True meaning of Christmas
Today let us reflect on the TRUE meaning of CHRISTmas, the Reason for the Season, Jesus Christ our Savior and Lord. Please leave your comments on this as well as any other symbols you have surrounding the true meaning of Christmas. My pet peeve is that Christmas has become so commercialized and that businesses are using the word holiday rather than Christmas in order to be "politically correct" I happen to find it offensive that they don't use Christmas and tell them so every chance I get! Leave your views also on either of those things or just a comment about some of your favorite Christmas traditions, recipes and etc. Have a great day in the Lord!
Janet
The True meaning of Christmas by April Shenadoah
http://www.juntosociety.com/christmas/truemeaning.htm
The symbols used to decorate and celebrate Christmas all have a specific meaning. However, with the passing of time, and the secularization of Christmas, they have lost their true meaning. May this list of "true meanings" encourage us all to teach our children and those around us the true meaning of Christmas.
The Star - is the heavenly sign of promise. God sent a Savior to the world and the star of Bethlehem was the sign of that promise, as it led the Wise Men to the birthplace of Jesus. It has been said that in the heavens there is a star for each person on earth, representing the hope of all mankind.
Red - is the first color of Christmas. It was first used by those of faith to remind them of the blood that was shed by the Savior. Christ gave His life and shed His blood that every man/woman might have God's gift of Eternal Life. Red is deep, intense, and vivid - the richest color of all. It is a symbol of God's greatest gift to all mankind.
Green - is the second color of Christmas. The tree became the perfect background for the red ornament. The pure green color of the evergreen tree remains this color all year round. Green is youthful, hopeful, and the abundant color of nature. The needles on the tree point heavenward - symbols of man's prayers as they go toward heaven. Trees have been man's best friends. They have sheltered him, warmed him, and made beauty for him.
The Bell - was used to find lost sheep. It will ring for every person too, as they find their way back to the Father. It means guidance and return. It further signifies that all are precious in the eyes of the Lord.
Candles - were placed on Christmas trees. They glowed brightly against the dark green branches showing man's appreciation for the star of long ago. Now strings of lights have taken their place in remembrance of Christ's birth. Many homes place a welcome candle in their windows - representing God's light.
A Bow -- is placed on a present to remind us of the spirit of brotherhood of man - as the bow is tied all of us should be tied together with the bonds of good will toward each other. Good will forever is the message of the bow and the gift - a gift of love.
The Cane - represents the Shepherd's staff. The crook on the staff was used to help bring back sheep that have strayed away from the fold. The red and white (and other colors) used in the spiral design is a symbol that we are our brother's keepers.
The Wreath - symbolizes the eternal nature of love: it never ceases, stops, or ends. It is one continuous circle that only grows greater and greater when expressed. The circle of love wreath is made of many things and many colors. It reminds us of God's unconditional love and the true reason for Christmas.
Janet
The True meaning of Christmas by April Shenadoah
http://www.juntosociety.com/christmas/truemeaning.htm
The symbols used to decorate and celebrate Christmas all have a specific meaning. However, with the passing of time, and the secularization of Christmas, they have lost their true meaning. May this list of "true meanings" encourage us all to teach our children and those around us the true meaning of Christmas.
The Star - is the heavenly sign of promise. God sent a Savior to the world and the star of Bethlehem was the sign of that promise, as it led the Wise Men to the birthplace of Jesus. It has been said that in the heavens there is a star for each person on earth, representing the hope of all mankind.
Red - is the first color of Christmas. It was first used by those of faith to remind them of the blood that was shed by the Savior. Christ gave His life and shed His blood that every man/woman might have God's gift of Eternal Life. Red is deep, intense, and vivid - the richest color of all. It is a symbol of God's greatest gift to all mankind.
Green - is the second color of Christmas. The tree became the perfect background for the red ornament. The pure green color of the evergreen tree remains this color all year round. Green is youthful, hopeful, and the abundant color of nature. The needles on the tree point heavenward - symbols of man's prayers as they go toward heaven. Trees have been man's best friends. They have sheltered him, warmed him, and made beauty for him.
The Bell - was used to find lost sheep. It will ring for every person too, as they find their way back to the Father. It means guidance and return. It further signifies that all are precious in the eyes of the Lord.
Candles - were placed on Christmas trees. They glowed brightly against the dark green branches showing man's appreciation for the star of long ago. Now strings of lights have taken their place in remembrance of Christ's birth. Many homes place a welcome candle in their windows - representing God's light.
A Bow -- is placed on a present to remind us of the spirit of brotherhood of man - as the bow is tied all of us should be tied together with the bonds of good will toward each other. Good will forever is the message of the bow and the gift - a gift of love.
The Cane - represents the Shepherd's staff. The crook on the staff was used to help bring back sheep that have strayed away from the fold. The red and white (and other colors) used in the spiral design is a symbol that we are our brother's keepers.
The Wreath - symbolizes the eternal nature of love: it never ceases, stops, or ends. It is one continuous circle that only grows greater and greater when expressed. The circle of love wreath is made of many things and many colors. It reminds us of God's unconditional love and the true reason for Christmas.
Tuesday, December 4, 2007
God is good, ALL the time!
Today I am praising and thanking God that I did not get the job I applied for at Central Carolina Techinical College in Sumter. Now one may think how do you thank God because you didn't get the job? Well, I set out with the mindset that if I got the job then I would know that was God's will for my life, and if I didn't then I would know that God has something better in store for me. I prayed alot for God's will to be done, whatever that was. Granted I THOUGHT I wanted the job so I could move to Sumter and be close to my boyfriend. But what I realize looking back is that I do not really want to continue in the field of Financial Aid (and that is what the job I applied for was) I just wanted to move close to my boyfriend. So instead of fretting and worrying about it I just rest peacefully in knowing that God has a better way for me to accomplish that and through prayer and supplication He will reveal it all to me in His time. I want to close by saying God is good, ALL the time! Be in prayer for me as I continue my search for God's will regarding finding a job and moving and the relationship I am involved in as well.
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