Days 22-27! Happy Thanksgiving!

Days 22-27 of the November Thankfulness Challenge.  Tomorrow will be a special Thanksgiving post!

Day 22- I am thankful for… conversation. You get to know people; you share your deepest secrets, hopes and dreams. Conversation opens people up and it’s a great witnessing tool.

Day 23- I am thankful for… birds. Strange one, I know. I love in the summer, waking up at camp at 5 (yes, am!), shuffling to the ladies’ room for a shower, yawning, and then, pausing to listen to the birds singing praise to the Lord. How awesome is that?! It was a good daily reminder of why I was there!

Day 24- I am thankful for… long car rides. Whether it’s with family or friends, I know I’m in for lots of laughs, maybe some tears, and a whole bunch of time to know people better.

Day 25- I am thankful for… made-up games. Another unusual choice, but I have a reason. I used to pretend I was Lucy from “The Chronicles of Narnia” I was on the Dawn Treader or riding a horse through the Western Woods. I learned how to deal with stuff, even if it was made up. I sound nuts… I promise I’m normal… Well, kind of ;) My mom makes up games for long car rides too… There was one where we go through the alphabet and have to name different songs for each letter, or characters from the Bible… or sing the first lines of Christmas carols… we are a very extraordinary family!

Day 26- I am thankful for… music. Hymns, choruses, background jazz at Starbucks, opera at Barnes & Noble, The Messiah by Handel, Christmas carols, country music for the summer (well, all year round really) Christian contemporary for youth meetings, classical for studying, movie soundtracks for writing, etc. Music is a gift and a blessing.

Day 27- I am thankful for… late nights. Some of my best memories have been made at night: sitting in the boathouse at camp, eating Nutella and talking about Jesus; sitting on a couch, watching movies with my best friends; having dance parties for two; telling secrets under the blankets, etc.

May you all have a Blessed Thanksgiving!

~Abby

Christmas Time is Here...

It's the most wonderful time of the year!
There'll be much mistltoeing,
And hearts will be glowing,
When love ones are near!
It's the most wonderful time of the year!

~Andy Williams

Not only is it the most wonderful time like the songs says, it's also my favorite time of the WHOLE year! I love the sounds, the cold weather, the music, the lights, the trees, the business, the overall excitement! It's just a happy time. At least for me. I still get a little perturbed over the traffic and nastiness of people who don't enjoy the season, but I know that there is a good reason to celebrate!

I had a conversation with someone at my workplace last week. This person is not a Christian, dislikes anything to do with family, friendships, and holidays, especially Christmas. She was commenting on how when I "grow up"and "go through bad situations" I will understand why she hates Christmas and I won't love it as much as I do now. I said that I would never not love Christmas or this season. But I bit my tongue because I didn't want to "preach" at her. (She knows I am a Christian.) This little interlude made me realize even more how lost this world is. I love Christmas for the reasons I stated above, but I also love it because it tells us the beginning of the story of our Saviour. Jesus Christ came down from Heaven where He was sitting next to His Father to save us and this sinful world! What a pitiful sight we must have been! Yet, He came down here because He loved us!

I never want to lose the real reason behind Christmas. I never want to lose my joy and happiness throughout the craziness of this season. It's a time to be blessed and to bless other people!

Well, my Christmas Eve was quiet and rather uneventful. I am suffering with a slight cold, but it hasn't prevented me from the celebration! Last night we had our candlelight service at church. (Picture at left, sorry it's edited but it's the only one I have!) We had a video going on the screen of a yule log! The tree and Nativity scene on the piano was looking spectacular with all the other lights dimmed in the church! We had had dinner before service at Grandma's then returned there after the service for dessert and presents. But the biggest surprise was when my cousin and my aunt showed up at my grandparents' front door! They flew in all the way from Arizona to spend Christmas in Jersey! It was a great surprise and it was wonderful to spend some time with them!

Christmas Morning! Because of this cold, I was up at 4 am, but I didn't get anyone else up until 7:30am. We dressed and went downstairs, all sitting on the couches to listen as dad read the Christmas story from Matthew. Then, the presents. Books, calendars, slippers, sweatshirts, a wafflemaker, bobbleheads, giftcards and more were all in the mix! It was so fun to spend time with family! Then the extended family came at 10. (My dad's parents and sister.) We had brunch! So yummy!

 We had muffins, fancy coffee cake, a German breakfast dish (far right) that I can't pronounce, lol, and quiche: spinach & swiss, and three cheese!


We also had blueberry bread and a bowl of fruit! Delicious!

 



Here's Opa and Oma after eating talking to Mom (not pictured.)

                              Aunt Linda and Dad chatting in the kitchen.

Elizabeth working on her guitar. It's all tuned and ready for her to start teaching herself!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I want to wish you all a Happy Christmas, as they say in Great Britain, and a Blessed New Year!

~Abby

 

Elizabeth (right) and I
 

Christmas Time is Here

Song as a reminder

This song is such a good encouragement as a remind that EVERYTHING matters.



Well let me remind you, it all matters just as long
As you do everything you do to the glory of the One who made you, 
Cause he made you, 
To do
Every little thing that you do 
To bring a smile to His face
Tell the story of grace
With every move that you make
And every little thing you do 

~ Do Everything- Steven Curtis Chapman

  What a great reminder that everything we do, whether it's making dinner, sitting in traffic, cleaning the house, going to work, or anything else, it all matters to God. EVERYTHING IS IMPORTANT. So remember this- everything matters in the light of eternity.


Praying for many of my friends and coworkers who need His touch!

I just have to make a quick post about this song I heard. Here are the lyrics to the chorus-

"All I know is I'm not home yet 
This is not where I belong 
Take this world and give me Jesus 
This is not where I belong!" ~Where I Belong


Home is not this world. Home is the world "up there" with my Savior and all my coheirs in Christ. So take this world away because all I need is Jesus! 


Link to song- Where I Belong- Building 429

2 am and counting...

It is now 2 am on Tuesday as I sit here typing this. I hate when I can't sleep for no real reason... I don't know why, but it's giving me time to listen the Handel's Messiah. The words seem to calm my heart as I listen to it. "O thou that tellest good tidings to Zion, get thee up into the high mountain; O thou that tellest good tidings to Jerusalem, lift up thy voice with strength; lift it up, and be not afraid; say unto the cities of Judah, Behold your God!" 
This reminds me that what I really need to is worship Him. He will guide and calm. That is my prayer for myself and others.

I promised a picture of dinner- the red potatoes I made. If anyone is interested, I can post the recipe on here. It's really simple and very scrumptious! But we had this with a tasteful roast pork tip that I could in the slow cooker. I'm not sure what I put in there considering that it had "a little of everything!" But over all it was a successful meal! :)


I am hoping to make a stew on Friday, which I have made before and it is a winter favorite! 


So now it is 2:10 am and I am still awake- I'm really rambling right now because I am tired but I can not fall asleep. Sometimes I am afraid to fall asleep because of these awful nightmares that I often get. They vary a bit, but they always have something happen. My family and friends are sick, hurt, or worse; yet, the worse is when I dream that I am all alone in the world. No one to talk to, sing with, cook for, take care of, pray for, worship together, etc. It's a very terrible feeling, to feel helpless I mean. But what I do, is pray. And sing. Singing helps :]


I have a friend who is going through a "personal crisis" of sorts. I would appreciate your prayers for her very much. Also for me- I'm going to attempt some sleep now at 2:20 am and I do have a lot to accomplish tomorrow (today). Your prayers are coveted greatly!




May God bless you richly as you delight in His word, live in His will, and love Him with all that is within you!

past couple of days...

Christmas Day was really, really, awesome! We opened Christmas presents- I got mostly clothes, and a curling iron :) We had a hour church service and then went over to my grandma's house for dinner. But the best part of the whole day was when that night my best friend and her family came over. We laughed, cried and watched a movie.

The next couple of days were really busy. I had work every day. Monday and Tuesday were really long, but Wednesday and most of Thursday were pretty uneventful. But last night (Thursday) I was able to go out with my best friend and another really good friend of ours to Starbucks. We needed that. Just time together to laugh. AND THEN I SLEPT OVER HER HOUSE!!!! Sorry, I'm very excited.

Right now, I'm actually at her house waiting for breakfast. But I probably don't thank God enough for her. She will always be the best friend I could ever ask for and I don't tell her enough. But I hope she knows that.

Okay. I better go. I'll blog later or tomorrow.

Really quick- song of the day~ Healing Begins

Previous postings to deleted blog :P

My blog somehow got a gadget added to it that I couldn't remove so my previous four or five posts are below. Sorry for the inconvenience!
Merry Christmas!




12/24/11 at 10:14 pm.

It's 10 o'clock on Christmas Eve. My sister is staying in my room for the night, and we're listening to Christmas songs :) I really can't stop listening to Christmas music!

We had our Christmas Eve Candlelight Service tonight at 6. We sang a lot of songs, read from Isaiah 40 and Luke 2. My favorite verse from tonight was this- "The glory of the LORD shall be revealed. And all flesh shall see it together..." What a wonderful promise! God's glory will be revealed to all! What a glorious hope that He gives to us! Thank you, Lord for all the wonderful promises You give us! Sometimes we forget that He is coming back to fulfill all of His promises. He has already given us so much- His Son, Jesus Christ, love, joy, peace, food, clothing, family, friends, and the Holy Spirit! 

Well, I shall say G'night! 
A Merry Christmas to all!

12/24/11 at 8:10 am.

It's Christmas Eve! I can't wait!

I've been up for a while tossing and turning for some reason, but now I'm up and getting ready for breakfast at my Oma's!! (That's German for grandma) I'm thinking red sweater with my black jeans. Anyway....

MY Christmas song for the day is...Andrea Bocelli- The Lord's Prayer

Beautiful song for the Day!

In Him,

Abby

12/23/11 sometimes in the evening.

So it's the day before the day before Christmas!

I love this time of year! The music, the lights, the joy, and so much more! People seem to be a little different around the holidays. Sure, most people are grouchy some are in a rush, and some are just plain unhappy. But people forget to easily what Christmas is really about. It's not just the presents, and the food, and the movies, the pictures, seeing friends and family. There was a little Baby who came to earth over 2,000 years ago. Most people even then didn't know He was here. Most thought it was another ordinary day. But what they didn't realize was that day would change the course of EVERYTHING on earth. Nothing would ever be the same again. And why? All because of a little baby, born in a stable, in Bethlehem. "And that's what Christmas is all about, Charlie Brown!" So this Christmas season, let's remember who it was that came to this poor, lost world, all to save such wretches as us. The presents, lights, music, food, games and everything else is nice. But HE is the real reason for Christmas! 

In Him, 

Abby

12/22/11 sometime in the morning.

Today... 

I am coming to realize that I am not strong enough to handle everything on my own. God only can do that. He creates a plan for your life and then acts on it. That's when it's hard to follow Him. It's in these times that we learn to lean on Him more.

The song below is really how I have been able to go through this last day and a half. God's plans don't always make sens or seem right. But He knows BEST.

Strong Enough

I have a busy day, but hopefully I'll be able to post again :)

Love in Him,

Abby

12/21/11 late that night.

..............hmmmmm........ a new beginning........ 

I had another blog on here but my life has been changing a lot and I didn't post for months at a time. :/ ill be posting more on here though. Ill give a more detailed posting later but below is my song for the day :)

Our God

In  Him, Abby