Christmas COCOA

Being intentional about celebrating the true meaning of Christmas...
I stole this from a Proverbs 31 devotional. It blessed me and I hope it will you!

COCOA

C= Christ.
Spending as much time seeking God's heart as we do the perfect present for another.

O= Ornament
We can easily spend more time decorating our house to look like the holiday edition of a magazine, than we do adorning our inner spirit with God’s love and compassion. Let’s ask God to make our hearts beautiful by giving us His patience and kindness. Then let’s look for ways to bless those around us, especially those in need.

C= Cheerfully Celebrate the Season
“A happy heart makes a face look cheerful. But a sad heart produces a broken spirit.” Proverbs 15:13 (NIV)
As gift lists grow and calendars get full, our physical and emotional energy can be drained. Although Christmas is meant to be a joyous season, many of us struggle with depression and discouragement during this time of the year. Let’s take time each day to focus on how much we are valued and loved as children of God. The holidays are merely a season, but God’s love and compassion for us are permanent.

O= Overjoyed not Overwhelmed
"When they saw the star they were overjoyed..." Matt. 2:10
When we focus our hearts on all God has done, we won’t get as easily overwhelmed by all that still needs to be done.

A= Abundance
Whenever I think of Christmas morning, from my childhood to the present, the word ABUNDANCE comes to mind. Abundance of presents, food and activities. But these things are temporary. What we need is the abundant life Jesus came to give us. Our hearts need His mercy, peace and love, not only on Christmas day, but every day throughout each year.

Praying a COCOA Christmas for each of you!!

All Dolled Up.

This morning was our church Christmas program. The kids sang a few songs and topped it off with plenty of donuts. We do not "doll-up" very often, but everyone was cooperative today--except that Macy complained about her tights the entire morning. I am cherishing this in my heart, these kids are precious and the days are passing so quickly! I also am not doing an official Christmas card this year, so enjoy these pictures! Merry Christmas to you--most of you reading this are dear to me!

Check out our homemade star...it is bigger than the tree :) It is a tradition (I stole from my grandma when my mom was little) to make our own star...this is a styrofoam star about 2 inches thick and it falls off everytime a wind passes-which is quite often and usually some form of a ball or stuffed animal flying through the air.

I encourage you to read the Christmas story this week (Luke 2). It has given me great joy and peace amidst the preparation of present giving, food indulgence, and the "Santa" craze all around us...."This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against, so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul too."vs.34

"Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests."v14

Tis the Season...

for the school Christmas concert! Lots of songs about Santa, shopping, food, and reindeer....not our first choice for Christmas songs, but the kids have fun and they are adorable to watch.
Macy in the brown/white sweater.

Caden and his buddy Chris.

Julia, directly in the middle in colorful shirt!

You know you live in a small town when.....

A note comes home from school requesting "your Grandmother's cupcakes"!!!
What a hoot!! Check it out Grandma Karla....

This is for Macy's class next week. Her teacher obviously wants to eat a YUMMY cupcake--the yummiest are made by Josh's mom--I can't blame the teacher for requesting them!! Tooooooo Funny!!!!