GONE ON VACATION!

WE WILL BE GONE ON VACATION
UNTIL JANUARY 5TH...
I HOPE WE RETURN INJURY FREE!

HAVE A WONDERFUL AND SAFE NEW YEAR!


If you are visiting for the first time...
enjoy past blogs in our Archives section.

Also if you would like a notice e-mailed to you when we get going again, please e-mail your request to girlschat@gmail.com
See you soon!

Janet

Merry Christmas...

Merry Christmas from ...

Cathy and her two snuggle bugs!

Yvette...and her beautiful family

We have reached a milestone...of sorts so I feel we must announce it ... Over 1,000 have visited this site since August! Thanks to all of you who have stopped by and stayed...My hope is that you have been encouraged, comforted and brought closer to God's Word...His Son.

Have a Blessed Christmas!

Janet

ADVENT WREATH

I wanted to just leave the very funny clip below but I will start tonight a new Christmas tradition in our home and thought some of you may not know about this. It is called an "Advent Wreath" It is four candles around an evergreen wreath . Not a dryer sheet wreath! (See clip below to understand ) and one candle in the middle. For the next five days which would lead us into Christmas day, we will light one candle and read accompanying Scripture. Here is the outline:

The wreath represents God's eternal love, that knows no end. The greenery represents the everlasting life that Christ brings.

Each candle symbolizes an aspect of Christ's birth.

Today (Friday) we will light the first candle. It is the Prophesy candle and it reminds us that Christ's coming was prophesied long before He was born.

Read out loud Isaiah 9:2-6 and Luke 1:30-35

Day two: This is the Bethlehem candle. It reminds us where Jesus was born.

Read Micah 5:2 and Luke 2:1-7

Day three: The Shepherd's candle. We are reminded that God sent the angles to proclaim His arrival to common men and that He always uses common man to spread His Word.

Read Isaiah 52:7 and Luke 2: 8-12

Day four: The Angels candle. With this light we are reminded of the heavenly angels and hosts who announced Christ's birth. Also reminding us He is the Light of the World.

Read Ezekiel 34:23 and Luke 2: 13-20

Fifth day, Christmas morning: The last candle is the Christ candle. It is white and symbolizes Christ's holiness, purity and perfection. If you use a large white candle it can burn all Christmas Day. Read Isaiah 9:2-6 and John 1:6-13.

Hope you and your family enjoy this Advent Wreath. I plan to have the kids read the verses each night and then David on Christmas morning.

NO POSTS until after Christmas...but if I get any Christmas pictures from you all...I will post. Have a blessed Christmas and don't forget to take a look at the "Smile...it is Friday" clip below!

SMILE...it's Friday!

Ok...this is when we (crafty, DIY, Martha-wannabees) go over the top!



Have a great weekend....

Send me your Christmas pictures...your dog...your kids...your family! We will have a web-Christmas card exchange next week. Don't be shy!

Always have an answer for the Hope you have...

Yesterday began at 5:00 a.m. and ended at 10:45 p.m. It began with David and I rising early to get ready to take Hannah to the hospital for her colonoscopy (which went very well other than some upper irritation which we believe can be healed). As soon as the procedure was over, we were beeped to go back and see her and the doctor. Looking at her sweet little face still under the anaesthesia the doctor came out to tell us it all went fine. My intuitive response is to say out loud "Praise God"...there in a single sentence is my hope. It was not in the doctor, or the medical procedure or even the incredible tool the doctor was using to look inside Hannah....it was in God Himself. The outcome could have been different, more severe...the result could have been one which many also face...but the Hope for perseverance through whatever the Lord brings would have been the same...Christ! Hope that is focused and anchored in Christ never fails!

I remember talking to Hannah about the outcome of the test a week ago. I noticed she was very anxious and tense. We talked about what did she fear...she said "that the test would show something bigger". I told her nothing is bigger than God! Whatever came our way, He will be faithful to us...to walk with us and comfort us. I asked her to recite what she knew of God. She began "I KNOW He will never lave me or forsake me".

"I KNOW He will never give me more than I can bear"

"I KNOW when I am weak, He is strong."

"I KNOW He is the Father of mercies and the God of all comfort"

Every time she began with "I KNOW".

The things she knew about God Himself became the Hope in which she anchored her faith.

That is how all of us should take hold every thought...begin with "I KNOW..." Not just "I wish" but the things you know, based in His Word...then every anxious thought will be calmed. Every fear will subside.

A great Pastor once said "The difference between a wish and a prayer is that the prayer Holds God's attention and it is based in His Word"

Practise this yourself this week....when it seems as you have lost hope...go back to what you KNOW of the real HOPE that will never let you down. Jesus is the answer to the hope we have.

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SOMETHING FOR FUN...

I am going to try a web Christmas Card exchange. I know...I am treading on thin ice because if the response is low...lets be honest, the idea goes nowhere...but if you can send me your Christmas Family picture with a message and I will post them for the next few days....

Let's try it...now don't let me down!