A Busy Christmas Season

Now that my kids are older, I want to get out do more things for Christmas. In the past, I’ve felt restricted because I was either pregnant and didn’t feel well or thought my kids were too young and didn’t feel brave to venture out with them.

Three kids later, I have changed that perspective. Although, it helps that my youngest is almost 3. Every day this past week, we’ve had something to do in town -whether it be see Santa, watch a parade, watch a tree lighting, or some other festive event. I like getting out and being in the middle of things. I want to experience life. It can be hard when you have kids since they naturally can restrict your activities due to their age. I also want to establish traditions with my children, to build good memories of the holidays.

My dilemma comes in when I question whether I am doing something selfishly and not putting my kid’s needs first. Should I be so busy? Is it hard on them? If we were home, they would just gravitate toward the TV. I know that my kids might not like everything I do and they just have to deal with it sometimes. It’s definitely a balance.

Easy Friend/Neighbor Christmas Gift Idea with Chocolate

kiss1

Every year I stress out on what to give my friends & neighbors for Christmas. I used to give a plate of cookies, but since I have gone gluten free, I haven’t been in the mood to bake gluten filled cookies that I cannot eat. I also don’t have alot of good recipes for gluten free cookies.

I want a simple and easy gift to give.

While searching Pinterest, I came across this simple idea for a gift. Just a bag of kisses and a tag that says “We wish you a Merry Kiss-Mas”. Simple, easy. All I had to do was make the tags myself and cut them out.

Download Christmas tags Printable Here

Original idea from this blog.

 

The Armor of God Bible Study by Priscilla Shirer – The Shield of Faith

Faith is an Action

In Priscilla Shirer’s The Armour of God Bible Study, the Helmet of Salvation has been my favorite section so far.

My favorite quote from this section (pg 127) is:

Faith is acting like it is so, even when it is not so, so that it might be so, simply because God said so.”

I have a hard time with faith. I question whether I hear God correctly. It’s hard when we live in a world that does the opposite of what I may be called to do. I realized that I look to others to affirm what I do instead of looking to God. If God calls me to do something, I do not need man’s approval or understanding. If what I am called to do is grounded in God’s truth, then I should be ok to stand in faith.

I liked what Priscilla said in the intro video – something about if God calls us to do something and we think it sounds odd, it’s probably God. After all, “God’s ways are not man’s ways”.

After this study on Faith, I felt like I had permission to live out in faith specific things God has called me to do. Oh, I how I love this section!