decided that I had enough sugar and flour for this baking event - and I had forgotten I had bought 'sugar cookie' packages - already prepared! We used one for the great-granddaughter who came over to bake. Added some flour, an egg, and a stick of butter and she was ready! I even let her roll the dough out and use cookie cutters. By the second oven batch, I was suggesting she just roll the dough and roll in sprinkles. I let her put frosting on the cookies and gave her several different toppings - and she was happy and creative. We never got to a movie; she saw the child's bookcase that I have and wanted to know if that was for kids and I said yes. She found a couple games there and insisted I play a game with her; which I did.
My youngest gave me an interesting surprise when he arrived yesterday - and of course the spouse had to video tape my reaction. He gave me a box and told me I could open it. Inside was a note that said I could wear these on Christmas so that I would feel beautiful. Inside the box was a beautiful pair of red patent-leather flats. Reminded me of the movie The Christmas Shoes - and if you haven't watched it - you need to. And I think that is what made him decide to do this. I don't have a pair of red shoes so this will be fun to wear. I do still have the thigh-high socks I bought for the Christmas party I didn't go to downtown - I could wear them with that! I felt very loved and blessed.
After the movie, which hubby said was boring and long - but it was his choice to watch it; definitely not my son's! - I thought I'd bake some cookies to get started on what I wanted to do - but decided not to, and told hubby we were going for an early dinner. Headed over to Wildflower near here and had a nice dinner - got the pasta instead of salad and soup. Very filling and I remained that way all evening! Watch a fun movie titled 'The 12 Dares of Christmas' and then hubby watched the Suns game while I worked on the a quilt for a great granddaughter. Slept decent, but woke frequently through the night and didn't get up until 5AM this morning. Have a dance concert to go to this afternoon and then hopefully I can finish this quilt tonight and start on the remaining two I want to do - not necessarily for Christmas - or no, I need to finish crocheting a baby blanket that I DO want to have done by Christmas. It has gotten larger than I thought it would - it's the pattern I used.... I hope they can still use it.
As my youngest child left with the great granddaughter yesterday, something interesting happened. It has really touched my heart. As you have read, I have a wishing tree sitting near the front door. I mentioned to the great granddaughter - who is only 4 - to touch a branch and make a wish. Bless her heart. She kept talking softly, and I wasn't really listening, but I finally leaned over to hear what she was saying. I caught these words..... "and would you please help us get to stay in one place so we aren't always moving around. In Jesus name, amen." She wasn't just making a wish, she was praying.
Wow. It grabbed my heart. This child has been moved so many times, taken away from those she loves and has already had such a traumatic life, and she prays that she and her little brother can stay in one place. The things that children pray for that we do not expect. Some kids would be wishing for a special toy. This little one just wants to be in one place that she can call home. Oh that we all should be so thankful for the homes and stability that we have.
I speak tomorrow at the RV Park here in town - and the topic I have chosen is 'Joy'. What does 'Joy' sound like to you? To my little great-granddaughter, Joy sounds like a stable home. Joy for others may mean receiving a special gift. But what is Joy? Getting what we want for Christmas isn't 'Joy', it is happiness, and it is only for that moment in time. Happiness and Joy are similar, and yet, they are different. Our greatest Joy comes from the Word that the angels gave to the shepherds while they watched their flock by night.....
Luke 2:10-11 (NKJV): Then the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you great tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.
That is the Joy that we all seek - when we 'find' Jesus, our Savior, who is Christ the Lord. We seldom think about Him, even in this wonderful season of 'Joy' that we are currently in. But what if we stopped and just took the time to think of Him, and how blessed our lives would be if we would choose to follow Him - not just in word, but in deed, and surrendered our lives to Him. Our Joy would be unmatched! Jesus is our Joy; our Hope; our Life. And only Jesus can take us to our Heavenly Father. And in Him we find eternal life.
Eternal life in heaven with Jesus - or damnation in hell with Satan - it's all our choice. Whom will you choose to follow? Where is YOUR Joy found? I choose Jesus, eternal life in heaven. How about you?
Blessings!
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