and I did go back to sleep, I believe, after I got up and came in here. I still feel tired, and I am not sure why. It's already 6:30AM and I need to turn the computer on at 7AM - although I won't be working much today. Why not? Because today is the BPN Christmas Potluck that will be held in Mesa. I opted to take cookies and I will cut up some of my bread to take. Wasn't going to deal with doing a hot dish. I like the idea my fav boss is doing - she ordered a deli tray. DUH. I should have just paid out the money and got one similar to that! Oh well. I did bake one batch of peanut butter cookies last night and took a couple small loaves of bread out of the freezer. I also made a batch of Gingersnaps for my friend Paula. She loves them and every Christmas I get a batch of cookies to her. I've got Cecilia's gift in a bag ready to take as well. Taking some extra breads to give to Silvia (our COO) and Jen (our VP) who should be there as well. My fav boss, Sue, will get her gifts next week. I'm actually glad we are waiting until the 19th to meet up - I don't have to take food (except what I make for the two people I support - Brett and Anita - in that department) and I always give Sue so much more. I love making gifts for her. I know last year Brett and Anita both kept sending me emails as they tasted different things I had made. I'm glad I love to cook and bake for although it is a lot of work and does cost to make it, I love making it and giving it away.
Anyway - all that to say I have a trip to Mesa to make today. The potluck doesn't start until 11AM but I think I will leave about 9-ish so that I can be there when my friends get there; I'll let them know I'm coming a little early. It's about a 50 minute drive one way in good traffic. So if I leave at 9-ish, I'll get there around 10AM. It goes until 1PM I think, but I don't plan to stay that long; just eat and visit, and then I will head out and head back home. So I will lose about 4 hours of work time. No biggie. Brett and his son Jackson have headed up north to do some elk hunting and he won't be back until next week!
I did some more wrapping yesterday and shipped out a grandson and his wife's gift as well as my little sister and her hubby. I know it is early in the month, but I just wanted it out of the house. I have no idea what is still in the boxes for I was putting in and taking out to make things fit. Exhaustion has taken over. I wrapped several gifts yesterday and got under the trees - and then I went back and pulled everything out from under the tree and counted. Paisley has a birthday in January and I found I had too many gifts for her so I pulled a couple out to hold for her birthday. Win win right? I don't need to buy a birthday gift. The little ones always get more gifts as they are so much easier to buy for - right? I'm basically done with hubby too, but as things come in, I find I need to put on the shelf until I can focus on his wrapping. He always outgives me and that's ok. :-) I still need to get stocking stuffers yet.
Just a teaser - of all the gifts I have bought or made - there is only one gift that I am really excited about. No, I'm not going to tell in here what it is, just in case a member of the family happens to decide to look today at what I write. And I think I will leave that comment here. :-)
I do have a couple people I want to buy a gift for and have shipped to them. I need to contact them and see what they need. Last year they both just wanted a hoodie. So that was what I sent them. I need to ask what they can use this year, don't want to send another hoodie unless that is what they want. I also sent a danish to them last year; I'm sure that did go over good. I just want them to feel that some in the family care for them, although we haven't seen them in years. I do it for my big brother, I think it would make him happy knowing that I have tried to keep in touch.
Isn't that what this holiday is about? Loving and giving to others - especially those in need? We get so many emails and letters and 'free' bags and 'free' hats and 'free' Christmas cards from organizations begging us to send them money. I have given to Habitat for Humanity and Wounded Warrior for I know they do good things for others. I also give to the Salvation Army. But these others, although they are good things, I can not. I can't do for everyone. And I get tired of their requests to meet this need or that need. Even with the Salvation Army I only do Christmas, not Thanksgiving. I can't do much and can't make much difference, but I can do something. God has blessed us with moving here (no matter how much I don't like it) and with me being healthy enough to continue to work. Once I quit work, a lot of things will come to an abrupt halt. But as we continue to tithe and give back to God what is already His, He continues to bless us with good things so that we can continue to give to others.
Luke 4:4 (NKJV): But Jesus answered him, saying, "It is written, "Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God.""
The devil tempts us all the time, doesn't he? Sometimes we can shrug him off and do what we know is right and good, but I have to admit that some times it is so much easier to give in and do what we are tempted to do. The old devil loves to tempt us in every area of our life. Definitely when you want to do something good, he always finds a way to mess it up or make you struggle with your decision. He's really a pain in the axx, you know! We need to learn to tell the devil to go back to where he belongs, and where he will be cast back down to when we know we are being tempted to do something we know way better than to do!
God supplies our every need. Every need. Sure, we may not get all that we want, when we want it, but God sees the big picture and not just our 'want'. Someone may live when we pray, and someone may still pass away when we pray fervently for them. Been there; done that. It's painful, but we cannot turn our backs on God; He is faithful and just and He sees the big picture of our lives and knows what is best for us. Especially when we cannot see what is ahead of us that we will need to deal with.
We need to do our part - trust Him - and He will do His part. Oh that we all could completely let go of what we hold on to and let God have His way with us! Why do we clench our hands so tightly to the things of this world, when He has so much more for us? I've learned to let go of things - and as I've mentioned above, some traditions. When I know it is God behind it, it is amazing what peace I have about it. And He will give you that peace as well, as you let go of what you hold on to. Think about that.
Blessings!
