Wednesday, December 22, 2010

Church+Christmas Music

Is it too much for me to ask to want to sing Christmas songs at church during December? The few places we've visited this month have only sung one Christmas song during the service. Now the "special" music was a Christmas tune, but I want to sing Christmas carols!


I feel better now.

Friday, December 10, 2010

Christmas spirit

This week has been filled with much more Christmas joy for me than the past few. To start, we surprised my sister-in-law and her family with a real Christmas tree. She had waited in line for hours to get a free one for military families, and they ran out of trees, so Matt and I became Santa's helpers and showed up with one. So fun.

Next I went with some church members to take a child shopping at Belk. I had a kindergarten girl, and was worn out by the end of our hour and a half shopping trip. However to be able to give her new clothes and help her choose the different items she liked was so special. There's a sweetness in sharing what the Lord has entrusted to us, whether that's giving of time, inviting people into our home, helping others financially, or another way of sharing.

I also bought a wreath and a Christmas tree smelling candle. So slowly, it's beginning to look a little cheerier in our abode. It sure does make me miss my parents Christmas filled house... but that's just something to look forward to.

Happy Friday!

Tuesday, December 7, 2010

"Oh, Carolina..."

"...Keep, calling me home." - Eric Church

Well, it's been too long since I've written. We've been back in Southern Pines for about 2.5 weeks. It's been an adjustment, but we're settling in. It's probably been harder on me than Matt. We are living in a temporary place and looking for something more permanent. That's becoming quite a process. However, I'm praying that God will show us where He wants us to live, and to serve. My attitude has been gradually improving as we've gotten a bit more organized. I've been feeling displaced, both with our housing situation, and being back in a place, yet not feeling super connected to it. I know God is teaching me things in this time as we put ourselves out there.

The timing of moving back to NC however has been favorable with the holiday season. We were able to see all of our family over Thanksgiving and look forward to Christmas celebrations with less of a drive than from GA. I've been feeling like a bit of a Scrooge, all our Christmas stuff is in storage, but today I went and bought a wreath to add some festive fun to our little home. We went Christmas shopping on Saturday and that helped to get me a bit more in the spirit. AND I haven't been changing the station when Christmas music comes on, and I was before this weekend. I think in my "blah" ness I didn't want my spirits to be lifted, but, as I said, I'm starting to get with it! I'm glad for that. (And I know Matt is too.)