Nativity - Baby Katherine Style

Katherine is an absolute genius and completely adorable. She loves to play with our little nativity set and is learning the names of everyone (minus the animals because she’s known them for ages.) So Jesus is popular cuz she loves those babies = “baby Jesus”. The wise men have not been so lucky- they are generally “Santa Papa” but one was “Bert” one time. He’s yellow. The one I’m really amazed with is the shepherd = “sheh-pard.” She’s been learning her Sunday school teachers name so not to confuse her, Mary = “momma Maria.” Oh and Joseph = “daddy Jo.” Manger = “maaaaainjuhr.” With the cute way she says everything I think this is the Italian nativity lol.

Civil War, Christmas Bells

“And in despair I bowed my head
There is no peace on earth I said
For hate is strong and mocks the song
Of peace on earth, good will to men”

Civil war… Really? Civil war- I think 1860’s, south, north, confederate, union, yanks, Abraham Lincoln, and southern belle dresses. But I saw an image recently that challenged that thought and expanded my concept of civil war. Civil war within nations to civil war within the world. Civil means universal, common, general, etc. We’re all people- no matter what language, creed, religion, social class, or ethnicity. A war against your neighbor, no matter how different you think they are from you, is a civil war. There’s a heart that beats in the chest of every person. So don’t think of civil war as a past event you learned about in history class, but as the world you live in. You live in a war zone, during war time- it might just be easier to ignore when you’re not at the front lines.
Love each other. “in my heart I hear them.”


“Do you hear the bells they're ringing?
The life the angels singing
Open up your heart and hear them
Peace on earth, good will to men”
-I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mxHbpBu4OV4&feature=related
Mostly for the song. I didn’t find a video I liked… I might make my own lol :)

Someone Misses Talking with You

It seems, I’m starting to realize, that people do not pray that much. Maybe over dinner, or when there is a troubled situation. I hear people saying they should pray more – how much is more? Well I guess some people don’t even tell God anything but once a week. This really surprises me. I pray all the time- multiple times a day. If I go a day and no prayer has been sent then I remind myself to at least send God thanks and ask for protection over my family. I’m not sure how continuous prayer started with me. When I was little I said the Lord’s Prayer before bed- but usually as fast as I could and also speeding through grace when it was my turn. The only thing I can think of is that I was a very scared and worried child. When I would get nervous or frightened I decided I would sing a song in my head (like Jesus Loves Me) or ask God for his protection. Now, I haven’t always been chatting God up, but within the last year I put a little more into it and it started flowing.
I’ve always wanted to hear God. I remember having conversations with my mom in the car (and I mean since I was about 8) asking why God wouldn’t talk to me and I was so frustrated about it. I still struggle with that but am finding that maybe God is telling me things when I don’t realize it. Things that go beyond coincidence (when I finally make the connection) I just think is God- and when that happens I usually get a smile. Not that I don’t question it later but you can never be 100% sure. All things good come from God right?
I want things in my time. Now I’m consciously realizing when they aren’t happening in my time but in God’s and I usually have a little sigh and say “uh huh. Ya. Good one God… yup…” I remember about a month ago telling God that I wanted “this” in my time and not His. I flipped open my bible and read Proverbs 3: 5-6 Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will direct your paths. I just sat there nodding, thinking “wow. I just got schooled by God…” I think God is kinda funny. At least with me He is.
Anyway, I just wanted to remind you all that God is always there to talk to. When there are things sitting the deepest in your heart that you can’t bear to tell anyone- talk to God- and no, you don’t have to say it out loud (that’s the best part). Confused? Can’t decide? Run it by God- it might feel a little clearer later, whether you realize it’s God or not. When I want to have an epiphany I watch a Rob Bell Nooma video. Ya, they are that good that I can say I want an epiphany and know I’ll get one. Having problems with church or wondering your value? You should watch “Jesus Wants the Rose” by Matt Chandler- just a few minutes long on Youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o-zR3h2UsR4.
Ya know, prayer doesn’t have to be perfect or done in a certain form- just casually talk to God. It’s not that hard.
Love you all.