a meaningful christmas

This year I participated in "A Meaningful Christmas" with a group of girls from my church.  

I started to write a blog post all about it, but my friend (and owner of Dallas Moms Blog), Krystal at The T-Shirt Mama wrote an awesome post all about it last year.  I'll just let you take a look at her blog to read all about it!  

I mainly wanted to post pictures of all of my ornaments so you'll have ideas for ornaments if ever decide to participate in "A Meaningful Christmas".  I searched google and Pinterest for ornament ideas but didn't find much when I was making mine. 

My ornament is Day 5!!

Day 1: Alpha & Omega

Day 2: The Trinity

Day 3: Creation

Day 4: Love

Day 5: Believe
Day 6: Bethlehem
Day 7: Promises
Day 8: Mary is Chosen

Day 9: Trusting God
Day 10: Immanuel
Day 11: Having a Good Attitude
Day 12: No Room in the Inn

Day 13: Born in a Manger
Day 14: The Shepherds Were Afraid
Day 15: Go and Tell
Day 16: Wise men

Day 17: The Greatest Gift
Day 18: The Word
Day 19: The Good Shepherd
Day 20: The Vine

Day 21: The Light of the World
Day 22: The Bread of Life
Day 23: The Way, the Truth, the Life
Day 24: The Lamb of God

While the devotions were still over Pearson's head this year, we did enjoy putting an ornament on Pearson's tree in his room every night.  I'm already looking forward to pulling these ornaments out again next year and really doing the devotionals with him!!  It's such a fun and cute way to teach him the true meaning of Christmas. 

doing church a little different

Every year our church does a thing called "Engage Sunday".  We "do" church a little different on that one Sunday of the year. Instead of having our normal ABF and worship, the entire church goes out into the community to serve others.  This year we put on Health Fairs at tons of different apartment complexes in the area.  We served them lunch, brought a bounce house, had a soccer arena, crafts, bubbles, face painting and balloon animals.  There was a representative from a local dentist office passing out information and we also had information about our church and literature to share the gospel.  We had a wonderful morning being the hand of feet and Jesus in our community.  We are so thankful for our church!!!

Here are some pictures of our fun morning with our ABF!!

Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience...........And above all, put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.  -Colossians 3:12-14

rescued

In a world full of sin and brokenness, I'm so thankful that we have been rescued.

*Note: This video contains some graphic imagery. Please keep your audience in mind when showing it.

On this Good Friday, I'm so incredibly thankful that we know that Sunday's Coming.

Jesus defeated death so that we can live eternally with him in heaven!!

seeds family worship

 Have you heard of Seeds Family Worship?  We are big fans.  Mainly I'm a huge fan, but I teaching Pearson to be a fan, and so far he seems to like them!!

Ever since he has started repeating things that we say I have realized that I need to be very careful what music he is listening too.  So many of the songs that they play on the radio are inappropriate for his little ears and even have curse words in them.  When he is in the car with me we try to only listen to KLTY, Christian CD's, or our Seeds Family Worship CD's.  Of course, every now and then we have to listen to KISS to get our Taylor Swift or Mumford & Sons fix, but I try to make sure that the things he is listening to are positive and uplifting and things I wouldn't mind him repeating.  I would definitely prefer him to walk around singing "Our God is an Awesome God" rather than "I'm Sexy and I Know It"........ya know??

Seeds Family Worship CD's full of scripture based songs.  In fact, it is straight scripture.....that's it.  There are no extra words or bridges or stories in the songs.  It's an awesome way for kids (or their parents) to memorize scripture.  

 Here's a preview of one of the songs that I just memorized.  It was so helpful to have this song because this verse was the theme verse of my Bible Study this semester.  

If you want to listen to some more songs, you can go here and download one for free or you can go here to listen to a few more samples.  They are so catchy and they stay in my head all the time.  I can't wait to hear Pearson singing these songs with me!!

Here's the cool part about these CD's.  They are $12.98 a piece BUT you get two of the same CD's.  The idea is for you to give one to someone that might need it or give it as a gift.  OR if you are like me, and like a good deal you can go in with someone and split the cost of the CD and get each CD for $6.49!! Not to bad, huh? 

**And because I love a good deal, if you use the code SPRING13 you can get 20% off your CD purchase through March 17th.

a heavy heart

I had another post in mind for today but I feel like my time is better spent tonight in prayer.

My heart is so heavy for the families of the shooting in Connecticut.  This all just hits way too close to home being a former Kindergarten teacher and now a Mom.  When I taught we would always do "Code Black" drills.  My kids never understood what it meant, so I always had to just say that we have to practice hiding just incase a bad guy was to ever come into our school.  Of course I assured them it would never happen and we had nothing to worry about, but those poor children in Connecticut had to experience what we never thought would happen in an elementary school.

I know I squeezed my boy a little bit tighter tonight.  I hope that if you have children you thank the Lord for them and squeeze them a little tighter tonight too. 

My prayers go out to all of the families who were affected by this awful shooting and I pray that the Lord will give them all comfort during this difficult storm. 

pearson reads the bible

Pearson loves to read his Bible.  We have The Beginner's Bible by Zondervan and we all love it!

We keep it on Pearson's night stand so he can look at it whenever he wants.  He loves to just turn through all the pages and he also loves for us to read it to him.  I love it because the pictures are so cute and I love how all the stories are retold.  This is even the same Bible I had growing up as a kid!!

Here is a sweet video of Pearson reading his Bible and even saying "Bible" and "Jesus".  

dr. kevin leman @ The Heights

Have you heard of Dr. Kevin Leman?
Dr. Leman is an internationally known Christian psychologist, award-winning author and New York Times bestselling author, radio & television personality, and speaker, he has taught and entertained audiences worldwide with his wit, wisdom and common sense. Dr. Leman has made house calls on Focus on the Family as well as hundreds of radio & television programs (including Today, CBS’s The Early Show, and Fox & Friends). He has authored 38 books, co-authored 5 children’s books, and produced 6 DVD series on parenting. 
Matt and I read one of his books, Sheet Music, before we got married, but he's probably more well known for the many parenting books he's written. I'm so excited, because he will be speaking at our church next Sunday and Monday, September 16th and 17th.

Here's a little video promo our church showed on Sunday.

If you live in the Dallas area, I would love for you to join us at one or all of the times that Dr. Kevin Leman is speaking.  He'll be preaching in both service on Sunday morning at 9:15 and 10:50.  He'll also be speaking Sunday night at 5pm, then again Monday morning (just for women) at 10am and Monday evening at 6pm.  For more information you can go here.  Or feel free to leave a comment if you want more information.

Like our pastor said, strong marriages and strong families don't just happen, we have to work at them.  Don't miss this opportunity to hear Dr. Kevin Leman talk all about it.  

why i say happy easter

why good friday?

I've often wondered why we call it Good Friday, when it was the day that Christ died.  I love how this video share why we call it Good Friday!!

 And know that, Sunday is coming!!!

pearson's dedication

I prayed for this child, and the lord has granted me what I asked of him.  So now I give him to the Lord For his whole life he will be given over to the Lord.  

1 Samuel 1:27-28

Last Sunday was a special day for our family as we dedicated Pearson to the Lord.  

We actually skipped ABF so Pearson could take his morning nap and be a happy little guy while he was in front of the whole church.  He was so interested in the big screen.  

He literally couldn't take his eyes off of it. 

All of our family got their early to get front row seats to see our sweet boy!

Our sweet preschool minister had everything organized for us and ready to go before the service. 

We were first up on the agenda for the service.  Another little boy was also dedicated with Pearson.  He was born just the day after Pearson.

Our pastor talked about how Jesus was presented in the temple around the 40th day, and joked about how had waited a little bit longer than that.  But it wasn't technically my fault.  I called to get him on the schedule when he was a few months old and this was the first Sunday they had available!

Pearson was very content while we on stage, he especially loved looking at  the big screen while he was on it!!

Our pastor prayed that the Lord would bless our precious boy and that he would grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord so that one day when the Holy Spirit moves in his life he will call upon the name of Jesus.  

It was such a special prayer to pray over our son in front our family, friends, and church.  

But of course, being a Mom, I had to take a peek and see how my boy doing!  And our friend Jonathan caught me peeking on camera!!

We are so thankful that our friend Jonathan took all the pictures for us during his dedication so my family wouldn't have to worry about it.

Our family loves Pearson so much.  We are so glad they were all able to join us for this special occasion.

{Ellie, Aunt Nicole, & Emma} {Uncle David & Aunt Jennifer, Preston & Peyton}

*Uncle Bryan & Ethan couldn't come because poor Ethan was running a fever.

{Lolly & Pops} {Grammy & Grandaddy}

{Joe & Oma} {Nonnie}

My little brother came, but I didn't get a picture with him.  And my big brother and his family were out of town, so they couldn't join us. 

**Video of his dedication coming soon!!

we ARE the church

Matt and I both missed church last week because Pearson woke up with the croup and I decided to stay home with him this Sunday so we wouldn't spread any germs to the other kids in the nursery.  

I'm not gonna lie, I was feeling a little sorry for myself this morning because as a Stay-at-home-Mom, church is one of my main times of adult interaction.  This video was a reminder that church is about just going to church.  We ARE the church.

Now go..... And be the church. 

glory to god forever

We sang this song and on Sunday and I can't seem to get the words out of my head.  I've been singing this song over and over to Pearson during the day.  He's so cute and he gives me the biggest smile every time I sing it!! I pray that I can not only live a life for all His glory but teach Pearson to do the same.

Before the world was made

Before you spoke it to be

You were the king of kings

Yeah you were yeah you were

And now you're reigning still

Enthroned above all things

Angels and saints cry out

We join them as we sing

Glory to God

Glory to God

Glory to God forever

Creator God you gave

Me breath so I could praise

Your great and macthless name

All my days all my day

So let my whole life be

A blazing offering

A life that shouts and sings

The greatness of our King

Take my life and let it be

All for you and for your glory

Take my life and let it be yours

Glory to God

Glory to God

Glory to God forever

follow

This video was shown to me a few months ago at a Leadership meeting at church.  I thought it was pretty neat because it's so easy to relate to because Social Networking is such a huge part of our lives now.  Take 5 minutes out of your day and watch this video.  It give me chills every time I watch it.  

I follow. Do you?

thankfulness

We have so much to be thankful this year.  

Of course, I'm thankful for my husband, my family, my church, my salvation, my health, the roof on top of our heads, & Matt's job, but top on my list is our new little turkey.  He has been such a blessing to us this year.  We just can't imagine life without him.  We are so thankful that God has entrusted him to us.  

I had plans of taking some cute pictures of Pearson in his little turkey onesie Lolly made for him, but my camera battery died.  So I'll be posting some more pictures of my little turkey later even though we are moving on to the Christmas season!

james 3

This morning at church, we read this passage from James 3.......

¹Not many of you should presume to be teachers, my brothers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly. ²We all stumble in many ways. If anyone is never at fault in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to keep his whole body in check.

³When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can turn the whole animal. ⁴Or take ships as an example. Although they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot wants to go. ⁵Likewise the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. ⁶The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole person, sets the whole course of his life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell.

⁷All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and creatures of the sea are being tamed and have been tamed by man, ⁸but no man can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.

⁹With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God's likeness. ¹⁰Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers, this should not be. ¹¹Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring? ¹²My brothers, can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water.

Our teacher had us all write words on the board that were positive types of words that come out of our mouths.  Many of us had to think before we went to the board to write our word.  After everyone wrote a positive word, our teacher had us write negative types of words that come out of our mouths.  It didn't take us near as much time for us all to think of negative words.  

After the illustration our board looked like this....

Just like it was easier for us to write the negative words, it is easier for our sinful nature to say those negative words.  I want to have more positive words come out of my mouth this week than negative words.  I want my mouth to bring praise to the Lord in everything I say this week. 

come awake

We all carry various burdens and struggles that sometimes prevent us from living the life God intended. Christ's sacrifice, though, reminds us that he defeated every last thing that might encumber His people. Thus, the charge to us all is to come awake and be one with Christ again.**

My church showed this video a few weeks ago before our sermon series titled "Beautifully Broken" and last week we sang the song during worship.  I really love the lyrics to this song and when put to a video it's very touching.

Come awake.

**IgniterMedia