December Sunrise Book Launch! FREE BOOK!

A little girl’s Christmas wish comes at a high cost.

Emma’s Christmas list isn’t like other kids’. Instead of toys, she wants her mama’s cancer to go away, the town to stop arguing over the Ten Commandments, and nice Mr. Whitmire to reunite with his estranged daughter. Grandma Doreen holds the key to a family secret that just might fulfill some of Emma’s desires, but not before tragedy strikes.

A young girl’s heart for helping takes her to a dark place only the Light of Christmas can illumine. 

~~

When the Sandy Hook shootings occurred in December, 2012, I thought, How could I craft a story that might encourage parents? The answer came when I decided to write December Sunrise from the viewpoint of a deceased child. My goal was to offer hope in a beautiful world beyond where murdered children frolicked and laughed and prayed for their families on earth. 

As I brainstormed the plot, I wondered what secondary issue I could introduce that would divide a small, southern town. It suddenly occurred to me that the town in which I grew up had experienced such a thing a few years ago, and thus Mr. Whitmire and the conflict over the Ten Commandments was birthed. 

My prayer is that families will read and discuss this story together. In an age where so many of us are caught up with Facebook, individual computer games, and television, what a refreshing thought to imagine families huddled together reading and processing various life issues. Even the very young have wisdom to offer.

I also pray that church leaders and Christian teachers and parents will renew their passion to not only train children/teens about what to believe but also why they believe what they believe. This is crucial if we hope to see the next generation carry Christ to the world. 

Stop by my event page and enter to win a copy! Winner announced on Friday, June 19.

December Sunrise Book Launch! 

 

A Peek at Our Christmas

Our Christmas tablescape . . .

And on the menu

Roast beef wrapped in bacon

Potato boats with cheese

Peas

Applesauce

Cole slaw

French vanilla ice cream 

with fresh strawberries, 

whipped cream, almond slivers, 

and chocolate peppermint shavings.

The food's great, but the Light of the World, Jesus, is the center of our celebration!

Christmas jamming

Our youngest daughter and husband, expecting their second child in June!

An unexpected treat this year for Chuck and me--the kids went in together to gift us a trip to Lancaster, PA to see the Sight & Sound theater. Yippee!

 

 The grandkids pulled together the Christmas story. Uh, apparently they ran out of costumes. I see Captain America in this pic!

Ethan, our little shepherd boy, greets Mary and the baby

Kylie passes out gifts

Michelle reads a Christmas story. We all write on slips of paper what we can give to Jesus, then place them in a silver box to draw out and read.

Happy Christmas kids! Later, we Skyped our missionary family in India!

Lots of fun!

 

 

~~

http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B003O405FO

Dealing with Holiday Stress

For me, October 31st ushers in the holiday season. While I thoroughly enjoy this time of year, the holidays can also bring added stress . . .

Aunt Edna plunges through the front door loaded down with gifts. On her heels, Uncle Henry grumbles about the cost of fuel. Popping gum with cell phone glued to her ear, niece Marcie stomps in, plops on the couch, and props her snowy feet on your antique coffee table.

Kinda reminds you of National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation, doesn’t it?

With all our best efforts to prepare for and enjoy the holiday season, we sometimes lament with the Griswold’s wife when she tells her daughter, “Look, it’s Christmas; we’re all miserable!

Take heart. The holiday season doesn’t have to weigh us down with stress if we follow a few helpful guidelines.

Stop. Take a deep breath.

That’s right. In the midst of shopping, food prep, company, programs, and parties, stop and breathe deeply through your nose. Hold it to the count of eight, then let it out slowly to the count of eight. It’s almost impossible to be stressed when you breathe deeply. The exercise slows you down, forces you to regain equilibrium, and sends nourishing oxygen to all of your organs.

Adjust your expectations.  

If your expectations for a happy holiday do not match reality, then your stress level will go up. You may be the type who wants it all—the china, linen, silver polished to a sheen, and the turkey roasted to golden perfection. Gifts wrapped and glittering under a fresh Frazier. Fire lit and house sparkling. Christmas caroling and hot cocoa and cookies waiting at home. You may want to host a neighborhood open house, serve at the Rescue Mission, or take charge of the office party or church drama.

Choose one or two activities that best represent your desire for the holidays. Then let the rest go. You will be doing yourself and everyone around you a big favor. And you’ll likely experience godly contentment, which no amount of gifts or glitter can replace.

Remember, relationships are more important than things.

If you are so frazzled that you can’t sit down and carry on a meaningful conversation with your spouse, family members, or friends, perhaps it’s time to reevaluate. God loves people. That’s His focus. The Babe in the manger came to restore us to the Father. He’s all about relationships. We should be, too. Take time to play games, read the Christmas story, listen to each other, pray together, and laugh around the table. These are the memories you will carry into the future, not how many activities you completed on your list.

Set aside some one-on-one time.

It’s okay to leave Uncle Fred snoozing on the sofa while you slip out with your honey for a well-deserved walk. Work off that heavy meal with a little touch football in the front yard with your teenager. These activities will not only build connection but also provide exercise during a time of year when diets typically fly out the window.

Share the load.

Consider using paper plates instead of china. Delegate various menu items to members of the family. In our household my husband’s motto is Ladies cook, men clean up! I love it!

Take a nap.

With late night parties, church drama practice, or meal and gift prep, it’s likely you’ve been staying up later than usual. Sneak in an afternoon nap to refresh yourself. Even some quiet time alone in your room can help you regroup so that you can jump back into family life and better enjoy those around you.

Count your blessings.

Remember to stop and breathe a prayer of thanksgiving to the One who has richly blessed your life. An attitude of gratitude can go a long way in building strength and fortitude when busyness threatens to swoop in and rob your joy.

For a video clip of Chuck and Eileen discussing holiday stress, log on to the link below.

http://www.guardyourmarriage.com/apps/videos/videos/show/1165529-dealing-with-holiday-stress 

This House was Made to Live In

Okay, how many "out there" will stand up with me and courageously proclaim:

Hi, my name is ____________ and I am a compulsive housekeeper.

Need a little help identifying yourself?

The Random House College Dictionary defines compulsion as "an obsessive need to achieve some desired ideal of behavior." In this instance, the desired ideal is a clean house.

But what is clean? Ask ten different women what a clean house means and you might receive ten different answers.

For the compulsive housekeeper, "clean" is never fully realized. There is always one more lint speck to pick off the carpet or one more smudge to wipe off a window or one more minute dirty spot to scrub off the kitchen linoleum. In her mind, it never stops.

If you are one of these scrupulous housekeepers, you can identify completely.

Want some relief? Consider the following:

1)  CHANGE YOUR BELIEF SYSTEM.

Rather than thinking of yourself as a housekeeper, think of yourself as a homemaker. There is a world of difference. Proverbs 14:1 says, "The wise woman builds her house, but the foolish tears it down with her own hands."

"Building" a home that values each family member and seeks to develop godly character by emphasizing the fruit of the Spirit is a sharp contrast to merely building a house that showcases polished silver and gleaming woodwork.

One focuses on people. The other focuses on possessions.

Which would you rather invest your life and love in? People who can throw their arms around you, offering hugs and kisses or on possessions that sit in a corner gathering dust and couldn’t care less about all your efforts?

FOCUS ON WHAT REALLY MATTERS IN LIFE.

2)   MAKE A PLAN FOR HOUSEKEEPING.

And then stick to it! Allot a certain amount of time each day to care for the physical needs of the house, such as vacuuming, dusting, mopping, or washing clothes. With my plan, I wash clothes on Monday, fold on Tuesday, dust and vacuum on Thursday, clean the bathrooms and mop on Friday. Tailor your plan to suit the needs of your household. Stick to your plan and you will soon discover you are not as compulsive in your housekeeping as you once were.

3)   PULL THE KIDS IN ON THE ACT.

If your compulsion stems from a need for control, this will really test your limits! However, even young children can help with simple chores. In all truth, this stage of life can be one of the greatest growth experiences for the compulsive house-keeper (except perhaps the teenage phase =). Don't despair. Remember, it all goes back to what is really important:  building a home where each member's contribution is valued. Lower your standards, accepting the stage of development each child is in, and thanking him for his efforts. Resist the temptation to rush in and redo what he has already done.  

With some focus and discipline, you CAN overcome compulsive housekeeping, building a home that is truly a joy to live in!   

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