Happy 2012

>> Tuesday, December 27, 2011

I feel excited and looking forward to 2012, and I believe it's going to be a fantastic year.

Be real still a moment—you feel the excitement of it?

The beginning of the year is a great time to reaffirm goals and dreams for the key areas in our lives.

Personal goals (Spiritual. Hobbies. Things you want to do. Things you want to have.)
Relationships
Health/Fitness
Professional Goals
Travel and/or Recreation
Money
Contributions

Although it's good to have visions and goals for every area, you will probably find that two or three areas will stand out. For me this year it's professional, health and financial. I have goals in all seven areas, but these are the three that ignite my passion. So while I'll work on each of the areas, I will focus to a greater degree on these three.

To the person who does not know where he wants to go there is no favorable wind. ~Seneca

Daily steps are necessary in order to achieve our goals. Do a minimum of three things each day that propels you closer to achieving your dream. Maybe it's making a phone call. Or networking online. Or checking out others who are successful in your field, and see what they're doing. You'll be surprised at the ideas that will start flowing. Write them down, hold yourself accountable. Stay focused.

Weekly, review your goals. Keep the passion alive.

Just take the first step in faith.

You don't have to see the whole staircase.

Just take the first step. ~ Martin Luther King Jr.

Gratitude journals. This doesn't need to be anything fancy, although I do love beautiful journals.

Write down three things each day that you are thankful for. Remember to include the small things. The piece of fruit you ate that happened to taste wonderful. The up-front parking space. Just three things that really spoke to you during that day. At the end of 2012 you will have more than one thousand things that you are grateful for.

Gratitude benefits us on so many levels. It keeps us humble before God. It keeps us focused on the good in our lives. Knowing you'll be writing down three things you are grateful for each evening will have you noticing the good in your day. God is awesome and I find when I focus on the good I find so many ways He blesses my life. Small and big things that I might have otherwise overlooked.

I do want to mention that I feel it's important to pray and ask for God's guidance as I create my list of goals. He has gifted each of us with special gifts and talents. Seeking Him keeps the passion alive and keeps us focused on His will for each of our lives.

Wishing each of you a prosperous and wonderful New Year!

2012 is going to be THE year!! Get on board!

Children's Nativity Plays

>> Tuesday, December 20, 2011

Children’s Nativity pageants hold a special place in my heart. Not only are they over-the-top cute and fun. It’s a way of holding dear the true reason many of us choose to celebrate Christmas. I’ll leave the debate of which day Christ was actually born with the scholars and inquiring minds that want to go there. But for me, I love this special day set aside to honor our Savior’s birth.

Performing in Christmas plays are among my treasured childhood memories. It also taught me the story in a real and lasting way. In those early years I played different roles: Mary, angels and even a sheep. I loved the smile on my mother’s face assuring me I was destined for the big stage.

Time marched forward

And I was the mom with the huge smile watching my children play: Mary, angels, shepherds and even a camel. The years didn’t stand still. I’m now blessed to watch my grandchildren take the place of their parents in these wonderful roles. I’m the proud grandmother clapping the loudest and smiling the biggest.

Setting up my nativity set today reminded me of these childhood pageants. When my children were small and helped place each figurine where they thought it should go, I was thrilled they knew the story and understood the meaning of Christmas. This was not solely due to the pageants they participated in, but they certainly played a part (pun indeed) in developing their understanding. And if you go into any of their homes during this season you will find a nativity set holding a place of honor.

Wishing you the happiest and merriest Christmas this year as we celebrate our Saviors's birth. Happy Birthday, Jesus!

The Gift

>> Monday, December 12, 2011

Light glowed through the window framing the snow that had fallen during the night. Cuddled under a plaid blanket on the sofa I sipped a morning latte.

My eyes roamed to the Christmas tree dressed in all of its finery. I lowered my gaze to one particular gift beneath it, wrapped in red foil and topped with a crystal angel that seemed to promise something special inside.

“Oh, Deidra, are you going to open it?” Skye waltzed into the room with her hands clasped around a mug.

I made room for my sister and shared the warmth of the cover. “Should I accept a gift from Phillip?”

“Well, it is Christmas.”

“But I’m not interested in him. I wouldn’t want to give him the wrong idea.” I moved from my cocoon and picked up the present, musical notes sounded from inside. I wanted to open it, but I ... I wasn’t sure.

“How can you turn it down?”

“Skye, give it a rest. Besides I need to rush, I want to stop for donuts on the way to work.” I scurried out of the room and dressed for the day ahead. Outside, even with gloves and boots the frigid air stole my breath. Inside the car I cranked up the heater.

When I walked in the office door Phillip cast a look my way. Oh, great. With any luck he would go to his office—maybe he had some projects to finish. After all, the graphic designers seldom mixed with the front office employees.

“Ah, donuts.” Tammy took a closer look.

We gathered around the reception desk with our coffee, biting into the sugary circles.

“Deidra, did you open the gift?” Kari licked lemon filling from her fingertip.

“What was it?” Melinda reached into the pink box.

“Tammy. You told.” I tossed her a frown.

She rolled her eyes. “What’s the big deal?”

Opinions flew—talking over one another. “Enough. He might hear us.” Annoyed, I stormed to the coffee room. I didn’t notice Phillip until I entered, trapped.

He pushed the glass carafe toward me. “Refill?” His smile startled my pulse.

My hand trembled as I pushed my cup forward. “Thanks. I’m freezing.” The words came out mumbled—I’m sure he thought I’d lost all sanity.

“I happened to see a little something I thought you’d enjoy. Sure, I’d like to get to know you better. But there’s no hidden meaning attached to it.”

“Thanks. It was really nice of you.” I tossed him a slight smile and hurried to my desk where I tackled a few emails that needed my attention. We had a long weekend and we were leaving early today, for Christmas Eve.

The office closed at noon. Excited I scraped the snow off the car windows and began the tedious trek to my street, hoping to get there before Skye.

The house appeared quiet as I pulled into the driveway. I made a dash for the front door. Without removing my coat, I started a fire in the hearth and tried to stop shivering.

Unable to wait any longer I knelt next to the tree. My heart beat faster as I untied the gold ribbon and folded back the shiny paper. I held the small glass angel and watched it sparkle in the firelight.

“Oh, you’re opening it!” Skye clapped her hands.

“The shop is already closed?”

“Yeah, I closed the doors early for Christmas Eve.” She lowered onto the carpet beside me as I opened the box and removed the tissue.

“It’s a snow globe.” I gave the winder a twist and music chimed. Inside the glass glistening snow fell on a little Church. “Look! The cross on top of the steeple lights up.”

“This reminds me of God’s gift. I tried ignoring Him. When I finally opened my heart He forgave my sins and filled me with His love. He changed my life. I can’t believe I almost turned down" Skye brushed a tear away.

"His amazing gift. His Son, Emanuel.”

“The true meaning of Christmas.” I wound the snow globe once more. It took a moment, but I finally recognized the tune.

Skye tugged the blanket around us. “Have you considered giving Phillip a chance?”

“Maybe.” I hummed the song and Skye joined in. Then together we sang the words.

“ Hark! The herald angels sing, 

Glory to the newborn King; 

Peace on earth…”

Note: Hark! the Herald Angels Sing, written by Charles Wesley, pub 1739.

Wishing you a Merry Christmas filled with family fun and joyful memories as we celebrate the birth of our Savior, Jesus!

Bright Star

>> Monday, December 5, 2011

The lights twinkled on the Christmas tree, not a single branch was bare. A fire in the hearth spread a warm glow through the room. We settled on the sofa for our traditional reading of the Christmas story from the Bible, followed by a simplier version in a children’s storybook.

The story finished, our three-year-old daughter with blue eyes as big as saucers looked at the top of the tree. “We need a star on our tree.”

Our younger daughter readily agreed. “Star.” Sharon scooted off my lap and toddled over to the tree. Debbie joined her and they danced and chanted. “We want a star.”

I pointed at the treetop. “Look, girls, we have an angel on top of the tree. Remember how the angel appeared to the shepherds in the field?”

Debbie nodded her head as if she were in complete agreement. “But we want a star … a bright star.”

Sharon huddled next to her sister. “Want star.”

“The stores are all closed.” Like that fact was going make a difference. I shook my head.

My husband tossed me a knowing smile and left the room. He returned a few minutes later with supplies and tools.

The three sat on the floor crafting a star. A wire clothes hanger was clipped and formed into the shape of a star. Then shiny silver foil was smoothed and wrapped over the edges by two of the cutest of little star makers. A coil was created at the bottom so it would slide on the tip of the tallest point of the tree. Positioning one of the lights at the base of the star brought it to life. Our little girls had their bright star.

I’m thankful that my daughters have a loving and caring father. A father who cherishes, adores and is devoted to them.

Our heavenly Father loves, adores, and cares for each of us. He is a devoted Father, leading and guiding us. I pray His love warms your hearts during this Christmas season and all through the year to come.

“… they departed; and behold, the star which they had seen in the East went before them, till it came and stood over where the young Child was.

When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceedingly great joy.” Matthew 2:9-10 (NKJV)