Back to the Start - Happy Christmas

Many Blessings this year and in the one that is just about to begin! I know God has big plans for you this year - I pray that you can recognize his hand and his pruposes in them :D and the same goes double for me :D

MY favorite things episode

There's something about making a list, and checking it several times...it's one of my favorite things to do, especially at Christmas time, when in the spirit of giving I attempt to introduce friends and family to some of my favorite things. Since I am not rich enough (financially) to get everyone the things I would like to - just like Oprah I plan to give you some of my favorite things in this blog episode.

The first favorite thing isn't so much a thing, but a situation...

I really Love lighting some candles, putting on some Christmas music, laying a tartan blanket out on the floor and enjoying some of the lovely German treats I encourage my German friends to send me, whenever possible.

next on my list... and speaking of German treats. Lebkuchen, I can't even tell you... this spicy little lovecake is the scent of the holidays.

Ah yes, the scent of the holidays...Fruits and Passions has this soap and hand cream combo that not only leaves your hands soft and smooth, but also smelling of cinnamon and cloves, a warm spiciness.

And now we're talking about warm and spicy. Long Underwear! How would I get by without it. The school where I work is always on the chilly side and I day without long underwear is like a day with hypothermia... Yep, long underwear keeps things a very pleasant WARM. Oh and the new style of ear warmers...no hat hair but warm ears, how can you go wrong.

mmm...warm....

On the occasion when long underwear just feels a little too bulky, well my next favorite thing saves the day. Leg warmers... really... I wouldn't say I'm young enough to wear them like I did as a child, but I often wear them under my jeans... keeping my legs warm without adding any bulk around the midsection - and I know of no one who wants to add a little bulk around the mid section, so let me suggest to you - the leg warmer :D

Another fashion accessorie that I have recently become a HUGE fan of is the Espe collection of purses and wallets. They are so cute, but in a slightly older way I think, with some Japanese

influences...we all know how trendy are the Japanese, right Gwen Stefani?

Also, are you familiar with the Samaritan's Purse gift catalog? It's perfect for the person who has everything. In their name, you can give to someone who has very little. Goats, chickens, agricultural packs, warm clothing..and so much more. And then the person who has everything will get a lovely little tax deduction....and let's face it, if they really do have everything they could probably use the deduction, am I right?

There are so many other things I could post, but I think the really greatest one has no real picture. It's that warm feeling... that delicious rightness, that even if things are going very wrong, we have this hope. Christ came and is coming again. This one thing I know, for he loves me so... He gave his life up for me. For me! and it's all because he loves me... he loves us. It's a beautiful thing to be loved with an ever lasting love...dare I say - my very favorite thing :D

Jesus Blood Never Failed Me Yet

Beautiful isn't it? Faith I mean. This man who's halting, off key and trembling melody carries the weight of his years...his life, touches the heart with the beauty of his simple lyrics. The truth that has carried him when seemingly all else failed him. Jesus can be trusted. "this one thing I know, that He loves me so, Jesus blood never failed me yet!"
for the whole story about how this man even came to be recorded check out http://www.gavinbryars.com/Pages/jesus_blood_never_failed_m.html