A Slower Pace

Sometimes you make an intentional choice to slow down the pace of life and sometimes the choice is made for you. Today the latter is true, a sick child is keeping us home. Although I hope she feels better soon, today we are going to take advantage of the circumstances. We are going to snuggle on the sofa, read more of the adventures of Stuart Little, share a video or two, or three..., get lost in the Christmas tree lights and take pleasure in the slower pace.

AND, so you don't get too idealistic of a picture, I will also be doing lots of laundry, wiping the house down with Lysol, and cleaning up... (some things are better left unsaid if you know what I mean!)

So its not all warm and cozies today, BUT in between all the other stuff I do plan on taking pleasure in the slower pace.

Building Anticipation

Lately I've been dreaming about a little girl named Suhn.

At least I think that is her name (is it wrong to give a Chinese baby a Korean name?). We won't know for sure that it is actually her name until we see her, but right now our family is praying for Baby Suhn. Wondering who she is, what she will look like, and when she will come home.

She has been in my prayers for a long time, but I honestly have not been anticipating her arrival. By that I mean, I haven't been wishing the wait for her would move faster. She is never far from my thoughts and prayers, but the four kids currently living in our house have been keeping me busy.

I am coming through a period of fear concerning Suhn. Fear mainly of the unknowns. The fear has been hampering the anticipation, but that is starting to change. I think the change is due to the following factors:

• I have been reading the blog of a friend who is in China right now with her new daughter. The reading has made our journey to Suhn more real and given a better frame of reference.
• The wait is getting shorter. We think we could get a referral as early as February.
• Mainly, people are praying for me and Prayer is Powerful.

Basically what I'm trying to say is... I am starting to anticipate Suhn. The butterflies are beginning to congregate in my stomach when I think about the moment we see who she is.

And even though that moment is coming up fast, with the building anticipation, the wait is starting to feel long...

But as I wait, I find myself dreaming about a little girl named Suhn.

Wordless Wednesday - Merry Christmas, From Our Family to Yours

Winner

And the winner of Embracing Your Freedom is...


Kasey!!!

Looking forward to handing the book to you in person dear friend. :)

Wordless Wednesday - You Never Know Where Thomas will Turn up...

To see more of Thomas's Favorite Stops go here!

Embracing Your Freedom

Freedom. It can be taken for granted, but if it was taken away...

Did you know that 27 million people are held as slaves today? In fact, more slaves exist now than during the 300 plus years of the transatlantic slave trade. Does that startle you?

If we expand that to include those who are being held captive in a spiritual sense, the number would grow exponentially. The enemy is crafty and desires to hold us in bondage. BUT, we serve a God who loves freedom.

In her newest release Embracing Your Freedom, author Susie Larson, tackles the subject of freedom. She encourages women to take back the land the enemy has stolen, to take back their freedom so that they can be used by God in big, world-changing ways. She also shares stories of the difference International Justice Mission (IJM) is making to restore freedom to people all over the world (In fact, 50% of all profits from this book will be donated to IJM). At the end of every chapter is a prayer, a prayer for personal freedom and a prayer for the freedom of the millions in our world who are held in bondage. The prayers blessed me in a big way.

In the last chapter of the book, Susie writes, "God does not want us to live in fear, hoard what we have, or hide who we are. It's time to step up and step out."

This book is a challenge to step up and step out, to use your life to make a difference, to join in the kingdom work God has assigned you, to be a world-changer. It is a book I highly recommend and pray that it will inspire many to fight for freedom, freedom in Christ and freedom for the millions around the world who are literally enslaved and held in bondage.

And, because I believe so strongly in the message of this book, I want to give one away!
To enter for a chance to win, please leave a comment. I will draw a winner on Friday.

Merry Christmas from Hearts at Home!

Everyone loves a good sale, Right? We'll let me tell you about a great one:

It’s a Hearts at Home
Black Friday after Black Friday Sale Dec. 7-11

Did you sleep in on Black Friday? Did you drag yourself out of bed, but still miss out on some awesome deals because you were standing in line too long at one store? Do you still have shopping to do, but dread the crowds, traffic, and cost? Let Hearts at Home help!

Their Black Friday sale has been extended to the week of December 7-11. Shop in the convenience of your own home and receive an unprecedented 25% off all of Hearts books and merchandise. They have great gifts for everyone in your family.

Find gifts for friends, teachers, bible study leaders, bus drivers, and everyone else on your list. You may even find something for yourself. This is a great time to stock up on all those Hearts at Home books you’ve been wanting to read.

Let your family know how much you would love a Hearts at Home gift certificate so you can use it for your Hearts at Home conference registration and/or Mom’s Night Out tickets.

Go to Heartshoppe.com, choose your gifts, and enter code “HEARTGIFT” upon checkout. You will receive 25% off your total purchase (before tax and shipping).

I also want to fill you in on a couple of other great opportunities!

Be sure to check out Jill Savage's blog this month (she is the founder and CEO of Hearts at Home). She is doing one giveaway A DAY through Christmas.

And, if you stop by the Hearts at Home blog December 8 - 11, you will have an opportunity to win a Heart's at Home prayer journal. The prayer journal is a brand new resource from Hearts at Home.

Merry Christmas from Hearts at Home!

Wordless Wednesday - The Kids, Decorating the Tree!

Wordless Wednesday - Sean, Decorating the Tree?

The First Noel

The church choir was singing "The First Noel" when the director stopped and reminded us how beautiful the song was. I was glad for the interruption, because even though I was singing the song, I was missing the beauty.

I wasn't noticing the intricacies of the harmonies. I wasn't even paying attention to the lyrics and the message of joy they were sharing. I was concentrating on singing the notes of a song I have sung since childhood and was missing the point.

It is easy to stop paying attention to the familiar because we know what is coming. Christmas is full of the familiar, from the songs we sing to the story we celebrate.

As we move into December, begin to be bombarded by carols and are reminded once again of the first Christmas, don't forget to pay attention. Stop yourself, look around and listen to the beauty of the familiar that infiltrates this extraordinary and holy season.

Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel, Born is the King of Israel!