A Christ-centered Christmas: a XMAS LINK UP PARTY!!

Today, I'm SO excited to link up with my friends

Erin from The Humbled Homemaker

Tifaine from Through my Lense

Mary from The Encouraging Home

Taylor from Mama Java

Jennifer from This Gal's Journey

CHRIST-like in Christmas

                                                                       Source: frogprincepaperie.com via Rebekah on Pinterest

Christmas is around the corner, so we're all thinking: What should we do for Christmas? How can we make this Christmas special? What could be the highlight of this year?

We think of our list: meals, decoration, presents, and so on. 

But how can we really make this Christmas different, unique and special?
By remembering, honoring, being thankful and walking like the One this season is all about:


CHRIST
How do we do this?

By making Christ the center of it

By walking the way He did

By loving the way He did

By forgiving the way He did

By blessing the needy the way He did

By going the extra mile the way He did

By accepting and honoring others the way He did

By giving others the value they deserve

By feeding the hungry

Helping the orphan and the widow

By giving without expecting anything in return

By not holding back

By giving it all for LOVE

                                                                              Source: prayergroup.org via Katie on Pinterest

That's how we can teach our kids the true meaning of Christmas
That's how we can make this season memorable and special for our families
Cause one day we will forget what presents we got for Christmas this year
But we will never forget how it felt to be the hands and feet of Jesus
Our kids will never forget how it felt to love on someone else
And people around us will never forget that one day, for Christmas, someone thought of them
and reached out
and loved them.


Let's be like Christ, let's be like LOVE.


XOXOXO

Exhaustion

                                                                           Source: positivelypresent.com via Elizabeth on Pinterest

I can't believe I haven't posted anything for like 5 days!!?? Sorry about that, friends! It feels like this past week consisted of 40-hour days. No joke. Andrew and I have been getting just a couple hours of sleep at night and are currently suffering of a coffee overdose.. and still going. SO much going on. I:FEEL:EXHAUSTED. It's more than just physical tiredness, though. I literally feel like I have no energy whatsoever. I wish I could put it in words, but I can't. It's almost like an exhaustion that starts in my body but ends in my soul. It feels like even my emotions are tired. I think when you go through bumpy roads in life, your soul becomes somewhat sore. Your feelings are worn out. Your heart is worn out. There are seasons in life that are so full of decision making, responsibilities and deadlines. But it's in those moments when His whisper is heard. His invitation, we can't turn down. He invites us to rest in Him. This doesn't require any effort. It's simple surrender. It's letting go and letting God. It's acknowledging my weak nature and trusting in His omnipotent nature. And once we're ready to lift up the white flag, our hearts can sing these words:

God, my shepherd! I don't need a thing. 

   You have bedded me down in lush meadows, 

      you find me quiet pools to drink from. 

   True to your word, 

      you let me catch my breath 

      and send me in the right direction. 

 Even when the way goes through 

      Death Valley, 

   I'm not afraid 

      when you walk at my side. 

   Your trusty shepherd's crook 

      makes me feel secure. 

 You serve me a six-course dinner 

      right in front of my enemies. 

   You revive my drooping head; 

      my cup brims with blessing. 

 Your beauty and love chase after me 

      every day of my life. 

   I'm back home in the house of God 

      for the rest of my life.

xoxoxo

Vintage baby : droolin' over these!

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... I want them ALL!!!!!

xoxoxo

Parenting + milestones

Today Abi started "officially" crawling (she's been "worming" her way around lately, which was extremely cute to watch!!). I can't believe my baby girl is already 7 months old... I can't believe I have a baby girl. I've dreamed of her for years. I longed for her. I loved her even before she existed. And now she's here, and she's the most loving little baby I've ever seen. Sometimes I just sit and stare at my babies. I can't believe how blessed I am. 

Parenting is one of the most challenging things I've experienced. But the love force that comes with becoming a parent is overwhelming. Yes, sometimes I feel like the "Riddler", covered in question marks. clueless, not knowing what in the world I am doing. But I always remember the sweet words of a friend, after I pretty much puked all my questions on her: 

"The Lord trusted you with their lives. He put Josiah and Abi in your family for a reason. He knew what kind of parents they would need."

These words brought such a relief in my heart. I still wonder, I still have tons of questions, I'm still trying to figure out my "parenting method". But deep down in my heart, I choose to believe that, if I cling onto Him, I can do this. I can be a great parent. I can be what they need. I can make them happy. But I can only do all these things in and through Him, who strengthens me. Only His wisdom can guide me. Only His love can carry me through. Only His grace can forgive my mistakes and protect  their little hearts. I'm so thankful for them tonight. Writing this post made me miss them a lot. They're now in bed, so I guess I'll have to save all the hugs and kisses that I want to give them for tomorrow. =)

xoxoxo