Christmas Life Savers

Today I thought I'd pass on a few things that have been great "savings" for our family...time saving, money saving, sanity saving ideas.

1. Put a red pen in your purse. This may sound nuts, but it really comes in handy for a last minute gift tag, a color other than black for kids to use to color during their sisters choir/band/theatre/orchestra performance! Christmas cards are prettier written in red.

2. Pick up some Adventures in Odyssey radio theatre CD's at your local Christian bookstore. If your kids are a little older, we particularly enjoyed the mystery series. These are GREAT for road trips. Sure we can watch movies, and we do, but listening allows us to look out the window and not miss the Christmas lights as we make our yearly trek to see family in another state.

3. Pick up the leftover greenery at your local Home Depot or Lowe's Building store. When they sell a Christmas tree, they cut off the bottom branches. Unless someone comes by to take these beautiful, pine smelling limbs, they are dumped in the trash. We have it all over our house. (See pic) When we are finished with them, they make great fire starters for our fireplace. (Just make sure you keep them away from the fireplace until you're ready for them to burn!)

4. Instead of trying to read all the Christmas letters when you get them, keep them in a basket. After Christmas, put the basket on your table and pray for one family each day. You can enjoy the letter more when the chaos dies down.

What are your quick, time/life/money/sanity saving tips?

"How Many Days Til Christmas, Mommy?!"

Every mom hears that question again and again! When my kids were little (and bugging me 15 times a day with "how long til Christmas" questions,) we came up with a project that has turned into a tradition.

Cut strips of paper (red and green is great, but white printer paper works), then link them together. If it's 24 days til Christmas, you need 24 strips. Number the strips, then make them into a chain. Each day have one of your kids take one link off.

Without asking, even the youngest kids have an idea of how long it is til the big day.

Here's to a calmer Christmas!

It's Not About Me...

It’s Not About Me!

I can’t remember the whole song, but the main line was, “It’s not about me. It’s all about You Lord.” Great lessons learned from a children’s song…That line has stuck with me.


Often, I make life revolve around MY circumstances and MY family, MY desires, MY ideas, MY needs, MY wants, MY schedule. But, when it’s all about ME, I miss the point.


Look at the different focus of Ephesians 2:10 can have by simply reading it selfishly, then from a less prideful angle:


1. For WE are God’s workmanship created in Christ Jesus to do GOOD WORKS which He prepared in advance for US to do.”
2. For we are GOD’S WORKMANSHIP created in CHRIST JESUS to do good works which HE prepared IN ADVANCE for us to do.”


In the first verse, we are the focus. In the second, the focus is where it should be - on God and what He has done. The 2 verses right before this talk about how we are saved by grace, “through faith – and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God, not by works, so that no one can boast.” (Eph. 2:8-9) It’s not about us…it’s all about Him.



You and I have been invited to be a part of a bigger picture: God’s plan for this time in history. God, the creator of the universe that made trees, eyes, fingerprints, ladybugs - the perfect ONE - has invited us to be part of HIS plan. Wow! That’s a lot to think about. Living for Him is much more exciting than anything I can cook up on my own.


Take a look at this video. It was a tool God used to open my eyes to see what His plan is; to remind me that it’s not about me, it really is all about Him.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b2jJ7ypeBo8&feature=youtu.be


Whenever you get a chance, teach these things to your children. Help them understand now, that it's all about Him.


Hope you have a great week!
Sharon

Grandparents Day is Sunday!

Hey Moms!
Grandparent's Day always sneaks up on me, so I thought I would give us a friendly reminder that it is coming up this Sunday, September 11th! Last year we posted several good ideas. You can check that out here. This is an idea that didn't make the list (because I thought of it after the post)... I made chocolate chip cookies with a card that said, "In the cookies of life, grandparents are the chocolate chips!"


This year, I made a card. You know those silly pictures that kids always want to take, but they usually don't make the scrapbook? I took several of those with a caption, "We are crazy about you!" Then the kids signed it and we are set.


Grandparents are such a blessing--whether they are related by blood or grand-angels that have come into your life. Let's honor them with a great big "We love you!" this week.

How do you honor grandparents in your life? I'm going to need a new idea for next year!

posted by Shelly, Mom and Loving It Ministries assistant

Looking for an event speaker?

Are you planning a Women's event? Laurie and Sharon are passionate about setting women free to impact the next generation. Through their songs and stories, they share their genuine hearts and connect with women. We would love to partner with you to reach women in your church and community. Contact us today about booking an event!

Family Movie Night

Hey, Family Movie Night is back! Our family has really enjoyed these family friendly movies. Moms4FamilyTV does a great job and we want to pass the word along so you will support them too and keep the quality entertainment coming! Get your popcorn, relax, and enjoy Family Movie Night!

Game Time: Tackling the Past Official Trailer from Moms4FamilyTV.com on Vimeo.

Three Things to Make Marriage Better

I received an email article from FamilyLife this morning and felt like it was too good to keep to myself. Marriage is hard (for all of us...even our husbands) and often couples throw in the towel when some simple actions...really simple could have made all the difference.


Whatever the state of your marriage, I encourage you to read this. Or if your single, go ahead and give it a read to know how to handle a future relationship.


http://www.familylife.com/site/apps/nlnet/content3.aspx?c=dnJHKLNnFoG&b=3577201&ct=11199891&notoc=1&utm_campaign=TFR-20110826&utm_source=CON&utm_medium=Email-N&utm_content=article

Our commitments are worth our effort, so join me in putting down the pride and loving our guys!
Hope you have a great day!


Sharon

Phil. 4:13 - "I can do ALL things through Christ who gives me strength."