Happy Hope Week!

So, true to my word, I did buy an Advent Wreath (er... candle holder). Sadly, I found no "authentic" Advent items (or Nativity Scenes for that matter) but I did make my own and I suppose that gives it more meaning. Yesterday we lit the "Hope" candle, read a Bible passage, and prayed together. It was a sweet way to remember the true meaning of Christmas.

In case you'd like to join, you can learn more about Advent here.

Merry Christmas?

The other day I was listening to Christmas music in my office, when my coworker walked in. She asked me if I liked Christmas music and I said yes. She said she couldn't stand it, and that if not for her children she probably wouldn't celebrate Christmas at all. Appalled, I asked her why not. She explained that the holiday had lost it's meaning and turned into a celebration of commercialism. (Mind you, my co-worker is not particularly religious.) This struck me, because I do consider myself to be religious (well, I don't actually use the word "religious", but you know what I mean). It struck me because I claim to celebrate the "true meaning" of Christmas and yet my response to the situation is very different. I love Christmas and everything that comes with it. Maybe something is wrong with me... the thought continued to disturb me over the weekend. I thought about it Sunday morning while singing at church. I looked around at people praising God with arms outstretched, and then I remembered that we do have something to celebrate. And while the world has made Christmas a self-centered season, that's no reason for me not to celebrate it's true meaning. In fact, how much more should Christians feel the warmth and excitement of this "holy day"? Every good and perfect gift comes from above. All of the things I love about Christmas originated in Christ. I don't have to choose between celebration and solemnity. In fact, in the Old Testament God actually commanded His people to celebrate. The verse comes to mind: "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven." (Matthew 5:16)

I think I'm going to make an Advent Wreath.

A Quote

"If God has made your cup sweet, drink it with grace; if He has made it bitter, drink it in communion with Him." - Oswald Chambers

If I Were A Bird

"Delicious Autumn! My very soul is wedded to it, and if I were a bird, I would fly about the earth seeking the successive Autumns."
-George Eliot

Wake Up And Be Amazing

saw this commerical this morning:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LmeFRZINvJg

(ironically, i was eating oatmeal at the time), but after a tough week, it reminded me to get back on the horse and keep trying to make my mornings count.

"In the morning, O LORD, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait in expectation." Psalm 5:3

AWESOME.

crochet stuff with old grocery bags
http://theorganicsister.com/2009/03/crocheting-with-plarn/

Read This

This is a really good article about spending money in relation to happiness. Interesting and inspiring.

http://finance.yahoo.com/family-home/article/110275/but-will-it-make-you-happy

Worth Reading

"Living More with Less is a very practical book about living simply and being less attached to wealth and material possessions. It is full of hundreds of small and workable suggestions for making do, getting by, reusing old materials into new ones, and generally changing your attitude..."

1 cent + shipping at amazon.com!

Take Back the Morning

lately i have been on a campaign to make the most of my mornings. if you know me, you know that i am NOT a morning person. i'm a sleep-in-till-the-last-minute person, but i have finally realized that sleeping in never keeps it's promises. i'm tired of being a chronically late, spiritually malnourished and undisciplined person who never has time for the things i enjoy (or even simple chores, oftentimes). no more.

Thus, my new schedule:

5:30 wake up, eat, do face/hair (i shower at night to save time)

waking up at 5:30 isn't as hard as i thought. in fact, it's easier for me than waking up at 6. must have something to do with my sleep cycle or something.

6:15 yoga, water plants, feed cats, etc.

7:00 read/pray

7:40 dress, go to work

simple, but life-changing.

How to have a good morning - part 2: NOURISH

suggestions:

• cereal with fruit - i like frozen blueberries - they're cheaper than fresh, and just as good for you. keep 'em in the fridge.

• greek yogurt - i'm not a yogurt fan, but this has a different texture and enough protein to keep you full throughout the morning.

• green tea - packed with antioxidants, i.e. fights all kinds of diseases, boosts metabolism, and is said to have anti-aging properties.

how to have a good morning - part 1: STRETCH

easy 15-minute morning yoga.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LeL3IvG4iJI

O what peace we often forfeit,
O what needless pain we bear,
All because we do not carry
Everything to God in prayer!

Created vs. Comfortable

"You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise."

Galatians 3:26-29

I sometimes tell myself that I was created a certain way, when really I am just comfortable with certain attitudes and beliefs because they shield me from things I don't know how to deal with. Let this be a reminder that I can no longer blame it on my race, gender, or parental unit.

RAWR!