THE "story"...

This time of year~~it's the remembrance of the start of the story. 

THE story that weaves into lives and creates who we are, how we live.  We are blessed to have been shared the story....to have been told how God became a man and how He himself bore OUR sin and death.  

This is no special day....I am monogramming gifts.  I unloaded the dishwasher.  I fed my children.  I swept the floor.  I went to church, yet that in itself, made my day extraordinary.  I adore my church family.  Each of them have a story---one that bears both great victory and pain.  Some share it verbally, some just wear it in their smiles. Each one of them challenge me.  They create for me a much more real view of why Christ came.  Love that goes beyond the blood of family and into the lives of those I am blessed to call friends.  

God is stretching me right now to share His story in a new way.  I have prayed and pondered and listened.  (and honestly tried to wiggle my way out from underneath the call).  But, today when Pastor Jeremy said to "share the story," I knew exactly what God had on my plate. I am still unaware of how that will look or play out in the days/years ahead.  But, I saw a glimpse into another great chapter of His story that continues to take place through me.  I am grateful.  I am terrified.  I am standing with what feels weak but I have faith He will make strong.  

Through a season of life for the past couple of years, I lost part of the girl I was meant to be.  This past week, I saw and felt glimpses of her again.  I slowed down the pace of life and peeked at life through a different lens.  It was surreal.  I am so grateful to those who are digging that ole gal back out again.  

Each Christmas we try to do at least one very special weekend/evening getaway with just our family of 5.  We have had some pretty exciting memories over the past 10 years.  This year, we are creating those special memories at home, taking things at a different pace, basking in the season from the warmth of our own four walls.  Our lives this Fall have been busy---whole bunches of fun but BUSY!!  So, this special season, we are cutting back.  Saying no to things that seem so inviting, yet we have found nothing is as entertaining to us this year as snuggling one another by a warm fire in the glow of our lights while watching an old Christmas movie.  Ailee just said last week, "It's like the same day keeps happening over and over again."  And Anna Grace responded with, "And, its the best day ever!"  I think we all need a break~~~the chance to find who we were designed to be again.  

A simple pause to find how He has weaved His story into each of our own.  

Enjoy my Christmas Angels...