Our home for the holidays:::CHRISTmas 2012

come on in, friends.
it would be really fun to have you over in real life for lattes or cocoa,
but since that won't be happening this year, here's a little peek into our home.
we have had so much fun decorating for the birthday of our Savior!
only three days left!
yikes!

my friend, jennifer, made the adorable twine star garland.
it's totally me and i love it so much!

this year, i broke down and put a star on top of our tree.
we have always had this simple wooden angel that i just LOVE, but nathan and the kiddos really wanted a star.
i made this one with twigs, twine, red dogwood branches, hot glue, and floral wire.
then i added a small strand of lights to make it SHINE!
we all love it.

the kiddos made the glittery chain garland out of pipe cleaners.

nevermind the dust on that cupboard!  :)

making these orangeaments was our favorite project this year.

i was inspired by this sweet girl over here.

i'm keeping this Christmas cactus alive and thriving.  a Christmas miracle!!!

i made these wreaths last year and decided to bring them out for Christmas, since i couldn't find any reasonably priced boxwood wreaths.

i have to admit, i have really dropped the ball on the advent this year. :/
i made this last year out of an old $1 cork board, some fabric,
ribbon and those little boxes from michaels push-pinned into the cork.
simple and fun!

yummy!

thanks so much for taking the time to stop by today.

i pray that your Christmas is filled with His blessings and all those you hold dear.

we are so ready to celebrate!

are you?

xo,

mary

Spreading the Good News:::A Printable

i have been contemplating the horrific event from last week and the evil that is present in our world.
my heart breaks for the losses of family and friends and for the  innocent children who were gunned down senselessly.
i cannot imagine BEING one of those parents or being the parent of the man who orchestrated and carried this evil out.
as darkness and sin waxes worse and worse in our world today, there is this great opportunity for the Light of the world to shine brighter than ever.
after all, darkness is simply the absence of Light, and people around us need to know the Truth of that Light Who came to save us.
Who came to save them.
He is no respecter of persons.
i am the same as the murderer.
only saved by His wonderful grace.  sinner, still.
but now, i am a Light bringer.

so what better opportunity do we have to share Him than the season that we celebrate His birth?
it's like an open door that God is just waiting for us to walk through.

do you know anyone that needs to know?
has the Holy Spirit whispered in your ear as He has mine?
i have come up with some pretty lame excuses as to why, "i can't, Lord!"

"what will they think?"
"will they be offended?"
"i don't know what to say!"
"now's just not the time."

i have struggled to present the Gospel to them because they are people that i don't see on a regular basis.
my hairdresser, the owner of a shop that we love, our neighbors, the librarians and so.many.more people.
my prayer is that God will use this to plant a seed.
to open the doors to greater conversations than, "soooooo.....how 'bout that weather!?".
that as i grow these wonderful friendships, i am able to share with them my Best Friend.
who knows how God will stir in their heart?

i know this comes a bit late in the season, but i think all of our grieving hearts needed days to process what has happened and love on our families.
i am so grateful for my children, and that they are here with me.
my hearts aches with the families that are enduring such grievous loss and pain, especially during such a joyous season.
it would never, EVER be easy, but Christmas...it just seems worse.  ya know?
my prayer is that hearts would be turned to the Babe in the manger.
the One who came to reconcile us from sin, such as we have seen of late.
the One Who radiates HOPE and longs for us to look up.
may we look up.
may we pray.
may we reach souls for Him.
He is the answer.

with the help of my dear friend, Jennifer, i was able to bring this printable to you.

i designed it, and she so graciously(and quickly) made it so that there could be four on a page.

my computer and brain have limitations.  :)

thanks, dear friend.  :)

they are nice to just hand out as is, or to attach to gifts.
they spread a message of Hope and the true Meaning of Christmas



what you will need:

printer
paper (i printed on cardstock for weight)
hole punch
twine or ribbon
exacto knife(for the slit for the candy cane)
candy canes

i hope you all are having a wonderful week!
i treasure your friendship SO much...each and every one.
you are a gift to me!

sending lots of love your way, dear ones.

xoxoxo,
mary