Saturday, December 20, 2008

hmmmm.....

I have been thinking & contemplating so much lately that honestly, I feel overwhelmed a lot. Even though I feel a very strong underlying sense of peace there is so much chaos in this brain of mine. And to be completely honest, some of the things I am thinking about may be too much for this blog.
We have been home a lot since Monday. My kids had 4 snow days this week, Christmas parties were cancelled, dance performances & classes were all cancelled, martial arts graduations were cancelled - all sad but forced down time is good. We have been productive - I finished unpacking a lot of boxes, we hung a lot of things on walls, I painted Cody's closet that comes down from the ceiling & I repainted Emma's bed & dresser to match her new colors in her room.
Cody, his two friends and I did venture out last night to the middle school overnight party - yes, I stayed all night. I did take 2 1-hour naps and then slept 4 hours this morning. They seemed to have a good time but they were all pretty tired this morning.
Curtis & I are praying for direction right now. Several big decisions and not sure what is right in some of the decisions. We want to hear from God. We want to know that we know that we are doing what HE would have us do - not just what we think is best. Waiting on You, Lord!
We are looking forward to a very simple Christmas this year. We only bought a couple of gifts and we are doing things different. "If you do what you have always done, you will get what you have always got" - so we are approaching it differently. We made a few gifts and are doing a white elephant with Curtis' family. The snow has been a beautiful gift from God to remind me of how simple Christmas truly can be. I read my kids the complete Little House on the Prairie series several years ago and the snow makes me feel like I am living back then. No where I have to be - just being still & enjoying God's creation. Resting & enjoying my family.
Maybe when I can sort through more of my thoughts I will share them with you. Praying that you all enjoy the snow and are safe. Praying for health for sickness. Praying for God's provision for many. Praying for rest as you celebrate Christ's birth.

8 comments:

Cory said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Meredith said...

Praying for you too, my friend!

Love you!

Mara said...

totally understand the waiting on the Lord thing, but He will meet you where you are if you seek Him, He will show up! I'll be praying for you!
P.S. You are one productive lady!

Lee Ann said...

That's some heavy stuff. I will pray for peace and a clear understanding of what God desires for your family.

I'm reading "The Big Woods" to Anna right now. So cold! And I think I'm cramped up stuck in my 1300 sq ft house. Can you imagine. I just keep thinking....how did she entertain the kids? I need to know because I'm running out of tricks :-)

The Lord is with you. Have a Merry, peaceful, simple Christmas!

annaliese said...

so sorry to hear that all of the events were canceled--but glad that you are able to appreciate the down time together as a family.

I love that you shared how you are simplifying Christmas. It is so much more peaceful--the less time we spend making lists, in the stores...searching for something that just can't be bought!

Merry Christmas! I am so grateful for you!

Shannon said...

that's a bummer that everything had to be canceled. I heard the MS party was lots of fun though!

I will pray for Clarity in hearing the Lord.

Kelli said...

Good for you for trying something different this year with Christmas. We did the same thing. I made lots of yummy holiday fudge (Thank you Val for the use of your kitchen and time!) and also made jars of Cocoa. Those, along with our Christmas cards are the only gifts I gave to friends this year. I usually like to buy for my closest friends' kids' but it just isn't happening this year...it's still nice to be able to hand someone something even if its just fudge and cocoa and a nice card....keep praying...God will lead you...

Anonymous said...

I'm anxious to hear those thoughts... been having lots of my own lately too.