Tiny Twig Goes Out on a Limb

25 Days of ADVENT[ure] :: Days Seven, Eight, and Nine

So, I've decided it probably fits more with my lifestyle right now to do these posts in little chunks of days rather than one each day.  I hope you'll forgive me as I try to find the right rhythm of life for my family this season.

we heart it

A few things to think about today...

• Are there things you can cut out for a season?  Yesterday, I decided I needed a break from Twitter.  I was tired of hearing myself talk and tired of having to check the site 10 times a day to keep up with the conversations my friends were having.  I ache for a slower yet more intimate connection--even if it means "impacting" fewer people. 
• Have you checked out the Advent Conspiracy?  My friend Nish pointed me in that direction.  It is good, and simple, and above all it is not sanctimonious...which bugs me at Christmas (all the??) time.
• Have you checked out Ann Voskamp's Advent resource?  It's free!  And her words are always excellent and beautiful.
• I think it is encouraging that billionaires are pledging to give away some of their fortune.  I know they still have plenty in the bank, but it does make me think harder about ways I can be more generous.  Article here.
• I am making soup (pasta e fagioli) today with one of my besties.  It is AMAZING--and I can't wait to spend the day with her!!

25 Days of ADVENT[ure] :: Days Four, Five, and Six

Haven't yet figured out how to do the weekends.  I should probably just schedule the posts ahead--but I am trying to let you in on what I'm experiencing and growing through...not some pre-established programming.  :)  Oh the dilemmas of blogging!

Here are my thoughts from the weekend...

 

I am trying to cultivate a grateful spirit in my heart this Christmas--and maybe some of it will rub off on those close to me.  We visited a church this weekend (trying to pin down where God wants us in our new city...) and it was one of those services that was almost painful to sit through.  The church is well loved by its congregants, it just apparently isn't for us.  And, if you've ever been "church-shopping" (oh, how I hate that term!), you know the temptation to pick apart every aspect of your experience...weighing the pro's and con's of the morning. 

Saturday during our first significant snowfall of the season...

Well, Husband and I were on the same page fairly early on that we wouldn't land permanently in this church-home...so I decided to make it an exercise of grace and thankfulness rather than criticism.  Since I knew Husband felt the same way, I didn't need to catalog my thoughts of the church's "merits".  I could just simply be thankful.  These are the things I came up with...

• Thank You that these people have a place to grow closer to You and closer to others.
• Thank You for a warm sanctuary on a cold and snowy morning.
• Thank You for a seemingly vibrant children's ministry where my boys were like sheep being led in Scriptural truth rather than like sheep being herded and simply managed.
• Thank You for communion--deeply reconnecting and realigning my heart with Yours.
• Thank You for the profound and simple joys of Christmas Carols.

I was amazed at how my attitude turned around when I looked at the things that I was thankful for rather than just criticizing.  How do you think this would affect all of the situations in our life that are seemingly "sub-par"?  Your marriage?  Your finances?  Your home?  Your job?  Your parents?  Your children? 

this morning with the beautiful glow of sunrise...

If, this Christmas season, you wish to see your gratefulness increase and your spirit be buoyed...try that simple exercise.  Is keeping track of "merits" really the best thing? 

25 Days of ADVENT[ure] :: Day Three

 Christmastime spells sadness and loneliness for many people.  Family issues come to the surface when they've been swept under the rug for 11 months out of the year.  You are constantly faced with Norman Rockwell-esque marketing...showing you, painfully and again, that every family but yours is cheery and intact. 

I know this feeling.  I know the feeling of disappointment and want.  But, I am also determined to have a grace-saturated Christmas this year--choosing to see the blessed joy of the season and the best in my family.  They are each wonderful people--even if we don't always work together perfectly.  So, it's time to lay aside the small differences, the tiny (and not so tiny) infractions we've dealt to each other, the let-down when you realize family is flawed.  It's time to allow God to work on the wounds of my heart...knowing full well that He promises to do so.

He heals the brokenhearted

and binds up their wounds.

 He determines the number of the stars

and calls them each by name.

 Great is our Lord and mighty in power;

his understanding has no limit.  --Psalm 147:3-5

 

 

25 Days of ADVENT[ure] :: Day Two

Today, I am looking forward through the season of Christmas and pondering what I want for our family.  Not material gifts, but lifelong lessons and memories that we will enjoy for years to come.  Husband and I are firm believers in being intentional and decisive with our time--and also living with margin so the little (and big!) surprises in life do not sink the ship. 

A couple things I decided:

I want our Christmastime to be ripe with hope.  I want my 4 year old to have a better understanding of Christmas when all is said and done.  I want to host the women in my family for a Christmas tea.  I want to have our friends over for a New Years Day brunch (a little after Christmas--but still part of the season!).  I want the evenings to be spent warm and cozy with Husband--catching up on "normal" after our season of "stretched". Those are my "main things" this Christmas.

When I look at that list, I know that there will be nos that come with my yeses.  I am actually okay with that.  I know that life is lived in opportunity cost--giving up one thing so that you can pursue another. 

When I look at what I want for our advent season, I see these truths.  I need to cultivate hope in my heart so that it overflows into my words and actions to my family.  I need to say no to fear, no to anxiety, no to stress, no to rushing.  For Twig1 to have an age appropriate understanding of Christmas, we need to spend more time talking about that than watching silly television so that I can "get work done".  I need to say no to unnecessary assignments, I need to say no to procrastination, I need to say no to distraction.  To have the two events I want to host at my house, I'll need to say no to the countless others I'd love to dream up.  And to have cozy evenings at home, means very few "festive" evenings out. 

What are your hopes for the holiday season?  What are our "most important"s and your "must do"s?  What do you need to say no to so you can say a resounding YES to the very things that will bring joy to your heart this Christmas? 

In other Christmas news...I'm over at The Creative Mama today with an easy homemade ornament DIY.

And click here to go back to 25 Days of ADVENTURE[ure] :: Day One!

25 Days of ADVENT[ure] :: Day One

Advent is defined as "an arrival that has been momentously awaited".  What do your days look like leading up to Christmas?  Are you slooooowing down awaiting the day of Christmas?  Are you celebrating love and joy, peace and provision? 

Or, like many Americans, is this season filled with semi-dread and harriedness.  Do you have 17 lists going in order to keep all of your committments and desires straight?  Is decorating a chore to get through?

Well--I completely understand.  This is the first year my children have really "gotten it" as far as the magic of Christmas.  However, since they are just beginning to recognize this holiday--I want to gear their hearts towards the Lord while they are still learning.  So maybe you'll come with me through the month as I let you know of the things we do to slooooow down and anticipate the joys of the Christmas season. 

It will be the 25 Day of ADVENT[ure] around the Twig house--and I hope you'll journey through it with us.  Somedays will include crafts, some just a short story, some Scripture, some traditions, and even some organizational hints.  Overall, I want to spend these days of anticipation turning my heart towards the Lord in celebration of the real reason for Christmas...all while enjoying the magic and cheer of the season as well. 

Soooo...away we go!

It is said that 90 percent of pleasure is the anticipation.  Don't we know this to be true?  Things are sweeter when they are savored.  So why don't you start today by creating some cheer in your home.  Start by setting the tone and mood of the place you spend most your time.  For me--that means lighting up a pine-scented candle and listening to Christmas music.  It helps ready my heart for the days to come--getting excited about the season rather than stressed about the days to come. 

Do something small today to signify the start of Christmastime. 

Since my four year old awoke to a dusting of snow, he exclaimed "Mama, it's Christmas today!".  I gently explained to him that it was even better...it is now Christmastime!  A whole season to savor the joy and wonder of Christmas.