Happy Thanksgiving

I just wanted to wish everyone a Happy Thanksgiving! Have a blessed weekend and remember to give thanks for everything in your life, even the trials. The trials are what makes us stronger!!! Have a great weekend!!!

Why does society take Christ out of Christmas?!

No I am not jumping the gun and starting to celebrate Christmas before Thanksgiving. That is one of my biggest pet peeves!!! Although Brooklyn's school decided that it was time to have their Holiday Program....yes HOLIDAY PROGRAM last night at the school. As I sat there watching this program I wanted to get up and shout "What every happened to MERRY CHRISTMAS?! Isn't Christ the reason we celebrate this season? Its bad enough we have the program before we can even give thanks at Thanksgiving but now you take out the ONLY REASON we celebrate this season? I don't recall God sending an ipod touch, or a wii to be born into the manger. I don't remember God sending the perfect holiday decorations or cards to be born in the manger. I do remember God sending His ONLY SON to be born so that later in life he can be hung on the cross to save us from our sins. I do know that applies to EVERYONE that is sitting in this crowded school gym watching the HOLIDAY PROGRAM."

Why have we as Christians allowed those that don't believe in God have such a voice in society that now we are forced to watch Holiday Programs and say Happy Holidays instead of MERRY CHRISTMAS?! Why have we as a society put such an importance on what we are giving/getting for gifts and making sure our houses are perfectly decorated that we get so wrapped up that we don't reflect on the true miracle of the season until Christmas Eve. I am as guilty as anyone else.

I get myself worked up into knots figuring out what I am going to give for gifts and making sure my house is festive that by the time Christmas is here I am exhausted.

First I am giving Thanks for all the blessings in my life on Thanksgiving and then I am going to reflect on the true reason for the season...........A baby born in a manger sent from God up above, the same baby who as a man died for my sins. The same man who I cannot wait to meet when I get to Heaven........

Frustrations.......

Do you ever have days that no matter how well prepared you were the night before.......the next morning just crashes around you? I am having a day like that and its not fun. Actually.....this whole week has just not been very fun but tomorrow is always another day. This morning though I totally lost my cool and I don't even know why. Cooper lost his hat and gloves AGAIN and its not even December yet. When he told me I totally came un-glued and I hate it when that happens. I yelled at him just for losing his hat and gloves. I was in a hurry, the morning wasn't going right and here my precious little boy just lost his gloves and I over-reacted. I can't imagine how his little heart feels right now and I feel horrible for losing my cool!!! It reminds me of how much I do wrong on a day to day basis and yet God still loves me and never losses his cool with me. He is always there to listen when I need him to and still loves me unconditionally even though I mess up every day. I do know I am going to do everything in my power to make it up to Cooper. I just feel horrible and all I want to do is wrap my arms around him and kiss his adorable cheeks!!!

Last night was the big night!!! It was the Michael W. Smith concert in Sioux Falls and what a great night it was. He is such an amazing and talented singer! I have listened to his music for years and this was the first time I have ever seen him in person.

Craig and I made a whole date night out of the concert. We left for Sioux Falls around 12:30 yesterday and had lunch with my sister and her boyfriend. We then went back to Jeremys house to play the Wii for a little bit before I had to be to choir practice at 4:30. Let me tell ya......the security around there is tough! Glad I had all my ducks in a row! Once we were all there we were ushered into the arena and there stood MWS. I have to admit. I was a little star struck! Then I realized he is a normal person like you and me, well except he has 21 albums, numerous #1 hits and an amazing band he gets to hang out with everyday.

So we started practice and it was so much fun. The concert started at 7:30 and the opening acts were Meredith Andrews, Phil Stacy (from season 6 American Idol and he has an amazing voice!), and Matt Maher (sp?). Then on came MWS and the whole arena started shouting in glee!!!! He sang 4 or 5 songs before it was time for the choir to come on stage. I was so excited and I will probably never have a chance like that ever again! It was so great and the worship was so intense! It was great to see so many people in once place praising God! We did take a moment of silence at the very beginning of the concert for those in Fort Hood, TX. So sad what happened there. The concert lasted 3 hours but it didn't feel that long. Time passes so quickly when you are worshipping God.

It was a great experience, and AWESOME worship time and I thank God for giving me the chance to experience it. Now today I am dragging a little but it was all worth it. I have tomorrow that I can take a little cat nap. Have a great weekend everyone!!!!