Six Words Saturday 2012 Christmas Card

I wrote this blog post the other day...but thought I would link it up to Six Word Saturday today on 12-22-12





My six words are:  Merry Christmas Six Word Saturday Friends!



I am linking up with "Home for the Holy Days" blog party today!

http://www.impartinggrace.com/2012/12/home-for-holy-days-2012.html

This is our 2012 Christmas Card with our 11 Grandkids...ages 5-22



 Christmas Cards


When I was a little girl, my momma, Margie, and I would send out Christmas Cards to our friends and family.  Momma had only one arm, (after an auto accident before 3 of her four children were born), and so she often needed help from me or my siblings with certain tasks. 

With one hand she would type out a short Christmas letter on her old typewriter, and then she would sign the cards and I would fold the letters and insert them inside the cards, and stuff them in the envelopes and put the stamps on.  Momma had been right handed before she lost her right arm, so she had to learn to do everything with her left hand….including handwriting.   In my mind’s eye, I can see her back-slanted cursive writing and her signature, as I am remembering this special time together.  She wrote very clearly, but she enjoyed pecking away on that old typewriter, and I enjoyed the clicking of the keys and the bell that rang each time she would return the carriage and begin a new line of the letter.  I have an old typewriter like that in our guest room, just to bring me smiles!

When we were all done with the cards we would put them in stacks and put rubber bands around each stack to keep them together, and then we’d head off to the post office and wait in line to mail our bundles of cards.  I found the hustle and bustle of Christmas crowds quite exciting.  (Salvation Army bell ringers take me back to my childhood too.) 

Another benefit of sending cards, was receiving cards in return!  Each day we would get cards in the mail, and I couldn’t wait to open them.  Each one had a cheery picture on the front, and a special message inside.  I loved the ones that had the baby Jesus in the manager, with Mary and Joseph, and the Christmas star over-head.  But there was always such a huge variety of Christmas scenes, and yes, many included Santa Claus, Snowmen, or brightly colored gifts and trees.  I would string them up across the living room window, and around the doors of our living room, and they made it look so festive!

Happy memories of my momma always flood over me when I do my Christmas cards.  My momma has been in heaven now for well over 20 years…but I still feel her presence, in my heart and mind, each Christmas as I send and receive cards. 

I also have fond memories from Christmases as an adult, when we would go to John’s mom and dad’s house in Nebraska. Among English momma, Edith’s traditions… of English poppers/crackers with paper crowns and little toys inside, we would also have English trifle, mini-mince meat pies, and other delicious foods, and fun with the huge family. Momma Edith loved Christmas cards too.  She had a green ceramic holder shaped like a Christmas tree where she would place all of her cards, and then we could all browse through the cards and read the letters and see the pictures from friends and family who lived far away.  She especially loved hearing from those she loved in England.

  

I know that some people don’t send cards anymore, because of the time, and the expense…but to me it has always been a very special part of Christmas.  Another tradition I enjoy is the Candlelight Christmas Eve Service that we attend each year.  Christmas is all about the birth of our King...Jesus!  We need to take the time to honor Him!  I pray that God will bless each and every one of you this Christmas, and in the New Year!   

Love, Linda    

Sweet Momma-in-law Edith, on her 85th birthday, before she went to heaven.

My brother- in-law and sister-in-law in the silly paper crowns from the English cracker/poppers
that Edith always had for us at Christmas.

 Me at age 14, with two of my nieces, and my Momma Margie.

And my sweet Momma when she was older.  She has been in heaven now for over 20 years!

Fond memories are with me this Christmas time of my two sweet Momma's.

Margie, and Edith!  I loved them so very much!

Our Christmas Tree

Also linking up to this fun blog...enjoy!
http://southernhospitalityblog.com/green-and-red-christmas-sparkle-in-the-kitchen/

Our Plans May Fail..But God's Plans Are Perfect!

I had "planned" to do more blogging...but with Christmas coming, and a few things going on in our family right now, I just don't seem to be blogging much at all.  I seem to never accomplish most of my "plans" anyway.

That's ok though...because I know that God is at work in our lives, and His "plans" are always best!  I was thinking this morning, about how life can change in a moment's time, and nothing seems to be in our control.  It just reminded me that I need to worry less and trust Him more.

I really do trust God with my life...how about you?  Even when things are happening that we don't understand, He is always faithful!  Our God is always present...and always loving us!  Christmas is a good reminder to us of just how very much God does love us!  John 3:16:  For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life!

Eternal life with the Lord sounds pretty wonderful to me!

Accepting the Lord Jesus into our lives is the best thing we could ever do!  He is so powerful, and so strong, that we need not fear our future...or our day to day troubles and issues.  He is there for us, and all we need to do is ask Him to help us through.  In our weakness...His strength is made known. 

The baby Jesus grew up and became the sinless sacrifice for all who would place their faith and trust in Him.  Jesus died in our place on the cross at Calvary, and was buried, and rose again on the third day, to gain victory over death and hell for us..  Men always make their "plans" and they mean well...but most of us fail and fall short.  Many of our "plans" never amount to much...but God's "plans" for us are much better.

Jeremiah 29:11 says.  For I know the "plans" I have for you saith the Lord..."plans" to prosper you, and not to harm you..."plans" to give you a future and a hope. 

My hope is in the Lord who made heaven and earth!  How about you?  Where is your hope ?  What are your "plans" for today, tomorrow...and forever?  Why not let Him work His will in your life.

 Ephesians 2:8-9 says: For by grace are you saved, through faith, and that not of yourselves: it is the "gift" of God... Not of works, lest any man should boast.  Jesus is the best gift this Christmas! 

Wow...59 degrees On December First

Here it is December first in Kansas...and it is 59 degrees this morning at 9:00.  Weather sure is changing.  We are going to have nice weather this coming week...in the high 60's and low 70's.  My husband has been golfing several days in a row, and he is loving it!  But it seems strange to me to be this nice in December here in Kansas.  Don't get me wrong...it is very pleasant....but we do need moisture so badly.  And it just seems like weather is changing all over the place...and it seems a little bit un-natural!!!!

  This weather makes me want to go on another vacation...not be at home decorating for Christmas!  Ha!

What's it like in your neck of the woods today?  I hope you will be enjoying your Saturday!




So, these are my "Six Words" today:

Wow...59 degrees On December First!

Click on the button above and share your Six Words and join in the fun!  (:>)