A Christmas Message Worth Repeating

*Below is a portion of a Christmas message from IBLP we recently received that merits repeating.  May it bless and encourage you as it did me.

What a season of joy and cheer, and yet for so many people it has become one of stress and busy schedules. What makes the difference? If our focus is on what we need and want, we will be plagued with expectations. It is only as we yield our rights and expectations to God that we are able to fully enjoy what He has provided for us.

{Need gift suggestions you can afford to give to anyone?} Here are twelve gifts that don’t cost any money!

1. A warm, loving smile
2. Precise words of praise for demonstrations of character
3. A “perfect greeting” to all you meet
4. Recognition of special days or anniversaries
5. A listening heart
6. Prayer for a special need
7. Words of encouragement
8. A sacrificial act of service
9. Words of comfort for those who are missing a loved one
10. A verbal blessing
11. A good report about others
12. An expression of gratefulness

May God richly bless you as you give generously to each person God has placed in your life!

Please VOTE

Today our country has the privilege and honor of selecting our next president. Please don't take this for granted. Remember to VOTE!

Little Dee is Now 18!

On October 4th, Dennah Renee Elliott turned 18 years old!  WOW!  Time sure does speed by when you're busy living life to the fullest!  We helped Dee celebrate with a family movie night, complete with popcorn and hot chocolate bar.  Very fun!  After years of having Spring themed parties, Dee finally succumbed to the reality that she was born in the Fall and let us use that as her theme.  It was a delightful event!

To keep the celebration going, Dee was blessed to go to tea with her dear friend, Brooke Chatham, to celebrate BOTH their 18th birthdays!  It is a tradition for them to do a special lunch together.  The girls have been fabulous friends since back in the California days 13+ years ago!

What a honor it is to be the mother of this beautiful young woman. 

She has a heart for the Lord and to bring Him glory with her life.  It has been a joy to watch her grown up and it will continue to be a joy part of her life as it unfolds following God's perfect plan. 

Dee, I praise God for you and love you dearly!

HAPPY 18th BIRTHDAY DENNAH!

Five for Friday

It's looking like my Five for Friday is turning into more of a monthly post than the weekly posting I originally intended. So goes the life of a busy mom of many! I am using my wonderful iPhone to make this post as we journey back from Texas after celebrating Becker's Quest graduation. Which means that I am not exactly sure how the photos will load up, so be prepared that they might not be in order.

ONE: Parker and the triplets were blessed to have a sleep over at Hattie's house. They had a wonderful time! It blesses me greatly that she is willing to invest in their lives and works at keeping heart strings tied.

TWO: Lil and Dee survived having their wisdom teeth removed and are recovering nicely. Praise the Lord! Thanks to all who have been praying on their behalf.

THREE: We were abundantly blessed to have the Berry family (all 13 of them!) come stay the night during the Stratford Peach Festival weekend. Lots of fun was had by all! Everyone spent time at the festival. Plasmacars, dress up, and tea parties filled the afternoon for the younger crew. The most of the older crew enjoyed the Stratford Rodeo in the evening. We appreciate the Berry family greatly and hope they will return for another delightful weekend sometime soon.

FOUR: Dee enjoyed (and endured with injuries!) attending OBU volleyball camp with her friends, Reagan and Kenzie Covel. The girls all played their hearts out and grew a ton in their skills. Always a blessing to do something you love doing with friends!

FIVE: Lillie has big changes ahead. We have finally found the cause behind her continual runny nose, fatigue, headaches and upset stomach...food allergies! We are scheduled to see a specialist at the end of the month but so far, she has tested to have allergies to wheat, corn, soy, peanuts and sesame. Yikes! That sure explains a lot! No wonder the poor gal has been feeling so miserable for years! It is amazing how many of these things are hidden in the foods we eat daily. Corn will certainly keep her working overtime. If she happens to come to mind, please pray for Lil as she adjusts to eating completely differently. Thank you!