Tis the Season?
Since my last post I feel like things have taken a turn and Christmas time is almost here. We’ve been having rain and barely making it higher than 64 degrees the last several days (this is cold weather to Californians!) And early this morning, we turned the heater on. I’m pretty hard-nosed and wanting to save money decided that we wouldn’t turn the heater on till December 1st or until it dropped under 65 degrees in the house. Then at 6:30 this morning Bobby got up because Tyler was crying and prodded me to get the heater going. I checked the thermostat and it read 63. Not so nice for the little guy, so I turned it on.
On Friday Bobby and I got out our Christmas music. Ty gave me Sarah McLaughlin’s new “Wintersong” CD for my birthday, so I’ve had that playing. Also the Bing Crosby Christmas and the a CD my brother-in-law made in college, the Hotchkiss Starlett Christmas two big favorites.
The other day Tyler and I were at Wal-Mart and he was fascinated when I walked down the seasonal isle. He loved all the ornaments and garland and especially those little animated reindeer dolls that sing carols as they rock in a little rocking chair!
Something I often think about when it’s fall and winter is how commercialized holidays have become. Everyone thinks that more is what makes you happy. But year after year, it doesn’t. At women’s Bible study this morning, Stephanie taught us from James 1:22-25 about being doers of the word and not hearers only. I was struck with this statement that she made–”Consistently doing God’s Word is happiness.” She explained that only giving up doing things my way and putting myself under Christ’s command is happiness found.
Another quote that really resonated with me was–”Freedom is entrusting ourselves fully to our faithful Creator.” Sometimes I think that if we had more money or time that we would feel more free. But this is error because only God knows what I truly need and He is faithful, and provides all that we need.
“But the man who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom,
and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard,
but doing it–he will be blessed in what he does.”
James 1:25
November 30th, 2006
Great thoughts, Krista. It is crazy how each year the marketing for Christmas seems to get earlier and earlier and more and more. So true about where happiness is found.
I love Sarah McLaughlin’s voice.
November 30th, 2006
I found it funny this year that all the Christmas stuff was out before Thanksgiving…but they waited until the day after Tgiving to start playing the Christmas music. It’s as if music would have been WAY too much for them…and yet the Christmas displays and such were ginormous.
I too love Christmas music.
I’m still half-way through chapter 1. It’s a work in progress. 
November 30th, 2006
I noticed that too, Dawn! I was at Pier 1 at the beginning of November and commented about how the Christmas decor out and the checker said they had it up on October 1st! I don’t think I’ve ever seen it out that early! Let me know when you finish chapter 1…:)
December 1st, 2006
It’s snowing!!! Yea! We get a white Christmas after all… just wouldn’t be Christmas without it. You should bring your lil’ tyke out here to have some fun!
December 4th, 2006
Christa! Remember us? I would love to talk with you about Ciera. Email back and I will update you. You all look great! Geralyn Standifer
December 6th, 2006
Hey Christa! This is Luke from Texas. Bobby and the rest of the Blakeys used to go my private school in San Antonio. I had Ben in my class for more than 6 years! We had good times together!
Well, I wanted to let you know how much I love the Godsongmusic! It is truly the most peaceful, beautiful Christian music out there. I just figured out how to download the music onto my computer and since then I have been able to give out many Godsong CDs to different friends in San Antonio. They all love it and are wanting more copies!
On my website, I am able to put background music to the slideshows. For just about each album I have a different Godsong to go with. You guys are going to have to make some more songs before I make new albums! my website: http://www.lukeweissgarber.phanfare.com
I would love to one day make it over to California and see you guys! John MacArthur is my favorite teacher and I have heard so many good things about the Master’s College. Moreover, California seems like one of the most beautiful places on Earth!
Please tell Bobby, Tye, and Brad to keep up the good work and that I want to come visit them! Give my love to Tyler!
Your friend,
Luke