some good thoughts on my mind tonight

Sometimes i have many many things on my mind, but i don't always get a chance to jump on the computer and quickly write it down before i forget. Well tonight i am grabbing a moment!!

Here's a few things that's been floating around in my head recently.
( just a quick note before sharing though. Of course i know it's very evident, but just wanted to state anyway that i am not always the best writer at putting my thoughts down. So i just write them down kind of the way there are in my head, sometimes jumbled, and sometimes very straight forward. So you just have to bear with me:)! Also note that I almost always have a little one around me, crabbing at the key board and mouse, and sometimes a little fussy, so i can easily loose my concentration!!)

Ok, so the main thing on my mind is damage that I believe our wonderful electronics has done for our society, namely the T.V. and video games. Sorry everyone!! And i am not talking the good virus the bad on it. I am just talking about the entertainment it's self.

I believe that constant source of entertainment as crippled our society in many ways.
I am speaking on a whole and for excessive watching. (I know most homes have it very moderate.)
I think why it's so bad as that it is so very addictive, and cripples the creativity in one to even think that there's other things do to.
Usually it is the kids that grow up with T.V that get " bored". For example my kids hardly no what boredom is.
It is also very time consuming.
And i am under the conclusion that one should really be concise of how we spend our time.
I can see why it is so very appealing though becuse one wants somthing to do, with out doing "nothing."

Another thing on my mind which pretty much has to do with above is that not every thing in the world though it appears good on the outside or for the most part anyway, does not necessarily make it something good for God's people.
I think it's to easy to adapt most things in our lives as Christians if its good, with out realizing it is not something that God would like in our lives.
Like the T.V. Just because there is good stuff on it, doesn't mean it suddenly makes it something God's people should have. Does that make since?

I think there is numerous other things like that as well.
Like all the sports and activities available for the kids. They are good, but are they necessarily what God would have us fill our time with. Does he really want us moms to be going in 5 different directions at one time to get our kids to whatever things they are participating in, while other things( usually far more important) go on the slack.
Are they for God's people just because they are good?
Of course that is something for every family to answer on their own. But it is something worth thinking about i think.
I feel that way with many things in our society, and the sooner our children realize that not everything out there is something for us to be apart of the better.


Also my thoughts have been on Sabbath ( the 7th Day). How it is not convenient or handy to keep. So many things revolve around Sabbath: sports, different activities, good yard sales, and so much more.
So we have to sacrifice a bit to serve God the way we know He wants us to. But so what, this world and the things of it should mean nothing to us compared to our Love and obedience to God.

And also good to keep in mind, that Jesus gave His very life for us so that we may have eternal life!!
That's so huge!! He did not have to do that. But he did because he loved us that much!!

So do we love Him enough to give Him a day out of of our busy week. The day that He gave us for rest in the first place. He gave us HIS LIFE, surly we can give up a day for HIM.

Again not every thing in this world was designed for God's people. If the things of this world make it hard for us to rest and worship on that day He gave us, then those things have to be given up, instead of the alternate: choosing another day that suites us better. (Which is where Sunday has came in at.)

We all have to realize that the way this world operates was not established with God's people in mind. And we can not have both this world and God too.


Well hoping you enjoyed my thoughts. And don't forget i love hearing your thoughts too!!
In Him,
Mae

heart cries

My heart cries

• for the hurting, and desolate


• for the crying , hungry, and orphaned children in many areas of the world begging for some one to just love and care for them


• for the thousands and and thousands of innocent women and children held against their will in sex slave around the world


• for the terrible devastation in Hatti after the earth quake


• for the abused and hurting women all over the world


• for the children here in America that have every earthly things they could possible want, yet lacking the things they crave and need the most; their parents LOVE, ATTENTION, TIME, and of course GOD'S WORD


• that every home and family would read and pray together least once a day.

• for the lonely, forgotten, and even often neglected and abused elderly in the nursing homes ( when i hear stories of that, my heart just breaks)

• for the the many, many kids that are baby sat by the T.V day in and day out

• that families would turn to God as their spiritual leader instead of the churches

• for the abused and neglected children all over the world

• for the moms that are caught up in the lie that they must go out side the home to make something of them selves

• for the parents that they think they must involve their kids in everything and run them selves ragged to do so ( God does not expect that of us, but the world does)

• that families would spend more time in God's word than they do watching T.V

• my heart cries for every home and family to get back to where God wants His people to be

Oh, Lord how my heart breaks over these things, and i cry out to you Father for these and I lift them up to you in prayer.

In Him, Mae

What are you thankful for?

I asked this question to each member of the family this evening( at least to those that could talk) and here is what they said.

Nathan said he was thankful for the yummy bran muffins i made for breakfast this morning.
Clayton he was thankful for nothing. ( but then later came up with a long list!)
Sam said he was thankful i let him watch the history DVD that he had been begging to watch all day long!
Sarah was thankful for her favorite pink blanket. (thanks to a wonderful cousin for that)
Daddy said he was thankful for his sweet family! ( isn't that lovely)
Me? I am thankful for my heavenly Farther that is so full of grace and forgiveness to me each time i make a mistake. And thankful for my sweet hubby and children!!! Also thankful they forgive me every time i holler at them!

To all that is celebrating Thanksgiving tomorrow, wishing you a good and fun filled day with loved ones!
Travel safe!!

In Him, Mae

Moms are like snowflakes

I just wrote this silly little poem last night. I thought to share it here, to give you a smile and a laugh for your day!!!
It just popped into my head. Don't even know how in the world i thought of snowflakes with it being over 70F here in Texas!! Don't ask me, but it happened. And here is the lovely product!!

Moms are like snowflakes
is really quite true.
For no two are alike,
Each one is so very unique .
They are sent from heaven above,
for all to enjoy.
And both are individually designed and hand crafted by God himself!
Everyone beholds their beauty.
And all the children delight to play with them.
Keep them cool or they will both surely melt.
( us Texans moms can testify the truth in that!)
So by this silly little poem,
it's easy to see it really is true,
that moms and snowflakes are indeed alike!



See i warned you it was silly!! But hope you got a kick out of it just the same.
If you can think of ways that moms and snowflakes are alike, please leave me a comment and let me know!!

It's that time of year

All my little ones have had colds this past week, and still have the colds. So we are having fun with coughing, runny noeses and such. Late nights, and waking up in the middle of the nights!
Be glad when its ran its course and all is as it should be again.

At least we have decided to take the week off school, mostly anyway.
We still do our morning devotions and Bible verse memory. And Nathan is doing science, because he was a little behind in that subject. And Clayton is doing spelling and penmanship. I should work with Sam's flash cards too.
Its funny how is is almost easier to keep up a routine than not. Of course the week as only begun, and its going good so far. But if later in the week my house is going crazy with lack of routine, then back to the books we will go!!

On Thursday we are going to my husbands' brothers place for Thanksgiving. That should help to make the week little more fun for the kids. Little more hectic for me though!

I am expecting a bother in this week from Canada, actually have been for a day or so already. So the kids are on their toes anxiously waiting for him to drive in. They call him their favorite uncle. ( sorry all you other wonderful uncles :)

It had been cool for a about a week, and we had our wood heater going. Although in the day it would warm up almost to much for the wood heater and we were opening windows and doors!! But in the night and mornings the fire felt nice.
Anyway now it has warmed way up. It is 70F now! It feels like summer, or least how summer should feel i think!

So many leaves falling off the trees. I like how it looks in the woods this time of year! And the kids love making trails through the woods by raking paths through the leaves. They have made all kinds of trails.

Looks so pretty sitting here looking out my window at the fall colors. And i love that nice breeze blowing in my window. Oh,how i love this time of year.

Have a great day ya'll!
In Him, Mae

so many churches yet only one truth

There is one body, and one spirit even as ye are called in one hope of your calling: One lord, one faith, one baptism. One God and Farther of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all. Ephesians 4: 4-6



Yet, so many churches with many different doctrines and faiths. And all claiming to have the truth. Something has to be wrong.



This verse seems to sum it all up in why there is so many different teachers of different doctrines.

For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine: but after their own lusts shall the heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears: And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables. 2 Timothy 4:3-4



That is why I feel its so important for the husband and father in the home to be the spiritual leaders for the family and not the church. He needs to be the one to lead the family in to the truth. All we need to know is right there in the Bible. ( Don't get me wrong though, fellowship with other believers is wonderful.)



But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man tech you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in Him. 1 John 2:27



For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be first principles of the oracles of God: and are become such as have need of milk, and not strong meat. Hebrews 5:12



And we need to be aware and alert for wrong teachings out there.



That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the slight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive. Ephesians 4:14



If you stand on the truth and nothing but the truth, you can not go wrong. So in all that you do, STAND, even if it means standing alone.





In Him, Mae

God wants a people

I believe God wants a people like no other.

He wants a people that walks after His own heart.
To love the things He loves.

A people that loves Him with all their heart, and with all their souls, and with all their might.
Deut. 6:5, Matthew 22:37, Luke 10:27

He wants a peculiar people. Deut. 14:2, Titus 2:14, 1 Peter 2:9

A people that's strong in the Lord. Eph. 6:10

A people that keeps His commandments. Deut. 5:9 , Deut. 6: 7, Deut. 11:19, 1 John 4: 2-3

A people loves the truth and stands on the truth. 3 John 3- 4, John. 8:32, 2 Thess. 2:10

He wants his people to hate the things he hates. Proverbs 6: 16-19, Eph. 5: 3-6

A people that walks as Jesus walked. 1 John 2:6

God wants a people. May we be that people.

In Him, Mae

lovin' the law

Something else that has really been leaping out at me in our recent readings of the Israelites is how God instructed them to teach the law to their children and their children's children.

And not only to teach and keep the law, but to love the law.



'Therefore shall ye lay up these my words in your heart and in your soul, and to bind them for a sign upon your hand, that they may be as frontlets between your eyes.

And ye shall teach them your children, speaking of them when thou sitest in thin house, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up.

And thou shalt write them upon the door posts of thine house, and upon thy gates." Deut. 11: 18-2o



And remember this was not just God's instructions to His people then, but to His people now!! Which is us!!

But today I see a lack of teaching of God's laws. And a lack of love for His laws.

Not only is His law not seeming to be taught, but in fact trying to weasel a way out of it. Trying to find area in Paul's teaching to get a way from the law.

This should not be so among God's people.

"But take diligent heed to do the commandment and the law, which Moses the servant of the Lord charged you, to love the Lord your God, and to walk in all his ways, and to keep his commandments, and to cleave unto Him with all your heart and with all your soul." Joshua 22:5

"O that there were such a heart in them, that they would fear me, and keep all my commandments always, that it may be well with them, and their children forever. " Deut. 5: 29

"O how love I thy law! It is my mediation all the day." Psalm 119: 97

" I have longed for thy salvation, O lord: and the law is my delight." Psalm 119: 174

"But his delight is in the law of the lord; and in his law doth he meditate day and night." Psalm 1:2

"My son, if thou wilt receive my words, and hide my commandment with thee. So that thou incline thine ear unto wisdom, and apply thine heart to understanding." Proverbs 2:2


It seems the love for the law has been lost some where. It even seems to be viewed to some as burdensome. If the law can be managed to be done away with, then one feels free.

But we are to be free by fulfilling the law!!

God's law is to be a joy to us!



Here is what Jesus said about the law .



" Think not that i have come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy but to fulfil.

For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.

Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven." Matthew 5: 17-19



Also in the book of John we read:



"But this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments.

For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments: ans his commandments are not grievous." 1 John 5: 2-3



"And hereby we do know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments.

He that's saith , I know Him, and keepeth not His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him." 1 John 2: 3-4



We need to get back to where God wanted His people to be. We need to be a people that loves God's laws, and obeys God's laws, and teaches God's laws to our children.

My oldest son had a conversation once with another child about the Sabbath day, and why we keep it. Upon hearing my son say we keep it because it is in the 10 commandments, the child's quick reply was, " oh there's a mystery behind that commandment."
I was shocked. Not only was this child not taught to keep the law, but already at that early age he was taught how to make accuse for not keeping all the law or commandments.



I see a trend today loving this world and wanting the things and the pleasures that this world gives, and so much so that there is a need to try to get out of some laws to do it. People want both the world and its pleasures, and still have God as well. But it doesn't work that way.

We have to Love God way more than this world.

"Love not this world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Farther is not in him." 1 John 2: 15



And as I see it, if our love for God is as it should be, then it will be our heart's only desire and joy to to obey His Law. We will not desire any other way. We will be free and doing exactly as we please, which will be freely doing only that which is pleasing to God.

I think God so longs for His people to gain back a love for the law.

"But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed." James 1:25

In Him, Mae

chores for little ones

It's high time to reprogram who is to do what chores around here.

I am sure all mom's go through this.
First you train your oldest ones to do certain chores when they have reached an aproperaite age for that chore. And at first it is amost easier to do it your self than take the time to show them. Yet you know that after they learn how, they can do it on their own, and will be such a big help to you.
So you plug on teaching them and training them the ins and outs and how it's done. Soon the bigger ones are doing these chores and do them it well. You know you can count on them.

Then in a blink of an eye you soon have little ones that are not so little anymore, and in fact are now at the exact age if not older than the oldest ones were when they were taught these chores. But they can't do a thing. They were not taught because you had older ones to do it. ( i am speaking for my self here)

That's the case with me right now. I have my oldest boys, ages 10 and 8, that have been doing chores for years. They are so good and obedient at doing what they are told. Plus they have several things they know to do daily with out being told.

So their 5 1/2 year brother has not been doing chores and don't like to do anything when he is told. Oh, he will once in awhile, but not on the most part. He just wants to be playing and having fun when his school is done. And he complains, "awe, do i have to?" "All by my self?" " Why can't Nathan or Clayton help me?"

So now i have to take the time to instruct another child to do chores. Instruct, supervise, and make sure it gets done. It's back to where it's almost easier for me to do it my self, or continue to get the older ones to do it.
But i know it is so very important and vital for the whole family that he learns. He needs his own set of chores to do. He needs to be responsible.

So this is the latest task ahead of me.
Anyone reading this have great suggestions and tips for me? Any helpful ideas at getting my little ones that are not so little to do chores?
I guess my 3 year old needs to start chores too?
I know, the advice giver is begging for advice. lol!! (have pity on me will ya)

more fall pic.s of 2010

I could not resist this cute pic. of our dog, Daisy.

Nathan, Clayton, Samuel, Sarah, and Anna enjoying our fall days around our place.

Mommy and Anna. Looks like we are both frowning. I don't know whats wrong!!

Fall 2010 pictuers

We took a little drive up into Oaklahoma one weekend a few weeks back. Here is some of the pic.s we took. Above is the kids and I walking on trial.

The boys! Nathan, Clayton, and Samuel. A beutiful senery in the back ground.

Here is the whole family!! We had a fun day and got lots of pretty pictuers.

learning from the Israelites

For our recent Bible reading the children and I have been reading through the old testament, and are in the middle of reading about the Israelites in the desert.

(We read from a Bible story rather than directly from the Bible, because it makes an easier read for the children. But it is very correct and adds nothing to it, like some bible stories. It simply makes it easy to understand and follow along. I like that for old testament reading to the children, because the old testament is a hard read. But i feel its also very important.)

OK, so back to the Israelites, and what we have been learning during this read.
All kinds of good stuff. Its surprising what all can be learned from them.

One thing that is so clear and easy to pick up is that when the people obeyed God , he was with them, protecting them, guiding and leading them. But when they disobeyed and turned away from Him, He turned away from them as well.

If God said something was to be done a certain way, but they thought they had a better way, or could do it just alittle different: that was disobedience and they suffered for it. God meant what He said , and and what He said was to be done, and done His way.

Just like when the people had no water and cried on to Moses that God would give them water. So Moses and Aaron pray on to God for water, and He gives them instructions. Gather the people together in front of the rock, and speak unto the rock, and it shall give them water.
So Moses and Aaron gather the people in front of the rock. But Moses thinks he has a better plan and strikes the rock with his staff instead. Water comes flowing out. But Moses is punished for his disobedience. He would not be allowed to bring the people in to God's land. Numbers 20: 1-13.

There's an example time and time again how God give them very pacific instructions of how He wanted things done, and when they did not obey, they suffered for it.
We can learn such great things from that.
We learn that these examples can be applied to every area in our lives.
We learn that God's word was the only way.
We learn that God was, and is, and always will be the same.
We learn if we want God's blessings on us, then we must obey.
We learn that God's commandments wasn't just for His people the Israelites, it was for all His people for ever and ever.

Well I just need to keep reading and see what all many more great things we can learn!!

that's what i love

Sometimes when i sit to post i don't just have a set subject or topic to post on.
There will be thoughts swirling around in my head and i want to share. Knowing God put them there. But I will be unsure of how to to best write it it all down.
So i get on my posting site anyway and i begin to type.
And the words the will just flow. And it seems as if it was already previously written and that i am simply copying it.
That happened to me with yesterday's post. I could not believe how it all came to gather so easily.
And i know where it comes from. So i give God all the credit!!
That's what i like about blogging, and that's what I love about my Heavenly Farther!!!

He gives you the words to speak when you don't know what to say, and just when you need them. And he gives you the exact words that some one is needing to hear at that exact moment!

If you have ever read something on here that seemed to speak directly to you, like it was written with you in mind. Well it was! But know it didn't come from me. There's no way i could have known what you needed to hear at which moment.
Our Heavenly Father is the one that orchestrated that!!
I just wrtie what He sets on my heart.
That's what I love about my Heavenly Farther!!

fall happenings , Bible verse memory and recent thoughts

Well its been a few days since a post. I apologize, but busy with mommy life!
I know all you moms understand though!

Fall
I am very thankful for the cooler weather. Though at the moment i am rather hot here in my house because this morning was cold, so had our wood heater going. Now its very pleasant outside ( actually very warm), and the heater is still putting off heat. Ugh!! But when i get off here i will get out side for awhile where its lovely! Its 78F.
Fall time is my most favorite season. I love the colors, the cool breezes, wearing sweaters ,( although that is very seldom we have to here) being out in the crisp cold air!

Pictures
I had good intentions of putting on pictures of our fall drive we took up in Oklahoma a few weeks back. Pretty in that area we went with the fall colors. I had trouble though up loading the picture's. So that will have to wait till a later date.

School is going well.
Nathan in grade 5 is working along much quicker than when we first begun and now school does not go all day long! In fact he was done by lunch time today! His handwriting has also improved! He has been my sloppy one, and Clayton my neat and careful one.

Clayton in grade 2 always got done early just because his school does not take as long. But a change for him is that his reading had greatly improved since we begun the year! Yea!! His reading is faster and much smoother. He reads almost all his instructions now. So that means less hands on from mom!!

Sam age 5 is enjoying learning to read from, 100 Easy Lessons To Teach Your Child to Read. We are taking nice and easy, and its going good. He loves reading his words and printing his letters.
Sarah lat 3 loves to copy Sam while he does his sounds and reads words. I think she may be an early learner!

Bible verse memory
I am excited about what we are doing now. We are learning whole passages at one time ( 4-6 verses). And we do them altogether, instead of Nathan learning his, Clayton his own and so on.

So on Sunday ( that's our fist school day of the week), I introduce the passage we are to learn for that week during our morning devotions. I will read it through once and then we read it all together 2 times more. Then through out the day a few more times, and again before bed time.
This is done every day till Sabbath morning. Then on Sabbath the children are to recite it to us by memory.

Since we have started doing it this way, the passages we have learned are Psalms 23, Matthew 6 : 9-13, and this weeks- John 3: 15- 18.

Nathan recited Psalms 23, and Math. 6:9-13 perfectly.
Clayton missed 1 verse on Psalms 23. I am also repeating Matt. 6: 9-13 for him this week because he did not do well.
So Nathan is on his own this week with John 3: 15-18. I want to keep at us all doing the same verses together but I wanted Clayton do learn the previous one better before moving on.

Sam and Sarah are learning snippets of those verses. They love repeating the verses together with us.
I reward little prizes for memorization. It keeps them spurred on!!


Thoughts
Some of my recent thoughts.
Our time on earth is short, we need to make the most of it! I believe the time of His return is near. We need to more than ever be impounding and instructing our children in the Word of God. Get them prepared to with-stand the many winds of doctrine out there. Give them the truth and nothing but the truth.

It's time more than ever to weed out the unimportant things in life, and give more time to the important!

There's so many little things in the world and in our lives specially in our lives as mommas, that our pulling and demanding our time.
We need to get rid of those things that pull us away from the house constantly. And get rid of those things that keeps so darn busy that we hardly have time to cook and have a family dinner every evening. The things that pull us away from daily Bible reading and devotions .
Get rid of the things that do not edify or build us up spiritually.
Look into what God wants us as moms to teach our children, not what the world says we should.

And don't forget the weekly Sabbath rest! God knew we needed it, that's why He gave it to us. I sooo look forward to it each week.

May you have a blessed day, as you enjoy your fall weather where ever you are!!
And remember i love your comments and your thoughts!

my deal with candy

Would you like a cavity?
I'm sure your answer is no.
But what if i asked you if you would like candy?
You would most likely answer, yes.
My kids on the other hand would have answered yes to both questions, because that is our word around our house for candies.
Yep, that's right, "cavities".
I feel like they should be called what they really are. May as well not hide the truth of the effects of candy.
Though my kids are still not put off by that. They openly ask for, " cavities."

I can't stand candy. Now i used to like it as a kid alright and even as a young adult, but very moderately. Then when i became a mom and my first son at a very early age got cavities. And the other siblings had many to follow as well. ( were talking the real thing here) I changed my tune!
Now i can't stand the stuff and i wonder how candy ever got considered as a treat in the first place. How can a cavity causing, no good for your body thing , ever be called a treat!!

Now i know there's all kinds of candy and there may very well be '' healthy " candy even. Though i haven't heard of any. But i am talking run of the mill, chock full of sugar or corn syrup kind!
The kind that rots your teeth, and is poison to your your body. The kinds that are hard to the immune system.
That a treat? Ugh! I don't think so!

To me a treat for a child would be a fruit ( there's all kinds of yummy pretty fruits). That would be a true treat and something very special. Taste good and does wonders for the body!! There of course is other healthy snacks as well.

But it seems no matter how hard i guard the gate of my house candy still sneaks its way in. And then theres Grandma's house, the neighbor, the bank, the library, ect, ect.. All well meaning of course. I guess they just don't know how bad it is.
So hoping every one catches the fever with me! If we all stopped buying candy er "cavities" they soon would stop making the stuff. I look eagerly for that day!!!
So pass the word on!

My Mom's testimony with Christmas

I mentioned in a post nearly 2 months ago, that i would be soon writing a post about my Mom's testimony with giving up Christmas.
Well here is that post! I am sorry it took me so long.

When my mom was young they celebrated Christmas in her home. It was a fun occasion of a big dinner, giving of gifts to each other, and so on. It was something she always looked forward to, and enjoyed.

At the age of 18 she went with a friend to a church . Though she had been to church as a kid, this time with her friend, is when she first really heard the message of Jesus. And this is when she accepted Lord into her heart.

After that Christmas took on a whole knew meaning for her. Especially the first one after. It was such a joy to her to be able remember and celebrate Jesus's birth, knowing what He did for her. Knowing that through Him she received forgiveness and life!! It was extra special to her. And she felt she was really honouring Him.

Then along came Dad! She was 21 then. He starting helping her to see that Sabbath was the day God gave us for rest and worship, and talked to her about Christmas. He showed her how Christmas had pagan roots. How that day was adopted from worship of a son god. And explained because of all that, that it would not be something that God would not be pleased with.

Learning those things, about where and how Christmas all begun: made her loose all desire to participate in such a holiday.

She found other ways to honour Him, just in her simply love and obedience to Him. Instead of in a holiday that He did not create, and that did not really honour Him anyway.

She did miss celebrating Christmas for awhile after. But the part she missed she said was the worldly things of it, such as the music, gift giving, and gathering with family.

But she never once felt cheated in her ability to honour and praise her Lord! In fact quite the opposite was true. She felt she was honouring Him so much more in not participating in a pagan holiday.

She had so much greater joy in just serving Him! Knowing that her live in its self was an honour to Him! She never looked back.