Tis' the Season...

So, the day after Thanksgiving we drove to the foothills to get our Christmas tree. This was the first year that Grace remembered the whole Christmas tree idea. This was also the first year doing our annual tree trek without either one of our big boys. *sniff, sniff* Oh well, Lord-willing they will be home for a few days during Christmas week.
  

  

Looking for the perfect tree

Saving the tree

Loading the tree



This is my favorite time of year, I love the weather, the music, the togetherness that this time brings. But most of all I love that it is the time we remember our Saviours birth. Without His birth there would have been no death and no resurrection~there would have been no salvation for us sinners! 

Philippians 2:8  And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.

Blessings,

Christine

Psalm 18

My "Big" Boys..."

Well, we had a whirlwind of a trip this last weekend/week! We left on Sunday morning to visit our "Big boys" down in Southern Ca. who are attending West Coast Baptist College.  This was a spur of the moment trip (which, if you know my husband doesn't happen often...lol). We left early Sunday morning and stopped to visit a new church in Fresno, then continued with the drive, need I say the youngins' were not to thrilled with the 5 hrs. it took to get there! I guess they are too young to remember deputation! haha 

It was so great to see them and to be able to bless them with some home-made goodies and to get them some much needed things. Brett needed glasses, Tim needed school books, it was so nice to get them these things and some other smaller items. I think just being able to relax and watch a movie with them in our hotel room was the best thing, especially for our 4 little ones! They miss their big brothers so very much!

Unfortunatly we had to come home a couple of days early due to an incident at my dh job. Oh well, God is good and we got to spend some precious time with our boys. They have grown into such wonderful, godly young men! I have been and continue to be so very blessed!

UUGH!!

It's been a rough few weeks here in the Taylor home! Of course, it's all me!!! I have been in some sort of funk, I can't get motivated to do anything, ie.. clean my house, do a full day of school with the children, keep my menu going, actually just about anything!  Granted, there is a whole lot going on in my life right now, a lot of it personal, some of it not, but still, it STINKS!  If it wasn't for the Lord and His Word, I don't know how I would even manage what little I have. I just keep praying and trusting the Lord, hopefully I'll get out of this soon!

Moving on, I'll be glad when today is over, I'm so tired of all the Halloween stuff everywhere. The stores, tv and houses are worse than ever. Every year gets darker and more wicked than the year before!  Have you ever noticed how dark and evil Halloween is, and how bright and cheery Christmas is? Even decorations of a secular nature are bright and cheery at Christmas time. 

It's time for Thanksgiving, I love Thanksgiving and what it means. Having a time to concentrate on giving thanks is a wonderful thing not only for Christians but for everyone, because it causes us to stop and reflect on the positive instead of the negative! Life is so full of negative, we all need to see the positive, especially for those of us who call ourselves christians! We have EVERYTHING to be thankful for!!! Salvation is a wonderful thing, it's the most wonderful thing!!!

Well, we have about 20 days or so of school before our winter break, from Thanksgiving to New Year's we take off of school. I do a Christmas unit study during that time and of course we read, read, read! but other than that it's time off for the children, most importantly ME!! I think especially this time I really need it. I can get some refreshing from the Lord.

Well, the World Series is about to begin (go Giants!), need to get my husbands snacks ready, :-D  Have a Great Week!

Christine
Psalm 18

Pluggin' Along & God's Schoolhouse

Well, we are into our 5th week of school and just pluggin' along (so to speak). I do need to catch up on history and science a bit, but other than that we are doing pretty good so far. The children have been enjoying it for the most part, they do have their days where they would rather play, but in general they have had a pretty good attitude. PTL! ;-) 

Ah, but then their's me...The Lord has been teaching me some serious lessons!!  It's safe to say that we never attain perfection, at least I haven't! Especially where my attitude is concerned. It is nice though, that when you have matured some as a christian that you know your attitude is wrong and you want the Lord to help you change it. That is where I was these past few months, I have had some feelings about someone that I haven't had since I don't know when. I truly did not want to feel like I did and was praying (and asking anyone close to me to pray for me too) and seeking God's Word for His guidence. And just like Him, He answered my prayers in His time (this last week/weekend) and of course in His perfect way. It wasn't easy, but just like any type of growth, it was well worth it.  I am so thankful for a Heavenly Father who is patient, loving and kind ( and Who chastiseth when needed).

I now have a Christ like love for this person, yes I still struggle with her personality, but God gave me a verse to repeat over & over in place of the negative thoughts I may be having, it sure works! I LOVE the Word of God!

I'll leave you with the two verses that God gave me:

Psalms 141:3  Set a watch, O LORD, before my mouth; keep the door of my lips.

John 15:12  This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you.

Blessing,
Christine
Psalm 18