52/52 - Music

This was supposed to be posted LAST YEAR (as in... about a week ago OOPS!), but this is the final in my "Photo a Week"  project for 2015.

On Christmas day, we got together at Uncle Robbie & Aunt Julie's for dinner. After we stuffed ourselves with delicious food, we gathered by the piano and sang hymns.  I snapped this picture of Aunt Jules at the piano, and that's the final picture for the saga:

51/52 - Christmas

A snapshot from today's festivities...

Right Now I'm... {Christmas Edition}

Listening: I've heard this song many, many times, but never before this year has it resonated with me. I can't pinpoint exactly why I find it so emotionally connective this year, but Karen Carpenter's "I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day" is my new favorite! If you haven't heard it... here ya go:

Watching: Christmas movies, of course! One of my favorite Christmas sets is The Santa Clause trilogy. But "It's a Wonderful Life" is also a holiday must!

Reading: Obviously, Christmas books.  Most of those are kid books though. I recently purchased two new books to add to my collection: An Otis Christmas & The First Christmas Night.

I'm also, as per usual, going to grab my copy of "Starry Night" (book 8/Christmas book 2 in the Christy Miller series by Robin Jones Gunn). It's a juvenile fiction book, but I just love it.

Working on:  My 2015 Shutterfly yearbook. I started doing this several years ago instead of "manual scrapbooking" which takes a LOT of time, effort, creativity, and money. Shutterfly books are NOT cheap, but since I'm a Kelloggs rewards member, they send me a $20 Shutterfly coupon for my birthday every year, so that makes it almost cheap!

Wishing: Several things... (1) that Waterloo wasn't so far away. My friend showed me a promo for their Christmas program showing this coming weekend, and it looks amazing, but alas, I'm not sure I have the time or desire to drive several hours to see it. (2) That December 18 would hurry up and get here so HELEN WILL BE HOME!!! (3) That I could snap my fingers and instantly be amazingly successful at my new job, but once again... takes time. (4) That any major snowfall will wait until AFTER January 2, so I can move in to my new apartment and not have to deal with sloppy, snowy nastiness.

Needing: Some furniture for my new place.  And money to fund said furniture purchases. 

Rejoicing: That even when I am weak, my God strongly works through me! Yesterday was my birthday, and sadly, I woke up not feeling all too well, but I had piano duties at church, and who wants to be sick on their birthday, so I just skipped breakfast and didn't tell anyone. Thankfully it passed, and by Sunday School time, I was feeling better.  However, ten seconds in to the morning worship service, I was hit with another wave of bleh. God brought me through though, and by mid service, I was feeling fine again. I think I just have something out in my back & hip, so going to the chiropractor should fix that right up! Oh... and also rejoicing that my boss texted me this morning and told me to take the day off in honor of my birthday!

Reflecting on: the goodness of God over the past year.  Birthdays are a good time for reflection (both my birthday and Jesus'). God has brought me to, through, and beyond so many things over the past 12 months, and I'm so thankful for His continued work in my life!

Picturing: This... in 11 days!

A Few of My Favorite (Christmas) Things

Christmas is great for so many reasons! I love this season because there are so many special things that you get to enjoy particularly during this time.

I thought I'd share a few of my favorite Christmas things with you:

Christmas Carol: God Rest Ye, Merry Gentlemen or Angels We Have Heard on High

Classic Christmas Song: The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire)

Christmas Song by specific artist: Josh Groban's O Holy Night

Classic Christmas Movie: Charlie Brown's Christmas

Christmas Musical: White Christmas

Hallmark Christmas Movie: The Christmas Card

Modern Christmas Movie: The Family Stone or The Santa Clause trilogy

Christmas Tradition: Putting up the Christmas tree

Christmas Food: Mom's Homemade Nut Rolls

Christmas Beverage: Coffee with Peppermint Mocha coffee creamer by Coffee Mate

Christmas Dessert: Gingerbread Cake Roll

Christmas Treat: Almond Bark covered Oreos

Christmas Book: I Can't Wait 'Till Christmas (featuring Big Bird)

Christmas Scripture Passage: Luke 2

 

Merry Christmas, everyone! 

It's Beginning to Sound a Lot Like Christmas!

I love Christmas music, and I tend to pull it out somewhere in early November every year.  I don't go into full-on Christmas mode until after Thanksgiving, but come December first, LOOK OUT!

I have a hugely eclectic taste when it comes to music, and Christmas tunes are no different.  Here is a list of my top 10 favorite Christmas songs... at least for this year!

1. O, Holy Night by Josh Groban 
2. God Rest Ye, Merry Gentlemen by Celtic Thunder
3. It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year by Andy Williams
4. Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire by Nat King Cole
5. All I Want for Christmas is You by Michael Buble
6. Christ is Born by the Carpenters
7. One King by David Phelps
8. What Christmas Means to Me by Mandisa
9. Believe from the Polar Express soundtrack (sung by Josh Groban)
10. Christmas This Year by Toby Mac

Christmas in July

Every Summer, long about mid-July, I pull out the Christmas tunes and films.  Some people understand this, but for those of you who don't, here is a list of 10 reasons why I celebrate Christmas in July:

1. It's hot outside, and Christmas makes me think of "cold outside;" mind over matter.
2. Andy Williams' "It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year"
3. Peppermint Mocha Frappuccinos
4. The Christmas Card (one of my favorite/cheesiest Christmas movies)
5. Jump-starting the Christmas shopping now helps lower the giant expense in December.
6. The iHeart Radio "Christmas in July" station
7. The feeling I get when I listen to Christmas music or watch Christmas movies
8. The movies are too good to see only once a year.
9. The music is too spectacular to listen to only once a year.
10. Christ's birth is always worth celebrating!

Join me, won't you?

Christmas is More

Some people say
I've got it all wrong
when I say Christmas is more
than just the birth of His Son.

It started with that,
yes, it's factual and true,
but thirty years later,
life changed for me and you.

This baby grew up
into a Man,
Who healed the blind and lame
with the touch of His hand.

He came here to seek
those that needed to be reached.
"I Am the Way,"
was the message that He preached.

But some didn't like
the way this made them feel,
so they came up with a plan
to capture, corrupt, and kill.

They put Him on trial-
"He is guilty!" was their cry.
He said, "Father, forgive them."
For His purpose was to die.

You see, this Man,
once a baby so small,
came to rescue us from sin
and be the Savior of us all!

But the story doesn't end there-
the best is yet to come!
They laid His body in a grave,
but my Savior wasn't done.

He conquered sin and death-
He rose up from the grave!
He crushed the head of Satan-
my soul and yours to save!

This story is the truth, my friend,
I pray that you believe it.
He's offered you this gift of life,
all you must do is receive it.

So as you open up your gifts
with friends and family,
I hope that you can share my joy-
He is more than just a baby!

By Lacy Vance
December 24, 2012

Merry Christmas, my friends!

Merry Christmas!

Christmas doesn't always come in a multitude of tangible gifts; sometimes, there are few packages, but many memories!  This year, a large part of our family Christmas was a trip to Des Moines to see Mary Poppins at the Civic Center. We had a marvelous time! The choreography and singing were amazing; the set, incredible!  What wonderful memories we all have!  There were still a few gifts to open this morning, which, for the first time ever, we opened before we "got ready to face the day."  We opened gifts in the comfort of our pajamas!  i'm so thankful for my family and the blessing they are in my life- not just at Christmas when they give me presents, but all year long! 

Christmas

 Luke 2:1-20

And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed.  (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.) And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.  And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:) To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.

                And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.  And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.

And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

                And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us. And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger. And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child. And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds. But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart. And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.

What more is there to say?  The Creator of the universe coming to earth to die for my sins.  I am so undeserving, so unworthy.  But, thankfully, my relationship with God is not based on my worthiness or how much I "deserve" it; rather, it is based on His incredible love for me.  This Christmas, even with all the other things that come and go with the season,  I am so thankful for the real Reason behind CHRISTmas!

Happy Holidays

We’re fast approaching the time of year when people all over the United States begin the heated seasonal debate concerning the proper “politically correct” greeting.  Being a born-again, regenerate Christ-follower myself, I tend to side with those individuals who prefer to say “Merry Christmas!” instead of the recently favored “Happy Holidays!”  After all, what’s CHRISTmas without Christ? 

As I was contemplating these holiday catch phrases this morning, I realized something.  These two phrases are BOTH applicable to the God-lover.  “Merry Christmas!” wishes an individual a joyful celebration of the birth of our Lord, observed on His birthday, December 25.  “Happy Holidays!” is a little broader than that.  The second word of this phrase, “holidays,” is plural, meaning more than one holiday.  Now before you stop reading this blog, thinking to yourself How dare she suggest I begin using “Happy Holidays!” instead of the God-honoring, Christ-centered “Merry Christmas!,”  I’d like to be very clear that I plan to continue using the phrase “Merry Christmas!” and I expect the same from you.  Now that we have that established, let’s move on.

“Happy Holidays,” as I mentioned before, implies to me a celebration of multiple holidays.  I love this time of year, the months of November and December.  There is so much joy and merriment, laughter and love; the spirit of giving and celebration.  As God-lovers and Christ-followers, our “holidays” begin in November with the anticipation of Thanksgiving. 

There are so many things I love about Thanksgiving Day, all of which make it my absolute most favorite day of the entire year - the one I look forward to during the other 364 days.  Traditionally, the Vance family Thanksgiving dinner has been held at my parent’s house (our house!).  I can only think of two or three years in the past 15 or so that were held elsewhere.  Each year on Thanksgiving, the family gathers for a mid-day feast of turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, and pumpkin pie (which in my opinion is the most important part of the entire feast).  For most of these years, Aunt Linda would come from Indiana on Thanksgiving Eve to spend the weekend with us.  The smells, the tastes, the family (esp. looking through the black Friday ads with them), and of course the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade are just a few of my favorite things, but the best thing about Thanksgiving is that its an entire day of THANKFULNESS!  Amazing!  In today’s culture, we usually hear about how bad everything is and how life is rotten and nothing good ever happens.  But on Thanksgiving,  people all over the country pause to reflect on just how much they really do have for which to be thankful!  Thanksgiving is a nationally observed holiday (for which I am very thankful J), but it is only regenerate, born-again believers who can truly celebrate Thanksgiving to it’s fullest potential because only regenerate, born-again believers have the ultimate reason to give thanks:  the birth, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ offering us the free gift of salvation! 

Less than 24 hours later, we move on to Christmas and all its wonderful traditions, beginning with black Friday.  Now, I love that early morning, crazy, out-of-your-mind shopping experience just as much as the next person, but to be honest, I find it a little ironic that we spend an entire day being thankful followed by an entire day being self-centered, greedy, and all-about-me (I suppose the spirit of thankfulness may continue at 5:03 am when you get the very last trashcan-converted-to-shopping-cart-because-it’s-chaos-in-here at Mendards?) Thanksgiving may be my favorite holiday, but Christmas is a very close second.  As previously stated, I LOVE this time of year!  I often say that I don’t have a favorite holiday, I have a favorite time of year (which isn’t exactly true, Thanksgiving is definitely my favorite holiday!): November 1 through January 2.  I thoroughly enjoy “decking the halls!”: the twinkling lights, the ornaments full of memories, the garland, and the tree.  The searching for and buying of that special gift for a loved one.  The cinnamon sticks, candy canes, and (my personal favorite) the peppermint mocha coffee creamer (coffee-mate does it best, just so you know).  The flickering flame of a cinnamon candle.  The frosted window panes.  The sound of cheery Christmas music filling the house.  The scent of gingerbread cookies baking in the oven.  Spending time together watching It’s a Wonderful Life (which btw: it IS a wonderful life!) and The Polar Express.  The manger scenes reminding us of the only reason we truly have to celebrate.  I love Christmas and I’m not afraid to express it- “MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!”  Without Christmas, we have no reason to celebrate Thanksgiving or Easter.  Christmas is all about the birth of a tiny baby, born of a virgin, who left His throne in heaven to feel the splinters of a manger so that he could feel the splinters of a cross.

The final celebration of this wintery holiday season is New Year’s Eve & Day.  As I was thinking about this particular holiday, I initially thought well there’s not much God-centered about that… drinking excessively, kissing people at midnight, and doing all kinds of other things you shouldn’t be doing, but then I realized I don’t do any of those things.  I usually spend the evening/day with family or friends playing games or watching movies and staying up till midnight (the midnight thing hasn’t happened in a few years though… I’m getting old before my time I suppose J).  One of the things I try to do every year is reflect on the previous year and contemplate the new one.  Being the secretarial nerd that I am, I like lists, so at some point, I like to make a list of where I am right now (relationships, goals, spiritual life, etc.) and a list of where I want to be by this time next year.  I like to pull out last year’s list (if I can find it) and compare- see areas where I need to make a more concentrated effort and areas where I’ve successfully met my goals.  By doing this, I can use this holiday to focus on God as well.  After all, it is God who gives us each and every breath we take- each day to live, each year.  Without fail, this thought (or some variation of it) crosses my mind every New Year’s:  Lord, whether You give me one hour, one week, or 365 days of this year, I hope to use it for You.  This new year is like being given a clean slate, a second chance.  Help me make this year count for eternity.   Yes, I like New Year’s and the hope and uncertainty that comes with it!

So during this holiday season, instead of cringing (or thinking to myself It’s MERRY CHRISTMAS you moron!  J) when I hear people use the phrase “Happy Holidays!,”  I plan to say “Merry Christmas! & Happy Holidays! to you too!” and remember that each one of these holidays comes with its own reasons to be hope-filled, Christ-centered, and (of course) Happy!

PS- I'd like to remind you that you are in no way obligated to agree with me. J