Christmas Faces

Whether young or old

Christmas brings expressions to faces.

Watch the faces.

I pray that each of you dear friends have many happy faces this Christmas. My house will be full and running over this year. I can't wait!

So this will be my last post until after Christmas. I may get to peek in on you once in a while.

Remember:

"And she will bear a Son; and you shall call His name Jesus, for it is He who will save His people from their sins." Matthew 1:21

Now if that doesn't bring a smile to your face.....

Merry Christmas!

December Treasures

Years ago, no, I'm not telling you how many, but when my kids were little-like in the post below, I made these stockings from a kit. Let me tell you it was difficult, because it was a surprise from Santa and I didn't want them to see the stockings until Santa came on Christmas morn. All moms know what I talking about!

This is NOT a close up, so you can't see the mistakes. But these stockings held more than candy and toys. They held a mother's love, a desire to bring joy, and all the memories of childhood stitched in the fabric. Now each Christmas they give me special joy to pull them out of their Christmas box. A family treasure.

Do you have a special Christmas decoration?

"And having heard the king, they went their way; and lo, the star, which they had seen in the east, went on before them, until it came and stood over where the Child was. And they came into the house and saw the Child with Mary His mother; and they fell down and worshiped Him; and opening their treasures they presented to Him gifts of gold and frankincense and myrrh." Matthew 2:9, 11

I've often wondered what Mary did with the gifts. The treasures they gave were beyond Mary and Josephs means and station. Did she keep them until His death? Did Jesus ever ask about them?

Treasures mean more than fancy gifts to me. Treasures beyond cost are those loaded with meaning and love. Will you share a treasure?

Photo:karenevans

December Love!

I love December for many reasons.

It's hustle and bustle

and shopping arm muscles,

It's lights and bows

and Rudolph's nose,

It's cookies and icings

and gift-giving hiding.

It's children and family

and excitement and worry,

It's laughter and squabbles

and stories grown to fables,

 (okay I know that doesn't rhyme, but just change the "a" sound)

It's open-handed joy

and love for each girl and boy.

It's mangers and cradles

and softly lit candles,

It's the soul's reason for living

and Jesus came giving,

It's forgiveness, peace and love

which shines down brightly from above.

That's why I love Christmas.

If you want to try your own "ditty", let me know in the comments when it's up on your blog and I'll put a link to you on my next post. I think I'll just continue this all December, and see what happens. :)

I'm only posting once a week through December. I'll have a house full come Christmas! Yay!

Sorry I haven't been by your blog in a bit-I will. So play along with the December Love!

"For a child has been born--for us!

the gift of a son--for us!

Isaiah 9:6

Photo:karenevans-when my two were little:)

Another Thanksgiving Bird

I'm thankful.

"Look at the birds, free and unfettered, not tied down to a job description, careless in the care of God. And you count far more to him than birds." Matthew 6:26 (MSG)

What's the price of two or three pet canaries? Some loose change, right? But God never overlooks a single one. And he pays even greater attention to you, down to the last detail--even numbering the hairs on your head! So don't be intimidated by all this bully talk. You're worth more than a million canaries." Luke 12:6-7 (MSG)

Both scriptures were spoken by Jesus, the Son of God. That He knows each bird and my "hair count" flabbergasts my mind.

How else can I be but thankful?

Have a Blessed Thanksgiving week.

Photos:karenevans

Riding with the Buzzards

My hubbie and I were in the middle of the Cleawater Ironman World Championship.  It consists of 1.2 mile-swim, 56-mile bike ride, and a 31.1-mile run. There were about 1,8000 racers!

Nooooo, we actually drove in our car along side one of the blocked lanes along the bike trail. Try as we might, there was no turning left until about 14 miles up the road. So "technically we were in the race, right? lol.....

This boulevard has tall road lights. On the top of several I noticed buzzards. Yes, they do frequent that area around the preserves there. I wondered if any of the bikers noticed that? Me, I'd be buzzard meat, if I even got that far.

I can hear the buzzards now, "Hey, where's the meat on those things? They're all bones and gristle."

BTW, the male winner won in 3:41:19, and the female in 4:06:28. Boggles my mind!

"But the Lord is faithful, and He will strengthen and protect you from the evil one." 2 Thessalonians 3:3

In the spiritual race, do "buzzards" see a strong gristly racer, or am I soft and easy to take down?

Lord, in Your faithfulness stretch my spiritual muscles and make them strong.

Photo:karenevans

Couldn't Have One Without the Other

This Veteran's day, thank a veteran.

We took this picture at an old auto show. Check out the mounted guns, yet set in the park where you can relax and be free. We wouldn't have one without the other.

Look again from the opposite view. It's a snack wagon. Freedom. The men who served and serve, Thank You!  (Yes, that's me and Major in the background.)

So if you see a military man or woman today, thank them, or better yet, as fellow blogger Kathryn, does, pay their tab for lunch. Hey, be alert and make someones day who sacrifices for you. (That's hubbie in this one.)

"Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance, and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us." Hebrews 12:1 (NAS)
"Do you see what this means--all those pioneers who blazed the way, all these veterans cheering us on? It means we'd better get on with it. Strip down, start running --and never quit!" (MSG)

Father, may we run, defending our country and our faith. Thank you Veterans.

Truth Residual

Check this out! Here's my son, Dave playing with his band Truth Residual. While we visited the grandkids, we also did a few things with their parents. You know, just so they wouldn't be jealous....smile...

Dave and the band played the first night we were there to a large church youth group. I just beamed the whole time. It's been so long since I've heard him play or sing.

Find them on their website http://www.truthresidual.com/media.html and you can hear some of the songs they played. I love their music. They wrote all the songs on the playlist except Mighty to Save. Every song has a history as these do, which makes them special to us. Dave plays the bass guitar and is the back up singer.

(Oh, if you have speakers to plug in, you can hear the bass and drums in better mix.)

All these young men have a heart for the Lord and want to reach others through their songs.

Watch them on YouTube here. There are two videos.

"I have no greater joy than this, to hear of my children walking in the truth." 3 John 4

Thanks for letting me share a bit more about my trip. :)

Photos:karenevans

What Needs to Fall?

 Leaves both once brilliant, now appear burned, dead and crackly. You can still see a bit of the color left in one. But neither started out that way. It almost seems a shame that the colored leaves must fall.

 Wonder what would happen if the fall leaves stayed on the trees? Would the tree limbs not grow longer and stronger? What if the tree didn't want to change? Hmmmm?

"Create in me a clean heart, O God, and sustain me with a willing spirit." Psalm 51:10 (NAS)
"God, make a fresh start in me, shape a Genesis week from the chaos of my life." (MS)

What leaves in my life need to fall for my growth and strength? Lord take my unwillingness to let go of what I consider bright and shiny that will soon become dead and crackly. Create a "genesis" in me.

****Oh, check out my friend Laura's blog for her "own" book giveaway!

Photos:karenevans

What Are We Doing?

While in Virginia, I did something for the first time. Can you guess from this picture?  Duh, huh?

My hubbie said, all this time he thought I was taking a picture of him, but I just wanted the half eaten apple. Ha, I thought it was funny. Yes, we went apple pickin'! The orchards are on Carter Mountain, the weather was beautiful, and the paths steep. I didn't know, well yes I did, how out of shape I was. My calves were barkin' at me!

 

These are the Pink Lady apples. We also picked Winsap and Fuji. The mountain, packed with people, apples and the beauty of the fall leaves made for a wonderful day. 

My heart filled with joyfulness at the beauty of God's creation. How great and good is He.

"How great is Thy goodness which Thou hast stored up for those who fear Thee." Psalm 31:19 (NAS)
"What a stack of blessing you have piled up for those who worship you." (Message)

Money can't buy the blessings He gives and continues to pile up for His children.

Thank you, Father.

Photos:karenevans

Happy Pumpkin Time

I love pumpkins. I like to decorate with them, and eat pumpkin pie, cookies, lattes, cheesecakes, and anything else. I think it's because they are available only in the fall each year. They do make the holidays special.

But these are my most favorite "pumpkins!" And I love them more than those orange thingies.

My trip was marvelous! Plenty of hugs, laughter, games, and kisses. I think it's extra special since I only see them a couple of times a year. (Though I would love to see them often--forget the extra special.)

I'll not show you all my pictures at once. Smile....but you will see more of them! Be warned.

"There is an appointed time for everything. And there is a time for every event under heaven-- Ecclesiastes 3:1

I'm so glad the Lord planned this event for us.

Lord help me lovingly wait until the appointed time to see my family again.

How 'bout you? What are you waiting for?

Photos:karenevans

I'm Excited!

All-righty my dear blogger friends. I'm swapping you for a bit, to see these two daaarling grandkids. Oh, and of course my son and his wonderful wife.

I'm absolutely positive I will come back with plenty of pictures, too! I will miss you and might get a chance or two to visit---but don't hold your breath! :)

Have a great week and be back soon!

Photo:melissaevans

Doggie Class-Part Tres/Trey or Whatever!

(Continuation from the last two posts.)

We brought doggie treats to use as rewards for learning and accomplishments. See Major looking the opposite way from the instructor? Ha. He was tired of being told what to do.

But he sure perked up when the teacher took her turn with him. Why?

Because she was so good, smelled like doggies, or Major had a sudden inspiration to work? Noooooo.

She had chopped up beef hot dogs in her treat bag! My regular dog biscuits didn't satisfy him any more. He wanted something new. People food was the best!

But his stomach didn't think so.

So we are back to his regular dog treats.

"God's blessing makes life rich, nothing we do can improve on God." Proverbs 10:22

How many treats do I need from God to keep me working? Isn't what He's done, enough "treats" to last me an eternity? Why do I sit and turn the other way until He sends another treat? Why not just work because of love?

Lord, help me to remember You are all the reward I need.

Photos:karenevans

Doggie Class-Part Deux

My Major is the white dog, second from the left. Some owners are kneeling next to their dogs in an attempt to get them to sit. Class is just so much fun and entertaining, too.

There was a dog in class who would constantly bark whenever we walked around. I thought, surely the teacher will jump on that behavior problem quickly. His bark was loud and annoying. But nooooo, she did not. I wondered why, but after a few lessons, all the dogs learned to do their work and ignore him. Now Major isn't bothered when other dogs bark. Hmmmm.

And this is cute brown dog, Jack, was Majors best doggie friend. They loved to play. At first I was hesitant because he looked mean. The upper lip would curl and he would bark. But that was his way of "smiling" and saying hi. We laughingly called him, "Snarly Jack." (We still use that term for some people.) :P

"You call Me Teacher and Lord, and you are right, for so I am." John 13:13

Do you have "barkers" around you, either in the form of people, circumstances or personal attitudes? I know the Lord must remind me to ignore those other things and concentrate on my job. And what about the "Snarly Jacks?" I find many people, behind that rough exterior, want to enjoy friendship.

How come, Lord, dogs figure this out quicker than I?

Photos:karenevans

Doggie Classes

 Major was about a year old when I took him to class. Yes, all ya'll non-doggie persons, people do take dogs to class.

Anyway, he learned the basics, like sit, heel, stay and come...sometimes. Major is a smart, social, fun-loving guy who never meets a stranger, either human or animal.

But he didn't pass the class with flying colors. Sigh. The one command he wouldn't do was the recall-to come back to me after staying. He would run right past me to the nearest dog to play.

The teacher suggested I buy a retractable leash, so when he runs to the end, he would be stopped with a jerk. Good idea! Took one to the next class. As predicted when I called "Come," he ran past me and as the leash pulled, guess what I did? I grabbed the leash instead of letting him reach the nearest dog! Bad move! The cord burned my hand good. 

Well, the teacher said he was just too exuberant for his own good. Maybe when he's a year or two older he might calm down. (He's 3 now, still waiting.)

Sad thing is, I wanted to get him into the CGC (Canine Good Citizen) class so he could make hospital visits and such. But that one thing keeps him from passing and having a good time visiting people, which he would so enjoy.

"Come to Me....and learn from Me." Matthew 11:28,29

In this life of lessons what is the one thing that God wants to correct or teach me? Why do I insist on running ahead doing my own thing, when He wants to teach me? And yes, to finish the analogy, His teaching is always for my enjoyment and good. Have you ever felt like that?

Lord, may I come and learn.

Photos:karenevans (and Major)

Winner of the Holloween Hole

First, I will never look at this tree the same way. All your delightful comments almost had me, I said almost, on my belly peeking into the hole in the root at the bottom of this picture.

The root is hollow. A bed of carpenter ants lived there until I tripped over it a few months ago. Ugh, gross and all that! After a can of bug spray and then I think I used a bottle of Clorox they were gone. Now small little mushrooms grow there from time to time.

Your comments were all fun and clever, it was difficult to choose. Please go back and read them from the post below, you'll love'em. Since it was a Halloween genre, that helped me narrow it down, but was still hard. Thank you all for playing along! So anyway, with out further annoying chit-chat the winner is Alicia!  

"Would not God find this out? For He knows the secrets of the heart." Psalm 44:21

Roots are the life of the tree. My heart leads my actions. God knows the rotten areas and those that are infested with the "uglies." He will never trip over my doings and be surprised. He knows. AND He brings out the bug spray.

Lord, I don't want any holes in my soul.

Oh Alicia, hope you enjoy your Halloween gift!

Photo:karenevans

Hummmm

Can you figure out what this is? I'm not gonna' tell ya until the next post.

But here's the deal; guess what it is and give me an imaginary story line to go with it. Just a sentence or two, but must be in the Halloween genre.

The winner gets a little Halloween decoration prize.

So let your imagination fly, just try!

"I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus." Philipppians 3:14

At the end, I want that final prize of seeing Jesus. Wonder what other things He has in store for all His children?

Photo:karenevans

Hide the Children and Bar the Door

What you are going to see, may make you fall back in disgust. Protect the children's young eyes and you, be prepared.

This picture is of me, no makeup, not even mascara-yikes! The naked face, age, blemishes and all.

But, can you tell which side I put the Artistry Creme Lux on? (I sure hope so.) :) Please see post below.

And I promise, this was only after 15 minutes! You can ask hubbie, if you think I'm lying. And he sure was anxious for me to do the other side, so my face wouldn't stick like this. teehee....

The next morning everything was fine. The creme felt like the tingle you get when you eat mint. After two days, my blotchy skin has evened out some and a couple of my sun spots-hey, I live in Florida-have faded a bit. Wow. So, the verdict is-it works. Thank you dear daughter. (Check out her site in the post below.)

"We saw it, we heard it, and now we're telling you so you can experience it along with us, this experience of communion with the Father and his Son, Jesus Christ. Our motive for writing is simply this; We want you to enjoy this tool Your joy will double our joy." 1 John 1:3-4

I found something neat in skin care, but this is even better. John saw and heard the proof of Jesus Christ, who is the Son of our heavenly Father. He gives us joy, so we want to share it too.

Oh, and to wash the bad taste out from the first picture, I'll leave you with a more pleasant one.

Do You Want Proof?

My daughter, Shelly, and husband talked me into trying a new product by their Artistry line of cosmetics and skin care. Artistry Creme LuXury just came out this year. (I already use the regular skin care and makeup.)

They've worn me down. HA, you believe that? Then....

Watch this video by Sandra Bullock.

I'm not impressed by movie stars...but.....

Here's my question: I ordered it, special discount from daughter...smile...do you want to see visible proof that it works? I DO not like to put my picture out in blog land, but will do it for them, and ya'll. Like the before and after thing.

So what'd ya say? (I'm told you can see a difference in just 15 minutes!!)

For further info check out this advertisement site for the creme.

"One thing I ask from the Lord, this only do I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze on the beauty of the Lord." Psalm 27:4

The Lord is the author of all beauty. I wonder if I will even be able to stand near the glory of His beauty, much less gaze?

 May I do what I can to take care of this body He gave me, to honor Him and not me.

The Monsta Chair

Hubbie and I went shopping last weekend for a new chair for him. His favorite, a grey leather recliner, is umpteen years old. The fabric is worn off on the arms and cracking elsewhere. In fact, the duct tape to cover the bare spots keeps coming off! Ha, duct tape looks like leather, right? And it cures all things. :)

Anyway, at the store, hubbie feel in love with this most comfortable recliner. It's microfiber and it cushions your arms and touche like a marshmallow. Sold.

But then when it was delivered, I couldn't help but laugh. I called hubbie and said our "monsta chair" is here. It literally swallowed me and the room at the same time. It took up the spot where I had my love seat! I kid you not!

Okay, it's going back. I went to a sister store and found the same chair in a normal person size.

"For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness, and to goodness knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control." 2 Peter 1:5-6

Ah, self-control. These words were written by impulsive Peter, so I can relate well. Why didn't we measure the approximate space for the chair?

Do I give wisdom a chance to speak or lose my self-control? Ummmm, sometimes. How about you?

May the good Lord help me be wise.

Photo:karenevans

"Sticking Around"

Here's a bunch of palms growing wild in my yard. But look closely. "One of these things is not like the other." Can you see it?

Ha, here's a close up. I spotted this fallen stick in the palm. Being lazy I just left it there, knowing nature's wind would blow it out. But.....

A week later and and it's still there. A rather interesting thing is happening.

The plant appears to be accepting the stick as part of itself. Should I leave it and see what happens? If you look at the first picture, the stick is already changing the "personality" of the plant. It's bending to accommodate the stick.

"Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me." Psalm 51:10

It's a natural thing for sticks of anger, bitterness, nagging, or even apathy...and so on to fall on me. But it's against God's creation for me to leave those sticks there. I've found that if they hang around too long, my personality changes.

Lord let the winds of Your Spirit blow out all the useless sticks from my life.

Photo:karenevans

Fingers Don't Fail Me Now

Toes curled gripping that plastic or rubber thingie and white knuckled fingers gripping the rope, she tried her best not to fall. She had to prove to family and herself (and anyone who cared to watch) that she could make it across.

She's almost there, pushing her little body and muscles to the limit.

Yay, she did it! (Of course as her Grammy, I knew she would.)
Question is, was all that effort worth it?

"Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain." 1 Corinthians 15:58

Often I become tired in both body and mind. Is what I do worth the effort? Yes, because the Lord knows what we can handle, and what we can't, He can.

May I remember Lord, You give grace for the moment. I can get through the moment.

Photos:Melissa Evans

Pride, Where do You Show It? 9/11

Look, here's my grandfather's flag and my patriotic wall. It's inside the hallway by my front door.

All who enter my house walk by this and know exactly how I feel.

But to those outside, not close friends or family, don't ever see my wall. But today and every National Holiday, but especially today, 9/11, I add something outside.

This!

Doesn't she look more beautiful in the outside waving proudly?

"Here's another way to put it; You're here to be light, bringing out the God-colors in the world. God is not a secret to be kept. We're going public with this, as public as a city on a hill. If I make you light-bearers, you don't think I'm going to hide you under a bucket, do you? I'm putting you on a light stand. Now that I've put you there on a hilltop, on a light stand--shine! Keep open house; be generous with your lives. By opening up to others, you'll prompt people to open up with God, this generous Father in heaven." Matthew 5:14-16 (Message-words of Jesus)

Do I keep my God-colors hidden inside, so only those who are close to me know how I feel about God? Or wait until special holidays?

Long may my colors openly wave for God and country!

Photos:karenevans

Look Ma!

" Look Ma, no hands!"

This little turtle is precariously teetering on the edge with an alligator swimming by. (See and enlarge picture in the below post.) It seems he's saying, "no body parts touching the water, I'm in no danger," all the while his Momma turtle yells at him to get his little hard-shell ashore.

"Ignore the Word and suffer; honor God's commands and grow rich." Proverbs 13:13

How many times do I tempt danger, thinking I can get out of anything that comes my way, when I know good and well God is telling me something different?

I want my hard-headed-shell to be ashore with God's word.

**Loved, loved the comments on my last post! They were all daaarling and funny, too!!

(I know this turtle wasn't in danger at Busch Gardens, but sure fit the story well, didn't it?)

photo:karenevans

Caption Me!

Please be sure to click and enlarge this first picture!!

Give me a caption! Then check back Thursday to see my caption. You might think of the same thing. :)

"God's love is meteroic, his loyalty astronomic, his purpose titanic, yet in his largeness nothing gets lost; not a man, not a mouse, slips through the cracks." Psalm 36:5-6 (Message)

Wonder if God laughs at these antics. I think He enjoys our silliness.

Have fun, be wild!

Photos: karenevans taken at Busch Gardens