MERRY CHRISTMAS!!

Imogene had the baby doll but she wasn't carrying it in the way she was supposed to, cradled in her arms. She had it slung up over her shoulder, and before she put it in the manger she thumped it twice on the back.
I heard Alice gasp and she poked me. "I don't think it's very nice to burp the baby Jesus," she whispered, "as if he had colic." Then she poked me again. "Do you supposed he could have had colic?"
I said, "I don't know why not," and I didn't. He could have had colic, or been fussy, or hungry like any other baby. After all, that was the whole point of Jesus - the he didn't come down on a cloud like something out of "Amazing Comics," but that he was born and lived...a real person.

-Barbara Robinson
The Best Christmas Pageant Ever

Books of 2009

Since one of my goals for the year was to read more, I want to share with you the books I read this year. It's really crazy to think that there are about eight days left to the year. If I get another book read in that time it would be a miracle.

So...without further ado, here is the list of books I read this year.

1. Let Me Be A Woman, Elisabeth Elliot
2. Love in the Time of Cholera, Gabriel García Márquez
3. One Day, All Children...: The Unlikely Triumph of Teach for America & What I learned Along the Way, Wendy Kopp*
4. A Long Way Gone: Memoirs of a Boy Soldier, Ishmael Beah*
5. The Butterfly Jar, Poems by Jeff Moss*
6. Esther: A Woman of Strength and Dignity, Charles R. Swindoll
7. Confessions of a Shopaholic, Sophie Kinsella
8. My Sister's Keeper, Jodi Picoult
9. Big Russ & Me, Tim Russert*
10. The Relentless Tenderness of Jesus, Brennan Manning*
11. A Raisin in the Sun, Lorraine Hansberry*
12. Crazy Love, Francis Chan*
13. Joseph: A Man of Integrity & Forgiveness, Charles R. Swindoll*
14. I Would Die For You, Brent & Deanna Higgins
15. The Time Traveler's Wife, Audrey Niffegger
16. Like Water For Chocolate, Laura Esquivel*
17. The Book of Romance, Tommy Nelson
18. Pride & Prejudice, Jane Austen*
    
19. Harry Potter & The Sorcerer's Stone, J.K. Rowling
20. The Best Christmas Pageant Ever, Barbara Robinson*

I've put a star by the ones I think are my favorite! (And just because it doesn't have a star doesn't mean I didn't like it...it just means it wasn't a FAVORITE.)

Of the christian books, Joseph: A Man of Integrity & Forgiveness by Charles R. Swindoll is my favorite. I couldn't help but fall in LOVE with the man of God from ages past!

And for non-christian reads, I'd have to say that I really and truly enjoyed Like Water for Chocolate. Couldn't put that one down at all. There is something about Spanish Literature that leaves me wanting more!!

So, there you have it. I accomplished that goal. Gold star for me! :o)

My Christmas Wish List

I think this all fits in one of those USPS mailers that you can ship to me for like $4 or something. I'm just saying that if you so feel led to give all this to me at once I'll hook you up with my address. :o)

1. 3 Pack of Moleskine Journals
2. Victoria's Secret Love Spell Lotion and Body Splash
3. Fat Tubes of black and white acrylic paint
4. Gift card to Barnes & Noble
5. Support for a mission trip to Kenya (OR support to send me back to Casa Bernabe in Guatemala).
   

I'm keeping it simple.

High Spirits

Last night, my mom and I took some chicken soup to a lady from church who recently went through open heart surgery. From what I can tell, she's feeling pretty chipper and high spirited despite the pain she's enduring. As soon as we walked in, she introduced me to her sons - "The Old One" and "Your Boyfriend." I couldn't help but laugh out loud. The poor guy was so embarrassed after saying hello he went to the bedroom and tried everything not to have to come out again!

The Drums Are Rollin

I've been in a season of suspense. I've gotten into the seat, secured my seat belt, and I'm in the slow climb uphill on a roller coaster. I think my knuckles are turning white. I'm ready to let go, lift my arms up and let out a good holler.

I realized last night that I have 3 days for the results of an important exam I took in late October. Everyone says - "oh Mims you have it in the bag." But can I just say that speaking on command and under pressure is not like having a conversation with your best friend. It's more like pulling your wisdom teeth out and taking too much Vicodin.

I hope that I'm able to eat sleep and socialize like a normal person but if I'm walking around like a zombie with the jitters just know...I'm holding on tight until I can let go. I've never looked forward to a Monday so much in my life!

**********

On another note, I'm going to prison tomorrow. It's been a long time. I'm excited to see what's in store and also very excited to meet the new class. It's amazing how time flies...this "new" class will graduate December 4th (I think).

Orphan Sunday: November 8

Orphan Sunday from Christian Alliance for Orphans on Vimeo.

There are 143,000,000 orphans around the world.
143,ooo,ooo orphans standing shoulder to shoulder will go around the 10,913 mile perimeter of the USA nearly 4 times.
143,000,000 orphans in a single file line would reach around the earth over 2 times.
500,000 of those orphans are in Southern Sudan alone.


My friend Amber Burger (from SBU), introduced me to Orphan Sunday. She and her husband, Vernon, have been working with an incredible church in Southern Sudan called Evangelical Presbyterian Church under a nonprofit organization: His Voice For Sudan. They have been working hard to build orphanages and equipping the people of Sudan to run the facilities. If you would like more information about His Voice for Sudan go to www.hisvoiceforsudan.org.

Giving Thanks

It is Autumn - my favorite season of the year. It makes me think back and reflect on all the good things that have occurred in my life and also what I've learned through the hard times. It is a time of Thanksgiving! In preparation for the actual Thanksgiving holiday, I started a list early in the year in the back of my journal of things that make me happy. And let me tell you - I am a HAPPY GIRL! I add to this list often!

However, I ran across a list today that surpasses the list I have written in my journal. This list is found in Ephesians 1:3-14 and it is what God has done for me! So, I want to share it with you because it is pretty amazing!

So, I am thankful because God has:

1. Blessed me with every spiritual blessing.
2. Chosen me.
3. Predistined and adopted me.
4. REDEEMED me.
5. FORGIVEN me.
6. LAVISHED His GRACE on me.
7. Made known the mystery of His will.
8. Provided and eternal inheritance.
9. Sealed me in Christ.
10. Guaranteed my inheritance.

He wants the same for you! John 3:16 - the most famous Bible verse says: For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not parish but have eternal life.

When we die, we have a destination. Heaven or Hell. It's true. But God doesn't condemn...see John 3:17 - For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.

It also says in 2 Peter that "...God is patient with [us], not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance."

When we respond to Christ's invitation to be HIS, we are richly blessed. (See the list from Ephesians.)

My heart is overwhelmed by His goodness this morning. I had to share this with you!!