Are You Amazed?

Enjoy this beautiful song and video by Phillips, Craig and Dean.

I spent the weekend with an allergy attack, but I am not complaining, because my precious friend Angie, who is permanently (until Glory!) confined to a wheelchair and can only speak in a whisper, never, ever complains about her condition. Our church had its annual talent show on New Year's Eve, and Angie said that she was planning to go. I wrote her and encouraged her not to go since almost everyone in our small congregation had had a stomach virus. She came anyway, so wanting to be a part of the fun and fellowship. I'm just trusting God to keep her well. Angie is my role model, and I am so grateful that God put her in my life. Thank you, Lord, and thank you, Angie, for being such a special friend.

My daughter posted the most beautiful post this morning, and being the illiterate blogger that I am, I can't put her button on my blog without my granddaughter, who is at home and not here this morning. So I am going to tell you how to find her blog, but I'm not sure that you will be able to just click and go. You may have to copy and paste, because I haven't quite figured out how to do it the other way. All that being said, it's

http://www.damonsbunch.blogspot.com

I know she's my daughter, but it is just a delightful hodge-podge of thoughts, memories, ideas, etc. Click on there and see if you enjoy it as much as I do. It may just be a mom's enjoyment of her daughter's thoughts. On the other hand, it may be REALLY GOOD STUFF!

Have a great Monday!

Answers to some questions

I don't know why I'm doing this. Not my typical blog post, nor my typical Monday night activity. Oh, well, it's different anyway! If you want to know who else is doing this, go to

Never Growing Old http://nevergrowingold.blogspot.com/2010/12/meet-me-on-monday_26.html

1. What are your New Year's Eve plans?

Our plans are to go to church where we have a New Year's Eve talent show. It's goofy, fun, and full of fellowship. Then we have a short message to take us into the New Year. And food--always food!

Some likely participants in the talent show!

2. How tall are you?

5'8"

3. What is your favorite pudding flavor?

Tapioca--better known in our household as "frog eyes."
Makes you want to go out and get some, huh?

4. What room of the house do you blog the most in?

Usually in the den, but right now I'm in the bedroom. I have tried for 20 minutes to get an episode of "Monk" on my computer, but I finally gave up and started surfing the blogs. Found this one, and VOILA!

5. What is your best physical feature?

Maybe the fact that I don't have lines in my face and I'm 64. I'm not real sure.

I do hope you have a very blessed New Year 2011, that you are able to rejoice in all things good, and that God will make Himself known to you in a greater way than you have ever know Him before. Happy New Year! In His great love and joy, Gloria

My favorite tree

My family and I love to go to Branson, Missouri, at Christmastime. Our favorite place is Silver Dollar City. With millions of lights and good clean fun, it is an outstanding place to take the entire family. Even the saloon's Fa-la-la-lollies is appropriate for the children!

But my very favorite thing about Silver Dollar City at Christmas is the tree in the town square. It is 10 stories high, decorated with lights and synchronized with music. Oh, the pleasure it brings! I could sit for hours and watch the lights and listen to the music.

But this is not my favorite tree of all time. My favorite is one that was cut down many, many years ago near Bethlehem of Judea. This tree was used to make the Old Rugged Cross. I cannot celebrate the birth of Jesus without celebrating the death and resurrection of my Lord. His purpose for coming was to die: "Most assuredly I say to you, Unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone. But if it dies, it produces much fruit.........But for this purpose I came to this hour." (John 12:24, 27b) Just to think, that little baby born in such a lowly estate yet God Himself, came to this earth to die--for my sins!

Yes, my favorite tree is
The Old Rugged Cross

On a hill far away stood an Old Rugged Cross, the emblem of suffering and shame.
And I love that old cross where the dearest and best for a world of lost sinners was slain.

Oh, the Old Rugged Cross, so despised by the world, has a wondrous attraction for me.
For the Dear Lamb of God left His glory above to bear it to dark Calvary.

In that Old Rugged Cross stained with blood so divine a wondrous beauty I see,
For 'twas on that Old Cross Jesus suffered and died to pardon and sanctify me.

To that Old Rugged Cross I will ever be true, it's shame and reproach gladly bear.
Till He calls me someday to my home far away, where His glory forever I'll share.

Refrain:
So I'll cherish the Old Rugged Cross, till my trophies at last I lay down.
I will cling to the Old Rugged Cross, and exchange it someday for a crown.

My prayer for you this Christmas season is that as you celebrate the birth of our Lord, you will remember the reason He came. And cherish that Old Rugged Cross!

Merry Christmas!

Christmas Tea Party

A Christmas blessing

Our tea party today was themed around the true meaning of Christmas, and a focus on not just the babe in the manger, but the Risen Lord. I loved hearing the children telling their favorite Christmas memories, gifts, things about the season. Interestingly, their favorite gifts were not large elaborate ones, but things that had real meaning to them. They talked about how much they love to give and how they loved to watch faces as others opened their gifts. I had to laugh at our 6 year old who was determined to spiritualize everything we discussed. It doesn't take long for them to determine what they think you want and then try to brown nose their way into your life. Not bad, Bubbles!

The daughters brought food, so this was an easy tea party.

The oreo cookie bon bons were a big hit!

One can't have a tea party without tea. Today we had "Christmas tea."

The girls loved having an ornament exchange. One of the 4 year olds wanted the ornament that she brought, and fortunately I had it and gave it to her.

All of us wish each and every one of you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! It is my prayer that each of you understands and embraces the Risen Lord who gave up heaven in order to die for sinners, and now lives again.

"Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made Himself of no reputation, and took upon Him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of man. And being found in fashion as a man, He delivered Himself up to death, even death on a cross. Wherefore, God has highly exalted Him and given Him a name which is abouve every name, that at the name of Jesus, every knee shall bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." Philippians 2:5-11

I'm linking to
A Stroll Thru Life Tabletop Tuesday
http://astrollthrulife.blogspot.com/2010/12/43rd-table-top-tuesday.html

Lady Katherine Tea Party
Teatime Tuesday
http://ladykatherineteaparlor.blogspot.com/

Martha's Favorites
Tea Cup Tuesday
http://www.marthasfavorites.com/2010/12/tea-cup-tuesday-almost-forgotten.html

So Pretty

December in Central Florida is my kind of December!
Here are some pictures from our Thanksgiving trip
to visit my sister in Titusville and my husband's sister in Tampa.
We took our two oldest granddaughters to Busch Gardens.
Yep! They had a blast.
I just prayed a lot as they rode DANGEROUS ride after ride.
Okay, so maybe they aren't so dangerous,
but the kiddie ride they made me ride frightened me almost to death!
Eat your hearts out if you live in the cold, cold north.
We live in Arkansas, and my husband has said several times that he misses Florida!

Hibiscus

Stuck in the lagoon!

Isn't this so pretty?

Love birds!

How do those flamingos stand on those spindly legs?

My brother-in-law grew these on his backyard tree.

The sky in Central Florida on the way to Tampa.

A male and female sand hill crane come to my sister's home every day.
If they don't have food out for them they peck on the window!

The golf course in my sister's backyard.

Another view of the golf course and backyard.

This isn't Florida. It's the sunset from my front yard in Arkansas.
But it's lovely, isn't it?

I do so enjoy God's handiwork, don't you?

I'm linking to:
A Southern Daydreamer
Outdoor Wednesday
http://asoutherndaydreamer.blogspot.com/2010/12/128-outdoor-wednesday-100.html

An Oregon Cottage
Tuesday Garden Party
http://www.anoregoncottage.com/2010/12/tuesday-garden-party-favorite-garden.html

That's My King! Do You Know Him?

If you have never seen this wonderful video, now is the time to see it. As we celebrate Christ this season, it is imperative that we celebrate not only the birth of the Savior of the World, but that we celebrate Who He Is in all His glory.

Has He revealed Himself to you?

DO YOU KNOW HIM?

Christmas Food Court Flash Mob, Hallelujah Chorus - Must See!

A friend emailed this to me. I watched it and cried. What an awesome God there is who created this world, gave His only Son for MY sins, and still loves me. And how thankful I am that Handel was gifted by Creator God to compose such a beautiful hymn of worship.
Oh, my, how blessed I am to know Him and to be known by Him!
Hallelujah!

Watch, listen and enjoy. Have a blessed and joyful season, and I hope that each of us is privileged to witness such a wonderful display some time during the holidays.