Advent

         The Christmas season is upon us once again. Christmas makes the days a little brighter, and the nights a bit more welcoming. Every decoration, song, and movie fills my head with memories wrapped in nostalgia. For the past couple of years I have celebrated the Advent holiday in a more traditional way. I am and grew up Pentecostal Holiness. The church I attend does not celebrate Advent the same way other more traditional churches do, and we do not have a Christmas eve service. Which in their defense is sometimes nice because that time is designated for family time and personal reflection. But I have a desire to celebrate everyday of December in remembrance and deep thought of our Christ's decent to Earth as a child. My goal is to turn off my social networking radar and focus my attention on anticipating the holiday and spending intentional time with family and close friends. This is my last Christmas at home before I get married in the spring and I am excited about savoring every minute.

I hope you have a wonderful Christmas, and if you would like to know more about Advent HERE is a link to a wonderful blog that explains in detail why Advent is so special. The You Version Bible app has some great Advent reading plans if you are interested. Also, the Book of Common Prayer has a great reading section about the Advent. I hope these links answer any questions, if not comment below I will try to find out more for you!

Merry Christmas!

To Read: "They Call Me the Bacon Priest" 

Amazon

To Watch: House of Cards

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To Make: Magnolia Wreath

Magnolia Everything

To Bake: Salted Vanilla Caramel Candies

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My list of "things to do once I graduate" is increasing by the day! I hope you had a wonderful Sunday! 

The end is near, and so is the beginning.

       

I have entered into my last week of undergraduate college. I have completed my senior violin recital and the semester is wrapping up. The only thing keeping me from my diploma is two papers, one project, and two final exams. I wanted to take a few minutes from paper writing to encourage you as the season draws to an ends. It feels like I keep announcing final events, like: my last week of school, my last Sunday at my church, my last rent payment till I get married, and my last moments in the music building that I love so much. But really it is a time of beginnings. I will begin job hunting, I will begin serious wedding planning, I will begin my first home soon, and my life will begin as a real adult. That is almost too daunting to thing about right now...
             
      I am reminded of Gideon in the book of Judges from the Old Testament. Gideon was a normal guy who was pressured to be the leader of his people and take only three hundred men to fight against their enemy. They were surrounded and least likely to win but Gideon had the Lord on his side. The Lord told Gideon to sound the trumpets and shout to the Lord in the middle of the night around the camp of the enemy. When Gideon and his people obeyed, they won the battle with little bloodshed.

         Sometimes at the end of the semester I feel like Gideon felt. Surrounded at all sides with no hope and stressed beyond all measure. But I know that if I trust in the Lord, he will not give me more than I can handle, and I normally finish strong. I can only make it through because of the power of Christ that gives me strength when I am faithful and reliant on Him. So I charge you to be like Gideon, sound your trumpets of praise and life high the name of the Lord! He will get you through whatever battle you are facing! I found the picture below online somewhere and I can not remember at all where I found it, but it gives me such hope and reassurance. I hope you find it a blessing as well!

Enjoy the journey,