Chris welcomed everyone to the kids Christmas program, "Dude, You hear what I hear?" He did a great job too. He also played Joseph at the end of the program. No speaking part, just sitting by the manger. Alex was part of the stage crew. He did good turning the police light on and off. All the kids did great! Alot of lines to memorize and the ones that had to worked hard. This was my favorite program they have done.

The adult "We have a Savior" musical was GREAT! When we first got the music for it, I didn't like it at all. Funny how God changes your mind over time of listening to it. As it got closer to the day of the program, I loved all the songs. It really turned out great and I felt the Holy Spirit moving.

Now it is just a few days until Christmas Day and I am looking back on the days past. Our prayer tree has just meant so much to us this year and we will be doing it again next year. We have missed a few days but catch back up. I feel it has kept us accountable to one another. Chris does not like to pray out loud and I understand that but he has been a trooper and has gotten out of his comfort zone. I am proud of him. Alex is usually the first to pray and he does really good. My boys bring me so much joy and happiness but hearing them pray over each other, over me, our family and friends...my cup runneth over! As adults/parents we are to teach the children but they are teaching me and I am learning so much! I am so very thankful to God that He has granted me this wonderful honor of being their mom.

Christmas is a time of rejoicing for we do indeed have a Savior. I can not wait to read the Christmas story to the boys this year. Jesus left all of the wonders of heaven to come here to earth. Why? Why would He do that? Because He loves us so much that He took on all the sins of this world so that we (yes, you and me) could have everlasting life with Him. He wants to share the wonders of heaven with us. Now if that is not a Christmas gift, I don't know what is. Thank you Jesus for loving us so much!

My prayer is for all of you to have a very Merry Christmas with your loved ones. Make special memories, take lots of pictures, laugh, remember those that have went on to be with the Lord (remembering Aunt Shirley), love on someone in need (a hug or phone call goes along way) and thank God for His son. We wouldn't have Christ-mas if it wasn't for Christ our Lord.

Merry Christmas and God Bless from my family to yours!

Our 1st annual 25 days til Christmas~Dec. 1st, 2011

I am always looking for new traditions for my little family especially during the holidays. I have been searching online about advent calendars and I have put together a Prayer Tree. A prayer tree is just that...prayer. I am a very strong believer in prayer~it is the telephone line between us and God with no long distance charge. We need to call it everyday, several times a day. I am trying to teach Alex and Chris the importance of prayer and thought this would be a great way.

I came home today and told them some of the things that I am burdened by and things that are just on my heart. I started by telling them how I am burdened every year to serve during the holidays at a soup kitchen. I know this is something God is telling me to do and I have got to act on it. I told them that it is something I am going to look into. I also explained to them the importance of giving and this is not just with gifts but with time also. I talked to them about how very blessed we are to be a single parent home. How there are some that would not have heat tonight or maybe didn't have anything to eat today. I am trying to teach them that it is not about the gifts/presents under tree but about giving to others that are in need with things they need and something extra special...just our time. I talked to them about us adopting an angel from the Angel Tree this year and they both liked that idea.

So, back to the Prayer tree...we have written names and needs to pray for in the next 25 days leading up to Christmas. When I was asking them who did they want to pray for, I was very impressed with what they said. They thought about the those that are sick with asthma, cancer, in the hospitals, the nursing homes, the needy, the military for serving our country and family, friends and classmates and those that have lost loved ones this year. There are 25 Christmas balls (homemade) that we will pray for one each night. Tonight we gathered in front of our Christmas tree with all the lights out but the lights on the tree. We held hands and each of us prayed over a family. We wrote today's date on the back and placed it on the homemade Christmas tree. It just blessed me to start a new tradition with my boys this year. One that I want to carry on year after year and hopefully one they will each carry on with their own families one day.

We are going to do something special each night leading up to Christmas Day with Jesus being apart of each and every day. If it were not for Jesus, we would not have a Christmas Day. Thank you God for sending your son to this earth to teach us of Your love for us. Let us show that love to others this Christmas.

What will you do the 25 days til Christmas?