From Our House To Yours

Because I have nothing better to do with my time. I don't have any cleaning to do. No grocery shopping left to complete. No gifts to wrap. (Bud, I'm kidding.)

Because I'm so excited my parents are on their way here from Ohio.

Mostly just because it's so funny. After all, we are a rockin' family!

Enjoy!

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

Greater things are still to be done...

Blessings upon your Sabbath!

Confessions: Mamma's Boys

A new show premiers on NBC tonight. "Momma's Boys" is a new dating series that centers on three possessive yet loving mothers who must help their complacent sons choose the perfect woman - and ultimately poses the question: "Who is really the most important woman in every man's life?"

Over the course of six weeks, viewers will watch intense, emotional showdowns and rivalries, as well as raw, personal moments between mother and son. All of this will unfold as 32 single women - some classy and some brassy - vie for the attention of the three eligible bachelors and their mothers who live with them throughout the series. "Momma's Boys" will uncover the conflicts between a mother's wishes and a son's desires and reveal the truth about who plays a more crucial role in a young man's life - his mother or his significant other.

(So say the previews for this show.)

There are some reality shows that I like to watch. This won't be one of them. I question whether this show even qualifies as a reality show. And I further question the sincerity of the emotions and the depth of relationships fostered in the artificial environment created by the show's creator and producers.

However, I do believe I have two unique perspectives on the subject of this show. If you read my anniversary post, you'll know that Bud and I met on a blind date - set up by his mother. So, I can attest to the valuable insight a mother may have into whom might or might not be a good match for her son. Did Bud's mom set us up with the hopes that we'd be married barely more than a year later? No. She just knew both of us well enough to know that our personalities and interests would be a good match for a friendship. It just turned out to be the deepest kind of friendship.

She also did not go on our first date with us. She did not plan our dates. She did not spy on our dates. (That I know of!) She did not instigate showdowns. She did not view me as a rival, but rather as a friend and now daughter. She did not eliminate any other potential girlfriends. Not that eliminating the competition wouldn't have been appreciated had there been anyone else vying for Bud's attention! Just saying...

My other perspective comes from now being the mother of a son who is probably on the cusp of dating. I've already told Burrito that I hope he chooses a girl who does not have a mother. You know, so that she'll turn to me for advice in making little decisions like what colors to choose for the wedding, where to hold the reception, what to name my first grandbaby, and who to spend the holidays with every year. I kid. Mostly.

Seriously, we have already begun talking with Burrito about choosing his future spouse. Other than asking Christ to be his savior, it will be the most important decision he will make and his choice will affect all aspects of his life. We've emphasized that it's never too early to begin praying for this young woman. We've talked to him about the benefits of having Godly counsel in making decisions like choosing a spouse. Godly counsel. That would be me. (Oh, come on... I kid again. Mostly.)

I won't be watching this show. Let me know if you do and what you think of it.

As the Scriptures say, “A man leaves his father and mother and is joined to his wife, and the two are united into one.” This is a great mystery, but it is an illustration of the way Christ and the church are one. So again I say, each man must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband. (Ephesians 5:31-33 NLT)

Snowman Soup

The warmer winter weather was an adjustment for us when we moved to Texas from the Chicago area some years ago. It was difficult to feel the "mood" when wearing shorts while hanging the outdoor Christmas lights. We've acclimated now, though. So, last night when the wind started whipping and the temperature dropped more than thirty degrees in less than two hours we were reminded just how much we've adjusted to - and like - our climate here in central Texas. We almost didn't believe our eyes when a few flurries swirled around our yard and their remnants even remained on roof lines and vehicles this morning.

In honor of this blast of winter, I'd like to share with you a cute poem and recipe for Snowman Soup. This makes a great gift for teachers or even school friends when presented in a cute ceramic mug!

Snowman Soup

When it’s so cold that
You holler and whoop,
It’s time to bring out
The Snowman Soup.

Pour the packet in a mug.
Add the snowballs, too.
And throw in the kisses
From snowman to you.

Now fill with hot water
And use the cane to stir it.
Sip slowly and soon you’ll
Feel the warm winter spirit.

Directions: Find a cute mug - one with a snowman on it or in a snowman shape would be perfect. Place a packet of your favorite instant cocoa mix in the mug along with mini-marshmallows (snowballs), a couple Hershey Kisses (snowman kisses), and a candy cane. Wrap in clear wrapping with a cute bow and attach a copy of the poem.

On this cold, blustery day... this recipe works for me! Visit Shannon at Rocks in My Dryer for more Works-For-Me Wednesday ideas

Worship with me...

Do you really know The Story?

True or False?

There are no records of Joseph speaking in the Christmas story.

True. I'm sure he said something, but there is absolutely no record of him speaking at all.

The wise men were three kings from the orient.
False. The number of wise men is not mentioned. They were not kings. (Matthew 2:1)

The little drummer boy came to the manger after the other shepherds.
False. What little drummer boy? There is no mention of a drummer boy in the Bible.

The star did not appear above the manger.
True. It appeared above the house where Joseph's family was living (Matthew 2:9-11).

Jesus' ancestors include a prostitute, an adulterer, people who committed incest, and two non-Israelites.
True. Rahab was a prostitute. David & Uriah's wife were adulterers. Tamar & Judah committed incest. Rahab was a Canaanite & Ruth was from Moab (Matthew 1:3, 5, 6).

The angel Gabriel appeared to Mary first and then Gabriel appeared to Joseph.
Trick question. The first part of the statement is true. Mary was first and the angel was Gabriel. (Luke 1:26) But we don't know the name of the angel who appeared to Joseph (Matthew 1:20). It might have been Harold. You know, "Hark the Harold Angel Sings.” (You do know I’m kidding here, right?) Therefore, since we can't affirm that Gabriel appeared to both Mary AND Joseph, the statement is false.

Joseph and Mary went to Bethlehem because of a decree by Caesar Augustus.
True. (See Luke 2:1-5.)

Mary rode a donkey from Nazareth to Bethlehem.
False: A donkey does not appear any where in the Biblical account. She probably walked. (See references in above question.)

The wise men followed the star as it moved from their eastern land to Israel.
Apparently not. The wise men saw the star in the east (Matthew 2:2). But it did not take them to Jerusalem. In Jerusalem they asked for directions. Once leaving Jerusalem the star appeared again and led them to the house in Bethlehem (Matthew 2:9).

The wise men did not arrive on the night of Jesus' birth.
True. The wise men arrive sometime after Jesus is born (Matthew 2:1). Jesus is called a child, rather than a baby (Matthew 2:11). He may have been as old as two (Matthew 2:7, 8, 14-16).

God sent a choir of chubby angels to announce Jesus' birth to the shepherds.
False. Actually, God sent an army of warrior angels! See Luke 2:13. "Company" and "host" are military terms.

Shepherding was considered a very noble occupation.
False. In first century B.C., shepherding was considereed the lowest, most repulsive of jobs. Shepherds were unable to remain ritually pure according to Pharisaic laws and so were considered unclean by the Jews. Yet God chose them for His birth announcement!

Both Joseph and Mary were told that the baby was to be named "Jesus."
True. See Matthew 1:21 and Luke 1:31. In Judaism, babies were always named by their father. Here we see God the Father (not Joseph) giving Jesus his name. By the way, "Jesus" is the Greek form of the Hebrew name "Joshua," the successor of Moses. (Joshua means "Yahweh saves").

When Herod heard about Jesus he was the only one concerned about this new king.
False. All Jerusalem was disturbed by this news of a new king (Matthew 2:3).

The wise men found Jesus lying in a manger in the town of Bethlehem.
False. The visit of the wise men occurred some months after Jesus’ birth. Mary, Joseph and Jesus were no longer in the stable but living in a house in Bethlehem, a village about 5 miles south of Jerusalem. (Matthew 2:11).

After the angels announcement the shepherds went straight to Bethlehem to see Jesus.
Correct. They were excited! They did not hesitate. They did not stop at Starbucks, they did not pass "Go" and stop to collect their $200! (See Luke 2:15-16.)

Joseph married Mary immediately after the angel appeared to him.
Yes. His obedience was quick, cheerful and complete. (See Matthew 1:24.)

Some of the shepherds doubted and refused to believe the message they heard from the angels.
False. They went to see the baby right away, they spread the word, and they praised God for what they had been permitted to see and hear. No doubt there. (See Luke 2:15-20.)

So, how'd you do???