Hey, all! Just wanted to stop by and wish everyone a Merry Christmas...I know this is a busy time of year, especially for those of us in the ministry, but if you can...
...Turn on all your Christmas lights, light all your candles, and curl up on the couch with a good book. Crank up your Trans-Siberian orchestra CD (or whatever - I also like "John Denver and the Muppets"), pour yourself some hot cocoa, and take some time to just "be." Take a nice, long bath - Walmart has a 'chocolate' scented bath set for only $5. Or go see a movie with loved ones...my senior pastor highly recommended "Christmas with the Kranks."
I guess my point is that we spend so much time running around being busy, that we forget to enjoy Christmas. What ever happened to when we were kids and just plain looked forward to the season? Let's all try to take some time this season to enjoy it - remember God's gift to us by celebrating, not knocking ourselves out trying to "do" everything.
Still have holiday baking to do? Never fear! This is my cure-all (I don't like to bake) that makes a great gift or contribution to a family Christmas dinner. People love it!
Easy Fudge
Melt 1 bag of chocolate chips* together with one can of sweetened condensed milk. Once they are melted together, add a teaspoon of vanilla extract (or any flavored extract - be creative!). Give it one last good stir. Pour into a small wax-paper lined pan. Keep in the fridge until it's cooled and hardened. Cut into squares and serve.
*Peanut butter chips work, too, but not butterscotch chips. Don't ask me why - I've tried them many times, and they just don't work!
There...your holiday "baking" is done in about 5 minutes. And people will go absolutely nuts over it and ask you for the recipe!! Now you can relax .
Mmmmmm Puppetmaster, that sounds good! I'll try it. Thank you for the recipe. I love recipes.
I am offically able to really enjoy the season now, as you mention. All my projects are over (holiday oriented ones). Sunday night was the last big event I was involved in leading for the Christmas season and from here on out it's just pure enjoyment! Halleluiah!!!
We have Christmas eve communion but there is no real planning in that, I just come and love on all the people as they come in to receive communion and we pray a prayer of blessing over their family.
Our Christmas production on Sunday night was so good. I mean, we didn't have even one hitch to the whole thing...it was just beautiful and best of all, every generation in our church was represented. I am so thankful for all of God's blessing upon the outreach.
I started something new this year in my home...a new rule to minimize stress. My "rule" this year was that the night a Christmas gift is purchased, it must be wrapped. (No waiting) We wrapped everything as it came in, and we have ABSOLUTELY NO MORE WRAPPING TO DO. Everything is ready. In years past, Larry and I would be up til 2 and 3 on Christmas eve wrapping the kids stuff. NO MORE!!! We would be so tired on Christmas we didn't really enjoy it.
I have to go food shopping but that is really my last responsibility. We are having friends over and they will help with cooking as well.
Everything is over for me too besides our service this weekend, but that's not a biggie. Last night I was thinking of all the fun stuff I get to do this week and some of next...baking, watching movies, SLEEPING :o), and just taking long baths. I have about 3 books I want to read too, but we'll see.
Our family has been so blessed this year. Last December we were installed as the pastoral couple of a church that had been through a split 3 yrs prior and had been struggling since then. I was unsure that we should take the position, but yet could see God's hand in it all. It has been an AWESOME year. I've learned to depend on God so much more and not on just what I have the ability to do!
The church has grown numerically and spiritually. What is exciting is that we have new babes in Christ...not only just transplants (which we've enjoyed too). So this next year we'll be needing to focus on discipling these young Christians. I love to watch them...they are just SO excited for the Lord!
Anyway, we've been blessed. The church people are loving and take very good care of us, which is wonderful since all of our extended family is out of the area. With young children, it's great to have people willing to help out.
So, Merry Christmas everyone! Enjoy your families and the down time. ~Daniele~
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