Wordless Wednesday: Zoey in Action

Zoey in Action

Our Elf on the Shelf Adventures

We are doing Elf on the Shelf this year, and I have to admit, I am having as much fun with it as Zoey is! I wanted to share our first week with the Elf, he has gotten into some fun mischief!

24 Days Until Christmas!

Meet our Elf

23 Days Until Christmas!

Elf in a Chair

22 Days Until Christmas!

Elf with a message

21 Days Until Christmas!

Elf with Baby Jesus

20 Days Until Christmas!

Elf in a Fort

19 Days Until Christmas!

Elf playing Lucky Ducks

18 Days Until Christmas!

Elf and Minnie Tea Party

I hope you are having a wonderful Holiday Season! It is a special time of the year, where each day holds a little bit of magic. I would love to see some of your Elf on the Shelf adventures and other Christmas traditions! Post your links in the comments and enjoy some holiday cheer!

Joel (Bible in 90 Days)

The end of the world is near—that’s what Joel preached. Little is known about Joel, but the prophet made his mark with this short, but powerful book.

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Joel insistently warns Judah of God’s judgment and that one day we will all be judged for our sins. He urges the people to cease their sin and turn back to God.

“Even now,” declares the Lord, “return to me with all your heart, with fasting and weeping and mourning.” Rend your heart and not your garments, return to the Lord your God, for his is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love, and he relents from sending calamity.” Joel 2:12-13

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The beautiful thing about the book of Joel is that within the powerful warning of God’s wrath, including an army of locusts, you can really see God’s love for his people and His desire for them to choose him over their wicked ways.

“And everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved; for on Mount Zion and in Jerusalem there will be deliverance, as the Lord has said, among the survivors whom the Lord calls.” Joel 2:32.

Simply Thankful

At the end of the week, I like to stop for a minute and simply be thankful for the little things in life. There are so many people who do not have shelter, food or clothing. I may not have all that I want, but I have all that I need and more. Today I am being Simply Thankful.

Zoey

I am always thankful for Zoey! She is a light in my world that shines even when she drives me crazy, which let's be honest is fairly often. I love how much she enjoys drawing and creating things. I love when she laughs and even when she challenges me. I love how much she enjoys every little bit of life, it is an inspiration to me all the time.

Best Friends

We have met some really awesome people recently. I love that Zoey and I have found some fun people that we get along with swimmingly. It makes all of life a little more enjoyable to share it with a friend. On this subject, I also want to include my friends that have been with me for a long time. Even though many of them live in another city or we may not see them as often as we like, I am thankful they are there to help remember the old times, how far you have grown and to be there whenever you need a friend. 

Preschool

We are still doing preschool at home. Zoey is loving it! She gets really excited when it's time to work together. She is learning how to write her numbers now. She is getting pretty good. She can already write her name. I love how much she loves learning, it makes me feel happy inside. I am so proud of my little girl!

That the Elections are Over

This election year has been brutal. I am thankful that it is over. I feared that the battle lines drawn between the two parties was going to split friends, communities and even the nation. I do no remember a campaign being as intense as this one (of course I've only been actively aware of three now.) I want to pray for Obama as he enters into another four years in office. I pray for peace in the country, that we can come together as a nation and rally for the betterment of all the people. 

Family

I am so thankful for family. We are spending time with my parents this weekend and Zoey is so excited to see her Granny & Pops. I love this time of year because we do spend more time with family. I can't wait for thanksgiving in a couple weeks, that week we will get to see both sides of the family and it will be a week to remember. I am thankful to those who take care of us and love just for being who we are, there is nothing more special than that. 

I am Simply Thankful.

I also want to take a minute and pray for the people in New Jersey and the surrounding area still struggling for their basic needs due to Hurricane Sandy. I pray they all find shelter, clothes and food and can find hope amidst the destruction. I want to thank all of the volunteers and organizations that have gone up to help in anyway they can. There truly is something beautiful in people working together to overcome obstacles.

I would love to hear what you are thankful for! Hope you have a wonderful weekend!

Hosea (Bible in 90 Days)

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The bible uses many parables and illustrations to explain lessons and express God’s love. Hosea is one of those examples. Hosea married Gomer by God’s instruction. However, God told Hosea before they wed that she would be unfaithful to him. And though she would bare many sons, they would not all be fathered by him. Hosea accepted this and living by God’s example continued to love his wife and eventually redeemed her and brought her home again.

Hosea dramatically portrays God’s constant and persistent love. Hosea represents God and Gomer represents God’s bride, his people of Israel. Though God loves and remains fully committed to his people they are unfaithful and turn to false gods and live lives full of sin. But God doesn't give up on his people, he disciplines them and wants them to return to him just like Gomer was redeemed and came home to Hosea.

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“Sow for yourselves righteousness, reap the fruit of unfailing love, and break up your unplowed ground; for it is time to seek the Lord until he comes and showers righteousness on you.” Hosea 10:12

Hosea is a love story, honest, tragic and true. Through this illustration we see God’s infinite love for a sinful people and that he is waiting for us to return to him with open arms.

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