I had the stomach flu last week, so I’ve been spending most of my time catching up on daily life. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed by to-do lists, but getting outside for just a short time to take some pictures always lightens my heart.

(the ground was briefly covered in white and ice, but its been quite the mild winter so we’re back to brown and mud)

It will be our new kitchen candle, which is scented with sweet basil and orange essential oils. I’m fairly happy with the results but I can’t help but giggle a little. You see, I watch The Office and every time I look at this candle I think of Serenity by Jan. oh dear…

first it started with a light snow fall which prompted me to make lots and lots of soup. but now its unseasonably warm so we’re soaking in the warmth before it gets cold again.

have a lovely weekend!

download a new desktop from Hello, Friend

cut out paper snowflakes from vintage junky

make some corn chowder and white chicken chili for cold winter nights

add some lovely winter pillows

Whether through poverty, wealth, sickness, or health, whether at home or abroad, and whether in honor, dishonor, difficulties, joy, trials, triumph, prayer, or temptation- may we declare with great confidence, not in ourselves but in Christ, who’s death on the cross and resurrection from the grave made possible our life in Him:

For you have been my help, and in the shadow of your wings I will sing for joy.

Psalm 63:7

Blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the Lord his God.

Psalm 146:5

{A single photo capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.}

Joy has dawned upon the world
Promised from creation
God’s salvation now unfurled
Hope for every nation
Not with fanfares from above
Not with scenes of glory
But a humble gift of love
Jesus born of Mary

Sounds of wonder fill the sky
With the songs of angels
As the mighty Prince of Life
Shelters in a stable
Hands that set each star in place
Shaped the earth in darkness
Cling now to a mother’s breast
Vulnerable and helpless

Shepherds bow before the Lamb
Gazing at the glory
Gifts of men from distant lands
Prophesy the story
Gold a King is born today
Incense God is with us
Myrrh His death will make a way
And by His blood He’ll win us

Son of Adam Son of heaven
Given as a ransom
Reconciling God and man
Christ our mighty Champion!
What a Saviour what a Friend
What a glorious mystery
Once a babe in Bethlehem
Now the Lord of history

Joy Has Dawned
Stuart Townend & Keith Getty
Copyright © Thankyou Music 2004

And the Grinch, with his Grinch-feet ice cold in the snow, stood puzzling and puzzling, how could it be so?  It came without ribbons.  It came without tags.  It came without packages, boxes or bags.  And he puzzled and puzzled ’till his puzzler was sore.  Then the Grinch thought of something he hadn’t before.  What if Christmas, he thought, doesn’t come from a store.  What if Christmas, perhaps, means a little bit more.  ~Dr Seuss

take a deep breath and slow down this season…

Rest, tired heart, within those arms eternal,
Like cradled child upon its father’s breast;
Oh, lean on Him who giveth to the weary,
After the day is over, blessed rest.

Rest, troubled heart, oppressed by care and sorrow,
Let every fear and vague foreboding cease;
Oh, rest in Him who giveth to the burdened,
After the day is over, blessed peace.

Rest, anxious heart, take no thought for the morrow,
Thou needest not wake, for God His watch doth keep:
Oh, rest in Him who giveth His beloved,
After the day is over, blessed sleep.

By Annie Johnson Flint

Shine Into Our Night from Sovereign Grace Ministries on Vimeo.

Shine Into Our Night 

We are not what we should be
We haven’t sought what we should seek
We’ve seen your glory Lord, but looked away
Our hearts are bent our eyes are dim
Our finest works are stained with sin
And emptiness has shadowed all our ways

Jesus Christ shine into our night
Drive our dark away
‘Til your glory fills our eyes
Jesus Christ shine into our night          
Bind us to Your cross, where we find life

Still we often go astray
We chase the world forget Your grace
But you have never failed to bring us back
Reveal the depths of what You’ve done
The death you died the vic’try won
You made a way for us to know Your love
Music and words by Joel Sczebel. © 2011 Sovereign Grace Worship (ASCAP).

{from Worship Matters}