These girls are simply ... my joy!

And, sometimes they act a bit crazy!!!

For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. Jeremiah 29:11-13

Here I am in my wedding dress, veil and shoes. It looks like I got a baking set, too. Not sure who got the gas heater. I remember getting our trees from the Lion's Club lot??? Or was it Boy Scouts? Recently, we were in Denton and they had tree lots run by Boy Scout troops! To see them sure brought back memories!!!

I have the robe my mother is wearing in this picture. It was her "Christmas Morning" robe. I should have my picture made wearing it one day just for fun.

We are working on a little project, and we needed a large art print that this particular person would enjoy. So, of course, I thought I should contact our friend, artist, Rodney Watson. Rodney sent via text a picture of one he thought that I might like. I visited his gallery and looked, but I just could not veer from the image he had sent.

We have known Rodney forever. I tease him that he needs to paint outside the western box. Of course, the box of the west is what he does so perfectly. But, he did have this landscape. He had the original, as well, now our Christmas gift (really, my Christmas gift).

The picture does not do the lighting justice. It is amazing!

A few years ago, we had a drought, and we were all praying for rain. We went to a gallery show in Post that featured Rodney's work. This piece spoke to me. God had sent the rain!

In 1991, we had a FB.PLV Sunday School party in our home and on the paper table covering our friend left us this.

We are so blessed by the friendships God has provided through all our years!

Oh, and the large print we needed for the project is ready to hang, too!

Two items from my early Christmas memory are the stocking and the boot.

The boot had a plastic Christmas arrangement and was filled with foil inside the boot. It's how I first remember it as I think back. In later years it was an empty boot that got filled with candy canes. I inherited it and have used it in a variety of ways throughout the years.

My mother made this stocking for me, and she made my brother a stocking. His was larger, made from black felt with cutouts and glitter. Mine was small, dainty, and trimmed elegantly.

It was never filled, not even with coal. They hung on the wall with care, but Santa missed them every year! I actually did not know that stockings were to have items in them until I married, and my mother-in-law added me to my husband's stocking. Through the years, I made the family stockings for the Wall family Christmases.

I made our family beautiful stockings. I gave them to our children. 

My husband loves to share that my stocking was filled with whatever was left at the Dollar Store on Christmas Eve. Ha!!!

Our Christmas is simple. It is simply the best. I live vicariously through your lights and festive. Thank you!!! Celebrate in Heavenly Peace!!!

Many celebrate Christmas with deep joy in trying times. Some are jobless that don't understand why they aren't getting hired; they are trusting God to reveal. There are so many who are sick, sick from treatments, sick from illness, sick emotionally, and their relationship with Jesus carries them.

Our world suffers greatly from addiction. People are addicted to whatever takes them away from real-life hurts when they don't have the skill set to access, approach, attack and alleviate the problem or heartache. They are holding their Savior up as the Star that guides.

"Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you." Thessalonians 5.18 

People wear masks. I don't care who you are; you have an assortment of masks you wear in trying or uncomfortable times. We are created to ebb and flow. With this, our emotions should, too. We can get pulled under pretty quickly when we have no life-preserver. Mine has the letters J E S U S and the phrase "saving my children in trying times" on it. 

Christmas can be overwhelming. Many Believers are in trying times this Season of Love. So. let's love!!! Many don't believe and are hurting, too. Reach out. Many will not celebrate a Merry Christmas but will overcome because of Christmas.

In trying times ...

"When you go through deep waters, I will be with you." Isaiah 43.2

"Commit your way to the Lord. Trust in Him, and He will act." Psalm 37.5

"The pain that you've been feeling, can't compare to the joy that's coming." Romans 8.18

"She is clothed in strength, and dignity, and she laughs without fear of the future." Proverbs 31.25

"Be bold. Be brave. Be courageous." Joshua 1.9

"There is a time for everything and a reason for every activity under the heavens." Ecclesiastes 3.1

"Don't be afraid, for I am with you. Don't be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand." Isaiah 41.10

"I will not cause pain without allowing something new to be born, says the Lord." Isaiah 66.9

"He will cover you with His feathers, and under His wings, you will find refuge; His faithfulness will be your shield and rampart." Psalm 91.4

"My soul finds rest in God alone, my salvation comes from Him, He alone is my rock and my salvation." Psalm 62.1-2

"For I know the plans I have for you, plans to prosper you and not harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29.11

"I can do everything through Christ who gives me strength." Philippians 4.13

We made a quick trip to see our DFW area grandsisters. They had a Winter Dance Show, and Miss A had a piano performance plus, it was her birthday week! 

We started out the day having to wait for a plane tech because there was an issue with the plane out of Lubbock. It was 5 AM, and it took about 45 minutes for them to arrive and a while longer to repair. We made it okay, but leaving home for that first early flight was just too early!

We flew home on the last flight out of Dallas to Lubbock, with all those Cowboy fans roaming the airport. We made it back home about midnight.

The trip was fun, and I'm so glad we were able to go!

Miss D and her hip-hop...

Miss A waits in the wings at rehearsal...

And... she did a lovely job with her piano performance pieces! This is her first year. Here she is with her piano teacher.

But, the added joy was sitting by their tree listening to Miss A play Christmas music! She played all the favorites!!!

Today we did paint therapy while enjoying lunch at the Broadway Brew. A family was having school-time at a corner table. The children kept looking over at what the two of us were doing. I invited the three of them over for a craft lesson. It was such a blessing.

Then we made the remainder of the ornaments and decorated them as Christmas prisms on the light fixture.

It was a fun day. Everyone has the Christmas spirit!!!

The Holy Trinity Church in Plainview, Texas.

Today is our eleventh year serving as Ushka and Grandpa. Our first grandsister was born at Christmastime and the season fits her peace-filled personality. All of our girls are like snowflakes, so differently created and divinely sent for us to love. We wish our sweet Miss A an amazing birthday!!! She got riding lessons! Super excited for our urban cowgirl!!!

I am truly blessed through the beautiful people God places in my life each day. Last night we had our Theta Delphin Christmas party at the President's House Bed & Breakfast. Deb & Mike Melcher have a wonderful B & B to enjoy!

B-L to R: Deb, Trina, Janice, Anna, Sunny, Phyllis, Amy, Gerald Dean

F-L to R: Claudia, Lori, Lisa, Debra, Diana

Not pictured: Karen, Carol, Freada, and Cindy

Then, today, I got to spend the day with the very best Leadership Plainview group! They keep me laughing!

Tomorrow it will be another set of amazing God gifts that will brighten my day through their smiles, laughter, and encouragement. God is good to me!!!