Christmas in New York!

This week, I am thankful for the Lord reminding me of His sovereignty.  Anyone who knows me, knows that I am a planner, I love to plan.  It actually brings me great joy.   I plan everything, in detail, including vacations. I completely understand this little trait could drive many people crazy but thankfully my family and friends are extremely accommodating to my intense desire to plan. 
 
You can imagine my response when my friend asked me join her on a Birthday Celebration Trip  to New York! Her desire was to spend a long girls weekend in New York City enjoying all the Christmas sights.  We only had a few months to plan but that was not a problem.  Our departure date was Saturday, Dec 7 and by Dec1 we had all the major components booked and a detailed itinerary in place.  All that was left to do was be excited (and pack)! Nothing could stop us!
 

But then... the weather in Dallas turned on us. The temperature dropped from 80^ₒ to 28^ₒ in less than 72 hours and then came the rain and the ice and the news reports of hundreds of cancelled flights. Our high spirits were quickly sinking.  In the midst of trying not to worry that our well planned vacation may be cancelled, my thoughts drifted to Proverbs 16:9, “The mind of man plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps." Despite all of our planning, the only One truly in control is the Lord. I accepted the fact that there was a possibility our girls trip would not happen.  I was disappointed but content with however the Lords plan unfolded.  As it turned out we did get to go! There were some hiccups along the way including multiple cancelled flights and delays but we made it there and back safely and had a great time! Here are some highlights from the trip.

 Our hotel, Room Mate Grace, was super cute and modern located right in Times Square.

 

View from Central Park

  

Times Square at Night

We explored the City via Subway!

 

One of my favorite parts of the trip was the Holiday Lights Tour.  This is one of Macy's several gorgeous window displays.

 
 

           

                                           Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree 

 

 

              We met SANTA @ Macy's Santaland.  Talk about an extravagant display, beautiful!!



The Rockettes Christmas Spectacular absolutley lived up to the name.

The finale of the show was a living nativity scene complete with a real camel!

 

 

The weekend in New York was really fun and I am so thankful that the Lord provided for safe travel so that we could create such wonderful memories!

Most Wonderful Time of the Year!!

I absolutely LOVE Christmas and the whimsical/magical feeling that lingers in the air all around us each day of December.  It makes my heart glad each time I smell pine and cinnamon in a craft store, see the sign for peppermint mochas at Starbucks, and I squeel with excitement each time I notice new shimmering Christmas lights wrapped around houses and trees in our neighborhood.  I'm drawn into the sparkling christmas trees in every store and it takes every ounce of self disciple for me to wait until after Thanksgiving to start playing Christmas music.  There is sheer joy in my heart almost every moment to be honest.  Joy that I am anxious to share with everyone around me.

However, in the midst of all the "commercial/manufactured" joy that comes along with this season, the greatest possible joy any person can have is a lifelong personal relationship with Jesus Christ, the Savior of the World!! I was contemplating what a special time of year this is for most people but especially for believers. This a chance to openly celebrate and praise our Savior.  I've decided to make it a top priority for me to share share share the GOOD NEWS of Christ this holiday season because He is the true Joy of the season.  I believe that during this time of year people's hearts are softened and more open to hear about Christ.  So look for every oppoortunity to tell the people in your life what you are really celebrating during the most wonderful time of year! 

How do you plan on sharing the Gospel of Christ this Christmas season??

Right Around the Corner

Today's post is inspired by our post dinner adventure.  

As Josh and I walked up to his truck, it was glaringly evident that one of the tires was very low on air. No need to worry, there was a gas station around the corner that we could easily stop at to fill the tire up and be on our way in mere minutes.  Off we go to the 7-11 around the corner.  I rummaged in my purse for quarters as we drove so Josh would be prepared to feed the pump.  We pull up only to discover an "Out of Order" sign on the air pump.  Hmmm, not what we had expected but, again, not a problem.  We decided to head back towards the house and stop by our usual gas station.  We pull up to the Shell station to discover another "Out of Order" sign on the air pump! Ummmm, ok... definitely NOT what we expected.  At this point, Josh commented that, "this is some serious bad luck." At the moment, his words struck me but I wasn't exactly sure why.  I didn't like him saying that because neither of us actually believe in luck but I couldn't bring myself to disagree with him.  I've never seen an air pump "out of order" before, let alone 2 in a row!  As Josh slowly pulled out of the parking lot he had an idea.  My favorite car wash was right across the street, perhaps they have an air pump?? We pulled up as they were closing but we circled around the parking lot just to make sure we didn't see a place to fill up.  Nope, nothing.  In a last ditch effort to find air, we asked one of the workers at the car wash if there were any air pumps.  He didn't speak English!  After a few minutes of really bad sign language, he understood what we were asking and pointed right behind us.  We circled around the parking lot one last time and saw the most lovely air pump (in the most unlikely location)!! And the best part... it was FREE!

I don't tell you this story to make a huge celebration about (finally) finding air for Josh's tire or because we saved 4 quarters in the process.  I think this story is symbolic of life.  Often times, we have a plan and go after something but when it doesn't work out the way we want the first time, we give up.  Perhaps you're really persistent and are willing to give it a second try and things still don't work out.  Well, if we had stopped looking when Josh decided "this is some serious bad luck" not only would we have not had air, we would have missed the FREE air.  Which, I think was a sweet little blessing! How many sweet little blessings (or sweet BIG blessings) do we miss out on every day because we didn't keep pushing long enough?

No matter what the circumstances may look like, keep pushing... your blessing may be right around the corner!

The Race

"I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful." 2 Timothy 4:7

Wow, what a powerful verse!! I pray that each of us would be able to confidently proclaim this, as Paul did, at the end of our lives. Not that I have accomplished every goal I set, or won each race I ran but in the end The Lord would say "well done, my good and faithful servant, WELL DONE!" This beautiful poem was recently brought to my attention and I think it beautifully describes the race of "life."  For all of life is like that race, with ups and downs and all. And all you have to do to win is rise each time you fall. Take some time to read the poem and keep in mind that "winning" doesn't always mean first place or living a perfect, sin-free life but "rising each time you fall."

The poem is rather long, so just incase you would rather watch/listen, here is a great video!

The Race
by Dr. D.H. Groberg

Whenever I start to hang my head in front of failure’s face,
my downward fall is broken by the memory of a race.
A children’s race, young boys, young men; how I remember well,
excitement sure, but also fear, it wasn’t hard to tell.
They all lined up so full of hope, each thought to win that race
or tie for first, or if not that, at least take second place.
Their parents watched from off the side, each cheering for their son,
and each boy hoped to show his folks that he would be the one.

The whistle blew and off they flew, like chariots of fire,
to win, to be the hero there, was each young boy’s desire.
One boy in particular, whose dad was in the crowd,
was running in the lead and thought “My dad will be so proud.”
But as he speeded down the field and crossed a shallow dip,
the little boy who thought he’d win, lost his step and slipped.
Trying hard to catch himself, his arms flew everyplace,
and midst the laughter of the crowd he fell flat on his face.
As he fell, his hope fell too; he couldn’t win it now.
Humiliated, he just wished to disappear somehow.

But as he fell his dad stood up and showed his anxious face,
which to the boy so clearly said, “Get up and win that race!”
He quickly rose, no damage done, behind a bit that’s all,
and ran with all his mind and might to make up for his fall.
So anxious to restore himself, to catch up and to win,
his mind went faster than his legs. He slipped and fell again.
He wished that he had quit before with only one disgrace.
“I’m hopeless as a runner now, I shouldn’t try to race.”

But through the laughing crowd he searched and found his father’s face
with a steady look that said again, “Get up and win that race!”
So he jumped up to try again, ten yards behind the last.
“If I’m to gain those yards,” he thought, “I’ve got to run real fast!”
Exceeding everything he had, he regained eight, then ten...
but trying hard to catch the lead, he slipped and fell again.
Defeat! He lay there silently. A tear dropped from his eye.
“There’s no sense running anymore! Three strikes I’m out! Why try?
I’ve lost, so what’s the use?” he thought. “I’ll live with my disgrace.”
But then he thought about his dad, who soon he’d have to face.

“Get up,” an echo sounded low, “you haven’t lost at all,
for all you have to do to win is rise each time you fall.
Get up!” the echo urged him on, “Get up and take your place!
You were not meant for failure here! Get up and win that race!”
So, up he rose to run once more, refusing to forfeit,
and he resolved that win or lose, at least he wouldn’t quit.
So far behind the others now, the most he’d ever been,
still he gave it all he had and ran like he could win.
Three times he’d fallen stumbling, three times he rose again.
Too far behind to hope to win, he still ran to the end.

They cheered another boy who crossed the line and won first place,
head high and proud and happy -- no falling, no disgrace.
But, when the fallen youngster crossed the line, in last place,
the crowd gave him a greater cheer for finishing the race.
And even though he came in last with head bowed low, unproud,
you would have thought he’d won the race, to listen to the crowd.
And to his dad he sadly said, “I didn’t do so well.”
“To me, you won,” his father said. “You rose each time you fell.”

And now when things seem dark and bleak and difficult to face,
the memory of that little boy helps me in my own race.
For all of life is like that race, with ups and downs and all.
And all you have to do to win is rise each time you fall.
And when depression and despair shout loudly in my face,
another voice within me says, “Get up and win that race!”

This post is dedicated in loving memory of Rena Tarbet, Mary Kay Independent Senior National Sales Director Emeritus .

Into the Word Wednesday

Can you carry out orders?

“I can do nothing on My own initiative. As I hear, I judge; and My judgment is just, because I do not seek My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me.” John 5:30

 

John 5:30 has such a simple message that many of us have heard so often it is common place to blurt out “not my will but your’s Lord” in the midst of any challenging decision or circumstance.  But do we mean that when we say it or does it just sound good? And if we really mean it, then why wait for the big/challenging issues to use this train of thought?  What if each and every day we started our day off by speaking this verse out loud and meaning it from the depth of our souls?   What if the moment you sat up in bed each day, the first words out of your mouth were, “I can’t do a solitary thing on my own: I listen, then I decide. You can trust my decision because I’m not out to get my own way but only to carry out orders.” (the Message)

How much easier every moment, every mundane task and decision would be if we completely removed our own will and selfish ambition and exclusively consulted the Lord and upon His answer, we immediately “carried out His orders.” Are you able to simply listen and carry out His orders?

Challenge: Each morning this week, recite John 5:30 when you wake up and throughout the day as you make big and small decisions.  I would love for you to check back in and let me know how it went!

Welcome Back, Me

So, I took a not-so-brief, completely unplanned hiatus from blog land.  I wanted to pop in today and say Happy Friday and Welcome Back to Me!  I’ve missed writing, but somehow I suddenly slipped back into my “old ways” of utter busy-ness. I am proud to announce that in the mist of all the busy-ness, my life does feel quite balanced and I love that. 

A few updates:

• My hubby and I have really been focusing on living a healthier lifestyle with the help of a local food and fitness facility, Utopia, and it is going great. More Details to come!
• We were accepted as a Cares team by apartment life last year and we were (finally) placed at an apartment community in April!!!  This has been a huge part of my busy-ness and why I’ve been MIA for a few months.  We are entering our third month of serving this property and it has been a blast so far! For more information about Cares, click here.  If you are interested in serving as a team contact me at pinkfaithtoday@hotmail.com and I would be glad to answer any of your questions.  
• As I mentioned, I have missed writing you and I am excited to get plugged back in with everyone! I’ll be checking in at least once a week.

Before I wish you a fantastic weekend, I have to share this video with you.  I watched it yesterday and I was so incredibly blessed by it that I NEEDED to share it.  It’s completely in line with my updates above, Health and Balance in your life (and mine).  Enjoy.

 

 Now… Have a Fantastic Weekend!!!

#ClubSexy

Last month, I had the great pleasure of participating in a Cara Box exchange for the first time ever!  I am so glad that I did.  The theme for February was #ClubSexy, appropriate for the “red” month, don’t you think??   I was blessed to be matched up with Gayle from Grace for Gayle.  Not only am I thankful that I found her blog, it’s super awesome, but I’m thankful that I actually had the chance to meet Gayle for gelato last week! I will call her my first official blogger friend since she is the first lady I’ve met in blog world and in person.   I really had a great time chatting with her and getting to know about the woman behind the blog.

So, on to the juicy details about my Cara Box, Gayle’s #ClubSexy challenge was to create the perfect date night for me and she did a great job!! The “box of relaxation” included:

Dark Chocolate Covered Pomegranate

(delicious, one of my new favorite snacks)

Glade Candle and Candle Lighter

 (I LOVE all things smelly and this candle smells so yummy)

Aloe Infused Socks

(like walking on clouds)

Note Cards

Red Velvet Cake Body Wash

(certified #clubsexy win)

Massager

Vanilla Lotion

The items were beautifully packaged!

 

 

Super big smile, I was excited.

Thank you so much for the wonderful Carabox, the sweet note, and the fun girl time!

I prepared a special box for Jessica at Wonder What's Next. You can visit her blog for details on what I included in her #clubsexy package, here!