Doing Christmas differently this year...Jotham's Journey &Tabitha's Travels

We are doing Christmas differently in so many ways this year!   As I mentioned before, we have been very blessed by the free Jesse Tree devotionals by Anne Voscamp  and our evenings before bed have been special times of closeness as we have been snuggling up and reading these wonderful books by Arthur Ytreeide.

For the first time, we are reading thru Jotham's Journey and also Tabitha's travels.  I had heard of these books for years and this year decided to get both thinking that both my son and daughter would be able to relate....and they do...we all do.

Each book has one chapter a night for every night of Advent and at the end of each chapter, there is a "cliffhanger"....and a short, but very clear devotional with scripture pertaining to that chapter.  We've been blessed with discussions about God's love, forgiveness, provision, protection, the consequences of sin...anger, disobedience vs. making a mistake, grace and mercy....my little ones can't wait, each night to snuggle in and read these devotion stories.  Focusing on unit studies of the names of Jesus, Christmas hymns and carols, Christmas symbols, our Advent wreath and devotional stories...talking about giving and accepting the greatest gift of all...that is what our Advent season leading up to the Joy of Christmas is about this year!  (it is so hard, in todays world, to 'block out' commercialism and materialism...so hard as a parent to help 're-focus' our children on WHY we're celebrating Christmas)

I would love to hear any ideas of how you might be 'doing Christmas' differently this year.  Peace and Grace to you on this rainy, dark December day!  ~Sue~

So sorry....

So sorry....I was mistaken and think a little explanation is in order.....

First...Advent!  I am loving this Advent season as we are celebrating the birth of our Savior...and we are doing Christmas a little differently around here this year.  For this reason...I thought I would have time to blog this special time in our family's lives but am realizing that time is indeed, very precious...and in short supply around here! LOL

I mistakenly thought I could just "stop" the blog for a little while and then get back to it when I could...without it being visible...but after some dear friends brought to my attention that it appeared as if I had blocked them (I guess it looked like I had blocked everyone) I realized that I had better let everyone know and check my settings!  (I am pretty computer illiterate...so wasn't really surprised that I had messed this up~ LOL)  Add to that that my computer is acting up for some reason....and it became time-consuming and confusing for me.  But....

My wonderful daughter, Meghan, brought to my attention that like everything in life....we are to use the gifts that God has given us...and if the Lord says to sing...then we must sing for Jesus (even is no one is listening) and if God tells me to write...then I must write for Him....not for a publisher, not for an audience...writing only for Him....when He tells me to.

So sometimes this little blog will be my thoughts and sometimes it will be a record of our lives...sometimes recipes, books or crafts...but all will be when the Lord prompts me to write...for Him.

And for those of you who enjoy reading my little blog...I heartily apologize for the computer mix up...and I thank you, my dear friends, for letting me know!   I will be writing/posting as the Lord leads...and I wish you all a very special Advent season as we celebrate the joy of Christmas!  ~Sue~

Advent beginnings.....

Happy 1st day of the Advent!  What a glorious way to transition from focusing on gratitude,  contentment and thankfulness...to joyous preparation!  We've been preparing to celebrate the birth of our Savior...yes, decorating the house for our celebration and focusing on preparing our hearts to receive the ultimate gift...Jesus Christ.

I collect nativity sets.   A number of years ago, we made a conscious decision to try and make our Christmas celebrations visually as well as spiritually focused on the Lord...not on the commercial or material hype...and since we do well with visual reminders...we try and make our decorations meaningful to us.  We've also been feeling the Lord leading us to simplify...a lot....some simplifying is for health reasons...some for financial...but really...I think He just wants us to simply focus on Him....and sometimes, with the distractions of this world...especially at this time of year, that is hard to do.

As we have for years, we will be doing Advent devotions with our advent wreath every Sunday of Advent.   Ever since my older girls were little, we've used our homeschooling lesson time for the month leading up to Christmas to just do the basics ...a little spelling, grammar and math....and focus on unit studies about Jesus and Christmas.  The unit studies we've used can be found http://easyfunschool.com/IndexChristmas.html  at this link.  We always do the names of Jesus study, the Christmas symbol study and Christmas Hymn studies.

We will also be doing a Jesse tree and devotional from Anne at A Holy Experience.   We're trying to take every opportunity when the subject of gifts comes up, to talk about Jesus being the greatest gift of all.  If Christmas lights and light displays comes up, we talk about John 1:5...and Jesus being the light of the world.  We have some wonderful family times planned...not too many activities this year...and all of us as a family and all centered around Jesus...a special time for our family to enjoy...and to keep our focus on the gift of Jesus.

In the coming days...I'll be sharing some of our special books, devotions, traditions and special times that we have planned to focus our hearts on the gift of the Light of the World....and I hope to hear how all of you are celebrating this very special time!  ~Sue~

Thanksgiving memories....

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving celebration this year!  Wanted to share and save some special remembrances this year...

We made a 'gratitude garland' ...the 6 of us wrote many things we were grateful for and strung them across the mantle...a special, beautiful reminder to be grateful everyday!  Every year, we plan on writing more blessings on our leaves and adding to our garland.

Beautiful roses...sweetly given to me by my beautiful oldest daughter, Meghan....so grateful for all 4 of my special children!

Very grateful for my wonderful husband and our 25 years of being together!

These 2 crack me up!  Sara and Aunt Peppy...sharing earbuds and listening to Glee songs! LOL

Meghan and I with our sweet cousin, Jill!

My special mom and Meghan

Love this picture!  What a crew!  Ron, his brother Sean, Uncle Joe, and cousin Mike (holding Meghan's Godson, Colin)

And...my very tired children! LOL  (Not the best picture of Ronnie...and Anna was so tired, she wouldn't even look...but this is real life, right?! Smile....)

The blessings of family mean so much to us...and we are very blessed to have a lot of extended family on both mine and Ron's side...and we see them frequently.  We finished the weekend off with a family baby shower yesterday...and getting ready for Advent today....will be posting our Advent preparations and celebrations thru out the month....for tonight...we'll finish watching "White Christmas" and pray as we prepare to start the Advent season tomorrow.  ~Sue~

Cultivating....gratitude

It is a daily....ok...minutely, mindfully struggle to cultivate a truly grateful heart...to look for the 'silver lining'...to count your blessings...minute by minute...and then...how very many blessings there are!  May your day be filled with blessings!

This week...a time to keep....

During this week of preparation...we find ourselves preparing for this most wonderful of American holidays...Thanksgiving. As the tradition in our family goes...the Gorecki's will be traveling around sharing meals and yummy desserts with lots of extended family on both sides...enjoying grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins from near and far....and giving thanks that God chose to make us all "family".  There are so many things we are grateful for and we are careful to remember to give thanks every day...not just on Thanksgiving. But, as we are hustling and bustling, I am trying to be aware of the need to rest in the Lord...to slow down, to snuggle and talk and make memories that don't involve involve hustling and bustling...so with that in mind as we cook and bake this week, get ready for a special baby shower and then prepare to start Advent (a very special, joyous time of preparation here) below are some of the books we'll enjoy reading aloud....snuggling under blankets....a fire lit....and counting our blessings.  May you have a joyous week filled with thanksgivings! ~Sue~

This moment...

{this moment}

{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.

If you're inspired to do the same, leave a link to your 'moment' in the comments for all to find and see.

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Joining in this Friday Ritual over at SouleMama....no words...for me....just a peaceful photo thought of 2 little best friends.....Have a blessed weekend!  ~Sue~

Inspirational dinner....

After praying about 'stretching' groceries even more...and praying about what to have for dinner that would be warm, filling, healthy...and I already had the ingredients for...I found this recipe today!  So THIS is what's for dinner!  Perfect!  Go to Family Balance Sheet for the recipe for italian sausage white bean kale soup!  (with some GF garlic bread with parmesean cheese....perfect warm, filling dinner! ~Sue~