So...today was CHRISTMAS!....what a wonderful day :) It's so easy for me to get so wrapped up in all of the crazyy-ness that the season brings. I went to wal mart yesterday (Christmas eve) and I think the whole population of Savannah was there.
Last night I went to church with my family, which was amazing. I love going to a traditional church every now and then. The sermon made me think about the role that Mary and Joseph played in the birth of Jesus...Anyways, until this Christmas, I never really thought about it, but their role keeps getting brought up. I've been on this whole "obedience" kick lately....Just trying to live by obedience in a world where it is so incredibly hard to hear the voice of God clearly...or for me it is atleast. Anyways, I was just thinking: You know, what if Mary wouldn't have been obedient when He told her that she was carrying Jesus? I know times were different back then, but if I were engaged, I would be pretty mad if if MY plans were changed, and I found out I was pregnant..that kinda changes things. But Mary was content and eager to please God.
"And Mary said: "My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed, for the Mighty One has done great things for me— holy is his name. His mercy extends to those who fear him, from generation to generation. He has performed mighty deeds with his arm; he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts. He has brought down rulers from their thrones but has lifted up the humble. He has filled the hungry with good things but has sent the rich away empty. He has helped his servant Israel, remembering to be merciful to Abraham and his descendants forever, even as he said to our fathers."- Luke 1: 46-55
Anyways, I was like, "wow, I wish I were more like that." Mary, who was a lot younger than I am, was obedient. She was at peace, and she was content in fulfilling God's new covenant with His people...which ended up being the best Christmas gift we could ever imagine....a savior to provide grace, truth, and everlasting life to all who will believe in Him.
I woke up this morning,and my family and I opened presents. I guess the older I get, the less exciting it is because there really aren't many surprises. I pretty much know everything that I'm getting. But it's cool to watch everyone else open their gifts. I'm so thankful for all that I got...a new camera, rain jacket, some new jeans from gap (p.s. gap has the best skinny jeans...especially if you have a big butt like me.....for real.) I gotsome clothes, a new iTrip (which is awesome because now I wont have to wear my headphones when i drive), some other stuff...and my grandparents gave me some money...so now my deposits for my trips to Mexico & Peru have been taken care of...go God! I really am so blessed to get to wake up and spend time with my family (that I take for granted) and to get cool new things.
Usually on Christmas morning I go running around my neighborhood, and then I go to the marina to just be still and thank God for all that He has given me...Today it was raining, so I didn't go running, but I did get to go down there for a little while. Being near the water is so great. It's so peaceful. How can anyone wake up to that and not believe?
My family went to Colonels Island (somewhere between Savannah and Brunswick) to my aunt and uncle's house...We usually go there every year, either on thanksgiving or christmas...I LOVE going there. I would love to live there one day if it werent't in the middle of nowhere. Richmond Hill is like the closest place of civilization for them, and that's like 30 min away...Anyways, I drove my grandparents so that they wouldn't have to drive in the dark on the way back. My grandfather is 85, and he had a stroke several summers ago. It really set him back. It makes me sad. This year I haven't really thought about it much, but last year it made me really sad to see how it changed him. He had to go through a lot of rehab and physical therapy. He used to be such an active, nice, peaceful man, but it's sad now because he can barely walk and he can be grumpy. I've spent a lot of time with them this past week and my grandmother has really shown me what being a servant is all about. She's 76, and she is still going very strong. She looks like she's 50. She takes such good care of my grandfather. He tells her what to do, and he is so grumpy sometimes, but she is so sweet to him. It doesn't even really phase her. He really is a nice man, and he would do anything for anybody, but he's just getting old, and he gets tired often. I decided that I want to be like my grandmother in that aspect.
We went to the island, and I got to hang out with my cousins all day and play with their presents. They're out of their awkward stage, and they are so cool and funny to hang out with. I wish my other aunt uncle and 2 cousins could have been there too, but they were in South carolina. There are six grandchildren, and I'm the only girl. I love it...I can tell that I'm the favorite. Anyways,
They kicked my butt at the wii and we jumped on the trampoline for a really long time. I want a trampoline really really bad. My cousin, Will, who is 8, said the blessing before we ate. I love kids....you never know what they're going to say. Will is really smart, and I think he may be a preacher one day. I expected him to say some blessing he learned in school or something, but he began just talking to God..straight from his 8-year old heart. He thanked God for giving us Jesus, and giving us a reason to celebrate Christmas. He thanked Jesus for dying on the cross for us, and then he thanked him for being "a really nice, sophisticated man." He thanked him for being "smart and for being so active in his community." He would have kept going, but I bursted out laughing, so I guess that ruined it. I just didn't really expect that...Anyways, you had to be there. It made my day. Itwas great to hang out with my family.
Te night ended with me getting to watch SNL christmas and home alone. I ate so much today. Diet definitely starts tomorrow...for real.
Thank you Jesus for all that you have provided for my family, friends, and me. I really just don't understand it, but I am thankful :) Thank you for giving us the best Christmas gift of all, and for humbling yourself and coming into a world that rejected you, and for dying for us, so that we could have the choice to believe in you, and to accept your grace, truth, and future for our lives. Thank you for changing my heart and giving me life full of abundance.
***"The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of GRACE and TRUTH." - John 1:14***
****"For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace."--Isaiah 9:6***
sorry this was probably kinda boring/corny since it was about my day...next time it won't be like that, i promise. I know my grammar and spelling isn't the best either. Truth is, I really am smart, and I know proper grammar and spelling....I just don't realy take the time to worry about it on here. Oh well, maybe I should. Merry Christmas! I love you!
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