Do I have to like my theme?

Do you have a theme for the year? I've been asked that several times. I had no problem identifying last year's theme: "who I am and who God is". Its always easier to look back and see a pattern. But now I am being asked to look forward to what God is going to teach me. That is a bit harder. I just finished commenting to Kim that God hadn't really revealed a theme to me yet which is a big fat lie. He has revealed 2! Both come directly out of this year's study of the life of Moses (Exodus - Deuteronomy) One I am excited about and can get behind: "God, show me Your glory!" Remember I was going to be audacious and bold like Moses. God is doing His part....or was all along and now I am just paying attention!?! The second one comes out of Leviticus. I have lost count of the number of times God says to "be HOLY because I am HOLY". I would really like to think that this is one of those instances where He is only talking to the Israelites, but I don't think I can be that self-deceptive and get away with it. I'm not liking that one as much....that is going to take a lot of hard work. (yes, that is me whining you hear....really unpleasant isn't it...) Here's a show stopper question from my Bible Study Fellowship lesson I was working on this morning: Is there an area of your life that has not been consecrated to the Lord? If so, what will you do about it? When I finally get "real" enough with myself to write an honest answer to that one I will post again. :0)

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New Year Same Jesus

Hi Girls,

It's New Years Eve! I like new beginnings. I'm sure you won't be surprised but I already have January [OK, I'll admit it...February too] filled out in my new Franklin planner & my electronic planner. (I never feel secure until my life is logged ahead of time electronically & on good old fashioned paper.) I even have my daily Bible reading plan logged into my computer so that I can check it off each day...good grief. But, I am writing to tell you that there is hope for me yet!

I have been looking at my scheduled life and kind of dreading the routine. Normally having all my ducks in a row fills me with peace, a sense of accomplishment (pride?) and a false sense of security. This year I am so anxious for God to show me His glory. I am back to that bold, forward, audacious Moses...and the relationship he had with God. I don't think my planner holds that for me. Moses had a REAL LIVE RELATIONSHIP with his creator. Moses didn't have a Franklin planner or an electronic check list for his time with God. He was the leader of over 1 million people and all the making of a nation and yet he managed to have his priorities right.

I am the Mom of a household, the facilitator of a home school, the keeper of several other's homes, the coordinator of VBS, the helper of GA's, the trainer @ BSF yada, yada, yada. But my Jesus is going to be the same awesome, miraculous Savior He was in 2008 and I don't want to miss a second with Him. Am I getting in my own way?

In Exodus ch. 34 God tells us a lot about Himself, He is Jealous. Wow, my Creator wants all of me. And, He won't stand for the idols I place in front of Him. Not a new concept as I have dealt with a lot of revealed idols (Yes, Amber I am talking about you) in the past. I have just never seen my reliance upon MY self & organization etc. as an idol.

So, as I begin a new year with the same Jesus I am praying that I will not be the same Leslie. Watch out girls I may become a radical woman of God and become a bit spontaneous! Oh no, ...my heart rate just went up and I am in a cold sweat. God has a big work to do here!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

More of my favorite things

I am watching TV and 2 things have struck me. 1. The Santa who killed 9 people who knew his ex wife and 2. a line from the movie THE FAMILY MAN where Jack says "we can finally have a life that people envy and his wife Kate says, "we already do". He was talking about a fancy house, money, a prestigious job etc. and she was talking about their kids and the love of a family.

I am grateful for my family and for a simple & quiet Christmas.

I am grateful for the frozen trees and bushes that are sparkly and white and gorgeous.

I am grateful for seeing so many friends and family members today while out shopping.

I am grateful for a beautiful Christmas eve service at church.

I am grateful that my family watched the Nativity Movie with me last night and didn't laugh at me for sobbing at all the same parts I do EVERY time I watch it.

I am grateful for my mother in law teaching me to cross country ski on the canal bank yesterday.

I am grateful none of us got hurt while sledding Carmichal hill yesterday...except my stomach hurt from laughing.

I am grateful for Jesus and the opportunity to celebrate His birth in so many special ways this year.

I am grateful for my warm & soft bed and the man & dog beside me...I think I will go to sleep and dream of more things to be thankful for. Ever wake up with a song of praise on your lips? I have and I hope I do tomorrow. Good night good friends;0)

Show Me Your Glory

I am blogging under at least 6 inches of snow and it's still coming down. Even my kids, who love the white stuff and pray for it to fall, are now ready for it to stop snowing...I think they are tired of shoveling. As I was out shoveling and sweeping this evening I was enchanted with the difference in size, shape, color etc. of the individual flakes. Being a bit of a crow, I love anything sparkly, and tonight's snow looked like glitter. In my reading re: the life of Moses he asked God to see His glory. Can you believe it...the audacity of mere mortal man asking to see God? I think this mere mortal needs to be more bold and ask God to reveal Himself to me more. Snow ~ cold, wet, messy, dangerous, inconvenient, fun, entertaining, beautiful, breathtaking....IS GOD SHOWING US HIS GLORY. Only He could make each individual flake (I am talking about the snow not us...tee, hee, hee :]) different and cover the earth and make it look pure. I say look pure because we know that underneath is still oil on the drive way, doggie do in the grass, dirt etc. Only God can bring purity to the other flakes (us) too.

LORD, cleanse me and make me white as snow. Not just to look pure and white on the outside but an inner cleansing through repentance and brokenness. Otherwise, why did your Son come to take on human flesh and die for me? Emmanuel, God be with us....we so need you.

Christmas Memories from Leslie

A little Christmas time questionnaire...Thanks Jill ~ I'm going to play too.

Egg Nog or Hot Chocolate? I am a Hot Chocolate girl too, ever try it with red hots in it?

Does Santa wrap presents or just sit them under the tree? Santa's helper (AKA - me!) loves loves loves to wrap gifts! I just spent all day Saturday wrapping for my mom...probably not the best use of my time but I had fun.

When do you put your decorations up? They go up the day after Thanksgiving and down New Years day...YES, I truly am that anal retentive.

What is your favorite holiday dish (excluding dessert)? I am making Spiral Ham this year and cannot wait!!! (Sorry to offend your Jewishness, Jill.)

When and how did you learn the truth about Santa? I think I am getting old, I don't remember.

Do you open a gift on Christmas Eve? Sometimes.

How do you decorate your Christmas tree? When the kids were younger we had a teddy bear tree. Now we have Tommy's Nutcracker collection on and around the tree with red & white lights. The kids also choose their favorite ornaments from the 10,000 "special" ones in the box.

Snow. Love it or dread it? Call me crazy, I love it.

Can you ice skate? No, and I don't like to be cold except when sledding which I love!

What is your favorite holiday dessert? Honestly I spend so much time baking holiday desserts that I don't really want to eat them...which ends up being good for my waistline. I do have an addiction to really good sugar cookies however.

Which do you prefer giving or receiving? Good question and my very spiritual friends said they enjoy giving. I do too, especially the planning part. But, I really like getting gifts too...now you know how shallow I am (or is that no secret?)

What is your favorite Christmas song? O Holy Night BTW, the new Barlow Girl Christmas CD is FABULOUS!!!

Candy Canes. Yum or Yuck? Yum! But only the actual mint ones not all the other crazy flavors the world has decided to make them

Do you attend an annual Christmas party? No. But I too am looking forward to Jills. ;0)

Do you dress up for Christmas Eve or wear PJ's? If we are going somewhere I like any excuse to dress up and wear pretty shoes (I know, shocking!) But Christmas day is ALL COMFY ALL DAY.

Do you own a Santa hat. Yes, we went to Disneyland in December a few years ago and I got a Minnie Mouse Christmas hat. Let me tell you, I am a vision.

Who do you normally spend Christmas with? We stay home Christmas day but spend a lot of time with various family members before and after. Someone always ends up at our house on Christmas day for games & leftovers etc.

How fun was this! Merry Christmas everyone!

These are a few of my favorite things...I think

I'm back!!! Sorry it's been so long. I've been saturating myself with Christmas music and counting my blessings so here is a combo of things that I am choosing to be thankful for:

These are a few of my favorite things!
Piano recitals...bcuz they mean we have music in our home
Feeding demanding pets...bcuz it means they are healthy & we have their love
Not having time to bake this week...bcuz it means I bought & am eating Oreos
Having an almost too full work schedule...bcuz it means I have people who need me
Spending the weekend running kids to and fro...bcuz it means they have many friends & fun opportunities
Getting hammered by God about my idols and selfishness...bcuz it means He hasn't given up on a wretch like me
Having to make choices re: social & family engagements...bcuz it means we have wonderful people in our lives
Having to stretch a Christmas budget...bcuz it means that we have money to spend on others at all
Having only 24 hours in a day...bcuz if I had more I would be sure to fill them!
Feeling bad about being lazy and not walking the dog...bcuz it means I have a healthy body that could walk if I wanted to
Gaining 7 pounds this year...cuz it caused me to get my cholesterol & my thyroid checked and they are OK
Children who occasionally bicker...cuz it means they spend enough time together to take each other for granted
Wednesday nights...bcuz it means coffee with my girlfriends!

And one I am truly grateful for: the opportunity to spend 2 nights at the Enzian Inn in Leavenworth this past weekend. It was our Christmas present this year instead of gifts and it was amazing. I will have my honey help me post some pictures on my next post.