Christmas Break

Over the holidays I was lucky enough to enjoy 10 straight days off of work. What a blessing it was to have a mini "staycation" with my husband who was also off work (teacher perks). We enjoyed our first "Christmas break" together since college. We enjoyed time with friends together and separately, celebrated 3 years of marriage, made a gingerbread house, saw a movie, played broomball (I could not move for three days after that!), went sledding, enjoyed lazy days, deep cleaned our apartment, and shared lovely times with family on Christmas Eve and Christmas day. It was such a wonderful break that it was hard to go back to reality. Here are just a few photos I managed to capture during all the fun:

At Bethlehem's Christmas Eve service

Christmas day… at the end of the day

It was hard to try and get our tree in there

I saw the most amazing sunset while we were driving one evening. This photo is not edited in any way.

Sledding with our friends (Billy, Luke, and Andrew)

We crashed into the weeds

Bridget, Becca, and me

Me and Andrew

Went to lunch with my friend Liese visiting from SC and my friend Kelsey

We missed each other and were so glad for our short time together catching up.

 What fun things did you do over Christmas? I hope whatever you did, you were able to enjoy time with family, and friends and those closest to you! Merry Christmas!

The Lull

I've been in kind of a lull lately. 

I want to blog, but not quite sure what to blog about. 

I have some Christmas shopping to do still, but I don't really know what to get or even have a strong desire to go look around. 

I have a list of lovely crafts waiting for me, but every time I plan to do them I'd rather just sit. 

I feel like the childlike joy and excitement I've had for months for this season is slowly fading.

Where is it going?

I still am excited about parties, family, friends, and celebrating Jesus' birth, but it's not the same excitement as it was a couple weeks ago.

The holidays are always a busy time of year with a lot to think about and do. 

Work has been super busy lately and kind of stressful.

I feel like my head is foggy lately and I feel scatterbrained.

I haven't been taking adequate quite time with my Lord and I can definitely tell how it is affecting my heart.

I'm going to lay it all at the feet of the one who loves me most though and fight for my joy in Christ.

His mercies are new every day. Praise Jesus for that!

On another note…

We went to the Christmas Carol play this past weekend at the Guthrie. It was fantastic! I loved the creative set and how they told the stories. The character's personalities were very well portrayed as well. It was a lovely Stokes family outing. 

We also got about a foot of snow this weekend. It was so beautiful! I did voyage out in the snow to run some errands, but I eventually gave up and went home. Sitting inside our cozy apartment with the Christmas lights on watching the snow fall outside sounded like a much better idea. As much as it has stunk to drive anywhere the last few days, I am so thankful for the snow and the fact that we will have a white Christmas! 

I took this photo out of our apartment window on Sunday morning. This is around inch 2 of the foot we got. I wish I had taken more throughout the day when you could really see the beautiful white flakes coming down. It sure was a gorgeous sight! 

Here's to spreading the love and joy of Christ this holiday season. 

A Full Heart

What a lovely Thanksgiving holiday we had. As much as I love Christmas, I love that we have this extra week of November to savor the holiday where we reflect and give thanks. I have been doing just that too.

I have learned that a thankful attitude is very important in life. When you have a thankful attitude, you can look up with a grateful heart and get glimpses of glory and what is waiting for us in heaven one day. Thankfulness is a language of love that allows you to communicate intimately with our Lord. A thankful mind-set does not deny reality or any of the problems that come along with that. Instead, it rejoices in the Lord, my Savior, in the mists of trials and tribulations. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. -Colossians 3:15 I give my God thanks regardless of my feelings, and he gives me joy regardless of my circumstances. 

Thankfulness opens my heart to His presence and my mind to His thoughts. When I thank the Lord frequently as I journey through my day, it makes it more possible to pray without ceasing. The apostle Paul taught that if I am serious about learning to pray continually, the best approach is to thank the Lord in every situation. These prayers of thanks provide a solid foundation on which I can build all my other prayers. Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. -1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 A grateful attitude also makes it easier for me to communicate with God. If I practice thankfulness consistently, negative thought patterns will gradually grow weaker and weaker.

Each day is a blessing from the Lord and we need to rejoice in each day that He gives us. This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. -Psalm 118:24 I want to strive to pray without ceasing and give thanks to the Lord every day. I want to be able to walk through my darkest days with joy in my heart because I know that the light of the Lord's presence is still shining on me. I want thankfulness to rule in my heart.

What a perfect thing to take away from a lovely holiday weekend. A true feeling of thankfulness and heart that feels full!

Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise! Give thanks to him; bless his name! For the Lord is good; his steadfast love endures forever, and his faithfulness to all generations. -Psalm 100:4-5

The Holidays

The past few days I have been oozing with excitement and anticipation. I feel like a little kid again, giddy at the sight of decorations and planning. My favorite time of year is here and I cannot wait! This is what I am excited for:

Thanksgiving and the delicious meal(s).

Seeing and spending time with family we don't see as often.

Relaxing up north all of Thanksgiving weekend.

Watching Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade Thanksgiving morning.

Decorating for Christmas.

Listening to my much anticipated Christmas music.

Snow. The beautiful, softly falling kind that makes you feel like you're in a movie.

Watching endless Christmas movies.

Ice skating dates with Drew at Centennial Lakes, one of the most romantic places this time of year.

Decorating a gingerbread house with Drew.

Making yummy Christmas cookies and swapping them with others.

Traditions, old and new.

Buying and wrapping gifts.

Holiday parties with friends and family.

Christmas lights galore as you walk or drive down the street.

The freezing cold Holidazzle Parade.

Warm holiday drinks.

Cold nights cuddling under the blankets.

Crafts, creating, and more crafts.

Christmas lists.

Holiday cheer and holiday spirit.

Decorated malls playing Christmas music and bursting with hustling Christmas shoppers.

Our African nativity scene (one of my favorite Christmas gifts).

Lovely smelling candles lit in the evenings.

The celebration of Jesus' birth.

Bethlehem's midnight Christmas Eve service.

Waking up Christmas morning and exchanging gifts with Drew.

Mine and Drew's two-year wedding anniversary.

I'm sure I haven't even listed everything. I'm so overwhelmed with all my excitement. Through all the hustle and bustle though, it is very important to remember the real reason for the season- The birth of our Savior Jesus Christ. I hope you all enjoy your Thanksgiving and holiday season, and your time with family and friends.