The New Year

Happy New Years!  The last year has just flown by so fast I can hardly believe it!  When the close of 2014 came, I thanked God for getting me and my family through the year safe and healthy.  There is so much to be grateful for.  Don't forget to thank God for it all because He is the one that provided it!

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas!  I hope you have a great Christmas day celebrating with your family and friends.  Don't forget the sacrifice that Jesus made for us so that we could be forgiven.  Keep your eyes fixed on the one who forgives and saved us from our sins.

Tis the Season!

Something about the time of year gets everyone in the spirit of giving and loving one another.  What is it that does that?  The music?  The lights?  The decorated trees?  Hot chocolate?  Peppermint?  Whatever it is, it gets everyone in the festive spirit.  But with all the preparation for one of the biggest days of the year, we can't lose sight of why we celebrate it in the first place.  It's not to get things.  It's not to give your parents a long list of things that you want and expect to open them when Christmas day comes.  It's about celebrating the day that Christ was born.  The day that he came to earth as a humble baby, born in a stable, to grow up and save his chosen ones by dying for them.  That's what Christmas is about.  It's a time of giving, just like Jesus came and gave of himself because he loved us.
It's not a time of selfishness and greed.  It's the time of thankfulness and sharing.  Seeing others happy with the gifts that people have given them is a great blessing.  But try to look past the gift as you open it this year.  Remember that God gave the giver the means to purchase that gift to give to you.  And that ultimately, God gave us a most precious gift when he sent his only son to die for us so that we could be with him forever in heaven!

Trials are Gifts

Yes, you read it right.  Our trials are gifts.  I recently watched this video about a kid named Clayton McDonald.  Maybe you've heard of him or maybe you haven't.  He was an incredible boy who saw his trials as gifts and opportunities to share the gospel.  It shows incredible selflessness and putting God's glory and the salvation of others before your own pain.  Hopefully this video will impact you the same way it did me and show you that God works all things out for good and that His plans are ALWAYS perfect.

Perseverance

 Yes, I know, finishing things is hard.  Especially when you get distracted with things that seem more fun or better than what you are stuck on.  During November, as I've said many times, I participate in National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo).  Needless to say, writing a novel in a month isn't as easy as it sounds.  Perseverance is a big part of it.  Usually half way through NaNo I've decided that my novel is junk and not really worth finishing.
But what I have to remember is that there are always things that seem bigger and better out there.  There will always be something in my mind telling me that what I'm writing is no good.  Everyone, even the greatest authors, have struggled with doubt that their project isn't worth finishing.  Perseverance applies to almost all things in life.
You don't give up singing just  because you hit a few bad notes.
You don't quit your job just because it's hard.
You don't stop playing a sport because it gets more difficult.
Working hard and giving your best are always better than giving up.  More importantly, God doesn't want us to quit.
The bible says that we are to strive to be like Christ.  And if Christ didn't give up on us even though we continued to sin and disobey Him, we shouldn't give up on people or other things.  As my dad reminded me the other day, "It's just a season, it will eventually pass."  So keep running in the race!  Taking breaks only makes you fall further behind!  Persevere!

NaNo Approaches!

NaNoWriMo is seriously 2 days away!  I can hardly wait!  I know I post on it every year and about how much fun it is.  Hey, I can't help it.  It's something I enjoy...a lot!  Here's the link just in case someone wants to check it out and join me on the crazy mission to write a novel in a month!  NaNoWriMo Young Writers Program

French!

Today, my youngest brother was writing some "words" on the back of note cards that my sister had used for a research project (luckily the project was finished!).  He gave them to my mom and told her to read them.  While she was reading out loud what his gibberish said my little brother had a proud look on his face.  When she finished, mom said, "Great job buddy!  What language are you writing in?!" To which he replied in the most matter of fact tone possible, "French!"
Oh the little moments that make us laugh.  They're so unexpected but then end up making our days so happy and enjoyable!