Monday Musings

Back to work and school.....and I have my first cold in 2 years!  Woke up Sunday with a sore throat, head cold symptoms.....not used to that since it had been so long since I've been sick. I blame it on the fact that I had virtually NO citrus fruit since leaving our home for the beach house. I usually eat a half grapefruit every morning during the late autumn and all through the winter.  I had neglected to buy some for our time away and we didn't get a chance to find any in the beach town.  So....not sure if there is a correlation or not but at least everyone else in my family is healthy!  So...off to Fresh Market I go for more grapefruit! All I know is that ever since I've added it to my daily diet during the winter months, I haven't had a cold!!

Am musing today about people who hold grudges.  Seems so sad to me.

Whether it's from a misunderstanding or just not being able to forgive, forget and move forward....not sure...just so sad to me.....

and musing about why, in the past, I've allowed my self to worry about what other people think of me and my decisions or screw-ups....and knowing I have freedom in Christ to be my self as long as I am not sinning...and if I do sin somehow (anger, jealousy, bitterness, complaining, or something else more obvious), I wish people had the grace and mercy to get past it!  I still tend to worry about what others think but it is mainly because I don't want people to not like me.....am sure there is something deep rooted in that....or not.....I do know I have learned from being married to Dave, that I am a peace-maker.  I like to resolve things and make peace with people. It sure is difficult though with people who still carry around grudges or unforgiveness.....or just don't see that people can change and that the Lord can heal hurts. and that sometimes the past just needs to be the past!!  

Am also musing about the upcoming Christmas holidays.  did some online shopping over the Thanksgiving break.  We are cutting way back.  Just one gift per grandparent....and we have decided to participate in reaching out and sending gifts to a relative in need.  She is a teen mom, getting her license to be a nurse assistent and lives on her own with her 6 month old baby. She is my step-niece (Dave's sister's stepdaughter) and we are so proud of her for not getting an abortion, keeping her baby, and working towards being self-sufficient.  It is tough.  Normally, we participate in our Encouraging Families Ministry at our church.  It is where we "adopt" a family for Christmas and shop for them and give them some items from their wish list.  But..we decided to surprise Lyndsay....she is family. And by doing this, we are hoping to spread the Good News to her, too!  We are praying her heart is open......

Am also planning on the Christmas Party I am hosting for my small group next week!  I can't wait.  These 9 moms in my group are my friends.  We are all sisters in Christ. There is nothing like spending time together, both as a small group but also doing things socially. This will be our first social event as a group and I am so excited to be planning it.  I am also thankful that they are helping with bringing food!  I have a request in to take a personal day the day of the party,  but I don't know if it will get approved in time so I may have to work that day!  And the neat thing is that it is my birthday that day but my husband and I will celebrate it later that weekend....he knows I would rather go out to breakfast on that Saturday, than dinner that evening. It also happens to be the evening of the junior high youth group so he and my youngest will be out of the house.  My oldest decided to join the Christmas Choir at church so she will be out that evening too....

this week we have Christmas decorating to do, the outdoor lights to put on the bushes, and the tree to put up on Friday evening.  Our tradition is that the tree goes up on the first Friday evening of December.  In my opinion, any time before December 1st is just too darn early!

I also have my husband's company Christmas party this week.  That is always a fun evening at a wonderful establishment in a city near us....

my oldest daughter is working furiously on getting her art application materials ready to send to the college where she was accepted.  She is trying to get into their art department.  I will be relieved when this is finished! It is stressful just watching her!

Whatever you have planned for this first week of December, I hope it goes well. 

 I am determined to keep working out, eating healthy, and getting my rest.....my "mantra" this holiday season is "hiding the Word in my heart and giving everything over to Him" so that I have less stress and can enjoy these days leading up to the celebration of the Birth of our Savior and Redeemer.

What are you musing about today??