~ Possibilities ~

Isaiah 9:6 - For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.

Possibilities. In the Christmas season possibilities abound . Under the tree, in the store, on the calendar , and in our minds . The possibility that we've gotten what we asked for from Santa . The possibility we will gather with old friends or far off family to celebrate . The possibility that what was to be done in this year has been done and the thoughts of all that is possible in the New Year .

The last few weeks have been full of possibilities for me . Many things up in the air and even a few surprises that I can not begin to imagine what possibly may come from them . Possibility has almost become a very dreamy word in my current world . It lends itself to what may be , hope , dreams , surprises , and light !!! Am I the only one that when driving at night and seeing all the Christmas lights in towns and neighborhoods gets this inner joy simply because of the bright lights and colors ? They cause me to think that if this kind of beauty is possible, than what else is ?! Perhaps a insanely simple thought for an adult, but it is one of my thoughts none the less . I LOVE looking at Christmas lights !!! Here's a link to some local lights. This is just one side of that neighborhood. They go ALL out for Christmas lights, there's even music if you roll down your window as you drive through . It's kinda amazing ,  Jacksboro Christmas Lights . Perhaps you can understand why they make me so happy and hopeful .

The possibility of places to visit .

Today as I wrapped a few gifts and placed them under my tree I kind of feel back to my 5 year old self . Oh how I loved waking up Christmas morning to all those fun and beautifully wrapped gifts from Santa . My mom is a amazing gift wrapper so it was almost a shame to undo all that beautiful wrapping . It never crossed my mind as a child that my family probably wore themselves out getting me gifts and wrapping them so wonderfully . However , now as a adult shopping , making , baking and packaging my own gifts to give I realize what they probably went through to allow me that childish world of possibility . I look under my tree now and I know what is in the carefully wrapped packages and still I get excited over the possibility . I may should become more alarmed at the possibility people won't like their gifts than excited , but I digress .

This is about the only place I have to put a tree . So, it gets a bit abused by the curtains. I love my lil' tree with it's few gifts underneath it . This may be nerdy, but I also like to put the gifts I receive through out the season under my tree as well . A kind of reminder of how blessed I am to have the thoughtful friends/family that I have .  A friend mentioned that I should've saved them to open on Christmas morning, but I am just not that disciplined . I receive something fun in the mail and I barely make it inside the house before ripping the paper off of it . Eternal child, right here !

I pray that whatever the Christmas season means to you that there would be a place of hope, of possibility , to live along with the decorations , parties, and gifts . When I think about the reason for the season in my own heart I can't help but be overwhelmed by possibilities . How Mary possibly felt with the looming possibility she would give birth in a stable . What the wise men possibly felt as they trekked to meet a infant King . The possibility that turned into a promise fulfilled that One would be born, to die for us . Just so that we could live in a world full of possibilities .

Luke 2:11 - For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

Tree Trimming - Stacie Style

 

I told you  in my post "No Reindeer Harmed" I was going to do my best to hold off putting up and decorating my Christmas tree this year . I have been known in years past to set it up long before Thanksgiving . Well, I am proud to report that I didn't finish my tree until Thanksgiving evening and I started setting it up just a few days before . So, for me that is a pretty big deal . Tonight I sit by the glow of my tree lights , sipping mint hot chocolate with Jack Davis resting in the floor and I have so much on my mind that I thought perhaps the best thing to do would be some writing . Help refocus my mind and energy .

I have had my tree and most of it's decorations for about 8 years now . I proudly purchased it along with purple/gold ornaments my first Christmas in Chattanooga . In years since then I have broken ornaments , lost, given away , repurposed, and added some new ones to my tree . Originally my thought was that I would have a "cute" tree . The kind you see in stores or sitting rooms . You know ?! The matching, styled , but not so sentimental kind . However, as years past my tree has slowly become more sentimental with its décor .


From Abbigale - One of my "nieces"

She loves pink & glitter as much as I do.

 

From Melly - former RA

Team Logic co-founder

 

This year as I decorated my tree I realized just how meaningful some of my ornaments have become to me . I save the ornaments that have been gifted , made, or that hold a special memory as the last things I put on my tree . I want to give them a prime spot so that I can look at them through out the season and be reminded of how much the Lord has done not just this year, but in those past as well . To remind me of the people I've had the chance to love and even greater the one's I've had the chance to be loved by .

 

Given last Christmas by my

Dad & Step-Mom

 

Made by Miss Bridget

 

This year as I added these special ornaments to my tree I was overwhelmed thinking that one of my bff's daughter, Abbi , thought of me when she saw a pink sparkly fairy ornament . I clearly have impacted this kids life....with glitter....as it should be . LOL!! I smiled realizing that Miss Bridget hand made several snow flakes especially for me . Each time I see them I'm reminded of her cup of peppermint tea , her love of the students and her continued friendship since I've left Chatt . I got kinda teary eyed opening a envelope that a former RA & continued friend had sent me with a beautiful "S" ornament in it . Reminding me that bonds formed in the trenches of ministry last forever . These sweet people along with so many others have taken time out of their days just to brighten mine . Their thought will not simply brighten the day that I received their ornament, but every year that I hang these ornaments, every day that I get to look at them on my tree through out a Christmas season , those days will be brightened too because of them . I'm not sure they realized that such a small thought could have such a big impact .  

 

A reminder of things I've yet to do &

a reminder of my Papaw

 



These are just a few in my growing collection of sentimental ornaments . They challenge me with the thought that this is the kind of person I hope to be. Not just in the Christmas season, but year 'round . I want the things I do , write , create , give, etc. to remind people how loved they are . Not just by me, but the God of the universe . These ornaments remind me of everything God has done and they help keep me focused on the promise of things He's yet to do . Once again He uses the smallest things to speak into our lives . I think that the gifting of ornaments has new meaning for me .

 

Not all my ornaments are gifted or made . I have many hand picked that reflect pure Stacie-ness . Some folks use tinsel to make their tree sparkle, not this girl . I have pink diamond-esq ornaments hanging top to bottom . Do you gift ornaments ? How do you decorate your tree ? Are there fun traditions you'd like to share ? Please feel free to comment and let us know how you celebrate and decorate through the Christmas season .

 

 

Christmas Greetings

As I mentioned in my most recent post I have been a busy elf preparing and planning for Christmas greetings , crafts and baked goods . All in a effort to help me refrain from putting up my Christmas tree . Also , I love to pre-plan it's my thing.....in most situations . However today A friend and I were texting about meeting up over Thanksgiving break and somehow we didn't nail anything down . We are both in event planning so we are both confused as to how this happens....every time ! Oh well, it's who we are and we're o.k. with that .

Last season I shared some posts not only on crafts and DIY ideas, but also how to "Earn When You Spend" . I'm unsure if you followed through with my tips, but I wanted to let you know just how much they can pay off . This month alone I was given a bonus from my Coca~Cola , Kellogg's and Shutterfly rewards that will basically provide me with personalized Christmas cards for free . That's right , FREE ! Per the "Earn When You Spend" post all you have to do to start earning points is create a account ( which is free) , enter the point codes you find under your cap, in your products box or in your e-mail from the company and boom ! You are on your way to savings, discounts, and best of all FREEBIES !!!! Often they will send you bonus codes not just for their company, but for partner companies as well . Just a FYI usually with Shutterfly you do pay shipping , unless you've gotten a code that allows free shipping , but even still it ends up being less than I'd pay in the store for cards that aren't personal . For me it has been worth the five minutes now and then to input the points . What kind of deals are you coming across as you prepare for the Holiday Season ?

Stationery Card

View the entire collection of cards.

No Reindeer Harmed

 

A pic I came across in INSTYLE mag.
If I ever hang a deer head in my home please
know it WILL be bedazzled .

 

"Good because every Christmas tree put up before Thanksgiving an elf drowns a baby reindeer"...... the response I received from a friend when I told her I was trying to resist the urge to put up my Christmas tree . Yes, it's early-mid November and I'm already debating putting up my tree . I don't even care who judges me . Just for the record it didn't go up this weekend, but I make no promises as to how this week will go . In a effort to resist putting up my Christmas tree I worked on some Christmas craft/gift ideas instead .

 

 

In a small effort to not repeat myself or give away what I'm working on now ,  I thought I would just add a few links from last years "Holiday To-Do's" . Feel free to click on the highlighted links and if there are deals or coupons realized they are from last year so they probably aren't applicable at this point . But be sure this Christmas season as I come across good deals I will share them with you . Here are some of last years links . What are you working on that you might share with us ?!

 

 "Makin' My List and Checkin' it Twice" 

 "Mistle-Toe's" 

"Reduce ~ Reuse ~ Repurpopse" Boxes

"Elf on the Shelf Dinner Party"

"Holiday 'Baking'"

"Reduce~Reuse~Repurpose" Treat Tin"

 

Santa "Paws" is resting up

 before the season gets busy .

 

 

 



Free Shutterfly Prints = Mail Inspiration

(I am not paid by Shutterfly .

I am simply a highly impressed customer and want

to recommend them to other photo & craft enthusiast.)

 

This morning started off with several fun free surprises that have gotten me ahead on Christmas crafts , gift ideas and what not . As I wrote in my post , "Earn When You Spend" , there are many benefits to taking a few minutes to input those free codes found under the cap of your soda , sent as a thank you from a photo order or printed in the box of cereal . Today was one of those days for me and I thought that I would share one of those amazing deals with you to help you get started on your "Holiday To-Do's" . This Shutterfly deal ends November 1st at midnight so be sure to get your order in before then . Simply click on http://www.shutterfly.com/prints  or follow the links on http://www.shutterfly.com/ to begin the process of downloading up to 101 free prints . You will have to pay shipping, but it is still an amazing deal . I have used these types of free codes to print pictures for framing, scrapbooking and to use as postcards . Yes! Did you know that a 4x6 can be mailed as a post card ?!! If you are debating what kind of Christmas card to send this could be your answer . I've also thought they are cute for thank you's ,  birth , event or even new address announcements . I mean how cute would it be to print a pic of your new place to send as a post card not only announcing your new address, but showing your friends/family your newest residence ?!! There are post card "kits" at certain stores that you can adhere your photo to that provide a pre-printed spot for address, note , stamp, etc. I have used these kits before , they are real handy and make the photo a bit more sturdy, but you don't have to have them to mail the pic as a post card .

I have used Shutterfly for many projects . They are amazing at rewarding their customers with "Freebies" and "Discounts" throughout the year . They are also good with customer service . I had a order of address labels never arrive and they immediately offered to reprint and resend the order at no cost to me . No, I don't work for Shutterfly, but sometimes I wish I did . LOL!!!

Anyway , I hope that this little pass-a-long of info helps you with a project . Do you have any out of the box, creative , or surprising ideas for this Holiday season ?! Please feel free to share them with us !!

~ Busy Yourself~

     1 John 2:17   

And the world is passing away along with its desires,

but whoever does the will of God abides forever.

 

 

I have several people in my life that when they list off what they're doing in a day I seem to get sympathy exhaustion . When I am with these people I often find myself moving even slower than usual simply because there is absolutely no way to even begin to keep up with them . I have busy days, weekends or months as well . Not as much these days, but I've known my fair share of , "what day is this ?" busyness . I'm all about being a go-getter, keeping your hands busy , YOLO and all that other what not, but I have begun to ask myself several questions when in the presence of this overwhelming, gotta be some kind of unhealthy busyness.

1. Are they genuinely "busy bodies" ? You know the people who simply can not sit still. They are more at rest in mundane movement and tasks than if they are sitting still .
2. If the answer to number 1. is no , then I wonder "why are they keeping themselves so busy ?".
1. Is it a attempt to keep out of "trouble" ?
2. Is it to keep their mind off of life situations ? Being single, family stress, job stress ? etc.
3. Is it that they feel the only way to serve is to serve allllllllll the time . (burn the candle at both ends )
4. Is it because they have no help in their world so all the "to-do's" fall on their shoulders . 

No matter the answer I have a tendency to worry for these busy bee's . My instinct in most situations is that it is a mixture of 1 & 2 . Because there is so much on a persons mind due to life situations there can be at times more temptation to get into "trouble" in an attempt to avoid thinking on , dealing with , accepting , or acknowledging the life stuff . Especially when one knows themselves well enough to recognize that when in a stress of life situation the easy fall back is to get into "trouble" .

 

"It's better to be doing nothing than to be busy doing nothing. "

~ Zen saying

 

I have several people in particular that I find myself concerned with more often than others . Because I have had the chance to hear their hearts I fear for them in their constant busyness . While the intention may be to keep themselves out of "trouble", my fear is that it's only prolonging the inevitable "trouble". That "trouble" that comes from avoidance in the stress of life stuff .

 

For example: Single people who desire to be in a couple can at times keep their calendar so very full with work , friends , church , special events , charities , work outs , group outings, etc. that they leave them selves no time to think on , consider, or feel the loneliness that can possibly come from singleness . Why do I worry for this scenario ? Being single does not equal being lonely . I once heard a speaker say , "you think you're lonely now singletons, wait until you've rushed into a marriage for the sake of ridding yourself of the loneliness only to roll over , look into the eyes of your spouse and realize you're more lonely now than ever". I wish I'd written down the speakers name . I can't tell you how many times I hear those words in my own head when I think of settling because "i'm lonely today", "everyone else is doing it", "it's what I'm suppose to do", so on and so forth . That quote was one of the most frightening revelations I ever had and I'm so grateful for it . Every time I think of it I want to write this mystery speaker a THANK YOU letter ! It is my thought that if you don't know how to be you in the quiet , calm, alone times of life then I'm not sure you can know how to be you with someone else in the busy or calm . Also, singletons don't feel picked on there are a ton of other scenario's to use as examples , but this one I know from personal experience  :-)

 

"Life seems but a quick succession of busy nothings."

~ Jane Austen

 

My point ? If you are keeping yourself so busy with "things" are you leaving yourself any time to truly work on yourself ? Are these things aiding in your relationship with the Lord ? Are they a symbol of trust in His plans for you or a outward and active expression to Him of your distrust ? We calm ourselves by thinking  these "things" that keep us busy are bettering us because we aren't at home scarfing down a pint of ice cream , crying while reading the Note Book and bellowing "I'm so lonely" at a frequency only dogs can hear .  We tell ourselves that since we aren't doing "that" version of lonely our version is obviously better because it keeps us busy . I personally disagree with that mentality . (Uhm, Just for the meeting minutes that never happened, I just made it up . In all reality I would never read a book I can watch . HAHA!) 

 

   Proverbs 19:15 ESV        

Slothfulness casts into a deep sleep, and an idle person will suffer hunger.

 

Yes, there are "things" to be done to better us . Yes, to be busy is at times better than being idle . I am not saying stop everything, change all your ways , do nothing but sit with your thoughts . What I am challenging you with is this , What do you busy yourself with and why ? For me it was totally worth evaluating . The answers gave me so much that I never would 've gleamed had I continued going at the chaotic rate I was . Whatever your life stresses are I pray that you can take a moment and evaluate your schedule along side His schedule for your life . Even if you are like me and in this place of "what is next?" , there is still a place to evaluate what you're spending your time on and why .

 

I pray that this post challenged , encouraged and instigated some thoughts for you . I love you all and desire Gods best for your life , for our lives .  I believe He has a purpose for each and every one of us and the devil would like nothing more than to keep us so busy and self focused that we don't take time to embrace His schedule , to-do , and callings on/for our schedule . To be busy with the things of the Lord is a totally different kind of busy .

 

In His Love and Service -

 

Stacie 

  Jeremiah 29:11   

For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.

 

From Me to You and From You to Who ?

I love a personal note. The idea that a book could go
through so many hands and with each pass along one leaves a
note, date or passage highlighted, to me makes it feel like a shared
experience though some readers may never cross paths .

 

In my posts "Happy My Birthday" and "Belated Birthday Update" I wrote about my hopes, plans, fears and surprise blessings for/from this years birthday . One of the surprise blessings came in the form of several books . In all truth I have yet to start reading either of them, but I have been skimming and preparing myself . When I start reading a book I want to be able to focus on it alone . If I am already reading another book then I have to finish it before I can move onto the next one . I can't help it . It may make me a nerd . It's just who I am . It's just how I roll .

 

Previous to receiving these books I had mailed several books that I had finished and loved to a few friends . I wrote a little something on the inside or included a note of some sort . I didn't send these at random with a note that said , "read this you need some Jesus" or anything like that . I sent them to folks that had read or heard from me personally how these books had been working in my life along with my devotional time and so they showed interest in reading them as well . Somewhat as a branch off of my post , "Selfish, This Isn't For You", it is my humble opinion when we find truth and bond with the words someone else has boldly shared either in written form or in a speaking/conference setting it is our job, our duty to pass along that truth and why we bonded to it . It is what we are to do with the Gospel that was given to us from His Word and I believe that as believers when coming across other tools that help grow , ground , and guard us when it comes to the truth found in the Word it is just as vital to pass that along too . So, all that said these two books made for very special gifts to me .

 

I'm all about building a personal library, but let's be real , some books you will never read again and some books are meant for passing along . I am excited to read the books my friends passed along to me . Especially knowing that they gleamed something affirming , encouraging and insightful themselves . What do you have that you could pass along to someone else ? Have you gotten a book from a friend that really hit the nail on the head ?