Counting My Blessings

I'm pretty blessed. I've been doing "30 Days of Thanksgiving" for my Facebook posts all month (today's the last day!) and it has truly made me turn my gratitude meter UP. I was even thankful for my dog one day...now I know a lot of furparents who love their pets like their children. I even know some people who care more for their dogs than their own flesh and blood. But, that is not me. I like having pets, I think there is definitely a purpose and reason people love animals. Like, maybe because God put us humans in charge of them. We name, watch, and generally steward them - usually from afar. But, I think getting our dog was a little bit of a mistake. It's like having a perpetual toddler that you can't actually take with you when you leave the house. Plus, the black dog hair everywhere is a pain frustration. However, there is no denying the comfort of that big black body sleeping beneath my feet in the evening and the "high alert" status he goes on at night. Protector of the house!

I hope to continue this atmosphere of gratitude and well-being as we enter the Advent season. Keeping my eyes and, by extension, our children's eyes set on the heart and person of Jesus Christ will definitely help. I'm thrilled to be preparing to take the journey of Jesus from Angelic Proclamation to His flight to Egypt. Talk about an Advent-ure! I'm thinking about getting a small tree to feature the children's special ornaments they're going to be making from Truth in the Tinsel: An Advent Experience for Little Hands this month. I definitely need to prepare the special calendar with each day's focus to explore. I hope you will all go on the journey with us. Amanda is offering her incredible e-book for only $4.99 and it is full of great ideas, beautiful crafts your kids can actually make, and moments you'll always treasure. Consider joining the fun on the Tinsel Facebook page too! http://facebook.com/truthinthetinsel
We're working on our special "custom" advent calendar right now; we'll (of course) use our Lego one too. ;)

What special preparations are you making for Christmas?

Under Construction

As my regular readers may know (if I still have any), I haven't been blogging lately. Things are a bit... confused around here. Everyone is healthy, we are blessed, but I've been in flux. God is doing something in my life. He seems to be calling me to rise above my everyday existence and step into the destiny He has for me. I am still trying to get through the days in peace and resisting His voice. On the outside, everything seems the same with me, but on the inside I am under construction. I am not even sure of the blueprint yet, but I know preparations have begun. The landscape has been altered, smoothing the way for a new thing. I'm kind of excited, but also nervous about how it's all going to turn out.
This is what I know:

1. Jesus is my Lord and Savior, I will follow God the best that I can.
2. He has definitely told me to homeschool my children.
3. My husband, Nick, is a man after God's own heart.
4. I am blessed abundantly - not only by God the Father, but by the love of the people in my life.
5. The time has come to live radically.
6. I'm not the only one who's hearing this call.

I'm going to be blogging regularly again. I will still share cute pictures of my kids and stories of our journey of faith. I will also be journaling about this path I am traveling - wherever it may take me.
Blessings, Dixie