Name that Christmas Carol!

1. Listen, the celestial messengers produce harmonious sounds
2. Nocturnal time span of unbroken quietness
3. Exalted heavenly beings to whom harkened
4. An emotion excited by the acquisition or expectation of good news
given to the terrestrial sphere
5. Embellish the interior passageways
6. Twelve o’clock on a clement night witnessed its arrival
7. Small municipality in Judea southeast of Jerusalem
8. The Christmas preceding all others
9. Tranquility upon the terrestrial sphere
10. Move hitherward the entire assembly of those who are loyal in
their belief

How did you do? Did you guess them all? Check barefootpreachr.wordpress.com for the answers!

Thanksgiving Traditions

Check out this post with our family recipe for Sweet Potato Casserole!

barefootpreachr.wordpress.com/

Christmas Card Challenge

Do you enjoy getting Christmas cards? I sure do! Every year I mail out close to 120 cards. These do not go out to the same people every year because some folks have been in our lives for a moment, others for a lifetime.

I do sign every one by hand and try to write a brief personal note inside each one. And yes, it takes up quite a bit of time but I think it is worth every moment I spend doing it!

I also enjoy getting Christmas cards - including the ones with the "Dear Everybody" letters tucked inside of them. It is the one time of year that I spend reconnecting with old friends, remembering friends or family that have passed on, and rejoicing in new friendships.

So, here is my challenge for you - pick 10 or 20 or 50! people that you don't normally send Christmas cards to and sign your name, write a brief note, and share the message of Christmas with them. Then, let us know by posting on the wall how you did ~ how you felt ~ and how folks responded to your efforts.

Better get going - there is no time like the present to pass on some Christmas cheer!
Blessings,
Pat

PS - If you need someone to start with - post a comment and I'll pass mine on to you!

Thanksgiving from a Child's Eye

Grandma was showing the children a painting of the Pilgrim Family on a Thanksgiving Day card that they had received and she commented, 'The Pilgrim children enjoyed going to church with their mothers and fathers and praying to God.'

Her youngest grandson looked at her doubtfully and asked, 'Then why is their Dad carrying that rifle?'

More from a child's point of view:
“Why do we celebrate Thanksgiving?”

“Becuss it is fun” Aidan
“Because Jesus died on the cross” Aaron
“We are thankful for food and stuff and thankful we survived the winter” Emilee
“It’s the day that Calufonu (California?) was made.” Bella
“I have no idea” Anthony
“It’s God’s birthday” Kylie
“Because it’s going to be Christmas” Hunter

“On the first Thanksgiving, the Pilgrims ate…”

“…fruit” Jessica
“…porrige” Kylie
“…with the indins and ate treky” Stephen
“…fish, ducks, bread and soup and cake or cookies maybe.” Autumn

“If I was a turkey on Thanksgiving I’d…”

“…run for my life and grab a rifle” Lloyd
“…I would color myself purpel” Meg
“…starve myself” Clay
“…run in circles” Hannah
“…peck people” Sonora
“…eat donnuts” Jessica
“…run away to the jungle” Emilee

“This is how my mom cooks our turkey…”

“She has my Grandma do it” Arielle
“She stuffs it & cooks it, as far as I know.” Riley
“She puts it in the oven. Does it for 2 minutes. Then puts it on a barbecue then asks Dad to cook it. Then she goes into the house and takes care of everything else.” Emilee
“…just rite.” Lauren
“She takes the guts out and stuffs it with rice.” Lexi
“She spits on it and takes it to the BBQ. Dad does the rest.” No name
“She buys a pizza.” Hunter

Peace Pilgrim’s Beatitudes

Blessed are they who give
without expecting even thanks in return,
for they shall be abundantly rewarded.

Blessed are they who translate
every good thing they know into action,
for ever higher truths shall be revealed unto them.

Blessed are they who do God's will
without asking to see results,
for great shall be their recompense.

Blessed are they who love and trust their fellow beings,
for they shall reach the good in people and
receive a loving response.

Blessed are they who have seen reality, for they know
that not the garment of clay but that which activates
the garment of clay is real and indestructible.

Blessed are they who see the change we call death
as a liberation from the limitation of this earth-life,
for they shall rejoice with their loved ones
who make the glorious transition.

Blessed are they who after dedicating their lives
and thereby receiving a blessing, have the courage and faith
to surmount the difficulties of the path ahead,
for they shall receive a second blessing.

Blessed are they who advance toward the spiritual path
without the selfish motive of seeking inner peace,
for they shall find it.

Blessed are they who instead of trying to
batter down the gates of the kingdom of heaven
approach them humbly and lovingly and purified,
for they shall pass right through.

by – mildred norman

I'm Back!

After taking a much needed sabbatical to rest my heart, mind and soul, I'm back. You may see some changes to my blog if you have been following me in the past, please feel free to tell me what you think. If you are just joining us, please feel free to look over the entries from the past and share your thoughts and comments. Whoever you are - thanks for stopping by and a great big, genuine "Hello!" from me to you.

These past few months have been ... interesting. :) I didn't realize how much emotional "stuff" I was carrying around until I found myself in a place where I could not think past the same day or maybe the next day. But those are stories for another time. For now, I am looking at new beginnings and a hope-filled future. Want to go for a walk with me?

"Believe me, they will listen to you. Then you and the leaders of Israel will go to the king of Egypt and say to him: 'God, the God of the Hebrews, has met with us. Let us take a three-day journey into the wilderness where we will worship God—our God.'" - Exodus 3:18 (MSG)