I started reading a new book called "The Circle Maker" by Mark Batterson. Wow! It is powerful. ( and I might add a little convicting...) Praying...do I believe in the power of prayer? Do I fully grasp ( not sure really any of us can fully grasp the power) the power that we have when we pray? Today, challenged by the book I did some circling...First of all, I went to my church, the place I worship, the place I work, the place I choose to build community with a local body of believers, and I circled. I circled the inside, I circled the outside, and I prayed that somehow God would use me there and that those who enter through the doors will have a life changing God altering experience in their lives, their homes, their jobs and their hearts.  That we wouldn't simply come together once or twice a week for the sake of it but we would come together because our lives literally depended on it. Mark ask the question in the book, " do we even know what to circle or to pray for?" This morning I prayed that BreakPointe wouldn't simply be a building, but it would reach the community for Christ. That we would have renewed vision and purpose. that we would build lasting relationship that don't just simply last for this lifetime but for eternally. Could my prayer be more specific? yes I beleive it can and I am asking God to show what to ask in His name that will bring Him glory. 

Then on the way home I made a little detour through Corporate Woods. Starting Monday Jason will begin a job there. So I drove around the building several times, circling and asking God to protect Jason, give him wisdom, that Jason's light will shine brightly at his new company. That God will bless Jason and do the immeasurably more. I prayed that Satan would have no strong hold there. 

Then my last stop, my home. The neighbors probably thought I was crazy- which is a whole other blog- but I walked around my home, praying for my kids, my marriage, my future son and daughter in laws, and their families. I prayed that this house on the corner will be a light of Hope, and a safe place for all that enter. I prayed that God will use each one of us for his kingdom. That doing his will won't just be something we talk about but that we will run after with all that we are. I prayed that generational issues will not be passed down because Jason and I made the stake in ground that says no more... we are going to change history. That we will build an alter in which we remember that God saved us and has protected us from so much. I prayed that Satan will not have any say inside this circle. 

Here at my desk, I begin to draw circles on paper, and in those circles I begin to write the names of those I love very much.  I can't physically circle them today but I am praying by name for them and pleading the blood of Jesus Christ over them. That the choices that they are making, that the culture in which they are listening too, will have no more power in their lives. That God will break through and bring healing, and forgiveness and grace. 

What are you circling? Read the book... "The Circle Maker" by Mark Batterson. But more importantly begin praying. 

We spend so much time preparing for the day. We decorate the house, we spend hours shopping for the perfect gift, we cook and bake and then the day comes- and goes. Christmas this year was a great day. We enjoyed spending the day with our kids, our family and friends. We worshiped, we celebrated and we loved. 

Our Christmas started on Christmas Eve. We came home as a family, just the 6 of us and ate some tacos, watched "White Christmas" and then for the first time since the beginning of our family, we opened presents on Christmas Eve- it was really close ( 45 mins) from Christmas morning. The kids loved it. Then we went to bed and woke up and went to church. It was a great way to spend Christmas! 

Jason is in the last week of his job in Lee's Summit. And as each day passes we get more and more excited about his job just down the street from our house. More and more excited at the possibilities this new job will bring. 

Today I have been pretty reflective of the year 2011, it has been filled with ups and downs. It has taught me many things and it has left me realizing how much Jesus cares and sees me. There are just a few days left of this year and I have so much I want to accomplish yet this year. I am working hard on getting them marked off my to do list. It also has me reflecting on what I want 2012 look like. Not really resolutions, but things I want to see differently for next year. Letting go of things, and developing more self discipline in my life. Ahh, I think those things make the list every year...

Christmas may be over, but I am going to try to add a favorite thing to the end of each blog- or a blessing. Because it really does change the way I feel and think. 

Favorite thing- Evenings spent at home just doing nothing. Hanging out with the people I love, enjoying the things that make me happy. Resting in the warmth of God's embrace. 

Answers to prayer- One big and one small. Charlie is back in the hospital and over the weekend, he was doing very well. But today, they ( Dr's.) are feeling good about the treatment plan and will be sending him home within a few days. Praise the Lord! 
Small one- Kailyn was born with an extra baby tooth between her front baby tooth and her permanent tooth. Over a year ago, she had surgery to remove the extra baby tooth. The permanent tooth still did not come down, so she went back in for surgery and a lasso was tied around the tooth to try to bring it down. At her last Ortho visit, they told us we were going to have to go back for another surgery, the tooth had moved down but would not come through the gum. So Kailyn and I cont' to pray that somehow that tooth would come down and she would not have to go back to surgery. and today...the tooth made its appearance. Kailyn and I were so excited. We thank the Lord that he hears all of our prayers!

Favorite things are hard to think of when you spend the whole day running from place to place looking for the gifts you vowed last year you would not wait as long to buy. When at 10:30 pm, you look at the almost empty shelves and say I don't care...just buy it. Every year I say, I will not wait until the last minute and every year I find myself here...frustrated, tired and almost loathing the season. Now I realize i have spent the last few days talking about my love for Christmas and I do... It is just easy to get so blinded by all the stuff we forget to slow down and enjoy it. Tomorrow I am hoping to wake up early run to the store for those last minute things and then turn my focus to what is important. We will have a Christmas Eve service tomorrow and then a Christmas morning service. The focus will be Christ- he has come for you, for me...

So for the sake of favorite things here goes a few more...

Music- I love music! Music has away of getting into your emotions. There is music that helps me worship, music that makes me want to dance and have fun, there is music that makes me sad, music that reflect. I like a wide variety of music and different kinds bring back different memories. 

Cheesecake- yummy Cheesecake! I haven't tasted a cheesecake that I didn't like. Someday I will try to make one..

This one is a secret so don't tell- I love to watch IU Basketball with my husband. He has me hooked what can I say. I get nervous when it is a close game and I have learned which college basketball coaches I like, and which ones I don't. If you can't beat them, join em! 

Christmas Eve is in 4 minutes, I can't believe Christmas is 1 Day away! 

Grace...I don't deserve it. I haven't earned it. I can't really understand it fully. I don't always give it. And yet I find myself swimming in it. Grace... God's grace. He gives it. He gives us grace when our hearts are broken. He gives us grace when we are in over our heads. he gives us grace when we fall on our face. He gives it...freely and it did through his Son. Who came in the most humble of ways. Grace wrapped in swaddling clothes lying in a manger. Grace that was held in the arms of his mother, Mary. Grace that the shepherds bowed down in front of. Grace that grew to be man. Grace that hung on tree. Grace that died. Grace that conquered death, hell and grave. Grace that rose from the dead. Grace came so that I could live. 

Christmas is 4 days away! I can't believe it. I am so not ready. I have very few gifts bought, I have not gone grocery shopping or done any cards. I have however, spent time with my kids in the last week that has been priceless. Tonight we are going to have a family night, homemade soup, Christmas movie and pictures in front of the tree. I bought us all Santa's hat! I can't wait to take pictures. The kids aren't all that excited but someday, hopefully they will appreciate them.  

I have not yet blogged about this, but Jason got a new job. He will start the new year with a new company. He is so excited about it. It has great opportunity for him. I am praying that this will take some stress off of him. This is something we have been praying about for quite sometime. God's timing is always perfect I just have a hard time remembering that in the wait. 

I am extremely excited to have next week off with my kids. I have told them like a hundred times that we will be redoing the family room and Dad's office next week.  I want to make the office a craft room/ scrapbook room. Then clean the family room up and decided what we want to do with the space. The kids have been camping out upstairs and not using downstairs, so I want to get it cleaned up, and cleaned out and talk about  what the room can be- that we all can enjoy. I hope I can get it done. 

I am extremely blessed this season. Life is full, challenges and circumstances are tough but God is faithful. He has never let me down and I know that no matter what I go through, he is faithful. God is good. 

Favorite things- 

The smell of clean laundry. ( all the laundry done and put away would be a huge favorite thing- it just doesn't happen very often.)

Hearing my kids laugh- that sound never gets old! I love it!

When Jason comes up behind me and puts him arms around my waist and kisses me on the cheek! There is nothing that compares to that feeling. 

When I get to be part of someone's life transformation. To watch someone give their live to Christ and watch them grow in their faith. 

Shopping- its shallow I know. But I do love to shop- I just wish my funds were unlimited and I could shop more often. 

I love giving gifts- all year long I love to give gifts. this leads to more shopping! :) 

I love fresh snow on the ground that has not been dirtied by anyone or anything. 

Lilacs- I love the color and the smell. Probably my favorite flower( the rose might be a close second)

Clean house! I love when everything is clean and put away. 

I hope all of you can think of favorite things and smile because God has blessed you with so much! 

Today one of my favorite people in the world stopped by to see me. Lora, my dear friend. She has 5 amazing children, and she has a pretty great husband, Travis. But don't tell him I said so! Lora and I have known each other for years...I have no idea when we meet, and I really don't know how our friendship grew to be what it is today but I am so thankful for her. She is my friend that gets how much I love being a mom. She understands that after you have 3 kids you really don't know the difference anymore. She understands that laundry is always calling our name, and dishes will actually never be done. And having babies is one of our favorite things. She has a new little one and i am so glad I got to snuggle him today but I also got to hug her other 4 kids that I have had the privilege of being part of their lives. 

Last Night, another one of my favorite things happened, It was sister, cousin annual ornament exchange. Every year, Jenny, Tammy, Kendra and Sheryl and I go for an ornament exchange. A couple of years ago we added our other sister Pam to the group and she completes us. We have so much fun laughing, eating, shopping and enjoying each other. We try to get together for our birthdays and other special occasions. It is always a good time and moments I will cherish forever. 

I seem to have several favorite things. One of my other favorite things is reading my Bible. I have so many "favorite" verses. But one of them that stands out to me is " Trust in the Lord with all of your heart, lean not on your own understanding, but in all your ways acknowledge him and he will direct your paths." Proverbs 3:5, I love that I can trust him with everything. My other verse that I quote a lot is "if we are faithless, he will remain faithful, for he cannot disown himself." 2 Tim. 2:13. I love that even when I lack faith he is faithful. He cannot deny who he is. His very being is faithful. That gives me great hope. 

A list of favorite things leads to counting your blessings! 

Something new to my favorite things list is traveling... up until a couple of years ago I didn't know I liked this but I love going new places. Recently I took Brooklyn on a surprise 16th birthday trip to New York City. I loved it. We have gone to a couple of different places over the last couple of years and I love it! I can't wait to go on many more trips in the years to come.

My heart is pretty heavy tonight with the news of people I have known for many years are mourning the loss of their son, that was murdered today in their home by an intruder. I can't imagine the pain of this family tonight. So I tie this into my favorite things by saying, this...God is faithful to hold us no matter what our circumstances. I am thankful that nothing, nothing catches God by surprise. and that is a favorite thing! 

I love Christmas. I love the lights, the trees, the surprises. Watching my kids open presents. Seeing my breath when I walk outside. I love having a big tree in my living room. Fires in the fireplace that are cozy and inviting. I love having friends and family over at my house, laughing, eating, playing games and all the rest that comes with it. I love reading the Christmas story with my kids every Christmas Eve. I could tell you all the things that I don't like about Christmas but this is about favorite things. 

I love classic movies. Gone with the Wind. White Christmas. Miracle on 34th. Sound of Music, and many others. I am sucker for romantic comedy movies. Ask people they will tell you I don't like any good movies- I don't like stupid funny movies. I love Notting Hill, Letters from Juliet, Leap Year, Beaches, Sweet Home Alabama. I am sucker for a good Disney movie- I love Tangled, Finding Nemo, Mary Poppins, Lion King, Beauty and the Beast, Well you get the idea...

I love holding babies. I love rocking them to sleep. Giving them baths and putting Baby Magic lotion on them to give them that fresh baby smell. I am very content holding a little one in my arms. I miss holding mine and look for every opportunity to hold those around me. 

I love being a friend. ( and I hope I am good one) I enjoy sharing life's ups and downs with my friends. I love being part of their special days ( when they have babies, when they get a new job, etc...) I wish I had more time so that I could spend more time with them. 

I love writing. I love writing my blog, I love writing letters. And one day, I hope that I will write a book. it doesn't even need to be published, I just want to accomplish that. 

When you focus on the good, it changes how you think and you f eel. Favorite things can make a bad day turn good. 

I know some of you will find this very hard to believe but one of my favorite things is photos! I love taking photos, I love having photos taken, I love scrapbooking the photos. I love it all. This has been an obsessions for a long time. I love the fact that we have digital cameras. This makes this that much more fun. No need to wait and take the pictures to 1 hour and hope for good pictures. And yes I remember those days- too well. Of all the things we have lost in our years of marriage it is the pictures I weep over. Our computer crashed a few years back and with it when all of our pictures. still makes me sad to think about. I love capturing moments with my kids. I love taking the pictures of their growth and their changing faces. 

We are fast approaching Christmas...13 days to be exact! I was thinking about things today that are my favorite things. First of all, my favorite thing is spending time with Jason! He is truly my best friend. I have no idea what I would do without him. He makes me laugh, he shares my tears, my triumphs, my sorrows. He loves me and he loves our kids! Second is spending time together as a family. I love my kids. all of them equally. I enjoy our times around the table, riding in the car, vacationing and all the normal times. Watching them grow and learn is amazing. They have brought so much joy to my life that I didn't know could even exist. And I am grateful!

Christmas makes me reflect on my favorite things and how they fit into my life. Obviously, my family is my favorite thing. The next thing I find myself thinking about is Worship. I love to worship with a community of people who love God and love to share his love with others. There is very few feelings that match being in the presence of God, vulnerable, open, honest, and broken. In those moments when you know that the God of the Universe sees you and is talking to your heart, nothing compares to that. There is a freedom in worship, because you know God sees, and he hears and he loves! 

My favorite things are going to be continue through Christmas...