Can you believe it? It’s that time of the year again when we have to squeeze the busyness of the Christmas holiday into the (already) small margins of our busy lives.
Sounds kind of Grinch-ish, huh?
In the Christmas story (Luke 2:8-14), the angel said,
“I bring you good news of Great Joy that will be for all people.”
What is JOY~
and how do we get it?
All too often, for many, Christmas is a source of pain and of sorrow. Circumstances and possibly even tragedies in their lives prevent them from experiencing the
Joy of Christmas.
For others, they just get so caught up in the hectic pace of the holidays and trying to live up to the expectations of others, that they forget the true meaning of Christmas. They’re mired by shopping lists, and parties……charge cards, to-do lists or perhaps even squabbling relatives.
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| The notorious Target lady |
Do I think we should not mourn our losses, plan our holidays, buy presents for others or ditch mean Aunt Harriet? Absolutely not! I for one wouldn’t get through the holiday without my lists. And who doesn’t like presents? And as for the relatives, well there will always be (at least) one relative that drives you crazy….. I’m just sayin’….
If we can just focus on the
Giver of Joy
and allow Him to be in control-
not our lists,
nor our calendars,
our problems…..
nor our calendars,
our problems…..
not even our crazy relatives,
I think we can find Joy in the midst of
whatever else is going on in our lives!
whatever else is going on in our lives!
Jesus was born into this dark world so that all could experience joy.
We release
JOY
into our lives when we have a thankful heart.
Rather than a
euphoric feeling or emotion caused by something external,
I think joy is a deep feeling of
fullness or satisfaction
that comes from within.
It's a heart-thing!
JOY
into our lives when we have a thankful heart.
Rather than a
euphoric feeling or emotion caused by something external,
I think joy is a deep feeling of
fullness or satisfaction
that comes from within.
It's a heart-thing!
So don’t let the complications of life
or a hectic holiday rush
steal your joy.
Stop complaining
and
start praising.
or a hectic holiday rush
steal your joy.
Stop complaining
and
start praising.
AND
Christmas,
And why not use this holiday season to create a new habit of reaching out to others, especially those who may be having a difficult time.
There are as many creative ways to be a blessing to others as there are people in need of a blessing.
Blessing others is a great way to experience Joy!
Don’t let Christmas become more of a hassle than a blessing.
Don’t just endure the Christmas Holiday~
Enjoy it!
********************
Our Year in Pictures
Grab a cup of coffee because this could take awhile!
Disclaimer: While our life is not perfect, and we don't do everything perfectly, it is Joy-filled!
Disclaimer: While our life is not perfect, and we don't do everything perfectly, it is Joy-filled!
It has been quite a year...
We've had damaging storms...
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| Balls of Hail |
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| Trees down everywhere |
No electric, no problem!
Just bring your perishables to mom and dads house,
they have a generator!
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Miranda's ice cream had an accident on the way over and she didn't want it to go to waste. So she ate it right out of the cooler!.... |
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| ......and Jack helped! |
We've had floods.....
a snowstorm in October....
even an earthquake! (sorry-no picture!)
We also had.......
New Additions
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| In February, Josie joined our family after we lost our beloved Mac. |
August 10th, Rhea Amelia Luckie arrived!
Wonderful!
Growing Pains
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| Jack in January |
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| and Jack now....he's 2! |
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| Jack and Josie have grown up together! Double trouble 4 sure! |
New Places to Call Home....
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| Andrew has had a lot of wonderful help to get his mountain house ready to move in to. |
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| His buddies from work helped to get a new roof on this fall. Now he has the remaining outside finishes to complete... Maybe next year! |
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| This fall, Andrew moved into his Man Cave! |
Miranda and Steve got themselves a fixer upper too!
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| Steve Miranda and Jack moved into their new house just days before the baby came. |
They had lots of helpers too, a.k.a. parents and grandparents!!!!!!
A Huge Thank-You to all of you who helped with these endeavors!!!
Family Gatherings
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| On Labor Day Weekend, the Luckies and Myers' came together for a baby baptism at the same little chapel where Miranda and Steve were married. |
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| A Family Photo of the Myers siblings and their families. We're calling it the 1st annul reunion. Hopefully there will be more to come! |
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| My mom with her grandkids...Andrew, Miranda and Levi, at one of our cookouts. |
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| Miranda and I took the kids to visit Great Aunt Rhea (and Uncle Dale). Little Rhea was named after her!! |
There's always one that doesn't want to cooperate!
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| Rhea Elizabeth and Rhea Amelia Very Sweet! |
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| Me with the Yocums after a lovely lunch |
A FEW MORE PICTURES.........
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| Andrew and Ashley....Ain't love grand?! |
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| Road trip to Wisconsin! |
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| Baby Rhea |
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| Yep, she's gonna have red hair too! |
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| My 2 little red heads having a sweet moment! |
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| 2 of my boys |
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| Tractor ride with Gramps |
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| Dave and his 7 point (Va.) |
That's all folks!
It's been a good year, filled with lots of changes....
an empty nest for Dave and I...
another grandbaby....
and oh, I turned 50 just a few days ago!
While the thought of being 50 pretty much stinks,
I'm thankful to be here!
A few years ago I wasn't sure I'd even make it to the big
FIVE-0!
But thankfully, God had a good plan!
****************
It is our hope and prayer that whatever you're going through right now
that you too will find
this holiday season.
A midst the clutter and chaos of life...
Remember to take time to enjoy the little things.....
and be a blessing to others!
Tam and Dave
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