merry Christmas!

I just wanted to wish you all a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! Cheesy and typical, I know, but hey, I love you guys :)

And I know this is going to sound typical too, but it's anything but cliché.

While you're unwrapping gifts and eating cookies and all that good stuff, remember that beautiful Christ child born on that perfect night.

Remember JESUS.

And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.

And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.

And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.

And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.

For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord.

much love,

anna :)

it's beginning to look a lot like Christmas :)

Woo-hoo! Christmastime is finally here! I know some people think it's just something in the air, but I know why I love Christmas. It was when Jesus was born. That beautiful baby boy that was destined to save the world. I couldn't imagine what it would've been like to be Mary. Her baby was God's Son. She was holding a hero in her hands. And Joseph was probably filled with more pride than any Dad that's walked the face of this earth.

So, starting into the Christmas season, I'm trying to keep my focus on Him. 'Cause I get so easily distracted by the cookies, the presents, the preparation. Sometimes I forget what's really important. I know it sounds typical and cheesy like something you read about in books, but it's the truth. We get so caught up in everything else that we seem to forget about our Savior. The precious baby Jesus.

So this year, we've 'adopted' a child so to speak. She's not living with us or anything, but we're buying her a present for Christmas. Her name is Mariamo (Mary-ah-moe). She's in third grade, is a little sassy, and loves Hannah Montana.

Isn't she precious? I think so :) I'm totally jazzed about making someone else's Christmas 10x better. She and her family live in a really rough neighborhood and don't have much. So one big present for each of their family members is gonna be a huge deal. She has 16 other siblings (I think) that are receiving something too. But the main reason for this is to show them the love of Jesus. Ya see, they're a Muslim family and they are pretty set in their ways. So I'm asking you to pray for Mariamo and her family - pray that they accept Jesus. That they won't just be happy about the gifts, but that they'll know why we're giving them.

...because of that little baby boy, born on that wonderful night...

Blessings always & forever,

anna :)