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Merry Christmas: A List of Favorites

December 25, 2014 Leave a Comment

For me, Christmas isn’t Christmas without some amazing music. And I love good music. My favorite right now is Pentatonix, especially their cover of “White Winter Hymnal”.

If you’re interested in something a bit more raw and maybe a bit more indy, then you should check out Von Strantz’ “The Light”. I know this group personally and enjoy their music and their passion for good music.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KOATZniyhxs

The next thing that makes me feel like it’s Christmas is to eat Sugar Cookies and Molasses Crinkles (aka Ginger Snaps). My mother makes some of the best home made cookies in my opinion. Around Christmas, there are enough cookies for everyone and their extended families too!

And I love Elf and White Christmas. These two movies just make me so happy, especially if viewed with people that I love!

Image detail for -Top 'Buddy The Elf' Quotes: Which is Your Favorite? - Page 2

Thanks, Pinterest!

I absolutely love this scene! It’s so fun! And hilarious!!!!

This Christmas post could be so much longer, but I’ll leave it at that! Merry Christmas to one and all!

What About You?

What are your Christmas favorites?

Love Mis-Communicated

December 22, 2014 Leave a Comment

I like to be loved. I think most people could agree with that statement; honestly, who doesn’t like to be loved! But have you ever just felt that someone didn’t know how to love you? Like they were speaking a totally different language?!

All through my teenage years, my mom tried so hard to love the very ornery and unlovable me. She stocked the freezer with my favorite ice cream flavors and made my life easier in a million different ways. Yet, it never felt like love to me.

Meanwhile, I would write my mom these beautiful letters, and she’d tell you that she loved them. But, when she wanted a hug, I always turned away. And I always grumped about helping her around the house.

Love mis-communicated.

My mom and I like to be loved in two very different ways. Because we want love in a certain way, we’re so much more likely to speak our own love language rather than each other’s.

My mother feels loved when I hug her and when I serve her.

I feel loved when my mother compliments me or encourages me with words.

Just like cultures clash so can love languages clash in families, friendships, and romantic relationships. If you haven’t heard of The 5 Love Languages, you probably should do a quick Google search or just skip it and buy the book. Not only will knowing the love languages help you understand others, but it will help you understand yourself.

The Five Love Languages:

Words of Affirmation – this language uses words encourage others

Acts of Service – actions speak louder than words

Receiving Gifts – gifts are the best for some

Quality Time – undivided attention on the other person

Physical Touch – appropriate touch given to someone

Most people will relate with a few of these or all of them. I know that each has a certain weight in my life, but I also know which one really means the most to me—going straight to the center of me! If you’re looking at this list and have no idea which one is you, don’t worry. There is a quiz for that (actually quite a few). So take a few minutes to take this quiz (and there’s an option to skip giving the site your information if you don’t want to do that).

Hopefully, now that you’ve had this brief introduction to the five love languages, you’ll find yourself with less love clashes in your life.

What About You?

What’s your love language? Did you ever have a moment where you were speaking a different love language than someone else?

Uncertainty: When The Future Seems Unclear

December 18, 2014 Leave a Comment

Do you ever feel like life is way more uncertain than you would like? Do you ever find yourself making a list simply because it makes something feel concrete in your life? Or maybe just taking slow deep breaths to steady a heartbeat that won’t stop skittering too fast because you don’t know what life will look like tomorrow or a month from tomorrow?

2014 has been the most unexpected year.

By nature, I’m a planner. I like things to be settled, organized, and certain. I can do spontaneity, but I like it within the time that I set aside for it. Yes, planned spontaneity. Is that an oxymoron? Please don’t tell me because I like my safe spontaneity.

Whatever my expectations were at the beginning of the year, they were completely blown out of the water. I think I’ll keep expectations shelved as I head into 2015.

To the All-Knowing God for Whom There is No Uncertainty,

I lay the mess of fears for the future and present into your hands because you keep showing up in my life with deep breaths and long sighs. I can rely on you.

Will you look into the future for me, climbing above the wall that blocks my view of the road ahead and shouting down from the height some directions for how best to move forward? My muscles are sore from the days past and shaking with every step. I look to you, waiting for your words of guidance and reassuring shout.

May gratitude be my companion as I step-by-step follow your wall-shouts from above.

Learning to accept uncertainty,

Barbara