A Well Worn Path to My Heart...New Again!

I've seen this cartoon a million times (well at least 35). I plan my schedule around it every year. I just love its simplicity and the way it makes a point without being "preachy."

I watched it the same way I always do, knowing exactly what scene is coming up next, exactly how the characters are going to react. That comes with seeing it a million (35) times. But this year, there were some things that I caught that I had never noticed before. And the simple little cartoon, which has made a well worn path to my heart, for the first time, made me cry.

I always make sure I try to catch the opening. This is one of my favorite scenes. The kids skating whimsically to "Christmas Time Is Here."
It's just enchanting.

But my eyes and ears started to perk up when Charlie Brown was contemplating why he was so down during Christmas.

Was it just the rampant commercialism, that his own dog was participating in, that was getting him down? Why was he looking for deeper meaning? I mean, isn't that what Christmas is all about? Presents, toys, Santa, shopping, parties, busyness? There's nothing in our secular world that would suggest that we look for ANYTHING else. That IS Christmas. Right? But obviously, Charlie Brown knew that something was missing...he just couldn't put his finger on it.
I think a lot of people feel that way.

Then Charlie Brown get the chance to direct the school play,
a chagrin to many in the group.
But no one would listen to him or his direction. What were they?

Loud
Busy
Oblivious
Disconnected

They were doing their own thing. They were caught up in CHRISTMAS for crying out loud!


Then comes the fiasco with the little tree, everyone's inattention and in his frustration, Charlie Brown finally loses his cool and exclaims!
"Isn't there anyone who knows what
CHRISTMAS IS ALL ABOUT???"

And Linus simply says,
"Sure Charlie Brown, I can tell you what Christmas is all about."
And he proceeds to tell the King James Bible version of the
Christmas story.
But what struck me for the first time was this...

Everyone was so busy before. But while he spoke of the "...babe, wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger," everyone stopped. They were still and they were quiet. They listened...and they got it.

And this is where I lost it. When he walks over and says,
"That's what Christmas is all about Charlie Brown."
I FINALLY GOT IT!

Those 8 words pierced my heart.
That is what Christmas is all about,
"...the Savior which is Christ the Lord!"
And that, "...Joy which shall be to all people" is the sweet spirit that came over the kids and caused them to finally want to
"Be Christmas" from their heart, instead of selfishly participating
in the hollow, empty, busy side of it all.



They all joined together and they all began to sing.

Why?

What is this spirit of goodwill and peace and joy and giving that comes over people this time of year?
Linus proclaimed it, and it is a PROMISE from God...
The angel of the Lord (His messenger) said,
"Behold, I bring you tidings of GREAT JOY which shall be to
ALL PEOPLE."

Angels don't just do or say whatever they want you know. They are created to worship and serve God Himself. So, this message came directly from Him, for the world. That Jesus, for all time, will be a GREAT JOY to ALL PEOPLE. Not just those people...ALL PEOPLE!
He is the gift. He is still the gift.
Still the JOY that can make your heart leap even when
everything around you looks grim. He is still the reason why, during this time of year, that people seem united in spirit. It's not by chance or because of "Tis the season and Ho, ho, ho."
It's because His Holy Spirit is real and you can feel it, right now!
Still! 2,000 years after the fact!

Charlie Brown was searching for something. And the Word of God gave him the answers he was looking for.
The answer was and is Jesus Christ. The baby that God sent as a gift to you and me.

He got it. I got it too.
My prayer is that YOU will also get it and let the
REAL Spirit of Christmas live inside your heart.

Many Blessings to you this season,
from my family to yours!

Sad at Christmas (my heart's desire)

Christmas season has been very joyful for me in a lot of ways. I got all my decorating done right after Thanksgiving and the house has felt so warm and festive for weeks now. I also got all my shopping done in November, minus the crowds and hustle and bustle and haven't even had to think about shopping this whole season! I've been invited to sing at several different places, which always brings joy to my heart. I participated in a fun cookie swap (made almost 20 dozen cookies!) and a big ol' CRAFT DAY with my life group, among other fun, festive things. But one aspect has made me very sad and there's not a whole lot I can do about it.

You see, there have been so many in need this year. A lot of close personal friends or family who are out of work, who are struggling just to put food on the table, who just cannot justify spending extra on gifts for their kids, have really needed me this year and I just haven't been able to help.

This weighs so heavy on my heart. You see, I am a giver. If I can't give when someone is in need, it literally breaks my heart. The reason I can't do a lot about it is because we, ourselves, are watching every penny and since I'm not the one who works a full time job or manages our finances, I can't just give away random amounts of cash (although that's exactly what I'd like to do!).

But in my opinion, being on a tight budget is no excuse for being tight fisted.

I believe when we relax and open our hands, not only are we more free to give, but are then open to receive blessing back from God.

It's a promise. Luke 6:38 says, "Give and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you." That means that if you give with a teaspoon, you'll be given back a teaspoon in blessings. But if you give with a big ol' bucket, you'll be given a big ol' bucket's worth of blessing back. And while I believe a lot of that is monetary, I believe a great deal of that means that you have greater joy and peace. When you live with open hands and not clenched fists, and live with the mentality that it's not yours to begin with, it's all God's, then you experience a freedom that is unlike any other. Worry leaves you and you begin to trust your Provider to do just that...PROVIDE.

I don't worry much. I am one of those people that just trusts. It gets on a lot of people's nerves actually. But I can't find any other way that God commands us to be. He says to trust Him, so I do. He says that worry doesn't add a day to your life, so I don't. I don't see any middle ground. Am I perfect? No way! I still worry sometimes (I'm a mother after all) and sometimes I don't completely trust. But I will say that to worry about money is something I rarely do. God has proven Himself faithful too many times for me to do that!

Which brings me to why I'm sad that I can't give the way I want to this year. I haven't been trusting Him to bless my business and I haven't been working hard enough to see any of the seed that I've planted produce. I've been lazy. There...I said it. I've just been plain ol' lazy. And now, I'm seeing the consequence of that laziness.

The consequence is apparent when my small group leader calls and tells me that a member of our group has no groceries in the house and that the kids have no Christmas presents, could I give something to help, and I have to say no. Oh my gosh, that tears me up inside! It makes me sick and I feel so ashamed of myself. It's my heart's desire to be the BIGGEST giver I know and to not be able to give what I would like really hurts (although I talked to my husband and we were able to give a little to help). I want to be the one who can write a $500 check for her kids to have presents under the tree or fill up 2 big grocery carts at Kroger so that the family will have groceries in the house.

I don't just want to have a successful business so I can earn trips or a car or make a lot of money or because I want to pay off student loans or put on an addition to the house. Because it's not all about me, but it's about being used as a vessel for God to fill up and then pour out to others.

So I guess the next question is, how do a make sure I never go another Christmas feeling this helpless to, well, help?! I don't ever want to feel this way again.

I will ponder and pray on this for a few days and update you
on what ideas God gives me.

"Lord, bless me and make me a blessing!"

And although I have not been able to give the way I would like this Christmas, I did participate in our church's food and toy drive. I made up a box of nonperishable food and gave away an art set that I had bought for my daughter for Christmas. Our church had a goal to make up our city's food bank's 30,000 pound deficit. We had two weeks to bring in 30,000 pounds of food and fill a tractor trailer with toys. After the first week, it didn't seem like we would make it because there was only a couple thousand pounds brought in, but in literally the last hours of the deadline, ALL the food came in and the goal was met! It was an amazing miracle!

Check out my pastor's blog for pictures of that miracle and what
"Being Christmas" is all about!

Quick Shout Out 'Bout Christmas Cards

Here are some quick facts about Christmas cards and how sending them with me will be
easier, faster, cheaper, and more efficient!

Do you buy a box of Christmas or holiday cards for like $2 bucks at the Family Dollar and sort of dread the time and effort it's going to take to write in them, dig out your family and friends' addresses, address them the envelopes, put a stamp on each one and then haul them off to the post office? I used to do that. My cards were sort of boring and actually getting them ready and getting them out was seriously no fun!

But now that I have a little one of my own and want to share something a little more special around the holidays, I've found that this new card sending system not only makes my life a WHOLE lot easier, it's really fun. I can get creative with my cards in a way I never have before and I'm so excited to send them out this year!!!

So here are a couple of questions...

In lieu of cards, do you send out those typed pages on Christmasy paper with a couple of family pictures printed on them that tell about your family's year? How long did that take? Maybe not as long as hand writing in Christmas cards, but it still took a lot of effort I'm sure...but did it have that sort of "specialness" factor that made your family and friends decide to file it away because it was such a nice keepsake? Probably not.

Do you send those Walgreens or Walmart photo postcard things? With the envelopes, they are $12.99 per set of 20 (from walgreens.com), which is about $.65 per card. Not bad I guess, but they're postcards essentially. And for a postcard, that's not a great value.

walgreens.com also does a nicer 5x7 folded card with pics, but they're $1.99 a piece! Crazy!

Folks....THERE IS A BETTER WAY THAN ALL OF THESE PUT TOGETHER!!!

My beautiful 5x7 folded card, with an envelope,
that can be highly customized is only .$62!!!
(add as many pictures as you want for a one time charge of $.31)
Can you believe that???
And I haven't even gotten to the best part
that makes this such a great value!!!

*You never have to leave your house to send these cards. In fact, you can send them right from your laptop while sitting on your own couch!
*You have over 3,000 holiday cards to choose from...or you can customize your own!
*You can add as many pictures as you want for just $.31!
*You buy your $.44 stamps right on the site...you don't have to go to the post office!

Here's the really sweet part!
We print them...
We stuff them...
We stamp them...

We mail them for you...

AND YOU'RE DONE!!!
Your cards took just a couple of minutes, so you can quit stressing and
move on to cookie baking and decorating and shopping and family fun!

And that's just Christmas cards ya'll. Imagine having that kind of value and convenience for ALL your card sending needs...birthday invitations, birthday and anniversary cards, Thank You's, sympathy cards, get well soon cards, congratulation cards (I'm starting to sound like Bubba from Forrest Gump..."shrimp salad, shrimp scampi, shrimp kabobs, shrimp creole, shrimp on toast...." LOL).

If you're interested in this system, email me (angiethecardlady@gmail.com) and I'd be glad to share more with you You can also try sending out a card by clicking this link and my automated system will set up a gift account for you to try our service for free.

Thank You and HAPPY CARD SENDING!!!

Christmas Budget

So, this is the year! This is the first time we are taking Christmas shopping for our little girl seriously. Before you gasp in astonishment because we have somehow deprived her, remember, she's just two. Her first Christmas she was just 7 months old, so needless to say there wasn't much to get her besides a few little musical toys and a couple of stuffed animals. Then last year, we got her a dancing Brobee (from Yo Gabba Gabba), and 3 or 4 learning type toys. The rest of her gifts came from family. I'm just so grateful that we have such a generous family that just love to buy for her for Christmas. Not that our family has a lot of money or shower her with gifts, but when you have a large family, and everyone does a little, it adds up to a lot for each kid. But this is the first year that we've been thinking about what we are going to get her for Christmas and it's throwing me for a loop.

This year, our budget is TIGHT! We have made it clear to all the adults (who we usually buy for) that we aren't exchanging gifts with them this year and to PLEASE not buy anything for us. I'm also wondering how or what kind of budget we're going to have for the other kids in the family (7 to be exact). I want to get them all something (remember the everyone doing a little adds up to a lot thing) because I love them and don't get to give to them any other time of the year, but I just don't know what they'd like? I'm usually the really boring aunt that buys every kid a couple of books for Christmas, but who knows what I'll do this year. Whatever it is, it can't cost a lot.

So back to the budget for little G....We've been perusing the toy fliers (I'm really impressed that the big box stores have put out some nice catalog type things this year) and I've been jotting down ideas of things that I think she may like. But I'm sort of getting hung up on what to budget for her gifts. What is a general rule of thumb for buying your child Christmas presents? My first thought was $100...a nice, big, round number. But my husband was like, "Uh, no, we can't do that!" So, I threw out $50 and he said that that was more like it. So what do you think? Is $50 for your 2 year old for Christmas too little or too much. I know it's a personal decision that one has to make according to their family's needs, but I'm just wondering what some of you are doing or what you have done in the past.

I do have a little list going of things that I know she'll be happy with.


I think she would love a doctor's kit.



I also want to get her an art easel. These are pretty expensive, so I'm not sure how that will work out.


I also want to get her some dress up clothes,

some play-doh,
some bongo drums,


and some art supplies (I know...weird list).




But since the papers came out, I have fallen love with the Fur-Real walking kitty. And Target has it with their coupon for only $9.99. She loves kitty cats, so I think it could be a favorite.



And I'm seriously considering getting her her first Candyland. Walmart has it for only $5, and Toys R Us has it for $1 (with rebates...but who wants to fool with that). I know she's only two, but I think I want it more for me than her, so whatever. ha!

So, let me know. What is your budget this year? Are you feeling a pinch this Christmas? Do you buy gifts for all the kids in your family? If so, what are some of the things you get them? I'd love to hear your ideas!

January 6th, Old Christmas Day

January 6th is Old Christmas Day. Mountain folk celebrated Christmas on this day for generations.

Read more about this tradition and it's history here.

Some Cute Christmas Day Pics

Pics of baby GG opening presents at Grammy's house.

Playing with her new puzzle.

Me and my sweet niece Ashley.

How Close Have You Ever Been to a Rainbow?

I've never been particularly close to one until Christmas Day. On our way to my mom's house where all the power was out (had been for days) and feeling a little grumpy from my sleepless night's stay in a hotel (can thank the baby for that), we unexpectedly ran into a glorious sight. A double rainbow! I could tell from a distance that the rainbow was ending in front of the Advance Auto Parts store because the usually gray wall was multicolored. I then realized that we were going to drive right through the rainbow...and we did! It was an amazing feeling...I just kept expecting showers of gold coins to fall upon us, but no such luck. And then when we turned a curve, another rainbow appeared. Then while we were at my grandmother's my husband caught a picture of this one! It was the widest rainbow I'd ever seen! 4 rainbows in one day? Was God trying to tell me something?

Do rainbows lift your spirits? They do mine...they are undeniably God's handiwork and fill me with joy every time I'm privileged enough to see one.

But on Christmas Day, I got to drive right through one....hope it's a sign for a great new year to come!

Jesus Is My Reason

I haven't been feeling very "Christmasy" this year. Maybe it's the move, maybe it's because of the crazy year I've had, maybe it's just how I feel about myself...I don't know.

But the one thing I'm sure of, the one thing that I'm simply in awe of, is that my Jesus still loves me. His love, His grace, His gentleness, His goodness and His unending forgiveness is just as real now as it was the day
I found Him. He is mine and I am His, and nothing can take Him away from me.

He came to be born on earth that holy night for me and I am...humbled.

You are many things my dear Jesus. But in this moment...You are mine.

I love You.

Blessings to you and your family on this Christmas Day.

Pig Lickin'

I'm not sure if anyone other than those up the holler in my tiny neck of the Appalachian Mountains knows what "Pig Lickin" even is? I'm not sure how it got it's name either. Some folks call it "Pig Lickin' Good" cake, but whatever you call it, it's just that...GOOD! All I do know is if this cake is anywhere near a potluck or a church social, it will be gobbled up in no time flat!

It's a really easy cake to make with a yellow cake mix, pineapple, mandarin oranges, french vanilla pudding and cool whip. I'm making two for the Christmas dinners that I'll be attending.

Mmmmm, I can't wait!

Pig Lickin' Cake

1 yellow cake mix 4 eggs 3/4 c. oil 1 can mandarin orange segments Mix cake mix, eggs and oil. Add chopped orange segments and juice. Bake at 350 degrees for 35 to 40 minutes. TOPPING FOR PIG LICKIN' CAKE 9 oz. Cool Whip Sm. instant french vanilla pudding (add dry) 1 sm. crushed pineapple Mix all ingredients and spread over cooled cake.

FINALLY! Some Christmas Pics

Baby GG saying, "Ooooo!" when we turned on the lights.


They may not be the grandest decorations, but here are a few pics of what I put out for Christmas this year.

Merry Christmas!