Ally's Blog Post

Hello. I live with Mommy, Daddy and my brother. Today my brother's friend is playing over at our house. They are playing computer games, board games, hide-and-seek with me, and other things.

I am a big girl. I am in second grade and I am learning to do subtraction and telling time. I like Christmas and the Christmas tree. It is very beautiful.

I hope you had a wonderful Christmas too! Happy Birthday Jesus!

"Twas three days after Christmas....

'Twas three days after Christmas and all through the house
All the children were stirring as if they had louse
Itchy with boredom; wiggly with sight
How could they survive this week, this day, and this night?

There's mom in a frantic, a frenzy and a fury.
Clean up your room, pick up your clothes,
Wash the laundry, use your new game
And please, please, please, why do I feel so lame?

There's snow in the field and a chill in the air
The wind whips around houses with a cold wintry flare.
How come the Season has ended this way?
How can I help and repair the day's sleigh?

I'd liked to be playing, resting, or reading
But the trappings of Christmas require some weeding
The papers pile high, the boxes as well
Why in the world do I clean with a yell?

But sitting down resting, taking a spell
I practice what I know can ring those Christmas bells
Focus on the King, the Savior, the Child
And then I will find joy in the midst of this wild.

Wintery Reflections

The snow falls quietly. Drifting through the skeletonized branches of resting trees. Slowly settling on fence posts, beehives, roofs, and fields. While inside the colored lights flicker on the Christmas tree, the presents pile in their brilliant colors, and the cacophony of sight, sounds, and smells overtake the underlying reality of disorder, disarray, and disorganization.

I sat in church yesterday marveling at the beauty and wonder of the Season. The sanctuary was decorated in golds, reds, and greens while yellow-white lights glimmered and shone around wreaths and trees decorated with chains of red and gold. Every detail seemed in its perfect place. The music was traditional and memory making. And my heart was warmed and calmed.

Order, beauty, peace and hope.

That is what Jesus brings to all who would come.

But just as snow gently falling can turn to a dangerous howling blowing blizzard, so too can the Season.

Look at the manger. Tired and amazed Mary. Protective and adoring Joseph. And the Baby. He came and changed the world.

May you find order, beauty, peace and hope today from the Savior who became a Baby.

Today's Journey Joy: The Baby

Cleaned through the Fire

Cold and windy. Blustery and gray. Dry crackling leaves. Crunchy remains of trees. Coals warm and red. The dance of the flame. The laughter of those dancing around the heat.

Winter begins.

And so starts the cold. The branches gathered throughout the summer and into the autumn chill are stacked skyscraper-ish and lit with glowing embers of wooden coals. "Snap!" "Pop!" "Crack!" "Whoosh!" sing the flames. And the heat radiates and warms our faces.

In the cold and beginning of winter I am reminded that there is One who always warms us. When my heart is cold and wind tossed the Artist creates a palate of warmth and love. Remember the warmth my friends. Remember the love.

When the cold winds blow in this season of rest remember it is He Who keeps us.

Journey Joy - warmth