What Is Family?

What is family? Was I asking myself this question because of the eminent holiday season, a time in which so many of us find ourselves gathered together with our family members? And for some it can be a time in which it is “for better or for worst”. For many of us it is not TV’s Cosby family, the typical Hallmark family or even the Blue Bloods’, Regan family. This fictional cop family clearly demonstrates what their family is all about. Each show ends with the family having dinner together on a Sunday at the home of the patriarch.  This act of praying and breaking bread together is a reminder of what family is all about.

Too often we get caught up in what was said and not said, or what we think should have been done or not done by a family member. We lose sleep over it… we stop talking to one another and can’t even remember the last time we uttered a civil word to each other... because of what? over what? And now the holidays are here and just because it is Thanksgiving or Christmas we are all of a sudden suppose to be this big happy family? Well, as anyone who has ever experienced a ‘dust up’ over the holidays knows, that the “suppose” to be, holiday family doesn’t work.

What does work is supporting each other, listening to each other, sharing with genuine truth and honesty, not having the fear of being judged; knowing that in a spirit of love you can be told that you were wrong. Each one of us who is a part of a family unit knows the areas in which we need to work on to strengthen our family and ourselves. May we strive to pray and break bread together and always have the ability to cry together and to laugh together like only a family can do. Not just as ‘Seen On TV’, but also in the real world.

Trish

To Families everywhere have a Wonderful Christmas!
And may it be filled with Love, Joy and Peace
Throughout the New Year!

Trish Nicholas Photography @ www.wix.com/TrishN/Trish-Nicholas-Photography

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In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: 'It is more blessed to give than to receive.'" Acts 20:35 NIV

http://feedingamerica.org/

http://www.toppsinc.org/

http://www.rescue.org/

http://www.stjude.org/

A Gift of Rebirth, Renewal and Hope

Gift – Something given, something that you give as a present, the act of giving something to somebody.

My December Blog posting has always been somewhat of a challenge for me, since December is such a special month. It is a time for giving something and receiving something that is given. The greatest gift that we have ever received gives us the power to have rebirth, renewal and hope. This month is a buzz with new energy, strength and enthusiasm because of a single gift that was given many years ago.

I celebrate this gift throughout the year and take the time at Christmas to remember the gift that was given and received by me and many others. It is a beautiful gift that can not be torn, or ripped or lost or stolen. So as we think about “getting” ready for Christmas, shopping for presents, time away from work and merriment with family and friends, consider the gift that was given. The Bethlehem story is more than a Christmas story it is about receiving a gift.

Trish

St. Luke 2:10-11 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 Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

The greatest Christmas gift of all
Was never placed beneath a tree,
But lay within a manger
Beneath a star, for all to see. Unknown

May you have a wonderful Christmas with your family and friends and a blessed New Year!

* Photo: Winter Street by LJN
Trish Nicholas Photography @ www.wix.com/TrishN/Trish-Nicholas-Photography To Purchase Photos Courtesty of Redbubble @ http://www.redbubble.com/people/tmeian
Please feel free to contact me with any inquiries regarding commercial use of my photographs.

http://www.harmonyproject.org/

http://www.salvationarmyusa.org/

http://joiningforces.uso.org/

http://www.woundedwarriorproject.org/

December A Holiday in Transition

Two Precious words


For those of you that read October’s Blog titled 6 Months Ago I am very happy to report that at my 6th month follow up appointment I received a clean bill of health and two very precious words… no cancer! I just wanted to say to all of my family members and friend’s thank you for your prayers and words of encouragement during that time.

http://www.morebirthdays.com/



December A Holiday in Transition…

I would like to apologize for the absent November Blog, my focus at that time was getting our house on the market before November thirtieth. And thank God we finally did on November 15th, which brings me into December or as I have dubbed it “A holiday in transition” month. From the first day that our home was listed we had two home showings with 12 more to follow. Our first offer came after only 26 days on the market! Yeah, Wow especially in today’s housing market. The negotiations have begun and this part of the process of selling a home can have its ups and downs before there is a “smooth landing”, so put your congratulations on hold for now.

After one of our December showings the desire to incorporate some Christmas decorations into my staged home hit me. I pulled out the decorations and added a few complimentary holiday pieces. But it didn’t feel like our holiday home it still felt staged. Our home had an eerie holiday sterile feeling about it. My normal holiday list of things to do had been replaced with Mrs. Nicholas an agent would like to show your home today. Don’t get me wrong I counted those calls from our agent’s office as a true blessing.

Shortly after my attempt at adding some holiday decorations to our home, I received a call from my husband Nick telling me that it looks like he will have a break in his work, this news was sheer delight. The thought of having him home the entire week leading up to Christmas really lifted my spirits. After hearing this good news I went back to the Christmas decorations and pulled out the caroler figurines and set them up. Which according to our children we know that it is Christmas in our house when mom brings out those carolers!

If you are having a “holiday in transition” and feel that the Christmas holiday has disappeared from your consciousness I would suggest that you look through your Christmas decorations and find that one personal item that has always made you and your family feel and know the Christmas spirit. Once that spirit has been rekindled, turn your mind away from your holiday in transition situation and give to those in need of help. So volunteer your time, check with agencies in your community and find out where there is a need and bring some holiday cheer to another family. Trust me you will sail through your holiday in transition and find yourself saying this was one of the best holidays for me and my family. And please continue the act of giving and helping others in need all year long.

http://www.littledressesforafrica.org/   http://www.pcacares.org/   http://www.delawareyfc.org/

In my case the month of December became my holiday in transition due to the selling of our home. Those Christmas caroler figurines have been a stable item and a special part of our Christmas for many years and that small act of displaying them reminded me of Christmases past and Christmases to come. So put on some Christmas music, and if you are not putting up a tree as is the case with me then string some colored lights somewhere and bask in the thought of the greatest gift this world has ever know … And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. 13And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,
14Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.  St. Luke 2:12-14 

Trish

Ribbon Photo: Photographer Unknown

Photo of Elijah under the Christmas tree: Courtesty of LJN

Photos by Trish
Trish Nicholas Photography: www.wix.com/TrishN/Trish-Nicholas-Photography


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When we look back and contemplate what we've been through this year, we'll praise you, Lord, for all you've done- Your faithfulness is clear. -Sper
Taken from Our Daily Bread. http://www.rbc.org/


Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!