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
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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!

Stress, Frustration, and Anger

The reports about the state of our economy seem bleaker and bleaker every day with little hope in sight. Be it big businesses or small businesses, construction, housing, auto, retail, hotel, casino, travel you name it, unfortunately the list can go on and on… everyone is effected. And the countless heartbreak stories of this “recession” can go on and on as well. People are becoming extremely frustrated and angry about the state of affairs in this country and abroad, which brings me to an experience that took place several weeks ago.

Before we could even get into a store to do some Christmas shopping, we had a guy who was already parked in a parking space blow his horn at us as we were pulling into another space. We could not figure out why he had blown his horn at us? I then notice that this guy pulled out of his space, which was two spaces away from us and pulled directly behind our vehicle. He then proceeded to get out of his vehicle and approach the driver’s side of our vehicle. LJN put the window down and the guy said “I was parked in a reserved space and I had been waiting for that car to pull out”… WHO KNEW! I heard LJN reply “hey if you want this space I can move, there are plenty of other spaces here." Other people have not been so blessed to have an ending such as this. They have become the story on the evening news, victims of someone’s anger over a mere parking space.

People, please find some other way to reduce the amount of stress, frustration and anger in your life. Ever think about volunteering some of your time at a homeless shelter, soup kitchen, or after school program, or coming up with a way to help someone in need, be it food, clothing, or shelter. I recently heard a story on the news of a woman who hung Christmas wishes from needy children on a Christmas tree outside of her home. People in the neighborhood and surrounding area would come by and take a wish off of the tree and commit to fulfill that particular child’s wish. What a really good idea... I wish I had come up with that one. See what a little thinking can do to help someone else. And whether you realize it or not you are also helping to take your mind off of your problems and the current stresses that we all have been feeling and experiencing lately.

Trust me getting involved outside of your world will make all those little things seem like just that, very small and inconsequential.

Trish

I have shewed you all things, how that so labouring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive. Acts 20:35

“I have found that among its other benefits, giving liberates the soul of the giver.” Maya Angelou

Photo Poinsettia Light

by LJN @ Through the Viewfinder

http://www.tljnicholas.com/

Photo of Grandson behind the Christmas Tree

by LJN * Courtesy of LJN Archives

Photo Snow Star

by Trish @ Through the Viewfinder

http://www.tljnicholas.com/

Give – to present voluntarily and without expecting compensation.