Christmas time is here...

Christmas time is here, happiness and cheer. Gathering family together and writing Christmas letters about all the year’s events. Sipping cocoa by the fireplace as the Christmas tree glistens in the background, Christmas carols dancing through your head, children snuggled next to you as you read your favorite Christmas book, the scent of sugar cookies fill the air… Ahhhh, that sounds delightful. Isn’t that your perfect Christmas moment? Mommy is calm, quiet, reflective, and radiating God’s love to everyone. Is that what happens in your home at Christmas time? Do you give yourself time to relax and enjoy this time of year? Do you find yourself wanting to savor the last few days of the year or are you counting down the days until you get to kiss this year goodbye and start with a clean slate? Are you full of the holiday spirit complete with glitter and jingle bells or are you suited up with combat boots ready to dredge through the Christmas shopping? Is there room for Jesus in your home at Christmas time?
God sent His son to be born on a night with no room for Him. Bethlehem was not ready for a savior and they had no room for Him. They were too busy with their own traditions, and family visiting. So they didn’t let Him in. There’s just no room, they said. God chose some quiet shepherds out in a field to share His wonderful news. The shepherds heard the angel’s news and they left their sheep to go a see the savior. Are you giving Him room in your home this year? Is there room as you teach your children about Christmas time? Are you reflecting His light as you prepare for Christmas? What does Christmas mean to you? It’s time for reflecting and remembering; remembering the gift God has given each one of us and reflecting on how you are using the gifts He has given you. I am reminded every day as I teach my children that they will either see Jesus through my actions and words or they will see my sin and shortcomings. This Christmas I want more than anything for my children to see Jesus in me and help them to be ready to make room for Him.
Turn to the person on your right and ask them if they have finished all their Christmas shopping? Then ask them how they are managing their holiday stress?
4 tips for stopping the holiday madness:
1. Take a time out- pray, read the word, take a walk around the block, admire the Christmas displays, read a Christmas book, and enjoy a cup of tea.
2. Learn to say, “No”. If you are feeling overwhelmed, it’s ok to skip a party or two. Don’t try to please everyone. Don’t try to do everything. Talk to your family about what makes Christmas special for them, keep the most meaningful traditions, and discard the rest.
3. Grab a pal. Sometimes, a good chat with a friend is all you need to get back on track. Make some phone calls, meet at Starbucks, or write a letter.
4. Stay organized: Those who plan peace have joy. Proverbs 12:20b Determine realistic expectations and communicate them clearly with kindness. May He give you the desire of your heart and make all your plans succeed. Psalm 20:4

God bless each and everyone of you this Christmas!

Love,

Kimberly LePore

Being Content in all situations

I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. Philippians 4:12

It's easy to be content when things are going my way. When things are peaceful and everyone is happy. When the boys are quietly doing their school work. When the dishes are done and at last I get to sit down and put up my feet with a cup of tea beside me. Ahhh, now that's nice. But what about when things are not peaceful. What about when the kids are yelling, laundry is piled high, dishes are multiplying in the sink, math is taking 3 hours, and I'm at the end of my ropes. God help me with this. I can't do it all. At these moments, I like to go water the garden. My quick escape route. As I step on the front porch I begin to pray, God please help me. I can't do this myself. I don't know what to do, I don't know what to say. Everyone in that house needs me to do something and I just can't do it all. As I begin to focus on Him and what He sees I begin to see His creation around me and all that He takes care of each and everyday. So why do I worry?

Matthew 6:30-35
God clothes the grass in the field, which is alive today but tomorrow is thrown into the fire. So you can be even more sure that God will clothe you. Don't have so little faith! Don't worry and say, 'What will we eat?' or 'What will we drink?' or 'What will we wear?' The people who don't know God keep trying to get these things, and your Father in heaven knows you need them. Seek first God's kingdom and what God wants. Then all your other needs will be met as well. So don't worry about tomorrow, because tomorrow will have its own worries. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

As I gather myself together and make my way back in the house I feel refreshed and ready, now that I know...

I can do all things through him who strengthens me. Philippians 4:13

Things look different in the house now. Did they change? Nope I did. I changed. My view was overhauled and through HIS glasses things look different than they once appeared. I am glad when I feel content with what I have, but I never want to grow content with being stuck with a bad attitude, a chip on my shoulder, or a dark cloud hanging over me. I don't want to be content with listening to Satan's lies and allowing his thoughts to entangle me. I want to be content when God says, "It's time to change, we got some growing to do!"

“I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples. John 15:1-8

Change of seasons...Autumn is here!

Things change, children grow up, and life marches on. Last Sunday at church, during worship I watched a father carrying in his sleeping baby. I gazed longingly at the baby as I could almost feel his breath on my cheek as he slept soundly. Then all of the sudden my own children dimmed the dreamy experience I was having. When did they get so big? As quickly as I glanced at my two big boys, tears began to fall without avail. The little boy that I had worked so hard to get him to even notice my feelings turned to me and loudly questioned, "Why are you crying?" I couldn't stop crying either. Of course my family is now staring at me wondering what is wrong with me now. It had just hit me at that moment that I no longer had babies, nor would I have them back again. My children will both be double digit boys in less than two weeks. I managed to pull it together to finish the service and tried to turn off the water works as we filed out of the church passed all of the little babies.



Why do we worry about so many things, rather than enjoying the moments of each special day? Why did I worry so much about all the things that Hayden(who is challenged by autism) would be able to do? I had the pleasure, just this morning to sit and listen to him have a complete conversation with an adult that he had just met the night before. Hayden complemented, questioned, and answered without skipping a beat. I sat quietly grinning to myself thinking, "That's my boy!" God continues to whisper, "Be still, and know that I am God." Psalm 46:10

God provided a sleeping angel for me to hold last night. I offered to help a tired mommy of twins carry in one of her soundly sleeping baby girls. I continued to provide relief to the mommy's arms and basked in the sweet moment of holding a sleeping baby and feeling that sweet breath on my cheek. Thank you God, that was a gift that I needed that only You knew and could provide.

Now things have changed from sweet smelling baby's breath to...Did you brush your teeth this morning?(ugh) Cherish these moments that you have with your children because my mom was right when she said that time goes by too fast. I am grateful that I have the opportunity to teach my boys. It is good to know them, see the growth and changes occurring in their lives.

Each new season has beauty of it's own. Autumn is gorgeous with all of it's colors to delight our eyes. My boys are changing and growing into what God has planned for their lives and I am excited to see what happens next.

I sought the Lord, and He heard me, and delivered me from all my fears. Psalms 34:4

Beginning to Blog

This is the day that the Lord has made let us rejoice and be glad in it! Psalm 118:24

Do you sometimes feel as if you are a plate juggler? I remember watching a famous juggler on stage spinning these dinner plates round and round. Each plate needed his guiding hand to push it more and more. If the juggler took his eyes off the plate and forgot it, the plates would begin to fall. I am so glad that I am not in control of all the plates that God has given me to keep spinning. I am so easily distracted that I know they would simply crash. He knows which plates need our attention. That's why we get these little promptings in our ears. Do we listen or do we continue to focus on another plate?

I am teaching you the way of wisdom; I am guiding you on straight paths. When you walk, your steps will not be hindered; when you run, you will not stumble. Proverbs 4:11-12

Thank you God for keeping all these plates spinning. I can't do it myself. I know you have given me these plates, some will fall and some will break. I know you will provide new plates that you
want me to spin. Help me to have courage to keep spinning the plates that you want me to spin, and give me peace to pick up the pieces and start again. In Jesus' name. ~amen