Remembering the Reason

Ever have that feeling that such much was going on all around you, you wonder how you manage to keep your sanity?  I'm experiencing that. Although God has blessed me with a peace that's carrying me through.

I still need a new car, when that will happen I don't know since it became apparent I cannot afford one...I'm trying to save up money and figure I'll ride Black Betty until she passes away and then deal with the new car situation. 

Workout-wise I am finally done with the burpees phase, and thank heavens it really was only a phase because I don't know how much longer I can take doing that many of those things. Even if they do work wonders I still detest burpees.  This week's workout has a few ones I'm not keen on, like jumping lunges and these ball-squeeze things, but I will say that this week has made me muchos sore!  I have the final week's workout today and don't envy my legs afterwards! Tina's Best Body Bootcamp: Round 4 is now open for registration btw, which I already have! For only $25 it is well worth it (despite the burpees lol).

Personally I have a bunch going on, which I wont get into here, but it's made me a bit on the worn down and tired side of things.  I've been fighting keeping a smile on my face at work. Not because I'm down necessarily, but just generally worn if that makes sense. 

I have a cookie exchange this next weekend, the 15th, that I'm totally stoked about!  It should be really fun and I'm hoping we have a good turnout!  I'll be sure to keep you updated and may post a picture or two :) I will miss my friend Brian though, last year his cookies turned out to the be favorite of everyone so it'll be kind of sad to know he won't be there this year.

 I know it's a dark photo but it's Brian, Me, and my friend's little girl Charlotte at last year's cookie exchange!

 Brian's cookie was a Mint Oreo Truffle and it was the favorite and first devoured!

Today is really bringing into focus for me how happiness is a choice, the fruit of the spirit are a choice...one that for some reason isn't always easy to make.  While I'm not sick like many this holiday season, mentally I have been fighting against a scrooge mentality and really having to remember the true reason for the season.

Christ Born of Mary

2 And it came to pass in those days that a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. ² This census first took place while Quirinius was governing Syria. ³ So all went to be registered, everyone to his own city.

⁴ Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, ⁵ to be registered with Mary, his betrothed wife,^[a] who was with child. ⁶ So it was, that while they were there, the days were completed for her to be delivered. ⁷ And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

Glory in the Highest

⁸ Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. ⁹ And behold,^[b] an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid. ¹⁰ Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. ¹¹ For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. ¹² And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.”
¹³ And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying:

¹⁴ “Glory to God in the highest,
And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!”^[c]

¹⁵ So it was, when the angels had gone away from them into heaven, that the shepherds said to one another, “Let us now go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has come to pass, which the Lord has made known to us.” ¹⁶ And they came with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the Babe lying in a manger. ¹⁷ Now when they had seen Him, they made widely^[d] known the saying which was told them concerning this Child. ¹⁸ And all those who heard it marveled at those things which were told them by the shepherds. ¹⁹ But Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart. ²⁰ Then the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told them.

 Luke 2:1-20 NKJV

 The stresses of this world are only temporary, and we should rejoice in this fact: 

¹⁶ For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. ¹⁷ For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. John 3:16-17NKJV