From Frazzled to Fun

In Christmases past, have you ever wished you had a better plan to enjoy the Christmas cards you receive?

I found a few ideas for Christmas card displays that I thought you might like to make yourself.

This DIY Christmas Card Tree by Driven by Decor is simple and adorable. 

Also, Minted has16 Unique Ideas for Christmas card displays here.

These were my favorites:

• Display bars
• Twinkly Lights Card Display
• Wall Tree Card Holder (zig-zagged twine)
• Binder Ring Christmas Card Flip Book

Which is your favorite? Or do you have an idea to share? I would love to hear it.

Praying you have a peaceful and joyful Christmas season, and that the cards you receive are reminders of the many blessings in your life in a year of tough realities.

May the God of hope fill you with all JOY and PEACE as you trust in Him, so that you may be filled with HOPE by the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13

The case of trying to thwart the snooper...I worked so hard at it a few Decembers ago that I have yet to find that sweater that my daughter pined for and I was sure she would not have the self-control to leave alone! (It's probably 2 sizes too small at this point....)

Do snoopers get active at your house before Christmas?

Oh, the thought of those gifts makes things soooo tempting!

It's time for you to get sneaky, girls. 

I've got a few tips for you:

• DO NOT hide in “traditional” places where kids will search (i.e. the floor or shelf of your closet, under the bed, etc.)
• DO keep track of where the gifts are kept. Jot down in notes on your phone where to find things when it is wrapping time.
• DO keep as many gifts hidden in one place as possible. Ideas:
  • In an empty diaper box (put one layer of diapers on top to cover)
  • In a large suitcase stored in its usual spot
  • In a grocery bag that is hung around the neck of a hanger in the back of your closet
  • Have at least one of the place
  ...

I pray a blessed Thanksgiving for you and your family this year.

I would guess your kids aren't being taught the strong Christian origins of not only Thanksgiving, but the founding of America itself?

I know I never heard it in school, and much of it I only learned this year after doing some digging.

Hear my short teaching on what I discovered.

A few things included in that teaching:

• The first landing of America in 1607 included a group that erected a 7-foot oak cross and prayed (after they had spent 3 days ashore on the ship in repentance and prayer to embark as "right" with the Lord)
• At that first landing, Rev. Robert Hunt consecrated the continent to the glory of God. In covenantal language he declared, “…from these very shores the Gospel shall go forth to not only this New World, but the entire world.”
• Thirteen years later in 1620, the Pilgrims came to America in pursuit of holiness and the building of an ideal Christian Commonwealth
• First Thanksgiving - Three-day feast in
...

Weary? Not surprised.

I'm praying for you.

And I have a special song for you.

Listen here and really take it all in.

You will keep in perfect peace

those whose minds are steadfast, 

because they trust in you. 

Isaiah 26:3

Dear sister, let's look to the Lord's strength and keep our minds steadfast on Him. He is the Ancient of Days, the One who parted the Red Sea, the One who is Always True and Always Able. 

We are living in exciting times -- we must make sure we get right before the Lord and then stay in constant prayer as we go through our days in such a time as this. 

I believe we are about to see the Glory of the Lord like we have not seen in our lifetime.

I also believe God is looking for faithful servants who are willing to walk forward in courage and accept His power from on high to be used in great ways for His Kingdom's purposes.

I'm raising my hand. Will you join me?

Thought about family photos this year yet?

While we most likely have all had more time with our children than we had anticipated this year, we may not have thought much about how they have grown and changed through the course of it.

Because our mental space has been filled up with the "extras" of pandemic and election concerns, I thought you might appreciate a little nudge that this might be a good time to think about a family picture.

Here are a few questions to help you make a great plan for family pictures this year:

• Color theme?
  • some solids
  • mix in a few touches of patterns to tie colors together
• Pose considerations
  • try to have everyone touching at least one other person (i.e. hand on a shoulder, etc.)
  • for older kids, remind them that if it bends, to bend it a little (elbows, knees, etc) so they don't appear stiff
  • when in doubt, lay on your tummies and pile the kids on top (hides bigger waistlines and also gets everyone really close in for the picture)
  • offer rew
  ...

We are only days away from one of the most pivotal elections in America's history.

I urge you to:

• Talk to your children about the unique privilege we are blessed to have as Americans. We get to have a say in choosing the people that make decisions concerning our lives.
• Do vote. Pray for discernment, then steward that privilege well.
• Don't fret. God is sitting on His throne. Our kids can't hear this from us too much, especially this year.
• Do pray. And fast if you are able. We've never seen a darker time, but God's light is more powerful.
• Do remind your young children that though they are not old enough to vote yet, they can have a huge impact through their prayers.
• Do print this email out and cut the picture out and put it up as a reminder to pray. Find a time to pray for the elections together as a family.

God bless you and God bless America,

Brenna

There is a very good chance you have suffered an abortion.

I recently heard a speaker at a women's conference share that one in 3 women who have had abortions are Christians. 

If that is you, I want to express my sympathy and my care for you, dear friend. I'm sure the pressures were terrible and can't imagine the anguish in so many ways.

I pray that even now the God of all Comfort would heal the broken places of your heart. I remind you that Jesus the Shepherd knows you, sees you, and is rich in mercy and compassion.

My husband Chris always says God is always at work to redeem what He sovereignly allows.

I urge you to allow God to heal you in those deepest parts of your heart and soul, and then ask Him how He can use it for good.

If you are unsure of your views on pro-life vs. pro-choice, click here to learn the differences.

Father, guide us with certainty as we head to the polls. Thank you for the freedom to vote for our officials. We pray your will prevail at every level in th...

We must be diligent in discernment these days, momma. Things that look good from their titles aren't necessarily what they seem.

We could talk about current organizations, movements and governmental committees with names that make them seem right and good even when they have an evil agenda.

But for today, I'd just like to look at two seemingly "Christian" books. 

The two books are called Conversations with God and Conversations with God for Teens, by Neal D. Walsch, and are being promoted by Oprah. 

The books' titles make them seem Christian, but their messages go against the Word of God. They not only contain false doctrine, they sometimes quote (in error) the Word of God.

They have been on the New York Times best sellers list and are made available to our kids through the Scholastic Book Club.

The author purports to answer various questions asked by kids using the "voice of God". For example, one question asked about God's forgiveness of sin. The reply is, "I do not forgive any...

If stress, anxiety and overwhelm seem to be getting the best of you these days, you are not alone. It seems every day there is news to deal with emotionally, and it's a lot.

Yesterday I was discouraged...

It's so hard to see so many in our nation suffering, 

I have a child who is struggling with online school at home,

People are divided on so many issues,

We are experiencing the hottest summer in Phoenix's history,

and I'm concerned our freedoms and Republic could slip away.

A dear friend reminded me of this precious, tender hymn last night and it soothed my soul. Now I want to share it with you.

I encourage you to click on the link below to hear it, but come back to these lyrics, breathe, and take every word in.

Like a River Glorious, by Frances R. Havergal, 1876

1. Like a river glorious is God’s perfect peace,
   Over all victorious, in its bright increase;
   Perfect, yet it floweth fuller every day,
   Perfect, yet it groweth deeper all the way.
   • Refrain:
     Stayed upon Jehovah, hearts
   ...

Praying you and your family are well in these challenging times.

Our July 4 celebration is tomorrow. While the Declaration of Independence proclaimed to the world that the U.S. is an independent country, the Constitution laid out guidelines and rules on how the country should run or work.

How many believe now might be a real good time to review our Constitutional rights as American citizens? As we focus on America this next week, this would be a great time to share a little about the Constitution with our children: Schoolhouse Rock teaches the Constitution.

Speaking of our nation, we are a mess right now. Our health, government, freedom, even our republic seem to be under attack. God is on His throne, and we must repent and turn back to the Lord. We must be constantly in prayer.

Will you pray with me this prayer?

Dear Father, 

We need you. Across our nation, righteous men and women are harder to be found. As a result, cruel and dominating powers have risen, trapping helpless peop...