Footloose from the Snow and Weather! - lyrics by sister sheri

(sung to the tune of Deck the Halls)

Flyin' through Chicago was our folly,

Fa la la la la, la la la la.

Should' ve just hitched a trolley

Fa la la la la, la la la la.

On we tossed our snow apparel,

Fa la la, la la la, la la la.

Family said, "Don't fly in peril"

Fa la la la la, la la la la.

Christopher's tears flow before us,

Fa la la la la, la la la la.

Sheri's tears join the chorus.

Fa la la la la, la la la la.

Poor Anthony feels our pressure

Fa la la la la, la la la la.

Fam'ly memories none can measure

Fa la la la la, la la la la.

Flight delays, Christmas Eve passes,

Fa la la la la, la la la la.

Landed late, amongst the masses,

Fa la la la la, la la la la.

Family now joins together,

Fa la la la la, la la la la.

Footloose from the snow and weather!

Fa la la la la, la la la la.

Skip the Snow, But Keep the Mistletoe and Presents!

We didn't make it, but we're on our way. Stuck in the middle of the country.

I'm missing Christmas Eve with my mom's family. All the cousins... chaos... and food! Santa stops by with presents for all. Whether you were good or bad!

I couldn't even call to say Merry Christmas... more tears. I asked Anthony to call and let them know. I'm just missing out. I know it is okay... but it's okay to cry... that means that I actually care!


Christopher said today that he would be fine if it was NOT a white Christmas at Grandma's... Looks like 50's and rainy... Sounds like Portland weather... normally!

And it persists to snow in Portland. More snow then ever on record. The last big snow was 40 years ago.

Sorry, no catchy lyrics tonight. Just the real thing....

I'll be Home for Christmas

I'm dreamin' tonight of a place I love
Even more then I usually do
And although I know it's a long road back
I promise you

I'll be home for Christmas
You can count on me
Please have snow and mistletoe
And presents under the tree
Christmas Eve will find me
Where the love light beams
I'll be home for Christmas
If only in my dreams

Christmas Eve will find me
Where the love light beams
I'll be home for Christmas
If only in my dreams
If only in my dreams

Cryin' in a Winter Wonderland - lyrics by sister sheri

(to be sung to the tune of Winter Wonderland)

Southwest called, are you listenin’
"On the plane, snow is glistenin’
Our de-icer's not right, we’re cancelin' your flight"
Cryin' in a winter wonderland

Gone away is the preferred
But we'll not be deterred
We'll check Travelocity, as we garner pity,
Cryin’ in a winter wonderland


In the meantime we can build a snowman
And pretend that we don't have a frown
Friends say, "Are you buried?"
We’ll say, "Sure are"
But we can put on chains and drive around

Later on we’ll perspire
As we join with every flyer
To face unafraid the new plans we made
Flyin’ from a winter wonderland

to be continued...

Stop the Snow! - lyrics by sister sheri

Stop the Snow!

(to be sung to the tune of Let It Snow!)

Oh the weather outside is frightful,
And I don't mean to be so spiteful,
But since Maryland is the place to go,
Stop the Snow! Stop the Snow!
Stop the Snow!

It doesn't show signs of stopping,
And the freezing rain is still dropping,
To the airport should we go?
Stop the Snow! Stop the Snow!
Stop the Snow!

When we finally do decide,
How I'll hate going out in the storm!
Christmas in just three nights,
But the airport might become our dorm.

Our hopes are slowly dying,
And, all my family's crying,
Re-booking is the way to go,
Stop the Snow! Stop the Snow!
Stop the Snow!

Out of Sorts

Christopher has had five... count them one, two, three, four, FIVE snow days this week!

Needless to say, I am out of sorts. Not depressed, thanks be to our Glorious God in Heaven! But discombobulated. (I can't believe I spelled that correctly!)

Why is it... that I cannot seem to discipline myself to have a quiet time while Christopher is on break? He'll be out of the house for hours playing with the neighborhood children... but I do not take advantage of those times to work on my Bible Study.

"Watch and pray,
lest you enter into temptation.

The spirit indeed is willing,
but the flesh is weak.”

Matthew 26:41 KJV

But is this true? Is my spirit truly willing? Cause if it was... why can't it motivate the flesh? I mean... how hard is that?

Really hard. Especially, on my own.

Sisters, today... it is time (or should I say... about time!) for me to re-visit the Fruit of the Spirit. Remembering that it is not my spirit that will make the difference... It is the Holy Spirit within me.

Thanks be to God!

"Yes, Tammy... There is a Santa Claus."

Baby, it's cold outside!
Snow closed church on Sunday,
school on Monday... and Tuesday!

This post offered you the opportunity to ask for whatever your precious little heart desired for Christmas.

I really expected people to request BIG BIG HUGE presents. Nope.

I really really thought maybe someone might ask for an ILG hat. Nope.

I really really really thought there would be more people who would take a chance to see if I might "pick their name this year"! Nope.

The number one requested gift: Gift Cards!

I visited Random.org and it selected number 4... Tammy of Breaths of Faith who asked for "a gift card to barnes and noble...or a teacup to have my favorite tea in. These are two of my loves."

Congratulations, Tammy! Looks like sister sheri "Santa" is visiting your house this year!

Transparency

You are the light of the world.
A city on a hill cannot be hidden.
Neither do people light a lamp
and put it under a bowl.
Instead they put it on its stand,
and it gives light
to everyone in the house.

Matthew 5:14-15 NIV

Some people call me transparent. They find my transparency to be refreshing... inspiring... motivating.

While others would rather that I were a little more translucent or opaque. It would be a little more comfortable for them.

Transparent

• allowing light to pass through so that objects behind can be distinctly seen
• easy to perceive or detect
• having thoughts, feelings, or motives that are easily seen
• open to public scrutiny

Translucent

• allowing light, but not detailed images, to pass through;
• semitransparent

Opaque

• not able to be seen through; not transparent
• hard or impossible to understand

With transparency comes potential for rejection. Because nothing is hidden. Yet, if we are transparent, perhaps others will truly see what is "inside the package"... and be drawn to what they find there.

I try not to be only transparent in my faith in God,
but also
when I am doubtful...
when I am depressed...
when I am confused...
when I feel rejected...

So, here I am... warts and all.
Sharing the constancy I have found in the Lord.
His persistent love.
Available to all.

Here's another way to put it:
You're here to be light...
God is not a secret to be kept.
We're going public with this...

If I make you light-bearers,
you don't think I'm going to
hide you under a bucket, do you?

I'm putting you on a light stand.
Now that I've put you there on a hilltop,
on a light stand—shine!
Keep open house;
be generous with your lives.

By opening up to others,
you'll prompt people to open up with God,
this generous Father in heaven.

Matthew 5:14-16 The Message

Depression

She caught up to me today.
I was in the bread aisle.
She asked if we could visit for a while.
I didn't pay attention at first.

She said she hadn't seen me lately.
She just wanted to catch up.
She noticed I had been a little tired lately.
A little weary.
I told her not to bother me.

She persisted.
She would take care of it.
Just a little visit.
Just a little visit.
See, it would be okay.

And I was lulled.
Yes, she was right.
Just a little visit.
A little despondency.
I mean... what would it hurt?

And then I recognized her.
Yes, I had seen her before.
I knew her well.

And there she was.
Revealed for who she really is.
Depression.

And I ran... as fast as I could.
Knowing that I didn't want to see her.
I wanted nothing to do with her.

Knowing that she'll come back, again.
But knowing that each time she does.
I'll run. Quicker. Harder. Faster.

Right into my Father's arms.
Safe into my Father's arms.

Wishing You a Very Tolerable Christmas!

Is it me? I'm a little confused... but I have been asked... no, make that told to be tolerant. And to even go beyond that... to be acceptant of:

Other people's beliefs
Other people's "choice"
Other people's "preference"
Other people's lifestyle

Yet, Christmas has become intolerable to those who have demanded my tolerance... no make that my acceptance... NO, and even beyond that... to become assimilative to their beliefs, "choice", "preference" and lifestyle.

Although I pray that all would want to celebrate the birth of Christ, I am not demanding anyone to celebrate Christmas. I am not asking that anyone should celebrate Christmas the way I do.

I'm just wondering why my belief in Christ, my choice to worship the King, my preference of saying "Merry Christmas" and my lifestyle which includes celebrating Christmas... is not tolerated, but actually mocked and wished for extinction...

So, is it okay for me to say... I'm wishing for a very tolerable Christmas?

I Knit Like I Blog...

A 60th Birthday Gift for My Favorite Aunt
I told her she could wrap herself up everyday and
consider herself hugged by me!

I have been busy knitting lately. For the past four months... at least five days a week, I set aside at least one hour a day to knit. You may wonder how I can set aside that time so easily... To keep my sanity... I knit while Christopher is working on his Visual Therapy.

I wish I was more productive but I knit like I blog... if I don't like it... I rip it apart and start all over, again. Multiple times!

Here are some of my projects over the past few months:

Father and Son Matching Sweaters
Actually, I made these sweaters last year, but
I completely ripped Christopher's apart earlier this year
because it was just too small.
I made it a bit too big this time so he could wear it a while!
Fortunately I had just a enough yarn to spare
to make the larger size.

65th Wedding Anniversary Present for my Grandparents
I had visited my Grandparents home earlier this year.
As soon as I saw their couch... I knew I was coming home
and making this throw to match.

A birthday present for my "natural born" sister!
A beautiful scarf made from green silk.
The color... the texture... delicious!

Ruby and Pearl Bead Bracelet
Okay, so it is not knit... but it was fun to make.

Fashionable Burp Cloths
Again, not knitted, but sewn with love for
my friend Jennifer who is due on Christmas Day!

So, I got a little fancy with my packaging...

And a fun box tag, too!

(Thanks for asking, Joan!)

Santa queried, "What do you WANT for Christmas this year, little girl?"

Have people been asking you what you WANT for Christmas? Yikes! We get older... and we get a little more choosy... a little more particular for what we ask for... but we don't want to ask for specific things... so maybe we hint around... or do something subliminal...



I mean there are some things that just would make a great gift... and would last all year ... like the Starbucks Gold Card. What a great idea that would make for someone!

Or one of those one-cup coffee makers... you know, especially if one person in the house likes their coffee stronger than the other.. or if one person likes flavored coffee and the other doesn't. I mean... that just seems like a really thoughtful gift!

So... tell me, sisters... what do you WANT for Christmas? You never know... I might just pick your name this year... if you leave a comment with your WANT that is...

SSSHHHHHH! Don't tell anyone... the less comments there are... the better chance you have!

Totally Inadequate

But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord.
Always be prepared to give an answer
to everyone who asks you
to give the reason for the hope that you have.
But do this with gentleness and respect,
keeping a clear conscience,
so that those who speak maliciously
against your good behavior in Christ
may be ashamed of their slander.
1 Peter 3:14-16

I was having a java fix with a dear sister yesterday. She was distraught. She was berating herself because she didn't feel that she gave an adequate "answer" to a gal who had asked her, "Why should Christians pray if God knows everything ahead of time? What does it matter? If He knows someone is going to die... why pray?"

My dear sister is a solid and mature Christian woman. A well-put together lady who is successful in her business and life. Generous with her time and resources. Hangs out with God daily. A good and trusted friend to many.

But she felt that she missed the opportunity to witness to her acquaintance. She didn't have the "answer" that she felt was persuasive enough to win this gal to Christ. Surely, as a godly mature Christian woman... she should have a prepared Christian "answer" to give... She felt she had "blown it"...

I came across this verse as I was reading today's devotion in My Utmost for His Highest. I immediately forwarded it to my dear sister.

You'll remember, friends,
that when I first came to you
to let you in on God's master stroke,
I didn't try to impress you with polished speeches
and the latest philosophy.
I deliberately kept it plain and simple:
first Jesus and who he is;
then Jesus and what he did—Jesus crucified.

I was unsure of how to go about this,
and felt totally inadequate—
I was scared to death, if you want the truth of it—
and so nothing I said
could have impressed you or anyone else.
But the Message came through anyway.
God's Spirit and God's power did it,
which made it clear that
your life of faith is a response to God's power,
not to some fancy mental or emotional footwork
by me or anyone else.
1 Corinthians 2:1-5 The Message

This is the apostle Paul talking... unsure... totally inadequate... scared to death... yet he celebrated his weakness... because it gave God room to do the work. He didn't want to persuade anyone by his "answers"... He wanted it to be clear that "God's power did it."

My dear sisters! How often I am guilty of this same offense! "Oh, if I only would have said this or that my friend would be saved. If only I would have spoken to that person in the grocery line. If only I would have spoken more clearly... If only I would have been prepared!"

Oh, how we need to remember... we just need to keep it "plain and simple"... Because when we start blaming ourselves for the loss of a soul, we're denying the power of the Holy Spirit to do the work.

Yet we should truly always be prepared... and how do we do that? "In your hearts set Christ apart as Lord." We need to know Christ. We need to know and believe and have faith in Christ. Not ourselves, but Christ... and Christ crucified.

Advent: The Candle of Promise

Anthony, Christopher and I had the opportunity to read scripture for the first week of Advent. Our Pastor is educating our church on the tradition of Advent, which comes from a Latin word meaning "the coming." Advent helps prepare us to celebrate the anniversary of the Lord's first coming into the world... and the promise of His second coming.

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders

And he will be called

Wonderful Counselor,

Mighty God,

Everlasting Father,

Prince of Peace.

Isaiah 9:6

This was our "bio" that was in the church bulletin. I was tickled with the adjectives they used, so I thought I'd share it with you.

Anthony and Sheri have been married for 20 years, and have attended here since 1996. Anthony serves on the Board of Deacons and volunteers in Royal Rangers. Sheri serves in M's Girls Club as a 3rd grade assistant and in Ladies Bible study. Sheri is an accomplished knitter, avid blogger, and devoted mother to son Christopher (9). Christopher is active in Royal Rangers and loves being on the Junior Bible Quiz Team!

The family loves spending time together. Anthony is a seasoned marathon runner, and Sheri and Christopher can always be found encouraging and cheering him on along the sidelines during his races. Their favorite Christmas tradition is spending time with family and friends, and they look forward to a holiday filled with fun times with friends and family near and far.