Outdoor Advent Wreath

The oldest two girls were perusing Pinterest this morning trying to come up with themed basket ideas for a wedding shower Caitlyn has to plan.   As I was looking at the amazing things creative people have come up with, I realized that I had been pretty creative myself just last year.  (This is not easy for me).

Last November I made an outdoor Advent wreath.  Although I would try to find a less expensive way to do it, if I had to do it again, I was really pleased with the results so I thought I'd share.  I realize it's only September 1st but, I've seen Halloween stuff out for at least a week so I think I'm good.  Some people like to plan ahead.

For the base I used a small table that we keep next to the bar-b-q.  It is really nice because  the legs are supported by a bar.  I used tent stakes on the bars to hold the table steady in the wind.

I bought four pretty sturdy, tall, rectangular candle holders here:  http://www.quickcandles.com/Pillar-Candle-Holders-s/41.htm.  Luckily they also had the purple and pink candles.  I got six purple and two pink to make it through the four weeks.

ACO had pink and purple colored sand.  Michaels had the wreath greenery and red ribbon.

I filled the candle holders with pink or purple sand (3 purple, 1 pink). The sand holds the candles nicely and since the candles were shorter than the holders, it brought them up to a good height.

One of the kids wrapped the greenery around the candle holders and Liz made a lovely bow.

Last Advent was especially rainy and so I had to devise a way to keep the rain off of the candles.  I put some perforated tin foil over the openings and used large rubber bands to hold it on.  Here are a couple of photos.

Love You Forever

Not long after my dear one and I were married we started something special.  We started saying, "thank you for loving me."

My dear one's response has never changed when I say these words to him.  He always tells me, "I'm never going to stop."

What a comforting reassurance especially in a world were people "fall out of love" all the time.

Unconditional love is not an easy gift to give.  It takes a lot of prayer, tongue biting, flexibility and courage.  How many live up to the challenge?

And yet we all have the assurance of unconditional love.  All we have to do is place ourselves in the care of Jesus.  When he stretched out his arms on that cross, 'I'm never going to stop loving you' was the promise He made to us.

He calls us to accept His love and His promise.

He not only gives us His unconditional love, He is our role model for giving our unconditional love to others.

Struggling in this area?

Turn to the Master.  He will guide you, ever so gently, to the beauty of giving this gift.

How's Your Fortitude?

Earlier this week number 2 son wanted to go see "The Dark Night Rises".  He'll be 16 years old in a couple of weeks but still I was hemming and hawing.  I hate violent movies!

His cousins were going (even the one with the mom who is stricter than I am).

I told him I had issues with the violence.  He didn't seem deterred by it.  (I will never know just how violent it is because I will never watch it.) Apparently there is more to the story than just the violence because everyone I know who has seen it has said it is fantastic.

So where does fortitude fit in?  I caved.  I let him go with his aunt and uncle and cousins.  He thought it was wonderful. I still feel a little guilty.

I sent my sister (not the same one mentioned above) a text that said: 'So much for fortitude in the face of adversity.  I hope if I ever have to defend my faith by giving up my life, that my tormentors don't pout!'

How's your fortitude?  I have found out that I need to pray very hard for mine to increase.  It is so important when raising children to not cave in and give them bad things because it is easier to say yes than list all the reasons why not to kids who can't or don't want to understand.

If you think of it, pray for me.

I'm sure the movie won't turn him into a bad guy.  But, another choice may have made me a better mom.

"I Can Do All Things. . ."

A trip to the doctor showed that my cholesterol was creeping a bit too high.  This was also a pretty lazy winter, despite the pretty nice weather we had (or maybe because of it!)

I got tired of sitting around waiting for something to change.  I said to my dear one, one day, "If I don't start moving, I'm going to die. "

The next day we joined the gym.  It has been six weeks of progressively more intense (not that lifting 30 pounds is all that intense but I'm getting there), more sweat producing workouts.  We go three days a week.

Depending on the day I work abs and arms or legs. I always do cardio.  

So far I've lost 6 pounds, and a couple of inches.  I feel so much better.  Not a day goes by when I don't do some extra physical activity just because it's starting to feel so great (and, because then I can eat more!!)  Mostly I ride my bike to run errands.

My goal is to ride my bike to my sister's house in Westland.  (I already know I can make it to Target and back :)  ).

I still have to go get my cholesterol rechecked but I'm pretty sure I'll like the results.

 I do my workouts for God's glory.  If not for Him, I would be a lazy pile of mush.  He helps me push myself to take care of His gift that is my body.