Christmas

Christmas can be a season of great joy. It is a time of God showing His great love for us. It can be a time of healing and renewed strength. You see, Christmas is when we celebrate the birth of the Christ child. God sent His Son, Jesus, into the world to be born. His birth brought great joy to the world. Shepherds, wise men, and angels all shared in the excitement of knowing about this great event. They knew this was no ordinary baby. The prophets had told of His coming hundreds of years before. The star stopped over Bethlehem just to mark the way for those who were looking for this special child.
Luke 2:4-19* (NIV) says:

"So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.
And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord.
This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger." Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests."
When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let's go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about." So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart."

Why did He come? Why did God send His son to this sometimes cruel and hard world? He sent Jesus to us so that one day, He would grow up to become a very important part of history. His story (history) is one of truth, love, and hope. It brought salvation to all of us. Without Jesus, we would all die in our sins.

Jesus was born so one day the price could be paid for the things we have done that are wrong. The Bible says that all have sinned. We are all born with a sin nature. We do things that do not please God. Through the sins of Adam and Eve, we have all inherited that sin nature. We need to have that removed. The only way is through Jesus. Jesus came so He could die on the cross for ALL of our sins. If we believe that Jesus died for our sins, we can ask Him to come into our hearts and forgive us. Then, we are clean and made whole. We can know that heaven is a place where we can go to when this life is over.

"But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness." 1 John 1:9* (NLT)

We can truly be happy at Christmas! No matter what may be happening, we can know that we are His children. We then become sons and daughters of God. Heaven will be our home one day.
Look at Christmas in a new way this year. This is the year to invite Jesus into your heart. You will then have a "Merry Christmas." The joy and peace you will receive will last all year as you look to God for all your needs to be met.

Jesus Is The Reason For The Season! Rejoice!

Copyright © 2007 Martha Noebel. Used by permission.

How to make the holidays special

Here are five ways to help your loved one enjoy the holidays and make them feel at home:

1. Decorate for the holidays – Play holiday music while you decorate his or her room to set a festive mood. Perhaps you can bring some of your loved one’s treasured holiday decorations to include in the fun.
2. Plan a shopping day – For residents able to leave their skilled nursing centers,  plan an outing to help get their shopping done for the holidays. For those who are unable to leave, help them make a list of gifts they need to buy and take on the task of shopping on their behalf.
3. Attend holiday community events – Skilled nursing centers take special care during the holidays to ensure that everyone feels loved and celebrated by scheduling activities and parties. When available, join your loved one and share the experience. If your loved one is reluctant to attend or seems withdrawn from the group, help by striking up a conversation with fellow residents.
4. Visit often – Visits from family and close friends are always welcome, especially around the holidays when your loved one may be feeling a bit blue. Feel free to bring along children and grandchildren, as well as family pets. Residents are grateful to be around loved ones during the holidays and they appreciate the time you spend with them.
5. Write holiday cards together – If your loved one traditionally sends out holiday cards, take time to help write, stamp and ship the cards to family members and close friends. Also, be on the lookout for cards your loved one receives from old friends and put them on display.

Bethany
Inspired Designes
http://inspireddesignes.com

Our Deepest Fear

Our Deepest Fear

"Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate.
Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure.
It is our light, not our darkness, that most frightens us.
We ask ourselves, who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous?
Actually, who are you not to be?
You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world.
There is nothing enlightened about shrinking
so that other people won't feel insecure around you.
We are all meant to shine, as children do.
We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us.
It's not just in some of us; it is in everyone.
And as we let our own light shine,
we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same.
As we are liberated from our own fear,
our presence automatically liberates others."

~ Marianne Williamson - from "A Return To Love"

Bethany
http://www.inspireddesignes.com

Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving is truly a special day. It was first celebrated in 1621 when the Pilgrims and the Wampanoag Indians shared a fall harvest.  In 1863 President Abraham Lincoln proclaimed a national day of thanksgiving to be held each year in November. In the United States, Thanksgiving is held on the fourth Thursday in November. Canada too has a national day of thanksgiving and that day occurs on the second Monday in October.

 

When we think of Thanksgiving we conjure up thoughts of leaves that have changed color and are falling from trees. We also think of visiting with family and friends, and watching Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade either in person or on television. Of course there are the traditional football games on television. Our memories also remind us of turkey dinners with all of the holiday trimmings; including stuffing! How many of us have had to loosen our belt a bit after a festive Thanksgiving Day dinner!

 

Thanksgiving Day is more than a day of fond memories, parades, football, and special dinners. It is also a day of thanks. On Thanksgiving Day we are reminded of the bounty of treasures that is a part of our lives. We spend a few moments before the Thanksgiving dinner to give thanks  for the richness of our lives and for our wonderful family and friends. For too many people, however, the meaning of Thanksgiving ends with spending a few moments giving of giving thanks at the dinner table.

 

Bethany

http://www.inspireddesignes.com

 

How to make a mason jar cupcake carrier

How to make a mason jar cupcake carrier

So we get how your world may not have had mason jars and cupcakes in existence together. Now you know. And your little gifts this Christmas can be so much simpler AND cute. There must be a fabulous little cupcake shop you ADORE. A 6-pack of cupcakes and 6 jars equals DONE<>BOOM<>AWESOME little gifts.

Items needed for cupcake carriers:

1.    Buy the proper mason jars.

2.    Flip them over and set a cupcake on the lid.

3.    Screw the jar on to the lid.

4.    If you like, attach a cute ribbon and tag.

5.    Gift.

Bethany

http://www.inspireddesignes.com

 

 

6 ways to keep dreams alive:

Focus on “how” soon you’ll get off the ground.

Let your vision grow legs. Vision that isn’t uncomfortable isn’t vision.

Every dreamer says, “I’ve never done that before.” Comfort zones kill dreams.

 

6 ways to keep dreams alive:

1. Don’t be surprised that you feel uncomfortable. That’s the nature of dreams.
2. Step back to your why and the difference you dream of making, when how’s overwhelm. Loosing touch with the big picture kills dreams.
3. Talk with dreamers first; doers second.
4. Welcome challenges and suggestions from people who share your dream.
5. Team up with a doer. Dreamers need doers on their team. You need them more than they need you.
6. Avoid people who only say no.

Bethany
http://www.inspireddesignes.com

Recipe for Banana Split Cake

This is my favorite dessert that my mother made for my birthday's growing up

Banana Split Cake

Ingredients

cups graham cracker crumbs

+3/4 cup white sugar

+1/4 pound butter, melted

+2 (8 ounce) packages cream cheese

+1 1/2 cups confectioners' sugar

+4 bananas, sliced

+1 (15 ounce) can crushed pineapple, drained

+1 (16 ounce) container frozen whipped topping, thawed

+1 (16 ounce) jar maraschino cherries, drained

+12 ounces crushed peanuts

Directions

Combine the graham cracker crumbs, white sugar and melted butter. Mix together and press into a 9x13 inch cake pan; refrigerate until chilled.

Beat together the cream cheese and confectioners' sugar; spread over graham cracker

Layer bananas and pineapple over cream cheese mixture; cover fruit with whipped topping

Top with cherries and chopped nuts; refrigerate and serve chilled.

 

Bethany

http://www.inspireddesignes.com