Tuesday, December 18, 2012

The True Meaning of Christmas

So as of today I am officially “ready” for Christmas to arrive. The presents are all wrapped and hidden; the refrigerator and cupboards are overflowing. And my heart is full of love and gratefulness for an amazing year. As a family we have definitely had our share of heartache this year, but that has been overshadowed by the generosity and love of family and friends.


I want to take the next couple days to reflect on the true meaning of Christmas. The really meaning of Christmas is to me is the fulfillment of God’s prophecy. God sent his son Jesus Christ be born so he could then die upon the cross for our sins and then be resurrected. By his resurrection he has opened the way to heaven to all who receive him by faith.

The historic record of the birth of Christ can be found in Matthew 1:18-25 and Luke 2:1-20

In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. And everyone went to his own town to register.

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.

Luke 2:1-7

Monday, December 17, 2012

Fa La La La La

Christmas music...I love it! How about you? I start listening to it before Thanksgiving and keep listening well into January. I have XM radio in my car so I have been listening to the Holiday Tradition station. Have you heard Robert Goulet or Mel Torme sing Christmas songs? Not really my style, but it makes me laugh!

Yesterday I attended church with my mom and I very much enjoyed singing Christmas carols.

Friday, December 14, 2012

E-Book Publishing

So...I have this fictional book that I wrote.
I tried contacting publishers and having it published the old fashioned way, but I have had no luck. I am thinking of publishing it myself, in E-book format. Any chance that any one reading this blog has published a book electronically? If so, please comment or email me as I have some questions.

Tuesday, December 11, 2012

New Years Eve Dilemma

Thinking ahead to New Years Eve and trying to decide what to do. Go out with friends, go somewhere with only Mr Marsh, spend the evening with family, or just stay home. I need some inspiration...what are you doing?

Sunday, December 9, 2012

17 days...

The time is drawing nearer...Christmas is almost here. I am almost done with my shopping, wrapping, and am looking forward to holiday parties with friends and family in the coming weeks.

Tuesday, December 4, 2012

Advent Devotional

Every morning I receive devotions through my email. I love it! Its a great way for me to get into the bible one little snippet at a time. The service I use is Bible Gateway and it is free! Now through Christmas they are sending out an Advent devotion. You should join!

The Promised One

by Nancy Guthrie

When someone promises us something wonderful, we can hardly wait for that promise to be fulfilled. If the promise is something good, we want it now! We really don't like to wait. And yet the very best things are worth waiting for.

A long, long time ago, God made a promise to his people, Israel. In fact, he made many promises to them. But God's most important promise--the promise all his other promises depended on--was that he would send the Messiah, the Anointed One, who would save them from the difficulties of living life in this world broken by sin. The Messiah would not be an ordinary person, but God's own Son. The people he made the promise to had to wait, putting all their faith in the One who made the promise.

The season leading up to Christmas is called Advent, which means coming. During Advent, we remember the thousands of years God's chosen people anticipated and longed for the coming of God's salvation through the Messiah. Then, at Christmas, we celebrate the fulfillment of the promises God made. Jesus--the Savior God had promised--was born to us. No more waiting. Jesus came.

When John the Baptist was born, his father, Zechariah, recognized that the long years of waiting were finally over. God gave him a special understanding that his son, John, was going to prepare the way for the promised Messiah. Zechariah celebrated that God was about to fulfill his promise. He said, "Praise the Lord, the God of Israel, because he has visited and redeemed his people. He has sent us a mighty Savior from the royal line of his servant David, just as he promised through his holy prophets long ago" (Luke 1:68-70).

God promised that he would send a Savior, which he did when Jesus became a human baby. And while Jesus did everything necessary to save us when he came the first time, he also promised to come again. Then all God's promises will be completely fulfilled. So again we are waiting. Waiting patiently for God to fulfill his promises is what it means to have faith.


Putting faith in God's promises is not something a person does only one time on the day he or she becomes a Christian. The essence of being a Christian is placing all our hope in God, knowing we can trust him to fulfill all his promises--even the ones that haven't been fulfilled yet. We are willing to wait, trusting that "God's way is perfect. All the Lord's promises prove true" (Psalm 18:30).

Friday, November 30, 2012

Sweet Adrian

Our family has been enduring some sadness over the last several weeks. Our daughter (in-law), Adrian, was diagnosed with Hodgkin's Lymphoma. Our hearts hurt for Adrian, Cody and their little family. On a positive note, this has brought our extended family and friends together to help with the fight. Everyone has a job;  prayer warriors, meal providers, house cleaners, baby sitters.

Below is the link to Adrian's CaringBridge site.
 http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/adrianmcdaniel

Thursday, November 29, 2012

Family Pictures 2012

We received our family pictures back just in time for Christmas cards; very thankful for that. Below are some of the highlights.




Sunday, November 25, 2012

And so it begins...

For us Thanksgiving extends until Saturday evening when we have our get together with my husband's family. Other activities are jam-packed into the days in between: Christmas shopping on Black Friday, putting up Christmas decorations, and even hosting a baby shower. Busy Busy Busy.
Hoping you enjoy your time with family and friends as we begin the whirlwind of parties and bustling around that comes with this time of year.

Wednesday, November 21, 2012

Thankful

Happy Happy Thanksgiving!

I am very thankful for:
  • God
  • My family
  • My friends
  • Living in the USA
  • My job
  • My list could go on and on...we are very blessed.
I am looking forward to watching the Macy's parade and then heading to my sister's house for dinner. Fun times with family! gobble gobble




Monday, November 19, 2012

Making Memories

I was working with HR for a project for our corporate Christmas party and I came across this picture of my Dad and I. I wrote the date of 1972 on the back of the photo, but I am not sure it is correct. I think I look too tall for a five year old?? Anyway it brought back many wonderful memories of spending time with my dad.
 And here is a recent photo of us together...still making memories.

Friday, November 16, 2012

Go Mighty...

For awhile now I have been reading Maggie Mason's blog MightyGirl. It is a lifestyle blog so it is all about style, travel, cocktails, etc. Anyway she just launched a new website called GoMighty. Seriously you need to check this out...seriously. The main idea is that you write down your "life goals" and then they have sponsors who might possibly help you achieve your goals. Its all about challenging you to find and fulfill the possibilities in your life. I signed up and have my list started, you should too.

Wednesday, November 14, 2012

42 Days...

How is your Christmas (Holiday, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, etc.) shopping coming along? I usually start very early because if I delay it to the last moment, I get grouchy. Grouchiness is not a good holiday feeling. I start out with a spreadsheet of everyone I will be buying for and add in ideas or items they have on their wish list. I do a combination of browsing/buying in stores and ordering online. I have been pretty lucky with getting most everything shipped for free, which is a nice bonus. And I have been wrapping them right along as I get them, so I am not overwhelmed at the last moment.
42 DAYS UNTIL CHRISTMAS

Monday, November 12, 2012

Thankful...

Not sure if it is because the holidays are right around the corner or just because...but lately I have been feeling very thankful. Especially for my family; parents, siblings, children, grandchildren...you get the idea.


Friday, November 9, 2012

The weather outside is frightful...

Ok, not really, not yet. Just practicing my holiday tunes...
Actually this weekend is probabably one of the last warmish days we will have in awhile. I am glad God has given us this potentially warm day, because I still have leaves to rake. I am sure the neighbors are irratated with us (sorry).
Anyway, some of us are ready with our cute hats for cold weather.

Thursday, November 8, 2012

Cheers!!

Wine tasting at the Round Barn Winery.
$8 for five samples and you get to take the stemless wine glass home with you.
Fun times with amazing friends...

Wednesday, November 7, 2012

My friend Steve posted this on FB and it was exactly what I needed to hear.
As much as some people are hurting over the election, as a Christ follower I just want to offer this. Many people will move forward after today with anger, bitterness, and resentment. But now is when we need to pray for those in power and for our neighbors, no matter what side they are on. We may disagree with the outcome, but vengeance and unforgiveness are not our calling. Just remember, while the outcome may have been a surprise to many, it was not a surprise to God. And while I still believe America is the greatest country on earth, I also believe that God does not care about furthering a country, he cares about furthering a Kingdom. So, despite whatever your political views are, the only views that will truly matter moving forward are grace and forgiveness.

Tuesday, November 6, 2012

My husband and I spent the weekend in Union Pier, MI. We stayed at the Firefly Resort, which is a super cute place to stay. Check out their website.
We had a great time! Relaxing, eating, wine tasting, and walking on the beach. The water looks cold, doesn't it.
Friends drove down from Chicago to spend Saturday with us. Really...there is nothing better than time spent with family and friends.

Wednesday, April 25, 2012

We downsized our cable/dish channels to the smallest package and then signed up for Netflix (streaming). Seems like there was never anything on tv that we wanted to watch and our cable bill was HUGE. We are loving Netflix. This week we have been watching Jethro Tull concerts. We are planning on going to see them perform in Chicago this year.

Anyway here is a picture of Ian Anderson in 1968
And a recent picture. I can't get over thinking he looks like a pirate in this picture.

Tuesday, April 10, 2012

Easter Blessings Continued...


Family...

Going through the Easter stash...

Me, Mom, and my sister Ang


Three cute bunnies and Z

Sunday, April 8, 2012

Blessed

Feeling very blessed today. My heart is full...but my body is tired. Easter celebration at our house today...pictures to follow.