Almost a New Year!

On the risk of sounding super cliched...I can't believe the year is hours from being over...  I know I say that every year, and every year its just as true.

Last year seemed to be all about seasons...this year...  I'll just have to wait and see.  =)

Tonight we each picked a game that we love and played them 'til 10PM {the funniest thing is that we each won the game we chose  =) }, then we all separated to write our goals for 2012.  We will talk about them tomorrow morning during our devotional time as a family.

This has been an amazing year!  I don't know about you, but there's always a part of me that wants to hold on to the old year.  It seems more safe and comfortable {don't ask me why}.  But the Lord didn't call us to be comfortable.  He's called us to be bold and courageous.  To die to ourselves so we can live in Him. 

And a year is just a year...it's what we've done during the year that's important.  And I can only hope that what I've done during the past year has made the Lord smile and say, "Well done, my daughter."

So while part of me wants to hold on, the other part of me {which will win} is totally ready to "let go and let God," as my Mom always says.  Is ready to grow in Him, face the challenges, live boldly, seek our the adventures and run the race.

My Biggest Goal for 2012:  Daily pick up my cross and follow Him.  And be ready to drop everything to do just that.  I need to be ready for the adventures that will take place and run to His embrace when I feel weary. 

My Life Verse for 2012:  ²⁴ Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. ²⁵ For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it. ~ Matthew 16:24-25

In closing, I want to pray for you all.

Dear Heavenly Father,

I come before your throne right now in praise for the wonders that You've worked in all of our lives this year!  For the things You've revealed to us. 

Please Father as we go into the new year, make us even clearer images of You.  Let there be no mistaking us for Your followers.  Let it be that when people look at us, they see only You.  Let us decrease daily so that You can increase abundantly!

Help us to be the tools in Your hand and work through us!

Father I pray for those reading this right now, that You would bless them immensely and cover them and wrap them in Your embrace.

Father I ask this all in Your Son Jesus' name.
Amen!

I will talk to you in the new year!

Au Revoir...Until next time.
Many Blessings!  =)
Tiffani

P.S.
My Daddy sent this picture to me a couple months ago and I absolutely loved it!!! I think it goes perfectly with this next year!! =)

Everything in this post is Copyright Tiffani-Joi.  Please email me at TiffaniJoi143@gmail.com to ask permission before using any part of this post or any pictures.

Courageous

While I was getting ready this morning, these lyrics kept playing through my mind.  What's really funny is that I don't have all the words memorized {I don't have this song on my iPod...} I really just know the tune.  I couldn't tell you any other lyrics...but these words will not leave my head.
I don't think they need much of a commentary...I just wanted to share with you what the Lord has shown me this morning.  =)

The only way we'll ever stand
Is on our knees with lifted hands
Make us courageous
Lord, make us courageous

 

 

Courageous ~ Casting Crowns

Album: Come to the Well

Au Revoir...Until next time!

Many Blessings!  =)

Tiffani

Everything in this post is Copyright Tiffani-Joi.  Please email me at TiffaniJoi143@gmail.com to ask permission before you use any part of this post or any pictures.

He Orchestrates...

{This is one of my favorite songs!  It always makes me cry as I remember the extreme sacrifice Jesus made for me.  I made this video especially for this version of the song.}

Touch of the Master's Hand ~ Danny Gans
Album: Brand New Dream

One of my favorite things to say about God is that He orchestrates things.  {As a side note, I am NOT trying to start a debate over pre-destination and free will}

When I hear orchestrate, I think of a compose and conductor of an orchestra.  He's written the symphony out and He knows exactly how the notes should be played, what the tempo is, and what key signature the piece should be played in.  He's up front, and as long as the musicians look to Him, He is guiding them as they play.  The musicians are His 'tools', and He is able to use them to create something beautiful.

During rehearsals, those musicians might make terrible mistakes, over and over and over...and over again.  Then throw in those cumbersome and tedious arpeggios or the big dramatic crescendos.  BUT He is patient, because He knows what the end result will be, and He is willing to wait for us...I mean the musicians of course.  ;)
Some of the musicians are able to help each other get better, but ultimately they look to the composer.  He's the One who keeps them on the rhythm, motivated and encouraged.  He's listens to the the complaints and the whining, about sore fingers, aching backs and parched lips.  He understands, because He's gone through the exact same thing.

They also learn to work together as one.  They learn that the piano alone is beautiful, but when played with the harp it sounds so much better.  Then add in the violins and the flutes.  Only with all the instruments playing together can the make an orchestra.  And have you ever heard of an orchestra without a conductor, let alone a composer?
Then on that glorious performance day, we will all be perfect and everybody will applaud and praise the conductor for His great work. 
They Lord has been showing me daily that He is in control, and I definitely am not.  I can rely on Him alone, and He never fails! 

He forgives my mistakes, complaints, and my eagerness to hog the spotlight.  He promises to finish the good work that He has started in me.  And that can't be easy.  But I guess...I know that since He created me, and knows me better than I even know myself, He will be faithful like He always is.

Dear Precious Heavenly Father,

Please search my heart and root out any sin and fleshly behavior that is still trying to hang on to me.  Please Father, show me when I'm feeling discontent or too comfortable, because there is always something I should be working on in my spiritual life. 

God, I pray for those who are reading this post right now.  That they would be blessed and You would use Your Words to give them peace and comfort for whatever struggles they are facing at this very moment.

Your Word tells us that those who believe in You and have received Your Son's gift of salvation are like a body.  We must all work together and that none of us are more worthy or important than any other.  Please Father, remind me of that whenever I start to become prideful or try to judge anyone else.

I pray that You would use me in Your symphony and that I will daily become more and more like You and my Savior.

And I ask all this in Your Son Jesus' name.

Amen!

Au Revoir...Until next time!

Many Blessings!  =)

Tiffani

Everything in this post is Copyright Tiffani-Joi.  Please email TiffaniJoi143@gmail.com to ask permission before you use any part of this post or any pictures.

Our Christmas Day

Here is my second favorite Christmas song! =)

²¹ And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name JESUS, for He will save His people from their sins.”
²² So all this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying: ²³ “Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel," which is translated, “God with us.”   ~ Matthew 1:21-23

On Christmas Day we went to my grandparents house on my mom's side.

Here are some pictures...  All the dishes were done, my grandma pointed out that as usual we hadn't taken any pictures of the food...  =P

But I got plenty of pictures of all of my grandma's nutcrackers!  =)

See all the nutcrackers in the background?  You'll be seeing more
of those soon...

My Grandma has over 130 nutcrackers!  They take live in a
walk-in closet when they're not being displayed at Christmas.

My Mom and a new teddy bear my Grandma got recently  =)
They match...and they didn't even call each other to coordinate.  =P

My Mom and Daddy

My Grandma and Grandpa

I had such a good time!  I always love spending time with family!

Usually I'm shooed out of the kitchen when it comes time to do the dishes (I'm serious), but this time I was able to help my grandma do the dishes while my parents talked with my Grandpa.

It was special to be able to spend that time with her...even if we were just doing dishes.

But God is with us all the time, and any time spent with family whether opening presents, talking, or doing dishes is special.  And I'm so grateful for all the blessings He's given me this year!!!  And I thank Him every day for the greatest gift of all...His Son and my Savior Christ Jesus.

I hope you all had a wonderfully blessed time with your family and were able to find peace in His arms while celebrating His gift.

Au Revoir...Until next time!

Many Blessings!  =)

Tiffani

P.S.  I would love to hear what you did for Christmas!!



Everything in this post is Copyright Tiffani-Joi.  Please email me at TiffaniJoi143@gmail.com to ask permission before using any part of this post or any pictures.

Our Christmas Eve

I know that Christmas is now over, but I wanted to post my very favorite Christmas song!

I hope you all had a blessed Christmas.  I certainly did!  =) 

I cannot believe that this year is almost over!  Although I must admit I say that every year. =P  But it's just as true this year as it was in the past years.

I think this Christmas has been one of my favorites and yet one of the oddest as well...  
I love to hear about people's big family Christmas's!  I love to hear about the not so controlled chaos, loudness, tons of food, and fun time spent with family that isn't seen very often. 

Almost all of my dad's relatives live in Eastern Canada, so I've actually only had one big Christmas like that.  And my mom's relatives are kinda scattered all over the place.  So my usual Christmas is 5-6 people.  Believe me its not quiet and there is plenty of food and fun time with family.  It just amazes me sometimes how different families are.  How different traditions are.  And mainly how different each of our families celebrated this Christmas.

For example:  on Christmas Eve this year we had a day of rest.  I love my daddy so much and he works so hard for us and is a great provider for my family!!!  And my mom has so much on her plate as well and is still able to be the best mom in so many ways!!!  So I was glad that both my parents were able to take that day to rest in Him. 

²⁸ “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. ²⁹ Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. ³⁰ For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” ~ Matthew 11:28-30

We made crêpes (or skinny pancakes my Grammy always called them) for breakfast on Christmas Eve.   {As usual, my mom and I make that batter and my daddy cooks them  =) }

This is my daddy!  =)

Choices, choices...

My masterpiece! 
(It's Christmas!  I'm allowed to have whipped cream!)

I will post a couple pictures from Christmas day soon!

Au Revoir...Until next time!

Many Blessings!  =)

Tiffani

Everything in this post is Copyright Tiffani-Joi.  Please email me at TiffaniJoi143@gmail.com to ask permission before using any part of this post or any pictures.

BIAY Days 22-28

Exciting!  We're starting a new book of the Bible this week!  Remember I said it was a Gospel...  And now for the "grand unveiling"!  *drumroll*

Tomorrow: Mark 1-3 & Pslam 18:28-50

Day 23: Mark 4-6 & Ps. 19

Day 24: Mark 7-9 & Ps. 20

Day 25: Mark 10-12 & Ps. 21

                                                                Day 26: Mark 13-14 & Ps. 23
(I know Psalm 22 & 23 are flip-flopped.  I did this on purpose because of the length of the readings.  =) )

                                                               Day 27: Mark 15-16 & Ps. 22

                                                         Day 28: Refection Day/Make-up Day

So this week we will be reading all of Mark!  I'm excited to start reading about my Savior!

We're back to the Old Testament next week.  Hint: After Genesis (of course) and before Joshua.

Au Revoir...Until next time.
Many Blessings!  =)
Tiffani

Everything in this post is Copyright Tiffani-Joi.  Please email me at TiffaniJoi143@gmail.com to ask permission before using any part of posts or any pictures.