New Music

Today, I am THANKFUL for new music! I got some money for Christmas and am using it to get a few things that I've been wanting.  I got a pair of shoes, a shirt, and two new CDs.  I love new music. 

Today I bought John Mayer's new album, Battle Studies. 

And I bought the Avett Brothers new album, I and love and you.

I think John Mayer's hair looks stupid in this picture on this album cover.  I've been wanting this album for awhile. I was never a big John Mayer fan until I saw him live.  He's a good performer and an amazing guitar player!   After I saw him live, I bought his then new album Continuum.  It is FANTASTIC.  One of my all time favorite music selections.  I have hardly taken that CD out of my player for almost 3 years now.  It is just so good and I like every song on it.  I am enjoying Battle Studies so far.  Just chilling listening to it tonight.

I think the album cover for the Avetts is pretty weird too.  I love the Avetts.  I really started to enjoy them more after seeing them live too!  They're awesome!  My friend Andy turned me on to them and I've been listening to them for about 3 years now too! I'm excited about their new album.  I have already listened to it before buying it.  NPR had it featured on their website a couple of weeks ago and I kind of wore it out!  That's all I listened to at work all day for about a week.  So I'm excited about listening to it too.

Jesus

Isaiah 9:6

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.

Jesus

Luke 2:2-20
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."

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. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.

How Much Proof Do You Need?

 There is a God - Lee Ann Womack

Try and put your arms around the 100 year old tree
Climb up on a horse and let it run full speed
Take a look down at the world from 30,000 feet on your next flight

Watch a flock of birds against the morning sun
Close your eyes and listen to the river run
Catch a firefly in your hand or a raindrop on your tongue
That's right

Plant a seed and see what comes out of the ground
Find the heartbeat on your baby's ultrasound
In a few years hear it laughing, and don't it sound like a song?

Stop and think about what you don't understand
Things like life and love and how the world began
Hear the doctor say he can't explain it, but the cancer is gone

There is a God
There is a God
There is a God
How much proof do you need?

Science says it's all just circumstance
Like this whole worlds just an accident
But if you want to shoot that theory down,
Look around
Just look around

There is a God
There is a God
There is a God,
How much proof do you need?

Mary and Joseph

Today and I am THANKFUL for Mary and Joseph, the parents of Jesus.

Every year about this time, I am reminded and again made in awe of the amazing story of Jesus.  Growing up in a Christian environment, the Christmas story is so engrained in my brain that I sometimes forget how Mary and Joseph felt!  The past few weeks at church I've been hearing about this.

Mary, who was maybe 15, engaged, a virgin. Joseph, maybe early 20s, engaged, a virgin.  Both are brought the news that they are going to be parents by a miracle of the Lord.  They both say, "Ok, Lord. We'll do it."  I can imagine my reaction if I were her.  Probably something close to "You've GOT to be kidding me?!"  I just can hardly imagine how difficult all of this would have been for them and their families.  John, the pastor at the church I've been going to, did a wonderful sermon this morning along these same lines.

I think about the incredible faith that these two had to have to step out and wait on a miracle.  To trust the Lord. To know that this was the right thing, for them to raise the Savior of the World.

Matthew 1:18-25

Christmas Dinner

Tonight, I am THANKFUL for my co-workers.

HA! Never thought I'd be saying that one. A lot has happened in our office in the past 5 1/2 months. It's been interesting.  But tonight, I had dinner at Foothills Milling in Maryville with my co-workers.  It is a fabulous place.  Reminded me of Bistro 107 in Greer.  Very similar.  I had horseraddish panko encrusted grouper with mashed potatoes and asparagus.  It was fabulous.  We had a wonderful bottle of Cabernet and Key Lime Cheese cake for dessert :) MMMmmmm! It was so good.

I had a great time laughing and telling stories and hearing stories of my co-workers tonight.

Friends

Once again this week, I am reminded of how truly blessed I am to have such wonderful friends.

In the past few weeks:

I have had countless laughs with friends.

I have had wonderful conversations shared over fabulous meals.

I have decorated Christmas trees.

I had a friend rescue me from the cash only parking garage, when I didn't have any cash.

I have shared prayer time and Bible studies.

I have hung out with college roommates, that I usually don't get to see.

I have heard SUPER exciting news.

I have talked on the phone for many hours.

I have received a couple "make my day" text messages.

I have traveled to visit friends.

I have seen friends get married.

And I have made new friends here in Knoxville.

I am so very THANKFUL for my friends!

Copy Cat

This is from my good friend Natalee's blog:

I'm thankful.

That he turns my half-hearted stale prayers into shouts, into victory chants that usher in His Kingdom.

That my days, at times, that seem saturated in dull routine, are transformed into priestly activities; offerings.

That my limp worship attempts are now the sweet songs of a beloved child.

That my lack of faith is exchanged with the complete faith of Jesus.

That when I'm not thankful, He always is. On my behalf.

That we have a King that's coming, a Morning that will dawn, Who will wipe away all our tears.

That my boredom and apathy is exchanged with the jealous passion and zeal of our King Lover.

That my unfaithfulness is now wedded bliss.

My dryness, Springs of Living Water.

My unbelief into belief.

---------

What wonderous Love is this?

The Most Beautiful Christmas Tree

Today I am THANKFUL for Christmas!

I have a feeling that there will be a few more posts about Christmas in the near future.  I totally have the Christmas spirit after tonight.

I have been wanting to get my Christmas tree this week.  I didn't really want to go by myself to get a tree.  Well, it just wasn't working out for any of my friends to go with me.  I went Thursday night to look for a tree and just got really sad that I was doing it by myself.  So tonight, I went with Nick, Christmas tree shopping.  It was super fun and we found "the perfect tree".  It's bigger than I need but I ended up getting a pretty good deal on it - only $20!  I got a few new ornaments, some ornament hooks, and a few new lights.

It really is beautiful!

I am kind of embarrassed to admit this but there are 1,100 lights on the tree.  It really looks great.  We had a fun time out shopping and decorating the tree and listening to Christmas music.  It just makes me so happy to be all decorated for Christmas and in the Christmas spirit.  It really is "the most wonderful time of the year"!

I'm also working on getting my Christmas cards together.  Hopefully getting them out in the next week or two.   So be checking your mailbox!

Merry Christmas!