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what are you listening to?

Published by Aubrey

It could be in the still, quiet of the early morning. Maybe you are alone. Maybe you have a little one sitting next to you. It could be loud with this and that going on around you but in your small inner space it is quiet. Maybe its in the middle of the day while eating lunch, over coffee or with an afternoon snack. It could be late at night, when the day is done, everyone is in bed and all is quiet once again.

Whatever the time of day it is He is there. He is listening. He is waiting for you to stop and take some time with Him. He wants to speak to us, fill us with hope for the day, reminders of His promises, His truth and love. Yes, He is listening to us but He wants us to listen to Him as well. Even when the “to-do” list is longer than usual, when the day just doesn’t start out right, even when every obstacle it seems is getting in your way. Because all those things will happen and more. Just do it. Stop. Listen. And take time with Him.

What are you listening to?

new. new. new.

Published by Aubrey

There is something about a new year that inspires me to get a move on things that I have been putting off for awhile. I guess this is not abnormal now that I type it out. So really I’m just like most others that jump on the band wagon of getting their act together on January 1. Make that January 2. Here are some things I have been thinking about that I want to make an effort to do.

1. Read through the Bible this year. I have never done it. Tried many times. Maybe this year will be the year. Hope so.

2. Continue on in my pursuit of memorizing Romans 8. I’m waaaaaay behind with the group that I started with but I’ve decided to keep chugging along and not let those first 7 seven verses I so diligently worked on go by the wayside.

3. I want to read more. I’m not even going to even say a number of books because honestly I average ONE a year. So anything more than that would be a success in my mind.

4. I want to pursue blogging more. Some sort of schedule. Maybe linking up with others on certain days. I’m open to any and all ideas. Honestly , it all kind of intimidates me so I just have to start with something and then feel the freedom to tweak it.

5. I’m running a marathon in June. I would like to challenge myself in my training with speed workouts, hills etc.

6. As a family I would like us to memorize a verse each month. Something simple for the kids to get, but we are doing it all together.

7. And like the past several years I have chosen a word or two to focus on throughout the year. I’ll announce those words later this week….let the suspense rise….

Hmmmm? Am I biting off more than I can chew? Well maybe. Maybe not. But one day at a time, with lots of grace for myself. Even if I don’t accomplish this all with an A+ I will still be satisfied with something from each goal.

What things are you going after this year? Let’s inspire each other!

a quick word or two or more about 2011

Published by Aubrey

So here it is the last day of 2011. There has been much learned and gained this year. Some loss, some hard, lots of grace and love. There have been twists and turns that I didn’t expect. Overall and foremost there is much to be thankful for. And that includes you. Thanks for checking in every now and then and keeping tabs on what is happening in our little corner of the world. I appreciate the words of encouragement, kindness and love I receive. It’s fun to have you all along and I look forward to our next year together. Happy New Year!

tis the season.

Published by Aubrey

Hope you are all enjoying this special time with family and friends. We are loving this time together as a family to celebrate a season of joy and newness of the new year approaching. Soaking in every minute!

merry christmas and happy new year!

focus focus hocus pocus.

Published by Aubrey

focus focus hocus pocus!

This is a clever little saying I’ve come up to keep our kids on track with whatever it may be: reading, cleaning rooms, getting dressed. Sure it is so easy to get distracted by the TV that may be on, that toy across the room or what our sister is doing. Lots of distractions all around us.

Well the kids are not the only ones who need to hear this. I do too! With Christmas cards still sitting on my desk to be mailed (if you are expecting one from us, it’s coming!), sugar cookie dough in the fridge waiting to be baked, gifts still to be made, bags to be packed for Christmas traveling there is a lot to distract me from the most important. This isn’t to mention the three little people that are hyped up on extra sugar and full of Christmas spirit making things a little bit more interesting to get things done.

So I’m putting forth the extra effort to keep myself focused on what matters most. Starting my day with Him, gleaning the extra patience needed for the abundant energy all around, the wisdom in what to do and what not to do and the ability to keep the joy and hope of this season alive when it so easily can be lost.

If only it was a hocus pocus magic trick with the wave of a wand that we could keep our focus on Him. But it is not that way. It takes time, prayer, and discipline to keep our gaze upon Him. I pray that just not now at Christmastime but all year long our focus would be on Him. Because His is always on us.

focus focus hocus pocus!

oh little town of bethlehem.

Published by Aubrey

Oh little town of bethlehem, how still we see thee lie Above thy deep and dreamless sleep the silent stars go by Yet in they dark streets shineth, the everlasting light

The hopes and fears of all the years are met in thee tonight.

For christ is born of mary, and gathered all above While mortals sleep the angels keep their watch of wondering love Oh morning stars together, proclaim the holy birth. And praises sing to God the king, and peace to men on earth.
How silently, how silently, the wondrous gift is given So God imparts to human hearts the blessings of his heaven No ear may hear his coming, but in this world of sin Where meek souls will receive him still, the dear christ enters in.
Oh holy child of bethlehem, descend to us we pray Cast out our sin and enter in, be born in us today We hear the christmas angels, the great glad tidings tell O come to us, abide with us, our lord emanuel.

This is one of my favorite Christmas carols. I love how it tells the Christmas story and so sweetly shows how this baby came to save us. My favorite line of the song is in the first verse.

All hopes and fears of all the years were met in thee tonight.

I think this sums up the Gospel so perfectly. Everything that ever was or ever will be is found in Him. And it all came to be on that glorious night. All that we desire, hope for, worry about, stress about, it was all met in Him. Even before we were created, as a baby He met all I have ever needed or will need in the future.

Yes. This is why I live my life for Him. Why I put my faith in Him. Why I trust Him and His promises. Why I can experience joy in the midst of hard things. Why peace is possible in chaos.

Let’s celebrate Him!

sweet and salty perfection

Published by Aubrey

I found this amazing recipe at Sugar Cooking blog for the best sweet and salty combo which is one of my faves. I made one batch yesterday and most definitely will be making another because they are already half gone. Don’t know how that happened!

It’s a must try for your holiday baking! Enjoy!

Recipe: Chocolate & Peanut Butter Chip Pretzel Cookies
Makes 24 cookies
Ingredients:

1 1/2 cups of all purpose flour
1/2 tsp. of salt
1/4 tsp. of baking soda
1/2 cup of butter at room temperature
1/2 cup of tightly packed light brown sugar
1/3 cup of granulated sugar
1 egg (beaten)
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 cup milk chocolate chips
1/2 cup peanut butter chips
1/2 cup broken up pretzel pieces
Preztel Salt or Sea Salt

Directions:

In a medium bowl, sift together the flour, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
In a larger bowl, beat the butter and sugars together on medium speed until light and fluffy (about 2-3 minutes). On low speed, slowly add the beaten egg and vanilla extract. Beat to combine, scrape down the sides of the bowl.
Add the flour mixture and beat just until there are no more streaks of flour. Stir in the chocolate chips, peanut butter chips, and preztels. Cover and refrigerate for an hour.
Preheat the oven to 350F. Line baking sheets with parchment paper. Scoop out well rounded tablespoonfuls of the dough and sprinkle with pretzel salt. Leave about 2 inches between each ball. Bake for 10 minutes. If you prefer crispier cookies increase the baking time by 1-2 minutes. Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before removing.

christmas at the barelas.

Published by Aubrey

This is our first Christmas in this house. I was so excited to decorate and try new things. As I was unpacking decorations I had not seen in two years I realized that I was getting tired of most of my stuff so I got on good old Pinterest and got some inspiration. I love the pictures I made for our mantel and the wreath for the door. I’m really enjoying how our home is looking for holiday season, especially in the evening. Warm, cozy and festive. Excuse the poor photos. Just quick shots from the iphone. Enjoy the tour!

the narrow path of self control.

Published by Aubrey

photo credit
Self control. Is it coincidence that this is the topic of my Abiding Fruit bible study last week when this is the very thing I’ve been struggling with? I think not. God always has a sneaky way of putting things right in front of our face when we need it most. Or does this just happen to me?

The last couple of weeks have been a little rough around here. I’ve been through 2 rounds of the flu, first round falling on my birthday and now I’m on an antibiotic for a sinus infection. I’m normally a rather healthy person so to put it nicely “I’m not the best sick person”. I don’t like to be slowed down. I don’t like to not be 100% at all times. Especially during the Christmas season when the “to-do” list is extra long. My attitude hasn’t been the best to say the least. I’ve been lacking self control and…I’ve been humbled.

Sure my lack of self control comes out in impatience and frustration. This is not pretty. But more than anything I’ve lacked self control in my thought life. Thoughts of “Why is this happening to me!” “Why now?” “I don’t deserve this!” “I just need to try harder. Suck it up!” Lots of self pity. Things that I wanted to do or make for Christmas are just not going to happen because there is not enough time. Prideful thoughts like “What will others think?” or “But I know she is doing it, so I have to as well” pop into my head. Real nice, huh? Oh my head is a crazy place live in sometimes.

I’ve lost my focus. More like it, my focus has been switched to myself. I’ve lost Him in all of this. It’s been all about me, me, me. Like I said, not pretty. He’s quietly put me in my place.

It’s not about “trying harder” or “just pushing through”. It’s about stopping. Waiting. Resting in Him. It’s about choosing truth for my thoughts instead of my own jumbled thoughts of complaints and lies. It’s about stopping myself when I go down that well beaten path that is so easy to follow. Yes, stopping and choosing a path that is narrow but worth the squeeze it puts on my heart and head. A path of truth, of praise and joy in the midst of a not so fun circumstance.

This week I was so humbly reminded that He has given me everything I need for each day. (1 Peter 1:3) Yes, even self control of my thoughts and actions in all situations. For God gave me a spirit not of fear but of power, love and self control. (2 Timothy 2:7)

crafty nook.

Published by Aubrey

Does your house look like mine? New crafts being made daily and hung everywhere? Yes, it can get a bit overwhelming at times but for the most part I love that our kids love to create. I have a little “crafty nook” that is easily accessible to little hands so that anytime they can get the supplies themselves and go to it. A recent addition to our craft area is their own personalized crates. I used the crates from the cutie oranges that are in season now (so stock up). We eat them by the dozen around here. They are the perfect size to put a handful of markers, crayons, glue stick, tape and scissors in. Each crate has their name on it so there is high ownership of the crate itself and the contents inside. It’s also a good place to store unfinished projects or any other special trinkets that need a home. I have a stack of paper right above so when they are ready they can grab their crate, some paper and have at it. Clean up is just ~~almost~~ as easy. This is nice for me because they can do it all themselves and it eliminates the many questions of where is this?

How do you do craft time at your house? How do you keep it all organized?