Sunday, December 16, 2012

Joy

 Hello readers and pausers on this December Sunday!  My days have been very full of people, tasks, outings, and my nights have held good concentrated sleep.  Finally, there are pockets of time for some seasonal decorating.  The tree is fun and very Pom Pom-ish, too!  Yay!
 I happily found inexpensive stacks of tree fairies at the W store!  Mags sent me pom poms, twice!  So with Susan Branch's idea of cut up drinking straws as spacers, I made some funny garland!  Do you like my bunting?  I sewed!
 Here are some fuzzy nutcrackers because Christmas music MUST contain The Nutcracker, right?
 Oh!  Before I forget, the Willows are in New Zealand.  Angel Catherine is entertaining them in her lovely and elegant picnic style!  This is the envelope they left in, all those months ago.  Soon they'll come back to me.  They'll greet Badger and ponder their next adventure.  Speaking of adventure, we saw The Hobbit last night.  I liked it and I'm going to read the book again.
 Not a creature was stirring?  Here's my little mouse.  Have you tried the Alan Dart patterns?  I think I've found my knitting venue!  MICE!
 When we went away last weekend (that's the reason that I'm a bit behind, but in a good way!) we met up with these three beauties and other good souls.  Long ago, Bill and I moved to a little southwestern Washington town for the purpose of reaching young people with Christ's good news.  We were a bit clunky in our ways, but HIS grace abounded.  We met some precious people and walked with them.  All these years later, they are still the most wonderful lovers of people, the kindness and soundest of souls.  We found GREAT encouragement there as they generously shared their memories of us, with us.  I am humbled by it all and inspired by what my KING does in spite of my often silly ways.
 Well, Lizzy would like to say hello to you.  She's a little pink flower and she is now singing little baby songs and giggling.  Thank you, Jesus.  YOU are the great provider, the healer, the GOOD.  
This is OUR baby, having a short little nap on our sofa.  Oh, how I love this face.  
I am enjoying Jesus Calling by Sarah Young.  One of those pretty ladies' above husband told me about this devotional.  I find it true, good, soothing, and real.  
For my pause today, I quote:
"The hope of heaven is meant to strengthen and encourage you, filling you with wondrous JOY."

We are all feeling a great sense of sorrow for the recent tragedy in our land.  Schools, where our young Americans gather, where teachers take their calling seriously, where community is born, please keep praying for schoolhouses in America.  I know you are tenderly praying for the families that are grieving.  

On Friday, I had the students write about their holiday season and what it means to them.  Many shared that it isn't about the presents, it's about Jesus.  They said they love hot chocolate and  family movie nights.  Do you see why I love them so?  They are good souls, real live-ers, soft hearted beings.  Children KNOW things and they will lead us and teach us, won't they?
Oh, how I love the BABY in that manger.  

You'll be blessed if you click over to Floss's spot, where the pausers gather.  Thank you for stopping by to visit me today.

45 comments:

TexWisGirl said...

love your pennant garland! so cute. sweet family...

Lynn said...

Lovely post as usual - I am reading Jesus Calling too.
Prayers for Newtown.
L.x.

Denise said...

Wonderful uplifting post.I can feel the love of Jesus all over it :) Denise

Pom Pom said...

Hi TexWis! Thank you! I love to sew bunting! I'm glad you like it!

Pom Pom said...

Oh, I love the idea that we are both reading Jesus Calling. Kindred spirits. Thank you for your prayers.

Pom Pom said...

Hi Denise! Thank you for popping in today! Thank you for your kind words.

Elderberry-Rob said...

Hi PomPom I like your bunting and pompom tree decorations, it looks so colourful and festive and I think your grandchildren will be wide eyed when they visit. Joy is a good thought for this weeks pause, I will join in with Joy - so pleased the Willows are nearly home - I'm hopping over to catch up on their travels. Betty x

Pom Pom said...

Hi Betty! Yes, I definitely decorated the tree with the grands in mind!
I am awed by the Willows adventures. It's been beyond WONDERFUL!

Maggie said...

Hi Pom Pom,
Visiting you for the first time today because of Floss! I so enjoyed your post, so open and friendly, I'll be back again to visit for sure.
Love your Pom Pom garland and if the Willows ever want to visit Normandy just let me know!
Just signed up to follow......

Pom Pom said...

Welcome, Maggie!
The Willows will have to visit Normandy for their second GRAND TOUR, I think! Well, we're still brewing up that event and it might be Badger on his own. We'll see!
I'm going to follow you, too!
So happy to meet you!

Kit said...

Oh how I love that tree! The pom poms are so pretty! And I can see why you love that face. Our children, it is what keeps us going. :) Have a wonderful week! Kit

Pom Pom said...

Hi Kit! I knew you'd like my tree! You are a happy decorator and I always love your ideas! Yes, our kids are our treasures!

Farm Girl said...

As always stopping by your place is full of refreshment and joy. You always make my soul sing. I love your photographs of your lovely life. I love the picture of the sweet tired Momma. The baby is so precious.
I love your tree. I hope you have a wonderful day. If anything this tragedy has done as it has made my prayers more fervent, the love of Jesus more real, and to hug my family tighter. So thankful for heroes "Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends." when called upon gave their lives for those children. I think you have to say that those sweet teachers did that. We still are a country not lost because of that kind of love. We must not forget that.

Nancy McCarroll said...

Your Joy post gave me joy. Sweet Lizzie and your daughter.

Pom Pom said...

Hi Kim!
Thank you for your kind words. I join you in your prayer for America.
You always say the nicest things! (BIG HUG!)

Pom Pom said...

Hi Nancy! Thank you! I know I loved snuggling with my daughter yesterday. I held Lizzy while she dozed. Grandpa was awake and watching big sister. It was the best kind of home comfort!

Gumbo Lily said...

Your Christmas tree says "Yay for Christmas and Jesus and all that is Good! I love the pendants and pom pom garlands.

The "baby pictures" are just the best. We are waiting for a grandbaby coming very soon.

My heart-prayers are going out for those in Newtown and for all teachers (Shepherds of the flock) who have our young ones in their care. Thank you for being one of those good shepherds.

Vicki said...

Hello, dear Pompom, and thank you for this inspiring and heart felt post today. Exactly what I needed to hear, too. Your tree is decorated perfectly. Love the sweet garland you made. I, too, decorate in an old fashioned way with handmade ornaments made by my children many years ago in school and Sunday school. Wishing you and your family a very happy, blessed Christmas. Vicki

Pom Pom said...

I'm so excited about your grandbaby, Jody! It's so exciting! Christmas babies are such dears!
Thank you for your kind words about teaching.

Pom Pom said...

Hi sweetie pie Vicki!
I love it when you stop by to see me! Yes, old fashioned decorating makes me happy! I love greens and ribbons, candles and bows!
I wish you a lovely week and a blessed Christmas!

Terra said...

Your tree is charming with the decorations you made, and your new grand baby is adorable. How much we both love the Holy Babe in the Manger too.

Pom Pom said...

Hi Terra! Thank you for stopping by! It's nice to meet you! I'm glad you love Jesus, too.

Shey said...

Hi Mrs. Pompom! I love your Christmas tree! I finally put up ours last week, we have a little one, like 3 feet tall, but I didn't feel like getting the big one out because then I get too lazy when it's time to take it apart. Are you looking forward to your CHristmas break? I think I am, but I'm not so sure, December gives me the blues, so I don't like it that much. Anyway, hope you have a wonderful Christmas with your family. God bless!

Pom Pom said...

Hi Shey! Oh, I'm sorry that December gives you the blues. I'll pray for a peace and joy for you as you celebrate Christmas.
YES! I am very ready for a break! I love having two weeks off!
I do not like taking the tree down either. I do like the January feeling though. I start thinking about the garden. I try not to think TOO much about the state testing. Have fun with your precious son and your precious kindergarteners!

Lisa Richards said...

Love your tree! I just brought ours out of storage. (Does that tell you anything?) I had to walk down to the woods to our storage trailer and bring it back home across the snowy pasture with our herd of horses and our llama following closely along to see what this strange thing was! It was sort of like cutting a tree in the woods...sort of! I plan to have lots of stars and a few sheep and shepherds. Also a nativity scene! It may not be elegant (some will be handmade) but I hope it will tell the story of Jesus. We had a wonderful sermon this morning on Christmas being the beginning of looking toward Easter and all that Jesus came to do for His people on earth.

I'm looking forward to seeing The Hobbit! Yay! That's another book I'd like to read again.

Hi, Lizzy! :) Our little Hazel is learning to smile. It's a fun time!

You have a great bunch of kiddos in your class. They have good ideas about Christmas.

God bless your Christmas, Pom!

Pom Pom said...

Hi sweet Lisa! I can just picture you dragging the tree across the field! That's cute!
Aren't the babies adorable? More pictures of Audrey and Hazel please!
Yes, I so enjoyed the book The Hobbit and I liked the shire in the movie. Some of the battles and the orcs were a little much for my Pollyanna heart, but that's okay.
Okay, as soon as I am free I am going to mail you your art installment which includes the paper dolls!

April said...

Your tree looks very happy! Love you! Lizzy is sooooo cute!

Attic Clutter said...

Oh Love the tree..just darling ..and Lizzy too (:) happy days to you too ~

Thistle Cove Farm said...

Pom, for my dose of "happy" I visit here and Susan Branch...thank you! You are a blessing to me...thank you!

Pom Pom said...

Thank you, Patty! Lizzy is a little cherub! LOVE her!
I'm glad you are having a happy pre-Christmas!

Pom Pom said...

Hi A! I'm glad you like our tree! Lizzy IS a cutie pie! Three months old is a great age! I love you, too!

Pom Pom said...

Thank you, Sandra! YOU are a blessing to me!

Bradley W. Maston said...

Such a wonderful Christmas season! I love your tree and Christmas bunting! I love you sooooooo much, my sweet Mama!
xoxo brad

libbyquilter said...

life has been so full Pom Pom and i've gotten a bit behind myself.
your christmas tree is chocked full of exuberant color and i LOVE your bunting~!!~

you are right, children are good souls and it's been difficult to imagine the recent tragedy and the pain that those parents are now feeling as they try to make sense of it. i think that it's special people like you that keep my hope for good alive when the news is so bad.
bless you Pom Pom and all that you share with the young lives who mingle with yours.

:-)
libbyQ

Pom Pom said...

Hi sweet Brad! I love YOU!

Pom Pom said...

Hi Libby Q!
Thank you very much for your kind and supportive words.
I knew you'd like my bunting! It's quilt-y, isn't it? (BIG HUG!)

Sue McPeak said...

OHappyDay to visit PomPom just to say Merry Christmas and THANKS for a post filled with Comfort and Joy!

Love your Tree and the PomPom Garland. Your Gals are darling! Your Mouse and Bunting such HandDone Happiness!

Merry Christmas and Many Blessings for the Holidays and New Year!!!

Pom Pom said...

Aw, Sue! It's always so lovely to receive a visit from YOU! I'm glad you like my mouse! I think knitting mice is nice!
I hope your handmade holiday is perking along nicely! You are the queen of quilts (and knitting and crocheting, too!)

Susan Branch said...

Hi Pom Pom! Seeing your Christmas tree all decorated was the little dose of Happy that I needed this morning. Thank you! And a very Merry Christmas to you and yours. ♥ xoxo Susan

magsmcc said...

We have lots of nutcrckers on patrol all around Starwberry festive Land. The boys asked why last week. We told them about how we went oNew York on honeymoon, just after christmas and that year all the decorations everywhere were nutcrackers. We brought one fine soldier home, and can't resist them any year after! Hoping to see the Hobbit over their holidays, but booking tickets now to see Rise of the Guardians on Friday afternoon, when they finish school! Love the holidays- love you too xx

Pom Pom said...

Thank you for coming by, Susan! I'm so glad you like my tree!

Pom Pom said...

Nutcracker is an American tradition! Kelli took her girls to a nice production yesterday. I went when I was a child. I love the story! Have a sweet holiday week, Mags!

sandy said...

Very cute garland. And the baby is precious! I also have the devotional, Jesus Calling. I read it every morning and sometimes even more often by skipping around. It's a wonderful book!
Have a joy-filled week!

Pom Pom said...

Thank you, Sandy! Yay for Jesus Calling! Three people I know are reading it now!

Alex said...

Happy Christmas Pom Pom, your tree is so original and delightful!
Thanks for sharing your family and friends pics and the sweet message of Christmas. xx

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