Christmas Tray with a Thrift Store Find and Old Sign Stencils Plus a Giveaway

Cookies and cocoa and cocktails...oh my! That is a just a few things that will look great served up on this adorable Christmas tray.

I am joining up with FIVE other FABULOUS bloggers to bring you some quick and easy Christmas ideas using Funky Junk's Old Sign Stencils. PLUS, we have a giveaway for YOU!

Sunday Verses

Happy Sunday! Christmas lights are my very favorite Christmas decoration. Christmas lights on trees symbolize Jesus coming as the light of the world. Jesus is light, light for all. And because he gives us his life freely, we are able to and called to shine in other people's lives. This doesn't have to be hard or overwhelming. Don't try to be the biggest, brightest bulb around, think more of a simple strand of fairy lights. Uncomplicated gestures sometimes shine the brightest. Interact with those placed in your path, encourage people--cheer them on, build relationship, get your hands dirty working along side them, spread joy. This season when we see so many lovely lights, let them remind you of the Light of the World and the life he gives us so that we can shine love in other's lives.

12 Days of Christmas Day 3 Christmas Countdown Calendar

I love a good Christmas countdown calendar (because if you have kids, you know a countdown calendar so helps!), and this one is easy AND can be used year after year. 

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Sunday Verses

Happy Sunday! We are at the end of the Thanksgiving weekend and frankly, many people are feeling let down, frustrated, and exhausted. We have spent time with family and friends and for many, with people who are hard to love (if you aren't sure who the challenging one is, it might be you 😉). People are messy. Like snowflakes, each person in our lives is unique and sometimes that makes loving them hard. We struggle to understand how each one of us is wired differently. The only perfect love is God and the rest of us have to strive to love and accept others for the individuals that they are. If you are feeling let down, that is okay. Breathe, rest, and soak in Jesus' unconditional love. Continue to work (and it is work) to see the best in others and to actively love and appreciate their distinctive qualities.

Sunday Verses

Happy Sunday! One of my favorite things about where we live are the mountains that surround us. It is a rare day that I don't appreciate them and thank God for their beauty. But, those same amazing mountains become problems in inclement weather. They are often at best extremely dangerous to drive over, and at worst, impassable. Mountains are mentioned 500 times in the Bible, many times as barriers. God sees mountains as opportunities. He sees our stumbling blocks as chances to work in our lives, as events where his unfailing love removes obstacles and Jesus moves on our behalf. Whatever mountain you are facing-- broken relationships, poor health, debt, addiction, depression--give them to our loving Father and trust him to level them.

12 Days of Christmas Day 2 Custom Ribbon and a Wreath

Today's project is super simple and easy and quick--perfect, right? 

I wanted to create custom ribbon for Christmas projects.

(affiliate link)

Sunday Verses

Happy Sunday! We have had a lot of winter this fall and we only had a few days, as opposed to the typical two weeks, of brilliant colored cotoneaster leaves before they lost their foliage. The hedge suffered from the early, tough conditions, but the berries that are left on the bushes attract turkeys, chickadees, and other birds that enjoy feeding on them. As I watched turkeys enjoying the fruit, it reminded me that sometimes we go through hard things so that we can bear fruit for others. People are watching us, watching how we handle adversity and trials. And often, before we can even see the life things we are learning in the tough times, others are growing and taking hold of the "fruit" or lessons. God does not waste our pain and difficulties. When we love others, keep the faith and continue to trust God through the challenges, we will bear good fruit.

12 Days of Christmas Day 1 Christmas Card Box

Hello, and welcome to my annual 12 Days of Christmas ideas posts. I look forward to sharing with you 12 different, easy DIY ideas for the holidays. 

Sunday Verses

Happy Sunday! When was the last time you let something glorious startle you? We get so accustomed to our everyday lives, to the things we see and experience day in and day out that we often forget to notice and appreciate the beauty in the ordinary. I have learned that the one thing that can turn around a ho-hum day or my bad attitude is when I stop to enjoy and thank God for the routine things that I take for granted. Sunrises and sunsets, hugs and smiles, the sound of laughter, trees changing with the seasons, simple and kind gestures, a good meal--all small things that are extraordinary if we let them be. Let God's everyday wonders startle you and remember to thank him when they do.

Rustic Repurposed Christmas Tobacco Tin

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas...really, it is around here. We have already had lots of snow and record breaking cold temperatures. And while I typically start my 12 Days of Christmas Ideas posts on November 1st, I am a tad late due to LIFE.

BUT, even though I am not starting my OFFICIAL 12 Days posts, I do have a quick and easy DIY Christmas project for you.