From the Parsonage: Its The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year

This honestly my most favorite time of the year! I anticipate it from the beginning of the year till the last day of October when I put my tree up.

Its not even about all the decorations, its about the time together with the ones we love the most.

Its a time that brings the the things we are most thankful to the forefront. It spotlights the things God has blessed us with through the years to our minds and puts us in a state of gratitude.

Over the years holidays has taken several different forms of traditions.

When we lived in the mountains, holidays was just our family of four. Making new traditions for us to enjoy as a family. Laughing, cooking, sharing what we are thankful for! 

Time spent around the table and Christmas days spent in pajamas!

Then when we moved back to our home town family wanted us to accommodate the way they had done things when we were gone for seven years. It was hard for our family to help others understand we would keep some of the traditions we had created just for us .

It was important to our kids we kept some of those favorite things! So we have made it clear that some days just don't work. We call those black out days. these are days set side to bake to enjoy holiday traditions we want to continue for years to come.

This year we celebrated Thanksgiving at our house, 5 generations was present to celebrate the time of thankfulness!

This is the first time in almost 6 years all of us have been able to come together for the holidays. All though we have lost some very special family members. It was such an amazing feeling to be surrounded by all of those we hold so dear to our hearts.

The room was filled with laughter the aroma of amazing food. Kids running around wild! Several walking talking miracles setting basking in the blessing of being here and with family.

It truly made my heart soar with gratitude for all the many blessings God has given us!

It was also a reminder of how quickly things can change. For we never know Gods plans for our families.

Especially if your a Ministry family. My girls are older now and they can voice the thing that are important to them to keep just for them.

So If your a ministry family I encourage you to the same as well!

Start traditions that are away from all the family and church hustle and bustle . Have days you set aside just for you as your family unit. 

After all they are the most important ones to please! 

Make the transition of being in new places feel special by choosing something you only do with each other!

One of our favorites is Christmas day! We have a no visitor policy.

We spend our days in our pjs! Wake up watch the Christmas parade! Our Christmas meal is Steak, baked potatoes, salad, and what ever dessert they choose! We watch movies and play games, my most favorite however is the Birthday Party we have for Jesus.

This is our day just for us! 

That was the hardest thing for me. When we first started ministry. I thought we had to give all our time away.

I learned though .... Jesus understood that we needed time to be just a family! Those are some of our families favorite Holiday memories are the ones that was just us.

I love to be with every one sharing the things we are most thankful for.

However one of those things are the us . My family unit God blessed me with.

So make sure this year you grow the ones you love best! Start a new tradition! Trust me they grow up and life will take you in lots of directions but the holidays will be a time when they all come home to be with you!  

So this most wonderful time of the year, make a point to start a new tradition with the ones God gave to you! 

Remember the reason its the most wonderful time of the year we are in celebration of the Birth Of A King!

Jesus!

He is the reason its the most wonderful time of the year!

I pray your family is blessed this season! As we celebrate Jesus with family, ministry, and friends! Don tlet the stress of pleasing take away from the true meaning of this time of the year! 

Thanks for stopping by! Blessings, Shellie