Today, Friday, December 9. The Christmas season has begun. Planning for our Christmas concert at church, going to A Tuba Christmas with 612 tuba plays, open houses, and work parties all encompass my celebration of this 2011 birthday of Jesus. This Saturday have a luncheon at Nordstrums which has become a tradition for my daughter, daughter-in-law, and friends. Then for a little shopping.

It snowed so beautifully just a few days ago and it is seasonally cold, which makes it "feel like" Christmas. I remember going to 29 Palms over 18 years ago when my granddaughter was born during the Christmas season. The houses displayed snowmen out of tumbleweed. Now you can buy them.

There probably wasn't snow on that day when the Christ child was born, but we seem to have warm fuzzy feelings when it snows on Christmas day. Hot chocolate and cookies are also in order.

Today I remember why I started this blog in the first place. Seize the day, God has something in mind for you this day. It may be a smile, a phone call, a hug to a friend, stranger, or a family member. Have a wonderful, Merry Christmas snow or no snow.

I have been reading the book, Voices of the Faithful with comments by Beth Moore. It has a devotion each day of the year from a missionary. I love that these pages are filled with big and small miracles from around the world. One 6 year old prayed for her grandma to have some ice cream to calm her grandma's stomach. They could not afford to buy it. A little while later a neighbor called saying they had some leftover ice cream. They were able to tell this neighbor that their gift was an answer to prayer. Another day the missionary told about a lady who was introducing her friend who came to church that day. The lady whispered in her ear and said she wanted to be saved. A prayer group gathered around her as she gave her heart to Jesus. There was spontaneous rejoicing. "The ladies began dancing in a circle around the new believer as drums banged in the background." The scripture for that day is Luke 15:7 regarding rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents. Do we get excited enough about one child coming into the Kingdom of God?

The thought for today was a story about a missionary who lived in the jungle and how important rain was to them. They met for church under a tree and she realized that even though the rain was very unpredictable, it had not rained on them when they were having their service for over 14 months. This prayer is at the end of the devotional--"Sovereign Ruler of the Universe, you have everything under control. Thank you that I do not need to feel overwhelmed with what is going on around me."

I look forward to reading this each day this year, 2011 even though I have already read much of it and trust God to help me seize each day as it comes!