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!

"When faith goes to the market, it always takes a basket." from Streams in the Desert, December 29. Yes, I read ahead. It talks about claiming a promise in the Bible for each day. Fill your basket with God's promises.

Christmas is over except for the afterglow of joy remembering that Jesus was born and that He is with us all year even though the holiday has ended. Also, the joy of being with everyone in the family is still glowing.

What does seizing the day mean today? Well, I read a little of Pilgrim's Progress and made soup from leftover turkey. The most important thing I did was take a nap in a chair with the sun shining through the window. I felt kind of like a cat.

Next week is the last week of 2010. It has been a great year with a trip to Europe with our granddaughter and me going to Alaska to work for the summer. God knows what the future holds and I trust Him day by day.

Today! I am reading several books. Have I finished any of them? No! Am I enjoying them? Yes! Here is a list and some description and why I am reading them.

No Plot? No Problem? by Chris Baty-I picked this up (from the library, of course) because I wrote part of a novel in November 2010 through nanowrimo.com. It was helpful to encourage me in that process. I hope to develp this book. I plan to go to a writing group at a local church soon.

Dewey by Vicki Myron-This was given to Tony and I by a friend (Geo) and it is a delightful book about a rescued cat who made a difference in his owner, the library where she worked, and the town where they lived.

Totally Organized by Bonnie McCullough-This is one of the books I am reading because I have begun helping people declutter and order their homes. I have to learn as well.

The Messies Manual by Sandra Felton-This one is for the same reason. They are both very good.

Fix it and Flip It by Katie and Gene Hamilton-Got this at the thrift store. I thought it might help in preparing our house in Atlanta to sell. It has been on the market for 4 years and I am praying that this is the year (2011) to sell it. We need all the help we can get.

How to Make the Rest of Your Life the Best of Your Life by Mark Victor Hansen (the chicken soup book guy) and Art Linkletter. Since I have retired I don't want to become stagnant. This book has many ideas and encourages me not to "retire" but to "refire." It is helpful and has lots of helps from exercise, vitamins, new careers, and much more.

A New Dawn Over Devon by Michael Phillips-This book was given to me by Nancy Shaver so I would have something to read since I am retired. I can't seem to finish it because I have been so busy. It is a good novel, and I will finish it. It's interesting that I get busier with projects that take longer than when I was working. I usually didn't start many projects when I was working fulltime, because I knew I wouldn't have time to finish them.

Voices of the Faithful by Beth Moore and Friends-this is a publication I am reviewing for booksneeze.com My daughter clued me into this website. I really like the book. It is a devotional book with each day written by missionaries. It is encouraging and gets me out of my own little world into the cares and concerns of missionaries all over the world.

Keeping Life Simple (7 Guiding Principles 500 Tips & Ideas) by Karen Levine-This is a book I keep reading off and on. It has so many ways to keep life simple. I try to do that in my home and in my activities. Now that I am retired, I have to see what that means in the future. What do I want to be when I grow up?

As my blog title indicates, I believe we have to seize the day and pray for God's will throughout the day as we march along. I am thankful for a wonderful husband, great family, a church home, and many friends.

View from the top of the Empire State Building

2010-Christmas season. God has been good to our family. I went to Alaska for the summer and came home to retirement. I ponder on the fact that God loves us and has a perfect plan. In my retirement I still want to seize the day each day. I find that my projects are longer and can't finish them in one day. When I worked it was easy to just not start a project. Now, I start too many projects. I have to pray and make a list and decide what is important for this day. Today it is cleaning out my e-mails and blogging. The sun is shining and about to peak through my window. I can't wait to sit in the sun for a while. I have become like a cat when the sun comes in. I just want to sit in the sun and take a nap. The nice thing is, I can!

Time!! It just keeps passing on. I believe I have "seized the day" during these three years. We have moved back closer to family and have celebrated many special days in the lives of our grandchilren and "kids" (all grown now).

In the Dead Poets Society, the teacher, John Keating says of the students who went before him, "Did they wait until it was too late to make from their lives even one iota of what they were capable? Because, you see gentlemen, these boys are now fertilizing daffodils. But if you listen real close, you can hear them whisper their legacy to you. Go on, lean in. Listen, you hear it? - - Carpe - - hear it? - - Carpe, carpe diem, seize the day boys, make your lives extraordinary."

Is this doable? I say yes! There are lots of ways that people try to seize the day, but I believe it is only by trusting God for His special and perfect plan in our lives that it is possible. After over 35 years of allowing Jesus to guide me, I can truthfully say that he can make our lives extraordinary. Lord help me be extraordinary today. The thing is, I may not know it, but I trust you for it!

Life is very good because He lives in my heart!