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Welcome!
Let's talk...
Step back in time, just a little, to when gathering on the porch to chat was a tranquil way to spend an afternoon.
The Christmas season is upon us!
We've waited for you. Do you know how wonderful you are?
Signs of christmas
Come, Sit a Spell!
Oh, the Candy Cane!
The delight of a child with candy cane is like no other! Years ago a candy maker wanted to make a candy to symbolize the meaning of Christmas, Jesus. He made the hard candy shaped like a "J" to represent that Jesus is the "Rock of Ages". The white stands for the purity of Jesus and the red stands for the blood he shed to save us from our sins. Next time you hold a candy cane, remember the story behind it!
A Little Decorating
We might not have streamers and balloons up, but you'll be hard pressed to not see a red bow and some lights scattered about. We decorate for everyone else's birthday, so why not decorate to celebrate the greatest birth of all time?! Some people go all out and some do a little, and some just like to appreciate the decorations of others. Whatever your jam, let's remember what that red bow is there for!
Cozy on a Winter Day
Time to cozy up and bring porch time indoors! Your home doesn't have to look like a magazine to invite a couple friends over for coffee around a warm fire. Share some Christmas traditions and make some new ones with loved ones. And don't forget to invite those who might be a little lonely this year! It's the season of giving....of our hearts, our company, and a listening ear. This is where Christmas blessings begin.
PORCH TIME ~ NO AGENDA
Porch Therapy Now in Session
It’s been a while. Hello old friends. It’s good to be back. Let’s get reacquainted. Why the long absence you may ask?
Well, I had a bit of a spell, quite a traumatic spell actually that nearly left me lifeless. There’s more about that in my blog down below, but I will repeat what I said on my Facebook post. Thanksgiving this year was different. My gratitude is deeper, heavier, and overflowing. God didn’t just heal me. He pulled me back when my life was slipping away. When you face death that closely, everything unimportant falls away, and all that matters is the sacred gift of breath, your body fighting to stay alive, and the faces of loved ones you couldn’t bear to leave behind. Death reached for me but lost its grip on me. Christ spoke life over me, and my heart will never stop giving thanks. Hallelujah to the One who rescued me!
Most of you know I battle a great deal with health issues so I am keenly aware of those who are shut in. It was for that reason that started this website, to bring them to “my porch”. I know what it’s like to be stuck, if you will, and have that sense of missing out. So, while I do have in-person porch time on my porch, I’m hopeful that my website brings hope and smiles to those who can’t be there.
Now that I’m back and the Lord has given me the ability to be here on my virtual porch, let’s settle in with a cup of hot deliciousness and chat!
PORCH DECOR
The Changing of the Porches
I'm honestly not sure you guys if it's Christmas time or spring time that makes me most excited about changing my porch decor!! I think it really might be Christmas! I know I can't sit out on my porch as much right now. In fact, it's covered in snow at the moment but I love it. I admit there's a little bit of Hallmark in me!
Gold, frankincense, and myrrh
Gold
Frankincense
Frankincense
If you're not familiar with this part of the Christmas story, it's found in Matthew 2:11. Gifts were brought to Jesus, and one of them was gold! The wise men brought no ordinary gifts, but rather presented the child with the very best.
Frankincense
Frankincense
Frankincense
Maji, or kings, traveled to Jesus' house to bring him the gifts. When they saw the child, they fell down and worshiped him. Along with gold, they brought frankincense and myrrh. Frankincense is an aromatic incense, also used in perfumes and oils (actually it's made a comeback). Myrrh is similar. It's a gum resin from certain trees and also used in perfumes, incense and medicines.
Myrrh
Frankincense
Myrrh
In addition to the story in Matthew, it can also be found in Isaiah 60:6 where was prophesied many years before it happened that gifts of gold and frankincense would be brought to praise the Lord!
Oh Christmas Tree, Oh Christmas Tree
The Many Meanings
This year, more than ever, everything means more to me. I find myself almost in a trance at times in awe gazing at twinkling lights with my family by my side. I felt it again as bay blades got scattered across my living room floor, and I watched my grandkids squeal with delight. Inside, I squealed with delight too.
This year my tree makes me emotional. Not because of its beauty, although it is stunning. The meaning behind it every time I look at it reminds me of the thoughtfulness of my friends who decorated it for me. They knew that while I'm still in a recovery phase from my trauma, I wouldn't have had the strength to do it. This is true friendship, true brotherly love, which is phileo, and it's mentioned in the Bible. I like to think of all the ways my tree represents the Christian faith: the lights that point to the Light of the world, the star of Bethlehem, the angel who announced Christ's birth, the evergreen representing everlasting life, and especially the tree itself representing the cross.
Season of Advent
Advent is a time of expectation when we get ready to celebrate the birth of Jesus on Christmas day! It's a season of hope, peace, joy and love-- all in anticipation of Jesus' arrival. If you're looking for more stories about Christmas and the hope of Jesus, scroll around my blogs below. There are a couple from years past.
My wish for every one of you is that you find these things in your hearts this season. I know it's been a very difficult year from so many of you, my own family included. So I wish you all a Merry Christmas and may you have hope, peace, joy, and love.
Rest a Little
A Time to Rest?
I know y'all are thinking, "Yeah right". The holidays add so much extra to our agendas, in addition to our already too-busy lives. I'm putting out a challenge though to all of you, myself included, to find moments to rest. You don't have to do it all. Honestly, doing it all makes us crabby and overwhelmed. It's so counter cultural in our society to have even 10 minutes of nothingness in our day that we feel like we have to fill it with something to be productive. You don't. I don't.
So here's the thing: do what you enjoy. If you like wrapping intricate gifts that look Pinterest worthy, go for it and how about skipping the stressful cookie baking option? Or do it the other way around. The point is you don't have to do it ALLLLL. The list of a decorated tree, handmade gifts, shopping til your feet hurt, attending obligatory Christmas parties, caroling, a holiday photo, a cookie swap, a trip to see Santa, looking at Christmas lights, taking in a performance or two, not to mention the holiday meals is un-re-al-is-tic! That stressed me out just typing it.
I've said it before. Have margin in your day. Whether you're a warm fuzzy slipper Christmas movie girl or a Martha Stewart cooking in the kitchen girl, be that girl! Let's face it ladies, most of the Christmas "work" falls on us, so let's not let it ruin our holiday cheer. Find time to rest.
Your Space
Saving This for You
Have you read a great devotion, poem or short story lately? Heard a great song? Written a great song? Maybe you're a photographer, an artist, or there's something you want to share.
Email me or submit it to me below in the "Contact me" aqua box. I'd love to feature it!
This space is for you.
About ME
PASSIONATE ABOUT JESUS. LOVE MY FAMILY FIERCELY. DEVOTED FRIEND. BLESSED.
I hope you got it by now that I love the Lord, my family, my friends, and this amazing creation. So what else? I'm pretty simple really. God shifted my passion from children's ministry and called me to women's ministry. I was a teacher for about 20 years, and also taught Sunday school, Awana, & served as a camp counselor. I've had the privilege now for over 10 years to help with women's events, lead a ladies' Bible study with some amazing women, and co-lead a couples' life group with my husband. We live in the Midwest, have two married sons, two lovely daughters-in-love, and five beautiful grandsons!
Lest you think I have a picture-perfect life, I don't. I have had a 45 plus year history of complex orthopedic issues, 16 surgeries, chronic pain & fatigue, many serious and life-threatening medical diagnoses, and blood cancer with no cure. But God.... Have you noticed that life stories often have a "but God did this" scene? But God has showered me with iconic moments, times of celebration, acts of kindness bestowed upon me, and opportunities to bless others.
I'm sure you can say the same.
Whether you gather on the porch, in the house, in the yard, in the garage, on the driveway, or in the barn, "porch time" is about making memories and being intentional about passing along your faith. It's about the kind of legacy you will leave. What will define your next stage of life? I hope it actively involves pointing others to Jesus.
More about all that to come. Let's get to know each other.
~Guest Book~
If you've sat on my porch but don't see your name, use the contact link above so I can add you!
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Family
Dale Matthew Heather Lucas Elijah Noah Taylor Adrienne Milo Dolly Tom John Donna L Antoinette Suzanne Glen Liz Joshua Alexandria Kay Marge Marvin Gwen Dean Elise Raymond Sue Jesse Lorie John N Elmer Hannah Mac Angie Mary E Mark E Bob Jenny
Bible Study Gals
Donna Jackie Judy Joan Cindy H Gail Claudia Joanie
Denise T Denise C Shelly Diane J Susan Sherry Diane D Tracy Pat Debbie Marcia
Life Group Couples
Tom Sara Roberta Mike Stan Diane Norm Laurie Jeff Reba Cindy Jake Roger Kathy Tim Carol Cindy B Todd Forrest Sonia Trina Dale Cathy Tom
Special Beloved Friends
Kathy Tony Nancy Victoria Josiah Lincoln Vicki Ron Jennifer Sheldon Brigitte
Terri Trevor Deb Rhonda Tabitha Ron Lois Nicole Mark Donell Mav Kaylee Kendra Val Laurie Rhonda John L Tom Joanie Sue M Sharon Hugh Dianna Denise R Bonnie Phil Davis Brittany Tim Clara Tim K James Lynda Damon Jenny Matt R Jon R Michelle Pat Joe
In Memory Of
Darlene Johnson * Kris Hood