TTC Tuesday

Talk About A Miracle Baby!

TuesdayMerry Christmas Eve Folks!

In our land of the fertility-challenged, we often hear the term “Miracle Baby” – Couples who were told they would never conceive, miraculously do, and that is NOTHING short of a true miracle!

But on this Christmas Eve, we, as Christians, have the most amazing miracle baby of all – Jesus! Not only was Jesus born to a virgin, he was God incarnate!

Just take a moment to THINK about how utterly incredible it is that the God who created Heaven & Earth came down as a human being in the form of a helpless infant, and was born – not in the fanciest of hospitals, as anyone noteworthy would be today – in a manger.

I’ll take it a step further, and think about just how much Craig and I want children of our own…And then I think, God sent His Son to knowingly live a life that would end by suffering death on the cross to save this whole utterly undeserving world from our sins…

The ultimate sacrifice…your own child.

John 3:16

16 For God so loved the world, as to give his only begotten Son; that whosoever believeth in him, may not perish, but may have life everlasting.

Matthew 1:21

21 And she shall bring forth a son: and thou shalt call his name JESUS. For he shall save his people from their sins.

Luke 2:7-19

7 And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him up in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn8 And there were in the same country shepherds watching, and keeping the night watches over their flock. 9 And behold an angel of the Lord stood by them, and the brightness of God shone round about them; and they feared with a great fear. 10 And the angel said to them: Fear not; for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, that shall be to all the people: 11 For, this day, is born to you a Saviour, who is Christ the Lord, in the city of David. 12 And this shall be a sign unto you. You shall find the infant wrapped in swaddling clothes, and laid in a manger13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly army, praising God, and saying: 14 Glory to God in the highest; and on earth peace to men of good will. 15 And it came to pass, after the angels departed from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another: Let us go over to Bethlehem, and let us see this word that is come to pass, which the Lord hath shewed to us. 16 And they came with haste; and they found Mary and Joseph, and the infant lying in the manger. 17 And seeing, they understood of the word that had been spoken to them concerning this child18 And all that heard, wondered; and at those things that were told them by the shepherds. 19 But Mary kept all these words, pondering them in her heart. 

On this Christmas Eve, take time to remember the real reason for the season: the most amazing miracle baby of all!

From All Our Love & Christmas Blessings,
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Food For Thought Friday

His Mysterious Ways (& They Aren’t OUR Ways!)

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Happy Happy Happy Happy Friday!!!

Can you tell I’m excited and energized this morning?!?! It isn’t ONLY because I’ve been up since 4AM, and have already gotten the day’s work-out in and have had 3 cups of coffee and half of one Monster Energy Ultra Zero drink (but that has a lot to do with it!).

Tonight Craig and I exchange our Christmas cards (letters) and our not-in-a-stocking stuffers, and have “our little Christmas dinner” on the Christmas Tree Spode. It’s our 1st (2nd if you count our ‘big gift’ exchange last Sunday) Christmas of 4, and beginning things reverently and quietly is my favorite way to ‘begin the season’, so to speak. Tonight, Craig will read from our “Family Bible” the Nativity Story from Luke. And we will give the furs their Christmas bones and catnip, before sending them off to the pet nanny in the morning. These are parts of the Christmas tradition we are beginning within our little family.

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Traditions, practices, good habits: these are important in our lives – much as our switch to Monday thru Friday blogging has become our practice – something we do every weekday, and some of you have asked “Why?”.

Well, let’s talk for a moment about why we are blogging daily, and networking with Christian Blogging Networks/Communities. Why is this a ‘new tradition’ for the Newlywed Lefebvres?

Because God is reaching people through us.

Amazingly, our little blog has been viewed in these 43 countries:

  • U.S.A.
  • Canada
  • United Kingdom
  • India
  • Costa Rica
  • Italy
  • Phillipines (Just yesterday actually)
  • Thailand
  • Germany
  • Hong Kong
  • Australia
  • Romania
  • U.A.E.
  • Saudi Arabia
  • France
  • New Zealand
  • Malaysia
  • Taiwan
  • Russian Federation
  • Singapore
  • South Africa
  • Trinidad & Tobago
  • Sri Lanka
  • Portugal
  • Hungary
  • Mexico
  • Ireland
  • Switzerland
  • Indonesia
  • Slovakia
  • Bulgaria
  • Norway
  • Brazil
  • Finland
  • Spain
  • Israel
  • Qatar
  • Netherlands
  • Bolivia
  • Austria
  • Albania
  • Botswana
  • Republic of Korea

And our words & pictures have been shared on Twitter, Tumblr, StumbleUpon, PressThis, Pinterest & via e-mail…

Feeling called to write about the journey we are on with Christ in our marriage, it is utterly amazing to see we have touched people all over the world, and all over the United States. God is powerful, unfathomably so.

When He tugs on your heart to do something for His Kingdom, there is a reason, and it is bigger than you…Craig and I may not be able to get away from work and the furs to go to Botswana, and tell the people there how awesome our God is…But God can use simple words in a blog to reach someone all the way across the world. It is just CRAZY what God can and DOES do when you follow Him.

Remember that when you feel your heartstrings pulled to do something for Christ, that is not YOU talking in there. It’s the Holy Spirit. Follow Him.

Isaiah 55:8-9 says,

8 “For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
    neither are your ways my ways,”
declares the Lord.
9 “As the heavens are higher than the earth,
    so are my ways higher than your ways
    and my thoughts than your thoughts.

This Christmas, let the Holy Spirit be your food for thought.

Love & Blessings,
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Hello & Ho Ho Ho

Hey there and Happppppy Friday!

Our short hiatus this past week from the blog doesn’t mean we haven’t been moving at cheetah pace – per usual! 🙂 Between Christmas shopping, work, injury, appointments, and (the most wonderful reason for hustle and bustle of all) friends and family, we haven’t sat down to rest once.

Sunday Craig and I went out in search of this year’s Christmas tree and decorations for our home! I think we did a pretty darn beautimaus job too – especially for newlywed first-time whole home decorators! 🙂 You can see for yourself here on our Shutterfly site! But here are a few previews:

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Craig chose the wreath and I made the bow. Perfect Collaboration! 🙂

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We Need a Nativity Scene – The Holy Family Is Missing! 😉 Good thing we have the angel and wise men to remind us of the TRUE reason for the season for the moment!120712_2151_HelloHoHoH3.jpg

See, I think we did pretty well!! 🙂

Monday morning my right shoulder and neck began to hurt…No matter the amount of Tylenol and Aleve I took, nothing stopped the pain…So when I got home, my dear husband doctored me up with a heated rice bag…and I began to feel a little bit better. So much so that I slept with the rice bag on my neck/shoulder all night long.

And then I woke up at 4am and tried to roll over…

And I couldn’t lift my head off the pillow. Literally.

Talk about PAIN!!!! It came close to surpassing the pain of my skiing/knee injury last year!! Craig took me to the chiropractor, but we still have no idea of the cause! And I’m still walking around with my head tilted, but thank goodness the pain has subsided somewhat!! I was literally boo-hooing  because of the pain– which I think frightened my husband, because if you know me, I am NOT a crier unless it’s something serious!

Gladly, the worst has past. For the most part, I’m able to walk upright as of today! 🙂 Thank you, God! Prayer is amazing!!!

And now, back to work for another hour before I head off to the Feast of the Immaculate Conception! I’m trying out St. Ann’s in Marietta/Roswell, Georgia this evening so I am able to make the Mass, since I work tomorrow. I’m looking forward to sharing an hour with the Lord, and also seeing the inside of a church I have been driving past for years now and have never entered. I’ve heard it’s beautiful!

My sweet Craig gets back home tomorrow evening and then it’s time for Christmas gift shopping! What’s on your wish list???

xoxo,

Pier & Craig