Balance Board of Life

 January is that time of year where we can take a deep breath in.  The holidays have passed and the weather is chilly so now we can just relax, put our feet up and sip on a hot drink.  Maybe if we didn't have children to take care of, homes to take care of and many other commitments!

 Veronica started us off with a great activity.  She shared with us how many hats we all wear in one day: mom, wife, friend, daughter, co-worker, neighbor, cook, nurse, taxi driver...the list goes on and on.

Debbie Giese came to speak to use about how to maintain balance in our lives.  She started out stating what we all know, the number one issue facing women today is that they don't have enough time to get everything done!  What is important to realize is that there is time in everyday to do everything that God wants us to do.  Here are some steps to take to make sure that happens:
1. Re-evaluate your priorities
2. Pray
3 Recognize your limitations

Time management is not just smart, it's Biblical!  The best way to live a balanced life is to put God in the drivers seat.

Isaiah 55:1,2-3

"Everyone who thirsts, come to the waters; Why do you spend your money (time) for that which is not bread, and your labor for that which doesn't satisfy?  Listen carefully to me and eat what is good, and delight yourselves in rich food.  Incline your ear and come to me; listen,so that you may live." 

We can do it ladies!  Let's examine our schedules and see how we can cut back.  What does God have planned for you?  Where can you ask for help? What can you give up?  Time to re-evaluate!  

Christmas Traditions

Whenever Emily Gensler is charge of something we are guaranteed some fun!  She opened us up with a really fun game which allowed us moms to let our silly side shine.  

Those are some cute reindeer!

We were blessed to have Margie Bernhard share with us some of her early Christmas traditions growing up as a missionary kid in Brazil. They had a very sparse tree and went to the beach on Christmas Day with all of the other missionary families. Just a bit different from Christmas in Wisconsin hey?!! But she did mention a few things that aren't so different in our hemisphere like Christmas Eve church services, making a birthday cake and singing Happy Birthday to Jesus, giving presents and spending the holiday with family and loved ones. 

Margie mentioned how after she married Chip, she was a bit overwhelmed by all of the glitz and amount of presents Americans shower on their families. And it's for this reason that she and Chip have tried hard to keep their family's focus on Jesus, the reason for the season! They became intentional to keep Jesus the center of the holiday.

Margie shared many ideas with us on how to keep Christ in Christmas.  These are just a couple of my favorites.  One idea was to have a stocking hanging for Jesus along with the family's. You can fill it with praises or prayer requests to be read aloud (or not) or even money you want Him to have to be given to the charity of your choice or church. What a great visual to help us and our kids' focus to remain where it should. The second thing that she shared was keeping all of the Christmas cards you receive in a box.  Each evening at dinner you pull a card out, pray for that family and then throw it out!  

Since Margie and Chip are now grandparents, she related how her traditions have sort of morphed over the years. As their kids grew, got married and started families of their own, old traditions have changed to include this growing family. 

Lastly, Margie pointed out to us how Jesus grew up in a family. With all of the celebrations and feasts they had to travel to throughout the year, surely he saw his mom get stressed out over the planning and preparations for each event. Isn't it nice to know that we have a God who completely understand us and how we are wired as women?! Whatever your Christmas traditions, however you celebrate Christ's birth, remember to put Christ first!