Shaarda's Story - It's God's Story!: January 2025

Sunday, January 5, 2025

Christmas 2024

Merry Christmas!

I was blessed with several Christmas Teas this year.
This one was at WAR which helps people here and around the world who have been trafficked.

These lovely ladies went with me to the Impact Christmas Tea at Reslife.

We went with my parents to Moody Bible Int. to see Lydia and go to the Candlelite Christmas Carols which included a Christmas market and Christmas activities. So fun and special!

This isn't Christmas but it was incredibly special!
Lydia came up to Michigan with us to see Pilgrim. It is the best visual of the Christian life, the spiritual battle and Christ with us. It will change your life! I am so thankful Lydia finally was able to see it with us and many from my Bible study went too.

My very special Heart to Heart group had a Christmas meal together.

I had the honor of doing the devotions. I shared about the great exchange from John 1. Jesus exchanged Heaven to come to earth as a baby to die and rise again so we can be forgiven and saved. Jesus gave Himself and always gives to us. He wants our yuck, mess, pain and He gives us His peace, hope, and healing. We get to exchange our junk for His grace. John 1:16 says, "Out of His fullness we have all received grace upon grace."

We all wrote something we wanted to give Jesus, something hard, painful or a need, and put it in the manger. In exchange with took a present symbolizing the gift of grace Jesus wants to give to us.

So thankful for the Heart to Heart leaders who have included me.

We loved all the beautiful and fun snow!

Makai was determined to ice skate so he did it in the icy driveway one day.

We went to Christmas tree lighting, Christmas parade and other Christmas events.

Emalai and Makai practiced for the live nativity many a nights.

Makai had a little preschool Christmas program.
He sang his little heart out!

Just in time for his sisters to come back from college and see his program!

And we finally got to go ice skating for real!

Annual Christmas cookie making.

My Christmas Tea with friends.

We had such sweet fellowship around the Greatest Christmas story.
We reflected on how Jesus came in the most unexpected way, unexpected place and to the most unexpected people. Jesus came for those in need, those waiting for Him, and those who would obey, worship, and share Him. Where would Jesus come today? To us? Do we need Him? Are we waiting for Him and ready to obey, worship and share Him? Come Lord Jesus! Make room in my heart today.