An Encouraging Word

I don't consider myself to be a writer by any means. That being said, I feel the "need" to write. I wasn't sure what I wanted to write about at first. But with all that has been going on lately and all the running around I've been doing, I keep coming back to the thought that our lives are so short. We, as believers in Jesus' atoning death on the cross, are called to live our lives dependent upon God for our EVERY need. There are days we feel so self-sufficient we almost forget that every good thing is from HIM, by HIM, and through HIM. He is the all-in-all, the end-all-be-all, if you will. The first and last. The starting and the ending. Without Him in my life there is no point, no purpose, no real & lasting good that I can do.

I am being reminded right now that with Him all things are truly possible. Do I have an answer to the "big question" facing a family member right now? No. Will it work out the way I want it to? Maybe, but maybe not. Right now, in this moment, my faith is being tested just as much as the family member who is struggling. It doesn't matter that it's their struggle...my faith is being stretched beyond what is comfortable for me as well. It is in these times of feeling like Stretch Armstrong (remember that toy?) that growth occurs...real, memorable, notable growth. To the casual friend or aquaintance, the growth may not be visible. Those that know me best will know otherwise...or at least I hope they will. And my prayer is that from this time of stretching I will learn more patience, more love, more understanding of others in whose shoes I have never walked and in many cases hope to NEVER walk, so that I may show more and more of God's love to those who are hurting and who so deperately need to know they are LOVED.

I guess I want to encourage those who check out my blog (I know you are not many in number, but you are all so important to me and my family) to be encouraged in your faith, and remind us all that God can truly make something out of nothing. We just have to be willing to be nothing first and allow Him to work His "magic" in our lives as He sees fit. Only then will we find true and lasting happiness and joy that no circumstance can take away.

God bless.
Stephanie

Christmas Traditions Article

There was a special insert in the local paper about the favorite holiday traditions of some of the kids on the Boyertown School District. Among those included is Alyssa's. If you can't read it here, please let me know & I will be happy to forward it to your personal email. She really preached it here!

Alyssa's 9th Birthday Party 12-31-10

As if staying up late to watch the ball drop in NYC isn't enough on December 31st, this year we had Alyssa's 9th birthday party that day.

Here is her cake that I made using my new cake pan...I can make any letter or number with it.

Alyssa chose an "A" shaped cake.

And here is the crazy party girl herself!


One brilliant idea Joceline came up with was blind-folded make-overs. Here is Gabriella Hallman applying makeup to her friend, M.E. Gery.

And now Lexi Hallman is getting her makeup done.

While girls where waiting for their turn, they could karaoke on the Wii (that's Lexi). Jessica Hutchinson was watching the make up lessons!

Lexi & Joceline singing together...Joceline was really hamming it up!

Jasmine's turn!

Cake time! It was pretty quiet...that was just about the only time it was pretty quiet!

"Pretty" girls...Alyssa, Lexi, M.E., Gabriella, Jessica, Jasmine, Joceline & Lauren.

Alyssa was the first one to get her make up done...she had a hard time not laughing!

Alyssa & Lexi