Making Much of This Christmas

It’s Christmas time.  Is anyone else excited about this?  
Here are a few things I love about Christmas:

•  It’s an excuse to drink coffee and tea ALLLLL the time! (because it’s socially acceptable when the weather’s actually cold)

• Christmas lights make me really happy.  Inside. Outside. On trees. Everywhere.
• Christmas music speaks to my heart.
• Merry Main Street. A classic Frisco Tradition.
• Christmas Eve candlelight service
• Movies such as: Holiday Inn, Christmas Carol (especially the Muppet’s version), A Christmas Story, and The Year Without A Santa Clause
• Christmas cookies and Gingerbread houses
• Christmas Parties.
• Tacky Christmas sweaters

But the thing I love most about Christmas is the excitement that comes with knowing that we’re celebrating the coming of Christ.  I mean, let’s be real, everyone loves the gifts and Christmastime does makes people a lot nicer.  But to me, I get excited about the Christmas story but not just because a baby was born in a manger.  Because we’re anticipating an event that happened 2,000 years ago, as a precursor to the event that we’re still anticipating.  Christ came on a quiet night in a backwoods town to a couple who were nobody.  They had wed and were turned out of the “inn,” or better known as their families’ homes, because the coming of the Messiah was uncomfortable and unconventional to normal society.  But God gave up His heavens – which cannot contain Him – to be held in a tiny hand.  The infinite God becomes infant.  

And I love this story.  That Christ was born to a mother and carpenter.  That Shepherds were the first to know.  And then foreign kings came to worship.  But that’s not what gets me giddy at Christmas.  It’s that He came, and He saves!  That Jesus was born so that this aching world might have hope.  And as we look at the Christmas tree, we can be reminded of another tree 2,000 years ago that was hung upon, just as we hang lights upon ours, so that we might be able to celebrate today.  Jesus came and lived a perfect life, a life that was coming to a completion on the cross.  So that we can have life and freedom to celebrate Christmas this season.

One Christmas when I was in elementary school, we had a little store at the school.  You know the school store, right? All the leftover prizes or bad toys that teachers didn’t want were dumped on a table in the hall.  So it was pretty much a junk-sale.  We could bring money and get gifts for people.  So I was so excited to pick something out all by myself.  So I bought Brandon this hot pink monster truck Hotwheels car.  And I brought it home, wrapped it, and knew he would love it!  (We used to play Hotwheels all the time.)  Well, in between the school store and Christmas was at least a week. And when you’re in 3^rd grade, that’s the longest time ever to keep a secret.  So because of my excitement, I showed Brandon what I got him but told him not to let mom or dad know I had showed him.  Well the stinker, on Christmas day, did a horrible job of masking his lack of surprise.  He loved it, and my parents found out that I had shown them.  But I was just too excited to give him a gift to keep it to myself for any amount of time.

Sometimes I think that’s how it ought to be with Christ.  You know?  God was so willing to send Himself for us.  He couldn’t just leave us where we are.  There’s excitement there in saving His people.  And in that, he invites us to meet Him.  He’s reaching for you to have a relationship with him.  We find full satisfaction when this relationship is right.  

So where are you?  Some of you, of us, are reaching back for that relationship, striving to walk with Him daily.  Some of you, of us, might not fully grasp what that means, what Christmas means.  God is inviting you to Him today.  And then some still are wanting to be used, to be called even deeper than we are, to make the most of this Christmas season. 

In Philippians 3, Paul talks about a race.  Like an Olympic footrace.  He’s talking about how he’s grasped salvation, as many of us have, but he says he hasn’t yet grasped perfection.  Paul, who wrote so much of the NT.  Who healed people, planted churches, who I consider such a spiritual giant.  He says he still hasn’t got it yet.  Woah.  So in those times that I think I’ve “arrived” I am reminded that even Paul, in all his knowledge and faith, has not yet arrived.  He says that only Christ can make him perfect.  He is covered in Grace, but then this is what he says: “I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.”  So think of a track star: they strive for that finish line, right?  The Sprinter sees that 100 meter finish line and pushes with all their might towards that line.  They forget everything around them and look toward that goal.  He also says that his prize is the “upward call of God.”  I’ve always viewed this word as God picking you.  Like “you’re called so you better do it,” type of thing.  But here, Paul’s talking about salvation, and the call is more of an invitation to a banquet feast.  Like a giant royal banquet feast with the best guests, the best food, the best entertainment. This is what God’s calling you to.  And just like a wedding invitation, you can choose to accept or to not.  But wouldn’t it be a shame to miss it? 

So I challenge you not to miss it this Christmas season.  To make much of this time.  And I think I’m challenging myself too.  Because I get so caught up in the busyness of life that I forget to slow down and remember the excitement of life and of the Gift that God’s given.  And then God reminds me in the red of the changing tree or through His Word.  So let’s celebrate the season with gifts and silly movies and great traditions, but let’s also be excited that Christmas marks the coming of Christ and that He is returning to make all things new, that he gives hope and he has defeated death & sadness & pain.  He has come this Christmas, and He is coming soon! Come, Lord Jesus, Come!

What do you do to make the most of this season?

The Breaking of Bread

Family dinner.  As a young child, my earliest memories of my family are gathered around the dinner table.  I am the oldest child of three, so no siblings are yet in this memory.  My father has just gotten home from work; my mother and I greet him as he steps through the door.  Clothes are changed; comfort eases its way into our evening.  Someone sets the table.  Plates are filled with substance, glasses are filled for hydration.  We gather.  My parents sit together with me somewhere in the middle.  Heads are bowed as thanks is given.  We pause.  We share food, most likely cooked together by my parents.  They tell of the events of the day, share news, and take time to be together.  Throughout the years, this scene changes only slightly.  Two little boys enter the picture.  More plates are added, laughter is heard louder, spills become more frequent, and thanks is given.  Hands clasped as we pray together.

My family has always felt that dinner together is important.  It stressed the need for communion, community, and openness in sharing our lives with one another.  For a few moments we pause the busy schedules, the cleaning of the house, rushing to the next sporting event.  We come together and take a moment to be together to share our day.  Because of the vast age differences, we scatter in different directions throughout the week.  Dinner is a constant – at least now a few times a week it is.  We can’t go through life alone; these brief moments of eating together are opportunities to rely on each other and to enjoy one another.  This community foundation has become stronger over the years because of these moments at the dinner table.  Even if the moments of us all being there are fewer.  The laughter, the stories, the listening and caring, the randomly weird topics, the theological discussions (or debates), and most importantly the bonds have been invaluable to the life of our family.

This practice also instilled in me the importance of prayer.  In the midst of the rushing, hands clasped, heads bowed, we stop and are reminded of our purpose.  We would give the day that had just passed, the future events, worries, and our thanks to the Lord.  He would get the glory.  Pausing before we ate allows for a perspective shift.  No matter the cutting words that had been thrown from girls at school, no matter the poor grade contrasted with a sibling’s excellent grade, no matter the achievement in the band hall, perspectives shifted as we remembered who it was that gave the ability to play music, to interact with the girls at school, to be reminded of what we have been entrusted with.
The example that my parents gave us throughout the years at the dinner table have lent to prayer and community taking precedence in my life.  The foundation of faith is seen as my family pauses together.  A heart of gratitude, a desire for God’s will, striving for holiness together.  Because of the dinner table.

So may you take time to pause, to give thanks, around your dinner table.  Share a meal, share your prayers, and share moments. 

A Little Tea Party!

Previously in our student ministry, the girls ministry consisted of a girls retreat in the Fall, Revolve Tour in the Spring, and coffee dates the rest of the year.  (As well as supporting the general student ministry happenings).  Well, after review of a Girls Ministry's purpose and goals, we have changed what we're doing.  Girls ministry is best done throughout the year, and my goal this year is to know more girls that tend to be on the "fringe," doing things that are more "grade-specific."  So we're doing many small events this Fall, trying to include more girls. Thinking through this has stretched me, creatively, more than I thought it would.  It has also taught me a bit of how to diversify for different ages.  6th Graders don't always need to hear what 11th and 12th Grade girls do.

So our first event was for the 6th grade girls.  We had a tea party!!  I wanted to share some of my ideas of what we did.
Purpose:  The goal of the night was to make the girls feel special, girly, and like the princesses that they are.  We talked about how we are daughters of the King and that he loves us so much. As their first official student ministry event, I told them how excited I am that they are now part of the student ministry and that God is going to do big things with their time in this student ministry.  We talked about being valued in God's eyes and shining for Him like Princesses in their schools.

How to Tea Party: 
The Invites: I used invitations from this great site that were easy to edit.  I gave them to the girls a few weeks in advance.  They were cute little reminders.
The Food: Because 6th Grade girls are probably not too thrilled about hot tea, I tweaked the script and we served pink lemonade (what drink is more girly?) and raspberry tea.  The girls were pretty excited about the raspberry tea, and had red mustaches the rest of the night!  I ordered cupcakes from my favorite cupcake bakery, Dimples Cupcake Factory which was a hit! Those cupcakes are huge!

  
We drank out of mason jars, and the girls thought that was very special! Haha!  The goal was girly, so I tied ribbons and put tulle everywhere!  To go along with the lemonade theme, I found awesome Hubert's lemonade bottles (after drinking the delicious lemonade, of course) and they contributed to centerpieces.  The tables also had some mason jars with lemon drops and whoppers (malt balls) in them.  I really wanted some giant pink gumballs, but couldn't find any that were cost-efficient enough.

What we did:  When the girls got to the party, they mingled a bit and started drinking and eating snacks.  I had put on the tables these super cute cutouts of cupcakes that they played with as girls were walking in.  It was nice for them to have something to do with their hands and to do, because with 6th graders sometimes conversation with new people are awkward.
(Apparently I didn't take a picture of the actual cutouts)
I also found these free cutouts to make your own photo booth! The girls really loved this! It was really easy to make, I just printed these out on cardstock and cut away.  I set up a banner in a corner and it made for a perfect photobooth!

Finally, we played some get-to-know-you games because I didn't know everyone and they didn't either.  We spent thirty minutes learning names and random facts about each other.
Then, as time came to almost leave, we waited for parents and played "pterodactyl" which is played by keeping your teeth covered at all times. The person to your left tries to make you smile and show your teeth by making weird noises and saying "pterodactyl."  We laughed so much!



These girls are some high school students who helped with the evening. It was awesome to have them invest in younger girls and to have them help with setup and cleanup!
In hindsight, I would change a few things.  I would not host this event on a Friday night during Texas football season.  I didn't think that high school football would affect 6th graders, but this group of girls has many older siblings and a large group of the 6th grade girls went to the football games, which was a bummer to me.
Overall, the evening was a success.  The girls who came were known and I feel like they felt special.  They heard truth and had fun in the process.  Even though not as many girls came as I thought were coming, the ones that did were girls I didn't know as well, so it was a good opportunity for me to meet them.  Not a lot of planning was needed because the girls just wanted to talk and be silly! Their stories were random, but they were heard and are important to the girls.

"The Everyday Me."

From bluegirlsministry.wordpress.com

I wrote a bio a few months ago for the church website. Bios are supposed to make you sound good and are usually formatted in a formal way. That's great and all, but let’s be honest...I'm just a normal person. So can I tell you a bit about me informally? You might be able to catch on through my posts, but let me just lay it out for you.

• I love rainy days. (Much like the one today, while I'm writing this.) I think it's cozy.


• Laughing is my favorite activity.
• I love to travel, and especially cherish the summers I've lived in South American countries. Chicago is another favorite traveled place.
• Also, I have a fetishes with the Spanish language, tea cups, pearls, and purple. (gift hints, yup...just kidding)


• I'm currently living at home with my family. And it is fun. We're not perfect, and it's not ideal for a post-grad, student working on a master's degree to be living with her parents, but it's where God has me right now, and I really love my family. I have two brothers, a loving set of normal parents, and an old golden retriever named Molly.


• I just moved back to Frisco from Arkansas and I'm dealing with a bit of culture shock. I mean, really, who doesn't shut down the town for lunch breaks? And the traffic!! I count my drives a success if I get out of the car and am not stressed or angry. I'm working on it. With that said, I left a wonderful adopted-family, church, friends, and university in Arkansas. I am who I am today because of what God did while I was there.


• Squirrels are my favorite animals. I know, most people think they're gross, but I just think they're really cute. Not that I want to own one, but I sure like to watch them. Bats are another fascinating one to me.


• I'm bad about cleaning up my room or car...I'm working on it.


• I love old-fashioned things: Antiques, old barns, real honey from beehives, tea cups from my grandmother's China cabinet, etc.


• My favorite time of the day is that moment when the coffee cup and I become friends while listening to God's daily whisperings.


• I have insecurities, I have doubts, I have attitude issues; I'm impatient and I distrust; I forget to be thankful. But more importantly, I know that I can give my flaws to God to fix, and I know that He uses my weaknesses for His Kingdom.


• The grace of God is more than I can wrap my mind around. And because of His great love, I have freedom to live rightly and completely.


• I was called to missions in the 9^th grade, but God decided that it was only for a time. In college he placed a love for youth ministry on my heart, and here I am…doing girls ministry.


• I love teaching truth to younger girls. I was fed so many lies as a teenager and struggled with so many things of the world; I think it’s important for me to share what I have learned with those around me.


• Middle school girls don’t annoy me. Most of my friends think I’m crazy for spending weekends with 13-year-olds, but I think it’s a blast! The drama that goes on is silly, but I never tire of hearing it. Maybe God has me in the right ministry.


• My favorite weekend pastime is to watch movies! In my mind, movie nights should happen every day. And I’m pretty open to every type of movie except horror films. Chick flick, comedy, action, cartoon. You name it and I’ll probably enjoy it.

So there’s a little about me. It’s not a complete list, but you get a picture of what I’m about. I read this quote by an author, and I think it sums up my daily life.

“I feel like a success in my everyday life if I get through the day having spent time with the Lord, exercised in some way… and made a friend smile.”

Until next time, Brittany

"Weddings, Brides, and Refreshing Symbolism"

From bluegirlsministry.wordpress.com

I’ve spend the past weekend in what feels like my hometown. Really it is my college town, but if you knew how much God changed my life while here, and the lovely relationships formed, you would see it as home too.

It was so nice to be back, to be surrounded by friends, and to have a beautiful reason to celebrate – a wedding!

It was the most beautiful wedding I’ve been privileged to be part of – and I’ve been part of some really great weddings. This wedding was special not only because Becca and Adam are so in love, but mostly because Christ was the center and reason to celebrate.

It was so beautiful to be reminded that life is all about Christ. this weekend, I was able to be part of conversations that I’ve missed in Frisco. Conversations that are centered on Christ, not the next fashion or money or tv. But Jesus. That’s all that matters, and all that we need to center ourselves on.

As we prepared for a wedding, we were reminded that Christ, our bridegroom, is waiting for His Bride – the church. As Becca came down the aisle, and Adam waited for her, Michael (the preacher) said, “Adam, your bride has arrived; Rebecca, your groom is waiting.” What beautiful symbolism of Christ and the Church! Such a good reminder that Christ is coming to heal this world and make all things new, therefore we shall run to Him. So edify Christ, edify the Body, cherish the Church, nothing else matters.

Give Us Rest...In the Presence of God (or DavidCrowder*Band's Last.)

I just returned from #Passion2012 Friday at 4 a.m. It was phenomenal. God did so much and His presence was so tangible.  I hope to fill in about the time there and some of what I've learned in the days following.
The DavidCrowder*Band played their last concert on Monday night, and it was amazing! (Hillsong was in concert the following night and was awesome, as well.)  I wrote a few thoughts that God was speaking to me down in my journal at a moment in the DC*B concert. I decided I should share it with you all.
     "Sitting, Standing, Being at the last David Crowder*Band concert. "How He loves" is playing, and what a warm, beautiful picture of what it will be like when the Kingdom of Heaven comes.  The love of God is felt like a warm embrace.  Purifying, satisfying, and holy.
     God is with us always. We will be in His presence fully in the "forever," but He is still with us presently.
    Do we live like that?  Do we live as if we are in the presence of the Almighty, Holy God every minute? In all situations?
     Do we live like we are completely saved and set free; alive; now? Here?
              Why not..........?"
Each situation puts us in the presence of God, in the presence of the Holy Spirit. Whether we are in a musical worship service, writing a book, reading a book, being with friends, or sleeping. Oh, Lord, make us holy, wholly in your presence.

Let There Be Snow!

 It snowed again on Wednesday! It was so beautiful! We had morning classes, and then got the news that afternoon classes were canceled. Most people were super excited. But for people like me, who's classes ended at noon, it was just another day (with a bonus of snow!). I think that snow is just an excuse for college students to act like little children again. There were some massive snowball wars that went on, tons of sledding, and even a game or two of Red Rover. Campus was so alive despite the calming feeling that snow often brings. I was a bit snowed-out from our snow rendezvous Friday, so I stayed in and chatted with Becca some and went running. And then I started my Spanish homework for the next day and finished two or three hours later to get the text message that Thursday's classes are canceled too! At least I learned something, I guess. :) So in a bit, due to the no classes, we are going to have snowed in breakfast and a movie! Maybe there will be pictures to come. :)

These are pictures from Wednesday's snow, taken from my phone... They were really just to get a taste of how much snow can blow in between 8:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. Tons! :)

 The middle of campus

 My suitemate, Kim, laughing and looking cute in the snow!

 This is the bridge, looking back towards campus from my dorm.

There was so much snow that the grass and sidewalks were the same thing. They couldn't be distinguished between.

 Our dorms :)

So Much Snow!!

 People watching the sledders by the Hef.  

 View from my window.

 View number 2 from my window.

This picture is for Mom and her college friends. Susan Lucci, better known as Erica, from All My Children was on Opra. Mom used to watch it with all her friends while she was in college, and then I used to watch it when I was little with Mom at home. So here's a tribute to Mom and her wonderful friends. We watched the special just for y'all :)

Finally, pictures from Friday's snow rendezvous!

This is the best hill on campus! (despite having to maneuver through the bushes!) 

  We walked up to the really good hill and there was this little snow man just chilling there. I barley missed him, but then it turned into a game to see who could knock him over :) I think Angela won! 

 Becca for the win with the box!

 This is our little snowman. He's a goaltender. :)

 Heading out to face the snow and the adventures that were ahead! 

 Look at that air!! 

 Missed him by that much! 

 Fact: Snow Angels only look good in movies. 

They don't work in real life. Or maybe just for me :)

 That's a long run! 

 It was a good time!

'Wash and make yourselves clean.

Take your evil deeds out of my sight;

stop doing wrong.

Learn to do right; seek justice.

Defend the oppressed.

...Take up the cause of the fatherless;

plead the case of the widow.

“Come now, let us settle the matter,”

says the LORD.

"Though your sins are like scarlet,

they shall be as white as snow;

though they are red as crimson,

they shall be like wool.' -Isaiah 1.16-18