Janell's Official Wal-Mart Countdown to Christmas Finale 2013

This Christmas something really awesome happened. The Wal-Mart Christmas Countdown was born! It was so much fun! Now that the countdown is complete for this year I thought I would include some interesting facts about My Wal-Mart Christmas Countdown! So here we go! 

Days until Christmas: 46

It all started with this photo! 46 day before Christmas! My family was at Wal-Mart (I know! no surprise there!) and my mom saw the countdown sign and said "Janell! Go take a picture with the sign!". I did obviously and that is how it was born! I was hooked.

Days until Christmas: 39

I almost didn't see this little sign , because it was so small! But I was on the lookout! All the signs were in different places, colors and sizes!

Days until Christmas: 35

By the third picture people started to comment on how i go to Wal-mart a lot. And already people are saying that they will miss me doing the countdown..by the third picture!

Days until Christmas

 I didn't always have someone with me on my Wal-Mart trips. So I would have to take them myself. Sometimes it took me up to four tries to get it right...or I would finally give up...people were staring like crazy!

Days until Christmas: 25

My countdown to Christmas went viral!! Not really but I stared seeing a lot of other people joining in on the fun! Here is one of them! Thanks Holly! 

Days until Christmas

Sometimes my trips to Wal-Mart are very exciting, but this day God totally set me up to minister to a lady there! Always take time to see what God is doing at Wal-Mat!

Day until Christmas: 20

By this time I really don't care what people think. It was kind of a freeing feeling! When people would stare (remember I was the only one by the signs most of the time!) I would just look at them and say "It's almost Christmas!" or "I just love Christmas!". People would just continue to stare! haha

Days until Christmas

I have now been given the title "Princess of Christmas"! Ah! I loved it! I also was told that Wal-Mart should pay me stock for advertising! I um love the idea!

Days until Christmas: 11

During the Countdown I visited 3 different Walmarts in OK. But never had anyone get my enthusiasm or share in my Christmas cheer!

Days until Christmas: 9

This was the only Wal-Mart that hung the sign up high! I had to get creative! I also didn't have my phone, so I had a friend take it with her phone! I am now called nuts too! haha yeah!

Days until Christmas: 5

I took this one twice...The first one I took I looked so tired and  not excited that I had to go back and take it again (you think I would have learned to look at my pictures!) I really loved it when I had someone to take the picture!

Days until Christmas: 2

Not only was I photo boomed by the lady on the display behind me I also had a guy ask if he could call me sometime! Haha whats funny about that one of my friends said "...As long as you aren't going to Wal-Mart to pick up guys...". Haha well...

Days until Christmas: 1

This day the Wal-Mart I was at had two different countdown numbers, even other stores had a different number on the dame day! This happened a lot actually!

Days until Christmas: 

And today is the day! Merry Christmas! No I didn't go to Wal-Mart today, this is the same sign from Day 1! I just moved the 1 over ...it's behind my head! 

And that is it ladies and gentlemen! Janell's Official Wal-Mart Countdown to Christmas 2013 is over! I had a blast doing it! I had no idea what it would turn into! Spacial thanks to my photographers Mom, Dad, Faith , Janae and Justin. And to all of you who followed my countdown! You all made it even more fun! 

Merry Christmas!!!

Days until Christmas: 364

All I Want For Christmas

I love how Jesus speaks to us. I heard a friend say that God can speak to us through anything, except for the things we don't let him. So I try my best to have a listening ear, to hear what he is saying in any moment. The other day I was listening to the song "All I Want For Christmas" by Anthem Lights, this song is one of my favorites, their harmonies are awesome (I highly recommend them!). Anywho I was listening to it and it was like all of a sudden God was singing the song to me (God likes to sing to me). I let the words wash over me as I listened to the song as if He was the one singing, and it warmed my heart. Take a listen real quick and let God sing to you through this song:

All Jesus wants for Christmas is you. He doesn't care about anything else. He doesn't care about all the "works" you do or the acts of Christianity. It's simple, He just wants you. That is the whole reason He came to earth as a baby. So that one day you would give Him all of you. Take time to sit with Him, give Him a gift this Christmas…You.

Whatsoever Think...

Have you ever given yourself to Jesus? Make this Christmas the best ever and belong to Him. Comment below and I will introduce you to Him.

Or maybe you have taken back your gift to Him. It's never too late to give yourself back to Him. 

I See Beauty

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas here in Oklahoma! Snow is falling and well so is the ice.  Right now everything is covered in ice except for the roads, thank you Jesus! With our ice history here in the state people get scared, worried and some, just mad when the ice starts rolling in. Now I understand why people don't like the ice, but I choose to see it in a different light...I look at everything differently...I see beauty. I see a winter wonderland. I see glistening trees. See I could focus on all the negative things that the ice or hard times bring, or I could magnify the good. 

In our world, when something bad happens or the rumors start we get bent all out of shape. Thinking of all the bad and terrible things that could happen. I understand the dangers of things, but I don't let them rule me into fear. There is a difference between true and truth. 

Hard, icy times come, there is no stopping them. It's up to us on how we see and act in the situation. Are we looking through the lens of hope or despair? It's all about perspective! That's why I have made hope a lifestyle. Without hope, life is full of dread. See hope, see beauty.

This Christmas I encourage you to change the way you see everything. See them through I eyes of God. And I promise you will have a very Merry Christmas!

Whatsoever Think...

Do you have trouble seeing the good around you? Ask God to show you! He is always speaking! Comment below about how God has spoken to you about hope in a hopeless situation. And then how you were able to walk it out. I would love to hear it!

Life and Death

I just thought this picture was neat! It is so important to speak life over our lives! The Bible says that life and death are in the tongue. 

So speak life over every area of your life! If you don’t like what you see right now in your life then it’s time to change the way you talk! You have the power to change your life! 

Why not start today? Why wait?

Whatsoever Think...

I Am...

I am completely loved

I am smart because of Christ

I am a real life princess

I am chosen

I am to die for...literally

I am full of joy

I am not moved by this world

I am pursued by a real King

I am thankful

I am a lover

I am a fighter

I am clothed in strength and dignity 

I am rich

I am not of this world

I am a dreamer

I am hopeful in all things

I am a light to the world

I am lovely

I am out of my mind

I am sold out 

I am free

I am realistic...I expect Miracles

I am called

I am pure

I am beautiful what am I saying..

I am gorgeous

I am a mighty warrior

I am full of life

I am a vessel

I am dangerous

I am called beloved

I am a important

I am noble

I am fearless

I am special

I am full of faith

I am the daughter of the only star breather

I am a citizen of heaven

I am like a child

I am made new

I am confident 

I am forgiving

I am powerful

I am always believing in the impossible

I am worth more than gold

You see, all of these things are true because I am God's. 

Nothing you can say will change that. Men and woman can't change it. 

The government can not change it. My circumstances can't change it. 

The world doesn't have a say. 

I am Gods and He is mine. 

This is only a short list of the things I am because of God. There is a lot of things I am that are unique to me. But all of the things listed there...that is who you are! 

You are God's. 

So what are some other things that you are because of God? I would love to hear your thoughts! Comment below and spread the love! 

The Girl Named Sephora

One night after a personal bible study I lay in bed and thought about what I had just read. The study said to ask God what’s one of the names He calls you by. So I was like ok, let’s try this! Kind of half expecting to get an answer,(which is really stupid of me because I know that God speaks to me and that He is more than faithful) I was wonderfully surprised by His gentle voice. God said "One of my names for you is Sephora."! Cool name right? 

But I wanted to know why He calls me that, I so I reached over to my phone and pulled up Google (I believe God loves Google ha-ha). After typing in my new name the make-up company came up, totally forgetting about the brand name, I kept looking and then I saw it...One of the meanings of Sephora… is beautiful. I almost burst in to tears.

As girls and woman this is the one thing we want to hear. When we hear it though, it’s as if the word only touches us on the outside, it doesn’t touch the heart. We also hear that God has made us beautiful, but it’s just like the saying “Jesus loves me”, we have heard so many times that it can grow into something we just know (If we don’t let it change us).

God calls me beautiful. The awesome thing is that what he calls you too. You really are beautiful...Read it again let it get into your heart. Psalms say we are wonderfully made...that is amazing. We are beautiful! When we let this truth sink into our hearts and let God bring a deeper revelation of this, we will begin to change from the inside out. You have heard it said that beauty comes from within, well it's true. Know who you are, and then it will show on the outside. 

I am the girl named Sephora, and so are you!

Whatsoever Think...

Note: Now you try it! Ask God what He calls you(it will always be good!)! Find out what it means! Then please leave a comment about it! I would love to hear what He said about you. I did this with my youth group and it was really awesome to hear all the names that God calls us! Ready...Set...Go ask!

Photo Credit:thesundaybest.com.au and http://laniwendtyoung.me

Take a Knee

I recently saw the movie "After Earth" and I really loved the story and the message. One of my most favorite parts of the movie is when the son, Kitai, has just left his father in order to save both of their lives. The thing is, Kitai has never been out on His own before, and his surroundings are freaking him out big time. His father tells him over the radio "Kitai, take a knee...assess" and he would do what his father said. After he would do this he would stand back up at peace and ready to face whatever would come next. Throughout the movie the father would tell him to take a knee, and in the end of the movie when the son could no longer hear his father voice, the son took a knee all by himself. Then saved the day. The Holy Spirit showed me that I could apply this "take a knee" to my own life.  

I was at work and my employer was having a bad day, and well she took it out on me for a few minutes. I was right at the edge of being ticked of. Then I heard Holy Spirit say "Janell, take a knee". I smiled and knew he was right. I couldn't take a knee for real because I was right in the middle of work, but I took a knee in my spirit. So I did what Kitai did, I centered myself in God, remembered who I was in Christ, that my peace comes from God. Nothing can take my peace away unless I give it. And well I wasn't going to let my stressed out employer dim my joy. 

When trails come a lot of times we will do what young Kitai did...we freak out! We tell everyone of our troubles and make the problem bigger than it was. Instead we should go to God and take a knee and do a assessment on what God thinks and who we are in Him. We should always get on our knees before God in all things, no matter if it's big or small. 

"Kitai...Take a knee..."

So after I took a knee in my spirit I felt so much better..actually my joy increased! I had beaten the plan of the enemy! 

Try this in your own life, take everything to God.....My Friend, take a knee... 


Whatsoever Think...

Let Your Voice Be Heard!

My sister has created a website and has started a "Let Your Voice Be Heard" Series! Please go check it out! It's going to be a lot of fun! She is always doing great stuff! I would appreciate it!

J.M.Schiele -VOTE HERE!
Her Website- jmschiele.jimdo.com
Follow her on Twitter @JMSCHIELE

The Wonder of Christmas

As Christmas comes around so do all of the old and new Christmas specials, the decorations, soft ginger cookies, good cheer, bell ringers, peppermint mocha's ahh...uh ha I guess you get the idea, everything that is wonderful... is now here! 

For years it has been the traditions of most to tell stories of Santa to small children. Telling them of flying reindeer, elf's, Christmas wishes, bright presents under the tree, filling their childlike minds with awe and wonder. Parents and many others go to great lengths to keep this childhood dream alive, that is until they "grow up" and all the wonderful dreams are shattered. The wonder in Christmas takes a hit. But then the cycle continues, the children now grown, tell their children of the man in the red suit...the circle of Christmas life.

Then you have the other side of Christmas. The wonderful story of a young virgin girl who gives birth to a son. But not any son...Gods only son. Wise men come from afar, bearing priceless gifts to the new king. Angles by the thousands fill the sky, shepherds filled with delight at the site of their king. So much awe and wonder in this story too. Children are told this story as well. But like the story of Santa, it many times becomes another nice story. The wonder in Christmas takes another hit. 

For me Christmas is truly the most wonderful time of the year. But I asked myself why? Why do I love this time so much? Is it the presents? The music? The pretty lights? Holiday drinks form Starbucks? All of these are good but no, that wasn't it. 

What I love most about this time of year is that no matter which side you are on, Baby Jesus or Santa Clause, is that Christmas is the time for the impossible. 

Everywhere you look dreams are coming true. Miracles are happening. That is what I love. But what I don't love is that these impossible "children's stories" are just that, stories.

We tell people of the impossible, getting their hopes up but then to turn around and say it's just another nice story.  Crushing faith. That we live in the "real" world.  Personally, I am sick of it. 

I don't think this season was centered around miracles and wonder by chance. I mean both pagan and religious people have a common ground! I believe that God wants to show us that nothing is impossible with Him. That hope is alive and that love can never be beaten. We must be careful not to lead those with childlike faith off into the "real" world. Where if you can't figure it out with science then it isn't true. That can kill childlike faith. 

So this Holiday season, spread wonder and joy where ever you are. Light the fire of the impossible in someones life. Tell people that there is hope! That miracles do happen...why not show them! Keep the  wonder in Christmas this year and if you want, keep the wonder all year around! Have Christmas all the time! Because it truly is the most wonderful time of the year!

Whatsoever Think...