It Is More Blessed

Look at that smolder!

Today's blog I would like to dedicate to my brother Justin, whose birthday is today! Happy Birthday bro! May this next year be grand! Love you! 

1 day! No way! 

I love buying gifts for other people. One of my favorite memories of buying gifts is when I was when my brother, sister and I were little. We didn't have any money but mom would take us to Walmart and we could shop for each other. She would give us a price limit and she would turn us loose in the toy section. I remember Justin, Janae and I looking through the toys trying to find the perfect gifts for each other all the while trying to keep secret what we were gong to buy. We would use our coats too cover up them up. Ha sweet memories! Now that we are older we can go to the store by ourselves we have our own money (excluding Joy) but we still have fun shopping for each other.

My brother likes to give me gag like gifts for my present! If we have shared a joke throughout the year then you can count on it being my gift.

Here is what Justin has gifted me the last three years:

1. Angry bird plush toy
2. Thor action figure
3. Toothpaste dispenser

And Christmas will only tell what this year I will get!

What was your favorite gift you ever gave or received? I would love to hear about it! Comment below!

"Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows."- James 1:17 

All Wrapped Up

WOW! Just 15 days until Christmas!

Today we shall talk about wrapping! I love to wrap presents; it's a true art! Every year I always make the same lame joke:

"This white girl can't rap, but this white girl can wrap!"

Haha but for real, it's true! 

Normal families wrap their gifts, write the receivers name on them and then put the gift under the tree. Sweet, simple and trusting...and it's a total surprise on Christmas Day. Well, my family is not normal (Shocker right?). 

You see there are certain people in my house who like to solve a little mystery. They have the crazy ability to pick up their gift and guess what it is. And then to make matters worse they try and guess what's in your present. So to fix this problem my mom had to get smart. Now instead of our names there is a code on the gifts. 

You read right. Our gifts are coded. CODED. And every year the code is different. You never know whose gift it is, unless you break the code. We haven't seen the code for this year yet...however our track record isn't very good. I'm not sure we have yet to figure out one code yet (My parents are smart). But I'm totally ok with that though, I love a surprise! 

Do you have to do anything like this to keep your family out of the gifts? Have you even wrapped your gifts yet? Last year I already had my gifts wrapped...this year I'm not even done shopping yet! *Gasp!* Please share on Facebook and Instagram! Don't forget to use the hash tag #janellschristmascountdown !

See you tomorrow for more Christmas fun!

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...