Christmas Socks? You Bet Your Jingle Bells!

19 Cozy Days Until Christmas!

OK  we need to talk about something super serious......Christmas socks….they are the bomb! Ha ha I have many pairs of Christmas socks. I may or may not have a problem…But let not focus on that…lets focus on the fact that Christmas socks are so festive and fun! I mean look at these! SO.AMAZING!

Ha ha and I want to give away a pair of Christmas socks! All you have to do is tell me why you think you need and should win these Christmas socks HERE ONOW THE BLOG (if ithe won't work for you select "anonymous" and include your name]. That’s it! I'll pick the winner tonight anncounce the win tommorrow, then I'll send these little babies to you! There is a catch though. You will receive two pairs. One for you and another to give a way to a non family member. I want to you to pray over the socks as Holy Spirit prompts you and then give them away to the person that God puts on your heart (I've prayed over your socks too).  Then just let me know what happens! When we step out and do something that requires faith that’s when it really becomes fun!

Now if you don't win the socks you can drive yo self to the store get you some Christmas socks and do the same thing. Pray over the socks, declare that the person who wears them will be filled with the peace and joy of God every time they put them on. Or if they are sick, pray healing over the socks. This is totally in the Bible by the way if your thinking I've totally lost it. They probably didn’t use snowman socks in the bible…or did they? Ha-ha 

If you do decide to give some socks or just got a pair for yo self share your story and pictures with me by commenting below and/or sharing it on Facebook or Instagram using the hash tag #janellschristmascountdown ! 
See you tomorrow!

Ps. Today the team and I are traveling back to the USA today!  Please pray for safe travels and that we make all of our flights!  Thanks! 

Add A Little Punch To Your Life

20 days to Christmas Friends!

When I was little my mom created a cook book for our church. It was filled with recipes from the members and our family. Well I was too little to enter so my mom entered a recipe and put my name down as the contributor. What was recipe you might ask? Christmas punch!

So since Tis' the season I thought I would share "my" recipe with you! Try it out! It' guaranteed to put you in the Christmas mood…you know if you need any help with that!

Janell's Christmas Punch

1 (32 oz.) bottle Cranberry juice
1 (12 oz.) can frozen Orange juice concentrate, thawed
2 T. Sugar
1/4 tsp. Ground allspice
1 (1 liter) bottle Ginger ale, chilled
Lemon and Orange slices, optional

In a large container, combine cranberry juice, orange juice concentrate, sugar and allspice; mix well. Cover and chill at least two hours. Just before serving your chilled Christmas in a cup, add the ginger ale; mix well. Garnish with lemon and orange slices. Yield: 18-20 servings of 1/2 cup each.

And that’s all she wrote! ;)  If you make my punch please take a picture and hash tag #janellschristmascountdown so I know how you liked it! 

And now a word from the Word:

See you tomorrow!

You're The Reason For Christmas

I forgot to take a picture so I made a sign and these boys saw me and asked what I was doing. So I invited them to take a picture with me! 21 days!

To The One Who Stand Christmas,

While it is super hard for me to understand why you don't like Christmas (because it's amazing), I realize that you are out there and your reasons are valid and sometimes really sad. This time of year reminds you of the family you don't have, the spouse that has passed away, the feeling of deep depression that rolls in with the jiggle bells on a one horse open slay that you just can't put your finger on. The loved one who is serving your country, and won't be home to kiss you under the mistletoe. Or perhaps you just think that Christmas has just become too commercialized for you and so you don't celebrate anymore. 

Whatever reason you have for disliking or even hating Christmas, I do have good news for you. No it's not that this Christmas is going to pass by without even saying "hello". No I have better news than that. You that are hurting, lost, depressed, angry; this whole Christmas season is actually for you.

You might be scoffing at me and are thinking "Janell, go knock yourself out with some hot chocolate." Hear me out, and then I most likely will.

When God came to earth he came to make some things possible. He made hope, peace, love, acceptance and family accessible to every person with breath in their lungs. Ever since the fall of mankind the world and all humanity has been deficient concerning these things. Jesus opened the door for this to fill the earth again. And this season celebrates when these wonderfully needed things entered into the hemisphere in the form of a baby. The impossible story of a child being born of a virgin. If you try and make any other person or thing the reason for the season then hope, peace, love, acceptance and family will not happen.

Look I know you’re hurting, you have your reasons for being blue this time of year. But why not let this Christmas season change you for the better? You might think that it isn't possible to feel again. Or you just can't let go of the past. Why not let that dark place in your heart be flooded with light and love? 

Jesus said "...A thief is only there to steal and kill and destroy. I came so they can have real and eternal life, more and better life than they ever dreamed of..." - John 10:10 MSG

That life is for you to enjoy right now if you choose it. Let Jesus in and I promise it will be the best Christmas you have ever experienced.

Love,

Janell

Do you have a hard time during Christmas?  I really mean it when I say you can be happy. You can experience hope, peace, love, acceptance and family. I would love to pray for you. Just comment below and say what your request is or just say unspoken. I love you!

Or do you know someone who struggles this time of year? Share this with them or go talk to them and tell them that Christmas is actually for them! And I would love to hear your stories of you do!

See you tomorrow! #janellschristmascountdown

Deck The Halls With Hallmark Specials

22 Days Until Christmas Friends!

Hello everyone!  Sorry about the delay! I'm in Belize and my Internet is limited and my wonderful sister had been helping me in the states. Everything is fixed now!  I'm enjoying Christmas in Belize!  

Ok now to the good stuff!
I have to admit that I love the Hallmark Christmas Specials! Magic is in the air, love is in the air and anything can happen. It's wonderful! Sometimes though, you hit a dud, but most of the time they are just wonderful. As I write this I am actually watching one!  They just make your heart sore!

Now, I know that some people just don't care for them. They are just too predicable, you can come in mid stream and know how it started and know exactly how it ends. Ha ha While this is true in some cases, I put those feelings aside and just enjoy it…and cry a little along the way!

Right now my favorite Hallmark Christmas movies are "Hitched For The Holidays", "Window Wonderland", "Christmas Incorperated" and I'm looking foreword to all the new ones with Candace Cameron Bure in them too! I'm sure my favorites list is going to grow!

What are your favorite TV specials and movies? Do you love the classics like "Frosty The Snowman" and "It's A Wonderful Life"? Do have a Christmas movie that you dislike? For me it's "The Grinch That Stole Christmas", not sure why but it's true!  

Now it's time to announce the winner of the Christmas CD! The winner is Kassie Ann!!!!!!! Congrats and Merry Christmas! We are going to get these tunes playing in your house as soon as possible! Once you receive it post a picture and use the hash tag #janellschristmascountdown and 

let me know how you like it!

Now if you'll excuse me I'm going to grab a tissue and continue with my Hallmark movie. :) See you tomorrow!

Sweet Festive Melodies Batman!

23 Days Until Christmas Fellow Music Lovers!

Christmas music is one of my favorites parts about Christmas. The melodies, the beautiful lyrics…it's so good! It seems like every year the songs mean more to me. For instance this year I've cried a few times while listening to them. It's the Gospel to music and I can't help but be moved. 

However, to the dismay of most of my house hold I start listening to and singing Christmas music early!  I JUST. CAN'T. HELP.IT! It is a burden I must bare...ha-ha! Everyone has their own go-to Christmas songs and albums that are has unique as the listener! Last year I was asked about some Christmas Music recommendations. So this year I've compiled some of my favorites for you! Here are some of my go-to Christmas CD'S (but are not limited to): 

• The Christmas Hope by Newsong

• Home For Christmas by
  BarlowGirl

• Campfire Christmas by Rend Collective

• When Christmas Comes By Kim Walker-Smith

• Rose Of Bethlehem by Selah

• That’s Christmas To Me by Pentatonix

• Christmas By Francesca Battistelli

Now I want to give one of these away! To enter, comment below on this blog post with what your favorite Christmas song is and why ( I know that's hard right?) and then your top three picks from my list.  I'll pick the winner and release the winners name in tomorrows post! So make sure to swing by here tomorrow to see if you won (you'll have 24hrs to respond or another person will be picked)! 
I'm only shipping in the USA on this giveaway. Don't worry though, I'll be doing some other giveaways for my international friends(I love you all)! 

Don't forget to share all this awesomeness on Facebook and Instagram with the hash tag #janellschristmascountdown !


Fun fact! Below was the first ever Christmas song, I would have LOVED to hear that choirs in person!

"And suddenly there appeared with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased."" - Luke 2:13-14

See you tomorrow!

We "Belize" You A Merry Christmas

24 Days Till Christmas is here all day! 

Today is a very special day! Today I will be traveling to Belize for a missions trip! This will be my first time going to another country and a tropical place (Jesus help me) during Christmas time. So in the name of Jesus and Christmas I am bringing Christmas to Belize! Yes Janell's Christmas Countdown is going international!

I am not alone however, let me introduce you to the 

team that I am with :

Scott & Marla (My parents)

Valerie (My Aunt)

Brenda (My Friend)

The reason I bring this trip to your attention and those on the team is two fold: 1) We will have two Christmas events while we are down there. 2) I am asking that you remember us in prayer while we are there. The days we are in Belize are December 2nd-7th. We really do appreciate your prayers. They really do matter and we know when we are being prayed for. 

As I mentioned above we will have two Christmas events while in Belize; a Mother Daughter Tea and a Youth Night. On December 9th I will share about our trip here on the blog! 

Image from: www.operationworld.org

My countdown will still post everyday even though I'm out of the country! I can't leave my friends hanging! Still stop by everyday so you don't miss a thing.

So have you ever been in another country during Christmas time? Did you like it? Let me know! 

See you tomorrow!

#janellschristmascountdown

Sugar an' Spice an' All Things Tasty!

25 More Days To Enjoy Christmas Cookies!

Happy December 1st everyone! It is now time to kick this Christmas thing into high gear! Lets get started!

So is it just me or does food get even better this time of year? Oh my goodness... I think I just gained a few pounds just thinking about it! Today I thought I would share with you one of my favorite cookies to make (and eat) during Christmas. They are Silver Dollar City's Ginger Cookies!

Let me tell you, they are so yummy! I've been making them for a few years now and they just don't disappoint! It's like Christmas in your mouth! A cool little tid-bit for you is that they can be easily turned gluten free! Just replace flour with your favorite GF blend and add a little Xanthan Gum (if your flour blend doesn’t already have it mixed in it).

Here is the recipe, I hope you enjoy it! If the picture fails to load for ya here is a link to follow: https://www.pinterest.com/pin/219480181813129929/ 

What is your favorite Christmas cookie? Do you bake or buy?

If you make them be sure to post a picture and hash tag #janellschristmascountdown ! See you tomorrow!

"Taste and see that the Lord is good!" - Psalms 34:8