this year was very unique for us. sadly we did not get the house that we thought we were going to. it was sold out from under us because there was a problem with the appraisal and the process was taking too long. we were crushed, but we are trusting that the Lord has something even better for us. in the mean time we are staying with family, which is a huge blessing, and trusting and waiting. we also totaled our car in august so currently i have no address and no car to my name. i'm sort of nomadic. in the past three nights i have slept on a futon, a bed, and now a sleeper sofa. it's comical but it really does make you thankful for a place to sleep!
not being in a house we thought would be ours, or an apartment of our own, during the christmas season makes me really sad. i love the holidays and i felt like it was being taken away from me. yes i will decorate a tree with my family here but i will not have my own decorations, use my christmas dishes, etc.
it took a few days of me refusing to see the lesson in all this when i felt a quiet tug in my spirit. this could be my best christmas yet. christmas is not about stuff, or decorations, or gifts, but about anticipation and celebrating the best gift that has ever been given. so this year, i'm choosing to do something every day to enjoy this season for what it represents both secularly and spiritually. i have a few crafts up my sleeve and an advent guide sitting next to me which starts today.
so many times our expectations lead to disappointment. this year i'm learning to let go, trust, and in everything give thanks.
in the meantime, check out craft #1: a christmas wreath my mom and i made for sweet friends who let us use their apartment while they were away for the week!
michaels had all their christmas decorations 50-75% of this weekend! my crafty mama knew all the supplies we would need. she is a wreath making pro. here is bravo showing his appreciation for our crafts.
the finished product! because i am who i am, i took a picture of a wreath i liked in the store. not the same elements but the design of the ribbon. twenty tries and one quarter of the uga/ga tech game later it was perfected!
we are so, so blessed to have such wonderful friends and family to take care of us during this season. our sweet friends let us use their apartment for the week and it's just what these weary souls needed with ten people staying at my aunt and uncles! when they came home they saw this on their door, just thinking about coming home to something like this made me feel like santa's helper :)
i also took advantage of some other sales at michaels so many more craft projects to come!
