A Dickens' Christmas Festival, and Commencement

This weekend has been filled with some great events!  Friday night we hosted "game night" and had my sister-in-law and her husband over, in which we stayed up way too late...3:30 a.m. late, but it was a blast.  During game nights we have a few "staple" card games we typically play: pinochle, canasta, Rook, shanghai rummy, and hearts.  I actually disliked card games quite a bit before I met Michael, but him and his family have rubbed off on me, and now I really enjoy them a lot.  One of my all-time favorite games from that list would be pinochle, what are some of your favorite card games?  Gotta love family time!

Saturday was the highlight of my weekend though; witnessing my friend Bailey graduate, and helping out at the Dickens' Christmas Festival with my church, The Journey, was so much fun!  Bailey's graduation was great; I'm so glad to have witnessed this accomplishment in her life.  We met during our freshman year of college, but because of our horrendously busy schedules, we never had that much time to hang out.  After discovering we both like writing letters we became pin-pals over breaks, and would write encouraging words of wisdom to each other.  At the start of this semester we made it a priority to get lunch once a week, and our friendship took off.  I'm so glad to have shared some of our college years together and am looking forward to seeing what God has prepared for her.

I felt very "proper"

Saturday evening was spent volunteering with my church at the Dickens' Christmas Festival, which was held downtown.  The event was started last year and is intended to kick off the Christmas season.  It is similar to a street fair, with vendors set up in the square, in some buildings, and down "Dickens Ally".  Christmas lights were hung up everywhere, and there was plenty of hot chocolate to go around.  My church had a photo booth with a beautiful painted backdrop, and costumes for people to wear if they chose to do so.  Our goal was to get connected in the community, and provide good quality photos for anyone who wanted them....and did I mention that they were free!  Me and my friend Ashley dressed up as women from the Victorian Age to help fit the scene.  She was the photographer throughout the night and I was a greeter, passing out invite cards.  It was such a thrill being able to volunteer in the community with part of my church family.

What a great way to start my last Christmas break as a college student!  I can't believe that I graduate in less than a year...the years have flown by.  I'm thankful for everything God has been doing, and am eager to see what He has planned!

Our First Christmas & The Blessings to Come

Greetings from the Owen and Gracie household!  Christmas season is upon us, and it is one of my favorite times of the year.  Peppermint Mocha coffee creamer, a good book, hot chocolate, Christmas music non-stop, decorations galore, beautiful snow, and most of all the birth of Jesus Christ!  I've noticed quite a few blog posts about Christmas, how much people love it, and the true meaning of it, so I'll try not to mimic those,...but honestly, with this being my first blog...this post will more than likely mimic.

The semester ended on a good note, with my last jury (music performance "final") being one of the best performances I've given as a soloist.  The only final I had went very well.  And I was able to volunteer one last time this year for Murray FUMC's UMK program.  Now I'm able to stay at home for a few weeks, minus traveling for the holidays, and catch up on some much needed rest and relaxation.

Michael and I put up our Christmas tree right before Thanksgiving, and the stockings went up on the stair rail shortly after.  We weren't trying to set up ridiculously early for the upcoming holiday, we just wanted to have things done before traveling for Thanksgiving.  I'm glad we did, because the following two weeks were busy trying to push through the rest of the semester.  Presents have slowly been put under the tree, with a few more remaining to be delivered and wrapped.  All in all, I'm so glad to experience this Christmas with the love of my life, as a married couple.

So what exactly is the true meaning of Christmas?  The birth of Jesus Christ, son of God sent to Earth for all humanity.  "But the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God.  You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus.  He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High.  The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and his kingdom will never end." -Luke 1:30-33.  Further in the Christmas story, the angel speaks to the three wise men, "Do not be afraid.  I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.  Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord." -Luke 2:10-11.  We're told that Jesus will be great, and His kingdom will never end; that is such great news!!!  As time has past since that day, there have been countless miracles and blessings poured upon this Earth.

As I take a look at my life and all that it has been, I can't help but thank God for all of the blessings He has poured upon me and my family.  If it wasn't for Jesus, my life wouldn't be what it is today.  I wasn't raised in church, I barely knew who God was growing up...all I knew was He created the Earth.  It wasn't until my mom was stationed in Kentucky, and my grandmother started taking me to church that my faith really begun.  I was about ten years old at that time, and boy did I have a lot to learn.

God has placed so many great influences in my life; my mom, grandma and grandpa, my loving husband, my godmother Donna, and my best friends.  All of these people have helped me tremendously in my walk of faith and I'm so blessed to be able to share my life with them.  I pray that God will continue to bless these wonderful people in my life, and continue to be an inspiring light in our lives, throughout this season, and as long as we live!  I'm so thankful that Jesus was sent to Earth for our sins and transgressions; God did an amazing miracle that can never be overcome!

"And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God's will." - Romans 8:27