On the 12th day of Christmas...Merry Christmas from the Roberts

Well Christmas has came! The presents have been unwrapped, the Christmas story has been read, Christmas dinner has been eaten, and it has been great so far!

 Some doodling I did last night :) the greatest gift is Jesus❤

Here's a recap of Christmas at the Roberts house: I woke up a little after 8 this morning...I was excited ;) I made waffles, ran to my parents room like 3 times trying to get them out of bed. Finally they did, then me and Manda had to get josh and Caleb up...lets just say teenage boys don't really care about presents when they're sleeping lol. By the time I finished the waffles everyone was awake {yay}.

 Took this when I woke up...so pretty! 

 I tried my best to do a Pinterest idea...the cute little green christmas waffles. Lets just say its harder than It looks lol. I made a few plain waffles, then added green food coloring and made a few of those and then added chocolate chips in the last few waffles. When you have a large family you have to try to please everyone. Some don't like food coloring, and some don't like chocolate chips...so I made some of each :) i made a huge mess and even got some of an egg shell in the waffle mix and my green waffles were (somehow) only green on the inside, but I thought they were really tasty. I even added some Christmas sprinkles on top! Sprinkles make everything better. 

 

Me and Manda watched some little Christmas nativity cartoon, soon after it was finally time to open the gifts! I handed mine out first. Although I don't have a job nor do I have much money, I wanted so bad to give each of my family a gift. I wasn't going to give anything and the other night I decided I really wanted to give what I could so to town I went. It's the thought that counts, right? I started handing the other gifts out.

Wrapping paper starts flying everywhere. I hear "yes!", "yay" and "thank you"...Christmas is so great. I deserve nothing but I received so much! My parents are so awesome and I'm thankful to God we had presents under our tree. Some people woke up to an empty tree. 

Please know whatever you were given today was undeserved. I don't believe in Santa Claus because if he was real no one would ever get any gifts. I've been given so much in my life...so many gifts. Gifts of love, grace, mercy, peace, faith, help, friends, family, breath, a Savior, a home, legs to walk with, food to eat, hearing, heart beat after heart beat, eyes to see with and so much more! It all comes from above {James 1:17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.} the greatest gift of all is Jesus. Like the verse says, he came down from the Father...I'm thankful he came. The world would be forever dark without him.

Here are some pictures from our Christmas :)

 

My brother might kill me but oh well. I told him he looked like Joseph from the Bible ;)

 He finally took a pic with me.

 Me about to look at what was in my stocking! So fun!

 That's a gallon sized bag full of candy!!! 

My fav gift from my parents...a Jane Seymour open heart necklace! I've been wanting one...my mom has a lot of the open hearts jewelry and I've always thought it was so pretty. Happy to join the open hearts world.

Here are most of my gifts. 4 shirts, a sweater, skirt, mascara, benefit concealer, eye shadow, hair straightener and spray, body wash, hello kitty pj pants (yay), hello kitty watch, 6 scarves (only 2 in this pic) a new devotional, new boots, socks, Vera Bradley Bible case, leggings, face wash, and lots of jewelry! Totally loving that pink chevron top!!

 Got another hello kitty watch! I now have 5

This happens every year...my mom forgets to give me one of my gifts. This year it was my blanket! For the record if you ever wanna buy me a gift but don't know what I'd like just get me a blanket ;)) seriously I get blankets for my birthday (which is in June) and Christmas. I actually use them all. As I type this I am snuggled up in my new super soft blanket❤❤❤

After opening gifts daddy read the Christmas story to us...the true meaning of Christmas.

 First Matthew...

 Then Luke.

 For dinner...We had deviled eggs, homemade mashed potatoes and Mac-and-cheese, and grilled chicken and pork loin. My daddy loves to grill us food on his awesome Traeger grill and it always tastes so delicious!

Soon after we ate most of my family took naps...I didnt. Instead I had a fashion show in the hallway. I was excited to try on my new clothes! I love everything I got.

Later we got in the SUV and drove around looking at lights. Somehow we ended up at Tiny Town in easley. It was soo cold! Thank The Lord for heat. Here are a few pictures.

 Blurry:/

 Santa taking a bubble bath😂😂

 Here's my mom and dad.

 My camera is broken...this is me and my mommy...love her!

 I thought this doll was cute lol

 Caleb didn't want to come so he's missing.

 Me, manny Kay and J (and uncle Si lol)

 Me and Manda 

We are back home and eating again...we eat a lot! Apple pie with vanilla bean ice cream 💛 

 My mom made this picture!

I hope all my readers have had a magical Christmas Day! Lets allow CRISTmas to live in our hearts all year long! I am so happy Jesus was born and to know he did it all for me❤ I could never say thank you enough or give him anything comparable to all he's given me...the only thing I can do is give myself. I love the song the collingsworth family sing called 'my gift is me'. 

 My Gift Is Me :

What I have to give to you

Can not be bought or sold

It can't be wrapped up in a box

Or tied with strings of gold

It isn't perfect and you'll see

It isn't even new

But Jesus, it's the only treasure

I can give to you.

Me...my gift is me

All I am and all I'll ever be

I'm not ashamed

For the world to see

That it's me, 

My gift is me.

Jesus, you're the greatest gift

The world will ever know

Coming down from heaven 

Just to leave your Love below

With all you have done for me

The least that I can do

Is give all that I know of me

To all I know of You.

Me...my gift is me

All I am and all I'll ever be

I'm not ashamed

For the world to see

That it's me, 

My gift is me.

Of all the gifts man could give

It's nice to know

That I can give His favorite gift

The one that thrills Him so

Me...my gift is me

All I am and all I'll ever be

I'm not ashamed

For the world to see

That it's me, 

My gift is me.

Me....My gift is me.

Jesus is the greatest gift ever...nothing down here could ever compare. I am nothing but he loves when we give ourselves to him. My preacher preached a message Sunday about what gift we can give Jesus for Christmas. The wise men gave frankincense, gold and myrrh when Jesus was a baby, but Jesus is no longer a baby and doesn't need that anymore...he wants: YOU.

Y-yield

O-offering(sacrifice)

U-use

If we are yielded and sacrifice for Him then he can use us. I desire God in my life and on my life.I know I'll never be content doing my own thing. I'm not perfect and I'm definitely nothing special but if I allow him to have his will and way he can make a beautiful masterpiece out of me. I want Jesus to use me. I dont want to put him in a box. Over the past month and a half I have seen God do some amazing things all because we let him. once we get out of his way He can do anything! I'm looking forward to what he has planned for the new year. He has been so wonderful this year. Good night friends! Merry CHRISTmas

Love,

May-May

On the 11th day of Christmas...Mary Ponders

Luke 2:19

But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.

Jesus has been born, the shepherds just left to go tell others what they'd seen and heard and Mary takes some time to ponder in her heart what had happened. I'm sure it was very surreal. I heard a quote that went something like this, "he can turn your how? Into wow" I bet Mary felt like God had turned her how into wow! Mary had just seen and been apart of the greatest thing to ever happen on earth; the birth of the Savior! She was his mother. She was chosen by God and used in a way like no other.

She never wanted to forget! She wanted to keep it all in her heart. She didn't want to ever get over what God had done. She was not the same person, she had been changed. Everyone who knew her viewed her differently because of her calling. She was a virgin but had a son. When others found out she was pregnant they assumed the worst and no one believed her. But she went on for God and continued to be his vessel. He chose her because she was humble, available and clean. Now she sat and held the Son of God in her arms.

One of the definitions of ponder is to help. She began to think of all that had happened in the past 9 months. She remembered the night the angel came and told her God wanted to use her. The fear she felt was great but she yielded her body and obeyed. She couldn't forget the comments of all the people she thought had loved her. She remembered visiting Elisabeth and hearing her say the same thing as the angel, "blessed art thou among women." (Luke 1:28, 42)  I'm sure there were times where she didn't feel blessed but confused and alone...but at those times she remembered the angel telling her "The Lord is with thee"(Luke 1:28). She remembered Joseph standing by her side after the angel told him what she was saying was the truth. What she went through was long and hard but she could see clearly now it had brought her closer to God. It had made her better. She knew her tiny newborn son was born to die for everyone's sins including hers. Pondering all these things helped her that night and many more nights throughout her life. 

Sometimes we wonder what God is doing and nothing makes sense. This is when we need to stop, and ponder and remember all God has done for us! It seems easier to remember the bad but God has give me much more good in my life than bad. Romans 8:28 says, And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. 

Happy Christmas Eve!!❤ 

Love, May-May

On the 10th day of Christmas...Candy Canes and Christ

Tonight we had S.n.a.p. after church. It stands for Sunday Night at the preacher's house. It was for the middle schoolers and high schoolers but I got to help. I had a lot of fun eating, laughing, and playing games. One of the games we played was with cany canes. We had one in our mouth and had to pick up other candy canes from a pile. The catch was you could only use your mouth. It was harder than it sounds lol. This brace face actually got 3 so I was pretty proud!

Candy canes are a symbol of Christmas. When you start seeing boxes of candy canes in the stores you know Christmas is right around the corner! Back in the old days there was only one flavor...peppermint. Today there are all kinds to choose from. But it doesn't really matter what flavor or color it is whenever I see a candy cane it makes me think of Jesus.

Probably about 10 years ago I was at my papa and grandmas house in NC for Christmas and they had the Legend of the Candy cane book setting out. I read it for the first time and really enjoyed it. I wish I had my own copy because I'd probably read it ever year if I did :) Candy Canes have a sweet meaning and as well a sweet taste. 

"The story tells of a Candy maker in Indiana who wanted to make a candy that would help us remember who Christmas is really about.  So he made a Christmas Candy Cane.  He incorporated several symbols for the birth, ministry, and death of Jesus Christ.

He began with a stick of pure white, hard candy.  White to symbolize the virgin birth and sinless nature of Jesus.  Hard candy to symbolize the solid rock, the foundation of the Church, and firmness of the promises of God.

The candymaker made the candy in the form of a “J” to represent the name of Jesus.  It also represented the staff of the “Good Shepherd”.

The candymaker then included red stripes.  He used three small stripes and a large red stripe to represent the suffering Christ endured at the end of his life."

I think my favorite part of the candy cane would have to be its shape! I love that J...it makes me think of Jesus. And the fact that he is my shepherd. When I looked this stuff up tonight to refresh my mind I found an article stating the belief that the candy cane has a Christian background is false, but I disagree. To much about it points to Him. It is sad how hard people work and maneuver things to constantly try to prove (normally to themselves) Jesus isn't real. It makes me think of what my preacher said this morning...all those who try to get rid of Jesus, take him out of Christmas, those offended by Christ in Christmas, the unbelievers, the God haters one day soon will all bow and proclaim with their own tongue that JESUS CHRIST IS LORD. The bible says: Philippians 2:10-11 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. 

You might not want to believe now but one day you will. Bow now or bow later, either way you will bow. itmcomes dow. To where younwant to soend eternity...heavem or hell? Jesus was born and died for the sins of the world. If you're reading this than that includes you! Like the candy cane says he was and is pure, perfect, sinless, he is the rock and he never lies, he suffered and died so we could have a way to escape what we truly deserve...Hell. He is whatever you need and he never leads anyone wrong.

I hope everyone has a "Happy Christmas Adam" tomorrow! I can not believe there's only 3 more days til Christmas! I'm excited of course...but I hate when it ends. It comes and is gone too fast every year❤❤❤

On the 9th day of Christmas...He lights up my world

I love Christmas lights...especially outside in the dark. It seems to me that people used to decorate their houses a lot more than they do now. This year it has seemed kinda dark out without the normal houses lit up. 

Some still go all out though...Last weekend we went to a house in Mauldin, SC that was the most lit up house I'd ever seen! It felt soo Christmasy! The owner starts decorating in October, and his electricity bill is over $2000 during the time he has the lights on! He doesn't charge but gladly accepts donations. We were even given free hot chocolate and popcorn to enjoy while we walked around the yard and house. I have to add that they even had a projector playing ELF (my fav Christmas movie) on the garage door. I munched on my popcorn and sipped hot chocolate and breathed in the beautiful lights while I watched a few minutes of elf. It was quite perfect. I hope we go back again!! If you live in this area I highly recommend it...be careful where you park though. Since its in a neighborhood the parking can be difficult. 

Anyways I'm thankful for lights. I'm so glad God made the sun, moon and the stars and then later touched Thomas Edison and helped him make the first light bulb. I don't like the dark, never have and never will. I was that little girl that had to have a night light and would not touch the dark, scary floor until morning came. 

Darkness is overwhelming. For most darkness leads to fear. Flip on the light and those fears vanish away. Thats the way it is with Jesus. Jesus is the light of the world. When he is there you dont have to be afraid. He came to this dark world so he could shine his light. He is the greatest Christmas light. 

John 8:12

Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world:he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.

It doesn't matter how dark a persons world might be, Jesus has all power and is able to light up anyone and everyone's life. Sometimes I feel so alone and in the dark (even though the sun is shining outside) the devil comes messing with me and I feel confused...but I know where to turn to. His word is the lamp unto my feet and the light of my path! When I feel lost and can't see what to do his word helps me see clearly. Jesus is the Word...we can pray and we can read the Bible (word). I don't know how people make it on there own without him in this dark, mean world.

Psalms 119:105

Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path. 

John 1:1-5 

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life; and the life was the light of men. And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.

Is his light shining in your life? Are you shining and showing others in darkness the light of the world? We need to make sure we don't let our light go out! Keep it Christmas in your heart all year long!

On the 8th day of Christmas...don't be a Grinch or a Scrooge

Do you know anyone who has is lacking the Christmas spirit? I always think of Scrooge and the Grinch. Did you ever notice why Scrooge was such a Scrooge? Or why the Grinch was such a grinch? Neither had family. They did at one time but lost or ran from the ones who loved them. Both didn't have many who loved them but we cant deny they were loved. They chose to be alone and mean and shut out the world.

God loves families. He doesn't want anyone to be alone...that's why he gave each of us a family. Mine is quite interesting (lol) but I love it. My close family consists of my parents, brothers, Josh and Caleb and my sister Mandalyn. We have no family around us except each other. My mom's family live in NC and my Dad's side of the family live in Oregon and Washington. It's hard not having grandma in the same town like many people I know. It's hard to only get to see the ones you love every few months or once every few years. Nonetheless I am thankful for family and I try my best to make the most of the time we get to have together.

 In my opinion one of the best things about the Christmas Season is family. How sad it is to think of those who will be alone this Christmas. I've noticed on Facebook many people have lost loved ones this month. This is the hardest time to lose someone. The other day marked 4 years since my Gramme died. She had a heart attack one night and never woke up. It was shocking, unexpected, and sad. So I do know the pain some are going through. Don't let a loss steal your joy.

Some people will be alone not because they've lost someone but because they got hurt and couldn't forgive. Forgiving is one of the hardest things to do but holding a grudge does nothing but make the issue worse. I've had to forgive some people even though they didn't ask for it. People are mean, family can be rude, mean and break your heart but don't let that turn you into a Scrooge or grinch. Family is forever; don't forget that.

Maybe you don't have a real family...open your heart and let The Lord be that for you. I know many claim the verse Psalms 27:10 When my father and my mother forsake me, then the Lord will take me up. I've never had my parents turn their back on me and everyday of my life they have been there for me with arms full of love. I know now days many young people don't have caring parents but He can be all you need. God can give you a friend, a church family, or someone else who might be lonely too. The Lord loves you more than any one on earth.

We need to remember everything that happens is to draw us closer to God and his will. When something doesn't go your way or you lose someone you love don't let that ruin your attitude and your Christmas. Christmas isn't enjoyable all alone. Make sure you are with the ones you love and the ones who love you!