When the 2012 Crafty Bug bit me....

Ok, so I know I've been posting more than usual lately, but I've got to do something to keep myself busy during the holiday break! I just thought I would share my newest creation, that I'm pretty proud of because I've never done anything like this before.

Since I'm moving back to school next week, and 2012 is nearing pretty quickly (quicker than I'd like it to anyway), I decided to bring in the new year with a little piece of me. So, I went to Michael's and bought some glittery plant accents and made a homemade twisted wreath. I thought the colors reminded me of the New Year's glitz and glam and traditional colors. Even though I can't be in NYC to see the ball drop for the new year, I can make stuff at home to celebrate, right?

Here's the wreath hanging on my door at home, and a close-up in case you just couldn't stand the angle! Haha...

 <<< On my door at home, soon moving to my apartment for 2012!

              A close-up of my creation  >>>>

In Another's Shoes

1.When's the last time that you felt like you were being judged? Really, think about it. What came from that situation?
2.Now, when's the last time you judged someone else- no matter what it was, their clothes, hair, something they said, the way they handled a situation? Think about it.
3. What if the roles of you and the other person were switched? What if you had to walk a mile in their shoes? Ever heard that expression?

You know, we're always judging one another; it's like it is society's way of figuring out where we belong in the world. By judging each other, we're placing ourselves below, or even above another person. Sometimes, we know the person pretty well, they may have been in our lives for years. Other times, we may not even know the person's name. What's it like for you? Is there someone who you're constantly harping on in your head?

Jesus commands us in Matthew 7:1 not to judge. In Matthew 7:2, he tells us we will be judged in the same way we judge others. Yeah, it's a hard task to do, but it takes work to walk in Christ's shadow.

So think about the way you judge others. What if you went under your own judgment? How would you feel? In Matthew 7:3-4, Jesus also states: "And why do you look at the speck in your brother's eye, but don't consider the plank in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, 'Let me remove the speck from your eye', when there is a plank in your own eye?"

In this, He is telling us we have our own troubles to worry about, but often times we overlook them and become focused on the flaws of others. If we focus on another's problems, are we not judging them for not being perfect?  No one's perfect! If you think you're better than someone else, then think about that a second... By thinking your problems and actions in life aren't as bad off as the person you're judging, you're being hypocritical. Jesus tells us in verse 5: "First, remove the plank from your own eye, so that you can see clearly to remove the speck in your brother's eye." In other words, Fix yourself and your life with God first, before you even think about judging someone else or trying to fix another's life. 

God created us as equals. Sure, some of us have more money than others, bigger houses than others, and some of us have just a few belongings to cherish. But, what do belongings and money mean to God? NOTHING. He doesn't care about that. He only cares about your heart, mind, thoughts, soul, and relationship with him. He wants you to develop loving, and caring relationships with those around you, NO MATTER WHO THEY ARE. We should treat one another as family, even if we don't know each other. By treating someone in a negative light the first time you meet them, aren't you creating a terrible impression of yourself? That's not the best way to get off on the right foot with a person! Or by treating someone you've known a while like they're dirt, are you not putting yourself on a pedestal? Really? What makes you any better than they are?

We are all sinful. We all judge when we shouldn't. The one thing that I hope you remember from this blog post is this:
You too will be judged. How are you judging others? 'Cause that's how it's gonna go for you when your time comes.



I hope you enjoyed this post. I wrote this as a youth lesson quite a few years ago, when I was asked to teach a lesson one night. However, judging one another isn't just a hot topic among teens. It's everywhere we go, no matter how old you are. You and me both = Guilty.

What can you do to make things right with God? Yourself? The other person?

Have a Merry Christmas.
WA

Childhood Christmases

 Something that has come to my attention with the Christmas holidays approaching is that I've always had family to celebrate such holidays with. I guess you could say I'm thankful, and that I've been blessed to have a family who supports and sticks by me through it all. I got to thinking earlier about how my granny is probably one person who has been a very big influence in my life, and she's the glue that holds all of us together. Every holiday, we go to granny's. Every year, we celebrate Easter, birthdays, Mother's Day, Father's Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, and much more together. There's always a big meal to pair with our celebrations, and many of the days spent with my family as a child are some of my favorite memories.
I am sure that many people are the same way, with their family being some of their most valuable memories. It's fun to see my younger cousins now, who are kids of the cousins that I grew up with, and how they are treated with the same love, guidance, and discipline that I had growing up. The majority of my cousins who I spent my childhood with are now older than 15, but I still feel like the memories linger when we are all together. Family is what keeps me going, and being a part of such a large family is a part of me that I don't ever want to let go of. I enjoy having everyone together, and I like spending time with my family who I cherish more than anything. I can't wait to have a family of my own someday, and celebrate and share the same love that I was given to share.
If I am ever asked about my childhood christmases, these are the things that come to mind. I loved catching up with my family and enjoying their company. At my Granny's there's always a spread of food on Christmas Eve, filled with finger foods and desserts galore. I'm talking like 3-4 tables full. After we eat, there's always PRESENTS! Half the room is always taken over with presents. Then, we take about 2 or so hours to open them one-at-a-time. Yep. It's tradition, though. At my boyfriend's house, every person gets their presents and opens them as soon as they get them. No one waits. It's chaos, and you don't get to see if someone likes what you got them...especially the little kids. When it's over, I'm like, "soo....that's it?" I'm not saying that's a bad thing, I just wouldn't want my family to be that way. It's fun to build up that excitement and make the older ones antsy because they have to wait till last. After presents, some stay around to talk and clean up, while others pack up their cars and take to-go plates to eat later. After saying our goodbyes, it gets super quiet, and we're usually the last ones to leave from Granny's. We don't have that far to go, anyway. Then, starts another year of waiting for the thrills of Christmas again. I'll hate celebrating Christmas without everyone around in the future. My childhood Christmases made me love the holiday, and I've always credited my family for making it fun.

Now that I've gotten older, I see a lot has changed in my family. I now notice differences in interests and how we get along. Family is and isn't the same for me as it was when I was younger. There are still the same people present, the same love is still shared, but it's like we've all forgotten how to receive and appreciate it. I don't get to see the same cousins year-round anymore, except 3 or 4 times a year, and that only lasts less than 2 hours at a time. It's like we've all let life, our jobs, friends and football get in the way of the time we have to spend with our family. However, family as you now know it won't be there for the rest of your life. We used to get together every Sunday for lunch at Granny's, and a handful of us still do, but it's not the same. What I guess I'm trying to say is that I think what has happened is some kind of disjointedness that has entered our family, and we're not sure how to work it out. I can't stand brothers and sisters and aunts and uncles and cousins all having their own little "tiffs" with one another, and then bringing that to Granny's for the holidays. Way to kill the holiday spirit. Why can't we just make amends and get along and enjoy one another's company?? I know you're probably like, "Well, it's not that simple." However, I'm a young adult, now. I've had several experiences in which I have had my rough patches with others, but it always eats away at me when our relationship's not right. Being the one to start the conversation or taking the first step makes me feel better, and it makes it easier. It really is that simple. The longer you wait, the more bitter and sour your heart and attitude grows because you let that opinion or thought against that person culminate in your mind. FORGET IT. We're not here forever, people. Enjoy your family while it lasts. Let's be a good GREAT, example for the younger generations of our family. Let's offer them the same love, guidance, and joy that I know our family shared when I was younger. If we don't start now, it'll be too late. So, make that your new year's resolution, or promise yourself to make amends with someone who you're having trouble with. It's the only way we'll get outta this rut, and I think that our family just needs love again. We lost it somewhere. I just don't know where and when that happened.

I wish Christmas was like my older Christmases. The ones I'll cherish forever.

Merry Christmas!
WA