A letter to Elizabeth from Mary(Mother of Jesus)

So this was supposed to be for Christmas, but we moved, and we were with family, so I’m putting it up now.    Hope you enjoy it.

So this week I've been just thinking about Christmas and about Mary.  Mary is the mother of Jesus.  If any of you don't know about how Jesus was born, it talks about it in Luke chapter 2, however since this is a letter to Elizabeth, you need to read from Chapter 1 all the way through chapter 2.  It's a beautiful story and it was a story I've been thinking a lot about.  Now just some info...Elizabeth was Mary's cousin, who they never saw that often.  Elizabeth and Mary were very close, so I took the liberty to see if I could feel, what Mary felt, that night when she had baby Jesus.  Now Mary was probably around 14 when she had the baby, and I'm 25  now and I have a little boy, so it makes it even more special and meaningful.  Writing this I can still feel something amazing. I am Mary in this letter and I'm writing to my cousin Elizabeth; so here it is...hope you all like it and feel something too.  This is also on my blog too which I will also post.                                                                                                                                                                                              January 13, 30 B.C.

My Dearest Elizabeth,

How I’ve longed to write to you for a while, but never seem to have the time until now.  I’ve missed you so much and it’s been hard to be so far away from you.  Besides, Joseph, there’s not that many people that I feel comfortable talking to…so it can get pretty lonely at times.  How are you and Zechariah?  How is adorable little John doing?  I bet Zechariah is loving father hood.  Looking at John when he was a newborn, I know he’s going to grow up to be handsome and strong like his papa.  As he gets older, you will sure have your hands full, with him being so full of energy and all; it will keep you young I’m sure.

Well so much has happened since we last saw each other.  Joseph and I have been so blessed.  I don’t even know where to begin.  However, not knowing when I will see you again or for that matter, write to you again, I will start from the beginning and tell you everything that has happened. Shortly after I left your home, Joseph got a message stating that we need to go to Bethlehem for the Census and Tax.  Oh how I dreaded that trip because it was long and I was pregnant.  We had to travel by donkey, which was hard on my belly; however we didn’t have a choice.  I walked when I could and when I got tired, I rode the donkey.  However the donkey got tired too and the trip went by so slow.  Joseph, the kind man that he is, never once complained, even though his facial expressions gave him away every time.  It’s funny how when you have been with someone for so long, you know when they are tired or even not telling you how they are feeling or what is on their mind.  He was really tired and it took us a long time to get to the Bethlehem from Nazareth. By the time we arrived, all the rooms at the inns were full.  All Joseph and I wanted to do was to just find a place and rest; was that so much to ask for?  But inn after inn, slammed door after slammed door, we began to lose hope and faith.  Oh Elizabeth, I just couldn’t stop crying.  I was so uncomfortable being pregnant and afraid that we would never find a place and I would have to have my baby in the dusty road.  Poor Joseph was exhausted too.  I think he was worried and a little annoyed but for the sake of me, he tried to hide it.  Finally, Joseph came across an inn that had a stable and talked the owner into letting us stay there.  The owner gave us things to keep warm, but he was not really nice.  The stable was nasty and really uncomfortable with the straw everywhere, but it was shelter which we needed. With the animals being there, they kept the place really warm and from that night, that became our home.  Who would have thought of me being in a stable?  It was so weird and strange for me, and as a wife, so not ok, but I was grateful for what we had.

I will never forget that place because I ended up having the baby right there, the day after we arrived.  I’m so glad I was with you when you had John. I learned so much from your mid wife; which helped me when I had my baby.  The pain was unbearable and it felt like it took for hours, but then I saw him…our beautiful baby boy, which we name…Jesus.  Joseph was a mess throughout the entire labor process, but when the baby came out; you could tell from his face, he was just so happy to be a new papa.  Elizabeth, baby Jesus is so beautiful.  Since we didn’t have a real bed for him, we put him in a manger.  He has curly black hair, and bright wonderful eyes just like your little John.  I’m sure they will be the best of friends.  His hands are big so I know he will be a great carpenter just like his father. Tears filled our eyes, as we held our brand new baby boy.  I just can’t describe him or the feeling we felt when we held him for the first time; though I’m sure you can imagine, you having little John not too long ago.  I never want harm to come to him, and I want him to live a long and happy life.

When the town’s people heard about our baby, they all came to see him.  People came from all over and brought gifts and cute things for the baby.  Joseph and I were so surprised as to the love of the people.  We’ve never felt more honored to have been blessed with such a beautiful baby boy.  Last night some shepherds came to see him, and we shared the stable with them for the night.  They were so kind and generous and amazed as to how wonderful he was.  The women came and checked on him; they said he looked good and healthy and gave us some skins to keep him warm, some milk to feed him, and some food for us.  We told stories and sang songs.  It was nice making friends since we were so far from home and what we knew to be familiar. It was hard being far from you and Joseph’s family.  We are going to have to leave the country tomorrow morning.  Some important men were in town last night watching the stars.  They said that King Harold has sent out a decree that all Jewish newborn babies are to be killed.  When I heard this, I thought, he must be afraid of us, for him to do such a horrible thing.  So we are leaving as soon as we are able to travel.  The men gave us gold, frankincense and myrrh for the travel, since we have no money because of the trip. I am so grateful for the help that we have received.  I don’t know what we would have done if all those kind people didn’t help at all.  Joseph says we should try and get to Egypt and stay there until we hear that it is ok for us to return home.  Take care of your son and your family too Elizabeth.  I can’t wait for the day when we can be together again.  Our little boys can play, the guys can talk and we can go for walks and talk like we always do.  I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers as I ask you do the same for us.  Til we meet or write again…

Love always,

Mary

It Is Well….With My Soul

There I was, tired, angry, confused, not knowing what on earth we were supposed to do now.  Things were just getting out of hand, and I couldn’t change them this time. I was stressed out, I was worried, and all I wanted was just a little peace, or a sign or glimpse of hope that things will be ok. We have been hit with like 3 bad things at once, and it just seemed like it was not going to let up.  I couldn’t do my normal daily tasks, I couldn’t sleep without worrying about what was going to happen next, or whether or not we had to make a decision without really having a plan.  I cried and asked God what on earth I was supposed to do?  What was I supposed to think? Then got my bible and journal out and started jotting down all the verses that I could find dealing with stress, and rest and assurance. I started praying and asking God to send me some sort of a verse, a song, a sign that I could count on him; that I didn’t need to worry as much as I was, and that I could rest.  I then went to a website and saw this song: It is well with my soul.  Obviously, I’m a Christian, I’ve been to church my whole life, so I have heard this song so many times, but this time I really read the words and it just broke my heart.  I then read these verses:

Philippians 4:6-7 New International Version (NIV)

6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Matthew 11:28-30 (NIV)

28 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” 

I realized that no matter what happens in my life, good, bad, anything, God is always with me.  It can be really hard to trust him when you feel like everything bad is just crashing down on you and your faith is just dwindling day after day after day. So this song…it is well, with my soul…is just a reassurance that it will be ok…because God is here with me through all of it. Well, not only was this bothering me, but I also wanted to change things on my blog, but because I was so stressed, I just couldn’t think about what to do.  So when I asked God whether or not I should change my blog…This is the answer I got:  “Marvina…Change the title first to:  It is well…With my soul.” And then he said: “and while you are at: change the way that you see me and see yourself and life.”  And I was like..”what…I don’t understand.” And he said: you are always worrying about so much because you are a perfectionists and want things in order,and you feel that you need to be strong for everyone, but what about you…who is taking care of you?”  He kept talking and saying ” you need to understand that I am here, and it’s ok if things are not in order or it’s ok if you are worried, it’s ok if you cry and get angry and stressed …because I am here to take all of that away for you, and give you rest.” And I just knew, right then and there, that it was perfect for the title, and it was perfect for my life.  It summed up how I’ve been feeling for a few years and for a few months. He helped me understand that it’s probably going to get worse before it gets better, but that it is going to be ok in the end.  So for 2016, I really want to just focus on myself and take care of myself and get even closer to God then I’ve ever been…And I encourage you all to do the same in the year to come.  Things are going to be hard, you are going to feel like all you want to do is give up, but somehow, things will be ok as long as you have Christ in your life, and you pray, seek him out and ask him to help get you through these tough times that you might be having. Also  I’m going to leave the song lyrics and when you read them…just know that God is with you…so you can rest easy that things will be ok in the end. :)

It Is Well With My Soul

When peace, like a river, attendeth my way,
When sorrows like sea billows roll;
Whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to say,
It is well, it is well with my soul.

Refrain:
It is well (it is well),
with my soul (with my soul),
It is well, it is well with my soul.

Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come,
Let this blest assurance control,
That Christ hath regarded my helpless estate,
And hath shed His own blood for my soul.

Refrain

My sin, oh the bliss of this glorious thought!
My sin, not in part but the whole,
Is nailed to His cross, and I bear it no more,
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul!

Refrain

For me, be it Christ, be it Christ hence to live:
If Jordan above me shall roll,
No pang shall be mine, for in death as in life
Thou wilt whisper Thy peace to my soul.

Refrain

And Lord haste the day, when my faith shall be sight,
The clouds be rolled back as a scroll;
The trump shall resound, and the Lord shall descend,
Even so, it is well with my soul.

Refrain

My prayer to all of you is that you just remember that God has gone through so much for you, and even when you don’t feel like he is there, he is.  I ask that you just seek him out everyday of your life, and believe that he is the almighty, all powerful king.  He will help you through anything that you go through.  He will be your strength when you are weak, and he will be your guide when you are lost. He will be your voice of reason, when you are freaking out and worrying about all of things that are scaring you or troubling you.  He will be your friend…your father…It is well…with my soul.

Blogmas day 9: Christmas Tag

Here are the TAG questions:

1. Do you like to stay in your PJ’s, or dress up for Christmas? PJS
2. If you could only buy one person a present this year, who would it be? Liam (my son)
3. Do you open your presents Christmas Eve or Christmas morning? We open one Christmas Eve and the rest Christmas Day
4. Have you ever built a Gingerbread house? No
5. What do you like to do on your Christmas break? Read
6. What’s your favorite Christmas meal or treat? Fudge
7. What’s your favorite holiday movie? Miracle on 34th street, the modern version
8. Candy Canes or Gingerbread Men? Candy Canes
9. Have you ever made a snowman? Yes
10. Which do you like better, Christmas Eve or Christmas Day? Both
11. White lights, or colored lights? Both

Now, TAG!  You’re it!! Leave me a  comment below with your answers to these Christmas questions!

Source:

<http://www.glowofgrace.com/christmas-tag/>

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If you want, feel free to leave your answers in the comments below...or do the tag yourself :)  Happy blogmas day 9

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Blogmas days: 5-8

Here are blogmas days: 5-8...I've missed some days because of family related things, so here I am catching up.  Hope you like them.  They are not very long but atleast they are up.

Blogmas day 5 : Christmas Tradition: We open one present Christmas eve, and then we open the rest on Christmas Day

The tradition that we have is  we open one present on Christmas eve, and everyone shares what they got, and then we have some snacks, talk awhile and then head to bed for Santa to come in the morning.  On Christmas day, we get up early, wait til everyone is awake, and then one by one, pass out gifts and open them.  As we open gifts, we read the Christmas story and then everyone goes their separate ways.

Blogmas day 6 : My favorite thing to do in the snow: Build a snowman and sled

My favorite things to do in the snow are build a snowman and sled.  It's just so much fun and you are never too old to have fun in the snow.  I have a toddler, so it makes the snow more bearable and a lot more fun.

Blogmas day 7 : 5 Things I love about Christmas

1. The change in the weather…it goes from being slightly cold; fall weather, to really cold and pretty.
2. The smell…  I love the smell of winter because you just have so many different types.  Wood burning, the trees, the air… everything.
3. The songs…I love Christmas songs.
4. The lights…O my word I love the lights.  There are so many lights that people put up around their houses and it's just so pretty.
5. The food and drinks…Normally there is so much food it's awesome.  You have fudge, cookies, all the deserts you can eat, ham, all those types of foods. You also have hot chocolate to drink, festive drinks for this type of year and candy canes…can't forget those.

Blogmas day 8 : If I could go anywhere during Christmas, where would I go: Paris

I would go to Paris.  I just think that all the pictures I see...It's just beautiful around Christmas.

Blogmas day 3 & 4: Favorite Christmas Snack and Drink

So today is blogmas day 3 & 4 !!! Yay...sorry for the delay....life stuff is going on right now...so if I don't do these in order, i'm sorry, don't worry they will hopefully be up.

My favorite Christmas snack is Fudge and drink is hot chocolate. I love peanut butter fudge just because it tastes really good; plus I love peanut butter. And my favorite drink for this month and this season is hot chocolate. It's just one of those drinks that you can drink for like 3-4 months and never get tired of it.  You can put different toppings on like sprinkles, candy cane shavings, anything.

That's all for today, nothing elaborate.

What is your favorite Christmas snack and drink?  Share in the comments below.

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Blogmas Day 2: One of my favorite Christmas songs

What child is this?

This song is one of my favorite Christmas songs and is based out of Luke chapter 1… It's so beautiful, precious and amazing. Reading it you can really feel Mary’s heart and start to see how she felt so unworthy of the gift that God was giving her…realizing the fathers love is amazing. Now we all know that you cannot have a baby without being intimate with someone, but with God anything is possible.  If Mary was to have a baby without the usual way of having a baby, then God was going to have that happen. God gives us things that we are not qualified to get, he gives us amazing gifts and nothing we can do can earn what he already has and nothing we do can make him not love us. Just like Elizabeth, her relative, was really old and was told that she could never have children, but still God blessed her with a child.  When you realize how much God loves you, When you accept God into your heart and believe that with him, things are possible, then sometimes unexpected, unexplained things don't seem quite so scary. It just makes you feel  loved and wonderful.  God has amazing things for you and nothing you could ever do, could make him love you less. So as you read these verses in this chapter, as you read the story of how Jesus came to be part of this world and change the way people might feel about unexplained things, just think of how Mary might have felt, and how surprised she must have been…and know that God is an amazing God, and this story was the start of how his son was brought into the world and it's a blessing.  Even if you are not a Christian, you can understand how Mary felt, especially if you have ever been told to do something that you felt was very impossible, but somehow you did it, and did it well.

Here is the story out of the bible:

Luke 1:26-38 New International Version (NIV)7

The Birth of Jesus Foretold

26 In the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, 27 to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. 28 The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.”

29 Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. 30 But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God. 31 You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus. 32 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, 33 and he will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; his kingdom will never end.”

34 “How will this be,” Mary asked the angel, “since I am a virgin?”

35 The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called[a] the Son of God. 36 Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be unable to conceive is in her sixth month.37 For no word from God will ever fail.”

38 “I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May your word to me be fulfilled.” Then the angel left her.

Have you ever been asked to do something that you felt was impossible, but somehow you ended up doing it, and did it well?  How did you feel when you accomplished the impossible?  Did it change your way of thinking for a moment?  Answer in the comments below.  Have a wonderful day and stay tuned for Blogmas day 3 :)

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From <https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+1%3A26-38>

Day 1 of Blogmas: Stuffing your face on Thanksgiving Day

Hello my sweet friends.  Welcome today  is the first day  of Blogmas!!! Today's blogmas post is going to be about my thanksgiving week.  My thanksgiving was great.  We had two thanksgivings.  We celebrated early with my family, and then celebrated on the day with my husband's family.  Lots of food and just great to time with family.  It was a great time to be with family and reflect on all the things that we have to be thankful for this year.  For me I have so much to be thankful for.  But for most, my son.  He is my inspiration and the reason why I wake up everyday.  He is my pride and joy, and watching him live each day happy, just makes me proud and lets me know that I am doing what I need to do.  I am so proud to be his mom, he has come so far, and he's just going to keep growing and smiling and living life joyfully and happy and that's all that I can ask for.  I am also thankful that my husband and my son are getting closer.  He always wants to spend time with his daddy and that is what I've been wanting for a while now.  My son is 2 years old, but for the longest time, he didn't really want to spend time with his daddy and now he does, and I'm so thankful for that each and every day that they spend time together.

In the comments below tell me: How  your thanksgiving was?

Stay tuned for tomorrow for Blogmas day 2 :)