Just want to thank Him!

The Pressons, along with the rest of the world, will be saying goodbye to the past year and having high expectations for 2012.  Each new year is a huge clean slate.  The promise of change, reevaluating, and renewing is intoxicating.  We walk through the memories of the past year, and wonder where the new one will take us.

In all honestly, our 2011 began very bleak.  Clark and I were desperate for a miracle, and knew that we had nothing else to do, but put it in the Lord's hands.  I am thankful to say that the Lord did give us exactly the miracle that we needed.  It was not a small miracle, it was one of those HUGE, only God can do, kind of miracles.  The kind that you weep, travail, and fast for years, kind of miracle.  To God be the glory!!  I can not thank Him enough for placing this miracle in our hands.  May I never forget what it felt like to need this miracle.  May I always show compassion for others that are desperate for their own miracle, just as we were desperate.  I am so thankful for this trial that Clark and I faced, because it taught to us to reach further, stretch our faith, be more of what the Lord wants us to be.  It showed both of us necessity of relying fully on Him, because the next trial will require it.  More strength for the journey.

I hesitated to post this blog.  In fact, part of me feels guilty for knowing so many of my friends "end of the year reminiscing" is not ending on such a high note.  However, to those of you that are still in the thick of your trial, please be encouraged that HE IS ABLE.  He knows, He cares, He listens, He provides the need, and He does take us to the mountain for rejoicing after leading us through the valley.

As we begin a new year, let's put our needs in His capable hands once again, and fully trust Him.  Trust God with all your heart, your soul and might. You and I can not solve every situation. We can not fix everything that is broken. Only God can. He promised us that He can bring peace, and can give us the deepest desires of our hearts. He can redeem the years the locusts have eaten, and He delights in blessing, YOU,  his faithful child!  Happy New Year to you and yours!  May you grow in Him through life's valleys, and let all of rejoice with you on your mountaintops in 2012!

The Presson Family 2011 A to Z

The Presson Family 2011 AtoZ

As for me & my house, we will serve the Lord.

Both front teeth “missing!” (Landry)
CIA has kept Clark veerrryy BuSy this year!
Downstairs building addition for Clark.
Excellent report cards from all 3 scholars.
First year of Homeschool for Riley, Landry & Mom
Grades 1, 5, & 8
Home is where the heart is!
Ipods & Iphones
Jetskiing, fishing & swimming @ Green Lake, WI
Kindergarten Graduation
LSU wins SEC Championship! (Avery only!)
More family moved to our area! :)
No hope of ever being caught up with laundry.
Online Scrapbooking & Blogging
Pizza, Pancakes & Pinterest
Quest for ALL missing socks is still ongoing.
Riding bikes and electric scooters
Soccer team for Avery
Trips to our beautiful Smoky Mountains
UT game for the first time for Riley!
Very, very blessed with love of family & friends.
Wasabi's (our favorite) for Avery's 14^th!
Xtra hugs and high-fives
Youth Camp for Avery for the 1^st time.
Z...Never enough zzzzzzzzzz's.

Women's Espirit Christmas Article

I was asked to write the following article for The Women's Espirit website,http://www.womensesprit.org/mylife/mylife.pg1.html, and I thought that I would share.  Stop by and browse the site.  It is filled with touching, spirit-building articles!  Merry Christmas to all of you!

'Tis the season of gift giving! As mothers, we enjoy giving gifts to our children. We plan birthday party details from the invitations, to the cake, down to the color of the plastic ware.

Our Christmas decorating and planning begins in early November. We bring out our inner "Martha Stewart" and bake, shop, wrap, get glitter everywhere, and bake some more. All of this is done in the hopes of seeing glowing faces on Christmas morning. We sit back in our comfort chair, wrapped in the love of the moment, and congratulate ourselves for another well-planned Christmas season.

This is all well and good. Our savior is a gift giver. He created the beauty of this world for our enjoyment. He has unwrapped and has given us the gifts of healing, happiness, forgiveness and grace. He gave us the ultimate gift by laying down His life for us. There is no greater love. Even our children are a reward from Him!

As long as you are within your budget, don't feel guilty for the good things that you do for your children, family and friends. The holiday season is a special time for rejoicing, for merriment, and spending time with the people most important to you. It is the most wonderful time of the year!

However most of us, me included, are guilty of sheltering our children from the needs of those around us. Sadly, there are thousands of children without presents, sugar-sprinkled baked goods, nativities, and lights. This year, strive to teach your children the true spirit of giving. Help them see that the Lord gave them life's entire blessing for one special purpose - that is that they might give in return. Teach them that the greatest gift of all is to give!

There are so many ways for your family to reach out this year. Sponsor a child for the year though Compassion International, take your children on a shopping trip to buy several warm blankets and pass them out to the homeless in your community or bless one of our missionary families with a surprise package.

Plan a family grocery outing and take non-perishable food items to your local food pantry. Shop for gifts and surprise a child that is in a local hospital or purchase sweet smelling candles for the elderly in nursing homes and bless them with a hug and a gift. Perhaps there is a family in your church or neighborhood that has suffered through this economic downtime. Take Christmas to them!

The opportunities are endless. Our family is contacting our local foster care organization and adopting a child for the season. We plan to have a party and ask friends and family to bring a gift for our beneficiary, and then take all of the gifts to his foster home. Most importantly, involve your children in every aspect of this outreach. They will remember this act of giving more than the decorations, endless homemade cookies and candies, or the wrapped purchases under the tree!

Do your best to make memories with your children this Christmas season. Show them that Jesus is why we do all that we do. His greatest gift to us is LOVE. The greatest gift that you will ever give your children is also LOVE. Purpose in your heart to give them the best mother that you can possibly be. Live your life in a way to be their example. Love simply, love deeply. Then, on Christmas morning when they open their perfectly wrapped gift, you will know in your heart that you have truly given them the very best gift of all!

The Sounds of Christmas

I heard it yesterday.  A distinct tinkling that I hear at some point during the Christmas season each year.  The sound of a piece of my white nativity clinking against something, usually the floor.  Riley quickly assured me that all was well, "Mama, the wise man fell against the donkey, but both of them are fine!"  Last year, I contemplated purchasing a new nativity set at a Hobby Lobby half price sale.  However, I decided my current one has too many memories, and has been through too much to be replaced.

Almost every piece has come in contact with the super glue at one time or another.  Our angel is resilient in her efforts to proclaim the birth of the Christmas baby.  Her wings have been broken off several times.  Riley once felt that she needed help with her guarding duties and added Spider man and Batman to the rest of the stable crew.  Due to incorrectly applied superglue she looks rather chilly.   Several years ago, I noticed one of the sheep was missing.  I went searching for my lost sheep.  It was found outside.  In the grill.    One wise man lost his head.  It is back on, but just a bit crooked.  The shepherd boy was also decapitated, and has been reattached by the powers of super glue.  Sadly, one wise man was shattered beyond repair.  His space is empty in the packing box.  Poor Mary only has one hand, and a camel has been MIA for many years now. 

One day, when my house is empty and quiet, I am going to make tiny t-shirts for whatever nativity pieces remain.  In all of my spare time, I will embroidery them with the words, "I survived the Presson boys."

December ONE!

December 1st!  The celebration has begun!  I broke out my Christmas sweater and wore it today.  I have had it since Riley was an infant.  He is now 11, so you can imagine what it looks like.  I am a firm believer in tradition!  I put my decorations up a bit early this year, and now I am happy, happy that I did.  I can just sit back and enjoy the reason for the season.  I thought I'd share our 2011 Advent Calendar.  We are all excited about it, even Avery, although he would never admit it!  Please note that this is not a photography blog, therefore the pics are far from professional!  I found this idea on Pinterest and mixed it will a little Presson. 

Each bag has a name on it.  If your name is on it, then you get to open it.  The first 3 bags have scriptures in them.  One for each of the boys.  They have to memorize their scripture and say it each time, before they can open the next bag with their name on it.  The scriptures are from the beautiful nativity story.  The rest of the bags are filled with goodies galore.  Slinkys, Legos, coupons for lunches alone with Dad, candy, coupons for staying up 30 minutes later than your brothers, an iTune cards or two, and a few dollar bills.  However, the last bag does not have any gift in it.  We are each going to write a letter to Jesus, telling Him what we are giving Him in the coming year.  I am hoping by the end of this month that we, like the Wise men of long ago, bring priceless gifts to the babe in the manger.  Merry Christmas!