On the Second Day of the Nativity

by ObtainingMercy, posted in 12 Days of the Nativity, A Door of Hope

 

God provided a manger, when the world had no room.

Antiquednativity

A manger is a feeding trough, where they put the hay, straw and vegetables for the animals to eat.

We have no idea if Joseph and Mary found the manger in a stable, a barn, a cave or in a lean-to behind some busy inn.

We only know that when the baby Jesus was born, there was a soft place to lay Him.

How precious the old Psalms must have been to Mary and Joseph, as they
lived out this tremendous story of absolute faith in God.  I can imagine
them whispering these verses of comfort to one another, as they huddled together
awaiting the birth of the Christchild.

Psalm 119: 49-52 – Remember the word unto thy servant, upon which thou hast caused me to hope.
 This is my comfort in my affliction: for thy word hath quickened me.
 The proud have had me greatly in derision: yet have I not declined from thy law.
I remembered thy judgments of old, O LORD; and have comforted myself.

In the midst of our difficult circumstances, when we are in pain and
without a friend to provide comfort, when we do not know how to provide
our family's most basic comforts, we can rest in the truth that God
takes care of His own.

God will meet every need as you travel through this life, walking in obedience to His commands.

There will be a soft place to rest, even in the midst of your trial.

 

On the First Day of the Nativity

by ObtainingMercy, posted in 12 Days of the Nativity, A Door of Hope

 

God provided safe passage when Satan would have stopped their journey.

Olivewoodnativity2

Our safety – both physical and spiritual – is from the Lord.  When we walk in obedience to His direction, as Joseph and Mary did when they set out on their journey, we are promised the safety of the Lord.  Neither the distance traveled, the difficult circumstances, nor the uncomfortable conveyance can thwart our reaching our promised destination.

Leviticus
25:18 "Wherefore ye shall do my statutes, and keep my judgments, and do
them; and ye shall dwell in the land in safety."

Psalm 4:8 "I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep: for thou, LORD, only makest me dwell in safety."

You can safely leave your travel details to the Divine Travel Agent…not even the tiniest detail of your trip will escape His notice.

May today's journey be but a short trip in your lifetime of walking with the One who knows the end from the beginning.

Do not walk in fear, my friend. God will not desert you on your journey, but will lead you faithfully each step of the way. 

A Day to Celebrate!

by ObtainingMercy, posted in Holiday, How Great is Our God, Just My Thoughts, What's Happening

 

Happy Birthday to the world's greatest Mama!!!



Mama

 

Thank you for loving me.

Thank you for teaching me about Jesus.

Thank you for giving me home full of love and peace and fun.

Thank you for being YOU.

I love you,

Alesha

A Season of Thanksgiving – Day 30

by ObtainingMercy, posted in A Door of Hope, A Season of Thanksgiving

 

Today, on this 30th and final day of our Season of Thanksgiving, I am thankful for my dog.

Kepler has been good for our family, from the moment she arrived.

Earlykep

She was cute and tiny and cuddly and sweet-natured.

Kepharness

She and Isaac were buddies right from the start.

Kepandike

Her energy inspired us and entertained us.

Happygirl2

Even during her awkward adolescent days, she was well behaved and a joy to have in our home.

Adolescentkep

She adored Newton and learned everything she knows from him.  He was definitely the alpha dog in our house. 

Newtkep

Now that he is gone, she does not try to fill his role.  She's remained balanced and gentle.

Adorapup

She is, however, a fierce sentinel, just as Newton taught her to be.

Kepsentinel

She is a real joy to me, and often lifts my spirits and her face always makes me smile.

Kepchristmas

Do you have a pet that has been a real blessing to you?  If so, I'd love to hear about them in the comments.  Wasn't the Lord so kind to think up animals for us? 🙂

Thank you so much for joining me on this month-long journey into Thankfulness.  I have enjoyed taking the time to think on and give thanks for the things God has blessed my life with. 

I hope that you were able to take some time this past month to do the same; and I pray that along with your spirit of gratitude, you sensed a peacefulness settle over your heart as you recognized the incredible goodness of God in your life.

And now, I am looking forward to celebrating the Christmas season with you!

Merry Christmas,

Alesha

The 12 Days of Nativity

by ObtainingMercy, posted in Just My Thoughts

I mentioned in an earlier blog that I always put my Nativity scenes out first, when I begin decorating for Christmas.  I have several different sets, and so I thought you might like to see them.

I have everything from intricately painted bisque sets to dollar store trinkets, nativities from Israel made of olive wood and one painted on a sand dollar.  There is a set made from simple wooden pieces and one collected piece by piece, due to their expensive price.

I love them and treasure them all.

Nativity2
Antiquednativity
Bellnativity
Olivewoodnativity
Bluenativity
Ivorynativity
Pastelnativity
PmnativitystarSanddollarnativity
Snowglobenativity
Woodennativity
Preciousmoments

It's funny I just realized that I have one for each of the 12 days of Christmas!

A nice even dozen.

🙂

I hope you enjoyed seeing these Nativity sets.  May you find your own decorative reminder of the Reason for the season – the birth of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ.

Blessings,

Alesha

A Season of Thanksgiving – Day 28 and 29

by ObtainingMercy, posted in A Door of Hope, A Season of Thanksgiving

Day #28 – Yesterday, we were extremely thankful for the many medical experts that we deal with, day in and day out, throughout the entire year.  We have come to know many nice, knowledgeable folks who work very hard with us to keep Isaac happy and healthy.

I am especially thankful for the precious therapists and workers at Ability Plus Therapy in Melbourne, Florida.  They work with Isaac for 3 hours every week, keeping him as limber as possible, helping him overcome his sensory issues and encouraging him to communicate with folks around him.  They are always a real blessing to us!

Day #29 – Today I am thankful for technology.  I know…there are days when it seems to take over our lives, doesn't it?  And we have to be careful to not allow it to take the place of activities that are so much more important. 

However, the proper use of technology makes my life so much easier.  I can complete projects in my home that, years ago, would have been done in a print shop.  I can keep in touch on a daily basis with my friends all around the world.  I can choose what movies I watch, rather than only being able to see what is offered on the networks.  I can look up cool, interesting information that would have needed an up-to-date set of encyclopedias back when I was a kid and never had an up-to-date set at my disposal!

OH, and I am very thankful for my Kindle.  How did I almost forget that???  I love it and think it was a brilliant invention!  By the way, there are some really great devotional books available for the Kindle.  I have enjoyed several of those, along with the other freebies I am constantly snapping up.  It will take me a year to read them all, even if I stop adding them today! LOL!

If you had to name your FAVORITE piece of technology, what would it be???

I especially liked the thermometer they used for Isaac at the hospital yesterday.  They just waved it over his forehead and down the side of his face.  How great is that?!!!

I'll see you back here tomorrow.

Alesha

Isaac Surgery Update

by ObtainingMercy, posted in Isaac Update

Isaac's oral surgery went very well. 

The dentist had to remove 3 teeth, but that is pretty much what we were expecting.  He also did a thorough deep cleaning to remove the calculus that had formed on his teeth.  His gums were quite inflammed and will be very sore for about 48 hours.

Thanks to your prayers, there were no complications at all with his breathing during surgery, and he experienced no seizures. He recovered fairly quickly and we are already home. 🙂

"Thank You!" seems very inadequate to express our gratitude for your prayers for Isaac.  Please accept our appreciation for your intercession for him.

God bless,

Alesha