Sister Shoebox Swap

I entered this opportunity through a blog I read and was matched with Molly, a missionary in Peru. We each filled out a questionnaire with some of our favourite things listed and then prepared a box (actually she and I used padded envelopes because of international mailing) of goodies for each other! It was a lot of fun to put her package together!

Here's what I got from Molly... Lemongrass tea, Peruvian coffee made by believers she knows, a black/white Peruvian hat, some chocolate almonds from Peru, and a purple scarf similar to what they wear in Peru.







So much fun... and now I have a new friend!

It's Christmas!

I love the ambience of Christmas. My daughter Kali and I decorated the tree last week. The ornament theme is Victorian and music.









Tea with God


This morning I had my quiet time with God with a cup of tea in one of my favourite Christmas mugs and crackers, cheese, and salami on a favourite Christmas plate.

"And the joy we share and we tarry there, none other has ever known!" (...Not merely because of the Christmas dishes and snack!)

A quote I read today: "I have suffered much... from troubles that never came." I was reminded again that there is a rest for the people of God (Hebrews 4:9-10). Are you worried today? Decide now to leave your worries in His hands. Tell Him that you are doing so right now. Enter into His rest. Dr. Lee Roberson said, "Contentment is thought without worry; care without anxiety; rest without apathy."



Repurposing Idea

I have a little Victorian heart-shaped box into which I have placed slips of paper. I take out this box every year, and it sits on my coffee table.



The slips of paper are little reminders of ways you can focus on others during the Christmas season. Things like "Bake some cookies for someone else and deliver them today." Or "Do a job (big or small) for someone else." Do you have a special box or pretty gift sack that you could use for this purpose?



Gift Craft

Today I packaged up my Swiss Mocha Mix gifts. I had made up a batch of the mix last week, and purchased small craft Ziploc bags from the dollar store (about 24 for $1). Today I made up the instructions tags on the computer, printed them out on coloured paper, cut them out with craft scissors, and voila! Swiss Mocha Mix packets that make two cups each! I will put these into Christmas cards as a small token of love.







Later I enjoyed a mug of my own Swiss Mocha. Mmmm!

Thank you for sharing my joy! Comment and let me know how you're enjoying the Christmas season!

*If you're interested in the Swiss Mocha Mix recipe, click here.

Another Christmas Gift Idea

Here's a neat Christmas gift idea:
Beverage Mixes

I'm going to make up some of these mixes, put them in jars, print out tags with preparation instructions and tie them on with a ribbon. Easy, fun, inexpensive gift.