Posts tagged ‘celebrations’

O Holy Night

By Monica Brand, 24 December, 2009, No Comment

Merry Christmas, friends. May you enjoy a blessed holiday as you remember why He became God in flesh.

Oh Holy Night (Full Version) – Click here for the most popular videos

The Easter Bunny exposed!

By Monica Brand, 11 April, 2009, No Comment

I couldn’t resist this one, shocking!

Lent: Week Two

By Monica Brand, 4 March, 2009, 4 Comments

Here it is the second week of Lent and I sense I’m doing it wrong. The guide I downloaded from Christine Sine’s Godspace blog keeps mentioning joint activities and discussions to do together as a group. I have no group. Admitting to that is hard and saddening.

I am a social person by nature. I enjoy parties, get-togethers, time to gather just to talk. It’s obvious to me that’s the way I was created. It’s disheartening to go this alone here physically. As for the sacrifice part of Lent, I’m fine (I’m still off Twitter and Facebook. Every so often, I miss those voices, but I haven’t given in to rejoin that constant chatter. I wonder how many others are using Lent as a time to block out social media?)

Driving in the car the other day, I mentioned to my husband I’d given up Facebook and Twitter until after Easter Sunday, specifically because of Lent . He was surprised. And I was surprised he was surprised. That’s when I felt the most disconnected; sad it’s just me.

But Lent is not a task to force on someone. In my husband’s defense, I didn’t ask him to participate with me, he being the logical one in my life to form a group, even if it’s just us. My kids are still too young and goofy – emphasis on the goofy – to fully understand what it means to sacrifice, examine, repent and pursue Jesus for 40 days.

My Lent will not be their Lent. I won’t force them to do the group activities, yet I long for the day when we can discuss these things together. (I wish I had thought to find another young family to connect with; maybe we could’ve done the lessons together, made it fun, and enjoyable. An idea for next year perhaps…)

I remember in college attending IVCF, loving small group, getting together to talk and share. Pray for each other. Discuss Scripture. Such good times! When our church was small, before we built the building we use now, we met in each others homes for Bible study Wednesday nights. I remember when our turn came to host, the excitement I felt. Everyone coming our little house for study and coffee! Now Wednesdays are in the building, but honestly I miss going into private homes.

I suspect that’s the setting Mrs. Sine imagined when she wrote of the group activities, like nailing sins to a wooden cross to visualize letting them go forever.

This week’s theme in A Journey into Wholeness is regarding hunger and poverty, but I’m learning something else instead: what my heart craves. A small group of intimate friends who gather in my living room for fellowship, Bible study – and dare I say – laughter? Oh, to have such a wonderful circle of friends!

The PHAT mommy surprised

By Monica Brand, 16 February, 2009, 9 Comments

Don’t you love a good surprise? I do. I especially love it when the one being surprised is overwhelmed with tears of joy.

When was the last time you where surprised?

New Jersey Moms Blog launch party

We interrupt this blog for a special shout-out

Happy New Year

By Monica Brand, 1 January, 2009, 8 Comments

I know. Fabulous blog post title, eh? I’m so original.

First, before I wish you a Happy New Year, etc., etc., I simply must give you an update on Kitchen Construction (Day 14). Because I know you’ve been dying, literally lying awake at night wondering, how’s it going? Is it near completion? And are they sick of take out Chinese food and pizza?

Answers: It’s going well. Doc is a work horse. It’s a bit of a job, so much more to do. Poor Doc. And yes, we grown-ups (translation: those that care) are tired of the take-out. Never did I think I would live to see the day. Me, tired of Bo Bo Kitchen’s Hunan Triple Delight.

But I am. And it’s all worth it. Here’s the latest picture.

As for last night, this was the first year we stayed up together to welcome the New Year. We all made it, minus one. Lucy went until past 10 p.m. then crashed, snuggled up in her toddler bed. I think this is the last year we’ll have a toddler bed in the house. She’s outgrowing it fast.

History has proved me a lousy late night party girl, except last night, when Susan asked me if I was going to stay up with her to see the new year come in. How could I say no? Her excitement of staying up hours past bedtime, with a party atmosphere complete with chocolates, salty chips and sugary drinks was infectious.

Almost didn’t make it. I did Movie Time (Prince Caspian), with popcorn and mozzarella sticks, washed up the dished in the utility sink and declared to everyone I was thinking of going to bed, but when I got under the covers, at the last minute I picked up a novel from the bedside. I read several chapters when the noise outside the window started. Fireworks. I made it into the New Year, wide awake, with Jem and Scout to distract me from sleep.

When I ran out to the living room, to see if everyone else had heard the fireworks, I found Doc and the boys playing Risk (Lord of the Rings version) and Susan on the computer. I went into the kitchen to see if I could see the last of the fireworks, forgetting the room is without windows at the moment.

How did you celebrate the New Year?