Exactly what I needed to read this morning. Thank you so much Holly. My miracle this year is my husband is in remission! After four rounds of chemotherapy, we are so grateful his cancer cells are at ZERO!
🙌🏻 That is so awesome, Julie! Im celebrating this miracle with you and praying for many more years for y’all to continue remembering this miracle. Merry Christmas!❤️
Oh that is wonderful! My dad has aggressive brain cancer atm and I can only imagine what an enormous relief that would be. Congrats to you and your husband!
Thank you Medha, It brings great relief. We can now focus on his recovery though it may be long. I'm sad to hear about your dad. I know how much cancer effects everyone and everything. My prayers and thoughts are with you.
I think I heard this from Nick Vujicic- if you can’t get a miracle, be a miracle to someone else. I thought of it when I saw your miracle ornament! Thank you for the reminder. 💕Merry Christmas Holly!
🙌🏻Love that! I haven’t watched one of his videos in a while--maybe I’ll add that to my watch list. Merry Christmas, Stella! (I hung my new coffee print last week and have been enjoying it each time I pour coffee!)
Like most people, I tend to throw the word miracle around a lot. I mean, is it really a "miracle" when my car starts in subzero temps? Was it miraculous that I found a record I'd spent years looking for a my local record store? Maybe. And for the car, probably.
But actual miracles happen, and in my case, they never take the form I think they might. For me, they usually involve connection of some sort. About a month ago, I was at work, and we were watching Ghana & South Korea play in the World Cup.
The game itself was relatively exciting, but the best part was this: One of my newest coworkers is a Ghanaian national. Someone that works with one of our vendors is West African, and he sat in with us as well. A couple of others were rooting for S. Korea. And a few of us just like soccer, and will watch any game at any time.
So there we were. In a cinder block break room in the middle of the upper Midwest on a Monday Morning watching a game. As we watched I couldn't help but think how cool it was that all of us-from all corners of the globe- were right here, right now. Together. A lot of things in the universe have to align for that to occur. That it did is nothing short of miraculous.
Oh Holly, what a tough time - but miracles can and do find their way. Sending strength and peace for a beautiful Christmas. I love that you’ve made the best of everything!
Such gorgeous pictures, and lovely to hear of your wonderful family coming together. A beautiful read - thank you!
Thank you so much for the mention, and for linking to my post! Let’s all win at ‘whelm’!
I'm so sorry for all of that stress you had to endure. I know it isn't necessarily all about the holidays, but a couple of things this week reminded me why I'm so happy to have exited American Christmas. I asked a friend how they were enduring the weather and they mentioned how stressed they were that Amazon might not be able to deliver all of their Christmas presents in time. And then I read another article about how frenzied the past couple of days have been for shoppers in the US trying to buy everything they "need."
And I recalled how I used to get exactly that stressed trying to meet all of the expectations society places on us and that we go along with.
But I'm very glad you found a miracle within your stresses and it sounds like a bit of a better place. Happy holidays to all of you!
I agree wholeheartedly, Michael--“American Christmas” is just insane! For me, I seem to get in a frenzy anytime my kids are coming to visit. I want everything to be beautiful and comfortable and welcoming--I want them to *want* to come home. And then I have to remind myself that they aren’t coming to visit because every speck of dirt is off the floor or because the fridge is full (though it helps!). They are coming to spend time together with us and each other.
Society certainly has placed some very high expectations on us, but I definitely try not to go with *that* flow! I live in a 85-year-old home that will never be magazine-worthy. I drive an 8-year-old car (and Mike’s is 13 years old!). I probably don’t have enough in my 401K because I’m constantly doing for others. Some years I buy gifts--others I don’t. I can buck society’s trends.
My enemy is often my *own* expectations, and I’ve had many decades to understand where those come from. I still have to intentionally bury them on the regular! And when I don’t slow down for reflection, those expectations run me over like a runaway train.
So glad you’ve found your peaceful place(s) away from American culture. So much here I dislike, for sure, and the madness of shopping centers and “gotta-have-it” attitudes at Christmas rank high on that list. I hope you and Brent have a beautiful day!
Of course you want your kids to have an amazing time. That's 100% natural. It just sucks how American corporations manage to manipulate that. And for what it's worth, I've found my peaceful place away from American Christmas, but I fear my work ethic and expectations of myself are all too often not in balance...
I remember feeling that way and just losing it and not understanding why - my miracle is that slowly but surely I’m getting to know what really makes me tick through therapy and it’s been life changing.
Perfectly wonderful expression of hope and grace as I end my day. Thank you, Holly, you bless your readers (me) with a genuineness and point us in the right directions.
Thank you for being here, John. There’s so much to read out there, and I appreciate your taking the time to read my musings. And I’m really glad these ramblings bless you. Have a beautiful Christmas Day!
“Life’s interruptions are often moments of the greatest lessons.”
I was just reading about this in another newsletter this week…wish I could remember where! But the gist of the post was that the things we consider annoying or or see as clutter are actually signs of life and an integral part of being alive.
Thank you for sharing the little ways the Lord has worked in your moments of overwhelm. Embracing those interruptions, cancellations, and unexpected schedule changes is something I would like to learn. I can often be too regimented for my own good and miss the small miracles of life happening as it unfolds. 💕
As you already know and now the whole world will know, I finally landed a job. Although it was not the kind of job I expected, working at a fast food restaurant, it is paying some of the bills. That is what I needed and that is the miracle I finally achieved. Now if only I could get another miracle to pay for the rest of the bills and to be able to pay for better groceries.
On your Walmart grocery debacle, I've read many reviews of people who have problems with that. I have never used it and don't plan to use it. I can see how you could lose it over that though. Having so many people coming and then not having what you needed would drive anyone "nuts".
Amen. It’s so important to share stories of what God is doing in our lives. He doesn’t do things only for our benefit: We are blessed so that we can bless and comfort others!
Exactly what I needed to read this morning. Thank you so much Holly. My miracle this year is my husband is in remission! After four rounds of chemotherapy, we are so grateful his cancer cells are at ZERO!
Merry Christmas to you and yours.
🙌🏻 That is so awesome, Julie! Im celebrating this miracle with you and praying for many more years for y’all to continue remembering this miracle. Merry Christmas!❤️
Thank you so much Holly!
Oh that is wonderful! My dad has aggressive brain cancer atm and I can only imagine what an enormous relief that would be. Congrats to you and your husband!
Thank you Medha, It brings great relief. We can now focus on his recovery though it may be long. I'm sad to hear about your dad. I know how much cancer effects everyone and everything. My prayers and thoughts are with you.
I think I heard this from Nick Vujicic- if you can’t get a miracle, be a miracle to someone else. I thought of it when I saw your miracle ornament! Thank you for the reminder. 💕Merry Christmas Holly!
🙌🏻Love that! I haven’t watched one of his videos in a while--maybe I’ll add that to my watch list. Merry Christmas, Stella! (I hung my new coffee print last week and have been enjoying it each time I pour coffee!)
Wonderful! Would you kindly share a picture of the framed print? I’d love to see it.
Like most people, I tend to throw the word miracle around a lot. I mean, is it really a "miracle" when my car starts in subzero temps? Was it miraculous that I found a record I'd spent years looking for a my local record store? Maybe. And for the car, probably.
But actual miracles happen, and in my case, they never take the form I think they might. For me, they usually involve connection of some sort. About a month ago, I was at work, and we were watching Ghana & South Korea play in the World Cup.
The game itself was relatively exciting, but the best part was this: One of my newest coworkers is a Ghanaian national. Someone that works with one of our vendors is West African, and he sat in with us as well. A couple of others were rooting for S. Korea. And a few of us just like soccer, and will watch any game at any time.
So there we were. In a cinder block break room in the middle of the upper Midwest on a Monday Morning watching a game. As we watched I couldn't help but think how cool it was that all of us-from all corners of the globe- were right here, right now. Together. A lot of things in the universe have to align for that to occur. That it did is nothing short of miraculous.
Beautiful, Kevin, and definitely miraculous! Merry Christmas!
Merry Christmas Holly! 🎄
There is a quote attributed to Einstein that I really love.
'There are only two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle'.
It might not be strictly true but still, I vote for everything!
Oh Holly, what a tough time - but miracles can and do find their way. Sending strength and peace for a beautiful Christmas. I love that you’ve made the best of everything!
Such gorgeous pictures, and lovely to hear of your wonderful family coming together. A beautiful read - thank you!
Thank you so much for the mention, and for linking to my post! Let’s all win at ‘whelm’!
🎄
Yesterday I totally won at ‘whelm,’ and I’m aiming for it again today. Merry Christmas!
Hurrah! 🥳
I'm so sorry for all of that stress you had to endure. I know it isn't necessarily all about the holidays, but a couple of things this week reminded me why I'm so happy to have exited American Christmas. I asked a friend how they were enduring the weather and they mentioned how stressed they were that Amazon might not be able to deliver all of their Christmas presents in time. And then I read another article about how frenzied the past couple of days have been for shoppers in the US trying to buy everything they "need."
And I recalled how I used to get exactly that stressed trying to meet all of the expectations society places on us and that we go along with.
But I'm very glad you found a miracle within your stresses and it sounds like a bit of a better place. Happy holidays to all of you!
I agree wholeheartedly, Michael--“American Christmas” is just insane! For me, I seem to get in a frenzy anytime my kids are coming to visit. I want everything to be beautiful and comfortable and welcoming--I want them to *want* to come home. And then I have to remind myself that they aren’t coming to visit because every speck of dirt is off the floor or because the fridge is full (though it helps!). They are coming to spend time together with us and each other.
Society certainly has placed some very high expectations on us, but I definitely try not to go with *that* flow! I live in a 85-year-old home that will never be magazine-worthy. I drive an 8-year-old car (and Mike’s is 13 years old!). I probably don’t have enough in my 401K because I’m constantly doing for others. Some years I buy gifts--others I don’t. I can buck society’s trends.
My enemy is often my *own* expectations, and I’ve had many decades to understand where those come from. I still have to intentionally bury them on the regular! And when I don’t slow down for reflection, those expectations run me over like a runaway train.
So glad you’ve found your peaceful place(s) away from American culture. So much here I dislike, for sure, and the madness of shopping centers and “gotta-have-it” attitudes at Christmas rank high on that list. I hope you and Brent have a beautiful day!
Of course you want your kids to have an amazing time. That's 100% natural. It just sucks how American corporations manage to manipulate that. And for what it's worth, I've found my peaceful place away from American Christmas, but I fear my work ethic and expectations of myself are all too often not in balance...
I remember feeling that way and just losing it and not understanding why - my miracle is that slowly but surely I’m getting to know what really makes me tick through therapy and it’s been life changing.
Merry Christmas to you and yours. 🎄❤️
Such value in therapy and learning to reframe our thoughts! Merry Christmas!
A beautifully crafted piece. I came across you in office hours, and am so glad that I did.
You made me feel something, which is one of my definitions of great writing.
Thank you, Medha. I’m so glad you found your way here!
There will be miracles. There is your four-word bridge between Christmas and Hannukah.
❤️
Perfectly wonderful expression of hope and grace as I end my day. Thank you, Holly, you bless your readers (me) with a genuineness and point us in the right directions.
Thank you for being here, John. There’s so much to read out there, and I appreciate your taking the time to read my musings. And I’m really glad these ramblings bless you. Have a beautiful Christmas Day!
“Life’s interruptions are often moments of the greatest lessons.”
I was just reading about this in another newsletter this week…wish I could remember where! But the gist of the post was that the things we consider annoying or or see as clutter are actually signs of life and an integral part of being alive.
Thank you for sharing the little ways the Lord has worked in your moments of overwhelm. Embracing those interruptions, cancellations, and unexpected schedule changes is something I would like to learn. I can often be too regimented for my own good and miss the small miracles of life happening as it unfolds. 💕
As you already know and now the whole world will know, I finally landed a job. Although it was not the kind of job I expected, working at a fast food restaurant, it is paying some of the bills. That is what I needed and that is the miracle I finally achieved. Now if only I could get another miracle to pay for the rest of the bills and to be able to pay for better groceries.
On your Walmart grocery debacle, I've read many reviews of people who have problems with that. I have never used it and don't plan to use it. I can see how you could lose it over that though. Having so many people coming and then not having what you needed would drive anyone "nuts".
Nice photos. Thanks for sharing them.
Amen. It’s so important to share stories of what God is doing in our lives. He doesn’t do things only for our benefit: We are blessed so that we can bless and comfort others!
Praying you get your miracle!