It's The Most Stressful Time of the Year

We've done nothing in the past several weekends but work on and spruce up the house - painting, unpacking, shopping, re-arranging furniture, have the pipes worked on, installing garbage disposal, changing lightbulbs, wall sockets, etc. The list is endless. I have never been to Home Depot as much as I have in the past month! Adding to the frantic pace was the knowledge that the holiday season was upon us and we were NOT ready. Moving and settling into a home is already stressful, not to mention having to prepare for Christmas and New Year at the same time.

Somehow, in all the craziness, we drove out early morning last Sunday and got ourselves a fresh tree. We took the time from our home improvement schedule to put it up and hang trimmings. Fortunately, we had stashed safely, our discounted Christmas decors from Crate and Barrel, after we raided the store last year during the day-after-Christmas sale. Little did we know that by the time we used them, it would no longer be in our apartment but our own home.

It was a nice time to slow down and start savoring the holiday season that seemed to pass unnoticed, by us. The smell of pine and the carols playing helped us remember what time of the year it is. For every trimming we hung, our hearts brimmed with thanks at the amazing blessings that God granted us this year.

May we never forget to appreciate the Giver of all the kinds of gifts that we have received.

Have a Joyful and Peaceful Christmas, everyone!