Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas from the Turners! May you and your family have a joyful Christmas Day and a blessed New Year!

I Believe

One of my favorite things to do during the Christmas holidays is to watch Christmas movies. The old ones, the new ones, dvds or on tv. I know they're mostly sappy, chick flicks, but it makes me happy to curl up with a warm blanket, a fire and watch a good story.



This year I noticed a theme in the ones I watched. Almost without exception the main character was told to believe, they had to believe or nothing they wanted would come true. The belief was in something mythical and magical. Of course by the end of each movie, they believed.


As much as these movies are good, they miss the true meaning of Christmas. The baby Jesus came for you and me that we might believe in Him and have a life with Him forever. John 20:31 says these things were written that you might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in His name. (NIV) I believe Jesus came as a baby to Earth, grew to a man, died on a cross and rose again to redeem me, to save me and to live with me forever. And He did it for you too. The question is Do You Believe?

Enjoy Natalie Grant singing a beautiful song about this very thing.

Truffles

Go ahead and call me Martha, or since I'm a southern gal, you can call me Paula Deen!!

These were the best little truffles...and so easy to make. Go here for the recipe. No baking required.

Best compliment--my 10yr old daughter saying "Moma my mouth is still watering. Can I have another one?"

He Loves Us

Last Monday, I gave the devotional for our morning time with the ladies in Puerto Rico. God had really impressed on my heart to talk about how much He loves us. The devotion was based on John 3:16 and we talked about how God gave Jesus for us because He loved us. It wasn't because He was disappointed in us or He didn't like what He saw, but simply because He loved us and wanted a relationship with us. Early in my life I believed that God's love was conditional and He was keeping a list of my mistakes. Thankfully that's not how God works. Romans 8:1 says there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. God is not suprised by my weaknesses or mistakes. He knows and He loves me anyway!

One of my favorite moments during the devotion came toward the end. I was repeating John 3:16 and before the interpreter could start, one lady, Julia, began to say it back to me in Spanish. My heart could barely take it; God's word is universal, all-powerful and all-encompassing. As the week would go on, Julia would be the very image of God's unconditional love to us. She served us, she cared for us, she protected us, she made us laugh, she made us cry. No doubt God will use her and her story to grow His kingdom. I am forever grateful to have been in her presence and to have learned from her example. Thanks Julia for loving me like Jesus.

Puerto Rico

Last week I went to Puerto Rico on my first mission trip. There were 7 of us (perfect number) and we worked at a women's shelter. We arrived late Friday night to a foyer full of women, strangers to me. At first they all seemed to speak Spanish and had lollipops in their mouths! I wondered what they were thinking about us. I wondered what was I doing there; really I wanted to get on the van and go back to the airport. Then it happened-connection.

An older lady sitting on the end of a bench began to talk to the lady sitting next to her. They were looking at me. Then they yelled across the room to another lady and she looked at me. They were smiling and agreeing about something that seemed to be good. Nidia, our leader, translated to me that they thought I looked like Karen, a missionary who had been there before.

I have no idea who Karen is, but I am grateful for her today. Her name and face helped to make a connection when I was most scared, most unsure and most vulnerable on this mission. God knew my feet were ready to bolt and He reached out to me through strangers, to assure me that He loves me and that He called me to this mission.

Over the next few posts, I hope to share how God worked in my life and how He allowed me to work in His kingdom, for His glory.

Family Traditions

Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday and this year was no different. Growing up, my grandparent's home was the place where everyone gathered for bar-b-que on Thanksgiving Eve and turkey dinner on Thanksgiving day. There were sometimes 100 people are more gathered at my grandparents for the weekend and we would have the most fun.

Thanksgiving 2008 was the first one without my grandparents, so I entered into it a little sad and anxious about keeping all the traditions going. The number of people coming around has dwindled, but I must say we still had a great time. Bar-b-que on Wednesday was awesome, turkey dinner was incredible on Thursday and the shopping went on as usual on Friday morning.
(We, the ladies, leave in the dark a.m. and return in the dark p.m.!)

Favorite moment: My husband saying this has become his favorite time of year! I love that he gets that this was my favorite time ever growing up and now it's his too.

Funniest moment: My cousin wondering who puts wire in a size A bra...my other cousin saying to her if you need underwire in size A you've got other issues!! What were they thinking?!?!

Hardest moment: Leaving.