Recipe for Love

Make a Smilebox recipe

Sweetest Gift

Outside My Window ...
The neighborhood glows with Christmas lights.

***
I am listening to...
The new christian CD my husband made for me. He is really trying to live his faith.
***
Towards rhythm and beauty ...
We are trying to renew our faith. To immerse ourselves in the feasts and traditions of our rich Catholic faith.
***
I am thankful for ...
My family and friends. My close relationship with my mother. Also, for my new friend Christa. My marriage is going through a renaissance. It is beautiful.
***
From the kitchen ...
We are making Salt dough ornaments and trying to eat at home as much as possible. For dinner we are having homemade vegetable soup.
***
To live the liturgy...
Last week I met with our priest of 14 for (Chris, 20)years. I probably had one of the most honest confessions I ever had in 18 years as a Catholic. It has set me on fire again. I realised there were things in my life I needed to change and get rid of in order to grow spiritually. This advent has been so full of miracles.
***
I am wearing ...
Chris' sweats and an old favorite long sleeve black T-shirt.
***
I am creating ...
A secure, faith filled and loving home for my children.
***
Towards a real education ...
This year marks the second year of my children in a public setting. My emphasis is going to remain on character values and faith. I wish I were homeschooling but I know is is Gods will for now.
***
Bringing beauty to my home ...
Organization. Enough said. I have four kids!
***
I am reading ...
The Love Dare, Mommy Warriors, Medjugorje Day by Day, The Bible, and always to my kids!!!
***
I am hoping ...
To reconnect with some dear friends and make a spirit filled Christmas for my family.
***
Around the house ...
Organization. Enough said. I have four kids!
***
One of my favorite things ...
Christmas with my family. We do three gifts like the Wisemen did for Jesus. My daughter Krystiana's devotion to Jesus, Mary, and the Saints is awe inspiring.
***
A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week:
Last minute shopping, finals, and "nesting."

Priorities

This fall I have been a real glutton for punishment. Rather than airing my dirty laundry, I think the most important thing for me to note is that a lack of priorities has led me to this place. I quit praying the rosary, reading my Bible, going to my prayer group, daily Mass, and sought to educate and work outside my home in order to "better myself." It only took a nervous break down for me to see you can't serve God and the world. Over the years, I have watched friends and family fall prey to the modern mentality of financial security over the traditional family. I have watched over and over as women went outside of the home, even in older years, the family started to disenigrate. It is extremely difficult to differentiate in our materialistic society between wants and needs! My husband and I live in a very priveledged area in order to provide our Autistic daughter with an education we could not otherwise be able to provide. This semester, I decided to go back to school in order to eventually supplement my husbands income. It seems like an admirable goal. But all of the extra time that I should have been spending nurturing myself and my family I was studying. Then, it dawned on me it will never be any better after I start working! I have no idea how we are going to pay our bills but all I know is I am not going back next semester. Right now I am going to spend the Holiday season thanking God for my blessings and using Advent, Christmas, and epiphany to put God first in my life.

Love Dare

My friend Jen came over today...that meant nine children in my house!!!! My poor husband has been cleaning up the aftermath ever since. LOL. She is thinking of doing the book together as a family. She went to see the movie on a Wednesday night and the theatre was packed with youth groups. So amazing. I still haven't read today's dare. So you will have to wait or buy the book yourself!

The Love Dare

It has been a long time since a book has inspired me this much. I recently started reading a forty day devotioal called "The Love Dare." It is a christian devotioal based on a movie (ironically, I haven't seen) called Fireproof. As most of you know, I have an amazing marriage but this book has shown me how much more I should be doing. If anyone would like to join me I am interested in starting a reading group to do this book togrther. Anyone could learn from it. It based on corinthians. I am sending the hyperlink and I will be sending the scripture and dare each day. Get the book http://thelovedarebook.com/
Love,
Tosha

BUSY!

I have been so busy but I am finally getting caught up. Will keep you posted. Loving life this week.