To End the Year

To end this year I decided against a post. Instead, I am sharing 10 videos that I have come to love during the 2016 year. Each one tells a story and each one is unique. I hope you enjoy the music. 

The 2016 Top 10 Songs

 1: Lauren Daigle - Come Alive (Dry Bones)

2: The Afters - Live on Forever

3: Unspoken - Open the Clouds

4: Ryan Stevenson - Eye of the Storm

5: Skillet - Stars

6: Switchfoot - Live It Well

7: Need to Breathe - Happiness

8: Hawk Nelson - Diamonds

9: Capital Kings - Believer

10: For King & Country- Shoulders

 

Christmastime in Iowa

The snow has fallen. Wind chills have dipped to negative temperatures. And we still vacant our domiciles and venture into the shopping world. That is life in Iowa. A little snow (about a foot or more) won't hinder us a bit, maybe delay us, slow us down, but not hinder.

I think it is different for true Iowans rather than transplants; but we hang in there with the best of them (although sometimes we seem to be more layered clothing-wise than they).

Yesterday we spent a little time at the mall shopping for each other. With not a lot of money, wise choices had to be made. For some reason my husband thinks shopping for me is hard. That I don't understand. I appreciate any gift given. From rocks to books, from house shoes to a scarf, and anywhere in between. I like sparkles, the color white, psychedelic patterns and colors, books, music, little blankets or pillows, snowglobes/waterglobes/globes, and even maps. In other words, to me a gift from the heart is more priceless than the greatest ruby. 

I found a few things for my husband today, too. Hit a deal that scored a freebie item, one that was severely discounted, and another by using some rewards points that I had garnered.  Found exactly what I wanted to give to my son.

But Christmas isn't about presents under the tree. That is just a perk of the holiday. The ultimate present is Jesus. Born to die for us and to be set as King of all nations.
 
I love this holiday. The lights, the snow and weather, the tree, the warm cocoa, the music and art, but most of all, the love that this holiday has the ability to show.

As the year closes, and as I read my one book that I always love to read at this time of year, I can reflect that through the grace of Christ, born unto us as our Saviour, this year was a pretty good year.

Give the Gift of Books

Christmas has always been a wonderful time to me. I love the lights, the decorations, the music, and most of all the love. Even though it seems that each year the Christmas seems to become more commercialize, I have seen a resurgence of the true meaning of Christmas. 

When it comes to gifts, a lot of gifts are not needed nor should it be practiced. Instead, think of the wise men and how their three gifts were precious in the sight of God.

To help with choosing a few gifts, I am listing a few books that I have found that would be enjoyed. Click the link to connect with the author via social media. And help support an author this Christmas and buy one of the books. 

Romance:

Summer's Flame by Wendy Davy

Surrender to Peace by Rose Allen McCauley

Caged Dove by Andrea Rodgers

Tapestry of Trust by Mary Annslee Urban

From Dishes to Snow by Kathy M. Howard

Contemporary (some with a romance thread)

Flabbergasted by Ray Blackston

Mississippi Nights by D.M. Webb

Fixing Perfect by Therese M. Travis

The 17 by Clint Kelly

Futuristic/Speculative/YA/Supernatural

Wake the Dead by Victoria Buck

Vanquished by Katie Clark

The Watchman by V.B. Tenery

Historical/Historical Romance

The Madonna of Pisano by MaryAnn Diorio

Mail Order Surprise by Lucy Thompson

Lightning on a Quiet Night by Donn Taylor

These are just a few books selected from the reviews from Rebel Book Reviews. I hope you would choose at least one, if not more, for those special Christmas presents.