These simple yet elegant Christmas ornaments were a hit with my children's teachers and church youth leaders. They are inexpensive to make and were personalized with the first letter of their last names.
Listed below is my list of supplies I purchased from Michaels.
Remove the silver cap from the ornament.
Cut about 12 inches of garland and gently stuff into ornmant
You will need to gently fold the leaves and insert into ornament.
Place the first letter of your recipients last name on the front of the ornament in the center of the flower and Viola!!!
This
is year two since my little sister passed away and it seems to be harder than
the first. By now, Toshia would have already called me and everyone else a
million times to make sure that we all knew what to bring for Christmas dinner.
She would have told me that I better not cook those nasty fried collard greens
that I brought three Christmas' ago (they
were horrible). She would have already proclaimed herself to be the winner
of this year’s cooking contest (she
thought that she was Paul Deen) AND with she would had said "Gul, you
know I'm bringing my (with a scruff in
her voice) "negro piiiiesss." She was famous for her Butterfinger
and Oreo ice cream pies. Don't ask me why she called them that. The child was
crazy..lol. She was the heartbeat behind our laughter. As a family, we’ve have
to readjust and learn how to enjoy Christmas without Toshia but with her
memory.
Wednesday
of this week was especially hard for me. I found myself getting angry. I didn't
want to be around people. I just wanted my Toshia. I was tired of trying to
keep busy so that I couldn't feel. I went the whole day without crying but that
night I couldn’t hold back anymore. I thank God for my husband and children. My
daughters cooked dinner. My husband rented a movie and before I knew it, we
were all eating and laughing together. I look at my family and friends and God
reminds me that I have a lot of living to do. I have memories to make, a ministry
to fulfill and a calling to walk in.
It's
not fair to our families when we stop, drop and quit. As a matter of fact, it's
selfish on our part. I encourage those of you who mourn to keep moving through
the hurt. Yes, you will have your good days and your not so good days but God
has your back and so does your loved ones who are here with you.
There
are so many things you can do to defeat the Holiday Blues. First, pray and
trust in God's strength. Secondly, you could make or buy a Christmas ornament
to hang in your loved one's memory. Last year, I gave my mom and dad a memory
candle to light during special occasions. We launch balloons into the heavens
on her and her children's birthday. We place a Christmas wreath on her grave
and flowers on Mother's Day. You can make a donation in memory of your loved
one to a church or organization. You could send a card of encouragement to
another grieving family who might be struggling this holiday season. You could
also bless them with a Christmas centerpiece to let them know that you are
thinking of them or invite them to dinner. Get creative and let God be your
guide. We are all to be helpers one to another in this walk of faith.
Just
remember, you are not alone. Grief is a process that has no time limit. It's
different for each person but I've learned it's all about reconditioning your
mind. I don't think you ever get over losing someone; you learn how to live through
it. As much as I would love to have my sister back here on earth, if I had the
choice I wouldn't dare ask God for that. Latoshia is now living in total peace
free from the pains and disappointments of this world. I know that she would
want us to be happy, take care of her children and live life sold out to Christ
knowing that we will see each other again. It’s okay to remember but let us not
forget, we live for God and not for man even when our loved ones pass on, we
must continue to live.
A few weeks ago, Jamie Foxx caused quite a stir when acknowledged President Obama as God, our Lord and Savior.
Various churches, religious organizations and Christian bloggers
immediately voiced their disdain at Jamie's comment. Some of the comments that
followed included rebuke from Foxx's supporters citing "Christians were
too religious and didn't know how to take a joke."
It's amazing how people are so quick to defend man but show so
little reverence to God. The people who supported Foxx's actions only exposed
their ignorance and lack of respect for the word of God. Even as a joke,
calling someone else God, your Savior or your idol insinuates an attempt to
support the Antichrist’s agenda; to try and steal God's identity.
In the United States, identity theft is no laughing matter. It can
cause significant financial, mental and physical ruin. There are agencies who now
offer additional protection from identity theft. When asked about the backlash
regarding his comment Foxx replied "I'm a comic,” [and] sometimes
I think people get a little too tight. And, it's getting a little tougher for
us comedians [because] some people take it and want to make a huge story out of
it, but it's a joke."
Really Jamie?
I couldn't help but wonder how Foxx and his supporters would
feel if another person tried to steal their identity. How would he feel if
someone else took credit for the work he's done as a comedian, singer and
actor. What if I took over his bank account, claiming his money to be mine?
Everyone knows that an actor's name alone in Hollywood is money in the bank.
What if I just took his name? That wouldn't go over so well now would it?
I would be arrested, face charges, serve time and be ordered to pay
restitution. On earth and in most states, identity theft constitutes a
third-degree felony for a first offense. In Heaven, claiming to be God or
acknowledging someone else as God, without repentance, is an eternal sentence to
Hell. At this point all Jamie would have to do is repent. There would be no
need to serve time or pay restitution.
You can't steal God's identity. He's untouchable. Still, there are some things
you just don't say (joking or not). This is my response to those of you who
think we (believers in Christ) are being tight, overly, religious people who no
sense of humor...”
Disrespecting our Lord
and Savior is a no no. We will fight for the Kingdom of God and you will NOT
disrespect our Heavenly Father. Don’t start none won't be none."
Who is a liar
but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist, that denieth the
Father and the Son.
1 John 4:3 And every spirit that confesseth not
that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of
antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is
it in the world.
2 John 1:7 For many
deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come
in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist.
