_ This past December, I ventured out with my family to celebrate my mom's birthday. A very special birthday. Why? Because my mom's birthday IS a week before Christmas, she has never really celebrated it. Sure, some of us kids send her gifts or cards and when my dad was alive he would take her out to dinner but not a real celebration. Every year my mom was up to her eyeballs with Christmas details. Between wrapping gifts, last minute decorations and the zillions of cookies she was making, her birthday was quickly swallowed up. But this year was different.

This year, we did not have a tree or decorate due to moving. As a result I knew she would have time to do something special. My mom had wanted to go to "Mike's Tree Farm" and ride the hayride and visit the gift shop (2 hours away) but I deterred her from going as a ploy to distract. What joy I had  to surprise her with my younger brother and family meeting us a restaurant 2 hours away, bringing gifts and a special cake created by my niece Keely. We then traveled another hour and went to Mike's Tree Farm where we waiting in line about 2 hours (in the freezing cold) to ride a 20 minute hayride. We all had a blast being with each other.

On the way home, I will never forget what my mom said, Flossie (my nick-name), this is the best birthday I have ever had. Wow, this was the best birthday? It was fun but seemed low-keyed as in comparison to what I like for my birthday's. Then it dawned on me. In comparison to no birthday celebrations or rushed ones, this one was fabulous for her.

This reminded me of the Lord as well. Born in a manger, simple, no big thrills, surrounded by the ones that were supposed to be there, surrounded by those that loved Him. Some of our Christmas celebrations have quickly turned into huge bashes with lots of lights, gifts, food and noise. But my mom's birthday reminded me that simple is sometimes better. Don't let the Christmas rush distract you from what really matters this year.

Merry Christmas to each of you. I am so thankful and blessed to have you on my prayer team. Kris
Luke 2: 13-14
Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”
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Orange You Glad 02/05/2011
 
OK, so it seems I have started a pattern with food, but seriously, this is what God gave me this week. I was watching another Walton's episode on my laptop when Grandpa Walton was talking to Elizabeth (the youngest Walton) about being poor and rich.  It had recently come up as subject in her family. Grandpa shared with Elizabeth of how when he was very young he had the best Christmas of his whole life. That he got something that year he had only seen once in a store. And when he got it, he knew he was truly rich. Elizabeth was waiting anxiously to hear what this item could have been. I personally was thinking of a car, a horse, or maybe even new clothes, etc. Grandpa burst with the answer. He said he got "an orange." Elizabeth just smiled as an orange wasn't as much of a big deal for her as she gets to eat all kinds of fruit. So was Grandpa really rich because he had an orange?

In my own life my mother has shared many stories of her up-bringing. She had been raised very poor like the Walton's although she didn't have running water or electricity. For Christmas one year she got an orange as a special gift. Yes, they got other fruits from the farm but an orange was something grown in Florida. It was special. And if you could afford to have one, you might think you were rich.

What was so interesting about this all was right at the time Grandpa was talking about the orange, I was eating one. Then God told me...you are rich Kris. Sure, maybe not in materials things (all things are relative) but in my love for you, in my guidance, my direction, my safety, my healing, my friendship, and my protection..you are rich. In fact, I have the whole kingdom..I am a princess of the King who has it all.

So was Grandpa rich? Well, it all depends on whose eyes you are looking through. Mmmm, don't you just love the smell an orange gives.

Thank you Lord for oranges and all the things you gives to help us know we are special.

Psalm 107:37
They sowed fields and planted vineyards that yielded a fruitful harvest;
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