as Jules is going - Page 73 of 154 - make disciples of all nations

Advent 2012 Day 1 & 2

December 4, 2012 by Jules Leave a Comment

Well, I had high hopes off all this organization for advent this year...and then my hubs was finally off work! Who can think about planning and finalizing organization when your long lost best friend is home again. These 14 hour days are hard! I get to see my hubby about 3 hours a day...an most of that I have to share him. Boo Hoo

So anyways, he was off Friday & we declared a "do nothing, go no where day"! Then Friday we decided to go to the Rothacher's favorite consignment event to see if we could score some great finds for a couple of families we're helping with Christmas. Deals found: brand spank'n new tennis shoes & an adorable caterpillar my kids really wanted to claim; but they were allowed to claim the Little People Noah's Arch for $1!

We went to the in-love's house for nap time and then caught a quick lunch in the nest Vtown eating establishment. When we were heading out-of-town to hunt for Christmas PJs and the practical stuff for the families, my keen observation skills identified families claiming spots for a parade. WHAT!?! We text a friend and confirmed that the Vtown Christmas parade was that night. Score! We ran our errand real fast and made it back just in time to lay our a blanket right next to the road where we enjoyed a night pretending we are already part of the community with giant waves, cheers, and LOTS of "Merry Christmas"es! {WARNING: I only used a few pic to spare you from Cuteness overload}

Our Sunday was pretty typical: wake up entirely too early to get everyone up and ready for church an hour way in another town. Prepping for an afternoon of lunch out and possible fellowship. Matt and I were so excited to get to participate in oneChurch's Advent candle lighting that morning. We were blessed to have lots of hang time with friends.

Needless to say, we didn't get to the organized Advent crafting I had planned but I wouldn't trade those days of celebrating His coming for all the funky ornaments my kids could make. I'm attempting to be purposeful this season yet not so caught up in "the book" that I miss moments and memories with my little bitty family and our friends.

Side Note: be looking forward to post about the crafts we actually have done as well as a #ItsAboutGiving post about helping Compassion International meet their goal of raising $20,000 for children in poverty this Christmas season.

Filed Under: Advent 2012, Holidays, The ones about the Rothacher Home

Ooozing Humanity

November 30, 2012 by Jules Leave a Comment

The couch is strategically place at the perfect angle for viewing both the sentimentally decorated tree in front of the window as well as the TV. The dishes and laundry are all clean and stored in their place. The beds are made with cute little throw pillows and stuffed animals. Christmas is sprinkled through out the house bringing warms and the holiday glow. The sun beams in the open shades into each room staged for a magazine shoot.

Then is hits.

Spewing from my lower gut. Refusing me that freshly made waffle. I dare not open my mouth or all of me might gush out onto the floor. Tears try to form but I can't make a sound. The twirling in my stomach wants to irrupt. I hold it in.

Turn on all the lights. Position nicknacks to appear naturally placed. Fold the blanket with much purpose and toss it across the back of the couching hoping it looks hap-haphazardly.

Pause. Deep breath. Gaze at the ceiling in disbelief.

Continue meticulously combing through every element of each room. Smell checking. Fluff. Rotate. Unlock. Dust.

My mind can't leave it. My attempt at OCD cannot hide my sin. No words can make this ooozing of humanity stop or even slow. I am nauseous. Defeated. Discussed.

I want to give up. I want to curl up in a ball and cry out my excuses to justify myself; to make the hurt go away. My bones ache with the sin eating away at them. I want to delete the ugliness everyone has seen. That my God, whom I claim to love with all my being, has seen.

Life does not work that way. We cannot pretend our sin has no effect.

Now what? My inner most parts irrupt with remorse but it does not take it away. Do I sit immoveable by guilt? I want to...Satan wins.

Then WHAT? What do I do now? I know I have been forgiven. For this very sin. 15 years ago- He said past, present, future; All Forgiven. I press forward. Surrendered. I have nothing aside from His grace.

Redeem my sinfulness. Make little of me. Make much of you so they may only say, "Hallelujah! Look What God Can Do!"

Filed Under: The Ones about Jules Life {Randomness}, The Ones about...Stuff

Magic Meatballs {Thoughtful Thursday}

November 29, 2012 by Jules 1 Comment

1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
1/2 cup milk
2 eggs {slightly beaten}
1 tbs salt
2 tbs onion pwd
1 tbs garlic pwd
1/2 tsp oregano
2 sleeves Ritz crackers {crushed}
2 lbs lean ground beef

Mix Worcestershire sauce, milk, eggs, salt, both powders, and oregano with a fork. Then blend in crackers. Kneed in ground beef with hands until completely blended. Then roll ~2 inch balls and place on a lipped baking sheet. Bake @ 350' for 30 minutes. Then either freeze some for later or add them all to your favorite sauce & noodle meal.

Beef up your Spaghetti Sauce

I love taking cheap traditional meatless spaghetti sauce and adding some parsley flakes, garlic pwd. I let that simmer while I add the meatballs. Keep it low enough you don't have to constantly stir and it doesn't burn on the bottom of the pan. Pour on top of your noodles. YUM!

Actual Size! {~2.5inches 'round}

Filed Under: Baking and Cooking, Homemaker, The Ones about Link-Ups, The Ones about Post Series, The ones about the Rothacher Home, Thoughtful Thursdays

What the Rothacher’s are doing for Advent?

November 28, 2012 by Jules Leave a Comment

The Rothacher clan has started intentionally "doing Advent" last year and we are excited to share with you what we'll be doing this year!

For years I thought Advent was either a simple cardboard calendar that had candies in it that you and your brothers fought to snag 1st OR a Catholic/Jewish holiday that had something to do with candles {aka menorah} but I've come to learn that Advent is anything you do in the weeks leading up to Christmas as a family that teach about or celebrating what has "come" an is "coming" can be considered part of Advent.

"The key to this entire advent celebration is to have a daily focus and meditation on God’s greatest gift. Your children will learn the ins and outs of the story because you’ve facilitated a time to discuss, play, and create. And in those moments, God will speak to their hearts and yours.

The little Baby is no longer in the manger but alive and sitting on a throne—waiting to have a relationship with you and your children. Help your children get to know Him this Christmas!"

-Truth in the Tinsel

So far this year, things we've done {or are doing} to begin preparing for Christmas are:

Decorated the house for Christmas, including setting up & decorating our tree as a family.
Wore fun Christmas-like clothing.
Packed Operation Christmas Child boxes.
Watching TONS of Christmas movies
Visiting Santa at the mall in North West AR {the BEST Santa ever}

Things we plan to do in the coming weeks:

Attending some fun activities in December including 3 Christmas parties, going to visit "Bethlehem", Christmas Eve service.
Bake TONS of cookies & other snacks for our neighbors.
Shop for gifts for family, friends, and others we've adopted for the season.
See a Christmas play with our HIPPY group.
Possibly see a Christmas parade

And the newest thing we are adding to our Advent adventure is THIS:

This book has 24 days of Scripture reading, ornament crafts, talking points and extension activities. Plus fun printables and templates! This is the perfect book for kids of any age–from preschool to elementary! YAY!!! I've already collected all my supplies to make sure we have everything needed for the crafts. It doesn't really take a lot but I didn't have googly eyes, or glitter glue. ;o)

Oh, and I'm an affiliate for Truth in the Tinsel because I think it's that cool! They didn't tell me to say that.

I'm going to try and share lots of our Advent adventure this year but don't shoot me if I'm slack'n...I'm going to concentrate on participating more than sharing this year ;o)

What are you doing for Advent? Wanna go through the Truth in the Tinsel book with us? Grab the book today so you'll be ready Saturday!

contains affiliate links

Filed Under: The ones about the Rothacher Home

What is Advent?

November 28, 2012 by Jules 1 Comment

Candles. Wreaths. Movies. Travel. Calendars. Cards. Candy.
Little Lint. Activities. Decorating. Songs. Parties.

The word advent, from Latin, means “the coming.” Advent is the time period leading up to Christmas in which you prepare for as well as anticipate the coming of Christmas. There are so many different ways to do the same 'ole thing.

No matter how you choose to participate in Advent the purpose should be the same. Advent is preparing for Christ coming: His birth. His gift of the Holy Spirit. His return.

Love this song about preparing for Christmas. Although slightly secular, it has a lot of truths. {this isn't the entire song from Curious George: A Very Monkey Christmas"}

Are you ready for Christmas day to come?

Filed Under: The ones about the Rothacher Home