Christmas at Loriannhouse's House!

The Jr. Christmas Cantata is over, the school concerts are done, the decorations are all up and my Christmas shopping is coming to and end. My Sailor received his Christmas package and my baby girl is coming home for good. Tonight, I'll be spending a bit of time wrapping presents but I wanted to take a minute and write about how much Christmas means to me. It's not the gifts that I get or the snow that is on the ground. It has nothing to do with that jolly man that you see at the malls.

This year for me it means a second chance. It means a chance to love, serve and show the people that are close to me how much they mean to me.

It is spending the money for someone to do one of my routes so I can spend that few extra hours with my husband during his vacation from work.

It is taking that second out of my day to listen to Boaz sing Silent night in German for the 10th time.

It is the chance to take that minute to make a cups of hot chocolate for the men in my life after they get done shoveling snow.

It is taking that second to listen to my grandson sing me his solo from the Christmas play, that one last time this year.

It is taking a minute to hug my boy's when they walk past me.

God has given me more time! I don't want to waste it on being upset or angry over things I can do nothing about. God opened up my eyes these last nine months as I battle with breast cancer. Each day I wake up. I thank Him for giving me one more day on this earth to serve Him and show other's how much I love them.

Don't waste your life on things that don't matter. Christ can change you today.

Christmas is Christ and His example to us! He loved us so much He gave His life so those who except Him will live forever. He died for me so I could have eternal life.

"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life."

John 3:16

This is my home and all the wonderful things the Lord has blessed me with.
My sliding glass door where I like to put my Christmas cards.
One of my living room walls with my son John relaxing on the coach.

Our Christmas Tree 2008.

My two new items my husband bought me for my mantel.

Our fireplace plus my full mantel.

Our living room with all the pretty lights and Jimmy relaxing on our love seat.

Last but not least, this little thing was passed down from generation to generation. My grandma made one of these for all of us kids growing up. After I got married, I wanted my children to have one. My mom was kind enough to make one for our children. My grandma would tie hard candy to this; I loved butterscotch. Down below is what is written on it.

December first till Christmas is the longest time of year
seems as though it will never get here.
How many more days till Christmas its so mighty hard to count.
So this little candy ribbon will tell the exact amount
Untie a candy everynight when you finish your evening meal.
Start at the bottom of your ribbon only one then stop.
Now when you do this daily Christmas Eve will be here by the time you reach the top.

Every year at Christmas when I pull this out; I remember my Grandma and what Christmas is really all about. The love that she brought, the closeness I always felt, I don't know how to write down what is in my heart. I know she loved us with all of her heart and wanted us to stay close. I want to pass that little bit along to my children and grandchildren.













This is my Grandfather and Grandmother in May after they got married in 1945, What an adorable couple. My Grandparents were so good to us kids; They would take us Up North to there Cabin on the lake every summer until my Grandmother got sick with cancer when I was a young girl. She died of Breast Cancer when she was 54; I was 13 at the time. My Grandfather died of cancer when he was 73; I was 24.

What have I been up to this month Next week Christmas at Loriannhouse's Place

We have been a bit busy this month we had to add steps to our back and front porch for our insurance copy.

Here are a few pictures

Why Jesus

JESUS was born,
that I might be born twice.

HE became poor,
that I might possess wealth.











HE became homeless,
that I might have a mansion.

HE was stripped,
that I always should have clothes.

HE was forsaken,
that I always should have friends.

HE was bound,
that I might have perfect liberty.

HE was saddened,
that I might have full joy.

HE descended,
that I should be lifted up.

HE became a servant,
that I might be a son forever.

HE was made sin,
that I should share HIS righteousness.

HE died,
that I should never taste eternal death.

HE will come down,
that I might go up.

All of this -- that HE might display
in me the riches of HIS grace,

and so I can dwell with God in heaven.

What God has done for Me

My quiet time thoughts~

He has only saved me from torment in hell because of my sins...
He has only sent His SON to die a horrible death for my sins...
He has only conquered death by rising from the dead...
He has only forgiven me for practially putting His Son on a cross...
He has only given me a new heart...
He has only cleansed me...
He has only given me new desires...
He has only given me a testimony...
He has only put me with a family that tests me, encourages me, and lifts me up...
He has only given me Godly friends to have sweet fellowship with...
He has only given me a letter 66 books long...
He has only let me experience true joy that only comes from fellowship with Him...

This list could go on forever...

Scripture I was in today!

giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the kingdom of light. 13 For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, 14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. (Colossians 1:12-14 NIV)

giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the kingdom of light. (Colossians 1:12 NIV)

in whom [Christ] we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. (Colossians 1:14 NIV)

For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness… (Colossians 1:13a NIV)

…and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves… (Colossians 1:13b NIV)

I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession—to the praise of his glory. (Ephesians 1:13b-14 NIV)

What has God done for you? Great things already!

A Different Christmas Poem

A Different Christmas Poem
By Michael Marks


The embers glowed softly, and in their dim light,
I gazed round the room and I cherished the sight.
My wife was asleep, her head on my chest,
My daughter beside me, angelic in rest.
Outside the snow fell, a blanket of white,
Transforming the yard to a winter delight.
The sparkling lights in the tree I believe,
Completed the magic that was Christmas Eve.
My eyelids were heavy, my breathing was deep,
Secure and surrounded by love I would sleep.
In perfect contentment, or so it would seem,
So I slumbered, perhaps I started to dream.

The sound wasn't loud, and it wasn't too near,
But I opened my eyes when it tickled my ear.
Perhaps just a cough, I didn't quite know, then the
sure sound of footsteps outside in the snow.
My soul gave a tremble, I struggled to hear,
And I crept to the door just to see who was near.
Standing out in the cold and the dark of the night,
A lone figure stood, his face weary and tight.

A soldier, I puzzled, some twenty years old,
Perhaps a Marine, huddled here in the cold.
Alone in the dark, he looked up and smiled,
Standing watch over me, and my wife and my child.
"What are you doing?" I asked without fear,
"Come in this moment, it's freezing out here!
Put down your pack, brush the snow from your sleeve,
You should be at home on a cold Christmas Eve!"

For barely a moment I saw his eyes shift,
Away from the cold and the snow blown in drifts..
To the window that danced with a warm fire's light,
Then he sighed and he said "Itʼs really all right,
I'm out here by choice. I'm here every night."
"It's my duty to stand at the front of the line,
That separates you from the darkest of times.
No one had to ask or beg or implore me,
I'm proud to stand here like my fatherʼs before me.
My Gramps died at ' Pearl on a day in December,"
Then he sighed, "That's a Christmas 'Gram always remembers."
My dad stood his watch in the jungles of ' Nam ',
And now it is my turn and so, here I am.
I've not seen my own son in more than a while,
But my wife sends me pictures, he's sure got her smile.

Then he bent and he carefully pulled from his bag,
The red, white, and blue... an American flag.
I can live through the cold and the being alone,
Away from my family, my house and my home.
I can stand at my post through the rain and the sleet,
I can sleep in a foxhole with little to eat.
I can carry the weight of killing another,
Or lay down my life with my sister and brother..
Who stand at the front against any and all,
To ensure for all time that this flag will not fall."
"So go back inside," he said, "harbor no fright,
Your family is waiting and I'll be all right."
"But isn't there something I can do, at the least,
"Give you money," I asked, "or prepare you a feast?
It seems all too little for all that you've done,
For being away from your wife and your son."
Then his eye welled a tear that held no regret,
"Just tell us you love us, and never forget.
To fight for our rights back at home while we're gone,
To stand your own watch, no matter how long.
For when we come home, either standing or dead,
To know you remember we fought and we bled.
Is payment enough, and with that we will trust,
That we mattered to you as you mattered to us."

What Christmas means to Me

C is for the Christ child who was born nearly 2,000 years ago in a manger in Bethlehem.

"And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS." Luke 1:31

H is for the HOPE that Jesus brings to all who believe in Him and trust Him with their salvation.

"By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God." Romans 5:2

I know the plans I have for you declares the Lord, plans to give you hope and a future.
Jeremiah 29:11

R is for resurrection of Jesus Christ who was born of a virgin, lived a sinless life, was both man and God, died on the cross for all of our sins, and then was raised from the dead (resurrected) and is now sitting at the right hand of God in heaven.

"For he hath made him [to be] sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him." 2 Corinthians 5:21

I is for Israel who God chose to bring forth the promised saviour of the world.

"Of this man's seed hath God according to [his] promise raised unto Israel a Saviour, Jesus:" Acts 13:23

S is for the salvation that Jesus offers to all who are willing to confess their sin, believe in Him, and confess their belief in Jesus with their mouth.

"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life."
John 3:16

T is for the empty tomb on Easter morning.

" He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay. And go quickly, and tell his disciples that he is risen from the dead; and, behold, he goeth before you into Galilee; there shall ye see him: lo, I have told you." Matthew 28:6,7

M is for the mercy God has shown the world by sending His only Son to suffer for our sins and bridge the gap between man and God.

"Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need." Hebrews 4:16

A is for our AWESOME GOD who loves us all unconditionally.

"Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends." John 15:13

S is for the shining light that Jesus brought
to the world!

"Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life." John 8:12

I pray you all have a very "MERRY CHRISTMAS" and a "Happy New Year" from me to all of you!

I've been pretty busy since Thanksgiving, with not a lot of time for blogging. I started my radiation treatments Wednesday, that, with trying to keep my house up, help with Jr. choir, sing on the worship team, work.... has left me with no time.

It will be very light postings until after the first of the year. This week Caty and I will be trying to put the stage together for the Jr. Choir Christmas Cantata this weekend. I then need to start my Christmas shopping. The only person that I have done is my Sailor because I needed to get his package out to him by Thanksgiving if we even had a choice of him getting it by Christmas. It is taking about a month and a half for him to get our packages.