Monday, December 10, 2012

our CHRISTmas mantel

hey, friendlies!  :)
i'm a little late to the partay, but i'm popping in to join in on the fun over at the lovely lettered cottage mantel linky!
plus, i wanted to show YOU my mantel, too.
it was really easy and fun to put together.
i'm a pretty simple decorator, and i love to use natural elements in my home, and that is what inspired me this year.  :)

i wanted the focus of our mantel to be on Jesus, Who is our only True Hope in this weary world.
the thrill of Hope, that we can be reconciled to God through the gift of His ONLY Son!

the only money i spent was on the beautiful print from lesley, the frame from target, and the mandarins.
i had the rest already tucked away here and there.
as you may be able to tell, the late 1800's mantel is still just propped up against the wall.
it may never get nailed down, and i'm okay with that.

anywho...we have been SO busy trying to finish up school before Christmas.
the girls have been crafting and creating maniacs and i can hardly keep up!
we have baked lots of goodies(and ate them).  #hello!muffintop
and after thanksgiving, let me tell you...it's REALLY hard to buckle down and focus on school.
like realllllllyyyyyyyyy hard!
as a home school mama, once you get into vacation mode, it's really hard to get back in the focus of school.
but we're doing it.
most of us anyway...my littlest is acting like he has serious ADD, but he is just super excited(kinda like me).  :)








i hope that you all are enjoying this blessed season, and remembering the True Reason that we celebrate.
from RECENT experience, i know just how hard it can be to keep the Right Focus.
the devil sure does try to steal my joy some days, but i am not going down with out a fight!

we, as a family,  have purposed in our hearts to have a different Christmas this year.
less about ourselves and more about Him.
and that means more about others.
God graciously led us to a family who could not afford Christmas this year so we were able to shop for them.
the kids had so much fun!  who am i kidding...nathan and i had a blast, too!
to God be the glory.  :)

we also bought the Jesus Storybook Bible and have been reading it every day for advent.
i'm pretty sure i have enjoyed it the most.
the simply written Bible stories that weave the perfect path to Him and mirror His perfect plan of redemption thrills me to my core!
the fact that my Savior was born in the lowliest of places and dwelt among sinners, born only to die for my wickedness and yours wrenches my heart in the best way.
i am so humbled and grateful for His free gift.
the debt that He paid so that I don't have to.
born to die, my Jesus was.

this is what Christmas is all about!
spreading the Good News that Jesus was sent for all sinners.
and just like any other gift, we have to take it for it to be ours.
my prayer is that i will be a light for Him this season...encouraging those among me to

"Let earth receive her King!"

have a wonderful day, friends!
i'll be back this week with a Christmas home tour....yay!

xo,
mary

The Lettered Cottage



9 comments:

  1. Mary it is just lovely a beautiful testament of your faith.
    Merry Christmas!

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  2. Your mantle is beautiful! Love it! And I just love your love for Jesus- it shines so bright girl! Can I please come over and have coffee and just chat a smile at your mantle?

    And I TOTALLY hear ya on trying to stay on track with school. I think I'm worse than the kids! Ha!

    Blessings to you sweet friend!

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  3. Beautiful! Love the little stockings :) Can't WAIT for a home tour!!!

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  4. Happy to have found your blog! Always like your pix on instagram...and see your comments on Rachel...but haven't ever clicked over! LOVE this mantle! SO CUTE! You did a great job!

    And the Jesus Storybook Bible...I need to see a picture of it. My boy is 2 1/2 so I think it's a little early to do the advent calender (though I made one last week) but just something every night to let him know more about Jesus...would be awesome!

    How wonderful of y'all to shop for a needy family! BLess you! We did that 3 years ago, after my great aunt passed away and left us each a large inheritance...it was truly so much more fun than receiving! I'd like to do it more. I think as Easton gets bigger we're going to change our focus!

    Can't wait for the home tour!

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  5. So glad you got the Jesus Storybook Bible! It's a daily favorite in our house. I can't tell you how many times I've choked up reading it! We're doing the advent readings too and loving it!

    Your mantle is beautiful! Simple and pretty! I can't wait to see the whole Christmas home tour! I know I say this a lot and will probably keep saying it but your house is my favorite! I love the way you decorate!

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  6. So beautiful, just like YOU!:) Loving the simpleness of it all, yet it's so touching. And I'm LOVING the orangeaments:) Oh how I wish we were sitting in front of that tree with some peppermint mochas watching it snow outside and crafting with the kiddos! Sigh...
    Love you friend!

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  7. You are amazing. Have I told you that lately?;) I love everything about this post. EVERYTHING. You inspire me in many ways. In my two favorite ways at that....in Christ and in Design :)
    I loved that print when I saw it on IG. So I went and bought it! Yay! My fave Christmas song!
    Oh and your tree. I die! Hope to see more pics of that soon!
    Love ya!

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  8. Hey lady. I just read your blog for like an hour. I love it so much. Sincerely. So much of your heart resonates with mine in many areas. Wish we could grab a coffee together. I have a feeling we'd be fast friends. Then after we became besties, I'd hire you to come decorate my house ;) cause you have skilllllz! If not in this lifetime, we'll have plenty of time in eternity ;)

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your comments always brighten my day!

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