Bess’ New Year’s Day Traditions

There’s something so delicious about New Year’s Day! It feels so bright, clean, hopeful… I look forward to it each year, & tomorrow it’ll be here! I even have my own special traditions for January 1st:


1. Sweet Start – I always begin the New Year with something sugary/yummy – so the year will get off to a sweet start! Whether it be chocolate or a small chunk of fudge leftover from Christmas…the 1st thing I eat in 2011 is sure to be scrumptious! (Any excuse to eat candy is always welcome!=)


2. The Word – I begin my new daily Bible reading plan on New Year’s Day. This year I’m starting with the book of John. I’m gonna read through that book & then go back to Matthew (the 1st book in the New Testament) & read through it, Mark, Luke, & John again, & then on through the rest of the Bible. I’ll read at least a chapter a day. I used to try & start at Genesis, but I never made it through that way. This year I hope to discipline myself better & stick to my plan.


3. Love Letter – Penning a love note to my (possible – if it’s God’s plan for me to wed) future husband is a new tradition I’m adding to January 1st. Just think how amazing it will be to present your husband with love notes you wrote before his existence was even known to you! Who knows, maybe 2011 will be the year I (or you=) will meet your Prince!


4. Prayerful Chat – Setting aside a special time to pray to God about the New Year makes the fresh start feel even fresher. I ask God to guide & bless me & my family; to help me to do His will & serve Him happily; for wisdom; in thankfulness & praise; & for His will & glory in my life. I usually set aside the time when I 1st wake up on January 1st for this special time.


5. Resolution Time – I take time on the 1st to look over the resolutions I have made for the year (I typically make these resolutions on New Year’s Eve). I start working on these goals I’ve made for myself right away, & I allow myself to realize that I’ll most likely fail on more than I’d wish, but forgiveness is mine through Christ. I can strive through His hope & strength.
 
Love & Happy New Year’s Eve,
-Bess-

P.S.: Don’t worry, my blog won’t be Crafty Christmas-y tomorrow! =)

“…Forgetting what is behind & straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.”

-Philippians 3:13-14, NIV

P.P.S.: Sometimes I take time out on the 1st to watch this old cartoon version of Pilgrim's Progress...the animation may not be near Disney standards & the quality is well, vintage, but the content is good.  It's strange, but I really do like this version & have watched it many times over the years!  Enjoy!

Crafty Christmas Blog Design Winner...

An online random number generator presented me with a #2…the writer of comment #2, & winner of the custom blog design bundle from Annie Joy, is…

Lily!

Congratulations Lily & thanks to all who entered!  Lily entered all 5 chances into the giveaway; here's some of her responses:

She penned 2 sweet haikus...

Shepherds and kings see,
All wrapped in swaddling clothes,
Our baby Savior.
__________________

The snow falls softly
From the heavens to the earth,
On this Christmas Eve 

This was what she was excited to give this past Christmas...
My favorite gift I'm giving this Christmas is a friendship bracelet to my best friend. I have a matching one, so we'll be bracelet-buddies. ;)

& here's her New Year's resolution...
Here's my BIG resolution for 2011: Be more patient and kind to those around me. (:

Thanks again Annie Joy for offering one of Bess' Bag's readers with a fabulous blog design package handmade by...you!  Love ya bunches!

-Bess-

P.S.: Lily, please leave me a comment (which I won't publish) with your e-mail address.  I will e-mail Annie Joy with your info (blog address & e-mail) & she will get in touch with you!  Enjoy your blog's new look!

New Year's Eve Quick Style Tips

If money grew on trees & I had somewhere fancy to go...

Love & Happy New Year's Eve Eve,

-Bess-

P.S.: Don't forget...the giveaway ends today!

Auld Lang Syne

Bookish Fashion Delight: Lucy in Narnia

In honor of the new Chronicles of Narnia film, The Voyage of the Dawn Treader, & because I got this adorable (& large) plush lion for my nephew for Christmas + snow…

“Wrong will be right, when Aslan comes in sight,

At the sound of his roar, sorrows will be no more,

When he bares his teeth, winter meets its death,

And when he shakes his mane, we shall have spring again.”

-C.S. Lewis, The Lion, the Witch, & the Wardrobe

“Every moment the patches of green grew bigger & the patches of snow grew smaller…more & more of the trees shook off their robes of snow.  Soon, wherever you looked, instead of white shapes you saw the dark green of firs…” –C.S. Lewis, The Lion, the Witch, & the Wardrobe

What I’ve Donned…

-long fur coat --- vintage (yard sale (This coat was only a couple dollars!  I couldn't pass it up!)

-white oxford shirt --- French Toast (Target (I think this came from the kids' section.=))

-plaid dress --- Converse One Star (Target)

-black knee highs

-brown mary janes --- Earth Spirit (yard sale)

Bookish Love From Out the Wardrobe,

-Bess-

P.S.: My nephew was scared of Aslan!

P.P.S.: Am I crazy to dress up like this?  Part of me wonders! =)  I don't wear the ensemble out - just for the photo, but still...  I am crazy!

Happy Birthday Jesus!

P.S.: We miraculously {thank You God} had a white Christmas...which hadn't been seen in these parts for some 20 years!  I loved it!  Here's some pictures...

Ah!  It covered my car...

& everything!



Dear Single Christmas Girl,

I know you…forced to hold your own mittened hands to keep them warm. You walk wistfully under suspended mistletoe & let out a small inner sigh… I know you, because I’m you, too.

Christmas & other holidays can be especially trying on the single girl’s heart. So many secular seasonal songs that blast over the buzz of shoppers & invade our radios tell us that being with someone at Christmas is downright required for true happiness. Take a look

“When we finally kiss goodnight/ How I'll hate going out in the storm!/ But if you'll really hold me tight/ All the way home I'll be warm” (Let it Snow).

“My world is filled with cheer, and you/...And as I look around/ Your eyes outshine the town, they do/This Christmas” (This Christmas).

“I'm just gonna keep on waiting/ Underneath the mistletoe…/ Baby all I want for Christmas is you” (All I Want for Christmas is You).

I want to stick my tongue out at singlehood (& these songs, too=)!
Take a peek at what the Bible tells us…

The Lord appears to Joseph in a dream instructing him to take Mary as his wife as planned, because what is done in her is of God. Matthew 1:23 reads, “‘The virgin will be with child & will give birth to a son, & they will call Him Immanuel’ – which means ‘God with us.’” This Christmas you may feel un-chosen, lonely, not special, or unworthy of a guy’s second glance, but know this & consider it deeply in your heart this year: the Maker of the universe & all things, the King of Kings, Mighty God, Heavenly Father loved (insert name) so much that He gave you a piece of Him on earth – a piece that would be like (insert name)…tired, hungry, tempted, sad, excited, disappointed, happy, lonely… a piece that would be beaten, abused, mocked, & crucified, just so (insert name) could have the opportunity to know real peace & be with Him forever. I don’t know about you, but I’ve never heard of a truer love than that! It makes the lyrics above seem like mere meaningless mumbles.

Listen to what this song tells us…



Did you catch that lyric? “How many gods have poured out their hearts/ To romance a world that is torn all apart” (How Many Kings, Downhere). God is still with us today, loving us in spite of us, & seeking our love so that we can experience eternity safe from pain, hurt, & free from all the tears of this earth & the afterlife that scorches. Even if you are (like me) going through a boyfriend-less Christmas, remember “Immanueal…God is with us.” You may appear solo to the world, but if you are God’s you’re never alone.

Love & the Merriest of Christmases,
-Bess- + Her King, {Truest Love} Father God

P.S.: His love is perfect, immeasurably better than any mortal man's...just think How Many Kings...

"Then Sings My Soul: Special Edition" Book Review

I was looking for a good book to give my piano-playing/gifted-singing mother for Christmas when I stumbled upon Then Sings My Soul: Special Edition by Robert Morgan. I was provided a free copy of the book from the publishers, through the Book Sneeze program, in exchange for my honest review. This paperback volume with its torn page edges (to give it that antique, well-loved, well-worn look) is chock full of the stories behind the creations of some of the most beloved old hymns of the church. It’s divided into the following categories: Christmas, Easter, Thanksgiving, Patriotic, & Other Favorites (it also has indices in the very back). A coinciding Bible verse, as well as the date of the hymn’s creation is displayed at the top of each song’s story. The details behind each hymn are approximately one page each with the actual music for the song accompanying on the other page. The stories are simple to read & transform you back into musical history. This book could be used as a devotional, light reading, hymnal (for singing or playing), or reference. It would be a lovely gift for a musician, music minister, or old songs of the church enthusiast. The only minor complaint is that because the book is paperback & quite thick, I think it will be hard for my mother to keep the book open in order to play the music. However, I still think my mom will be thrilled to open this on Christmas day!


Bookish Blessings,
-Bess-