This is what I think got to Marilyn. She still has Christmas shopping to do. Hasn't sent out the Christmas cards. Didn't get the cookie recipes on here. Time is passing by. What shall she do?
I am going to tell you what I told her. STOP. Take time to get a nice cup of tea or coffee (like someone said), get comfortable in her recliner, get her Bible and read about Christ's Birth. I know she knows the Lord.
If the Christmas Cards don't get sent out - does anyone really care? They will look at them and then toss them in the garbage unless they are like Anna is. She saves cards from one year to the next and makes Christmas Cards out of the old Christmas Cards.
Try to get your close friends a gift. It is our way, to give someone a gift. If your friend should not get a gift, would they really be upset? If they are, they aren't a close friend. We don't give several gifts for one person. Sometimes, we buy more than one gift for a child, but not very often. Anna always makes or buys a few extra gifts. That way, we have an extra gift if we need one. She will be out looking around the Monday after Christmas in a store or two. Also, will be planning for next years Christmas gifts she makes. Anna never waits until the last minute for Christmas gifts. She starts making next years gifts after this years Christmas.
Christmas Recipes would have been nice on here this year, but everyone understands. We will try to do better next year. Jean, Anna, and Emma are going to start next years recipes this year so we won't have the same problem next year. Actually, it's really not Marilyn's fault that they are not here. With the wedding, Jean couldn't do it. Anna and Emma, had church things come up. So don't blame Marilyn. In fact, so far, no one has complained.
Have had people tell me they couldn't give money to charity this time of year. Christmas should be all year around. People get food baskets for Thanksgiving and Christmas. If they are hungry at Thanksgiving time and Christmas time - then they must be hungry all year around. After the Christmas, we sometimes forget that there still hungry people in the world. You can give to your charity anytime of year.
Also, if you can't afford a gift for someone, maybe doing something for them can replace it. Offer to give them a ride, help them clean their home, help plant their spring garden, shovel their snow and more. People sometimes need more physical help that they need pretty gifts.
I see pins saying: "Jesus, is the reason for the season." But, Jesus is not just for this season. He is for all year around - every year around. He not only was born for us, but He also died for us.
Merry Christmas,
Elmer and Anna
23 comments:
I read the blog every day but haven't commented until today. I believe Marilyn's gift to the readers is the blog she spends so much time preparing. I pray Marilyn relaxes and spends time for herself.
BRAVO Elmer! BRAVO! everything he said is the dead truth! Christmas has become the most stressful time of year for many people whereas it should be a time of year that is most enjoyable - a gathering together of friends and family, filled with love and Jesus in our hearts and not caring about gifts or cards.
Marilyn - i am so sorry that you are feeling poorly. please do not worry about getting cards out or gifts wrapped or any of that. please, do as Jesus would want you to do - which is to take care of yourself - that is the most important gift to anyone who is your friend.
and please tell the ladies, and yourself, that it's ok that the recipes didn't get put up this year - there are several years of recipes in the archives if people want to look through them.
and again - tell Elmer to stand up and take a bow. his post was brilliant!
i am sending much love and prayers your way and i hope that you will feel better soon. your friend,
kymber
Amen to kymber's comment - she is right on the button. And thanks to Marilyn and all these dear friends for this blog.
I too have been ill this week, started on Saturday and am distressed with thinking of all there is to do yet. I will try to follow Elmer's advice.
Merry Christmas, with much gratitude,
Mary
Wonderful advice Elmer. Wishing you a Merry Christmas and a Happy Year.
Good morning, Marilyn. Hope that you're starting to feel better. Get plenty of rest and DO NOT worry about your blog. We all completely understand.
Elmer is absolutely correct!! This may be my favorite post from him so far. Food Banks need food all year. In our area, the food bank can buy $8 of food from $1. If you can't afford to give money, you can donate your time. Visit the elderly. Maybe you have a heart for the animal shelter. Everyone should add to their community.
I want my loved ones to know that I am thinking of them all year long. A card in the mail, a phone call, a tiny gift. And being kind and thoughtful to others cost nothing. A smile is free.
Take care of yourself, Marilyn.
Marilyn, you have received very, very good advice from Elmer and our friends here.
Elmer, can YOU make Marilyn see that she does NOT need to put on a post 7 days a week?! I have tried several times. It just does NOT need to be done. NO ONE expects this.
Marilyn, you are taking too much on. Please have a blessed Christmas my friend! We care. ♥ Love, Vickie, Mabel, Henry and Murphy
Good Morning Jacque,
I am so glad you enjoy my blog. Will be taking the advice Elmer gave me. I will try to spend more time just for myself.
Marilyn
Good Morning Kymber,
Elmer sure hit it on the head. When he told me this, I thought others might be in the same situation that I am. I did what Elmer told me to do. It's Jesus and not cards or presents or alike. I will see that everyone gets your message. Thank you for your love and prayers.
Marilyn
Good Morning Mary,
Kymber and Elmer are both right. You and I will both have to follow Elmer's advice. Hope you are feeling better, too.
Merry Christmas,
Marilyn
Good Morning Tom,
Elmer always seems to give great advice.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you, too,
Marilyn
Good Morning Angela,
Thank you for your advice. I will try and follow it. We have food banks here, too. They can always use food donations or money to buy what they need. Have had to good to them a couple of times to get food. Also have given things to them. You are right, a smile is free and people can use them, most.
Marilyn
Good Morning Vickie,
I will follow as Elmer says. I try to cut down just 5 days a week, but then something comes along and I think I want to get it on. Sometimes something special comes on over the weekend that I don't want to forget. I don't know how much is going to be on next week.
Blessed Christmas to you and yours, too,
Marilyn and Pierre
As usual, Elmer is spot-on. In our family only children get presents. For the adults we enjoy our time together. That is our gift to each other, as well as everyone helps bring food, so no "one" person is bogged down.
Marilyn, take good care of yourself. If something is causing you overstress, just don't do it. It's not worth it.
Good Morning Lily,
Yes, Elmer hit the spot today. In our family we use to put the adults names in a jar and everyone pulled one and that was the one you got a present for. We did get a present for the children.
I will take care of myself.
Marilyn
Hi Marilyn, The Lord is speaking through Elmer to you and all of us. Our worship,gratitude,obedience,thoughts should be directed daily to our Lord. "Jesus paid it all; all to Him I owe......" As each year passes the commercialism gets worse, and most people allow themselves to get caught up in the hype. Steering clear of the mess isn't easy, but it is the very best thing to do. Focus on the Lord- He loves you so very much! Many blessings! Carol
Good Morning Carol,
Thank you so much for what you and Elmer said today. We get so tied up in the other Christmas items that we don't center on Jesus. At least, I did.
Many Blessings to you and yours,
Marilyn
Thank you, Elmer. You said it all! Marilyn, thank you so much for your gift to all of us. All the besutiful photos and the incredible posts from everyone. We have all benefitted SO MUCH from all the time and effort from everyone involved. After reading what Elmer said, I feel so much more "prepared" for Christmas. I am ready even though all the cards aren't all sent and presents bought. There will be still be lots of food and fellowship in my family.
Merry Christmas to you, Marilyn, and to Elmer, Jean, Bishop Eli, Bishop Joseph and all their families.
Excellent article by Elmer it needs to be posted for all to see not just those who read this blog. He is so correct that people are hungry on more than just Thanksgiving and Christmas, and we put to much emphasis on trying to be perfect at this time of the year. Marilyn take care of yourself, don't worry about the blog,the cards, baking etc.
Hi Anonymous,
I will see that Elmer gets your message. Thank you for the compliments. Am so glad you are more "prepared" for Christmas. I think Elmer brought Christmas closer to several of us.
Merry Christmas,
Marilyn
Hello Joyce,
Elmer sure is correct. People are hungry all year around. I am trying to calm down and get closer to Jesus like Elmer told me.
Merry Christmas,
Marilyn
Hi Folks,
Bishop Eli was going to do a Christmas post, but, laughing said, he couldn't say anything after Elmer's post today. So Bishop Eli will do the New Year's post on December 31st.
Marilyn
Hello Marilyn. I have read Elmer's excellent post and all the comments. There is nothing I can say, that hasn't been said, except Amen. Which is my agreement to all Elmer said and everyone else. I would like you and Pierre to have a stress free Christmas and relax leading up to the day. Relax next week too and don't worry about being here, especially if you have better things to do. I love you and your blog. Blessings on you and all of our writer friends.
Hi dynnamae n,
Will see that Elmer gets your message. I have calmed down a lot since I did what Elmer told me too. So glad you like this blog. I am happy that so many people come here.
Merry Christmas,
Marilyn and Pierre
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