2021 Advent Day 12

Hey friends!

Today is day 12! It's technically the 14 at 12am, but whateverrrrr. We are almost half-way through the 25 days! Only half a day left! This has been such a fun thing for me to do, and I really love doing it! Even if I have been late more days than I have been on time... I need to plan my days better, and I am working on it, I just have never been great about that. I am planning on starting (and keeping..) a bullet journal and a calendar to just keep me on track better. I have a LOT of things I need to do better, but it's okay.

Today's advent calendar said Christmas Music Dance Party, and let me be honest with you guys... it didn't happen. We woke up this morning and went to church, then finished packing, and getting everything ready to head to Hattiesburg. Then, we drove all the way to Hattiesburg and didn't get here until 9pm. Eliza played with Tutu and Poppy for a little while, and then BROKE down because of how tired she was... Church was great, and honestly the drive to Hattiesburg was not bad at all. We stopped at Buccee's and if you know us, you are not surprised in the slightest.. lol Matt and I have gone on 4 semi-lengthy (at least for having a toddler with you..) road trips in the past 2 months, and we have stopped at Buccee's each time!

Today's Bible advent was a devotional, Luke 1:39-45, and Matthew 1:21-23. The picture quote for today said, "Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill His promises to her!" The devotional for today starts out by saying, "Something powerful happens when we trust God enough to not only hear what He says, but believe it." I know atheist have read the Bible, but they do not believe it. You have to do both, you have to read it and believe it. If you are able to believe in God's word and that His plans for you are true, then, you are able to relax and have peace that you typically would not have.

Mary went to go visit her cousin Elizabeth after submitting to God's plan, and told Elizabeth the news. Elizabeth had been dealing with infertility for years, but was miraculously pregnant. Once the baby inside of her, heard the good news, he jumped and Elizabeth was filled with Holy Spirit. Elizabeth declared over Mary that she was blessed because she believed God would fulfill His promises to her! Mary had full and complete belief in what the angel of God told her. She was blessed with peace and confidence.

Think about the results of Mary's belief in God's plan and promises. What has God promised you? Are what is His plan for you that you may not be believing in right now? Imagine what would happen if you completely believed in His plan for you and your life! Trust His plan and receive the peace and confidence that He has for you! He knows better than we do, and it will come at the perfect time for you in your situation!

Man, that one is HARD for me.. I have something that the Lord has promised me and I thought I had full belief in it, but after really thinking about it, I know that I have not had that full belief. I have said it is going to happen, but kind of in a joking matter. I have thought about how cool the plan would be, and it is something that I would want to happen, but I have never actually believed that it would happen for me. I have completely doubted that God has that plan for me. I step forward from this moment believing that He does have that plan for me, and that it will happen in His timing!

"Father, as I focus on the blessing of Jesus' birth, help me to become more like Mary. Help me grow in my trust and belief in Your promises. I know Your plan for my life leads to the best possible outcome. Help me identify any areas of unbelief in my life, and give me faith that You're working in ways I can't see. I choose to trust You today!" - Prayer

"In those days Mary set out and hurried to a town in the hill country of Judah where she entered Zechariah's house and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, the baby leaped inside her, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. Then she exclaimed a loud cry: You are the most blessed of women, and your child will be blessed! How could this happen to me, the mother of my Lord should come to me? For you see, when the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby leaped for joy inside me! She who has believed is blessed because what was spoken to her by the Lord will be fulfilled!" - Luke 1:39-45

"She will give birth to a son, and you are to name Him Jesus, because He will save His people from their sins.' Now all this took place to fulfill what was spoken by the Lord through the prophet: See, the virgin will become pregnant and give birth to a son, and they will name Him Immanuel, which is translated 'God is with us.'" - Matthew 1:21-23