2021 Advent Day 13

Hey friends!

Today is day 13... and technically, the 14th at 1am... but it is all good! We are over halfway done with this advent season, and I am honestly really sad that it is coming to a close! I am proud of myself for sticking with it up to this point (even if I have been late more times than I have been on time....) I definitely know that the end of this advent season won't insinuate the end of my blogging, but I definitely will not be committing to posting EVERYDAY on here.. Unless, God tells me that I need to. It is just a lot for me to do with a toddler (especially one that was sick at the beginning of the month..)

Today's advent calendar said to make muddy buddies! If you haven't ever had them before, than I am sorry! They are delicious (as long as you are not allergic to peanuts or chocolate...) They are Chex cereal mixed with peanut butter, chocolate, and powder sugar! They are kind of messy to make, but sooo delicious to eat! We were able to buy all of the ingredients on the 13th, but by the time we got back to the house Eliza was READY to go to bed, so I put her straight to bed. We do plan on making them tomorrow (today) though! I will go ahead and put pictures of them on this one, even though they technically will not be done until the 14th.

Matt got to start back at work today; he is working for the prosthetic clinic that he used to work for while we were living in Hattiesburg. I will start back working tomorrow (today). I will be working at an Alterations and Formals store, and it is where I used to work while living here! We are both so thankful for the opportunity for having income while we are in Hattiesburg for the break.

Today's Bible advent was a devotional and Luke 1:46-55. The picture quote for today said, "Mary chose to trust God rather than resist her calling, even if it meant a lifetime of being misunderstood." After God's plan was revealed to Mary, she was excited! She did not worry about anything to come to her, except how excited she was that God chose her, and had a place and roll for her in His story. She glorified Him for choosing someone like her, she praised Him for His mercy, faithfulness, and power in fulfilling His promise as Savior.

She declared that generations would call her blessed because God has done great things for her. This was a BIG statement for her, especially because of the judgement that was going to follow her around. She was not married, and no one was going to believe that she was a pregnant virgin. Even typing that, I kinda laughed. I know God's plan, and she really was a pregnant virgin. Those two words COMPLETELY contradict each other though, so even knowing it was true still made me laugh and question it. Her own fiancé had to have reasurrance from an angel. People question to this day if she really was a virgin..

Mary had to focus on the blessing she knew she had. She had to remember that God chose her for this important purpose. The ones that would believe in Jesus would be the ones to believe, honor, and trust that her claim of virginity was true. She could not and did not dwell on the things that people would say or do to her. She did not even feel the need to defend herself, because she knew what God called her to do, and she knew it was true. It did not matter if other people thought it was true or not.

Do NOT let other people keep you from obedience. Do NOT let the thought of judgment, prosecution, or slander keep you from obedience. You need to know and be confident that God has called you to something that is just for you and no-one else. Nobody else is going to understand your calling, and your roll in the Father's plan except for you. We are called to make a difference, not to be comfortable, accepted, understood, or to fit in.

"Father, thank You for choosing someone as humble as me to be used for Your glory. I commit today to do whatever You want me to do, even if it's difficult. Even if the people around me don't understand. What You think is most important to me. I know Your plans are worth any resistance I might face in this world." - Prayer

"And Mary said: My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord, and my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior, because He has looked with favor on the humble condition of His slave. Surely, from now on all generations will call me blessed, because the Mighty One has done great things for me, and His name is holy. His mercy is from generation to generation on those who fear Him. He has done a mighty deed with His arm; He has scattered the proud because of the thoughts of their hearts; He has toppled the mighty from their thrones and exalted the lowly. He has satisfied the hungry with good things and sent the rich away empty. He has helped His servant lead Israel, mindful of His mercy, just as He spoke to our ancestors, to Abraham and his descendants forever." - Luke 1:46-55