It’s almost December! I’m sure by now, it’s fairly hard to miss no matter where you are that Christmas is right around the corner. I hope you and yours had a wonderful Thanksgiving and that you are finding time and space in this busiest of seasons to enjoy the magic that is Christmas time!
Today, I’m linking up with Emily P. Freeman to share what I learned this month. Emily is now doing these link-ups quarterly, but I’m going to try to keep on doing them monthly since I enjoy the habit of reflection on what life is teaching me.
1. Walmart grocery pick up is the best invention ever. I know I shared this last month, but I just couldn’t help but share it again. It is without a doubt one of the biggest things helping me survive graduate school and working while still preparing healthy, home cooked meals for us. If you have this in your area, I encourage you to try it!! Even if it’s only a once in a while thing, it’s so worth it! Use this link and get money off your first order! (P.S. Walmart has no idea who I am — just sharing this service, one busy person to another)
2. God knows our needs long before we do. I went to the hope*writers workshop this month — it was a wonderfully encouraging, life giving time — but even more than that, it was a much needed weekend away with my husband. We’ve had a lot of things going on lately that have required much conversation and prayer — the hope*writers weekend could not have fallen at a better time, and I know God knew this past summer we would need this weekend in November. What an awesome God we serve!!
3. Pentatonix Christmas Albums are the best. It’s not Christmas until we start listening to Pentatonix on repeat. If you need convincing, check out their amazing videos — The Little Drummer Boy, Mary Did You Know, and Hallelujah.
4. His grace is all around…we just have to be looking. I think this is the biggest lesson this month — in all the curveballs of life, His grace shows up in the glimpses as long as we are looking. I wrote all about it in my recent post — grace in the glimpses.
5. A puppy makes Christmas extra fun…and makes me rethink every breakable ornament I own. Dallas was adorable when we were decorating the tree — wanting to sniff everything and be right in on the action. However, my keepsake ornaments from around the world (when I travel I collect ornaments) are safe in their box for this year…just in case he decides to randomly eat the tree! 🙂
6. Financial Peace University (FPU) is great for every financial stage. My husband and I just finished up teaching Dave Ramsay’s FPU at our church. Even though I’ve been doing Dave’s “baby steps” since college graduation, I learned so much in going through the official course. No matter where you are financially, I highly recommend this course or Dave’s books.
7. Vests are my new favorite winter clothing item. My sister-in-law gifted me the gray vest above (these are on big time sale right now — $20!) last Christmas, and I wore it constantly. Did it match all my outfits? No. Was it incredibly warm? YES! Since I wore it so much last year, I ordered one in cream this year. It’s amazing to me how much that very light down layer makes such a difference!
8. Saving Mr. Banks, the movie, is so good! I remember hearing about this movie when it first came out, but I forgot about my desire to see it. Over Thanksgiving, my in-laws recommended it, and I’m so glad they did! Tom Hanks and Emma Thompson (two of my favorites!) do such a good job and the story is so engaging! It’s not a Christmas movie per se, but if you’re looking for a good family movie, I recommend it!
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What did you learn this month? I would love to hear in the comments, and be sure to visit Emily’s blog to see what others have learned this fall.
My dogs chewed ornamentss too.
Hope they weren’t your favorites! Dogs are so fun, but they can definitely destroy things! 🙂 Thanks for reading, Megan — hope you have a great December!