2023 Christmas Gift Guide
Gift a great family experience this Christmas. Purchase tickets to attend a Birmingham Bull’s Hockey Game at the Pelham Civic Center. Tickets start at just $16 and home games include December 29, January 6, 12,13, and 15. For tickets visit www.bullshockey.net or call 205-620-6870.
2023 Christmas Gift Guide
Looking for a gift for the active person in your life? Your local Trak Shak has just what you need.
Extremely popular for both guys and girls this year are vests designed for running, hiking or walking in our Alabama winter conditions. Trak Shak carries both CEP and The North Face brands made with a wind proof panel front and a very breathable back, so you don’t overheat. See for yourself and find lots of other great gift ideas at any of their three Birmingham area locations, www.trakshak.com.
2023 Christmas Gift Guide
Are you looking for ways to reflect on the Advent season with your family? Sanctuary Christian Books and Gifts in Alabaster is a great place to shop a wide variety of items.
If you are searching for an Advent devotional for adults or children, Sanctuary has many options to choose from. Beautiful nativity scenes for decorating and even nativity scenes children can safely play with are also available. You can also find a wide variety of books for anyone in your life. Learn more by visiting www.sanctuarychristianbooksandgifts.com or call 205-663-2370.
Miracle Moments
Brought to you by: Molly Maid of Birmingham, www.mollymaid.com/birmingham
“In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.” Proverbs 3:6
When we first moved to Alabama a few years ago, we were hopeful in finding a way to serve our new community. It wasn’t long before we were introduced to Big Oak Ranch. While looking through the website, we immediately felt drawn to volunteer resource parenting, but we knew we would need to seek God’s guidance.
There were a lot of thoughts going through our minds, of how much it could change our lifestyle and routine, or if it would potentially change our family dynamic. Anniston is our only child, and we wanted to consider all possibilities before making this decision. In a short time, the Lord showed us that this was something we were supposed to do. Little did we know, our family would expand in the best way.
From the moment we met Izzy, we knew that she was going to be a very special part of our family, and we were so excited. We’ve always known that Anniston wanted a sister, and it’s been really sweet to watch Izzy become something so similar to that. They laugh, share clothes, play tennis, sing, and dance. Because of Anniston and Izzy’s friendship, “resource weekends” have been transformed into a unique and special family time! It’s an incredible honor to experience this as parents, and we cherish every memory that’s made.
Over the last two years, we’ve seen countless examples of who God is just by volunteering to serve a child at Big Oak in this way. The ability to welcome a child into our home and love her instantly – that’s not something we could have done in our own capacity. It isn’t always perfect – it’s real life and real people, and we’ve learned how to love someone who needed time to build trust before loving us back. The journey has been worth it. While it didn’t change our lifestyle or routines as Izzy just plugs right into what our family is already doing, it did change us in all of the best ways.
Volunteer resource parenting is more than just opening our home one weekend a month. It’s an opportunity for God to reveal another illustration of His love – to my husband and me, to Anniston, and to Izzy.
-Kelly Coby
Best Books
Every year, I watch for a new children’s Christmas book to recommend for our guests. I am looking for not only a well written and meaningful narrative, but also a book that has pretty or interesting illustrations. This year, after reviewing several new releases, I’ve decided on ‘Twas the Night (Tyndale Kids Publishing), written by William Dean and illustrated by Sarah Lowe.
‘Twas the Night shares the story of the night in Bethlehem when Jesus was born. It stays true to the biblical narrative, without any extra-biblical characters or plot developments. The story begins with Mary and Joseph’s arrival in Bethlehem, followed by their lodging in the stable and the birth of Jesus. The angels appear to nearby shepherds and proclaim the news of the new-born savior. The illustrations by Lowe are realistic rather than cartoonish, and the style is soft and lovely. Young children will be attracted to the artwork as they encounter the story of the birth of Jesus.
Here is an excerpt from a ‘Twas the Night, featuring Mary and the shepherds. Enjoy!
Mary, now resting, was happy to share all that took place under God’s tender care –
How this miracle happened, how the die had been cast, a virgin with Child, foretold in the past.
She said, “Call Him Jesus. He’ll save us from sin.”
Then silence befell them as awe settled in.
May God’s peace and joy be with us as we celebrate the birth of Jesus, the savior of the world.
-Darrel Holcombe, Owner
Sanctuary Christian Books and Gifts
Colonial Promenade, Alabaster
www.sanctuarychristianbooksandgifts.com
205-663-2370
Best Books
Death tried to snatch her life as the battle between good and evil shook her world.
Kuna Peou, born in 1954, lived most of her first twenty-one years in a life of luxury in 1970s Cambodia. She attended royal palace events, was chauffeured to her college classes, and even entertained the thought of marrying the crown prince instead of her arranged fiancé. Her life was on a wonderful track for success.
A Communist coup in 1970, however, would eventually upend her plans. Her father’s position as a senator placed the family in danger. They left behind everything they owned to try to survive. Over the next several years, Kuna went from rubbing elbows with royalty to eating rats and harvesting rice for her oppressors. Three times she was taken to be killed, and three times a miracle saved her. Eventually, the “Killing Fields” would claim her husband, parents, two of her brothers, and many other relatives. Kuna, now the widowed mother of two children, escaped to the US. Life in the States, though, proved to be just as difficult in some ways as her life in Cambodia had been. Kuna, now called Vera, faced numerous setbacks in education, business, finance, and her personal life. After her children ran away, she turned to God for help. Until the Day Dawns, by Vera Peou Crenshaw, is the incredible story of how Vera cheated death in Cambodia, struggled to build a life in the US, and then found love, healing, and God.
Crenshaw has gone through several careers and now owns a small, successful real estate business in addition to being an author. Her new release, Until the Day Dawns, is available wherever books are sold. †
Home for the Holidays
When I am showing homes to clients, I try to see the home from their perspective. It isn’t my home we are looking for, it’s theirs. They may not have any interest in a basement, couldn’t care less about a cul de sac, and have no need for an oversized lot. So, in my process, I tailor all the options down to the wants vs. needs of the family. We can always add things back in as the process progresses.
The one exception I hold is for the kitchen- especially for clients that have an already growing family. I am not the oldest or the wisest mama on the planet, but I do know how a kitchen should operate for that mama and her family. If a kitchen doesn’t lend itself to a smooth-running cycle of meals, it may not be the one! (I am kidding here, there are so many factors in picking a home for your family.) I feel strongly about the kitchen and its value to the family unit because it is where so many memories are made like storytelling while making Mimi’s apricot compost. Or learning the best way to make pie crusts for holiday baking. And, the time spent after school making Mom’s cookies. All of these wonderful memories were made in the kitchen.
Your kitchen does not have to be perfect, huge, or have chef-grade appliances. It needs heart, hospitality, and humor. These quality ingredients are what we bring to the table. The heart of your home is those you love, not the countertops or backsplash. I would like to leave you with a recipe that holds some of those memories for me. These cookies make great gifts too! From my home to yours, enjoy!
Molasses Crinkle Cookies
Ingredients:
¾ cup softened shortening
1 cup light brown sugar
1 egg
¼ cup molasses
2 ¼ cup flour
2 tsp baking soda
¼ tsp salt
½ tsp cloves
1 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp ginger
Instructions:
Mix shortening, sugar, egg and molasses. Stir in remaining ingredients. Chill dough. Heat oven to 375. Roll dough into balls the size of walnuts, dip tops into sugar. Place sugar side up on greased baking sheet. Sprinkle with 2-3 drops of water each for a crackled surface. Bake 10-12 mins. Yields about 4 dozen.
-Kasey Owens
Realtor, EXIT Realty Cahaba
205-913-6368
Home for the Holidays
Year after year, tons of families continue to opt for real trees around the holidays. They smell great and going to pick out your tree is a fun family activity. While it’s great to bring a little festive nature indoors, sometimes pests can hitch a ride.
Christmas Tree Bugs. While you might be picturing a Christmas-themed bug right now, the term “Christmas tree bug” encompasses several different types of pests that could be found nestled next to your ornaments! Here’s a brief list of some of the most common bugs you’ll find.
1. Spiders. Spiders are probably the most recognizable pest you’ll find in your Christmas tree. They are there to feast on other bugs that might call your tree home as well, which is great, but odds are you don’t want the spiders there either.
2. Pine Needle Scale. This one’s tricky. At first glance, this won’t look like bugs at all. Pine needle scale will look like little splotches of white paint on your tree’s needles. These splotches are actually eggs that will hatch into little red bugs soon.
3. Aphids. You might assume that these are ticks at first but a couple of things set aphids apart. They have six legs instead of eight and are typically larger than ticks. These guys love the sap inside your Christmas tree and can be hard to spot since they’re usually black or brown.
4. Bark Beetles. Much like aphids, these Christmas tree bugs will be hard to see. They’re typically black, brown, or red in color and around the size of a grain of rice. The only good news about bark beetles is that, while they love wood, they prefer moist wood, meaning your furniture is most likely safe.
Getting Rid of Christmas Tree Bugs. No one wants bugs for Christmas! It’s best to address your holiday pest problem as soon as you can, but carefully. You should never use an over-the-counter bug spray or insecticide on your Christmas tree. These products are extremely flammable, and even small tree lights could be a huge hazard. In situations like these where you can’t use store-bought bug sprays, your vacuum is your best friend. Vacuum up the pests as best you can, immediately emptying your vacuum into a trash can and taking out the trash. Pests are smart, and oftentimes can evade simple home remedies. When bugs and other unwanted guests threaten to ruin your family’s Christmas, it’s time to call in the experts. Vulcan Termite & Pest Control has been serving the Birmingham area since 1965. Visit www.vulcantermite.com or call 205-663-4200 to learn more.
-Vulcan Termite & Pest Control
205-663-4200
Encouraging Word
Temptation is universal. All of us have encountered temptation- even Jesus (Hebrews 4:15). No one is exempt or excused.
Temptation is the attraction to sin and the invitation to do something wrong or unwise. James 1:14-15 says it begins with a thought, then the thought turns to desire, and desire leads to action, and the action becomes sin. Sin leads to death. So how is the Christian to react to temptation? James 4:6-10 gives us some direction. We are to humble ourselves, submit to God, draw near to Him, and resist the devil.
Humble Ourselves. Humility is a modest view of one’s own importance. Romans 12:3 says not to think more highly of yourself than you ought. I think humility is honest self-evaluation and knowing who you are in relation to who God is!
Submit to God. Submit means to yield to the authority or will of another. We need to pray Jesus’ prayer where He said, “Not My will, but Thy will be done.” We need to exercise Romans 12:1, where we are to present our bodies as a living and holy sacrifice. We need to surrender to God and His will for our lives.
Draw Near to God. We need to have a close walk with God. You can draw near through the Scripture (Word of God); through prayer (communication with God); and by yielding to the Holy Spirit’s leading (be filled with the Spirit).
Resist the Devil. Resist is to withstand, try to prevent, struggle, fight back when pressured, refrain from doing, or refuse. In Luke 4, Jesus resisted by using Scripture and being full of the Holy Spirit.
I Corinthians 10:13 promises us that when temptation comes, we have a promise that God will provide a way of escape, so we don’t have to yield. So be encouraged. Even though temptation can’t be totally avoided; it can be resisted and overcome. Praise the Lord!
-Tony Cooper
Director Emeritus of Jimmie Hale Mission
Are We There Yet?
Are you looking for a perfect location for a family getaway or church retreat? Your Home Away From Home cabins in Pigeon Forge, Tenn. are a great option for any sized group. Plus, these cabins are the simple way to a memorable stay. Here is a look at just a few of the eight beautiful cabins.
The Vieux. This stunning cabin nestled in the Smoky Mountains accommodates 20 guests, so it is the perfect location for a church retreat. Guests can indulge in the rugged beauty of the mountains, gorgeous sunrises and sunsets, a private hot tub, and more. Inside the cabin you will find great amenities including a rec room, comfortable couches, two long, handmade wooden tables in the dining room that seat around 30 people and much more. A Christian Writer’s Retreat is held at The Vieux every year. You can call 530-392-2365 to learn more about the retreat set for April 25-28, 2024.
The Nest. This cabin, nestled in the Smokies, is a great option for a smaller group. The cabin sleeps four guests with two bedrooms and two bathrooms. The amazing views of the mountains beyond the windows and balcony are breathtaking. Once in a while, guests have wild turkeys, raccoons, and squirrels come to visit.
The Duck & Turtle Pond. Guests can take in the amazing mountain views from the cabin’s wall to wall, floor to ceiling windows. This cabin sleeps up to six guests and has a brand new hot tub to enjoy. This cabin is special to owners Kathryn and Wendell Tanner because the décor is inspired by a favorite place Kathryn took their children to feed ducks and turtles.
The Nut House. This cozy oversized studio offers two guests a wonderful place to relax and escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. With one bed and one bath, it is an ideal location for a couple’s getaway. The views from the windows of Mt. Laconte are stunning.
These unique cabins sit on 12 acres of land and are great for hiking around and enjoying nature. Surrounded by God’s beautiful creation, they provide a wonderful oasis for any occasion. The Tanners envision the entire property being used for destination weddings, family reunions, Christian retreats, and getaways. Learn more about these cabins, plus a condo in Gulf Shores, at www.cabins.tannermanor.org. Enjoy a 10% discount on the website for January and February with the code Happy2024. †
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