This Christmas - Definitely More than Just Special

Every time I walked around humming this song, it made me think of all of you. Unwrapping Jesus this year has helped me to unwrap so many other special gifts and all of you are part of that. 

Shout out of priceless gratitude to:

Our family and friends at/in:

This blogosphere

Twitter, 

Facebook, 

GodsDreamsForMe blog, 

(in)Courage, 

FaithBarista (Jammers)

As Lindsay Wolf would say, "You rock my socks off!"

Layed back, hanging out at home and thinking of you all

You’ve all completely changed my outlook on God, love, self, relationships, dreams, and compassion. There’s so much more to really living out loud. You’re all a huge part of this for me and our family.

Outdoor tree this year! Neighborhood brought decor :D

This video is our Christmas present to you all. God Bless You. Thank You for making this Christmas the most special celebration yet! We even wore special hats for ya!

Oh, and if we haven't met you yet. We can't wait!


(you may have to turn up your volume)

Come on over and check out more of the Jam. You'll be glad you did!

My Healing Began with a Stranger

My health scare truly woke me up. Now all the “stuff” is extra. The last four years has been an adventure to discover the people around me, my family and strangers. It’s also been about letting go of perfectionism and legalism.

When I was well enough my doctor prescribed me to spend time out of the house, only for an hour at a time so I wouldn’t tire out. It was the best prescription ever. I met so many strangers in the book aisle at our Borders. They’d tell me their stories, hardships, successes, and recommend books. We even prayed together right there in the aisle! Most of the time I’d never see them again, but, we always left each other with huge smiles or tears of gratefulness for the encouraging time together.

picture by Haragayato

How it all began:
My favorite memory is of David and I walking through the mall one evening. I noticed the cutest little girl wearing her geta (Japanese wooden slippers). I remembered my own pair when I was a little girl. All of a sudden she noticed me and without hesitation ran up to me and reached up for a hug! She smiled and then she headed toward her parents who were watching. I stood there amazed, speechless, and overcome with amazing love. Halfway back, the little girl turned around, looked at me again, smiled the biggest smile and ran back toward me. This time she kissed me on my cheek and gifted me with a long bear hug. It was as if she knew me. Then clunk, clunk, clunk off she went proud of her wooden Japanese slippers. Her parents had the hugest smiles on their faces and we waved goodbye.

I was amazed that God knew I really needed that. It was at the beginning when my breathing was still labored and I had to walk so slowly. My friends and I all had crises at the time and were unable to be together.I felt so energized by what she had done. I’ll never forget it! This was the beginning of my physical, spiritual and emotional healing. Life wasn’t about me I realized. It wasn’t about how I thought it all should be. It was about discovering who people really are and appreciating them. It’s about discovering the beauty in how we fit together. It's about giving time to strangers and reaching out.

I see me different too. I’m beginning to appreciate God’s love in me for others. I could’nt do it without Him. I’m naturally selfish. Really, I am! Demanding too. Spending time with God has softened me and made me sensitive to people.

My prayer is that I never forget He’s the guest of honor not only at Christmas, but in my everyday. That will keep me going. As long as I live, I choose to give what He's given me...love and encouragement to live out loud. I'm still the one who gains so much more from it all.

What ways do you give love and receive love? That's you living out loud :0)

Read more stories and posts by checking out the Jam - Enjoy!

Looking Up - Absorbed by that Awe-some Action

“...Don't shuffle along, eyes to the ground, absorbed with the things right in front of you. Look up, and be alert to what is going on around Christ—that's where the action is. See things from his perspective.” Colossians 3:2

So much in our lives beat on us, get thrown at us, and press down on us. The expectations are on us to “perform and deliver” a great Christmas. If we get focused on it all we miss what’s ahead. We may forget to look up and see all the wonder that God brings into our everyday lives through Christmas. 

The people we love

“just by chance” encounters

The unexpected

The sweetness

His love for us.

Looking up in the middle of it all can move us to celebrate and honor our daily steps and routines. We become more aware of breath, touch, taste, sights, and sounds that we took for granted just a second ago. 

Christmas is all those things.

Was it one of those days today? Don’t shuffle along with your eyes to the ground. Don’t be absorbed in it. Look up and be alert to what God is doing and has done all around you. 

Be absorbed by that awe-some action - 

The kids at play

Your pets’ endearing eyes

A loved ones soft touch, sweet smile or huge bear hugs

The smell of dinner on the stove

My favorite, a co-workers totally fun and significant laughter

Your favorite song on the radio

Let’s make this Christmas a true celebration of love for family and friends this year. Let’s choose to start each day in the practice of looking up and being absorbed in His love so we can give it away.

What can you allow yourself to be absorbed by that will cause you to look up this season?

Slow Flowing the Holidays

I can already feel it in everyone I’ve been able to talk with; here comes the holiday rush. 

Fortunately, not for the Taira’s. The last 4 years has challenged and blessed me to "slow flow" living. It helps that it’s doctors’ orders. 

I love it when I’m in center of that flow. Yet, I frustrate myself when I step out of it. 

Learning to stop and see what he sees

In celebrating the old traditions, I pray for the mindfulness to breathe in each moment and embrace the ones I love and who love me finding gratefulness for it all. 

Learning to take time for fun

We’re also creating new sustainable traditions this year. 

Our first year in vegan/vegetarian foods. 

Our first year to choose the few gatherings that will fill and uplift us. 

Our first year to simplify the holidays, as much as possible, leaving room for enjoying each other to the fullest. 

We still have 29 days to discover and celebrate more firsts. How exciting!

Every year gets better and better. 

This year, I’m finding more and more of God in me, in those around me, and in all of you. It’s so amazing. 

Everyday, I see more of Him and discover more of His amazing love. 

His compassion in me for myself, others, and every living creature takes me on adventures I could have never imagined. 

Learning to stop and take notice

I pray this holiday season, for each one of us to find fulfillment in all the creative and unexpected ways He has specially chosen for each one of us. 

I pray we’ll take it with us through each day and the year ahead. 

Learning to cut out the unnecessary and make room

What are you hoping for in this Christmas?

Shout it out in the comments and then share it with someone in person.

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