Tag: Christmas

Franticness

Posted on by jonithetentmaker

Frantic could be my middle name at times. Because of the trauma of my earlier years of life, I allow these feelings to take over from time to time.  My understanding of PTSD is an inside-out situation. From inside me to the outside world, my actions and emotions express who I am.  I do have anxiety medications if required, but I like to self-soothe, which helps me to realize I can’t do it all.

Recently, I decided to be a creator and marketer and use all of the online platforms available. Yes, Christmas can make me very frantic.  And that was the trigger this time, the upcoming season. And even though I remind myself of what I have to manage daily, health-wise, I still remember that women are supposed to be superwomen! Even at 63. Trying to write marketing content, make the videos, and place them in strategic positions online is utterly nuts.  Yep, meet me, the new Mrs. Squirrel.

Comparatively, the online platforms are like surfing the Banzi pipeline in Hawaii for the first time, ever surfing. You can hop from Whatsnot, to TikTok, to Facebook, to Instagram, to your webpage, Etsy, WordPress, and Youtube. The big all-swallowing wave is bound to hit sooner rather than later. For me, thank God, it was sooner! I have overcome the franticness and moved to a more straightforward approach. Giving me time each day to work on my novel, Austin.

So if you read my past post about my merch going on here, please ignore it. I am very much human.

Some ways I self-soothe are listening to music, reading my Bible, and doing stretching exercises. I love this bible verse,  “Peace I leave with you; my Peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”  Love Jesus. I added the love Jesus part because I do feel like it is a love note from my Savior!

If you are struggling with franticness or the stress of the season, take a break from your own mind.  Put some music on and breathe deeply. Tell yourself that you are God’s child and loved far more than this world can show you.  Imagine Him wrapping you in His arms, holding you, and gently rocking back and forth.  Because you are His child, you are worthy!

God Bless You!

Santas Magic hat

I DID IT!

Posted on by jonithetentmaker

Hello, Fellow Travelers!

Last week, I was silent online because I was busy. I finished the layout part on Amazon/ KDG publishing, which means my Christian Children’s book Santa’s Magic Hat will be live on Amazon in three days. It is time for the happy dance and then to move on to the novel.

I put this on Amazon to encourage parents to buy the book for their children.

Discover the Heartwarming Story Behind Santa’s Magic Hat!

In Santa’s Magic Hat, children will embark on a delightful adventure to the North Pole, where joy, kindness, and faith shine brightly! Watch as Santa and his cheerful elves prepare for Christmas with their fun-filled Countdown Dance, spreading the holiday spirit in every step. But the real magic begins with Santa’s extraordinary red hat—a gift with a heavenly purpose.

This enchanting story reveals how Santa’s hat helps him share love, kindness, and the true meaning of Christmas with children all over the world. Perfect for kids ages 4 to 8, this book combines festive fun, colorful traditions, and a heartwarming message about Jesus’s love.

Give your child the gift of a story that celebrates the magic of Christmas while pointing to the greatest gift of all!

What do you think?

Please in three days check out Santa’s Magic Hat.

God Bless You!

Beware Holiday Bakers!

Posted on by jonithetentmaker

I will take on an exhilarating and disastrous journey within the following weeks. Exhilarating because it will be fun to discover if I can do it. Disastrous because I am not good at it at all. I am going to try my hand at baking!  It may be a little late to contribute to the holiday festivities this year, but it is never too early to practice for next year.  And, I think I could be a better cook if I practiced and put some heart into it. Of course, I have been known to put a little too much heart. Just ask about the year I put the sage in the dressing we had to throw away. Who knew that they meant 2 cups of fresh sage and not the compact sage in the bottle? The Grinch would have been very proud! So, if I start now and practice practice, practice, I might make it for next year’s dinners.

Ok, there are one, maybe two, or three more complications. I am a diabetic with two new heart stents and some allergies and asthma.  But my house is full of cookbooks, some dating back to the 1940s. My son and husband are the chefs, as were our past relatives. I hope to take a recipe and make adjustments and substitutions for me to enjoy. And they will be healthy, which means low or no sugar and low or no carbs. So if you happen to see a plume of smoke over the state of North Carolina during the next two weeks, no worries.  I am practicing my cooking skills!

And maybe, just maybe, I can conjure up some healthy recipes that taste good, for all of us to enjoy!

Have a Merry Christmas!

May God Bless You and Keep You. May His Face Shine Upon You.  May you know His mercy, grace, and abundant blessings throughout the Christmas season and always! In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Love

Joni

Are You Asking For A Christmas Miracle?

Posted on by jonithetentmaker

Children worldwide, believing in the magic of Christmas, create an unseen current of love and hope. Be on guard because this is a contagious current, ready to jump into the nearest open heart. It is uncanny or even heavenly their ability to generate the current. I believe heavenly. So if you are searching for a Christmas miracle, breathe in a child’s happiness.

I decided long ago that children are close to God because they recently left heaven. Look into the goodness of their eyes, and you are staring directly into heaven! Unfortunately, most of us lose the view of heaven in our eyes as we become older. The world begins erasing it as soon as it can. But I have met a few people who still possess the sparkle from the stars in their eyes and fluff from the clouds hidden within their souls as they came down. They know about God’s enormous love for all His children and the miracles He still performs today. And they say, Believe!

Believe in the babe in the manger.

Believe in the man on the cross.

Believe in God’s love for you.

Do you need a Christmas miracle? I know life has been extraordinarily tough these past years, and this year has been unyielding with hit after hit to finances, family life, and mental health. No one seems to be left untouched. Do you whisper under your breath during the day, “Jesus help me?”

I am right there with you. Our own financial concerns, health concerns, a sick child, and insurance concerns. It builds and builds into an enormous mountain seemingly unsurmountable. And then I remind myself that I am not a quadriplegic, nor is our child. We can walk and breathe on our own without mechanical assistance. We live in a house, and there is food on the table. We have each other, and we have God! I can go on naming our blessings, but you get the idea.

So sometimes your miracle is being grateful for what you already have in your life! And sometimes, your miracle arrives at Christmas!

God Bless You!

December 25 Is Not Jesus’ Birthday!

Posted on by jonithetentmaker

“December 25 is not Jesus’ birthday!” That is what I wanted to shout from the rooftops when I discovered my life was a great lie. Society and prominent Pastors had led me to believe December 25 was Jesus’ birthday. So we celebrated, decorated, and did the whole nativity scene play. I was Mary as a young child. And then I studied my Bible, not just read my Bible, but learned God’s word.

During the process of intense Bible studies, I came upon the fact that the Catholic Church made a deal with the Pagans of the day to join our most important holiday, Jesus’ birthday, with their most important holiday, Winter Solstice. The Church was hoping for a massive conversion to Catholicism and Christianity. I was so angry! How dare the Catholic Church change Jesus’ birthday to suit their human purpose. But, on the other hand, maybe they did believe somewhere deep down that it was a divine inspiration. I don’t know.

FYI, shepherds do not watch their sheep in the fields during winter. The lights, trees, decorations, and parties are all a part of Winter Solstice celebrations. Suddenly my own Christmas decorations looked disgusting to me, and what about all I led my children to believe? I was trying to figure out what to do. Celebrating their way seemed like a cop-out against my Lord and Savior. I could eat some hay with the goats in the barn!

Fortunately, my biblically intelligent sister, Ibiba, took me into her hands. She explained that people worldwide celebrate the baby in the manger, whether they believe in God. They are kind to one another and generous to those in need. Some people begin searching for their Lord and Savior during this time. Through God’s majesty, something created to bring Glory to man was turned into Glory for the babe in the manger!

The more I thought about Satan and his opposing plans, an agreement between Christians and Pagans was right up his mischievous alley. If Winter Solstice were meant to supersede the babe in the manger, then the babe would become obsolete. Easy plan. But, instead, the babe became more popular, and each Christmas, people searched for the “babe in the manger!” 

Throughout my life, God has taken my stupid decisions designed to cause me more harm than they did, and if I received what I deserved, then I would be ash. But the Bible informs us of God’s immense powers! And His plans are unchangeable! Even when we try to take control and make our plans. Then there is Satan, who keeps throwing us monkey wrenches in, but God supersedes Satan every time.  

By the way, Jesus’ birthday is in April, probably around the same time He was crucified. Of course, I like to imagine Jesus was born on May 21, my birthday!

My Favorite Reminder Bible Verse

Romans 8:28

And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God and those who are called according to his purpose. 

Now I celebrate Christmas just like I always did, except this time I do it to the Glory of the babe in the manger, my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. I put our tree up, fill it with lights and ornaments, and try to spread joy. If I can show people the “babe in manager,” maybe I can point to the “man on the cross,” too!

God Bless You!

Holiday Season Decisions!

Posted on by jonithetentmaker

Christmas is just around the proverbial retail store corner, and they all want your business.  Even I want your business for my other site One Retail Therapy.  But before you rush out into the maddening crush of shoppers, stop…write down a budget…make a list of who you are shopping for…their interests and leave some for charity.

This will give you the opportunity to get online and research your gift list along with the best prices.

When it comes to Christmas shopping, we are so proud of our daughter and son-in-law for their holiday choices.  (Our daughter probably made the decision for her own sanity, knowing the two sets of Grandparents.)  At Christmas, each child receives three gifts from Santa.  “Baby Jesus only got three gifts when He was born,” was her explanation to us.  Of course, that did not limit us Grandparents. But when she goes and puts it in the context of Jesus…well she made this Noni think twice about my own holiday buying choices.

Something everyone should consider, I think.

Now, before we get all bound together in wrapping paper and ribbon, we should pause and remember the real reason for the season. Oh, I can tell you all about Jesus and His love, but I found an article called “Giving the Gift of Christmas,” by Joshua Becker.  And I could not have written or said it any better. You need to check it out!

Since I believe in making informed holiday buying decisions; here are some sites to help you do the same thing.

  1. hottoysofChristmas.com
  2. hottoyguide.info
  3. trendtimes.com/christmas-toys.html
  4. fatbraintoys.com
  5. christianhelp.org/atchristmasserve.htm

And if you want to check out some great gifts, along with discount prices, and free shipping…

http://www.oneretailtherapy.com

That should be enough to get you started for now! Whew, cause it is enough for me!

Don’t forget to check out Joshua Becker’s article.

Giving the Gift of Christmas

God Bless You!

God Bless America!