"I truly believe that if we keep telling the Christmas story, singing the Christmas songs, and living the Christmas spirit, we can bring joy and happiness and peace to this world." -Norman Vincent Peale

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RAOK: Put down your cell phone or turn away from the screen when someone is talking to you

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To say that I am “directionally challenged” is an understatement.  Give me a map, and I will be very hard pressed to find north.  Maps and I have little in common.  We don’t speak the same language.  I plan to finish my Christmas shopping this week.  I texted my daughter and got the name of this little boutique which my granddaughter loves.  A gift card from there would be perfect!  I tried to find the store on maps (a phone app).  It gave me the name of the shopping mall it is in, but no instructions on how to find it once I get to the mall.  I had to call my daughter and get directions.  I trust her ability to get me there.  Rachel understood me and gave me visual clues of what I will see when I need to turn (turn left at Target, but instead of going into their parking lot, turn right and go around the corner.  It’s the the third store on the right).  Her instructions are simple and concise. There’s someone else I trust very much to give me instructions.  Jeremiah 17:7 - Blessed [is] the man that trusteth in the LORD, and whose hope the LORD is. I trust in Him.  As I think about this earth life, I think about how much I want to return to live with my Father in Heaven.  Fortunately, the Savior gave me a map I could follow.  You can follow it too.  John 14:6 Jesus saith unto him (substitute your name for “him”), I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.  Learn of Him, follow in His footsteps and he will lead us home. ~ Marilee

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CARAMELS
1 c. butter or margarine
2 1/4 c packed brown sugar
dash salt
1 c. light corn syrup
1 15-oz. can sweetened condensed milk
1 t. vanilla
Melt butter in heavy 3-quart saucepan. Add sugar and salt. Stir thoroughly. Stir in corn syrup. Mix well. Gradually add milk, stirring constantly. Cook and stir over MEDIUM heat to firm ball stage (245 EF), approx. 15 minutes. Remove from heat, stir in vanilla. Pour into buttered 9 x 9 x 2-inch pan. Cool and cut into squares. (I use parchment paper rather than buttering the pan. It makes it a little easier to remove from the pan.)

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Dr. Ralph F. Wilson has written many fabulous, beautiful Christmas stories.  He does not allow people to post his articles on their blogs or walls.  I would like very much to share with you The Cradle, a Christmas Story by Dr. Wilson.  Please follow this link and read this story.  http://www.joyfulheart.com/christmas/cradle.htm  Written in 1986, this story is “a touching story about Joseph building a cradle for the baby-to-be and then understanding God's cradle, the manger.”  It will be well worth your time.