It’s The Most Wonderful Time of the Year!
Yes, I am quoting Christmas music and movies! Sorry, but right now the hope that comes with Christmas makes me very happy. So, let it snow. Or how about Ice Skating in central Florida. That’s right and here’s where.
“Winter in the Park” – Holiday Ice Skating Rink
When: Friday, November 18, 2011Call for times
Where: Central Park West Meadow, 150 North New York Avenue
Cost: $10 all day includes skate rental; Group discounts
Contact: 407-599-3203
http://cityofwinterpark.org/Calendar/details.aspx?ei=53640 and here’s where you can find all the information that I did about this.
Does your family have a special Christmas tradition? I’d love to hear about it! Let me know.
Serving the Savior!
Alana
@Alana_Chambers Twitter
They Grow Up So Fast!
There’s something about a new school year that brings back such special memories and a bit of excitement. My mother was a teacher, and I loved helping her get her room ready for a new group of students each year. All the supplies neatly sorted and stored in the cabinet; pencils, paper, crayons and construction paper just waiting for excited little hands to use. Glue, pipe cleaners, and water color paint for crafts or art class and special projects. Even now I love shopping for my student’s school supplies.
But this new school year is somewhat sad for me. Our youngest begins the 11th grade. With only two more years of high school left we find our minds occupied with research for scholarships and our mail box filled with college brochures trying to tempt Aaron to attend. I silently protest, “but he’s to young. He is only 16!” To say that it is all a bit overwhelming and emotional is the understatement of the year.
When friends talk about their little ones heading off to the first grade or getting signed up for Cub Scouts or Ballet I fight the urge to warn them of how quickly these days will fly by. I want to encourage them to cherish every minute, to take that extra hug and give that kiss even to the most resistant and squirming little face. But the truth is while friends may listen, only the passing of time will help them understand how fleeting childhood days are.
So, I will take my own advice and cherish my child. I will listen to him talk. I will enjoy every ride to school, to track practice and all the extra curricular activities I have the privilege of driving him to. I will try not to complain when he drinks the last drop of milk. These days go so fast and I don’t want the joy of each to be colored with complaints. I will bake cookies, and make sure his clothes are clean and I will cherish each day that I have the joy of being a Mom.
Do Everything As Unto the Lord!
On Friday May 4, 2012 at 4:16 PM you pushed us over the 100% mark and we reached our Strong Tower Goal!! Thank you for your prayers and your financial support. To God be the glory. Each time we finish a Fundraiser, there is a sweet feeling of recognizing God’s hand in what we do at Positive Hits Z88.3. Though I can’t speak for everyone, I believe it is safe to say that each of our staff senses a conformation of being exactly where they belong,
I hope you have that certainty in your life. I pray that each morning you wake up knowing that you are in the center of God’s will and plan for your life. If you take any encouragement from Steven Curtis Chapman’s song Do Everything, then you know that you bring glory to God in each activity of your day. In Colossians 3:17 God’s word reminds us- And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him!
That means if you are baking a cake for your child’s Birthday – do it as unto the Lord! Take joy in loading that washer with your family’s clothes. Praise God for the washer, the soap and the electricity you are using to do it. Give God all the glory. Oh how I love about our heavenly Father. He is consistent and faithful. He takes such joy in his children. He shows his power and love by providing the funds to reach the goal of fundraiser as well as the baking of a child’s birthday cake.
National Day of Prayer
National Day of Prayer -
Each year I “plan” to attend at least one of the many gatherings held on the National Day of Prayer. But again this year, I am having my solitary prayer time instead. I know most of you will understand why I didn’t go. I made other plans!
Actually my son planned to have a couple of friends over. I needed to be in the house, but out of the way while they did the things that 16-year-old boys do. Play computer games, board games, eat, and pull an all nighter in an intense game of Black Ops. And I would not have missed it for the world!
But that does not stop me from praying. Prayer is truly something that we can do anywhere and anytime. When I pull in the parking lot at Publix I really do ask for a great parking spot! And sometimes I actually get one.
I pray for God to be with each of my children throughout the day. To open their eyes to what He is teaching them in each situation he has for them. I pray for my husband. Who else knows the concerns and struggles he thinks about each day but God and me.
I pray for friends, family, myself, President Obama and for complete strangers.
While Philippians 4:6 tells me: Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
Ephesians 6: 18 reminds me to: Pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.
I don’t love to pray because I am a deeply spiritual person who never does anything wrong. Actually the opposite is true. I’m a sinner saved by God’s underserved love and grace; who prays always with gratitude, and to avoid the wrong that so easily ensnares me.
You Can Do It!
There are women who know exactly what they want their homes to look like. They have been thinking about every detail since they were little girls and their homes show the love and time they have put into making is a beautiful and nurturing place for their families.
While my home is a safe and nurturing place, it has taken me more that half of my 30 plus years of marriage to figure out what I like in home decor! Truth be told I was somewhat intimidated by my wonderful and talented Mother who was an artist and lived her life in vivid color. Everything she put her hand to was a beautiful and inspiring success. I guess I kind of lived in her shadow and hoped some of her talent would rub off on me. Unfortunately it does not work that way.
Just before my Mom relocated to her new home in heaven, she encouraged me about my own ideas and abilty. She said, “have fun and don’t be afraid to try!” Those words are what gave me the courage to act on my ideas and to put feet to my dreams. Mom was right, I can do it!
I want to encourage you to “give it a try” what ever “it” is that you have been putting on hold. Take a class, lead a Bible study, learn to fly or surf or dance or decorate your home! You can do it.
Got the Acting “Bug”?
Once you have been bitten it never goes away. I know because at 5 years of age I discovered the thrill of the stage. It is probably one of my best kept secrets but I am going public now! For no reason except that I have a God given ability and desire that I want to see if I can use to bring Him glory. The opportunities may be few or doors may not open at all. But where ever I go there will be people to meet, to learn from and to share with. I am so excited to see how God uses this new adventure in my life for my good and His glory!
Living in central Florida is a great place to get started if you want to act. There are so many resources and here are some that I have discovered. You’ll find listings for auditions for Full Sail student productions at http://www.facebook.com/groups/FullSailCasting/ You can gain experience in these productions and you get a copy of the project to add to your resume.
Another resource is http://www.greenroomorlando.com/CastingCalls.aspx which lists film projects that are looking actors and holding auditions locally!
Yesterday on the Morning Show Ellis, Tyler and Tracy talked about a casing call that was being held in Deland. I went to that call! It was fun and nerve racking but more importantly I learned that they will hold another casting call at the same location on Monday February 13, 2012. This is for a film called RingThe Bell that will be filmed in Deland. Here’s the article that ran Friday in the Daytona Beach News Journal with more information!
Let me know how it goes for you!
Twitter: @Alana_Chambers
Lighter Recipes
Hey, thanks for coming by. Yes, I was talking about lighter recipes on the air, and I do have a few I’d like to share with you. I also mentioned posting some web sites with yummy lighter versions of our favorite dishes. But alas, I am still in the learning curve with this new blog/web site. So please be patient with me. I will have my technically brilliant sons show me how to do it all and get those recipes posted soon!
In the mean time -if you have a recipe that is light yet yummy please share. I have used AllRecipe.com with great results in finding light recipes. And our on air Nutritionist, Pam Smith has a web site that is filled with tips and recipes for healthy eating and a healthy lifestyle. You will find those at http://pamsmith.com/
Alana ~
Here we go!
January 21, 2012
Welcome to the new web site, and to my page! I confess I will be learning about it along with you. But that’s whats so exciting about the internet, web sites and blogging; learning something new.
I have given quite a bit of thought to what I want to post, share, and hear from you about on this page. First and foremost – whatever God is doing in your life. Nothing is more exciting than that. So – please share a praise about what God is teaching you today. Or if you have a prayer need – there’s a place for you to tell us about that too. Click home and scroll down on that page to Resources. You’ll find Request Prayer there.
When I was a child my Mom shared her “life verse” with me. It became one of my favorites out of the many I have read and cherished since. It’s Romans 8:28 And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good,for those who are called according to his purpose.
That is me and you! Called, chosen and set apart according to and for His purpose!! So let’s get busy bringing God glory!
Soli Deo gloria
~Alana
