🎄Stop and Smell the Christmas Roses! 🎄

Some folks rush home after trips just to get back to their “to-do” lists — not us! After the Tulsa wedding, we headed to Branson, MO where Christmas lights meet Southern charm and joy practically jingles in the air! We determine to make sweet moments count!
And let me tell you — Branson just might be Heaven’s satellite office this time of year.

Everywhere we went, Jesus was the headliner — not the afterthought. At the Christmas Wonderland Show, we clapped along with Santa and his high-energy dancers until the scene changed to honoring all the veterans in the auditorium. Yes, Carl, was one of those who served our country valiantly!

Then the music shifted to “Silent Night” and “O Come All Ye Faithful.” Suddenly, I had happy tears! Only in Branson does Santa share the stage with the Savior.

Then came the showstopper of all showstoppers — “David” at the Sight & Sound Theater. Oh my goodness, I’ve never seen anything like it. Live animals, towering giants, real waterfalls, and special effects that made me want to applaud God’s creative team right then and there! As we watched David go from shepherd boy to king, I thought: this is what faith looks like when it’s lived out loud.

And just when our hearts couldn’t hold more joy, we spent the evening with The Duttons — a family full of music, laughter, and love that radiated straight from the stage. It wasn’t just a concert; it was a celebration of family, faith, and the joy of using our gifts for God’s glory.

All of it — the lights, the laughter, the faith — reminded me how easy it is to slip into “same-oh, same-oh” living. But oh, what blessings we miss when we stop noticing the beauty God tucks into our everyday world!

So let’s unplug, look up, and soak in the moments. Let’s trade scrolling for strolling — through His creation, His people, and His goodness.

Psalm 118:24 reminds us: “This is the day the Lord has made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.”

Because life’s too short to just exist — it’s meant to be experienced. And every day is a gift worth unwrapping with joy.