Some friends joined us in decorating sugar cookies and watching a Christmas movie.Jaden is holding the last of the puppies. She will go to the girls in the picture when they finish language school soon! (the puppy, not JJ)
Emma, Avery, and Zephan went down to Ester and Emily's apartment and became living Christmas trees
Showing posts with label holidays. Show all posts
Showing posts with label holidays. Show all posts
Monday, December 5, 2011
making merry
Some friends joined us in decorating sugar cookies and watching a Christmas movie.Jaden is holding the last of the puppies. She will go to the girls in the picture when they finish language school soon! (the puppy, not JJ)
Saturday, November 26, 2011
an answer to the dreaded question
We are trying something new (for us) this year. Every day I hear, "how many days until Christmas?" UGH! So, I made a green and red paper chain. We will rip one link off every day giving a visual of how many days until Christmas. On each link I put either a verse, a Christmas greeting in a different language, or a day of Christmas from the 12 days of Christmas. On the back there are things like: baking something with Mom to give to someone else or keep, doing something special for someone in the family without them knowing, making a craft, picking a Christmas movie to watch together, etc. I am using the ADVENTure book by Lisa Welchel and Christmas Around the World by Mary D. Lankford for the baking and craft ideas.
My desire is that this will not only keep me from hearing the dreaded question 145 times a day but also to refocus my crew. I hope that they can enjoy serving and encouraging others and focus on the Reason we celebrate...JESUS!
My desire is that this will not only keep me from hearing the dreaded question 145 times a day but also to refocus my crew. I hope that they can enjoy serving and encouraging others and focus on the Reason we celebrate...JESUS!
Full
We had a wonderful Thanksgiving.
After taking a winding road up through the tea fields we reached our destination for the day. We walked into the house and a fire was blazing in the fireplace. I felt giddy. After a few moments of soaking up the pleasure of the fire I looked out the windows lining the back wall and my eyes feasted on some of the most beautiful scenery. We were in a farm house in the middle of a flower/ tea farm. There were cows grazing, green, rolling hills, towering trees, gorgeous flowers, and a clear, blue sky as a back drop. I wanted to STAY forever.
We were gathered with some new and some not quite so new friends to celebrate Thanksgiving. I felt full, and not because of the incredible foods we ate, but because this place was a gift to my soul! God does things like that. He is so creative, so majestic, and He shows us this through things like HIS creation. Not only is He creative and majestic, He is intimately concerned with us, His precious creation. He knows how much I love a fireplace. This was no ordinary fireplace. It had a beautiful, deeply colored wood mantle, and the fireplace itself was large. I am telling you, every time I passed that wonderful sight I wanted to cry. He knows me and what gives my heart pleasure. Between the view, the fire, the food, and the fellowship it was a full day. The hours passed but it really felt like time stood still.
All week we had been focusing on the treasures of God's provision, His word, Salvation, our health and freedom, and His protection using a Thanksgiving resource we got years ago. It helped us focus on why we celebrate historically as well as spiritually.
We have so much to be thankful for. We live in a place where we see poverty on a daily basis. Chris has been visiting people who have little to no food, are sick and/or have lost family members because of the famine in the horn of Africa. Chris is feeling so much better after a year of really struggling physically. I could go on and on. God is good and not just because we are where we are physically and emotionally but also because He was there when we were struggling physically and emotionally this year. He was faithful then and He is faithful now.
As I enjoyed our time in the hills on Thanksgiving, being fully there and enjoying every moment, I was reminded to be fully where I am wherever I am. This is the moment, I am not guaranteed another. Am I living fully here and now? Am I walking closely with my heavenly Father, knowing Him, enjoying Him, obeying His voice today? This is my prayer!
"Oh come, let us sing to the LORD; let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation! "
Psalm 95:1
p.s. Sorry...I forgot my camera that day. Oh- I didn't even mention the coffee...wow.
After taking a winding road up through the tea fields we reached our destination for the day. We walked into the house and a fire was blazing in the fireplace. I felt giddy. After a few moments of soaking up the pleasure of the fire I looked out the windows lining the back wall and my eyes feasted on some of the most beautiful scenery. We were in a farm house in the middle of a flower/ tea farm. There were cows grazing, green, rolling hills, towering trees, gorgeous flowers, and a clear, blue sky as a back drop. I wanted to STAY forever.
We were gathered with some new and some not quite so new friends to celebrate Thanksgiving. I felt full, and not because of the incredible foods we ate, but because this place was a gift to my soul! God does things like that. He is so creative, so majestic, and He shows us this through things like HIS creation. Not only is He creative and majestic, He is intimately concerned with us, His precious creation. He knows how much I love a fireplace. This was no ordinary fireplace. It had a beautiful, deeply colored wood mantle, and the fireplace itself was large. I am telling you, every time I passed that wonderful sight I wanted to cry. He knows me and what gives my heart pleasure. Between the view, the fire, the food, and the fellowship it was a full day. The hours passed but it really felt like time stood still.
All week we had been focusing on the treasures of God's provision, His word, Salvation, our health and freedom, and His protection using a Thanksgiving resource we got years ago. It helped us focus on why we celebrate historically as well as spiritually.
We have so much to be thankful for. We live in a place where we see poverty on a daily basis. Chris has been visiting people who have little to no food, are sick and/or have lost family members because of the famine in the horn of Africa. Chris is feeling so much better after a year of really struggling physically. I could go on and on. God is good and not just because we are where we are physically and emotionally but also because He was there when we were struggling physically and emotionally this year. He was faithful then and He is faithful now.
As I enjoyed our time in the hills on Thanksgiving, being fully there and enjoying every moment, I was reminded to be fully where I am wherever I am. This is the moment, I am not guaranteed another. Am I living fully here and now? Am I walking closely with my heavenly Father, knowing Him, enjoying Him, obeying His voice today? This is my prayer!
"Oh come, let us sing to the LORD; let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation! "
Psalm 95:1
p.s. Sorry...I forgot my camera that day. Oh- I didn't even mention the coffee...wow.
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
Friday, November 28, 2008
Long time, no blog
It has been a while since I have blogged and I have lost my camera! Sorry for the tardiness.
In honor of the hiatus, here are a few random pictures from the past two months (don't get your hopes up-there aren't many).
Me and my man! We don't get too many of these (pics of the two of us) so I had to mark the occasion. Chris is almost done with his classes and we are SO enjoying having him around more now that he isn't working nights.
This is Sam. Sam is a special person to us, especially Jaden. This girl is blessed with wonderful musical talent and a love for God...good combination! We are thankful for Sam's influence in Jaden's life.
In honor of the hiatus, here are a few random pictures from the past two months (don't get your hopes up-there aren't many).
Me and my man! We don't get too many of these (pics of the two of us) so I had to mark the occasion. Chris is almost done with his classes and we are SO enjoying having him around more now that he isn't working nights.
This is Sam. Sam is a special person to us, especially Jaden. This girl is blessed with wonderful musical talent and a love for God...good combination! We are thankful for Sam's influence in Jaden's life.
This picture is from a visit with a long time friend and her kiddos. Gavin and her oldest are 12 hours apart in age! We sure love them and are grateful for the time we had that day. (sorry, the lens was dirty-I am SUCH the photographer)
Well, I know it isn't much but there it is.
We are enjoying our transition time. We have been able to visit with friends we haven't seen in a while. Right now we are enjoying some time at GranBud and Grammie's. We spent Thanksgiving with friends and family at PawPaw and Nana's. Chris cooked and made the most wonderful food. I wish you could have been there. I will post pics and the menu later.
Tonight we are going to get our Christmas tree! I love the hunt for the tree. Watching the kiddos wander around with eyes wide, searching for the perfect tree, is one of the highlights of the season. We will crate our belongings right before Christmas so the decoration situation will have to be negotiated.
We are in the process of sorting through our earthly possessions- deciding what we will take with us and what will stay. What an undertaking! It is actually pretty liberating. "Stuff" isn't as high on the priority ladder and that feels great.
The leaves are beautiful this year and I am taking lots of mental pictures. I don't imagine there will be many seasonal changes where we are headed. ;) We are so excited and can't believe that the time is getting so close.
Friday, July 4, 2008
HAPPY 4TH!!!
Poor little Emma has a fever today and so pictures outside hurt her wee eyes. What a sport.
We made Whole Wheat Flag Pancakes for breakfast.
We simply added blue sugar crystals and red tube icing and then flipped them to cook the second side. They were yummy and fun.
(notice the blue around Jaden's mouth)
Saturday, April 5, 2008
He lives, He lives, Christ Jesus lives today.
He walks with me, He talks with me along life's narrow way.
He lives, He lives, salvation to impart.
You ask me how I know He lives, He lives within my heart.
The words to this hymn were in my head the whole week before Easter.
This section of lyrics says it all. Salvation and the presence of God in my life-makes me want to sing right now!
He walks with me, He talks with me along life's narrow way.
He lives, He lives, salvation to impart.
You ask me how I know He lives, He lives within my heart.
The words to this hymn were in my head the whole week before Easter.
This section of lyrics says it all. Salvation and the presence of God in my life-makes me want to sing right now!
Monday, December 17, 2007
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