OPERATION CHRISTMAS CHILD

Brodie and Aida had the opportunity to serve this week with their dad
at an Operation Christmas Child packing event.

What a wonderful Christmas ministry!

It's always a gift to give...to get outside of ourselves and remember the world in need.

And I guess I've gotten a little sappy thinking back to Aida's first time serving at OCC...

(December, 2014)

Was that really 5 years ago?! Ahh how time flies.

No more blinking...

"It is more blessed to give than to receive."

Acts 20:35

HAPPY 19TH BIRTHDAY AIDA!

Just a few of my favorite memories last year...with you.

(Yosemite walks at dawn)

(your role as big sister in this season)

(your willingness to serve)

(Boot Barn day)

(our daily walk-and-talks)

(first day at HP)

(seeing you work with horses again)

(becoming a responsible driver)

(shopping dates)

(our inability to take a proper selfie)

(beach house memories)

Aida, I'm so proud of you and I'm so thankful for you! You're not just my daughter, you're truly my cherished friend. I'm so thankful for how the Lord has been at work in your heart and life this past year! One more year as a teenager...though you've felt more like an adult than a teen all along! I know the Lord has wonderful plans in store for you. It's been a blessing to see them begin to unfold and I'm confident that He has even more blessings awaiting, just around the corner.

What will the next year bring...???

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MY AIDA!!

XOXO

We love you SO much!!!

"For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord,

plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope."

Jeremiah 29:11

SWEETEST LITTLE CHRISTMAS GIFT

It was 3 years ago, this Christmas, that we announced to our children we were expecting a new baby...the sweetest little Christmas gift. At the time, unbeknownst to us, that baby was already with Jesus, though I was experiencing every symptom of pregnancy. It's been a long road since then...8 miscarriages total in 3 years of highs and lows and Jesus as the constant...through it all. So, this week, when we saw our little 10 week old baby's heart beating strong on the ultrasound, arms and legs developing, movement from our little one...the miracle of God's creation and His gift of life felt even more miraculous now somehow. After all.

(our sweetest little Christmas gift this year)

And, the highs, the lows, they're all a gift really, when we choose to look at it that way, when we realize the lows are what drive us to our knees and deepen our reliance upon our Savior. Ya, it's been through the hardest times that we've come to know His comfort, love, and tender grace the very most...and that's been a gift from Him too.

"But he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong."

2 Corinthians 12:9-10

O CHRISTMAS TREE

It's definitely one of our favorite traditions this most wonderful time of the year.

(the usual scene)

We put on Johnny Mathis and Aida makes her eggnog and cookie station.

Memories are made.

Traditions kept.

And my personal favorite...early morning prayers by the light of the tree all the days leading to Christmas.

O Christmas Tree

Let us all remember

In our gift giving and our merriment

With our family and friends and loved ones

The real and true meaning of Christmas

The birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ

O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree

How lovely are thy branches

"For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord."

Luke 2:11

KNOTT'S BERRY FARM

...for Brodie's bday.

They had so much fun!!

I loved the ride pics...

And they finished the night out with the famous chicken dinner.

Such sweet memories!

Happy 17th Brodie!!

"May He grant you your heart's desire and fulfill all your plans!"

Psalm 20:4