MERRY CHRISTMAS 2015

As always, it was a blessed Christmas season this year full of sacred reflection upon the birth of Christ and ALL that we have to be thankful for! Of all the traditions we savor this time of year, one of my personal Mommy-favorites is Christmas Eve when we open one special gift...jammies. Even Mom and Dad get to be matching (something we prize here in our home). I love how this knits our hearts together and helps us feel unified, alike in our many differences. It's a cozy tradition I know we'll all cherish for a lifetime and beyond.

(the gentlemen)

(the ladies)

How very joyful it's been to celebrate all the goodness of reflection and nostalgia.

It has indeed been a very Merry Christmas!!

"The LORD has done great things for us, and we are filled with JOY!"
Psalm 126:3

O CHRISTMAS TREE

It's one of our favorite Christmas traditions...the tree.

 

 

This year we were asked if we were a field trip group. Ha.

 

 

Nope...just us.

 

 

Every year, the guys have their jobs...car, trim, stand.

(some of my favorite memories...watching him watch his dad)

(watching the little boys learn from their big brother)

  

When we get home, the girls set out the ornaments by category (breakable/non-breakable)

and cookies. Then we go over the rules, put on Johnny Mathis, and decorate.

 

(perfecting the art of adding the star)

 

Willow loves the lights...and I love that she can't crawl yet.

(I love waking up to the lights...and Elka leading "O Christmas Tree".)

 

It's one of the sweetest blessings of the season for me...early morning prayer by the lit tree.

 

(just me and usually this little gift)

 

With our move up in the air we didn't know where we would be this Christmas, but it's nice to be here, celebrating with some of our favorite traditions. Who knows where we will be next year or what new traditions we'll add...but for now this is home.

 

"'Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son,

and they shall call his name Immanuel' (which means, God with us)."
Matthew 1:23

HAPPY BIRTHDAY AIDA!

My baby is 15.

 

 

15?! Admittedly, she seems much older...and wiser than what I remember of 15.

 

Then again, the dose of intentionality over here to shepherd this young woman and all of the little souls that swirl around us is

quite the shift from what I was focusing on at their ages. Indeed, God's Word works wonders as we sow for harvest with Him.

 

"And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up."
Galatians 6:9

 

Aida, my heart swells when I think of who you are and who you're becoming. Truly, you're one of the most amazing people I've ever known, one of the best friends I've ever had. Your heart just gets it in a precious and rare way. You're so stable and strong, yet always meek and humble. Your faith is contagiously unwavering. Your sense of commitment and responsibility are trustworthy. You bless our family in plentiful ways. With a joyful heart, you serve and love far beyond your years. I have full confidence you will be an excellent wife and mother one day. I'm so proud of the daughter you are now. It's actually quite astounding to see the fruitful growth in your life...in these teen years that too often are squandered. I'm so very blessed to call you friend as I consider, Where has the time gone?

 

Lord, thank you for my Aida, the one who brings her mommy and daddy to tears (literally) as we reflect upon who she is, who you've been molding her to be. Thank you for this Aida, this girl so full of wisdom and the fingerprints of...YOU. Lord, thank you for dear Aida, the one who walks faithfully beside me, a loyal, true friend. How could I have known all those years ago when I held my first babe? How could I envision your masterpiece when her toddler-self bucked my corrections? How could I possibly sufficiently thank you for bringing such beauty into our lives through this person who blesses me every single day just by being who she is? There's no way to thank you enough for my Aida, other than to commit her life to you. Jesus, here is Aida, a girl of just 15...so much life ahead and yet so much she's already lived. Lord, please guide her and keep her near. Please lead her all her days in ways that sing of testimony for you.

Please incline her heart to grasp how very much she is cherished, admired, appreciated, and loved today and every day.

 

Thank you, God, for Aida!!

 

 

Happy 15th Birthday, precious Aida! We love you more than you can know!

 

"I thank my God in all my remembrance of you."

Philippians 1:3

NO ROOM

 

"And she gave birth to her firstborn son; and she wrapped Him in cloths,

and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn."
Luke 2:7

 

NO ROOM...But where would they go? She was with child. Her time had come. They were displaced a long trek away from their home. Surely, this was an anxious moment. Surely though, Mary and Joseph trusted God. They knew He had led them all the way to this time and place where they'd be met with NO ROOM. They knew He was God and this was His story.

 

"The NO ROOM sign is seen through a new lens when the world refuses us this space as well."

 

A quote from a friend this past week as the NO ROOM sign flashes blaringly after a long trek to where the Lord has led us. Her words seep in knowingly as He's led us all the way to this time and place, an anxious moment indeed...But He is God and this is His story.

 

NO ROOM

 

It starts my mind thinking. The Savior of the world came lowly. He was born not in a palace where kings usually dwell, but in humility He came. The irony is pure beauty and all the more when He lets us in on just how it feels. Oh, to know more of Him! My heart longs for it, followed by a quick quip from my flesh, Be careful what you wish for. 'Cause this knowing God stuff can be painfully precious and He knows. He is, after all, the Great Author, Creator, Wonderful God who writes brilliant, surprising stories! We trust Him.

 

"And those who know your name put their trust in you,

for you, O Lord, have not forsaken those who seek you."

Psalm 9:10

 

NO ROOM...the notion applies well beyond house and home and hearths to hearts.

How can we ever truly be home here anyway? If we long for heaven as we should, the reality is we can't.

 

^"These all died in faith...having acknowledged that they were strangers and exiles on the earth.

For people who speak thus make it clear that they are seeking a homeland. 

If they had been thinking of that land from which they had gone out,

they would have had opportunity to return. But as it is, they desire a better country,

that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God,

for he has prepared for them a city."

Hebrews 11:13-16

 

The Lord of Lords knew the same, and challenged those who'd follow Him into the unknown.

 

"And Jesus said to him, 'Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests,

but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head.'"
Luke 9:58

 

Yes, this world is not our home and the hostility here reminds us of the mansion-full of many rooms a far trek from the manger.

Humble low to glory high, the King is on His throne! And there's always room and then some more awaiting those who love Him.

 

"Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. In my Father's house are many rooms.

If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you,

I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also. I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you."

John 14:1-3, 18

 

Faith in Jesus equates to peace in stormy lessons that He brings while He molds us Potter/clay (a gift, no doubt, this Christmas season). So, come what may. As the NO ROOM sign burns bright in the bitter cold of winter, our hearts choose comfort warmth in the arms of the God who pens our songs to sing His faithfulness. Tapestry-type harmony, confused on one side, spectacular on the other...those are His-type stories. How kind of Him to let us in and show us how His heart beats strong. And gratitude makes most sense as the nativity scene shines brighter than the one atop the inn- LIGHT and LOVE so dazzling, the right response is worship. Let us sing...

 

“To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be blessing and honor and glory and might forever and ever!”

Revelation 5:13

THIS LITTLE SUNSHINE...

 

...sure has a way of making me happy when skies are grey.

 

"This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it."

Psalm 118:24

 

 

What a big girl standing up...Willow, you're always bright!

 

"Whatever is lovely...think about such things."

Philippians 4:8