Monday, December 20, 2010

Christmas Weekend 3



It's the most wonderful time of the year
With the kids jingle belling


And everyone telling you "Be of good cheer"
It's the most wonderful time of the year






It's the hap-happiest season of all
With those holiday greetings and gay happy meetings
When friends come to call


It's the hap- happiest season of all



(Cady made this scarf for J'Cee in her class, she liked it:)

There'll be parties for hosting


Marshmallows for toasting


And caroling out in the snow


There'll be scary ghost stories



And tales of the glories of
Christmases long, long ago



It's the most wonderful time of the year
There'll be much mistltoeing


(Christmas fajitas)

And hearts will be glowing


When love ones are near
It's the most wonderful time of the year 


(angel tree wrapping)

A Christmas Wedding



You've got to give a little,



take a little



And let your poor heart break a little 


That's the story of, 


That's the glory of love 







You've got to laugh a little, 


cry a little


Until the clouds roll by a little 




That's the story of,
That's the glory of love
 


As long as there's the two of us 



We've got the world and all its charms 


And when the world is through with us 
We've got each other's arms 





You've got to win a little,



 lose a little 



Yes, and always have the blues a little 


That's the story of,
That's the glory of love 



That's the story of,
That's the glory of love 

1 John 3:16 
This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us.
 And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters. 


Saturday, December 18, 2010

Enjoying his Grace, Extending his Glory

Yes, I am reading Radical



I don't know ....
if it's because I did all my shopping online this year.


Finally made use of the 30 boxes I received. 
Ready for our 4 Christmases. 



or because of our advent this year


The Jesse Tree
from a blogger/writer I have really been encouraged by




or because I accomplished this...


letting go a little, I am on sabbatical

rest from activity, not all, just the excess I found myself in




BUT
  Christ is our focus 
this year and it has made a huge difference.
Yes we've always celebrated Christ's birth, we've only given our kids 3 presents, & we've never lied to them about st. nicolas but our schedule over took the joy that advent was supposed to contain.
 Parties, planning, shopping, programs and productions....more is not better, it's stressful. 
At least in my life I am feeling the difference.
Time will tell with the kids but if mom's feeling it, they should. 






So, I'd like to share...



from Philippines (2004)



Mexico (1994)


Thailand (from worldcraft)


a cherished gift from my mother


a gift from a family in our fellowship of believers 

the mom is going through chemotherapy this season - we are praying for God to be glorified in all things .....even pain



A gift from the IMB 2 years ago 
from Ecuador


from Bethlehem Village (2006)



from Nepal (2009)

story here


from a dear believer here in Velma who hand painted it


from my childhood Nana in Sulpher Springs, TX


inscribed with her precious name and the year of my birth on the bottom




Hand painted by Nana. 

It was the nativity of my childhood, with a removable baby Jesus it was awe inspiring. 

I love housing it and have told my dear sister she can have it,
 it was given to our family the year of her birth.


from my kiddos, (2004? vbs)


We've done other things...

like get rid of books focusing on Santa instead of Christ



I'll admit strange things have shown up on our tree


Documents of the years and blessings


the kids and the movies



Will Farrell is in his place but Christ is in his.

FIRST in our hearts and minds. 


Cherished, loved, adored, HELD dear

I love this surprise set from my husband (2007)

but I love that Jesus is held...

Held close. 

As we await the celebration of this first coming

my heart quickens at the thought of his second coming.

Waiting....

For as sure as he came the first time, he will come again for those anxiously waiting & ready


Sunday, December 12, 2010

Christmas Weekend 2

Come, Thou long expected Jesus



Born to set Thy people free;


From our fears and sins release us,



Let us find our rest in Thee.




Hope of all the earth Thou art;


Dear Desire of every nation,


Joy of every longing heart.



Born Thy people to deliver,


Born a child and yet a King,


Born to reign in us forever,


Now Thy gracious kingdom bring.



By Thine own eternal Spirit


Rule in all our hearts alone;


By Thine all sufficient merit,


Raise us to Thy glorious throne.