Christmas Festivities Mac Style!

Sometimes I feel that this season is all about the, "what am I gonna get?" I admit it, we get and we give! But during this season we made time to integrate Jesus through it all. We bought candles for advent and the candles had floral scents (very smelly!) from the dollar store and our wee one walked around at home with with all of the candles constantly and many times it would irritate me and then I would realize that I was then thinking of Christ and what the candles meant for each Sunday leading to Christmas! Glad to have the reminder and stop getting frustrated at little things.

We also were given this incredible advent calendar. Unlike any I have ever seen. A friend at church made it and truly you have to see it to believe it! Hand made and follows the month of December with a symbol and verse for each day. A significant journey to putting Christ first every day. I am going to ask her is she makes more, you may want one if you see it! If I get permission I will take a picture and add it to my blog! I am so thankful that I had this gift given to me at such a time! It really helped our children understand the significance of our relationship with Christ. I could do it all over in January and probably should!!

Quick book review:

Crazy Love by Francis Chan

I am only on page 31 and I am overwhelmed with emotion and joy all at once reading and listening to the excitement Chan has for Christ. What I love so far is the integration of his web site http://www.crazylovebook.com/. and the reading of the book. Twice so far he directs the reader to navigate the site and listen to a short talk from Chan. Such a great way to engage the reader! I am so on board. I can't wait to dig in further and continue soaking in this book. I intend to finish it soon and review it in full later!

gathering

Short and sweet..but today I am thankful for the simple gathering of family! Connecting is sweet fellowship.

Now the kids will sleep in peace, a long busy day!

Walk On

I know, it is snowing outside. But not here. Just picture for a moment the warm breeze, soft green grass and the up and coming sunset. This is where Sara sat in the summer with sandals that have been shared through many cousins! I love how certain pieces of hand me downs last well!

So, where will these little feet walk? Where will she go? So many questions, but one that I know I give to the one who created her. I have been thinking of my walk and our children too. Knowing that God has a plan to prosper me, not to harm me. To give me hope and a future is a precious gift of hope.

I have been reading Walk On, The Spiritual Journey of U2 (still one of my fav bands ever!) and it is a fascinating look at their journey. I am not done yet, but will review this book soon. Every one has a story and one worth sharing. I am really enjoying the content and how the author selects key detail to enable the reader to sink into the hearts and minds of the band (as much as possible!)

Back to Sara...my prayer is simply that she will seek God daily in her walk, whatever shoes she may be wearing!!!!

Heather, my inspirational friend!

Okay, a blog award? Well, that is the sweetest compliment and Heather thank you for the nomination. Now, according to the rules I have a few items to follow after adding this award to the blog. So, here it goes!
1. Link the person who nominated you
http://www.heathershomewardjourney.blogspot.com/

2. Seven things you may not know about me

1. I bungee jumped in BC
2. I have eaten stew with chicken feet and other things I could not figure out
3. I love wide open spaces (land!) My dad would be happy because that means there is a little Saskatchewan in me!!)
4. Seems that I am always hungry really late at night and go with it and eat late! Bad habit!! (especially sweet)
5. Love a bowl of cereal any time of day (hmm that is where the boys get that from!)
6. I first became a christian at the age of three and re-dedicated my life as a 13 year old and my dad and a former pastor in BC baptized me in the church I grew up in! Great memory.
7. If I had the time I would be a nurse (I sound like a grade one telling the class what I want to be!)

3. Add links to blogs and nominate them. Here are some links for you to enjoy!
http://www.ourjourneytoethiopiathebalmers.blogspot.com/
http://www.heathershomewardjourney.blogspot.com/
http://www.themaretzkifamily.blogspot.com/
http://www.ravenous-online.blogspot.com/

Thanks Heather! What a treasure you are to me!!

C plays his tune

What a treat to see all three play today! They appeared to have no fear and were happy to perform. Love watching them so much!

J plays a tune

Today he performed at our anual homeschool Christmas party. He was amazing!

Prayer for the Journey

Tomorrow my sister and her husband embark on a journey of a lifetime. They are off to Ghana to visit/meet the two children they are adopting! This is the first trip they must take prior the official coming home as a family for many varied and complicated reasons. This is just simply a part of the process. Please pray for them as they leave their three precious children with my mom. She flies out tomorrow to take care of them until they return Saturday. It will be hard for them to leave the three, but probably harder on the kids!! I have truly been moved by this desire they both have to adopt and take care of these two beautiful children (siblings!). God has touched their hearts and we are excited to walk with their family.
Prayer for safety, government paper work etc...Thank you!
I will update more in the coming weeks. Can't wait to meet them too!!!!!!

Buttercup

Remember when your friends used to pick the buttercup from the side of the road as you walked to or from school? Then they placed it under your chin and confirmed or denied your love of butter based on whether or not your chin turned yellow? My chin, always yellow, funny everyone had a yellow chin! I have many memories of my childhood (we all do) some good and some not so good. But the blessing I have engrained in my memory is this...Jesus was always there. Where we went, what we did, what we said and how we lived. Jesus was always there. Kind of like the buttercups, they were always there! I picked so many. I call the buttercup my childhood flower.
I am so thankful that my parents helped me understand Jesus. He was always there and still is today.

Immersed in His love

He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.

Psalm 91:1

Here Jack dwells happily in the leaves. It made me stop and consider my contentment in Christ. Do I dwell in His shelter? Do I dwell happily? I am so glad can rest in the shadow of the Almighty and know that He is my refuge and fortress, my God in whom I trust.

she found it again...

Perhaps I should be more aware of the moments just before she wakes from her nap. She is sneaky, quiet and so darn cute. I also should perhaps actually hide my make-up. I have it close to the sink and don't think to move it in the morning.
It is a joy to watch her two year old curiosity unfold during the day and the endless conversations we have. At times I could swear she was four! She reasons with me and pleads in ways that are far too old for her age, yikes! Oh sweet Sara, I am so thankful you came along and added sparkle to our lives.