Just wanted to post some pictures of Alex and Patty's baptism.
It was a great morning.
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
Saturday, December 27, 2008
HOW WAS YOUR CHRISTMAS
That question will be asked alot in the coming days. How will you answer? I will answer "blessed". We truly had a blessed christmas this year. It wasn't stressful...it was blissful. I think I truly felt the Christmas spirit this year. It wasn't about the malls or the to do lists...it was about people. It was so great have alot of family in town for Christmas. Here were our highlights:
- Christmas eve service with two rows of family in attendance
- fun dollar store gift exchange on christmas eve
- the annual opening of the christmas pjs for the kids
- Christmas day brunch
- opening gifts one at a time
- christmas day prime rib and ham dinner
- homemade gift tradition.
This year we made heirloom ornaments as our homemade gift for family. The ornament included a special picture of a loved one who is no longer with us. They turned out great. I am so proud of the girls for working so hard on them. I also included a letter with a few of my gifts to my mom, mom-in-law, daughter and sisters. We can tell them how much we love them but a letter will last forever and can be read over and over.
Dad and wally's mom received handmade fleece blankets. They both loved them very much. I bought my mom and sisters a necklace with a star fish charm. The starfish reminded me of our annual beach trip. The place where we stay uses the starfish as its logo. The beach trip is a special time each year and it could not be possible without them.
Allison has taken a real interest in sewing so she received a dress form and lots of project runway supplies. It was fun seeing her sewing with wally's mom last night.
I gave my dear friend sandi an encouragement box. I saw the idea on Oprah. It is a small box with a letter inside telling her how much her friendship means to me. Her birthday is soon...so another letter will go in her box.
For those of you who live in the area...you may notice a special necklace that I am wearing. It is a simple puzzle piece on a piece of leather. I made one for myself, Ashley, my mom and sisters. Why? Difficult times have come into each one of our lives. Sometimes it is so hard to understand why? We only see the small picture while God sees the Big picture. It seems at times like a "puzzle" with a piece missing. We need to be reminded that He holds the pieces...even the one that we think is missing.
Tonight we will be visiting with more friends and a great moment will take place tomorrow...Alex and my sister will be baptized. Then we are off to West Virginia.
Yep...it was a blessed Christmas. Hope your's was too.
- Christmas eve service with two rows of family in attendance
- fun dollar store gift exchange on christmas eve
- the annual opening of the christmas pjs for the kids
- Christmas day brunch
- opening gifts one at a time
- christmas day prime rib and ham dinner
- homemade gift tradition.
This year we made heirloom ornaments as our homemade gift for family. The ornament included a special picture of a loved one who is no longer with us. They turned out great. I am so proud of the girls for working so hard on them. I also included a letter with a few of my gifts to my mom, mom-in-law, daughter and sisters. We can tell them how much we love them but a letter will last forever and can be read over and over.
Dad and wally's mom received handmade fleece blankets. They both loved them very much. I bought my mom and sisters a necklace with a star fish charm. The starfish reminded me of our annual beach trip. The place where we stay uses the starfish as its logo. The beach trip is a special time each year and it could not be possible without them.
Allison has taken a real interest in sewing so she received a dress form and lots of project runway supplies. It was fun seeing her sewing with wally's mom last night.
I gave my dear friend sandi an encouragement box. I saw the idea on Oprah. It is a small box with a letter inside telling her how much her friendship means to me. Her birthday is soon...so another letter will go in her box.
For those of you who live in the area...you may notice a special necklace that I am wearing. It is a simple puzzle piece on a piece of leather. I made one for myself, Ashley, my mom and sisters. Why? Difficult times have come into each one of our lives. Sometimes it is so hard to understand why? We only see the small picture while God sees the Big picture. It seems at times like a "puzzle" with a piece missing. We need to be reminded that He holds the pieces...even the one that we think is missing.
Tonight we will be visiting with more friends and a great moment will take place tomorrow...Alex and my sister will be baptized. Then we are off to West Virginia.
Yep...it was a blessed Christmas. Hope your's was too.
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
CHRISTMAS BLESSINGS
We have returned from the windy city and are awaiting the arrival of more family. This will be the first Christmas that both families are celebrating together. Wally's mom came back with us and my parents and sisters are on their way as I type. I am so excited!!!The presents are wrapped, the stockings are hung and it's going to be a blessed holiday.
The other day I went to help our church youth group wrap presents at the mall. As I got out of my car I looked down and saw a piece of paper frozen in the snow.
I tried to pick it up but it would not budge. It was someone's Christmas list. Actually is was someone named Greg's Christmas list.
I read the list and it said the following:
(I actually had my camera with me so I immediately thought...blog entry)
Ipod cover
jeans
and a few other things
So why was the list on the ground.
Did a frustrated shopper give up and toss it out the window?
Was it dropped my a stressed out shopper?
Who knows. When I saw the list two things came to my mind:
1) I hope Greg gets everything on his list
2) Has Greg received the most important gift of Christmas? Does he know the reason for the season?
I hope Greg gets an ipod cover...I hope he gets jeans...but most of all...I hope he has Jesus.
Merry Christmas
The other day I went to help our church youth group wrap presents at the mall. As I got out of my car I looked down and saw a piece of paper frozen in the snow.
I tried to pick it up but it would not budge. It was someone's Christmas list. Actually is was someone named Greg's Christmas list.
I read the list and it said the following:
(I actually had my camera with me so I immediately thought...blog entry)
Ipod cover
jeans
and a few other things
So why was the list on the ground.
Did a frustrated shopper give up and toss it out the window?
Was it dropped my a stressed out shopper?
Who knows. When I saw the list two things came to my mind:
1) I hope Greg gets everything on his list
2) Has Greg received the most important gift of Christmas? Does he know the reason for the season?
I hope Greg gets an ipod cover...I hope he gets jeans...but most of all...I hope he has Jesus.
Merry Christmas
Friday, December 19, 2008
Tuesday, December 09, 2008
PROVERBS 31 WOMAN
Yesterday I was reading the story of Jesus' birth. I was mainly interested in the story of Mary and Elizabeth. Both women were surprised to hear that they were expecting a child. I wanted to be reminded of their obedient character and their willingness to trust God. It made be question if I had the same attitude...I don't.
Then to beat myself up some more...I read the description of the Proverbs 31 woman. I was ready to crawl into a whole until I read verse 25.
"She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come."
I don't know about the clothing part...but I can LAUGH.
I have laughed a lot lately...especially when I am making over 400 buckeyes with my dear friends.
LAUGH A LOT TODAY!!!
Tuesday, December 02, 2008
Monday, December 01, 2008
THE MANGER
We just returned from a wonderful holiday weekend in West Virginia. We had a ball spending time with family. We had 16 people for dinner. Yummo!!!
A tradition was changed this year and we did not wake up at the crack of dawn to hit the mall. You know what? That was okay!!! We slept in and ventured out at a reasonable hour.
It was fun decorating mom's house for Christmas and putting up the beautiful red and white tree.
As we were unpacking I found the nativity set that we had when we were small. It is ceramic and each piece is handpainted with detail.
I found the cradle but I could not find baby Jesus. I am sure it is packed in a separate box or possibly even lost. I remember as a child we would always hide the baby Jesus and replace it with a small army guy or my favorite...the rubber cookie monster. We were mischevious pastor's kids.
This behavior might be expected of children but it reminded me that even as adults we sometimes take Jesus out of the manger and replace Him with other things.
My prayer is that this Christmas I do not get caught up in the holiday and forget the true meaning. Ashley and I were walking through the mall and commenting on how stressed everyone looked. They weren't smiling...they were frowning and looked tired and weary. We made a point to smile at people and to encourage tired clerks.
God, please keep me focused this holiday. Let me not take my eyes off you.
One more thing...
The other day I was asked what God was teaching me.
I am not one who cries easily....really...but I broke down and said...simplicity.
GOd is teaching me patience and the importance of the simple things. I have a plan. I want to simplify my life and rid myself of "things".
I am going to start selling tons of stuff on craigs list. I am talking longaberger baskets, home dec items, jewelry, clothes. If I don't need it, use it and if it's not nailed down...it's going.
If you want to view my items...let me know.
A tradition was changed this year and we did not wake up at the crack of dawn to hit the mall. You know what? That was okay!!! We slept in and ventured out at a reasonable hour.
It was fun decorating mom's house for Christmas and putting up the beautiful red and white tree.
As we were unpacking I found the nativity set that we had when we were small. It is ceramic and each piece is handpainted with detail.
I found the cradle but I could not find baby Jesus. I am sure it is packed in a separate box or possibly even lost. I remember as a child we would always hide the baby Jesus and replace it with a small army guy or my favorite...the rubber cookie monster. We were mischevious pastor's kids.
This behavior might be expected of children but it reminded me that even as adults we sometimes take Jesus out of the manger and replace Him with other things.
My prayer is that this Christmas I do not get caught up in the holiday and forget the true meaning. Ashley and I were walking through the mall and commenting on how stressed everyone looked. They weren't smiling...they were frowning and looked tired and weary. We made a point to smile at people and to encourage tired clerks.
God, please keep me focused this holiday. Let me not take my eyes off you.
One more thing...
The other day I was asked what God was teaching me.
I am not one who cries easily....really...but I broke down and said...simplicity.
GOd is teaching me patience and the importance of the simple things. I have a plan. I want to simplify my life and rid myself of "things".
I am going to start selling tons of stuff on craigs list. I am talking longaberger baskets, home dec items, jewelry, clothes. If I don't need it, use it and if it's not nailed down...it's going.
If you want to view my items...let me know.
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