Merry Christmas to all!

“Happy Christmas Eve, Mommy!” was what greeted me this morning. And then an excited little jammy clad boy jumping into my arms explaining that tomorrow is the day he will say “Merry Christmas” to me though. πŸ™‚ We began our Christmas celebrations yesterday, doing Christmas gift exchanging with long-distance family via webcam. Today we will enjoy a Christmas celebration with my brother’s family before heading to church for the evening service, and tomorrow we will enjoy a morning here with our own wee family & then enjoy the remainder of the day next door with Grandpapa & Grandmama. So many fun festivities to remind us of the abundance of God’s great grace and countless gifts and immeasurable joys. What marvelous, tangible, edible, material, physical reminders of both the spiritual & material things God did for us not only once in Bethlehem but forever & for all time! Amen.

This year for Christmas cards, we “went small.” I printed up a handful to hand out, but decided against taking a bundle to the post office. Instead, I email it to some friends, and above I am sharing with you the picture we used. I’m not one for the whole process of letter writing to sum-up-the-year, so you’re not missing out on that. If you’ve browsed around the blog at all this year, you are already aware of many of the ups and downs that God has seen fit to provide us for our blessing and growth. He is glorious! May we glorify Him more!

Merry Christmas, all. Enjoy the fat of the land that God has provided. Sing praises! Eat lavishly! Give gifts! Laugh and be merry! The curse is reversed, the earth is being renewed, the Lord our God shall come, and He shall reign for ever and ever! AMEN!

Isaiah 9:6-7
For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given;
and the government shall be upon his shoulder,
and his name shall be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Of the increase of his government and of peace
there will be no end,
on the throne of David and over his kingdom,
to establish it and to uphold it
with justice and with righteousness
from this time forth and forevermore.
The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this.

Psalm 93:1
The Lord reigns; He is robed in majesty;
the Lord is robed; He has put on strength as His belt.
Yes, the world is established; it shall never be moved.

Revelation 11:15
Then the seventh angel blew his trumpet, and there were loud voices in heaven, saying, β€œThe kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and he shall reign forever and ever.”

Resurrection Sunday

Our family enjoying one another and Christ’s goodness on Resurrection Sunday… thankful that the Resurrection means (among many other glorious things) we will see the rest of our children again someday! Hallelujah!

Our Christmas as Four

Our first Christmas as four… remembering the other seven of our family who were celebrating Christmas in the glorious beauties of heaven with Christ Himself! It was a truly sweet weekend. Here is a glimpse of our Christmas Eve and Christmas Day; feasting, celebrating, gifting, even sleeping. πŸ™‚ Enjoying the biggest gifts of all that God has given us: Himself and each other. Amen!

Photo Shoot

A week ago we had a little photo shoot, since we had our east-coast-family visiting us. It was wonderful to have my brother share his talent and time with us! We got so many beautiful pictures of various poses and groupings… but here are just a couple that I can share with you here.

Photos courtesy of Colin D. Bennett Photography, (c) 2011
My little family.

Us with Steven’s parents.

All of us together.

C.E.B.

This afternoon the newest member of our family made her entrance into the world of the officially air-breathing. Bringing next to nothing but dark wavy hair and long pianist’s fingers,
Clara Elizabeth
has graced my brother’s family (and thereby, ours) with her stunning presence. I stand amazed at life. Life that scrunches up its nose, stretches out limbs, and presses air in & out of lungs in rhythmic measure. Doesn’t it make you wonder how God ever thought of that?!

When Gabriel first heard that Uncle had a new baby, he told me, β€œuncle got a baby for you. Go get it. Mommy baby.”
No worries: I explained that this baby isn’t ours. She’s part of our family, but she isn’t ours.
Gabriel insisted, as we drove to the hospital this evening, that we were going to meet Baby Jesus.
No worries: he got it corrected once he met his new cousin, and we’ll work on nailing down his theology later.

Welcome to God’s green earth, Clara. Here, you will be mightily loved. You belong to a strong family. Generations of Christians hailed before you, and I trust that through you many more shall yet hail. From what your auntie knows, your name means β€œclear and bright” & β€œGod’s promise.” May your Father in heaven ever reveal Himself clearly to you, make Himself clearly evident through you, and hold fast to His promise to bless generations through you even as you hold tightly onto Him throughout your days. Peace & blessings.

Country Livin’

Gabriel, enjoying Grandpapa’s hat.

Marking out where we are going to build our house!! This was a big step for us. πŸ™‚

A nice refreshing country dessert I made with this recipe (and freshly picked berries).

Thursday May 27, 2010

Today marks the third anniversary of the day that my Steven and I covenanted before God and 90-some witnesses to become one flesh. For better or for worse. In some ways it feels like so much longer than three years. They’ve been pretty packed full. πŸ™‚ But in other ways, it feels like just yesterday that I slipped into that gorgeous Cinderella gown, and waited for the veil to be lifted so my love could kiss me with the kisses of his mouth, for his love is better than wine. (SOS 1:2) Wow.

I was thinking this morning about how Song of Solomon (8:7) says that “many waters cannot quench love, nor can floods drown it.” I feel like the rainstorms of our life are trying to quench us, and they are failing. Hurray! God is good. No matter how the storms may thrash, and no matter the floods that pool around us (trying so hard to cover our heads), our love will not diminish – it will only grow. Even in the downpours of devastating grief & pain. Because we are God’s. And we are one another’s.

My broken heart is far from happy today. But my heart is held by my husband, and that does make me happy. So very, very blessed. God is good. I am indescribably thankful for my husband. May the Lord graciously allow us dozens of more years together to celebrate His goodness, and to combat whatever rainstorms face us. Hand in hand.

I love you, Steven. Always.

Monday May 24, 2010

Gabriel doesn’t know the world stopped spinning five days ago. And so from his perspective, today was positively perfect. Magical and full of wide-eyed wonder. Just as it ought to have been.
And God is good.

Wednesday May 12, 2010

Mother’s Day

The men made our Mother’s Day feast!

The meal was wonderful! The best (and biggest) burgers, complete with herb butter in the beef and topped with lettuce, tomato, bacon, grilled onion, sauteed garlic mushrooms, cheese… my mouth is now watering, thankyouverymuch! We also had grilled corn on the cob, chips, baked beans, and an ice cream sundae bar for dessert!

Park day on Monday.

Gabriel loves running through the field, picking dandelions, and especially blowing the gone-to-seed dandies. So funny. So cute.

This was my attempt at getting him to smile, by asking, “Where’s Mommy?” and then “Where’s the sky?” πŸ™‚