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Wednesday, December 23, 2009

Snow & Eye-Fi

During Sunday's snowstorm, we celebrated our immediate family Christmas. (One set of grandparents arrives tomorrow afternoon with gifts from both sets; we don't want the kids to be completely overwhelmed on Christmas morning! And we want Elizabeth to register who gave her each thing. Do you even care?! Should I keep going with this parenthetical???) My gift from my very loving and very techie husband was an Eye-Fi card, an SDHC memory card with built in WiFi! So far it seems like it will be pretty sweet. When I want to write a blog post, the pictures and video will already be available; I won't have to fumble around with the card and wait for things to upload.

Here are some photos (from the old card) of time we spent in the snow. You'll note that Colin is absent for the revelry because the man is writing his thesis!!!!


Brian is getting used to a world with snow:

At first he preferred the cleared paths,

and learned how difficult it is to drive in the snow.


Elizabeth's extra height and years of experience give her an edge on enjoying the snow:

eat it,

make snow angels,

jump in it,

and slide really fast in your snowpants.

But most of all, just have fun!

Tuesday, December 22, 2009

Come, NOW is the Time to Worship!

She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins. -Matthew 1:21

How are we to think of the incarnation: The New Testament does not encourage us to puzzle over the physical and psychologial problems that it raises, but to Worship God for the love that was shown in it. -J.I. Packer

Our pastor preached on the above verse in Matthew sometime last year and it has stuck with me. Jesus primary purpose in coming down, humbly, beginning as a baby, was to rescue us from our sin! His whole life and ministry must be understood through that lens.

For God so loved the world, that he sent his one and only Son ... (John 3:16a). My prayer for myself and for you is that this Christmas would be a time of wonder and worship at God's great expression of love. Today, whether you find yourself downtrodden or high on the delights of the season, God's love for you and desire to rescue you from sin are the same; both shepherds and wise men knelt to worship the baby King of kings.

For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given,
and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Isaiah 9:6

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Sunday, December 20, 2009

Party Update

God proved Himself faithful!

The Christmas Story Party was quite a success. We all had a wonderful time! Over all we had just shy of 30 kids attend and 17 Bibles were given away, one to each family.

I don't have too many pictures and our computer is dead at the moment, so I can't upload what I do have. But thank you if you prayed and/or attended!

Merry Christmas! May the Light of the World illumine your holiday in a new way this year, for unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given!

Saturday, December 19, 2009

Christmas Story Party

I haven't posted in a while because I've been spending my free-ish time getting ready for this morning's Christmas Story Party that our church is sponsoring here where we live.

Around Thanksgiving, the Lord placed on my heart the desire to share the real Christmas story with my neighbors. I had entertained the idea of an Advent Bible study, of sorts, but when one of the pastors mentioned the excellent story telling in the Jesus Storybook Bible, it occurred to me that we could do a kids event! (Thanks, Bradley!) My dear friend and Children's Ministry director, Lydia, jumped right in with me to get it planned. (Thanks, Lydia!)

So this morning from 10-11:30am, we will be making crafts, sharing the Christmas story, singing some carols, and icing cookies with at least 20 kids and their parents. I'm very excited! A handful of MIT connected church members will also be there to help. (Thanks, Andy, Sam, Jenny, & Chris!) Two neighbor friends of mine helped to get all of the crafts cut and ready. (Thanks, Katie and Liz!) And every family will go home with a Jesus Storybook Bible. (Thanks, John!)

The Spirit has really guided this whole endeavor from the very beginning and has used my community to mold and shape it with great ideas. (Thanks, Lord!) Here's to God's Word going out and not returning to Him void. Please pray for this event with us!

Tuesday, December 15, 2009

The Tooth!

The big gap!

The tiny tooth!

The lovely package!

The return note!

The great reward!
(For the curious, it's a $1 coin.)

Sunday, December 13, 2009

Something New

I have many friends who take advantage of The Cutest Blog on the Block to make their blogs prettier. I've never tried, wanting to stick to some dorky principles of keeping it simple or something. I know, what kind of a fool am I? Their blogs are so cute!!!!

So this morning I gave it a shot. I really like the winter, so this one appealed to me. What do you think?

Saturday, December 12, 2009

Little Miss Chatterbox

Elizabeth and Colin are playing Mario Kart. Elizabeth is talking and talking, while driving her kart.

Colin: Elizabeth, do you ever stop taking?
Elizabeth: Uh, yea, when I'm sleeping.

And she still hasn't stopped talking.