Just for kids

Between Christmas and New Year's we wanted to take the kids out and do something specail just for them. We decided to take them bowling for the first time. A friend from Alisia's class, Brianna came with us and tried to beat Angel! We had to use the bumpers, and it was a lot of fun. Everyone took turns helping Caleb. He ended up keeping his score right with the girls.

A Wrapping Challenge

Caleb and Alisia were good wrapping helpers. Caleb helped me mostly and Alisia helped Papi. After we wrapped Alisia's present together, he was ready to attempt wrapping a present for Papi all by his self!

Since the paper he cut wasn't big enough, he kept cutting small ones out until the package was covered-It was almost like a puzzle for him. I only helped with the tape. He was definately proud of it and couldn't keep it a secret when Papi came home, although Angel says he didn't pick up on what it was! Caleb wanted it to be the first pressent opened on Christmas morning!

Christmas Play

Here are a few pictures from the school's Christmas play "Mystery of the Manger." They did such a great job! Alisia had alot of fun getting ready for this and Nick made such a cute shepard boy! The school does a great job at encouraging the children stay focused on Christ during Christmas (and throughout the year). They are challenged to put they're strengths and weaknesses in Him and for His glory. And this play was a good example of that.

"Glory to God in the highest, peace on earth and goodwill toward men." Luke 2:14




Angel took this last picture of Alisia on his phone and Text it to me because I was at Jarrod and Stephanie's rehersal dinner! But I got to see the dress rehersal of this great play!

Take My Life

Welcoming 2008

Matthew 6:19-20:
Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

This isn't always easy, but the prayer of my heart is any goals set for the new year will focus on laying up treasures not here on earth, but in heaven. For me that means serving my Heavenly Father and looking towards heavenly treasures.

Wishing you and your family a blessed new year. May 2008 bring you many rich blessings as you seek to honor and serve the Lord.

Take my life, and let it be

consecrated, Lord, to thee;

take my moments and my days,

let them flow in ceaseless praise.

Take my hands, and let them move

at the impulse of thy love;

take my feet, and let them be

swift and beautiful for thee.

Take my voice, and let me sing

always, only, for my King;

take my lips, and let them be

filled with messages from thee.

Take my silver and my gold,

not a mite would I withhold;

take my intellect, and use

every power as thou shalt choose.

Take my will and make it thine;

it shall be no longer mine.

take my heart, it is thine own;

it shall be thy royal throne.

Take my love; my Lord, I pour

at thy feet its treasure store;

take my self, and I will be

ever, only, all for thee.

Words: Frances Ridley Havergal, 1874

Reflections

We had a great time celebrating Jarrod and Stephanie's wedding (more pictures to come). It was such a great time to bless Jarrod and Stephanie as they begin a family together and see lots of family and friends. The bad weather they were calling for held off until after the happy couple left! Praise God! Then we headed up to a beautiful cabin in the woods with some family from Kentucky. We had fun hanging out and playing some fun games. Thanks Uncle Darryl! If you are ever looking for a nice hangout spot for some family time-this is the place!






Oh how time brings change! While we were celebrating with Jarrod and Stephanie, it came to my mind last year during the same time, we were celebrating my graduation from JMU. We are so thankful that period of our life is over and we are on to the next! Angel framed my diploma for me as a surprise Christmas present. He said it is a reminder that the Lord truly carried us through that time. I have enjoyed much more family time without having homework constantly in the back of my mind. We are thankful for what the Lord taught our family during that time, about forgiveness, grace and mercy, and depending on each other. Little things helped me through each day like Alisia's sweet notes, or Caleb's infectious laugh. Angel always encouraged me those last few weeks each semester when I was ready to give-up. And mom and dad were always willing to offer a ride to class in the rain or watch a sick child. Our family also had a lot more encouragement from other friends and family as well! I'm also thankful for working at the OB/GYN office and them being flexible with my changing schedule. The Lord's providing these people were ways of Him showing me His love. So ThankYOU for letting the Lord speak to us through you!

After graduating I enjoyed a great summer with my family filled with fun activities and short vacations. I started working with Healthy Families through Rockingham Memorial Hospital in November. It seems to be a great fit for us right now with flexible hours and home visiting for first time parents. It's challenged me in my own parenting and I'm learning how doing little things like reading a book or playing a game helps give me more patience with my children. Angel enjoys being outside at the golf course and being apart of nature. Sometimes he brings the camera to capture the beauty of the leaves changing and the sun rises.

A thought about work from Elisabeth Elliot:

Work is a blessing. (YES! A BLESSING!) God has so arranged the world that work is necessary, and He gives us hands and strength to do it. The enjoyment of leisure would be nothing if we had only leisure. It is the joy of work well done that enables us to enjoy rest, just as it is the experiences of hunger and thirst that make food and drink such pleasures.

Celebrating Christ's Birth

Recently I heard a story of a mother who was planning her son's birthday party. She was really excited to celebrate and invited all her family and close friends. As guests were arriving with gifts for the son, the mother could see that everone was excited as well. She had worked hard to prepare a nice meal and had decorated beautifully for the celebration. As people started arriving and the party began, a family member asked where is the "Birthday Boy" because he was no where to be found. She answered "I sent him to play at a friends house so that we could enjoy the party more. I was afraid if he was here, he might be in the way and we wouldn't have as much fun." This didn't make sense to the family member because she came to celebrate the boys birthday.

While this doesn't make much sense, to celebrate without the person of honor being present, it is something we do far to easy. As you celebrate this Christmas with close family and friends, a nice meal and beautiful decorations, remember to celebrate with the "Birthday Boy"who is our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Or the celebration doesn't make much sense.

Luke 2:11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord.

MERRY CHRISTMAS FROM OUR HEARTS TO YOURS

FELIZ NAVIDAD!

Marriage Blessing

Our prayer for you two as you begin a family together is this

"And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God."
Philippians 1:9

Congrats Jarrod and Stephanie! We can't wait to Celebrate with you this weekend!

Psalm of Thanksgiving

Psalm 100:1-5

Shout for joy to the Lord , all the earth
Worship the Lord with gladness;
come before him with joyful songs.
Know that the Lord is God.
It is he who made us, and we are his;
we are his people, the sheep of his pasture.
Enter his gates with thanksgiving
and his courts with praise;
give thanks to him and praise his name.
For the Lord is good
and his love endures forever;
his faithfulness continues through all generations.

Be the Feet

Isaiah 52:7
"How Beautiful on the Mountain are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion, Your God Reigns."


Each year Samaritan's Purse collects hundreds of thousands of shoe boxes each year to distribute around the world. For most of the children, it is the only gift they recieve for Christmas.


They are also recieving Jesus' love and the true meaning of Christmas. It may be the only bit of heaven they see on earth.
Our family has started making this a tradition each year. However this year was different. The past few weeks, Alisia began pondering what special items she wanted to fill up her shoe box with. She got some of her not-too-used favorite toys and every time we'd go to the store she'd thoughtfully select an item. During those weeks, she would talk about how she imagined a little girl opening up the shoe box and how excited she would be. Alisia prayed everyday that the girl who recieves the shoebox will "like everything in it, and know that Jesus loves her." This prayer became a familiar one to me each night, and at each meal as she rememered to pray for the girl. After we carefully arranged the items in the box, Alisia included a picture of herself and a note to the girl. Alisia continues to pray for the children who are going to recieve the shoeboxes, and says a special prayer for the little girl who gets the one we prepared that she will "know Jesus loves her." Her faithfulness in praying for these children is amazing and challenges me to be more faithful in my prayers. Consider looking for a family tradition to open your eyes as a family to the world and to share the message of Christmas. This great ministry blesses the giver as much as the reciever. Samaritan's Purse has a website to find out how to get involved and read specific stories of how children have been blessed through this ministry. Check out they're site and consider becoming a part of this amazing ministry! http://www.samaritanspurse.org/OCC_Impact.asp

Friends of the Heart

"Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work: if opne falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up! Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm, but how can one keep warm alone? Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken."

Ecc 4:9-12

I've heard this verse refered to alot in marriages or weddings. I first started understanding this verse in a special friendship with Cristen. We've known eachother since 1992 playing soccar together in middle school. That's over 15 years! The best thing about being friends with someone that long is we both love the Lord and can account for eachother. We are both now married, starting families and still are able to to find time to still encourage eachother. This time was spent the other day at the park. It was a very nice day and we had a great time outside with the kids.

Where have our lives brought us today?

Acts 20:24 "For I consider my life worth nothing to me, if I may only finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me--the task of testifying to the gospel of God's grace."

We are both persuing God's guidance to this verse on how we can take his word to the ends of the earth. Check out her blog at thesinks.blogspot.com