Saturday, December 29, 2012

Our Four Little Blessings

 
2012 ~ Our Grandchildren
 
 
Each of our grandchildren brings their own special light into our world,
and these are just a few of the moments captured that shows
the sparkle and the joy we have received from them this year.
 
 ~
Benjamin Samuel
Ben turned 1 on December 20th, and his combination of
quiet contemplation and joyous outbursts delights us all.
He whispers his name for Lauren as "Papa"
and he melts in my arms when I hold him.
 
~
Maya Christine
Maya turned 4 in April, and her nurturing nature along with
her exuberance for creating with paper, scissors and glitter
bring joy to our hearts.
She loves sled rides with Lauren
and she loves to have me tell her stories at nap time.
 
~
Eli Lawrence
Eli turned 4 in March, and his devotion to his family
and his love of all things related to super heroes, spies and legos
bring smiles to our faces each time we are with him.
He likes to be Grandpa's helper
and brings out the child in me when we play hide and seek together.
 
~
Jack Christian
Jack turned 9 in November, and his thoughtful and outgoing
nature and his penchant for sports & reading
are wonderful to see in our oldest grandchild.
He likes to do projects with Lauren
and he warms my heart as he reads his books to me.
 
 
It has been a year of blessings and great joy with our
delightful grandchildren,
and we thank the Lord for filling our lives with them.
We also thank Him for our 2 daughters and sons-in-law,
Erin & John, and Sara & Mark,
who gave us these 4 sweet grandchildren
and are wonderful parents to them.
 
On another note,
Lauren and I celebrated our 37th anniversary yesterday!
This is what I posted on Facebook yesterday:
 
"Thirty-seven years ago, fresh out of college, I married my best friend on a snowy day in Iowa. Shortly after, on our way to Torrington, WY for my new teaching job, we got into a blizzard and had to spend New Year's Eve and Day in Potter, NE in a tiny motel room with our young Irish Setter, Copper. The nearby cafe owner opened up for those of us stranded at the motel, and we had our first buffalo burgers. We arrived in Torrington safe and sound after having to take a detour through Cheyenne. We were young and ready for an adventure! Happy Anniversary, Lauren!"
 
And we continue on the adventures God has given us, with 33 years in Montana now, 
and 2 daughters, their spouses, and 4 grandchildren filling our lives
 with more joy than we could ever imagine.
  

Monday, December 10, 2012

The Christmas Scale



I love this...it is by Ann Voscamp on  A Holy Experience, and I want to pass it on.
 
Ann wrote: "Have you heard the unexpected song you hear when you pause?"
 
Be sure to listen all the way to the end, and to be twice blessed, be sure to go to A Holy Experience and read Ann's post. She has such a way with words that brings a person to the knee of the Father. Ann is the author of the book One Thousand Gifts.
 
"It's hard to believe that the greatest message the world will every hear is contained in one simple scale."
 
 
 

Saturday, December 8, 2012

Christmas Flash Mob by Journey of Faith

Be sure to watch this all the way through...
 

 
Jesus is still is the real reason we celebrate Christmas!

O Come, Let Us Adore Him




 
The old bench is now under the pergola, decorated for Christmas and dusted with snow.
It is snowing again today. Sideways. So a cup of tea or hot cocoa and some baking
will warm our hearts and wrap us with the joy of being at home on a snowy day.
 
It seems like a snowy day puts me in the mood to ready our home for Christmas,
and Christmas carols playing in the background bring the story of Christ's birth to heart.
 
This video of O Come, All Ye Faithful
is actually a still photo with the voice of Chris Tomlin.
 
 
O Come All Ye Faithful
Music & Lyrics by John Francis Wade
Arranged by Chris Tomlin

O come all ye faithful
Joyful and triumphant
O come ye o come ye
To Bethlehem
Come and behold Him
Born the King of angels

O come let us adore Him
O come let us adore him
O come let us adore Him
Christ the Lord

Sing choirs of angels
Sing in exultation
O sing all ye citizens
Of heaven above
Glory to God
All glory in the highest

O come let us adore Him
O come let us adore Him
O come let us adore Him
Christ the Lord

Christ the Lord
You are the Lord

Yea Lord, we greet Thee
Born this happy morning
Jesus to Thee be all
Glory giv'n
Word of the Father
Now in flesh appearing

O come let us adore Him
O come let us adore him
O come let us adore Him
Christ the Lord

You are the Lord
You are the Lord
You are the Lord

We'll praise Your name forever
We'll praise Your name forever
We'll praise Your name forever
Christ the Lord

Glory in the highest

We'll praise Your name forever
We'll praise Your name forever
We'll praise Your name forever
Christ the Lord




Monday, December 3, 2012

Be still...

This old bench has been in our yard for several years,
and this picture was taken at our old house in the winter.
It now has a new home under our pergola this winter,
providing a spot under the white Christmas lights,
reminding us to pause and remember why we celebrate Christmas.
We remember that...
 
In the beginning was the Word,
and the Word was with God,
and the Word was God.
He was with God in the beginning...
 
The Word became flesh
and made His dwelling among us.
We have seen His glory,
the glory of the One and Only,
who came from the Father,
full of grace and truth.
John 1:1-2, 14