A blog about living in a big family and trying to follow God.
Saturday, December 12, 2009
What I`m Thankful for
This entry is a little late but, oh well. I am thankful for our loving and caring God. My most of the time nice family. For a nice warm house and a nice warm bed in my nice warm room. For food and drinks, most of all clear cool water. I`m thankful for my pet cats (5) and my pet rabbits (2). I`m thankful for Friends. For clothes and shoes. For entertainment like plays, movies, computer, etc.. I`m thankful for books to read. For toys to play with. For plants and animals. For mountains and rivers. For holidays. I`m thank ful for lots of things.
Friday, December 11, 2009
My thoughts on What Christmas means to my kids
It was interesting to read my kids essays about their ideas of the meaning of Christmas. It is nice to know that family is important to them, but I was hoping that the Birth of Our Lord and saviour would be foremost in their thoughts at Christmas time. As a family we try and focus on the true meaning of the season. We always start celebrating the Christmas season the day after Thanksgiving. In my mind the one holiday leads into the next. As we focus on thanksgiving it so only natural to think of what Christ did for us. Yes, it is easy to think on the great sacrifice at the cross, but even before that Jesus left his place a the Father's side in heaven and came down to earth as a small infant. He lived a life of a man in order that he might carry the burden of sin for all mankind to the cross and conquer death on Easter morning. OK, I got of track there. So, we start our celebrating Friday after Thanksgiving, we have a fun day of decorating the house and putting up the tree. We set out my nativity collection on the fireplace and we start talking about the birth of Christ. Then the whole month of December we focus on family baking and preparation for the getting together with family and church. The kids work on songs, poems, plays, and spelling for the the festivities. There are church programs to participate in and of course a Christmas concert with HSMA.
On Christmas Eve, we get together with my family. We spend the day celebrating the Lord's birth with songs, plays, poems, and more. Grandma loves a big program, and Grandpa (being a pastor) loves to remind us all of Christ (always saying a lovely prayer of Thanksgiving). Of course, there is the family spelling bee and lots and lots of food shared. Then we open a few presents. When it is just dark enough we load up the vans and go Christmas light watching. Then it is time to head home to bed.
Christmas morning we gather around at home and Jer reads the story of Christ's birth from Luke.
Luke 2
The Birth of Jesus 1In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. 2(This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) 3And everyone went to his own town to register.
4So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. 5He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. 6While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, 7and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.
The Shepherds and the Angels 8And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ[a] the Lord. 12This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger."
13Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, 14"Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests."
15When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let's go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about."
16So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. 17When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, 18and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. 19But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. 20The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.
Then we have cinnamon rolls and hot chocolate as we open a few presents. No Santa comes to our house. This was a strange decision for Jer and I both. We both were raised with Santa coming. But, we are happy with our choice and it seems to not bother the kids in the least.
We enjoy the day just at home together.
Then we usually head to Indiana the following day to celebrate with Jer's family. This is an exciting time. Jer's mom is the ultimate in gift giving. It is definitely one of her Love languages, not Mine at all. So, she enjoys having presents to celebrate the holiday. Her house is small and it is full of presents from floor to ceiling for her many grand kids. Once all are passed out it isn't really too much, but it is so fun seeing this mountain of gifts and watching it be passed out. It is also fun watching my mother-in-law and sister-in-law because they really have a great time of it all.
Of course, we share a great meal together there too. So, it is easy to see why my kids say that Christmas is about family. I just hope they realize it is about the family of God.
On Christmas Eve, we get together with my family. We spend the day celebrating the Lord's birth with songs, plays, poems, and more. Grandma loves a big program, and Grandpa (being a pastor) loves to remind us all of Christ (always saying a lovely prayer of Thanksgiving). Of course, there is the family spelling bee and lots and lots of food shared. Then we open a few presents. When it is just dark enough we load up the vans and go Christmas light watching. Then it is time to head home to bed.
Christmas morning we gather around at home and Jer reads the story of Christ's birth from Luke.
Luke 2
The Birth of Jesus 1In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. 2(This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) 3And everyone went to his own town to register.
4So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. 5He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. 6While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, 7and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.
The Shepherds and the Angels 8And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ[a] the Lord. 12This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger."
13Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, 14"Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests."
15When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let's go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about."
16So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. 17When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, 18and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. 19But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. 20The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.
Then we have cinnamon rolls and hot chocolate as we open a few presents. No Santa comes to our house. This was a strange decision for Jer and I both. We both were raised with Santa coming. But, we are happy with our choice and it seems to not bother the kids in the least.
We enjoy the day just at home together.
Then we usually head to Indiana the following day to celebrate with Jer's family. This is an exciting time. Jer's mom is the ultimate in gift giving. It is definitely one of her Love languages, not Mine at all. So, she enjoys having presents to celebrate the holiday. Her house is small and it is full of presents from floor to ceiling for her many grand kids. Once all are passed out it isn't really too much, but it is so fun seeing this mountain of gifts and watching it be passed out. It is also fun watching my mother-in-law and sister-in-law because they really have a great time of it all.
Of course, we share a great meal together there too. So, it is easy to see why my kids say that Christmas is about family. I just hope they realize it is about the family of God.
What Christmas means to me
Christmas means to me spending time with all my family.
At home, my family has already set up the Christmas tree. It's my baby brother, Stephen's first Christmas. He likes to pull stuff of the tree. We have to watch on him. Every Christmas morning my dad reads in the Bible the true meaning of Christmas, about Jesus being born. Then we open presents. Last year we had to take turns going youngest to oldest.
On Christmas Eve we go to my grandma's house, and my aunt has a spelling bee. It's fun to spell.
Merry Chrismas
At home, my family has already set up the Christmas tree. It's my baby brother, Stephen's first Christmas. He likes to pull stuff of the tree. We have to watch on him. Every Christmas morning my dad reads in the Bible the true meaning of Christmas, about Jesus being born. Then we open presents. Last year we had to take turns going youngest to oldest.
On Christmas Eve we go to my grandma's house, and my aunt has a spelling bee. It's fun to spell.
Merry Chrismas
What I'm Thankful for
Here are some things I'm thankful for and why. I'm thankful for my family because they love me and take care of me. I'm thankful for music and school because its fun. I am thankful for a warm home because I have a place to live. I'm thankful for vehicles, so we can go places. I'm thankful for seasons so plants can grow. I'm thankful for food and water so we can stay alive. That's what I'm Thankful for this year.
What Chirstmas means to me
This is about what Christmas means to me. Christmas means celebrating Jesus. And we give presents because he gave us the biggest present of all dying on the cross for our sins so we can go be with him in heaven. That is what Christmas means to me.
What I am Thankful for
This is about what I'm thankful for. I'm thankful for my friends, family, toys, food, candy, games, a yard, my house, doctors, animals, plants, insects, spiders, parks, school, clothes, tools, my dad's job, machines,crafts, drinks, books, media, (Even though we could live easily without it.) furniture, blankets, shoes, church, the sun, the sky, the moon, nurses, medicine, snow, the ocean, instruments, vehicles, sports. There is probably a lot more that I'm thankful for but just can't think about it right now, but the thing I'm thankful for the most is GOD. Well that is what I'm thankful for.
What Christmas means to Me
Christmas is the day Christ was born. So we celebrate his birthday, and Christmas is not about present. To me, it's about visiting family and celebrating Christ's birth. On Christmas eve my family goes to my grandma Linton's, and on Christmas day, we stay home. Then on the day after Christmas we go to my grandma Lisa's. My grandma Lisa lives in Indiana. I like to go visit my cousins aunt's, uncle's,grandma's and grandpa's.
I'm thankful
I am thankful for
friends and family,
food, especially honey,
a nice warm home with nice warm beds,
science, life and water,
toys, books, pools are great,
trees with snow on them.
I am thankful.
Funny Bunny You (Poem)
I like to play with you
You are Funny
Like a Bunny
It is fun to see
Funny Bunny
You
In the sunny sunny view
I like to laugh with you
Do you have a calf with you
Do you like honey
Funny Bunny
What about money
Funny Bunny
oh!
I still like you
Funny Bunny
Even though you don't like money
Honey is OK to you.
You are funny
You are my best friend
Funny Bunny
Thursday, December 3, 2009
Reflecting on 2009
Often at this time of year I take time to list the many things I am thankful for, and then to reflect on how good God is. This year it has been a more difficult task. I have found the year 2009 to be a struggle.
In many ways life hasn't changed that much. School with the kids moves forward and they all are doing great. They each bring me great joy and stretch my patience and faith. My marriage is stronger than ever, and if it wasn't for that I am not sure I would have been able to make it through this year at all. Jer has a great job with a great company, and I am grateful for that. So day to day life is still basically the same.
But, my struggle this year is with my desire to trust my Lord more, to commune with him more often, to know him more intimately, and to be closer to the body of believers in the same way. As Jeremy and I struggled to make some very difficult financial decisions and to make some difficult decisions in our care for our children, we felt very much alone. This along with other things caused me realize I needed to seek my Lord more. This has been a challenge. There are many questions I have these days that only a strong relationship with My Lord will answer. So, I struggle to connect with God and even more so, with his People.
That feeling of being too different, too strange takes over and causes me to isolate myself even more. So, this year has been a struggle, but like I tell my kids even when things are tough we must Praise the Lord and move on.
So, here goes:
God is good and Sovereign, praise his Name.
God has provide us a warm home for the winter.
God has provided more than enough food for our family.
God has provided Jer with a great job w/ a good company, good co-workers, and understanding employers.
God has given us 11 beautiful, healthy, smart children.
God has given us a great family, with wonderful aunts, uncles, grandparents, cousins, nieces, nephews, brothers, sisters, and even pets.
God has provided us with transportation.
I am truly blessed and my Lord knows my name and loves me no matter what. So, though I can't always understand his way, I know he is good and righteous.
Celebrate the birth of our lord and Savior this month and all year long.
In many ways life hasn't changed that much. School with the kids moves forward and they all are doing great. They each bring me great joy and stretch my patience and faith. My marriage is stronger than ever, and if it wasn't for that I am not sure I would have been able to make it through this year at all. Jer has a great job with a great company, and I am grateful for that. So day to day life is still basically the same.
But, my struggle this year is with my desire to trust my Lord more, to commune with him more often, to know him more intimately, and to be closer to the body of believers in the same way. As Jeremy and I struggled to make some very difficult financial decisions and to make some difficult decisions in our care for our children, we felt very much alone. This along with other things caused me realize I needed to seek my Lord more. This has been a challenge. There are many questions I have these days that only a strong relationship with My Lord will answer. So, I struggle to connect with God and even more so, with his People.
That feeling of being too different, too strange takes over and causes me to isolate myself even more. So, this year has been a struggle, but like I tell my kids even when things are tough we must Praise the Lord and move on.
So, here goes:
God is good and Sovereign, praise his Name.
God has provide us a warm home for the winter.
God has provided more than enough food for our family.
God has provided Jer with a great job w/ a good company, good co-workers, and understanding employers.
God has given us 11 beautiful, healthy, smart children.
God has given us a great family, with wonderful aunts, uncles, grandparents, cousins, nieces, nephews, brothers, sisters, and even pets.
God has provided us with transportation.
I am truly blessed and my Lord knows my name and loves me no matter what. So, though I can't always understand his way, I know he is good and righteous.
Celebrate the birth of our lord and Savior this month and all year long.
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