Why Advent?!

As Christmas approaches with great speed, we are really trying to slow down to remember and reflect on why Christmas exists. It is hard to do in the midst of one of the busiest times of the year, but I don't want to miss this chance to be reminded of the great salvation that is ours because of the Father's great love for us in sending His Son. 

Here are some thoughts  from John Piper's free ebook on Advent called "The Dawning of Indestructible Joy."

"One of the most famous Christmas scenes in the Bible is the announcement to the shepherds by an angel that the Savior is born. And then it says, “Suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, ‘Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!’” (Luke 2:11–14).

Glory to God, peace to man. The angels are sent to make something crystal clear: the Son of God has come into his cre- ation to display the glory of God and to reconcile people from alienation to peace with God. To make God look great in sal- vation and to make man glad in God. "

Girl time!

Lucy and I had the joy of spending some girl time together last Friday. We went To see our friend Abby Jayne as Grettle in the Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet's performance of Hansel and Grettle. 

It was a joy to listen to and talk with Lucy without the other little voices competing for my attention. Their voices were heard by their daddy :)

We drove into Harrisburg and saw the capital building. As she saw the building she said "don't you love that green building?!"

A minute later we saw a man riding a bike and she said "Mommy, I see a human wearing a helmet!" 

She is a sweet girl and I am thankful to be her Mommy. I look forward to more times like this where we can continue to grow and develop our friendship over the years. 

Fall

Spent the evening in a beautiful part of God's world with some generous friends. 

Fall in central PA is beautiful!

Latin

Sometimes when you are learning Latin with a group of 6 year olds, a piggy who knows Latin and wants to learn English somehow does the trick!!

Boys book club

We have had the joy of joining a boys club with some friends from our CC group. Each month the boys read a book and then we take turns hosting the group and leading a series of games and discussions and snacks about the book. 

This month we read "A Cricket in Times Square."  Such a good book! One of my favorite things is to read books with my kiddos. It is a joy to see them following the story - almost drawn up into it as they take turns reading and listening and looking at the pictures. 

Here are some pics of the fun we had yesterday discussing the book. And we are now the proud owners of two crickets, Mario and Chester!!

Phew!

For some reason, today I was thinking about all of the big milestones that we have behind us with our kids. The kind of milestones that make you say "PHEW" when they are reached. 

Potty training. Reading and riding a two wheel bike (for two of the three). Eating spaghetti without grinding a pound of it in their hair and on the floor. Going to a carnival at bedtime without tears. Eating cereal WITH milk. Taking shoes off and putting them in their shoe baskets when we come inside (well, mostly). 

You get the idea. 

They have been reached by the grace of God, and the milestones yet to come - which are truly much bigger and more complex like learning to drive, making wise friendship choices, choosing a college, choosing a wife, honoring God as a student and employee, etc.  - will be by the grace of God as well. 

(Note- I know that there are many kids who are not able to reach these milestones because of the effects that the fall has had on their bodies - I am not wanting to be insensitive to these friends. The grace of God will also shine clearly through their lives! Spaghetti in the hair or not!) 

USA

Baxter created this on the Etch-a-sketch in the car this afternoon.  Love his mind and love classical education! 

Our Faithful God

I read through these verses this morning in my quiet time. I am so struck at the goodness and faithfulness of our great God to us - to little, undeserving, often rebellious and ungrateful us. 

"I will make with them an everlasting covenant, that I will not turn away from doing good to them. And I will put the fear of me in their hearts, that they may not turn from me. I will rejoice in doing them good, and I will plant them in this land in faithfulness, with all my heart and all my soul." Jeremiah 32:40-41

Love of learning

"Successful education ought to propel a student to want to learn more. Learning should inspire joy bound with constant astonishment at marvels of creation. Learning should breathe life into us - ignite our imaginations and inspire us to share the ideas we learn with people we love." The Core by Leigh Bortins

Before the day has begun, Owen is working on a workbook we didn't finish this summer. I love that they still love learning at this age. Although I also know this in a few hours there will likely be tears she'd in frustration over an assignment. The Lord is working in it all. 

Cold soccer fans

In case two soccer games weren't enough for one Saturday, we ventured out in the 46 degree weather to cheer on the Men's Messiah College Soccer team. They have an amazing team. It's so great for the boys to see soccer the way it was meant to play. 

Being there made me prayerful for our kids and their college years. Lord, give them faith, cause them to love you and love others for your glory wherever you take them. Cause them to be a blessing to others and a light shining in the darkness. 

Refreshed

Matt and I had the privilege of seeing Keith and Kristyn Getty in concert tonight at Messiah College. It was so refreshing to sing and hear the powerful truths of the Gospel. It is so easy to forget what is True and Who is True in the midst of day to day life. I am thankful for an evening of refreshment and reminders. 

"So Spirit, come, put strength in ev'ry stride, give grace for every hurdle, that we may run with faith to win the prize of a servant good and faithful." "O Church Arise" 

"A second Adam walked the earth, whose blameless life would break the curse, whose death would set us free to live with Him eternally." "Creation Sings the Father's Song."

A basketball

Somedays, when there seem to be more tears and selfish moments than joyful and    loving moments...God graciously uses a little fresh air and a basketball to bring a smile back to this precious face. 

Something New

I am going to try something new for the next week or so. It may work. It may not. Each day I hope to post a picture capturing a moment from the day and also either a verse, part of a book or a link to an article or sermon that has encouraged or challenged me in that day.

It has been a while since I have been able to blog regularly, and this seems like a way to get back into it a little bit for my own sake (taking time to reflect and pause) and for the mutual encouragement of those who happen upon this blog. 

It's worth a try, right?!

"In addition, if God has the ability to control the most powerful elements of nature, does he not have the ability to control the elements of your everyday life? The next time you experience a storm, let it remind you of the glory and power of God, and let it give strength and peace to your soul."

Taken from a blog post by Paul Tripp

http://paultripp.com/wednesdays-word/posts/thunderstorms

Red Rockets

Baxter just finished his soccer season tonight. He continues to love being on the field. He is a very strong player and hustles out there start to finish. It is a joy to watch him and cheer him on. Here are some pics of our favorite Red Rocket. 

Canada

We enjoyed a long weekend away last weekend...in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada! We went with a few families from Carlisle.  Our friends the Dalys are from Ontario, so they were kind enough to plan and execute a great trip! It was so great to get to see and experience their home country! Even with little things, like different flavors of ice cream and chips, Tim Horton's donuts, piles of snow, piles of snow boots at church, etc.  To us they are little fun new things, to them they are the sites and smells and tastes if home. Certainly was fun to explore, and yet it certainly was fun to return through the border station back into the US...Until our next Canadian adventure!

Here are some of our adventures...

Ice skating (or boot skating) on the Rideau Canal. Owen ended up getting the hang of the skates on the way back, and I ended up trading in my skates for my boots to help Lucy who was not pleased that I couldn't carry her with my ice skates on! While on the canal, we enjoyed our first taste of "Beaver Tails" - a yummy fried dough with cinnamon sugar!

We went on a tour inside the Parliament building - including a ride up in the Peace Tower (right above the clock in the picture) where we could see 360degrees around. The architecture was beautiful, and inside we were warm!! It is amazing how warm you can be with lots and lots of layers on!

We went to Quebec, a short 20 minute drive away,  and enjoyed a day at "Snowflake Kingdom." Lots of snow and ice turned into huge slides. We all had fun sliding down! Lucy loved these! 

We worshipped at a great church in Ottawa on Sunday morning and evening - it was such a restful day. A good chance to rest and recharge. 

It was certainly tiring to travel to another country with three little ones, but it was so fun and they were such troopers! 

Valentines

This year Valentines day was so full - I normally don't like this day, but I think God gave me new eyes to see the many layers of love celebrated today. 

We awoke to heart shaped banana chocolate chip muffins for breakfast. Also on the table were two new traditions. A tissue paper wrapped book as a gift and a card with two special chocolate candies for each kiddo. I remember waking up to cards and candies on valentines day as a child. It is a joy to love our kids and to have a chance to tell them that!!

At school today we talked about God's love for us - and that it is the basis and foundation and power for our love of each other. Today is primarily and ultimately about His love for us shown in Christ. 

Tonight we celebrated dinner out with our sweet kiddos. Family time. 

Matt brought me a red rose to remember that I am his bride still nearly 12 years later. 

It was a full day. 

I am thankful. 

This year valentines day was more than wondering if Matt would bring home a dozen roses or not. More than wishing we had a date night. More than candy hearts. It was not full of unrealistic expectations. Instead it was full of remembering and rejoicing in God's love and enjoying those He has given me to love. 

Happy New Year!!

“O Love Beyond Compare,

Thou hast loved me before the foundation of the world,

     and in love didst redeem my soul;

Thou dost love me still,

     in spite of my hard heart, ingratitude, distrust.

Thy goodness has been with me during another year,

     leading me through a twisting wilderness,

     in retreat helping me to advance,

     when beaten back making sure headway.

Thy goodness will be with me in the year ahead;

I hoist sail and draw up anchor,

With thee as the blessed Pilot of my future

     as of my past.”

~Valley of Vision

Christmas visits

A few days after Christmas we enjoyed some time with my family - minus our dear Florida Gillans who are in the midst of a 6 month chemo treatment for my sister in law Becky. We missed them so much and pray for the Lord's hand to be on them in healing and perseverance and courage and joy. 

Here are a few pics from our time. We also had a quick lunch with our friends the Zollinhofers from Richmond!