One Thousand Gifts (con't)

"Today in the town of David a Saviour has been born to you; He is Christ the Lord"
(Luke 2:11).

Happy Birthday!



Happy birthday to me, Nicole, Oma, and most importantly, Jesus.
We've celebrated a few birthdays this month.
Our princess turned 10! The perfect (well almost perfect) 10! I can't believe where time goes. To us, she's still our little smiley 3 year old, cracking jokes and loving to play with her toys. We know that she's not perfect, but to us, she's pretty close! We love her to bits and pieces and are so grateful for the gift that she is to us.


We also celebrated the best gift of all- a birthday of the One who is perfect! Our Saviour. Our Redeemer!


Continuing to give thanks during this Christmas season...
#2208- #2239

-worshiping and celebrating Christmas Day
-our Deliverer
-playing in the orchestra (for the first time) on Christmas morning


-a shimmer of hope (a thin layer of ice)

-attempting to take family pictures in front of the tree


-personalities that shine
-Nicole's fever going away
-my tonsillitis is almost gone
-medicine


-big, group game

-Christmas hair
-entertaining herself

-our little band -Go Weston, Go!!

-a proud Grandma
-fun, family get togethers

-Beppe hugs! (never too old, never to young to hug your grandmother)!

-our milk man (thanks, bro)

-one way to get fresh air

-a gifted, relaxed, confident speaker (way to go, bro)

-confident and gifted duet singers

-surviving standing on stage and singing with the school

-celebrating Oma's birthday
-Nicole's homemade gift to Oma and Oma's great appreciation
-generosity
-singing many Christmas songs
-musical instruments
-a new teacher (former student of mine) doing a great job of conducting the school Messiah for children Christmas program
-Nicole spending her birthday money on a family gift
-celebrating Nicole's birthday and the joy that she brings to our lives
-camping out under the Christmas tree
-impromptu coffee gathering with friends
-remembering and celebrating this season what God has done for me!

One Thousand Gifts (con't)

"A bruised reed he will not break, and a smoldering wick He will not snuff out. In faithfulness, he will bring forth justice"
(Isaiah 42:30).

This was one of the verses that was read last night in church. I loved the challenge that the guest pastor gave us to be like Jesus and be a community of helping those who need help and encouragement (the bruised reeds). We are all bruised reeds and smoldering wicks, but He does not snuff us out. I am reminded this Christmas season of God's love and what He has done for me.

Continuing to give thanks:
#2189- #2207

-His faithfulness
-God's gift of love and Him not snuffing out he smoldering wick
-His justice
-challenges from our guest pastors yesterday
-cousins out for dinner with their grandparents
-date night
-another cash prize for Nicole (winning a poetry contest)!

-celebrating the inevitable- getting older

-another year to celebrate with my family - I am so blessed!

-another year of health and many blessings


-great sportsmanship
-lots of great saves
-finally being able to watch one of his games


-a patient builder (after the gifts were opened)


-new books to read


-cars, dolls, she loves them all!

-excited gift recipients

-rink builder helper


-her TV companions

One Thousand Gifts (Continued)

"From one man He made every nation of men, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and He determined the times set for them and the exact places where they should live. God did this so that men would seek Him and perhaps reach out for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us"

(Acts 17:26-27).

We survived the whole Christmas tree ordeal. Paul's not a big fan of getting the tree, putting lights on it (his least favourite job), and decorating it! This year, it all went quite smoothly though with very little marital strife! We went to a tree farm and picked one that was already cut- even though we had brought our saw this time! It was nice and small, so putting lights on it was not such a stressful task and it all went rather quickly. Very efficient- that's what we like!

It's a bit like this whole Christmas season. It goes by too fast. But, we want things to go fast. We want our shopping done efficiently (online shopping, baby!), we get stressed if we have to wait in lines too long, etc. Even though we're well into advent, I feel like I haven't truly prepared my heart for the peace that Jesus gives us and for the celebration of His birth. I do enjoy our decorated house, and maybe now that that is done, I can spend more time reflecting on Christ, Immanuel- God with us.

Continuing to give thanks...

#2174- #2188

-our cute tree-(almost) every one's excitement to get our tree!
-pre- cut trees



-pretending to cut our pre-cut tree

-keen, eager decorators

-the smell of a fresh, cut Christmas tree

-candle light service at church

-the nine lessons we learned at our candle light service

-God's faithfulness in fulfilling His promise to send a Redeemer

-male quartet singing my favourite carol

-singing carols with the organ and orchestra

-Nicole reading a Bible passage in church so confidently

-an unexpected (but planned) visit last week

-coughs getting better

-a successful craft at GEMS and a great craft counselor

-different generations in one room doing a craft together

One Thousand Gifts (Continued)

"When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, 'I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life'" (John 8:12).

I always enjoy looking at all the light displays at this time of the year. I'm also reminded during this advent season to put my focus on the true light and to prepare my heart to let His light shine in me, so that I will be able to let my light shine for Him!

Continuing to give thanks...

#2154-#2173

-the True Light of the World

-night out with cousins enjoying the lights
-the best light display -His Word!

-colours

-Christ- the True Light

-no fear of the characters

-relaxing, horse and buggy ride

-fun with cousins- Jesse laughing so hard that he cries!

-Nicole's exciting day (going in the money machine for being a top entertainment book seller- she gathered $32 in the machine and bought/made a build-a-bear)!!

-her love for Bob and Larry

-how she LOVES her older cousins

-my artist/craft man

-beautiful baptism service

-relaxing/rainy Sunday at my sister's

-our rabbit has a new home!

-Deborah giving Nicole a hug as she was crying about the rabbit

-hugs; he knows how to make me smile when I don't want to!

-an intense game of cards with Jesse before he goes to bed (he won)
-friends that help carry washing machines up and down the stairs
-friends that get on their hands and knees to help clean behind the old washing machine