One Thousand Gifts (continued)

"Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful" 

(Colossians 3:15).

Although it is not officially the winter season yet, the weather outside proves differently.  It's easy to welcome the winter season, because I LOVE the snow!  I also love the season of advent.  I am thankful for the joy and peace that only Christ can give.  However, I know that there are many people who do not experience that peace or joy.  It's my prayer that they too will be able to "Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts..."

Continuing to give thanks...
#4115-#4139

-the beautiful blanket of snow

-the gorgeous moon shining through the trees

-lots of skating time

-his excitement to finally be allowed to skate on the rink

-how they all love to skate on the rink

-helpers, shovelling the snow

-her perseverance and determination

-warm running clothes

-the first storm of the year!!  So exciting!!

-his hard work ethic and how he makes everything look so easy

-building tunnels

-lots of time outdoors

-safety on the roads

-spending time skiing with my daughter

-a beautiful, relaxing birthday
-the many birthday wishes

-Paul's love for treats and how he likes to share them with his workers

-fun date night with my hubby (braving the storm)
-Jesse, our super responsible babysitter
-fun night out with my sister (for my birthday)
-fellowship and brunch with beautiful ladies at Coffee Break
-the wonderful, young Christian women who lead Story Hour and how they taught the children to sing so beautifully
-watching Deborah sing and participate in the Story Hour children's presentation
-a beautiful women (whom I've never met) leading a conference call for Compassion Canada and leading us in prayer over the phone -love that!
-playing hungry hippo repeatedly with Deborah

One Thousand Gifts (continued)

"Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one. Love the LORD your God will all your heart and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up" (Deuteronomy 6:4-7).

I love traditions.  The Collins dictionary defines "tradition" as:

"the handing down from generation to generation of the same customs, beliefs, etc., esp by word of mouth".  

I am thankful for the traditions that we have started with our family.  I am thankful for the tradition of picking out a Christmas tree, even if we had to modify it a bit and pick it up from the school parking lot.  

"This is embarrassing"  was our children's response to posing with our tree (even though we waited for the buses to leave).  I am hoping that one day they will be thankful for the traditions that we have started and that they too will start traditions of their own with their families.

I am especially grateful for the gift of my parents and grandparents "handing down from generations to generations" their beliefs and the Word of God.  We too as parent would like to do the same - to "Impress them on our children.  Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up".

Continuing to give thanks...
#4094-#4114

-tradition of choosing a Christmas tree

-tradition of family pictures around the Christmas tree

-helping decorate the Christmas tree (although they are becoming less interested in that)

-her giving heart, especially at Christmas time

-how she is planning to give something/ make something for all the widow ladies in our church

-her interest in the ornaments, particularly the glass ones and the candy canes!

-how he helped his father with the lights outside, so that I didn't have to

-our beautiful, rather large, Christmas tree

-how my sister is very humble about her gifts and talents
-how she loves to help others

-poinsettias on all of our tables

-our tradition of a scavenger hunt with the stockings

-celebrating Dutch tradition, by opening our stockings on Sinterklaas (Dec.5)

-an intergenerational game of Memory
-the blessing of cousins

-her new best friend and how she adores her second cousin

-how she overflows with love for her daughter (and all of her family members)
-her sense of humour and having lots of laughs with her while watching "Home Alone 2"

-loving the snow

-preparing her ammunition before the bus comes

-a dollar store toy that works and hasn't broke (yet)

One Thousand Gifts (continued)

"Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made know to you" (John 15:15).

He was excited to have a friend over for the day. They had lots of fun together. I am so grateful for my children's friends and for my friends as well.

 This reminded my of the hymn, "What a friend we have in Jesus". He is the best friend that we could possibly have. He's perfect, faithful, shares our sorrows, knows our weakness, carries our burdens, shields us, and gives us peace! All we have to do is take it to the Lord in prayer.

 I love the lines, "O what peace we often forfeit, o what needless pain we bear, all because we do not carry everything to God in prayer"!

Thank-you, Jesus for hearing our prayers, taking our pain, and giving us peace!

526. What a Friend We Have in Jesus

Text: Joseph M. Scriven, 1820-1886 Music: Charles C. Converse, 1832-1918 1. What a friend we have in Jesus, 

 all our sins and griefs to bear! 
 What a privilege to carry 
 everything to God in prayer! 
 O what peace we often forfeit,
 O what needless pain we bear, 
 all because we do not carry 
 everything to God in prayer. 

2. Have we trials and temptations? 
 Is there trouble anywhere? 
 We should never be discouraged; 
 take it to the Lord in prayer. 
 Can we find a friend so faithful 
 who will all our sorrows share? 
 Jesus knows our every weakness; 
 take it to the Lord in prayer. 

3. Are we weak and heavy laden, 
 cumbered with a load of care? 
 Precious Savior, still our refuge; 
 take it to the Lord in prayer. 
 Do thy friends despise, forsake thee? 
 Take it to the Lord in prayer! 
 In his arms he'll take and shield thee; 
 thou wilt find a solace there.

Continuing to give thanks...
#4073-#4093

-my children's friends
-play dates
-my friends
-my sister, my best friend
-Jesus, the perfect friend
-that Jesus shares our sorrows, carries our pain, and gives us peace
-beginning the advent season

-soft, furry, intriguing creatures

-sisters, best friends

-making memories and having fun in outdoors, riding ponies and petting the animals

-ice rink preparations and nephews and a brother in law who are willing helpers

-a fun night out with friends
-laughing to tears and getting sore stomach muscles!
-gifted Christian comedians (Phil Callaway) and musicians

-hanging out at home
-her precious smiles
-her recovery from her foot injury

-Sundays- playing, relaxing, family time, worship, fellowship

-play time

-seeing my niece (visiting from out of town) and her precious baby
-proud great-grand parents