Welcome to the Family

"and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart" (Luke 2:18,19).

This Christmas I want to make time to treasure our family. As Deborah has her first Christmas with her forever family this year, I want to take joy in how our family interacts with each other. I want to take joy in their facial expressions, feelings and noises (and it can get VERY noisy)! I want to remember that sometimes it's busy and overwhelming, I don't want to miss a minute of it and I want to ponder all these things in my heart as Mary did so many years ago. Most importantly, I want to ponder the gift of our Lord Jesus and treasure that in my heart.

Deborah, welcome to the family...


-there's a lot of joy in these facial expressions

-so many cousins who all get along

-enjoying songs together (even if it was rather loud)

-pondering the thrill and excitement of playing games together

-oh, what fun we have


-Deborah's older cousins

-the talented planner in the family- even if it gets more difficult with such a large (sometimes uncooperative) family- we are blessed with such a large loving family

-such loving, generous grandparents

Lord, thank-you for the gift of family. Help me to treasure our family in my heart.

One Thousand Gifts (Continued)

"When times are good, be happy; but when times are bad, consider: God has made the one as well as the other" (Ecclesiastes 7:14).

Although I'm a day late with my list, it's never too late to give thanks!

My list continues with #1218-#1249

-birthday hugs
-another year-another birthday

-family photo with lots of giggling


-singing praises- with all his heart!

-excited to join the choir, now that she's in grade 4! (special choir for grades 4-8)

-so serious, but still participating and practicing the songs at home with his siblings

-first vacation as a family of 6

-super fun water slides!

-still cute, even with crazy glasses

-Deborah's first picture with a mascot (and she wasn't crying)!

-bigger boards on the ice rink and great help

-rides on the ice

-awesome big brothers

-young at heart Opa

-Daddy/ daughter time (she LOVES that)

-birthday girl - every day she's a gift to us

-posing with her big brother (she LOVES that too)!

-birthday wishes from Beppe

-siblings having extended conversations -music to a mother's ears

-Curtis reminding us that we hadn't prayed before we went on our travels -I love the accountability we have from our children!

-Curtis' excitement to try new things and go on adventures

-about Great Wolf Lodge, "Isn't' this the best place on earth kids?" "No" says Curtis, "heaven is" Well that led to a small theological conversation, but that wasn't the point!

-amazing Christmas program at our school

-a very gifted music director

-beautiful candle light service at church with lovely music (again, amazing talent)

-times to celebrate and reflect on Christ's birth

-a nice relaxing and fun birthday

-a fun birthday celebration for Nicole

-God entrusting Nicole into our care for another year (I can't believe she's nine)!

-the joy that Nicole brings into our lives

-privilege and excitement of getting away as a family

-lunch with my sister

One Thousand Gifts (Continued)

"You have filled my heart with greater joy than when their grain and new wine abound"

(Psalm 4:7).

So much joy in my heart.
My list of thanksgiving continues...
#1 190-1 217

-Deborah clapping and learning so many new things

-Deborah's happy demeanor

-Deborah laughing as her older siblings crawl on the floor with her

-help with our backyard rink
-our completed backyard rink (gets bigger every year)!

-learning to back and decorate cookies (on a class trip)

-trimming the tree

-my helper putting the lights and garland on the tree (we work much better together than Paul and I with regards to tree decorating)!

-hanging the ornaments together

-eager tree decorator (for a while anyway)

-opening the Christmas boxes

-hanging the lights and decorating

-tree netting

-helpers carrying the tree

-finding the perfect tree

-tradition of cutting our Christmas tree

-tree farms

-enjoying the outdoors

-wagon ride

-my first attempt of pony tails

-our first Compassion Advocate experience

-14 new children being sponsored -14 children's lives being changed!!!!

-visits with friends

-positive post placement visit

-Nicole's determination and desire (and inspiration to me) to read through the New Testament

-family time

-getting "tackled" for winning Uno

-hand me downs!

"The eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms"

(Deuteronomy 33:27).

My gratitude list continues with #1166-1189

-God's protection over Deborah as we waited to bring her home
-God- our refuge
-His everlasting arms
-His covenant promises
-Deborah's baptism
-overwhelming love and support from family and friends
-gifted Pastor and amazing service/sermon
-a reminder that we are all adopted into God's family
-proud older siblings
-sibling contribution- Jesse carried Deborah into church, Nicole picked up all the toys that Deborah kept throwing, and Curtis was the spokesperson for the family answering the questions that the Pastor asked!
-church and family contribution to Deborah's special evening last night
-Paul working so hard on Deborah's slide show presentation
-Jesse surviving a busy week of school with lots of tests!
-visit with a long-time friend
-candles burning during reading time
-Paul's successful shipping season
-congregation members being led to sponsor a child through Compassion
-forgiveness- from God and others (especially those we love the most)
-siblings dancing together in the kitchen
-unexpected hugs from hubby

-the courage to present in front of three classes

-playmates

-our new "pet"


-celebrating Christmas early (just the stockings)

The Message of Hope

We have put our hope in the living God, who is the Saviour of all people, and especially of those who believe. (1 Timothy 4:10 TNIV)

Ok, so my goal was to be finished Christmas shopping before December 1. Well, I succeeded in meeting my goal! Now, I can sit back and enjoy the Christmas season and Christmas music! I LOVE Christmas music, sitting by the fireplace, curling up and reading a book, snow storms (unless I'm driving in it), hunting for the perfect Christmas tree, and focusing on the meaning of the season. Shopping was easy this year as I had a little bit of help from http://www.christianbook.com/, http://www.sears.ca/, http://www.bookdepository.co.uk/, Avon, and shopping locally. I totally avoided the mall!

I look forward to this exciting month of December and remembering the Christmas message of Hope!