In Light of 2015

It's been a busy month, this month of December, that has kept me focused on the moments,

 until suddenly I realize we are standing on the threshold of a New Year!

If you could look into my house 

my decor has not moved,

candles will still be lit

and the lights will still twinkle right into tomorrow and the coming days.

I've not had much time to reflect the way I want to,

but one word that has stood out to me these days is LIGHT.

Jesus said. 

"I am the light of the world. 

Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life."

By saying what He did, Jesus took a simple truth about light 

to help us understand a spiritual truth. 

Just as light is necessary for physical life,

the light that He shines on our path 

will lead us to what really matters . . .

the light of life.

These are the words I wish to ponder and take with me into this coming year.

I want to remember that when I don't know the answer,

when I don't know the way

or when my own understanding fails me,

Jesus says He is the light.
The source of vision for my path.

Jesus, be my vision
Be my path, be my guide
Jesus
Be the fire in my heart
Be the wind in these sails
Be the reason that I live

(from Be the Center, by Vineyard)

Wishing you all God's best for 2015!

De-lights of Christmas Holidays

It's hard to believe that all that comes with Christmas holidays is 

coming to an end once more . . .

not just the exchange of gifts and long-awaited family dinner,

but the breakfasts, snacks and lunches along the way . . .

reading through piles of story books,

kids using TV trays to turn the basement into pretend school classrooms,

playing restaurant under the stairs 

or dressing up in old tickle trunk clothing . . .

all so much more fun when cousins come to visit.

A spontaneous family lunch, a girls' movie morning 

and listening to the kids playing happily, were some of my favorite moments . . .

not necessarily caught on camera.

The day after Christmas, after a lazy morning, we headed out to Stanwood, WA for dinner and on to the light display at Warm Beach Camp and Conference Center. 

I realize this is a way for the camp to raise money, and what a great way to do so!

The light displays were simply amazing!

 We had a hard time taking in all of it, while the kids loved running ahead.

Light Tunnels . . .

and light mazes that looked like lit up raspberry fields . . .

they loved running through them!

A Polar Express window view and caboose to play on . . .

a cabin photo shoot, a petting zoo and pony rides 

kept our five smiling!

While Everly kept snug as a bug in her stroller.

The atmosphere on this beautiful night was one of rejoicing . . .

and peace on earth 

goodwill toward all!

What Day is it Today?

With all of the special events these days I find if hard to keep track of what day it is. I've heard this said in German, "Alle Tage Sontag und Mitte der Woche noch ein Fest!" (Every day is Sunday and middle of the week still another feast!)

On Christmas Day the table was set in anticipation of one of my favorite days.

I thought I had pretty well prepared the day before 

but kept finding things to do until the doorbell rang.

We are so happy that our Prairie family came again this year, 

in spite of Kari being in her last month of pregnancy.

The cousins came soon after each other 

and you can see I love getting that photo of them all dressed up!

We had an early dinner, fitting kids and adults around one table this year . . . 

Before opening gifts Papa read the Christmas story.

The kids' gifts were stashed under the family room tree and that is where they opened their gifts . . .

Taking turns on the gift opening chair, unless the gift was for two!

The adults opened gifts later . . . 

always a time my heart is full of joy for the privilege of giving and receiving.

We ended the evening with snacks, appies and a clear skype session with our family far away.

This was the fist time the cousins got to visit like this

and there were big smiles and some tears too.

Also a gift I treasure in my heart.

As all good things must come to an end . . . 

this evening did too and it was time to let some go home to their beds

and others settle into beds right here.

The pillow says it all in Papa's childhood language.

Christmas Eve Mystery

It's still a mystery to me

That the hands of God could be so small

How tiny fingers reaching in the night

Were the very hands that measured the sky

Hallelujah, hallelujah

Heaven's love reaching down to save the world

Hallelujah, hallelujah, Son of God, servant King

Here with us, You're here with us

It's still a mystery to me
How His infant eyes have seen the dawn of time
How His ears have heard an angel's symphony
But still Mary had to rock her Savior to sleep

Hallelujah, hallelujah
Heaven's love reaching down to save the world
Hallelujah, hallelujah, Son of God, servant King
Here with us, You're here with us
You're here with us

Jesus, the Christ, born in Bethlehem

A baby born to save, to save the souls of man

Hallelujah, hallelujah

Heaven's love reaching down to save the world

Hallelujah, hallelujah, Son of God, servant King

Here with us

Joy Williams

From the Mouths of Babes

Natalie has been learning how to use the computer keyboard.  She had me call out the spelling to certain words as she diligently punched in one letter at a time, while I was making dinner.

Dear Mom,

I hope you have a Merry Christmas Mom.

I have been making your present.

I am excited to give you your present

And I am excited for Christmas

Because I like presents and because

Jesus was born.

I am glad we have holidays.

My wish is that our cousins

could come back and be

here in Canada.

I  Love you

Merry Christmas

Love Natalie

When she was done, Papa printed it for her and she read it to her brothers who listened attentively. At the end, Koen remarked with a proud voice, "That is a lot of words!" It makes me smile how early boys begin to think that way, but I could also tell he was plain proud of her knowing how to type so many words.

It was a delight to see the SS Christmas program 

that the kids had worked at for several months. 

David's Dynasty was a musical drama, 

where shepherds talked about how the birth of a Savior was foretold many years ago.

When suddenly an angel, joined by more angels, announced the great news . . .

Saying, 

"Fear not, for , behold, I bring you good tiding of great joy, which shall be to all people.

For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord."

I never tire of hearing this story from of the mouths of children . . .

reminding me of when I first heard.

Sometimes it's about the old generation telling the next,

but I love it when the young tell the older ones.

Our Littlest Christmas Star

Just thought it was time for an update . . .

What a precious gift she is to all of us!