Christmas at our House

How can you make Christmas special but not about PRESENTS and ME, ME, ME, ME?????

Here is our attempt at making Christmas about Christ.

Starting December 1st, we begin reading part of the Christmas story and putting up one character from that story on the wall. It is a type of Advent Calendar, but it really gets the true meaning of Christmas ingrained in their heads as each day you begin at the beginning and then add a new detail to the story. It is so fun to hear your kids tell the story along with you as they become more and more familiar with the story.This is our calendar. I just found clip art on line and cut them out and each day they take turns taping it on.
Below the calendar is our "advent wreath" I also use it as our center piece on the table.

I also have begun doing an advent wreath with the kids. Beginning 4 Sundays before Christmas, I light one candle. We read a passage and share different things about Christ's coming. We always talk about how Jesus is the Light of the world and how his coming pierced the sinful darkness that was covering the earth. We also share that the closer we get to his coming the brighter the light becomes. (Each week you light one additional candle.) We also talk about how we are waiting for Christ to come again. Sometimes I have shared different names of Christ or a special devotional thought about Christmas with them. I don't use special colored candles or read a long passage. I just try to make it a natural way to focus on how special Christ's coming really was.

This year David made us a manger that we put under our Christmas tree. I have a baby in the manger that the kids can play with to act out the Christmas story. I also have other blankets or towels for them to use to dress up like Mary and Joseph, shepherds, etc.

We have been making different cookies and then sharing them with others. Yesterday and today was sugar cookies.

I am not sure if we ate more frosting than we used to decorate or not but they sure had fun.

Since we used our finger to put the frosting on we didn't share any of these cookies with our neighbors. I am sure they were VERY germy since our finger were so yummy!

Hannah's "Passport" into 1st Grade

Hannah just finished up her Kindergarten year and was given her "Passport" into 1st grade.

They did a little program with the other preschool students . Isn't our little lamb cute??

Here is Hannah running down to pick up her passport.

Our main goals for Hannah this school year were to develop her Portuguese language skills as well as her social skills. We just recently evaluated those goals and are very pleased with how well she is speaking. She seems to always be singing a little song, or teaching her animals in Portuguese.

Pray for us as we are planning to begin homeschooling this next year.

Congratulations HANNAH!

Ornery Kids

Do you have ornery kids?

Do you ever feel like pulling out your hair?

It all started with Jeremiah. He has found great joy in throwing his toys, clothes, books, and MANY other things out his window to "share" with the kids that live next door. The joy then spread to Hannah and yesterday, to Daniel. We have tried everything to stop the throwing of the toys, but to no avail.

Yesterday as I was closing up the shutters on the window for the night, my neighbor informed me there was a pile of toys in their yard. So, off I went AGAIN to collect our stuff.

Later as I was reflecting, I thought of the soverignty of God. It is interesting how I had opportunity to talk to 2 of my neighbor ladies yesterday and meet a new one, all while collecting stuff he had thrown.

One neighbor came to my house to return a cup he had thrown over the wall. We had a great talk and I was able to share a nugget of the Gospel with her.

On the other side of our house I got to go and visit with my neighbor as I collected a bag full of toys and books. I was also blessed to meet new lady who lives on the back of the property.

So, the Christmas Blessing for today is that even ornery kids can be a blessing, used by God to reach others.

Editors note: Just after I posted this blog it got really quiet. James went to check on the kids and found our big black dog covered in Mayonnaise. Hannah, trying to entertain some of her friends, cut open several mayonnaise packs and squeezed them on the dog "by accident."
I have not yet figured out how God will use that:)

A virtuous man is pleasing to God???

Last night our family was able to do another Bible study with our friends who are Spiritists/Catholics. We took all our kids and prayed that they would not be a big distraction. Praise the Lord they were very well behaved! This is especially amazing since the Bible study didn't start until 8:00 p.m and they usually go to bed at 8:30!

James did a wonderful job of teaching what Christ's death on the cross accomplished. He focused in on the aspect of Christ being our substitute; allowing us to have salvation and fellowship with the Father.

The Catholic wife seems interested and open. The Spiritist husband doesn't seem to see his own sinfulness. He fails to see that he is "already condemned." He lives by a 3-standard system of Love, Forgiveness and Charity. Since he is working at these 3 things, he feel secure in relation to God. One very interesting thing we learned last night was that he believes that he will constantly be reincarnated, possibly through 1,000 lives, until he reaches perfection in these 3 qualities. Once he "evolves" to perfection in these 3 areas, he will die and be placed into his corner of heaven.

It is an interesting twist on works-based salvation. When James asked him if he were to die today and stand in judgment before God, he really couldn't answer because he is counting on being reincarnated until he is good enough to get to God.

This is just one more way that man has devised so they don't need a Savior. They say they love Jesus and that he is a great man and a wonderful example but his death is merely meant to motivate them to earn their own forgiveness. Please continue to pray for this couple, that God would draw them to Him in salvation.

"The Lord opened her heart to pay attention to what was said by Paul." (Acts 16:14)

Thanksgiving 2009

The day after my parents left, we headed to Curitiba to celebrate Thanksgiving with the missionaries.

We all met at the Farlows and had a wonderful time of fellowship and sharing blessings from the past year.

Fun playing "Apples to Apples Jr."

Grandpas on childcare duty!

Thanks be to God for ALL His abundant blessings...
We are blessed beyond what we deserve.

They're HERE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

"This is the best day of my life!" Daniel

Gramma had to start kissing his freckles right away if she was going to get them all before she left.

They brought Jeremiah a little red wagon for his birthday.

So much fun!

First day out sight seeing - Sand Dunes

A little coconut juice to cool down

Dad couldn't believe this was as beautiful as the Caribbean.

Our Sunday was very special. Dad brought the challenge and James translated for him.

We only had Roberto with us but he really enjoyed getting to know my parents.

Our dogs just loved Dad

We went to a Fort on the island that was built in the 1700's.

The beach by the Fort was beautiful, calm and perfect for the kids to get wet.

Phil, Mary Ruth & Rindy came down for 24 hours. We headed out for a little fishing and exploring together.

Small fish but lots of fun!

Thanks Rindy for helping bring my parents down!

"Have I gotten all the freckles?"

Tchau! We love you!!!

Trip to the Falls

Last week we were invited by the Christian Hospitality Network to participate in a getaway for missionaries in South America. They hosted a 3 night stay at a hotel in Foz de Iguacu, Brazil. This is the location of the world famous waterfalls that run along the boarder of Brazil, Argentina and Paraguay.

We left early Monday morning in a 3 car caravan (8 kids and 8 adults), and made the 10 hour trip there. We enjoyed some great family time at the pool. Our kids were able to take the American Red Cross swimming class. Daniel went from having a fear of water in his face to actually swimming with his face in the water. We are so proud of his accomplishments!Hannah learning to put her face in the water while floating.

Daniel learning to relax while floating on his back.

While we were there, we celebrated Jeremiah's 3rd birthday. On his birthday we had our trip to see the falls. I am not sure if he will remember going but I know that he had fun on our hike. The falls were spectacular. It is impossible to see them all at once. We went on a 1,200 meter hike and the entire time were seeing different parts of the falls. When Mrs. Bush saw the falls she said, "Poor Niagara." This just give you an idea of the enormity of the falls. This was the first view as we stepped off the bus.

At one point there was a bridge you walk out on and there was so much spray off the falls that we were VERY wet when we got done.

Here is a view of the bridge.

There were loads of butterflies all around us. Hannah and Daniel both had "passengers" ride along with them for part of our hike.

We are very thankful for the opportunity we had to go on this getaway. God knows just what we need and when we need it!

Mortifying Sin in Your Body

I am studying "Pursuit of Holiness" by Jerry Bridges and found this very helpful.

Formula: How to Know Right from Wrong.

• "'Everything is permissible for me' - but not everything is beneficial" (I Cor. 6:12).

Question 1: Is it helpful- physically, spiritually, and mentally?

• "'Everything is permissible for me' - but I will not be mastered by anything" (I Cor. 6:12).

Question 2: Does it bring me under its power?

• "Therefore, if what I eat causes my brother to fall into sin, I will never eat meat again, so that I will not cause him to fall" (I Cor. 10:31).
  

Question 3: Does it hurt others?

• "So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God" (I Cor. 10:31).

Question 4: Does it glorify God?

"As simple as this formula may appear, it is powerful in developing conviction - if we are willing to use it. These questions can get rather searching. But they must be asked if we are to pursue holiness as a total way of life." J. Bridges, Pursuit of Holiness, pp. 91