Grace And Peace To You

May you experience God's grace and know His peace as you follow Him in 2011.

Happy New Year!

Love, Terry, Heather, Meghan, Molly, Emily, and Oliver Vanderkruk

xo

Singing Family

We were asked to sing as a family at our Christmas Eve service and my husband said, yes. I was quite uncomfortable at the prospect, but we sang Amy Grant's, Breath Of Heaven. And though the song is quite serious, somehow managed to be humorous entertainment.

Our son took the opportunity to make his loud singing debut, amongst other hilarious antics, which could not be predicted when we practiced at home together. When we returned to our seats (me sighing relief), people were laughing and wiping tears from their eyes. Our friend had taken these photos and someone had video-taped. What I had prayed would touch hearts on this hallowed night, brought joy in a way I could not have understood. Thankfully, it's all done now :)

A Social Network Christmas

Please enjoy this by clicking on the YouTube title to view in larger format.

It's The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year...

Hangin' at home and continuing blessed traditions from childhood and making a few new ones...

licking the beaters...

wearing my apron Meg made me...

making cheesecake for the first time...

hushed, secret gift-wrapping time...

bellowing through the wrapping paper tubes...

brown paper packages, tied up with strings...

"no peeking!"

some lucky person is going to get Oliver's mini-van :)

knitting, just like Great-Mama taught us...

creating books of the Christmas story (idea from here)...

(no room at the inn)

(im)patiently waiting for the glue...

painting Christmas scenes on the windows...

keeping the mint hot chocolate and marshmallows on hand...

diving into the cookie jar filled with goodies from our sweet neighbour...

relishing in the details that make the holiday perfect...

playing with the nativity scene...

O Come Let Us Adore Him!

Funny, Beautiful Video Of Children Acting The Christmas Story

Found this over at Ann's site. So precious.

Merry Christmas, Everyone!

May God bless you as you celebrate His birth.

Love, Heather

The Spirit Of Christ(mas)

Our annual Christmas Cantata: a little like, "It's A Wonderful Life" and a little like "A Christmas Carol", but declaring that the Spirit of Christ is what truly matters. My husband sang in the choir and my two oldest girls played orphans, along with other children from our congregation. It was an extraordinary effort of all involved. The camaraderie that ensued from the many, many practices was precious. It was performed six times and many received Christ as a result.

Have a wonderful Christmas Eve tomorrow, Friends!

Star Of Wonder--A Children's Christmas Drama

Our little angel stood proudly declaring, with her outstretched arms, that Jesus is born...

while her little sister hammed it up with her friends (yeah, she was supposed to be singing).

Mary and Joseph welcomed "Falling Star" into their humble dwelling...

and our eldest danced a solo to "Lord, Let Your Light Shine".

These children sang, "Wee Three Kings" (just because they really are "wee", aren't they? :)

Other "stars of the show", who were trying to figure out what all the fuss was about with that BIG Shooting Star, were, "North Star", "Rock Star", "Lucky Star", and "Super Star".

"North Star"

"Rock Star" (what a dude)

Loving that all three of our girls are in this photo :)

Emily played the moon (she's behind there somewhere)...

while our fantastic choir director led the children in music.

Our group of little stars, singing about the Baby who came to give us Life!