A Few Of My Favourite Things This Christmas

 

From family gathering to family gathering, from ice storm to a beautiful white Christmas, I have experienced gifts of immeasurable value this year. Although this month felt rushed, busy, obligatory and less accomplished than I'd hoped, I have clear hindsight through Holy Spirit vision and it's all good. What is that exactly? It's when you are able to read between the lines that grace and mercy have played a huge role in your daily living and you didn't even notice it until you stopped long enough to pay attention. I muddled things up and lived in a flurry, when what I needed was to be still and know that Jesus is God. Thankfully, His grace covers my seemingly important urgencies. At the manger, I can lay it all down and whisper that I'm sorry I've left Him out of so much lately. But, it seems as though He whispers back, "You're here now, My child."

Oh, how I always want to be right there.

 

(a long scroll of photos that are my favourites from the past few days...)

 

Baby Lover (she comes by it honestly)

  

newly-discovered talents

being silly while opening sibling gifts

Santa, with ice-covered trees in background

Meg was beyond excited to give her gifts to her siblings. They loved them :)

Love how most of their gifts come straight from their own bedrooms :)

appreciation

We miss Great-Mama who knit all of our stockings.

Papa pic taken by Oliver

where we all get our photo-love

my packed living room--love it!

Valerie and Ashanti spent the night with us again this year.

Mama made these amazing hats!

Auntie Heather and Ashanti

Love this kid.

Special visit from my dear friend, Tara (who lives far, far away)

Leaning on each other and the Lord as they walk through cancer together.

the "big boys"

enjoying a new pillow

Always much hilarity when someone gets Kevin's gift!

Kevin looks a little guilty.

The gag gift (the white Value Village vest) and the real gift by Justin.

 We all laughed till we cried over this one!

sweet girls

nutso girls

showing Grandma and Grandpa their photos in Elf Yourself

a little shuffleboard

three sisters

Oliver watching Sadie open her gift from him. Love his face here (and hers).

cousins

the "big girls"

massage time--Meg seems to be really loving it :)

Every time I lift the camera, Kevin makes this face.

 Lego help from Jenna

annual p.j. pic.
oliver refused to wear his because they were too big and
 he thought they looked like girl ones, lol!

keeping warm

reading The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe by the fire

power outage!

icy beauty

In Quietness and Trust...

"This is what the Sovereign Lord, the Holy One of Israel, says:

'In repentance and rest is your salvation,

    in quietness and trust is your strength,

    but you would have none of it.'...

Therefore the Lord awaits to be gracious to you,

and therefore He exalts Himself to show mercy to you.

For the Lord is a God of justice;

blessed are all those who wait for Him."

(Isaiah 30:15, 18)

 

As we are to compare ourselves to Israel, God's chosen people, we can know that this promise is for us too. I don't ever want Him to say that I would have none of it. And so, we ventured once again to Kingfisher Bay for some of that quiet time (since sometimes home isn't so silent :) and discovered trust really is strength.

I grappled with a lot that weekend. My mouth is not always my best feature. Have you ever been caught in words that hurt another person? Sometimes, what I want to say and what actually comes out are two very different things. Oh how ugly I felt every time I walked by a mirror! I'm so thankful that after an intense moment of accountability, my lovely friend forgave me. The Lord disciplines those He loves and, my goodness, He must love me a lot! I'm grateful He doesn't let me get away with too much before it's exposed. Where would I be if it were any different? I shudder at the thought. Most importantly, I walk without shame because I've repented and I'm covered by His blood. Praise God.

 

(Loved spending time with my cousin Lisa, Mom and Aunt Diane this time!)