#118 - A Great Year

On my other blog, I posted a review of 2009 in pictures. Although it was time-consuming, it was great to look back at the year. Not only did we get to see all of our family members throughout the year, we also got to travel to some great places. When I looked back at the pictures I was reminded of how rich my life is because of the people I interacted with last year.

Although 2009 brought yet another move to yet another new state, my life is blessed by the people who shared life with me this year - my family, my friends and new acquaintances.

I'm thankful for a great year and looking forward to another one!

#117 - It's Snowing

It's snowing here right now! I'm thankful for the smiles it brought to my girls' faces, and I'm really thankful that snow in Oregon resembles someone shaking the snow globe - it falls beautifully for a while and then it settles and is clear. (Unlike the UP where it snows constantly for 6 months)

#116 - God's Son

As the sun is streaming through our windows today, I am thankful God loved us enough to come near to us. I am thankful for this time of year when we celebrate the birth of Jesus...God's son.

May your hearts rejoice as we reflect on this miracle and eagerly anticipate His next coming!

#114 - More Great Books

We found three more great children's Christmas books at our library this past week. I'm loving all these new finds!

Small Camel Follows the Star by Rachel W.N. Brown and Giuliano Ferri
Love how this tells the same story, but from a totally different perspective (the camel's!)


The Christmas Garland by Lisa Flinn, Barbara Younger and Lucy Corvino
Again...the same, basic Christmas story with a different perspective.


Little One, We Knew You'd Come by Sally Lloyd-Jones and Jackie Morris
Beautiful, simple story with sweet illustrations

With all these different books and their different perspectives, my girls have heard the basic story in many different ways. They don't seem to be getting tired of it and I love that! I'm thankful for finding ways to keep it new and refreshing for them.

#113 - The Laughs

Bedtime prayers tonight brought many laughs...

Sydney: "Thank you for forgiving my sins"

Kayleigh: "Thank you for my sins"

#112 - My Little Witness

We went for a walk today, and as we passed through the grocery store (they give out free cookies to kids), Sydney wanted to drop money into the Salvation Army collection can. We were chatting with the volunteer who asked the girls if Santa was coming to our house.

Sydney looked at me and smiled. Then she said, "We don't really do Santa. We do baby Jesus."

I'm so thankful we do baby Jesus!!! Do I think my kids are missing out on not doing Santa? No...but they would certainly be missing out if we didn't do baby Jesus.

#111 - Prince of Peace

I've been working on playing every hymn in The Mennonite Hymnal. It's been fun to play familiar favorites and also to learn new hymns. The other day I even found one with a Chinese melody! Usually I take the time to scan the words as I play and today this one really, really spoke to me.

I'm so thankful for the promise these words hold, and I'm thankful for God speaking through them to me today.

Prince of Peace, control my will;
Bid this struggling heart be still;
Bid my fears and doubtings cease,
Hush my spirit into peace.

Though hast bought me with Thy blood,
Opened wide the gate to God:
Peace I ask, but peace must be,
Lord, in being one with Thee.

May Thy will, not mine, be done;
May Thy will and mine be one;
Chase these doubtings from my heart,
Now Thy perfect peace impart.

Savior, at They feet I fall,
Thou my life, my God, my all!
Let Thy happy servant be
One forever more with Thee.

#110 - Children's Christmas Books

We don't do Santa in our house. We didn't intentionally set out to avoid him, it just happenend. I'm so thankful that at ages 3 and 5, my girls understand what Christmas is about. We love books and so this year I ordered as many Christmas books as I could from our library system. It's been fun reading them and I compiled a list of our favorites...books that beautifully tell the story of Christmas. I'm so thankful when I find good resources that reinforce the values we are trying to instill in our children.

The Nativity by Julie Vivas
The text comes from the Bible and the illustrations are beautiful. I found this book in college and loved it.


God Gave us Christmas by Lisa Tawn Bergren and David Hohn
Great story...little bear asks his mama many questions and she points all the answers to God.


Mortimer's Christmas Manger by Karma Wilson and Jane Chapman
These two ladies are the creators of the Bear series. I discovered this book two years ago and it is my all time favorite. Such a sweet story and wonderful illustrations.



Room For a Little One by Martin Waddell and Jason Cockcroft
This one was new to me this year...the story is sweet and the illustrations are beautiful!

#109 - Good Blog Posts

I just read a great blog post.

I often feel this way, too. It is encouraging to know others feel the same way...even famous people!

I am thankful for Shaun's heart and his willingness to speak up.

#108 - Good Books

I just finished an excellent book...

SCARED by Tom Davis

This book broke my heart (in a good way) and is challenging the way I think. To see more about the book, click on the title above.


If you are interested in reading this book, I recommend buying it. The publisher, David C Cook, donates profits to provide discipleship materials to pastors and teachers across the globe.

#107 - Friends

I was in a funk earlier today, but thanks to two friends (Britt and Nicole), I am seeing more clearly. One asked me a simple, yet pointed question that made me think. The other talked me through my frustrations.

I'm thankful for friends.

#106 - my girls' prayers

Sydney and Kayleigh love to pray and are getting better at it.

Tonight at dinner this was Sydney's prayer...
"God, I thank you that we don't have to go to work like daddy."

I love to hear them pray and am so thankful for their child-like faith.

#105 - Dominic and Bulu

I just received two letters today from two of our older Compassion kids...

Dominic (19) in Kenya wrote
"Please pray for me so that I may achieve my dream of becoming a nurse. Thank you for your support which changed me to a better person."





Bulu (15) in India wrote
"Compassion not only provides my needs, but also it provides arrangement for the spiritual growth of children like me. Really, I praise God for showing me His love through this project. There is no word for me to explain about what you have been doing for me."

I feel the same way about them....there are no words to explain what being their sponsor has done for me and my life. They have changed me and challenged me to become a better person.

I am so thankful for these young men, on the verge of changing their communities.

#104 - Jesus' Birthday

You are invited to a Birthday party for Jesus! Since most of you can't come to our open house in person this Sunday, I wanted to extend an invitation to you, to join us in celebrating Christ's birth and give Him a gift.

In Matthew 25:40 Jesus says, "I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me."

Do you have someone on your Christmas list that you just don't know what to buy? Check out these gift options....all gifts that keep on giving.

GIFT OPTION #1: MOSQUITO NETS
Buy a net, save a life - for only $10 you can purchase a mosquito net and help stop malaria. For each net purchased, I will send you a sticker and bracelet.




GIFT OPTION #2: CARE PACKAGES FOR NEW MOTHERS IN UGANDA
Through Hope Aid and the Future Hope Project, your donation of $30 can provide basic needs for new mothers in Uganda. Care packages include cloth diapers, soap, baby powder, onesies and mosquito nets.



GIFT OPTION #3: SPONSOR A CHILD SURVIVAL PROGRAM THROUGH COMPASSION
For $20 a month you can be involved with Compassion's first phase of releasing children from poverty by helping expectant mothers and their newborn children. This program provides prenatal care, food, health care, infant survival training, education and a community of faith.


GIFT OPTION #4: SPONSOR A CHILD THROUGH COMPASSION
If you are tired of hearing me say it, then listen to Sydney...

For $38 a month you can sponsor a child like....
Renzo in Peru


Peterly in Haiti


Claudia in Colombia


Vikash in India


Lourdes in El Salvador

If any of these gift options appeal to you, please let me know...I will give you specific instructions concerning your donation.

#103 - I Said Yes....

14 years ago today, Kevin asked me to marry him.

I'm so thankful I said Yes!!!

#102 - Freedom

Through You the blind will see
Through You the mute will sing
Through You the dead will rise
Through You our hearts will praise
Through You the darkness flees
Through You my heart screams I am free
I am free

I am free to run
I am free to dance
I am free to live for You
I am free
Yes, I am free

Through You the kingdom comes
Through You the battle's won
Through You I'm not afraid
Through You the price is paid
Through You there's victory
Because of You my heart Sings I am free
I am free

Who the Son sets free is free indeed.

(lyrics from Newsboys)

Sunday Lyrics

Thank you, Oh my Father
For giving us your son
and leaving your Spirit
till the work on Earth is done

#101 - Feeling Better

What a week.

What an awful week.

Tuesday I wasn't feeling well.

Wednesday I was sick.

Thursday there were moments when I didn't want to live anymore.

But today, I'm feeling better. Not 100%, but about 70%. For that I am thankful!

#100 - My sweet, kind-hearted daughters

I'm not feeling well today...

Sydney could tell, and told me to go up to bed and she would be up in a minute. Not sure what to expect, I did. A couple minutes later, she and Kayleigh came up with an armful of books, and Sydney read to me.

So sweet...

It didn't make me feel better, but it did warm my heart.