Fun Times, Beautiful Memories

The past two weeks have been full of fun memories ... Christmas celebration at Great Grandma and Grandpa Boeck's with the extended family ... Christmas celebration at Grandma and Grandpa Gerstenkorn's with Aunt Desiree ... baking Christmas cookies with Erin (something I wonder how my mother ever survived doing it all those years!), wrapping gifts with and without Erin (definitely quicker without, however, slightly less creative!) ... shopping with and without the kids ... Christmas celebration in Tulsa with Grandma and Grandpa Rahija at Aunt Krista's with Uncle John and Aunt Michelle and cousin Natalie ... helping Gary with some new gloves for Christmas ... Christmas Eve service at The Gathering ... preparation for Santa ... filling stockings with the adults ... David passing out and having a possible seizure before the kids woke (and the kids sleeping through it!) ... the kids opening their presents on Christmas morning ... Erin (aka Jessica) taking Aunt Michelle (aka Sarah) and Aunt Krista (Sheniqua) "shopping" at 'Queso Pula Apple' in their new fashions ... Erin opening her easel from us here at home ... the painting that ensued the following day ... watching movies curled up together under blankets ... so many fun things (David's episode was not so much fun, but did get the adrenaline flowing!), so many memories ... knowing of the sorrows of many this Christmas season, I am so thankful that we were able to spend quality time with those we love. As I watched Erin participate in the service on Christmas Eve, I saw the wonder of the Event that changed the course of time through fresh eyes, once again. She scooted her chair up to the one in front of it, so that her knees were on the seat of the one in front, and her chin rested on it's backrest. Both eyes took in the videos shown, and she listened fairly well, despite the distractions around her. She sang with beautiful intention of worship during Hark the Herald Angels Sing and Angels We Have Heard on High, and seemed to take in His essense during Silent Night. And, although she nearly caught me on fire a few times with her own candle, even having that seemed like an act of worship to her. It was beautiful ... "little Mary" was seeing the Messiah again, and through her eyes, I saw Him too, in His humble, glorious, splendor.

... and His name is Jesus!

This ended a hushed, excitement-filled moment for my eldest daughter. She was able to participate as "little Mary" for dress-rehearsal for the Bethlehem Experience at Grandma and Grandpa's church. Last year, we tok her through Bethlehem, and had to drag her from the stable while she screamed, "That's the wrong song! Silent Night is nice, but this is about Away in A Manger!".

This year, she was "in" it, surrounded, engulfed, invested. Why am I so slow to "get" these things?? As we celebrate the birth of Jesus, and anticipate His second coming, I need to remember to be "in" it ... immersing myself in His kingdom, His word, His love, and calling others to join me, "in" it, through relationship, example, being.

It will be a long time before I forget those dancing eyes, the whispered exultation, and the simple words of a 4 year old ... "Mother, I have been to Bethlehem! I have seen the Messiah, and His name is Jesus!" Does it get any more real than that?! Joy to you and your family as you continue on your journey. Read this, and remember the awe of the story.

Santa Case

This is something happening in Lawrence ... a 22 yr old KU student is giving of himself to make some Christmas wishes come true ... and he's sparked the whole community to join him! Check out this article and browse through the posts on Larryville.

How can you give today... tomorrow ... next April, ...?