Snow Beautiful!

                     

It has been such a merry celebration of Christmas!  Hugging dear family and enjoying our time together is so special.  This is a beautiful reminder of how God dearly loves His family - those who belong to Him because of Jesus! He gave us Jesus... to be the first among many brothers and sisters He has adopted into His family.  He loves a big family!

Romans 8:28-29  And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.  For those God foreknew He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters.

Wow! - God loves having His many chidren around Him, celebrating and fellowshipping with Him...just as we do!

1 John 3:1 See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God!           And that is what we are! 

Christmas! - when God put into motion His plan to save us from the penalty of our sins, by sending His Son Jesus, trading our punishment with His Son's perfect life.

Galatians 4:4-6 But when the set time had fully come, God sent His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those under the law, that we might receive adoption to sonship.  Because you are His sons, God sent the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, "Abba, Father."

Abba! - that's the equivalent of our "Daddy!"
God is close, near and dear - enjoying our relationship with us. Our God is not afar off!

Merry Christmas! - We certainly delighted in our family and friends this season, similar to God rejoicing over us with singing! (Isn't that amazing... God singing over us?!)

Have a glimpse into our snow-filled adventures during our visiting... 

 :o)

Enjoy a conversation today :>)

Story of NOEL

Once upon a time, in the very Beginning, there was a majestic Kingdom, full of light and full of joy.

And it was very good.

For, the King who reigned over the dominion loved and cared for His people.  Closely acquainted with His subjects, knowing them by name, He endowed upon them unique abilities and regally conscripted each one to the care of His Kingdom according to their talents.

Evenings He would fellowship with them, conversing over their day and giving ear to their aspirations at night. Indeed, He taught them wisely and lovingly over the Ways of His Kingdom, beholding His people to flourish within the bounds His light, joy and companionship.

Woefully, there came a bitter day when the Evil Lord of everything dark and foul crept into this Kingdom of Light, seeking to devour whomever he could entice with his trickery.  For he hated the Light with all of his nasty soul and sought to destroy it... because he, too, once lived among the Light and beauty. With vain jealousy in his proud heart, he futilely strove to usurp the Majesty's throne, which found him fatally hurled from the King’s presence.  

Vengeance now reigned in the Dark Lord’s heart.

It was with his deceitful smoothness that he wove his web of delicious lies, tempting the citizens of the Light to mistrust the King who lovingly led His people. Trapped by their own desire for the illusionary power, they, too, were expelled from the presence of the King, in whose dominion no evil could abide.

And so they found themselves far away in gloomy darkness, sore alone, and encrusted with every thing unclean.  There they mourned for the King they had loved, ashamed of their doubt and treachery.

The evil lord misused the people’s talents for all his ugly purposes, gleefully pitting one subject against another, destroying all that was ever good.

“Unwanted.  Unloved.  Unlovely.  No good,” accused the whispers of the Evil Lord, binding them tightly with his lies.

The whispered accusations, however, were unfounded.  The King of the Light had called and sought out His people whom He loved. Messengers were sent to His faraway captives, armed with His own whispers of love - giving them hope, courage and a future. Yes, the King would come and ransom them.  It would take the very life blood of His Son. An unseemly price, but the King’s Love knew no bounds.

So it was, that those living in darkness would lift up their eyes to the mountain looking for the King’s help.  Eager were they to glimpse the feet of them who would bring them good news, announcing peace and proclaiming news of happiness that their King still reigns.  He was coming.

And they waited.

The King was preparing. 

The battle lines were being drawn.  

The Dark Lord paced, waiting to devour.

Finally, as it was the fullness of time, the King drew back the veil of His Kingdom sending forth His Son, His very own Son, to wage war to free His people.

The battle cry came… in the cry of an infant.

The Dark Lord’s counterfeit throne was usurped… in the feeding trough of some lowing cattle.

The valiant warriors of the King’s majestic army descended… singing over the night sky to a shepherd’s audience.

The Battle had begun; and the Dark Lord was caught unawares.

God invaded on that glorious night. 

This is Christmas.     

NOEL!

Waiting for Baby Hanks

Well, now!  As I sat editing photos of my beautiful expectant daughter and Ryan (and Felix), the phone call came that Lindsey was on the way to the hospital for an emergency c-section.

Needless to say... I dropped the editing and lifted up fervent prayers instead.

Any other activity wouldn't do.  

So on went the fireplace, tea kettle and more prayers.

Christmas music had been playing as I edited and lingered on as I went to pray.

 As I waited to hear the welcoming news,

I listened to many happy, musical strains

about a Baby to be born.

I could sense the anticipation of that Baby many years ago!

 (Felix is enjoying cuddle time while he can...)

 When that Baby's cry broke the night's silence of breathless anticipation,

all of heaven broke out in celebration!

And I experienced a glimpse into that heavenly joy today!

And the music sang on praising God for that Baby...

 I know heaven rejoiced today as God put into motion His plan for His little Kylee Rose.

Family and friends are celebrating with much joy at the arrival of this bundle of love!

I cannot wait to meet you, sweet Kylee Rose!

Give her kisses and cuddles from Grandma until I get there myself!  ♥

Lil' Pumpkin Shower

Waiting for grandbaby... so much fun!  

Both the Captain and I love updating the countdown sign every Monday ♥

If you know me at all... you know how much I enjoy showers of all kinds - especially baby showers!

I mean, everything is pint-sized adorable!

The grandmas schemed, planned and creatively got to work on this Lil' Pumpkin's Baby Shower.

Pinterest, texting, messaging, phone pics...  

When distance is involved I truly appreciate technology (when it works)!

No great photography for this post... but fun snaps to enjoy the memories.

Here we go!

The invitation design...

The envelope

Thank You Notes

Game Sheets

Signs for Addressing Guest Envelopes and Games

 Name Tag Simplicity

Trying out birch wood slices for punch tags.

Extra signage in the works...

a few letters to straighten, and a few dog nose smudges to fix

Painting - first attempt ever - was a blast!

Learned how to can apple butter!

Circle banner... guarding against tangling

Pumpkin babies!  ... pacifiers to insert later

Shaping the diaper pumpkin... what a whopping number of diapers to build it!

Painting and crafting the centerpieces, adding fresh fall flowers later

Finally the day arrives!
Peek around the photos to see the lil' details :>)

Lil' Pumpkin's Great Grandma opens with devotions

A link will be up soon to read about it!

How cute is that Mama and Baby Bear?

Painted Pumpkin Banner by Topknot Interiors. :>)

Photos of Mama and Daddy

And Grandma

Can't wait to meet you, Lil' Pumpkin!