Monday, December 20, 2010

1000 Gifts: Coming


And the angel said unto them,
Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy,
which shall be to all people.
For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour,
which is Christ the Lord.

Luke 2:10-11

In anticipation, we wait. And we rejoice. And we delight.
Because the King is coming...

0894
an afternoon for building gingerbread houses (and the many challenges that come with it :)


0895
walls that stand and roofs that don't sag-- even crosses made of pretzel sticks



0896
windows and doorways, shingles and sidewalks... even a marshmallow snowman with an M & M hat


0897
my budding architects

0898
math lessons with candy

0899
and leisurely hours spent with friends; the school books set aside


0900
Handel's Messiah at the Kennedy Center. Glorious... absolutely glorious.

"Hallelujah! for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth.
The kingdom of this world is become the kingdom of our Lord, and of His Christ;
and He shall reign for ever and ever.
King of Kings, and Lord of Lords, Hallelujah!"

0901
the Gospel message... clear and bold... woven throughout that symphonic masterpiece

0902
and the curiosity of my two oldest sons (not to mention the constant pleasure they provide)-- WHY would I want to drive all the way in to the Kennedy Center to see Messiah when... surely... there are plenty of You Tube videos available for free?? (I still don't think they get it :)

0903
the first snow of the season

0904
boots that still fit, an extra pair of snow pants, plenty of mittens, and sleds enough to share


0905
pink noses and rosy cheeks

0906
snowball fights and a peacetime truce

0907
winter

0908
the boldness of my eldest son... who, compelled to make a difference, visited our neighbors and asked for donations to help families in the Dominican Republic... because love(is)action.


0909

0910
dinner with friends & laughter around the table... our men en route to the wilderness

0911
3 days of camping (better them than me :) and mounds of gear...
all designed to keep. them. warm.

0912
3 days with Lollipop... girl time galore.

0913
and Christmas... the birth of our Christ and the call to celebrate every. single. day.

0914
the waiting


0915
this time to rejoice!

0916
and the glory of the Lord, revealed...

"Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion!
Shout in triumph, O daughter of Jerusalem!
Behold, your king is coming..."

Zechariah 9:9a



and the list continues...

Merry Christmas!!


10 comments:

gretchen said...

once again - the list and the pictures are wonderful -would love to see Messiah with you sometime... I"m guessing it's an annual thing. :) Love you! And those guys are brave to go camping in this cold... we've had three snows already!!!

livinginbetween said...

Love your list, love your pictures! Especially the waiting one.

Your gingerbread creations are wonderful, and the memories created while making them even more so.

And Handel's Messiah at the Kennedy Center! Wow! I'd love to go!

Merry, merry Christmas to you.

Carrie said...

Hey there, Sweet Friend! Those gingerbread houses look like tons of fun ... and lot of memories made! Love the snowman with the M&M hat - cute! ;)

You are getting close to 1000 ...

Merry Christmas!

Christine said...

Your list makes me breath deep in wonder and breath out peace.
What delightful gingerbread houses! I LOVE the one with the attic stuffed full of rainbow twizzlers! A great support for the roof, no doubt, but I would definitely choose to live in that one! :) And Handel's Messiah at Kennedy Center -- that's amazing!
I ADORE the picture of waiting... what a beautiful glimpse into your peaceful and love-filled home!

Blessings to you this day and week, Heather, as you continue to wait with anticipation for the coming of our King. Merry Christmas, friend!

Cherry Warrick said...

Visiting from "One Thousand Gifts" ... fun to see your list and your beautiful photos! And also to see your book list. Merry Christmas!

Linda said...

Have a wonderful Christmas sweet girl! What a great list. The Messiah - what a treat. Doesn't it just make you weep? I'm so glad you got to do that.
I'm so proud of your boy. I think these are the things that build great faith.
I am thankful for you - so glad the Father allowed our paths and hearts to cross.

60 toes said...

Can you share your potato soup recipe?

I was just thinking that sounded so yummy.

Jennifer said...

Merry Christmas, Heather! Your home looks so beautiful... filled with beautiful children!

I haven't read your blog outside of Google Reader since the new header... it's gorgeous!

Kellie said...

I would love to hear Handel's Messiah live someday -- I can't even imagine what it would be like at the Kennedy Center. Have I ever told you how jealous I am of where you live? So many things to see and do!

Have a blessed Christmas!

The dB family said...

What a beautiful beautiful list. *Sigh* Handel's Messiah live. Yes, youtube just doesn't do it the same for me :o).

Blessings!
Deborah