1000 gifts: The first snow

"The first fall of snow is not only an event, it is a magical event."

author unknown

0203

snow! snow! snow! and eyes of wonder

0204

brand new snow gear pulled from its place in the closet, hats & gloves and boots pulled on tight, great expectations & pent-up excitement... a dash out the doors for winter delight

0205

the first snowball fight of the season

0206

the beauty of Creation, all covered in white

0207

my youngest indoors... as she carried her stool from one window to the next, content to watch (& laugh at) her brothers' antics outdoors

0208

a trek to the hill with daddy and countless sled races to the bottom

0209

"Mom, Mrs. Juliette [our elderly neighbor] is outside, trying to shovel her steps.

I'm gonna go over and help her."

0210

the glow of candles in the windows, the twinkling of Christmas lights outdoors, the light cast from streetlamps... all bouncing off the freshly fallen snow

0211

a big pot of chili and dinner bowls scraped clean

0212

steaming mugs of hot chocolate and root bear floats (with Snow Dream ice cream)--

the perfect snow-time treats :)

0213

cinnamon scented candles & freshly baked cookies

0214

a warm cozy blanket, a new book to read, a comfortable chair with a view from the window... aahhh!

0215

big and little boy joy

"Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift(s)!

2 Corinthians 9:15

Come celebrate God's goodness... join the Gratitude Community!

and my list continues...

Give this Christmas Away

This year,

make a difference.

Make a change.

Offer a simple gift...

hope.

joy.

love.

"You have the power... just give it away."

"So we could be

His hands,

His feet,

His love...

Your life will be changed by the gift you receive

when you give this Christmas away..."

Wordless Wednesday: Together

Our Christmas Revolution

So... Christmas. It's right around the corner, believe it or not. I'm still trying to wrap my brain around that mind-numbing fact; for some reason, it just isn't happening. Yes, the stores have been decorated for months now, and yes, Christmas jingles have been playing for ages. And yes, the wish-lists of my little boys have been written and re-written and I think even re-written once again. Yet I just can't get past this crazy, bewildering passage of time. I'll never understand, for somehow it seems to hasten with each passing year, and quite frankly, I just don't care for it one single bit! I need. more. time.

Alas, no. This is the way it is, and the sooner I get on board with that fact, the better off we'll all be. So... on to Christmas. Here's our deal: in years past, Chris and I have fallen into the same old habit... spend big, shop like mad, fill our house with stuff... stuff... and more stuff... for one simple reason-- because that's what's expected. Because it makes us feel good. Because we like stuff. But to what end?? Every year we strain our budget in ridiculous ways, we drive ourselves mad as we search for the perfect gift, and then 3 weeks later we toss unused toys out the window once the newness & excitement & interest wears off.

Well, not anymore.

This year, we're simplifying...

we're shifting our focus...

we're taking our eyes off of what we can get

and on to what we can

give.

...to those who are less fortunate,

to those who are hurting,

to those who have so very little...

to the least of these.

You see, by the world's standards, we have so much.

SO MUCH!

And we simply don't need anymore.

This culture, this age in which we live, is so consumed with self...

with accummulating more and more and more and more,

while all the while giving less, less, less.

And what does that teach our children?

That it's all about me

when it really isn't that way it all.

Or at least it shouldn't be.

Jesus came to seek and save the lost...

to live sacrificially...

to serve others...

to model self-lessness and perfect love and life abundant.

And that's what we're called to do, too.

Living inside our cushy self-absorbed bubbles won't do it.

We're called to look outside of ourselves,

beyond our comforts and amenities,

to a world that's hurting. Badly.

So... after mulling this over for quite some time, Chris and I have decided to make a few changes. We've decided to switch things up a bit.... to tackle things differently... to change the way we do Christmas. Of course, it's all still a work in progress, and over the weeks (and years) we'll surely tweak our approcah as the Spirit leads. But for now, this is how we're approaching this wonderfully awesome holiday in our home... in order to cultivate servant hearts... giving hearts... selfless hearts... in all of us... in order to sow seeds imperishable for the glory of God our Father.

1) We'll be slashing our Christmas budget so that we can give more to those who truly need it. As a family, we'll be supporting the work of Samaritan's Purse-- it's one of my very favorite organizations, as these folks share the Gospel of Christ and lots of much needed care to people all over the globe. We often send them money for use in their most-needed areas, but this year we're giving more through their gift catalog-- filled with oodles of wonderful gift ideas... from a batch of chicks to a dairy goat to a hive of honey bees to bedding and blankets and clothing and shoes... countless gifts to offer to those who truly need (and all in a wide range of prices). We've been pouring through the catalog for days now, we've been considering our options, and I think we've almost narrowed down our selections (the boys even want to contribute a protion of their own piggy banks this go roud :). So out of our excess-- out of our abundance-- we'll share the love of Christ with those in desperate conditions, and hopefully our children will glimpse eternity in the process.

2) Xerox is doing something cool... something free... something fun (the boys can't wait to get started!)-- they're sending Christmas postcards to our troops in Iraq, and we can play a part. It's super easy... just click on the link, pick out a card design, and type a personalized messsage (including Scripture if you want!). Xerox will then send it--free of charge!-- to a man or woman serving our country overseas, just in time for Christmas. Very, very cool... very, very simple... yet in God's hands, very, very powerful!

3) Throughout December, the boys and I will be making some homemade gifts & some tasty treats for our special friends and neighbors, and we'll hopefully even send a few handwritten letters to those who are far away. Perhaps we'll try our un-crafty hands at some simple Christmas tree ornaments (ideas... anyone??), and perhaps a few will even turn out alright. If that's the case, we know a few folks who just might appreciate a child's simple gift :)

4) Starting today, the boys will be making entries in their Gratitude journals (similiar to the 1000 Gifts lists)-- just 2 entries a day... to help shift their focus off of their wants and on to what the LORD has already given~

5) Modeled after our New Testament example, Chris and I have decided to give each of our children 3 gifts on Christmas morning. No more mounds of presents (which will inevitably be broken or tossed within days of opening)... just 3 meaningful gifts each... because that's enough for us. As a friend of mine recently said, "If it was good enough for Jesus, it's good enough for me!"

(And here's another neat idea to consider, if simplifying is in your future~)

So that's where we are right now. It's not much, but it's a start.

(and if anyone has any other neat ideas to share, please... please!... pass them along)

Spending less... getting less... so that we can give more doesn't come naturally to little people, and quite frankly, it doesn't come naturally to the grown-ups in this home, either! But it's what we feel led to do, so we'll start small, and by the grace of God, He'll multiply our resources and our desires... and He'll soften our hearts and change us in the process... so that He may use us to make a difference this holiday season and in the weeks & months beyond.

Oh, and before I forget... if you're interested, check out the Christmas Change site & blog (it's wonderful!)-- here you'll discover a community dedicated to spending less & giving more... a community trusting that, just as with the loaves and the fishes, our Father will take what little we have and transform it miraculously... and in the process save a hurting soul.

And one last little plug... if you have any extra change in your pocket this Christmas season, please consider making a donation to Compassion International. Our family has been so blessed over the years by the relationships we've developed with our sponsored children. Through frequent correspondence and shared prayers, we've been able to spread the love of Christ across the oceans... and the LORD has used His resources-- entrusted to us-- to bless not just those two precious families, but ours as well... just a thought :)

and Merry Christmas!

"Then the King will say to those on His right,

'Come, you who are blessed by my Father;

take your inheritance,

the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world.

For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat.

I was thirsty and you gave me somethingto drink,

I was a stranger and you invited me in,

I needed clothes and you clothed me,

I was sick and you looked after me,

I was in prison and you came to visit me.'

Then the righteous will answer Him,

'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you,

or thirsty and give you something to drink?

When did we see you a stranger and invite you in,

or needing cothes and clothe you?

When did we see you sick or in prison and go visit you?'

The King will reply,

'I tell you the truth,

whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine,

you did for me.' "

Matthew 25:34-40

1000 Gifts: Thanksgiving & Family

"Now, our God, we give you thanks,

and praise your glorious name."

1 Chronicles 29:13

After a delicious & bountiful & wonderful-in-every-way holiday,

I return home refreshed.

Re-energized.

Re-supplied.

And ever-s0-grateful to the One who provided it all.

So this morning, I give thanks to my Abba Father,

for He has done great things!

0186

two Thanksgiving celebrations... with family all around

one in Maryland with Chris's clan and one in the woods... with my mom and dad

0187

this house... their home... their arms-open-wide welcoming, their selfless giving,

their forever-care, their always-love

0188

gatherings, assemblies, shared meals, and rejoicings as we give Him thanks... together

0189

the earnest prayer of my 8-year old son, "Lord, help us to be thankful..."

0190

a busy kitchen, tireless preparation, a bustle of activity... delicious expectation!

0191

lively conversation. everyone gathered 'round. favorite dishes. tasty treats.

0192

dinner plates scraped clean. full, full bellies.

left-overs and "re-runs" for days to come...

food that satisfies over and over and over again

0193

homemade donuts for dessert, the joy of traditions

0194

my grandmother's crystal candlesticks, an heirloom from days gone by.

Once they graced her dining room table; this past Thursday, they illuminated once again~

0195

naps by the fire

0196

books by the fire

0197

a bench to share

0199

a weekend to rest and chop wood and watch football and play!

0200

Sunday morning worship, a shared pew, Christmas hymns & celebration songs.

beautiful Words... our Light has come!

0201

a heart of joy and a new song

0202

this advent season, our great anticipation, our wonderful hope... in the miraculous birth of a Baby... Emmanuel has come!

"And the glory of the LORD shall be revealed,

and all flesh shall see it together."

Isaiah 40:5

and my list continues...

1000 Gifts: November Abundance

"Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise;

give thanks to him and praise his name."

Psalm 100:4

This Thanksgiving week, I offer thanks... for:

0173

towering giants, still laden with autumn color

0174

a blanket of leaves already fallen... and those beauties who still cling to their trees

0175

nature's lovely offerings, suited so well for hands so small

0176

the squirrel on my fence, his mouthful of leaves-- dashing off to fluff up his nest...

God's perfect provision, even for His tiniest creatures.

0177

helper hands, a yard now clean... well prepared for winter.

our neighbor's done, too... strong bodies & willing hearts--

opportunities to teach our boys to serve.

0178

time outdoors... time to play and labor... together.

0179

cold-weather foods, beef stew & biscuits, more than enough... abundance

0180

the season's rich bounty. Yes, He always supplies...

God's never-ending care

0181

my son's bold faith and questions asked... my friend's availablity and her willingness to share... God's perfect timing and a seed gently planted... service to our King... to Him be the glory

0182

a morning to sleep in!

0183

golden sunshine

0184

daddy home for a stretch, vacation for all... a full week of giving and thanks

0185

"We are pressed on every side, but not crushed;

perplexed, but not in despair;

persecuted, but not abandoned;

struck down, but not destroyed.

We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus,

so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body."

2 Corinthians 4:8-10

Oh, the deep, deep love of Jesus!

That never forsakes, but always sustains,

always heals,

always preserves,

always forgives.

This morning, I give thanks....

and my list continues...

A pre-holiday day

As Thanksgiving approaches, we're finding it very, very difficult to focus on our studies. Warm temperatures lure us outdoors. Holiday menus distract our grumbling tummies. Christmas wish-lists preoccupy little boy thoughts. And visions of a lazy, school-free vacation monopolize my mind. Yes, the holidays are just around the corner... and as far as I'm concerned, they simply cannot get here soon enough!

So, all that being said, our school days have been a bit off these past few days. A little bit here, a lot a bit there. Study, break, work, break, read, break, write, break. We're just struggling, plain & simple. Some how or other, though, we're still managing to get it all done-- "school" time just looks a little different-- perhaps a tad more strained or bit more disjointed-- than it normally does.

Case in point... the other morning, I found this at my kitchen table~

... evidently that new latin lesson was quite a bear,

and then the math and composition sent Bub over the edge.

The brain freeze that followed led to moderately irrational thought...

who'd a thunk to use a flour tortilla for a mask, I ask you?

Fortunately, we had plenty of others on hand to use for our lunch quesadillas :)

In addition to Mexican disguises,

linking cube pistols have popped everywhere.

I can't tell you how many times I've been blasted to smithereens this past week alone.

Surprisingly, I have survived.

And my pistol-toting cowboy hasn't put up even the slightest battle

when I've insisted he sit down for a lesson.

Number sequencing... one of his newest favorites

via dot-to-dots on the family room floor.

(I love this book, and thankfully, he does too!!

This one is next... it's the perfect follow-up)

Yes, we're checking things off our list, as we go...

anxious to put our books away for a week of rest and thanks.

So... the last few lessons in Writing with Ease are well under way,

with the help and camaraderie of a snugly pup,

and our model canal (it's really a series of locks) was a smashing success

(love this resource!)~

I still can't believe it actually worked...

the boys were even impressed, and that says a lot!

Grammar's running smoothly,

Latin's cruising right along (though it's getting tough... really tough),

history continues to amaze me,

and the basics are in the bag.

And all we're gonna do next week is read... I just. can't. wait!

So, as our mornings wrapped up this past week,

we found lots of spare minutes to spend in the great outdoors--

running and riding and scooting

with even a lesson or two for our smallest :)

With a handful of crackers to pass all around...

there was no need to go in for quite a good time :)

And these little green boots... oh, how I'll miss them when he grows.

They made their regular appearance each and every day,

because my gunslinger's very favorite footwear...

the shoes he chooses most every single time==

his frog boots-- there's just no compare!

Oh, how I love these days... this time with my crew.

To play and laugh and dance and sing.

To whistle and read and run and build.

To dream and explore and imagine and create.

To snuggle and cherish and savor and save...

precious moments...

precious memories...

God's most wonderful gifts.