(Not quite) Wordless Wednesday

How hard. can it possibly. be.

to get two little ones to smile at the same time?

Evidently, it's nearly impossible.

Faster and faster every time

This weekend, we traveled south for Noh-man to compete in another swim meet. It was held in a facility much smaller than our own, but that actually made for a nice change of pace.  The stands, for one thing, sat much closer to the pool than they do at our home site, and so it was much easier to cheer and wave to our big guy as he marched past. The crowds were also much smaller, and as a result, the events flew by and we were in and out of there fairly quickly.  

The highlight of the weekend, however, had nothing to do with the complex; it had everything to do with our racing machine... once again he proved that perseverance and determination really do pay off.  

• In 5 of his 6 races, Noh-man dropped time (almost 4.5 seconds in his 100 freestyle!)
• In 3 of those events, he took first place, and in the other 3, he came in second 
• And those boys that beat him to the finish line, they were 8; Noh was the fastest 7 year-old in the water.

As always, it was a real joy to watch our boy compete.  Noh-man loves swimming and takes his racing very seriously.  He gives it everything he's got and is a real sport, both in and out of the water... he truly is a winner in every imaginable way~

Rocket ships, revisited

Just yesterday Big Man brought home his beautifully colored Thanksgiving placement (a few days late since he missed the last school day before the holiday), and lo and behold, another fill-in-the blank project... "I am thankful for______"

And just as I predicted, "Mommy" was not written in that blank.

Nope. Once again I lost out to... rocket ships.

At least he's consistent :)

An opportunity to serve

Every month, our home school co-op sponsors a service project of some sort, designed to minister to our local community in one way or another. I try to take advantage of these opportunities because they reinforce a valuable lesson we're always trying to teach at home... life isn't all about us.

"For you were called to freedom, brethren; only do not turn your freedom into an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another."

Galatians 5:13

So yesterday, while Big Man was at preschool, the rest of us took part in this month's project. A group of 50+ children (with their moms) gathered at a local church to wrap presents and make ornaments for a local homeless shelter. Each family contributed an assortment of small gifts and each child arrived with wrapping supplies in hand, excited to bless others this holiday season.

Families come in and out of the shelter throughout the winter months, and their children deserve a merry Christmas, too. Amazingly, we wrapped an entire truck load of presents, and the children made oodles of ornaments to grace the shelter tree... punched tin ornaments, candy cane reindeer, popsicle stick trees, pipe cleaner wreaths, and many, many others.

Over these past several days, I've been reminded, over and over and over again... we are so blessed.

I'm very thankful for this chance to work alongside my oldest two as we contribute what we can, and therefore... hopefully... make someone else's Christmas a little more special.

Love

If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing.

Love is patient, love is kind.

It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.

It is not rude, it is not self-seeking,

it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.

Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.

It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

Love never fails...

1 Corinthians 13:1-8

This season I am challenged, not to find the perfect gift or to spend just the right amount of money,

but to love extravagantly...

the way Jesus did, over 2000 years ago, and continues to do today.

Wordless Wednesday

Something to ponder

Every year, as I read through the current

Samaritan's Purse Gift Catalog,

I'm especially reminded...

we are so blessed.

We are healthy and happy and safe and warm.

We are well-fed and dry and we want for nothing.

All of our needs are met and we live in a style

of comfort that exists only in dreams for much of the world.

And yet still we want more...

Catalogs litter our front door step.

Ideas and lists and wishes are discussed for months in advance.

Money comes and money goes as we spend, spend, spend...

All in the name of Christmas.

But is this what Christmas is really about??

It's so easy, amidst all the hustle and bustle, all the decorating and baking, to forget...

To forget why Jesus came.

And if we celebrate Christmas without embracing Him, what are we really celebrating??

My prayer is that this holiday season,

the true meaning of Christmas will permeate my home,

and that in all things, Christ will be glorified.

"And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water

to one of these little ones because

he is my disciple,

I tell you the truth,

he will certainly not lose his reward."

Matthew 10:42