We did not include a letter this year with our Christmas cards but included a link here to our blog. For those of you who may wander onto our blog we wanted to leave a Christmas message to you our dear friends that have made the journey of life a little easier.
As the warmth of another Christmas radiates through the air, we pray that you and your loved ones will be together to celebrate this season. We hope that this year was a good year for you and pray that this next year is even better!
We have had a year filled with joy, happiness, and a few tears here and there. The thundering trio are growing and learning in leaps and bounds. They certainly have moments where we want to pull our hair out but the majority of the time they are absolutely amazing. We are blessed beyond measure that we have the opportunity to be their parents. Shawn and I are plugging along at UCA holding on despite the turmoil within the university setting. We have had some opportunities to work with some amazing students who make the day to day frustrations worth it. Despite the minor annoyances of life, our life is good & we have much to be grateful for.
We pray that our Heavenly Father will bless you all for the kindness that you have shown us & others & that this season will be one to enjoy friends & family & to remember & celebrate the birth & Life of our Lord.
Friday, December 17, 2010
Thursday, December 16, 2010
Something to think about this Christmas Season
Christmas list from Jesus
An unknown author wrote something which I believe is important. He called it a letter from Jesus about Christmas.
“It has come to my attention,” Jesus begins, “that many of you are upset because some folks are taking my name out of the season . . . How I personally feel about this celebration can probably be most easily understood by those of you who have been blessed with children of your own. I don’t care what you call the day. If you want to celebrate my birth, just get along and love one another!
“Now, having said that, let me go on. If it bothers you that the town in which you live doesn’t allow a scene depicting my birth, then just get rid of a couple of Santas and snowmen and put in a small Nativity scene on your own front lawn. If all my followers did that there wouldn’t be any need for such a scene on the town square because there would be many of them all around town.
“Stop worrying about the fact that people are calling the tree a holiday tree, instead of a Christmas tree. It was I who made all trees. You can remember me anytime you see any tree. Decorate a grape vine if you wish: I actually spoke of that one in a teaching, explaining who I am in relation to you and what each of our tasks were.
If you have forgotten that one, look up John 15: 1-8.
If you want to give me a present in remembrance of my birth, here is my wish list. Choose something from it to really make a difference.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
1. Instead of writing protest letters objecting to the way my birthday is being celebrated, write letters of love and hope to soldiers away from home. They are terribly afraid and lonely this time of year. I know, they tell me all the time.
2. Visit someone in a nursing home. You don’t have to know them personally. They just need to know that someone cares about them.
3. Instead of writing to the President complaining about the wording on the cards his staff sent out this year, why don’t you write and tell him that you’ll be praying for him and his family this year. Then follow up. It will be nice hearing from you again.
4. Instead of giving your children a lot of gifts you can’t afford and they don’t need, spend time with them. Tell them the story of my birth, and why I came to live with you down here. Hold them in your arms and remind them that I love them.
5. Pick someone that has hurt you in the past and forgive him or her.
6. Did you know that someone in your town will attempt to take their own life this season because they feel so alone and hopeless? Since you don’t know who that person is, try giving everyone you meet a warm smile; it could make the difference.
7. Instead of nit-picking about what the retailer in your town calls the holiday, be patient with the people who work there. Give them a warm smile and a kind word. Even if they aren’t allowed to wish you a “Merry Christmas” that doesn’t keep you from wishing them one.
8. If you really want to make a difference, support a missionary - especially one who takes my love and Good News to those who have never heard my name.
9. Here’s a good one. There are individuals and whole families in your town who not only will have no “Christmas” tree, but neither will they have any presents to give or receive. If you don’t know them, buy some food and a few gifts and give them to the Salvation Army or some other Christian charity, and they will make the delivery for you.
10. Finally, if you want to make a statement about your belief in and loyalty to me, then behave like a Christian. Don’t do things in secret that you wouldn’t do in my presence. Let people know by your actions that you are one of mine.
Don’t forget; I am God and can take care of myself. Just love me and do what I have told you to do. I’ll take care of all the rest. Check out the list above and get to work; time is short. I’ll help you, but the ball is now in your court.
And do have a most blessed Christmas with all those you love and remember . . . I LOVE YOU, JESUS.”
An unknown author wrote something which I believe is important. He called it a letter from Jesus about Christmas.
“It has come to my attention,” Jesus begins, “that many of you are upset because some folks are taking my name out of the season . . . How I personally feel about this celebration can probably be most easily understood by those of you who have been blessed with children of your own. I don’t care what you call the day. If you want to celebrate my birth, just get along and love one another!
“Now, having said that, let me go on. If it bothers you that the town in which you live doesn’t allow a scene depicting my birth, then just get rid of a couple of Santas and snowmen and put in a small Nativity scene on your own front lawn. If all my followers did that there wouldn’t be any need for such a scene on the town square because there would be many of them all around town.
“Stop worrying about the fact that people are calling the tree a holiday tree, instead of a Christmas tree. It was I who made all trees. You can remember me anytime you see any tree. Decorate a grape vine if you wish: I actually spoke of that one in a teaching, explaining who I am in relation to you and what each of our tasks were.
If you have forgotten that one, look up John 15: 1-8.
If you want to give me a present in remembrance of my birth, here is my wish list. Choose something from it to really make a difference.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
1. Instead of writing protest letters objecting to the way my birthday is being celebrated, write letters of love and hope to soldiers away from home. They are terribly afraid and lonely this time of year. I know, they tell me all the time.
2. Visit someone in a nursing home. You don’t have to know them personally. They just need to know that someone cares about them.
3. Instead of writing to the President complaining about the wording on the cards his staff sent out this year, why don’t you write and tell him that you’ll be praying for him and his family this year. Then follow up. It will be nice hearing from you again.
4. Instead of giving your children a lot of gifts you can’t afford and they don’t need, spend time with them. Tell them the story of my birth, and why I came to live with you down here. Hold them in your arms and remind them that I love them.
5. Pick someone that has hurt you in the past and forgive him or her.
6. Did you know that someone in your town will attempt to take their own life this season because they feel so alone and hopeless? Since you don’t know who that person is, try giving everyone you meet a warm smile; it could make the difference.
7. Instead of nit-picking about what the retailer in your town calls the holiday, be patient with the people who work there. Give them a warm smile and a kind word. Even if they aren’t allowed to wish you a “Merry Christmas” that doesn’t keep you from wishing them one.
8. If you really want to make a difference, support a missionary - especially one who takes my love and Good News to those who have never heard my name.
9. Here’s a good one. There are individuals and whole families in your town who not only will have no “Christmas” tree, but neither will they have any presents to give or receive. If you don’t know them, buy some food and a few gifts and give them to the Salvation Army or some other Christian charity, and they will make the delivery for you.
10. Finally, if you want to make a statement about your belief in and loyalty to me, then behave like a Christian. Don’t do things in secret that you wouldn’t do in my presence. Let people know by your actions that you are one of mine.
Don’t forget; I am God and can take care of myself. Just love me and do what I have told you to do. I’ll take care of all the rest. Check out the list above and get to work; time is short. I’ll help you, but the ball is now in your court.
And do have a most blessed Christmas with all those you love and remember . . . I LOVE YOU, JESUS.”
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
Missing my Jaxon
My little Jaxon has been kidnapped for 2 weeks. Alright kidnapped is a bit extreme (Shawn's parents took them back to Utah with them). It is amazing how different life is without him! We talk on the phone frequently. He sounds so grown up. His language is phenomenal and the details he gives about his day is quite impressive. I just spend the entire conversation wondering where my little boy went b/c this guy sounds so big! He is so smart. Nana & Papa were spoiling him rotten. Nana decided maybe we should curb this a bit since Santa is visiting soon. She gave him 4 tokens for toys. She told him that he could have 4 more toys just give her the token for each. He could have them anytime he wanted but once he used the 4 tokens they were done. He used 1 token for the next 4 days. On the 5th morning he knew he couldn't have any more tokens. So, he walked up to Nana and asked "Can we go get a Happy Meal?" He is a bright boy knew he could not have a toy but a Happy Meal has one! Love that boy! Counting down the days till I can see you Jaxon! I love you!
Dance Class
Ashlin had a Christmas party last week during her dance class. We were able to watch her dance class and then after all the treats you could want and more. Being the biased parent I am thought she was the best dancer in the class. In all honestly, she really is becoming very graceful in her movements. I am so thankful that I was able to be there and enjoy some quality time with my little princess!
Thursday, December 9, 2010
Monday, December 6, 2010
Thanks Shawn!
This post is dedicated to my Dearest Husband! I just wanted to say I am very thankful for him. He is a great provider, husband, father, friend, teacher, mentor, teacher, researcher ..... I guess you get the picture. I am especially grateful this evening for his support. I have had an incredibly difficult time the past 2 weeks at work. He has listened, shared words of wisdom, let me cry on his shoulder, and gave me a blessing when needed. I don't say it often enough....but I appreciate you and all you do from and our family! Happy Early Anniversary....we made it 9 years.....ha and you did not even think I would show up!
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