O Come, O Come Emmanuel...

I love the Christmas season. I love the lights, the carols playing in every store, putting up decorations, and seeing presents underneath the beautifully lit tree. I love the excitement I see in my childrens' eyes with each ball or bell or angel that is hung on the tree branches. I love it's a "Wonderful Life" as well as "A Charlie Brown Christmas" and I can still remember my Dad laughing hysterically at that poor little dog in "How the Grinch Stole Christmas". I will sing at the top of my lungs with Bing Crosby, Nat King Cole and even Elvis if need be. I love when snowflakes begin to fall, and you can see your breath on a chilly morning. There is a feeling that you get this time of the year. A wonder, an expectation, fills your heart. There is a hustle and bustle in the air, a skip in my step and extra joy in my heart. I love giving gifts, surprising my children, trying to find something special for my love, Luis. I love the challenge of finding something for my parents that is different from anything else I have given them in the last 39 years...now THAT is not easy!! (but this year I did pretty well!)

The boys and I went to a Christmas concert last night at Anderson University. Anderson is a private, Christian university, so the real meaning of Christmas was woven throughout the whole concert, intentionally, and without apology. It was really beautiful, yet surprisingly simple. It reminded me how the most important gift, the most precious present of the Savior sent to us, was miraculous and mighty, yet so simple. No ornaments. No decorated tree. No stockings. No warm fireplace. No ribbons or bows. No holiday feast. While those things are so beautiful, they so easily become our focus. Then, before we even realize, we fall into the trap, as beautiful as it may look on the outside, while Jesus is left out in the cold, once again. For every generation, every person in captivity, God sent us a Savior. We are just as trapped now, or maybe even more so, as the Israelites were back in the Bible days. Our trappings may look different, but they bind just the same. I have to catch myself many times during this season, regroup, and refocus on what is really important. I pray that after all is said and done, I give Jesus his rightful place this Christmas, and throughout the year.

O Come O Come Emmanuel

And ransom captive Israel

That mourn in lonely exile here

Until the Son of God appear

Rejoice, Rejoice,
Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel

Well, Thanksgiving has come and gone, and we had a nice little dinner party here the day after Thanksgiving with some friends from church. I think there were around 15 people in our little house, and everyone seemed to have a good time! Less than 4 weeks until Christmas now, and I am busily working on our Christmas drama for church. I am actually pretty excited about it, and have gotten some good ideas. Can't wait to show the pictures. For now, here's some from the party. My poor Luis was feeling a bit under the weather with a head cold, and almost no voice, but it didn't stop him from engaging in the conversation!

Your Hand

Not a single leaf swirls and drifts to the ground,
That you have not hand selected.

Not one lovely bloom grows, fragrant and full
That you have not held in your palm.

Not even a drop of the fresh falling rain,
Would be allowed to descend without your command.

Every waking dawn, each radiant dusk,
You have ordained with your word.

Each beat of the heart, every blink, every breath,
A gift from your throne, each one to the next.

A time to remember, reflect and rejoice
Knowing you are my life, my love and my source.

Nothing more I could do, no kind act, not one deed
Would enlarge your affection you have toward me.

With heart overflowing,
No adequate words,
Laying crowns at your feet,
I gladly place my life,
One more time
In your hand.

Love is a flag flown high....

Photos from Berea

Here's some photos from our church in Greenville. Our resident photographer (Floresthela) is sending me some more. Hope to get them posted soon. Church is going really well. We are seeing God move at each service, which is our utmost desire. It is growing slowly, but steadily. We average about 15 people in every service since the two months that we started. I am leading praise and worship right now (piano and singing), and praying that the Lord sends more people with a Levite anointing, and a passion for the presence of God. Luis and I have divided the Sunday school class into elementary and junior high. I have the younger set, and I am really enjoying it! We are practicing for our first song/flag celebration in two weeks. The kids are really working hard! Thanksgiving is right around the corner and it looks like our house will be bustling...can't wait!

On the home front, Lily took her first steps (finally) and soccer has ended. It's nice to have a break from sports for a few months, until baseball starts up again in the spring. I am still looking for opportunities for going back to work, possibly in the evening or at night to help with a little extra money, but so far I haven't had any responses from any applications that I have submitted. Leaving it all in God's hands, where it fits best, and resting in the peace of knowing that he promises to provide for our every need. Luis is still really enjoying his job, and receiving more training than he ever dreamed he would. It's easy to look back and see how God was putting all the puzzle pieces together, even when we couldn't see the picture at all. Did I ever mention that on top of all the miracles that God walked us through with our house sale and moving to Anderson that Luis's company is located on Miracle Mile Drive?? Amazing. Not only does God do the impossible, he does it with wit and style.

When I look back at all the Lord has done, I feel like Simon Peter when the Lord asked him if he wanted to leave, as some of the others had done. His reply was “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life."