Merry Christmas!!!!

We wish you all a Merry Christmas remembering our Savior Jesus Christ who came to dwell among us, live a sinless life, die on the cross for our sins and rise again so that we could have new life in Christ!! With thankful hearts we celebrate!

My Men

My handsome men...

oh how I love them!!

O Let Your Soul Now be Filled with Gladness

O let your soul now be filled with gladness

Your heart redeemed, rejoice indeed!

O may the thought banish all your sadness

That in his blood you have been freed,

That God's unfailing love is yours,

That you the only Son were given,

That by his death he has opened heaven,

That you are ransomed as you are.

If you seem empty of any feeling,

Rejoice - you are his ransomed bride!

If those you cherish seem not to love you,

And dark assails from every side,

Still yours the promise, come what may,

In loss and triumph, in laughter, crying,

In want and riches, in living, dying,

That you are purchased as you are.

It is a good every good transcending

That Christ has died for you and me!

It is a gladness that has no ending

Therin God's wondrous love to see!

Praise be to him, the spotless Lamb,

Who through the desert my soul is leading

To that fair city of joy exceeding,

For which he bought me as I am.

by Peter Jonsson Aschan

Does a mom's heart good...

This afternoon Kara and I were making supper together. This is often when we have some of our best talks..or most hilarious ones! For your entertainment...

Me: Kara, I just love cooking meals for our family. Isn't it fun to do it together?

Kara: Yes mom, it's so fun!

Me: Perhaps someday you will be able to enjoy cooking meals for your own husband and kids.

Kara: (no response...just a very sad look)

Me: What's wrong??

Kara: Momma, I don't want to leave! I want to stay here with you and Dad and Luke and Ellie. My husband and kids can just come over for a visit and eat with us here, then they can leave and I'll stay here with you.

HA! I love the way a three year old thinks, and I'm glad that this three year old loves her family. I know someday she will leave, and I realize it will come much more quickly than I can imagine. Until then, I will treasure our little chats and encourage her to love the roll that God may bless her with in her very own family someday.

Ian

Everytime I hear the name Ian I can't help but be swept by emotion. You see, three years ago yesterday, Ian Jonathan was born to our dear friends. He looked just like their other three sons, so beautiful...an amazing mix of their parents. But this day was not full of joy. No, this day was full of tears, sadness and grieving. Ian had died a few days earlier while still in his mommy's womb. Ian has touched our lives more than we ever imagined, and we were only able to spend a few short hours with his lifeless body. Ian has taught us many things. He has taught us that God will do all His holy will, and it won't make sense to us much of the time...but yet, God is good. Our dear friends have allowed us to be a part of their lives and of the loss they have experienced. They have given us a gift that has truly changed us. We have been so blessed to walk beside them as they share with us all that God has done in their lives through the loss of their precious son. Our friends are currently in another state for work purposes, so this is the first year since Ian was born that I can not hug my friend. This makes me so sad. I know that she needs a hug and to know that Ian is not forgotten. When looking forward to eternity, one of my greatest anticipations is to see the joyful reunion of Ian with his parents. No more pain. No more missing. Until that day, our friends press on through the grief. They persevere with a son and brother absent from their everyday. How I wish I could do more to encourage and comfort. For now I will pray and long expectantly for that glorious day when my friends will hug their precious Ian.