VBS

My new favorite summer activity is Vacation Bible School.  Our church doesn’t host one so I have never actually enrolled them in one before this year. Not sure why…just never thought about it, I guess.  But this year I signed them up for three different programs around Gahanna. 

It. Was. AWESOME. 

The girls absolutely LOVED every minute of it and couldn’t wait for each one to start.  It warms my heart to know that they are excited and enjoying hearing the Word of God. There is such innocence and holiness about the way the approach the truth of the Gospel. It is just simple, uncomplicated good news about how much we are loved. It is no wonder why Jesus tells us receive the kingdom of God like a child...  

Dan thought I might be pushing it signing them up for three.  I think it was a blessing.  They were free. We get a few hours of time to ourselves.  The girls get to have a blast and learn about Jesus. Everybody wins!

Away in a Manger...All Alone

Believe it or not, we have never had a full nativity set.  We have had bits and pieces, but never a complete set.  This year, I bought the girls a set that they could play with.  For being a children's set, it is actually really cute.  Not too baby-ish and still unbreakable :)  It was really funny because I ordered it online, so they kept asking when 'baby Jesus was going to be delivered'.  He came during the day when Alyssa was in school so Hannah had the set to herself.  She played with it for a while and then fell asleep.  When I saw what she did with it, I actually laughed out loud.  I took this picture on my iPhone, exactly how I found it.

Poor baby Jesus.  Left all alone while everyone else is gathered around the ridiculous glittery, pink Christmas tree (which, by the way, did not come with the set).  They were inches from the savior of the world and they all had their faces buried in a fake tree. Didn't they know they were supposed to be standing around Jesus?!?!?! How silly of them.

But the more I looked at the picture, the more profound it became. 

Isn't this exactly how we treat Christmas today? We aren't found standing around our Saviors makeshift crib. Most of us aren't even in the stable. We are outside...with our faces pressed into the tree.   

Don't we know we are supposed to be standing around Jesus?!?!?!?!

We are so busy admiring the 'glitter' that we believe it is going to fulfill our deepest desires; and we forget why we even have the tree to begin with!  Then, when the glitter falls off and the needles turn brown on our trees we are disappointed and let down. We continue our lives, just going through the motions and void of true joy.  Without a reason for real hope, we wait for the next glittery tree to come along. 

If we stepped back...even a little, we would realize that the tree is dead. Cut off at the stump with no source of life.  The tree itself isn't bad.  But when we start to gather around it and worship the created, rather than the creator, Christmas looses its meaning. 

That's why that picture made me laugh.  Because that is not what that scene looked like.  The angels sang, heaven rejoiced, shepards came from afar and Mary and Joseph we in love with their new baby boy.  They understood that Jesus was someone special. 

He was the gift.

He is the hope.

He didn't just come for the people in the manger...he come for us too.  But, He won't force Himself upon us or guilt us into spending time with him.  He just offers a gift. 

So, he waits...by himself.  The God of the Universe. Calling softly to us in the background of our hearts. Desperately wanting our attention and willing to give us everything he has in return. The life we have always wanted...a life that a dead tree can't provide.  Yes, it is his birthday...but it is what his birth means to you and me that makes it special.

THAT is why we celebrate. 

This holiday season, I pray we all back away from the tree and gather around the manger.  For that is where the celebration began. 

All that from a plastic nativity set...I'd say I got my $17.95 worth ;)

From: Daddy, To: You!

I don't do this often, but tonight I felt like God was placing this on my heart so I wanted to share this.  I want to share this for a number of reasons.  It is very encouraging for anyone to read, but I know that someday Aly and Hannah will read this.  My hope is that God will use this to speak into their lives no matter the place they are in.  

It has been kind of a crazy month of July as we have been the only YL leaders in Gahanna and have just been busy doing a lot and spending time poorly in many areas of our life.  I feel like we have been doing a lot of things 'ok', but neglecting the one necessary thing...seeking Jesus like a hidden treasure (Proverbs 2).  So lately Jenn and I have started doing a reading plan and it has been great. We have been able to hold each other accountable for time with the Lord.  I really feel like He has blessed it and made it good.  It really unites us with each other and in Him.  Anyway, today I spent 3 hours sitting waiting for Dave's (grandpa's) truck to have a bed roller and cap put on it. During that time I read my day's plan, read from the book The Call, and listened to a sermon.  Here are some of the thoughts I feel like God put on my heart and I felt needed to be shared with my girls.

First off, Proverbs 5 talked about an adulterous woman who is smooth at talking, will draw you in and lead you in ways you don't want, which is much like sin.  We get drawn in and before we know it, we are so deep it has created a mess of our lives and eats at us from the inside out.  At the end, in The Message version, it says sin will overtake us, lead us into the dark and that an undisciplined life will lead us to death in the end.  Man, that was awesome to read and it really makes it so much greater because God has made it apparent to me this month that I need to be disciplined in my pursuit of Jesus.  Through the Proverbs that I have read so far, it always talks about find and pursuing God. That in Him, and only Him, is true wisdom, understanding and knowledge.  My first prayer for the girls, and everyone, is that they will live lives of discipline in pursuit of Jesus.  I pray that, like Nicodemus in John 3, they would seek Him personally in their lives.  I pray that they would not take what I say or Jenn says, or our relationships with Jesus, but make it their own.  I hope that they will search for Him, find Him and make it personal for themselves.  

The second thing I felt was important to write about, was the sermon I listened to today. It was from Josh Patterson at Village Community Church.  He talked about fear of the Lord.  He talked about how he wanted to be a man of action, not intentions; and not live a life that is inconsistent with his faith in Christ. He talked about Proverbs as well and how it is a book designed to speak to the wise, the foolish and the young.  He said that Fear of the Lord is the beginning of growing in wisdom and depth in Christ. He talked about how fear of God is understanding that God is Holy and has to deal with the sin He hates so much, but to do it in awe and reverence of who He is and what He has done FOR us in Christ on the cross.  Josh shared that to walk in Godliness and wisdom, we must develop a posture of dependence and humility, and a recognition of who we are apart from Him and who we are in Him.  I really pray that my girls will, through their pursuits of Jesus, gain an understanding and awe of God and what He does for us in order to draw us to Himself.  I pray that they would fear Him and live lives that are intentional and consistent.  I pray that they'd understand that nothing else will lead them to a full, satisfying and eternal life.  That anything short from seeking God only leads to restlessness (as Os Guiness says in The Call). 

Josh also shared a story about how he asked his soon to be father-in-law for his daughter's hand in marriage.  He had previously asked her dad for permission to date her and pursue his daughter.  He said that he did this every 6 months and when he finally asked the dad for her hand in marriage this is what he told him, "I have cultivated her and brought her up in life and your job is to take her hand and give it to the savior at the end." He said that it is his job to help cultivate and prepare his wife's heart and mind for God. This is so awesome and my prayer also is that the girls will find someone who loves Jesus more than he loves them and will take this same challenge to lead them and help refine them through Godly love, respect, fear and honor.  I pray that they too would pursue Jesus above their other relationships and feel the call to love and push their husbands and kids closer to Jesus to prepare and refine them for Him.  I pray that they would settle for nothing less.  I pray that I am a father who models this to them in my own life and marriage. I pray that I would learn to fear God with all my life and pursue Him like a hidden treasure.  I pray that they would feel loved, safe and protected, as well as challenged and encouraged in their relationships with Jesus from me.  

I am extremely blessed to have such beautiful girls in my life.  I love so many things about them.  I love watching Hannah play.  She gets into her own world and it is so cute to watch.  I love her sweet little kisses and how she never lets me leave the house with out them.  I love her laugh and how she is just like me and the way she always wants me to chase her. I love how she always makes Aly laugh, says the silliest things and draws pictures of us with multiple eyes and no hands.  I love the way Aly is so much like Jenn it is crazy.  I love how she loves to read and color and do crafts.  That girl is so creative and smart it is unreal.  I love how when she kisses me it is so soft and tender.  She does it like she is a real princess, well she is one...to me.  I love how she gets so excited for school and the best is when she lays down next to me with her Bible and pretends to read it and underline things like me.  She told me the other day that she asked Jesus into her heart in her room.  I love that.  She loves to stack and organize things.  I love that they both love to dress up and pretend to be princesses, and how they play 'Dan and Jenn'.  They are so special.  I can't wait to continue to watch them grow. I love spending time with them and having the challenge of raising girls to feel loved and special.  My only real prayer is that Jesus would be their number one pursuit in life and He would live in and through them.  Ok, long enough.  That's enough from dad!  Love you girls!

Daddy

Acts 2:42-47

They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.

The Subaru is a mess.  It has been totaled and rebuilt three complete times and has a ridiculous amount of miles one it.  Paint is peeling off in sheets, the driver's door leaks when it rains, there are some mechanical belts that are cracking and the tires are going bald.  We would love a new car, but don't want a car payment right now...and can not afford one since I was rif'd.  As if that car hasn't been through enough, Dan hit a deer a deer ran into the car a few weeks ago. Now, the mirror on the driver's side is hanging by a thread, the lights are all smashed out and it is seriously dented.  Perfect. 

Last Friday there was a break-in a few doors down from us.  The front door was kicked in [in broad daylight] and a lot of stuff was taken.  Since we live on a quiet little loop in the back of the neighborhood, everyone has been pretty shaken.  You can't see our front door when you pull into our garage, so when I got home yesterday with the girls I was reluctant to carry my sleeping children into the crime scene I had created in my head.  I felt this nudging in my heart to go check our front door.  I almost didn't do it because I thought I was just being paranoid, but after silently arguing with myself I gave in because once I get something in my head I have to do it.   

I rounded the corner to the front door, expecting to see it standing wide open, and saw it securely locked. Relief. As I started to turn back around, something in our wreath caught my eye.  I walked up to the door and pulled our a handmade envelope that had "Acts 2:42-47 CAR FUND" written on it.  Inside was $300...cash.  

Now we can fix the lights, the mirror and the belts.  It may be dented still, but as long as it runs we don't care!  We don't know who the money was from and probably never will.  God is so good!

All I can say is we have some pretty incredible people in our lives that passionately love Jesus...and care about us!! Thank you, Jesus, for providing such a supportive, loving community of believers for us to be a part of!

Perspective

The last two weeks have been rough.  Mentally, physically, emotionally and spiritually we are spent.  For starters, the day after I found out I was cut, Alyssa broke out with an impetigo rash all over her head from scratching her eczema.  A few days later I got strep.  Within days, Hannah also got strep...and currently has a nasty virus on top of taking the antibiotics.  So far, Dan has made it through without getting any of it, but the Target pharmacist and I are on a first name basis ;)

Dan and I have both gone through just about every emotion about what has and will happen after August. Sigh. Yet, life continues to go on.  Doors have already been closed on the opportunities I have pursued so far, but a few seem to be open for Dan.  I like to be in control which make this infinitely more difficult to handle.  Even though it is hard, we are trying to trust Jesus and seek out his will for us.  One step at a time.     

Perspective is always good for reminding me of God's love and faithfulness.  The last few days have provided some serious perspective:  We have a safe home...and even if we loose it, we have enough friends and family that we wouldn't go without a place to live.  That is more than the earthquake and tsunami victims in Japan can say right now.  Our girls, despite minor illnesses which are easily treated, are healthy.  That is more than the family we know who just lost their unborn baby.  Dan and I have a strong marriage.  That is more than the couple a few doors down can say who is selling their house and getting a divorce.  The list could go on and on with those who have far less than we do.  And, even if all of that goes away, we still have Jesus!  I know He doesn't always give us what we want, but it is comforting to know He does provide us with what we need...always. 

I am still sad and, of course, I am still worried - it is just who I am :)...but I know we have been blessed with the most important things.  I want to enjoy the things we have been given and not worry about what we haven't.  Not only are we blessed, but there is a lot to look forward to...especially this week!  It is the last week of school before spring break, Aly gets to go to 'Kindergarten Round Up' and................HANNAH TURNS 3!!!  Seriously, 3?? Where did time go?!?! 

Salvation...Check :)

Aly was 'reading' her Bible at the island the other day while I was making dinner and she was telling me about some stuff she learned at church.  I continued to ask her questions about it because I love hearing how she interprets things...not to mention her cute little voice.  

I forget exactly how it came up, but somehow we were talking about how Jesus can live in our hearts.  I asked her if she wanted to ask Jesus to live in her heart.  She looked at me and said, without missing a beat, "He already does! Yeah...I asked Him before."  I wanted to laugh and cry because it was so darn cute, but I just smiled and told her that was good and I was glad she asked Him!

Maybe this explains why she took her little sister and their BFF into her closet...with her Bible to have a 'conversation' last time the Gibsons were over ;) This girl has a serious future ahead of her.

CHRISTmas Time

If I haven't mentioned before...or you haven't gathered by now, we LOVE this time of year! Family and friends, holiday lights and festivals, carols and movies, presents and beautiful tress, bustling malls and horse drawn carriage rides...my heart is so joyful this time of year can't even list all the things that make me smile.  It's just the overall cherry, festive spirit of this season.   It is a time that we want to bathe with love and tradition so the girls can look back on it with fond memories to pass on to their children someday.   But.  We don't want to get so caught up in the 'stuff' of the season and forget WHY we celebrate.  

This is the season of Advent.  Advent means 'awaited arrival', so this season is truly the celebration of something {momentous} coming. 

A Savior of the world. 

Not Santa Claus...

Jesus!

At Christmas we rejoice over His arrival!  It is a birthday party! A party for a King...where we get the gifts!  And, even more, a celebration of what his birth means for mankind.  That is why we celebrate!  That is why my heart is overflowing! That is what we want the girls to understand! 

We talk every year about how we are going to do this.  Of course we want the girls to have fun and experience the magic of Santa and his Elves, but we also want them to find joy in serving others and giving to those who are truly in need.  Some things we have already been doing.  Some things they are not old enough for yet.  

But, they definitely understand birthdays...and the countdown to the big day. So, I found this Advent Journey on another blog that I read and thought it was a great way to help them (and us) understand the season! 

I sincerely hope that when the girls look back at all of our Christmases together they cherish all the activities we did and time we spent together as a family.  More importantly, I pray they remember that there is someone who loves them even more than Dan and I (or Grandma and Grandpa) ever can...Jesus Christ.  And we get to celebrate his birthday with Him.

I Just Can't Shake It...

I love teaching what I teach because, not only do I get to teach them valuable life skills, I get to have fun with them and build relationships with my students that go beyond the classroom.  Usually hey teach me a thing or two in the process.  Last week I had a conversation with a girl that really got to me and I can't seem to shake it...

While they are working in class I like to float from table to table and become a part of their conversations.  This particular days was after having a sub for my personal day on Hannah's birthday.  My student's were asking me about my day of with Hannah, so I was telling them about her day.  Then, out of the blue, a very sweet 6th grade girl said, "I used to have a 2 year old sister..."

Not at all prepared for the answer I asked, "What do you mean 'You used to...'?"  Her response almost brought me to tears right in the middle of class.  She told me very quietly, "I used to, but she died in a car accident when she was 2.  I was only in 1st grade."  Oh. My. Gosh...    

I couldn't say anything.  My heart stopped and I was overwhelmed with sorrow for this girl and her family.  She seemed as though her heart had healed and was doing fine.  But, in that moment, it wasn't her sister or her family.  For a split second, it was mine.  It was Hannah. Aly. Dan and I.  The scenario played in my mind like a bad movie you can't block out even if you cover your eyes and plug your ears.    I don't know what I would do if I lost one of them...  

Being that Good Friday is tomorrow, it helps put The Cross into perspective.  God sent his precious baby boy into a broken world knowing he was going to be hated, persecuted, beaten and crucified....knowing full well there will always be people who don't understand or appreciate the sacrifice.  I don't even know that I always do.  I do know that I wouldn't do that for anything or anyone!   So, how much more must God love me [and you] to watch and allow Jesus to suffer through that?!?!?  Thankfully, he did! Because when Jesus rose three days later...it changed our standing in eternity forever.    

I know I probably sound really emotional this morning...I am not pregnant (I know some of you were probably thinking that ;).  I think it's just because it's a reminder of how unpredictable life can be.  We aren't guaranteed anymore days and that each one, really is a blessing.  I really need to start living more in 'today' and - not thinking about what might or will happen in the future - and enjoying the little things.  Easier said than done for me.  I am a worrier and a planner.  With all that said, the girls and I are going to go play in the beautiful weather we are having!!  Don't take anyone for granted...give your loved ones a kiss this morning and let them know how much they mean to you!!

What Make Spirituality Christian?

I started this blog for the girls.  As much as I love to scrapbook, I just simply do not have the time right now.  I didn't want to miss out recording important milestones and memories in the girls' lives, so this blog was born.  I am in the process of editing the print copy of it for last year and as I am going through it, it is making me think a lot about our blog and what the girls will take from it when they are grown.  Someday they will be wives and mothers...in the exact same place I am now.  Then I thought, "How can I use this blog now to relate to them, encourage them and help them through what they will probably be doing 20-30 years from now?"

So, I have decided to put myself, as a mom...and not just the narrator, into this blog every once in a while.  Just some stuff I am learning and how I am trying to become a balanced wife, mom, teacher, daughter, friend and follower of Jesus.   If you don't care or don't want to hear my ramblings...sorry, I'm going to do it anyway ;)  And maybe some other people can relate with me along the way... 

With that being said, here is what I have been learning lately.  We haven't been able to go to church for the last two weekends because of the YL 40th Anniversary Celebration and the girls being sick, but our senior pastor's (Rich Nathan) last sermon has really stuck with me.  He was addressing the fact that not all spirituality is Christian and what marks a spiritually Christian person.  He made two points that have really spoke to me:

• We are Cross-Shaped People-  
• We continually try to 'pay off' what was already 'paid in full' by Jesus with the cross.
• The way we deal with our children (giving in, over-indulging,  lack of discipline, etc.) is a result of the lack of confidence we have from unhealed guilt.  OMG!  That is so me...I always tend to give in or do things I wouldn't normally do because I feel guilty about being a working mom!!  He went on to say that the guilt must be taken to the cross in order to gain confidence.  I am still working on this one...
•  We are Carried People-
• He told the story of Charles Blondin, a famous tightrope walker who did several stunts on a tightrope over Niagara Falls.  His greatest stunt was carrying a man across the Falls on his back. On a tightrope. Are you serious?!?!?  Rich then asked, "What would've happened if the man stopped him halfway across and said, 'Thanks, but I will take it from here'?" Yikes! Then he went on to say we, as Christians, do this all the time.  We want to take control.  The problem is that we don't know what we are doing....

No wonder I am so stressed out all of the time!  I am in the middle of a tightrope...by myself and completely UN-balanced.  I am not a tightrope walker.  Not to mention I am terrified of heights!  Thankfully, by the grace of God, Jesus is a tightrope walker and he wants to carry me across.  Sometimes I let him, but - more often than not - I decide I can do it better or faster and jump out of his arms. There is my struggle...learning to let myself be carried by the One who knows how to make it across.  I am still, and probably always will be, working on this one too...