We have been blessed ABUNDANTLY by family, friends, and those we love far & near...
We started our morning with stockings & then scrambled eggs & sticky buns. This year we decided to purchase chickens & a share of a deep water well for the presents from Mommy & Daddy. The scrambled eggs were tangible examples of what chickens can give to the boys & girls that don't have grocery strores "or even commissaries!" (as Lydia said!)
Santa came & brought toys that are relational & can be shared by the family. Lydia recieved a chef set - she always talks about how she wants how she wants to be a chef & LOVES to work with Momma in the kitchen. Micah recieved a "plasm car." He loves to ride with the neighbor kiddos & we are all working on building relationships in our neighborhood. Noah recieved a toy that has already proved to be a hit with all kiddos... All 3 kiddos recieved a train table that Daddy has already played with maybe even more than the kiddos! HA! Just kidding! Daddy loves spending time playing trains & building blocks with the kiddos. The train table can also double as a craft table - something Momma is really looking forward to!
Here are just a few pictures from our morning. We have seriously had our socks blessed off by all the "love" that has been sent to us from all over the country! You'll see all the "love" in the background!!! Merry Christmas everyone!!!
Showing posts with label Presents and Presence. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Presents and Presence. Show all posts
Saturday, December 25, 2010
Monday, December 20, 2010
Presents and Presence - Makin' Fudge!
Growing up, the time between Thanskgiving and Christmas was always fudge making time! My dad always made his grandmother's recipe (still does!) & my parents gave it as gifts to friends, neighbors, fellow church members, co-workers... Every year my dad would make several, SEV-ER-AL, batches of fudge to give out and if he was making it while we were around, he'd let us help. To this day, seeing a jar of marshmallow fluff, or large hershey bars, or the smell of melted butter, sugar, and evaporated milk all boiling together brings back a flood of fudge making memories.
Now that I'm a "grown-up" and married and a momma and living far away from home I make my own fudge. I use my dad's grandmother's recipe. I use the little tricks and tips that my dad taught me to make the fudge makin' process easier. In my opinion, it just wouldn't be the Christmas season without fudge!
So, since fudge is such an integral part of Christmas in our family, I have started involving my own kiddos in the making of fudge! Here are a few pictures of Lydia helping me make the first batch of fudge this season!
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| Buttering the cookie sheet... gotta make sure there are no "bare" batches! |
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| Stirring the melted butter, sugar, and evaporated milk until it comes to a boil... |
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| When you're all done, getting to "lick the pot" and spatulas is the BEST part about fudge makin'! |
Friday, December 17, 2010
Presents and Presence - The Christmas Can Can
"Fell in love" with this group: Straight No Chaser
And their song: "The Christmas Can Can" is a hilarious look at what this "season" has become...
And their song: "The Christmas Can Can" is a hilarious look at what this "season" has become...
Sunday, December 12, 2010
Presents and Presence - Family Traditions
One of the ways we are giving more presence this Christmas season is by establishing our own family traditions. One thing that we did last year was make "Reindeer Cookies." They were fun to make,cute to look at, and yummy to eat. Last year we pretty much made them and kept them for ourselves. This year, since we're livng in a new neighborhood, we are making them and giving them to the neighbor kiddos that our kiddos have befriended, as a way of trying to establish or deepen those relationships.
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| Advent wreath doubles as a pretzel holder... :) |
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| They had to sample their work |
Saturday, December 11, 2010
Presents and Presence - What are we doing differently?
3 years ago our "home" church, Mosaic, introduced "Advent Conspiracy." At first I was appalled (probably the gift love language in me!), then I was intrigued, and then I was inspired. And I will be the first one to admit that I've tried the "relational" gift giving & it's HARD. I will also admit that I've tried, failed, and really sucked with my first attempts at giving "presence" as presents. In hindsight I've discovered that the key was/is, giving presence as presents is hard when the relationships you're giving to are lacking... Lacking in depth, authenticity, knowledge... So I learned that if I want to give presence and have it be meaningful, that have invested in the relationship.
So this year, even though we are across the country from Mosaic, my hubs and I are working really hard at figuring out how we can give presence to our friends and family. We have, by NO stretch of the imagination, have it all figured out. We are still trying to tweak and change things so the focus remains on Jesus, spending less, so we can give more, and love all. Here are some ways were a attempting to do that:
"Santa" will still be coming for our children. However Santa will be a bit scaled back (in comparison with previous years) & will be related to the relational/presence gifts that are children will be receiving from us. We are also going to take one of the big moving boxes we have left from our move, wrap it up, leave it open, and are going to clean out the toys and books that our children no longer play with/have no sentimental value/are still in really good shape. (Got that idea here.) Those toys and books will then be sealed up & left for Santa to take to the boys and girls of the world that have nothing. (AKA a local charity here in NC.)
We are giving what our children need. Lydia needs long sleeves because it has finally decided to be cold here in NC, Micah also needs long sleeves, Noah needs a pair of "shoes" he can't get off his feet.
Noah will be happy with an empty box and wrapping paper - he's 10 months old. We are asking people give to Living Water International or World Vision in Noah's name if they haven't already gotten him a gift and would like to do so.
We are giving presence coupons: Play time at the park, bowling date, checkers/chess coffee date, manicure with Momma date, walking the dog date, family picnic dinner/movie night... etc...
Instead of another toy or random gift, we are going to give gifts that reflect the gift of life. (the ULTIMATE gift that Christ gave us!) Our plan is to buy, in our childrens' names, school supplies, farm animals, education... through World Vision's Giving Catalog. We will wrap up the card that tells what we've "purchased" and each child will get to open that gift on Christmas morning. (We've already been prepping Lyds & Micah (a little!) & have talking about how Christmas is more about giving and that there are ways that we too can give life just like Jesus did.) :)
Those are just a few things we are doing in an attempt to give differently.
So this year, even though we are across the country from Mosaic, my hubs and I are working really hard at figuring out how we can give presence to our friends and family. We have, by NO stretch of the imagination, have it all figured out. We are still trying to tweak and change things so the focus remains on Jesus, spending less, so we can give more, and love all. Here are some ways were a attempting to do that:
"Santa" will still be coming for our children. However Santa will be a bit scaled back (in comparison with previous years) & will be related to the relational/presence gifts that are children will be receiving from us. We are also going to take one of the big moving boxes we have left from our move, wrap it up, leave it open, and are going to clean out the toys and books that our children no longer play with/have no sentimental value/are still in really good shape. (Got that idea here.) Those toys and books will then be sealed up & left for Santa to take to the boys and girls of the world that have nothing. (AKA a local charity here in NC.)
We are giving what our children need. Lydia needs long sleeves because it has finally decided to be cold here in NC, Micah also needs long sleeves, Noah needs a pair of "shoes" he can't get off his feet.
Noah will be happy with an empty box and wrapping paper - he's 10 months old. We are asking people give to Living Water International or World Vision in Noah's name if they haven't already gotten him a gift and would like to do so.
We are giving presence coupons: Play time at the park, bowling date, checkers/chess coffee date, manicure with Momma date, walking the dog date, family picnic dinner/movie night... etc...
Instead of another toy or random gift, we are going to give gifts that reflect the gift of life. (the ULTIMATE gift that Christ gave us!) Our plan is to buy, in our childrens' names, school supplies, farm animals, education... through World Vision's Giving Catalog. We will wrap up the card that tells what we've "purchased" and each child will get to open that gift on Christmas morning. (We've already been prepping Lyds & Micah (a little!) & have talking about how Christmas is more about giving and that there are ways that we too can give life just like Jesus did.) :)
Those are just a few things we are doing in an attempt to give differently.
Tuesday, December 7, 2010
Presents and Presence - Giving Differently
The video I posted in yesterday's post is a video that was created by an organization called “Advent Conspiracy.” You can learn more about them here. The word “conspire” basically means “to plan together.” Often, the word “conspire” has a meaning of going against a current regime or resisting a current cultural establishment. That video, and the Advent Conspiracy organization, encourage us to do just that – to challenge the current cultural norm of Christmas consumerism.
I believe that God sent His Son not so we could celebrate His birth by running around in 3 different directions at once, by racking up our credit card bills, by filling our homes with stuff, only to be let down and experience the January blues. I believe that God sent His son to save people and change the world. So, again I ask, How do you think Jesus wants us to remember and celebrate His birth? How can we “do” Advent and Christmas differently? Here are some ideas, inspired by the Advent Conspiracy movement:
WORSHIP FULLY:
• Create a “Jesse Tree” (http://www.ehow.com/how_4620163_jesse-tree-celebrate-advent-children.html) with your family. Have it placed in a prominent area of your home so it can be used as a conversation starter with friends and neighbors
• Invite friends or family to watch the movie “The Nativity Story” with you. Have a discussion afterwards about your favorite/least favorite parts and/or what you might do/how you would feel if you were “x” character.
SPEND LESS:
• Craft, bake, walk, play games, build a pillow & blanket fort with your kiddos… :)
• Read! Check out the same book as a friend and read the book together over the course of a month. Schedule times to discuss the portions of the book you’ve read.
• Sanity Saver! (Give to a neighbor with young children & a deployed spouse) “This coupon entitles you to 2 hours free babysitting!”
• Date night (in!) “This coupon entitles you to a homemade dinner of your choice & movie of your choice!”
• Game night! “This coupon entitles you to choose the board/card game of your choice for family game night!”
• If you do end up giving gifts that cost less & if you happen to have “extra” cash in your budget at the end of the Christmas shopping season, consider giving to a local charity or local church.
GIVE MORE/LOVE ALL:
• Know a soccer or basketball lover? For $16 you can give 2 soccer or basketballs in that person’s name through World Vision’s Gift Catalog. www.worldvision.org
• Is a person you’re going to give a present to passionate about a cause? Give financially, in your friend’s name, to their favorite charity or cause.
• Know a teacher or student? Donate $32 on behalf of that person and World Vision will be able to provide education for 1 child. www.worldvision.org
• Looking for beautiful jewelry or journals to give to friends or family that is made by people in Haiti? www.apparentproject.org
• Help fund/build fresh water wells for those in need: http://www.water.cc/
Our church, “Mosaic,” in Portland, OR has a great webpage with ideas on how you can give differently this year. See those ideas here.
I know that sometimes relational gifts can be just as, if not more expensive that just the regular gift card or boring old sweater. What I am challenging myself, and maybe you to consider when shopping, is; “Is this gift relational? Will this gift contribute to building a stronger relationship with this person or is it just a gift out of obligation?"
I believe that God sent His Son not so we could celebrate His birth by running around in 3 different directions at once, by racking up our credit card bills, by filling our homes with stuff, only to be let down and experience the January blues. I believe that God sent His son to save people and change the world. So, again I ask, How do you think Jesus wants us to remember and celebrate His birth? How can we “do” Advent and Christmas differently? Here are some ideas, inspired by the Advent Conspiracy movement:
WORSHIP FULLY:
• Create a “Jesse Tree” (http://www.ehow.com/how_4620163_jesse-tree-celebrate-advent-children.html) with your family. Have it placed in a prominent area of your home so it can be used as a conversation starter with friends and neighbors
• Invite friends or family to watch the movie “The Nativity Story” with you. Have a discussion afterwards about your favorite/least favorite parts and/or what you might do/how you would feel if you were “x” character.
SPEND LESS:
• Craft, bake, walk, play games, build a pillow & blanket fort with your kiddos… :)
• Read! Check out the same book as a friend and read the book together over the course of a month. Schedule times to discuss the portions of the book you’ve read.
• Sanity Saver! (Give to a neighbor with young children & a deployed spouse) “This coupon entitles you to 2 hours free babysitting!”
• Date night (in!) “This coupon entitles you to a homemade dinner of your choice & movie of your choice!”
• Game night! “This coupon entitles you to choose the board/card game of your choice for family game night!”
• If you do end up giving gifts that cost less & if you happen to have “extra” cash in your budget at the end of the Christmas shopping season, consider giving to a local charity or local church.
GIVE MORE/LOVE ALL:
• Know a soccer or basketball lover? For $16 you can give 2 soccer or basketballs in that person’s name through World Vision’s Gift Catalog. www.worldvision.org
• Is a person you’re going to give a present to passionate about a cause? Give financially, in your friend’s name, to their favorite charity or cause.
• Know a teacher or student? Donate $32 on behalf of that person and World Vision will be able to provide education for 1 child. www.worldvision.org
• Looking for beautiful jewelry or journals to give to friends or family that is made by people in Haiti? www.apparentproject.org
• Help fund/build fresh water wells for those in need: http://www.water.cc/
Our church, “Mosaic,” in Portland, OR has a great webpage with ideas on how you can give differently this year. See those ideas here.
I know that sometimes relational gifts can be just as, if not more expensive that just the regular gift card or boring old sweater. What I am challenging myself, and maybe you to consider when shopping, is; “Is this gift relational? Will this gift contribute to building a stronger relationship with this person or is it just a gift out of obligation?"
Monday, December 6, 2010
Presents and Presence - Day 2
The whole "Advent Conspiracy" movement has been my inspiration for this "Presents and Presence" series. You can learn more about Advent Conspiracy here. Here is one of their promo videos:
As a wife, momma of 3 kiddos, and more importantly follower of Christ, the Advent and Christmas seasons cause me to feel a mix of emotions. There are feelings of exhilaration and joy. But there is also stress, and a desire to have life just slow down for one minute, so I can really enjoy and celebrate with my family and friends. Like everyone else, I want to make Christmas meaningful, memorable, and personal.
I know that the exhilaration and joy of the Christmas season come partially from the fact that I’m a gift-giver. “Gifts” are my main “love language.” Nothing makes me happier than seeing a person absolutely love a gift that I have just given them. And really, there is nothing wrong with the act of giving a gift. God gave us the ultimate gift when He gave us His Son! We are just trying, this season, to be more intentional about our gift giving. We are trying to give gifts that are relational or that reflect Christ's ultimate gift of life!
Check in with me tomorrow for a list of relational/life giving gift ideas & a few links to sites that are devoted thinking about giving relationally!
As a wife, momma of 3 kiddos, and more importantly follower of Christ, the Advent and Christmas seasons cause me to feel a mix of emotions. There are feelings of exhilaration and joy. But there is also stress, and a desire to have life just slow down for one minute, so I can really enjoy and celebrate with my family and friends. Like everyone else, I want to make Christmas meaningful, memorable, and personal.
I know that the exhilaration and joy of the Christmas season come partially from the fact that I’m a gift-giver. “Gifts” are my main “love language.” Nothing makes me happier than seeing a person absolutely love a gift that I have just given them. And really, there is nothing wrong with the act of giving a gift. God gave us the ultimate gift when He gave us His Son! We are just trying, this season, to be more intentional about our gift giving. We are trying to give gifts that are relational or that reflect Christ's ultimate gift of life!
Check in with me tomorrow for a list of relational/life giving gift ideas & a few links to sites that are devoted thinking about giving relationally!
Friday, December 3, 2010
Presents and Presence - Day 1
Today is Day 1 of my new "series" that I will be writing about on our blog. I do not think I will attempt to write everyday like Project Thankful. But, when I do write, my posts will be about how my family & I are making this Advent and Christmas less about presents and more about presence. :) I hope that you will join us.
Today is December 3rd. In less than a month, Christmas will have come and gone and most of us will already be on our merry way to 2011. Most of us will have already taken down the twinkle lights, boxed up the ornaments, and put Mary, Joseph, Jesus, and the manger scene in their appropriately labeled tub or tote for next year. The month of December and Christmas Day itself will most likely be a blur of frenzied activity, wrapping paper scraps, and tinsel. And yet I sit here and ask this question: Is all the craziness and stress that seems to automatically come with “the most wonderful time of the year,” how Jesus wants us to remember and celebrate His birth?
Last Sunday was the 1st Sunday in the season of Advent. As a child I grew up in a church that celebrated the season of Advent. Some of us attend churches today that celebrate or recognize that we’ve entered this season. Others of us do not and that’s OK. The word Advent means “coming” or “arrival.” The season of Advent is the 4 weeks before Christmas. And whether we intentionally recognize Advent or not, each of us is, in our own way preparing for the “coming” or “arrival” of Christmas Day. And really, it’s not just a “day” that we are excitedly anticipating. It is a baby. It is God Himself who chose to step into our mess, and our darkness, and our sin, and who chose to become one of us just so that we would come to know Him!
Today is December 3rd. In less than a month, Christmas will have come and gone and most of us will already be on our merry way to 2011. Most of us will have already taken down the twinkle lights, boxed up the ornaments, and put Mary, Joseph, Jesus, and the manger scene in their appropriately labeled tub or tote for next year. The month of December and Christmas Day itself will most likely be a blur of frenzied activity, wrapping paper scraps, and tinsel. And yet I sit here and ask this question: Is all the craziness and stress that seems to automatically come with “the most wonderful time of the year,” how Jesus wants us to remember and celebrate His birth?
Last Sunday was the 1st Sunday in the season of Advent. As a child I grew up in a church that celebrated the season of Advent. Some of us attend churches today that celebrate or recognize that we’ve entered this season. Others of us do not and that’s OK. The word Advent means “coming” or “arrival.” The season of Advent is the 4 weeks before Christmas. And whether we intentionally recognize Advent or not, each of us is, in our own way preparing for the “coming” or “arrival” of Christmas Day. And really, it’s not just a “day” that we are excitedly anticipating. It is a baby. It is God Himself who chose to step into our mess, and our darkness, and our sin, and who chose to become one of us just so that we would come to know Him!
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| We made an Advent wreath and are reading scripture devotionals at dinner on an "as regular as possible" basis! :) |
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| We are giving the present of "presence" by baking Christmas cookies together. We made another batch of cookies last night to give away to our kiddos' friends... pictures of those will follow. |
So, maybe the more important question now is; do our preparations point us and those around us towards Jesus, the ultimate gift? Or, does the way we prepare for our coming King look like the rest of the world’s frenzied grabbing at an accumulation of more stuff?
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