One of the most fascinating and, at the same time, disturbing exhibits at OMSI  was one on human embryo and fetal development. I clicked away with my camera, capturing each stage of life represented in it.

Unfortunately, after I was done, I saw a sign that said no photography of the embryos was permitted. I would hesitate to post these on my blog anyway, because they could be disturbing to some. I will try to describe  the display in as much detail as I can, however.

Here’s a picture of Grace viewing the exhibit:

Basically, the babies on display were real, human, deceased, unborn babies (I'll dispense with the clinical terminology and be referring to them as unborn babies from this point on). They had died natural deaths and had been preserved in their different developmental stages for scientific purposes. Starting with week 9 and continuing through week 36, you could see what human gestational development looks like up close.

As I made my way through the display, I became keenly aware of the solemnity of the occasion. This was a morgue, or maybe a mausoleum would be a more accurate descriptor – each one of these babies represented somebody’s loss. I approached this display with reverence and awe.

While closely examining each little human being, I experienced a plethora of emotions, ranging from tremendous sorrow for the mothers who lost these unborn babies;  To anger at the injustice suffered by countless babies aborted in this country every day;  To compassion for those who are currently in crisis pregnancies or who have experienced abortions;  To glorifying God for the miracle of life;  To hope that such a display would be used by Him to increase awareness of human development and prevent future abortions. With this in mind, I began to stop and pray for those in crisis pregnancies that might see this exhibit.

What was also interesting were the responses of those around me. Some, like me, seemed reflective. Others appeared un-phased, viewing the display with a clinical eye. Still others seemed to be enthusiastically fascinated, eager to explain each stage of development to the child next to them. Most intriguing were the responses from the children. I heard many parents bombarded with unending questions from curious little ones.

One particular question still rings in my ears. It was spoken by a little boy around 5 or 6 years old. He was looking at an unborn baby at about 12 weeks gestation. By this stage, most if not all of the body parts are present. After gazing intently at it for several seconds, he looked up at his father and asked "Isn’t that a baby?" The father glanced down at his son and then back again at the display. "That’s a good question, isn’t it?" He replied. He left it at that.

The following statement was on the description below one of the babies who was in its 32 week of gestation:

"What started as a single cell has developed into highly organized systems of billions of cells".

Yes, "highly organized systems of billions of cells" that are called human beings, loved by God and made in His image.

For You formed my inward parts; You wove me in my mother's womb. I will give thanks to You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Wonderful are Your works, and my soul knows it very well. My frame was not hidden from You, when I was made in secret, and skillfully wrought in the depths of the earth;

Your eyes have seen my unformed substance; And in Your book were all written the days that were ordained for me, when as yet there was not one of them. How precious also are Your thoughts to me, O God! How vast is the sum of them! Psalm 139: 13-17

After we left Idaho, we had a day in Brian's hometown in Oregon and then the five of us and his mom drove to Portland to visit OMSI, The Oregon Museum of Science and Industry in Portland.   I'm going to post this in two parts.  

This is a wonderful science museum. Isabella loves science and so we promised her that the next time we were in a big city, we would try to find a science museum to explore. OMSI fit the bill. If you are ever in the Portland-Vancouver area of Oregon or Washington, I would highly recommend visiting it.

Right after we entered the museum we immediately got "caught up"  in some brain teasers that were out on display.  Here Hannah and I are trying to untangle ourselves from one.  We never did figure it out.

Then we headed for the life science exhibit area.

Then Brian and the girls explored the earth science area while I participated in a survey.   

Then we all visited the science play area.

I think we had the most fun in the Turbine room

Testing the airplane. Grace made the only airplane that would fly somewhat straight

Lets see how our building will withstand an earthquake

Not very well, it looks like

It faired much better with some cross bracing

Its been a long time since the girls were in a real earthquake

Next, we spent some time in the physics lab

And finally, the chemistry lab

At this point, we were pretty much exhausted!  The kids headed off to a birthday party for a friend of theirs who moved to Vancouver, while Brian, Doris, and I  headed up to Mission Connexion Northwest.  We arrived just in time for the first plenary session.  Quite a full day. 

We just got back from a two week trip to Oregon, during which we were able to get some training for our new ministry, visit family, and reconnect with some old friends. We returned feeling refreshed, strengthened and affirmed. Thank you to everyone who has been praying for us.

Brian grew up in Oregon, so we were able to stay with his mom during most of our visit. Over the next several days, I thought I’d share some of the highlights of our trip. I’ll start with our visit to a youth ranch.

We have friends, who used to run a shelter for troubled children in our town. It eventually lost funding and had to close down. After a few years, our friends accepted a position directing a youth ranch in Idaho. 

These dear friends were a wealth of information to us. We not only were able to see first hand some of the work they do, but we were also able to get a better grasp on some of the situations we may encounter in the trailer park.   

While there, our girls had the opportunity to do some horseback riding. I was so impressed by this facility and the opportunities they provide the kids. The minimum stay is one year. By the time they leave the ranch, they will become skilled in areas of golfing, horseback riding, and skiing, as well as some job skill training. Not only will they take away hobbies that they can use to fill their time productively, but they may be able find employment in these areas as well.

Here’s some pictures of the girls at the ranch:

Last Sunday we were commissioned by our church to the new ministry we’ve been called to. I am only blogging on Saturdays now that school is back in session, so I thought I’d post these today.

We are going to be spending the rest of January and February finishing up the foundational work for the ministry: completing the final touches on the 501c3 paperwork, establishing prayer teams, getting the trailer ready (electrical, plumbing, heating, flooring, painting, etc.) and getting as much training as we can.   If everything goes as planned, we will begin ministering in the trailer park in March.

Thank you to everyone who has posted comments or sent messages of encouragement. We have undergone a season of the most intense spiritual attack this last week that we have ever experienced. Another family on our team has experienced the same level of attack.

We were prepared mentally for this possibility, but actually experiencing it to this level has been extremely draining spiritually. I have never seen my husband as close to despair as I have seen him this week.

We have a godly, older man on our team who has been a faithful intercessor for this ministry and our family.  We also have wonderful accountability partners and other faithful friends who have been walking through this time with us as well. We are so grateful for them. We are trying to dig our roots deep into the promises of God and engaging in intense warfare prayer.

We know God is using this time and experiences to reveal sin and weaknesses in our lives to bring us to the point where he can better mold us and use us. The molding is painful. Thank you again for your prayers, scriptures, and words of encouragement. They are holding us up.

For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.

Ephesians 6:12

I’m about two-thirds way through the book Organic Church by Neil Cole. It has been a really good read so far and is causing me to rethink what I value as far as priorities go in the church. I came across this article from Brady Boyd’s blog predicting what the church will look like in 10 years. I thought it was interesting and so I’ll pass on the link. The trends seem to support the movement described in the Organic Church. In a nutshell, based on observed social trends, he gives four predictions:

1. The church will become smaller and more intimate. The "stadium worship experience" with its production emphasis will become a thing of the past.

2. The church will become more missional. There will be more of an emphasis on sacrifice, social justice and making an impact in the community and in the world.

3.The church will become more ancient. The church will return to more ancient, traditional structures involving frequent gatherings, the reading of scripture, fervent prayer, worship, authentic living, servant leadership, and honoring the sacraments.

4. The church will become more supernatural. There will be more of a reliance on the work of the holy spirit. As Brady states, "Sound theology must prevail and we must not return to our sloppy Charismatic tendencies, but we must also embrace the mysterious and risky nature of God and not be afraid of the unpredictable."

You can read all of Brady's insights here.  I am encouraged by these predictions.  As long as the church remains doctrinally orthodox (i.e. stays true to the Bible), I think that all of these trends indicate a postitive direction for the church. 

A few years ago, I came across this quote on leadership by AW Tozer, one of my favorite Christian authors. As we step out in the early stages of starting our own 501c3, I have been thinking a lot about leadership – especially in regard to the type of leaders I do and don’t want my husband and I to be. Tozer’s quote has given me much food for thought.

I believe that it might be accepted as a fairly reliable rule of thumb that the man who is ambitious to lead is disqualified as a leader. The Church of the Firstborn is no place for the demagogue or the petty religious dictator. The true leader will have no wish to lord it over God’s heritage, but will be humble, gentle, self-sacrificing, and altogether as ready to follow as to lead when the Spirit makes it plain to him that a wiser and more gifted man than himself has appeared.

It is undoubtedly true, as I have said so often, that the church is languishing not for leaders but for the right kind of leaders; for the wrong kind is worse than none at all. Better to stand still than to follow a blind man over a precipice.

History will show that the  church has prospered most when blessed with strong leaders and suffered the greatest decline when her leaders were weak and time serving. The sheep rarely go much farther than the Shepherd. – A. W. Tozer, The Warfare of the Spirit, pp. 191,192.

A friend of mine posted this laundry soap recipe on Facebook a while back.  I have been using it for a few weeks now and it works great!  We haven't broken out in any rashes, LOL , and  it seems to clean well.  The only thing that is different is that it doesn't create much lather.  

According to one "green" website, this detergent is better for the environment, since the ingredients are all natural.  I did the math and it cost me  40 cents a gallon (without the essential oil).  I buy the CHEAP Walmart brand detergent and normally pay about $4.75 for 1.17 gallons.  It took me about 8 minutes to make this.  Most of the time was spent waiting for the soap to melt.  I gave the cost break down below if anyone is interested.

Home Made Laundry Detergent (yields a 2 gallon batch)

Ingredients:

1/3 Fels Naptha laundry bar soap (or other laundry bar soap like Zote)

1/2 cup washing soda

1/2 cup borax

5 or more drops essential oil (if desired)

Grate the bar soap and put in a saucepan or stock pot with 6 cups of water, cook on medium heat until the soap is melted. Add washing soda and borax and stir until dissolved. Remove from heat. Add 4 cups of water to a large pot or bucket. Pour in the soap mixture and stir. If you are adding essential oils, this is probably when you want to add them. Add 1 gallon and 6 cups of water and stir. Distribute into containers (used laundry detergent bottles work well).  Let sit for 24 hours. Shake or stir before using. Use 1/2 cup for a normal load.

Notes:

I bought the Borax at Walmart.  Apparently you can buy the other items at most Walmart or grocery stores.  Our small town Walmart didn't carry the washing soda or soap bars.  I bought these items online at Ace Hardware and had them shipped to the store for free.

Essential oils are optional and are used for fragrance and apparently have anti-bacterial properties.  They are sold in craft stores with the soap making supplies and can also be purchased in healthfood stores.

Cost breakdown:

Washing Soda:  $3.41 -- Each box yields enough for 13 two gallon batches (I bought this online at Ace)

Borax:  $3.50 -- Each box yields enough for 23 two gallon batches

Soap Bar:  $1.16 -- Each bar yields enough for 3 batches

I had to get an order of 24 soap bars for $27.86 because that was the smallest order I could get online at Ace.  This will yield 72 batches though, so I will be good for a while  .

"When are we going to get our bluegrass on?" My eldest daughter stated with an exasperated tone in her voice one morning. "How can we call ourselves a legitimate homeschool family when we don’t play bluegrass!?"

Hyperbole has become an art form in our house since Grace became a teenager. We happen to know three large families (count them, three, only three, not one hundred) who play gospel bluegrass. Two of them happen to be homeschool families. We were listening to one of their CD’s this particular morning, which is what prompted my daughter’s comment.

I’m not quite sure how it came to be that we know three bluegrass families. I mean, I really do like bluegrass, I always have; But we have never lived in an area where bluegrass was particularly popular.

I grew up watching The Waltons and The Andy Griffith Show reruns. I lived in LA County back then. All throughout my childhood I had a longing to visit the Appalachians, even more than that, I wanted to live in the Appalachians. The simple lifestyle, close-knit family and supportive community were a stark contrast to my surroundings and were (and still are) intriguing and appealing to me.

My dad, knowing this obsession, promised me that when I graduated from college we would celebrate by going to the deep south. I was soooo looking forward to this. In my mind I got caught up in the stereo-types I had seen on TV. I had visions of rubbing shoulders with moonshiners, sitting around a campfire, banjos in hand, and singing Dooley, all the while looking over our shoulders for the "law" (AKA "revenuers"). I also imagined joining in a barn dance or two.

When I was graduating from college, however, I released my dad from his promise in order for him to pay for a wedding instead.

I don’t have a problem, necessarily, with the idea of our family playing blue grass -- I think it would be fun.  So, I humored Grace and began to take an inventory of our family’s "blue grass skills".   Lets see . . . I’ll start with me. I am not particularly musical myself. I can sing. I took classical voice lessons for 6 years and used to sing in public now and then. I stopped doing that about 16 years ago because I don’t really enjoy singing in front of people. Classical voice training . . . blue grass . . . I don’t know.  I wonder how O Mio Babbino Caro would sound sung with a southern twang and a banjo accompaniment? Okay, so I’m out.

The older two girls play piano and are doing really well, but I haven’t seen any bluegrass bands toting baby grands around so . . . strike two.

Grace had a year of violin in first grade when we homeschooled through a charter school. She learned by way of the Suzuki method. I don’t think "Elevator-Operator" or "Mississippi-Hot-Dog" are big bluegrass hits . . . although I could be mistaken.

Lets see . . . Brian plays the trumpet, euphonium and a little tuba . . . . Hmmm.  It’s looking pretty dim that we are going to be able to "get our blue grass on" any time soon.

When we met our first bluegrass family (non-homeschool), we were living in Southern California. We were so thrilled to host them at our house. They treated us to a free concert right in our family room. Of course I had to call several friends to witness this event . . . my dream come true. Appalachia right in my own home! Okay, so they were from Missouri, not Appalachia –that was a minor detail. The fact is that they were a genuine, bonafide bluegrass family and that was all that mattered.

They performed a flawless bluegrass concert. Chris, the dad, seemed a little amused when I asked him if he knew how to play Dooley. "Dooley? You don’t know how to play Dooley? You’ve never heard of Dooley?!" I asked. "Don’t you ever watch The Andy Griffith Show? Oh you only do gospel bluegrass? I guess Dooley isn’t particularly gospel-oriented . . . Okay, never mind."

Shortly after the visit from the first bluegrass family, I received word from my best friend in high school (who does happen to live in the Appalachian region and homeschools) that she and her children had formed a blue grass band and were playing in churches and festivals in their area. Every year they send us their latest CD for Christmas (this is the CD that got Grace lamenting about our pathetic lack of bluegrassness). They are very talented and their sound keeps getting more sophisticated every year as the children get older and become more experienced musicians.

The third bluegrass family we met a little over a year ago. They are a local family and have a great sound. We enjoy listening to their CD’s and are hoping to make it to one of their concerts in the future. Their kids are friends with my kids and they homeschool as well.

Well I finally did make it to the south. Brian took me there for our 11^th anniversary. We started in Tyrone, GA for a brief visit with friends and then traveled north to Ashville, NC for some alone time (Okay, so not completely alone. I was nursing a newborn at the time).

While traveling in the south, I discovered what I had already figured to be true. I have to admit, I was a little disappointed: No moonshiners. No barn dances. No Dooley! Just beautiful scenery, very friendly people, fantastic flea markets, yummilicious Barbecue, and unforgettable bluegrass (on CD).

I'll start with the gospel bluegrass:

 And then Dooley:

To hear about the history of this song click here.  

In September, my husband, Brian, submitted his resignation as assistant pastor (in charge of children’s ministry) at our church. This was a long and agonizing decision that was a result of months and months of prayer.   December 31 is his last day in his current position.

For the past 3 years, we have been involved in reaching out to a poverty stricken trailer park in our town that is a hot bed for drugs and domestic abuse. Every year there is an average of 450 police calls from residents in this park. For a town of 10,000 that is a lot – especially when there are only around 60 units.

We have been reaching into this area as a church for 3 years now in various ways including school backpack distribution, setting up a bounce house for the kids and serving breakfast or a barbecue dinner, and busing the kids to various programs in our church like VBS, our Wednesday night program, and occasionally Sunday morning services.

When we first moved to our town, we had stumbled upon this area because we were in a rental that backed up to the edge of the property. This park is completely surrounded by trees and fences, so many people in our pristine town don’t even realize it’s there. Well, after hearing quite a bit of "commotion" (i.e. screaming) coming from the property behind us, Brian decided to try and investigate what was back there. He was shocked by what he found.

We had been missionaries to Mexico for 17 years before we came to our town. Because we were administrative missionaries we were based in California, but lived in Mexico off and on anywhere from two to three months out of the year. The conditions in this trailer park reminded him of the poverty we encountered in many villages in Mexico. The dirt roads & dilapidated trailers brought a feeling of dejavou.

With permission from our senior pastor, we began outreach in this area. Over the past three years of developing relationships with the kids and some of their parents, God began stirring in the heart of our bus driver to begin a ministry center there in an abandoned trailer.

You see, although the kids are more than happy to be part of what goes on at the church, we have failed to effectively involve their parents. If we could have a continual presence in this park, we might be better able to establish relationships with some of the adults.

When we approached our senior pastor about the idea, he told us to begin investigating what this type of ministry would look like. At first we thought it would be something that would be an extension of the ministry of our church. Eventually, though it became clear that in order to make the biggest impact, Brian would not be able to serve in his current position and be involved in the ministry center at the same time. Also, in order for this ministry to be most successful, we felt it needed to be inter-denominational -- especially since we had already begun partnering with four other churches in our area who also have a burden for families in the park.

So, after months of prayer and seeking tons of counsel from different mentors, friends, and family, here we are.  December 31st  is just a few days away.  We have rented the lot the trailer is on and the manager and owners are letting us use the trailer rent-free.   Last September, a work team from our church helped us clean out and mostly gut the trailer.  We still have a lot of work to do on it in the areas of painting, flooring, plumbing and heating.  We hope to have everything in place to begin ministry in March.

Although we will not be living in the park (I know that would be the ideal situation), we want to have a presence at the ministry center in the afternoons and evenings -- two people being present during these times.  We want to be available to provide after school tutoring and a variety of other services as God provides the people and resources. 

We are about to take the biggest step of faith we have ever attempted. We are both excited and scared. In many ways we feel ill-equipped for lack of training and experience with addictions and the culture of poverty. We will eventually get training in these areas, but both of us really like to have all of our ducks in a row before we do anything drastic.

Right now we don’t have all our ducks in a row, but God does. Then, again they may not even be ducks.  They may be chickens instead. But if God is in this they will all be there. And they may not even be in a row – but they’ll be in the order He wants them.

So would you please pray for us?  Pray that God will equip us with the knowledge, people, skills, and resources we will need. Pray that He will pour out His spirit on this ministry and that He will bind Satan.

Please also pray for our team.  Pray that we would have energy, enthusiasm, humility, authenticity, and unity.  Please pray that we would develop close community with each other.  Pray that we would practice the "one anothers" in such a way that our love and patience toward one another would be evident to all.  We have about 20 people on our team who are very committed, motivated and excited about this. Please pray that we would draw near to God and love and seek Him with all that is in us.  

Please pray most of all that God would go before us and prepare the hearts of those we will be serving.  Please pray that many would be convicted of sin and respond to the Gospel of grace and give their lives to Christ.

Last year we started a new tradition.  I got this idea from a friend and local jounalist who wrote about it in an article in our paper. On December 23 we get in jammies (or for us adults, sweats or something comfortable), grab hot chocolate and Christmas CD's and go around and look at Christmas lights. 

Then we come home and present the kids with a new Christmas movie to watch that night.  This year  the movie was the nativity.

Nana

Grace

Brian

Hannah and Isabella

Listening to Amy

Pretty Lights

. . . in John Deer  Green . . .

Frosty's Village

Jesus is Born!

Brian’s mother came to the US from Germany when she was a teenager. Making gingerbread houses was a family tradition during her childhood. When her family came here after WWII, they brought with them very few things.

Among some of the items they packed, though, were the family pattern and the recipe for the gingerbread house. Brian grew up making these houses every Christmas with his grandmother. Although she is not longer living, my mother-in-law has picked up the mantel, and carried on this delightful tradition with my children.

A funny thing about this recipe is that it contains no ginger. Given that ginger was so popular in Germany, and most traditional German recipes contain ginger, we are guessing that the ginger was left out of this recipe during one of the wars.  This was probably because it was either rationed or unavailable. The German word for "gingerbread house" is "knupser-hauschen" which means "nibble house".   So I guess since the name doesn't dictate that it contain ginger, it wouldn't have mattered if it was removed. 

When we decorate it we usually read the Grimm's fairy tale, Hansel and Gretal.  The origin of the gingerbread house is found in this story.  To read more about the history of gingerbread and the gingerbread house, click here.

These are the scriptures and hymn we use for Christmas Eve advent devotions:

Scripture:  The Christmas Story in Luke 1:26-38; 2:1-20.

Advent Wreath:  In the center of the wreath is usually a single, white candle. This is the "Christ" candle to be lit on Christmas Eve. White represents the fulness of the Light that has come into the world.

Hymn:  We like to sing the oldest Christmas carol, Of the Father’s Love Begotten.

I found a great site that talks about the Jesse tree.  From what I understand, this is a newer Christmas tradition, but I love the symbolism connected with it.  We haven't done this yet, but I have had friends who incorporate this into their advent traditions. If you visit the sight or do a google images search, you can see pictures of different Jesse Trees.  Here is an exerpt of the description of it from the site: 

Jesse was the father of King David. The idea of the Jesse Tree comes from Isaiah 11:1-9, where God promises a discouraged nation that the glory they remember from David’s time will come again. They will have another king from Jesse’s family, in whose reign the whole earth will know God. As a Christian, we see that promise fulfilled in Jesus, and so we use a Jesse Tree and decorate it with reminders of how God prepared the world for that kingdom.  What is a Jesse Tree?

Starting on December 1^st with an empty banner or tree, a reminder ornament is hung each day until Christmas Day when the Christ child in the manger and star are placed at the top. A Bible verse is read, and the story reviewed. These devotions allow time every day for sharing with your children, or meditating with God's Word on your own.

To read more about the Jesse tree click here.

Here are the scriptures that we use for the fourth week of advent.

Scripture Reading for the Third Sunday in Advent:  Matthew 24:28-3

The Advent Wreath:  The last purple candle is the "Angels’ " or "Love" candle." Why remember angels again when we talked about them the week before? Because, this candle is not meant to symbolize the angels of the Christmas announcement. Rather, it is a reminder of Christ’s second coming. In Matthew 24:28-31, we read how Christ will return with angels. At that time, we will be gathered up to Him. This is when we experience the fullness of God’s LOVE.

Hymn:  "Angels from the realms of glory", "Hark the Harold Angels Sing", or "Angels we have heard on High."

Monday: I Corinthians 13

Tuesday:   Matthew 18:10

Wednesday: Acts 12:7-11

Thursday:  Revelation 4:8

Friday: Mark 12:30-31

Saturday: John 3:16

Of the Father’s love begotten, ere the worlds began to be,
He is Alpha and Omega, He the source, the ending He,
Of the things that are, that have been,
And that future years shall see, evermore and evermore!

This the first verse of my favorite hymn. I love this hymn not only because of its beauty but also because it holds a particular sentimental value to me (Beware! Super sappy "love connection" story ahead. Read at your own risk!).

Of the Father’s Love Begotten is one of the oldest, and I believe one of the most beautiful, Christmas hymns still sung today. The words were written in the early 5^th century, AD by the Roman poet, Aurelius Clemens Prudentius and are set to the tune Divinum Mysterium, which dates back to the 11^th century.  (You can click here to read the words and hear the music to this hymn).

The first time I had heard this carol I was in high school. A trio had performed it for special music during a Christmas church service. The transcendent beauty of the score and the rich and meaningful text immediately won me over.  It became my favorite hymn on the spot! I went home that night, grabbed the family hymnal and memorized all four verses listed in it (it actually has a gazillion and one verses – okay, really just nine or ten). Unfortunately, I didn’t hear this beautiful carol again until five years later.

The next time I heard this hymn, I was riding in a car on my way back from serving as volunteer staff on a missions trip to Mexico. Some of the other interns I was traveling with decided that we should sing to kill time on the trip back home. We started singing what ever came to mind – silly camp songs from the week, worship songs, hymns, folk songs, classics, etc. At some point we ended up singing Christmas carols (even though it was the middle of August).

My husband, who was just a friend at the time, was driving the car. He began to sing the first verse of Of Father’s Love Begotten.  I immediately joined in. He added the harmony. Everyone else just listened. They had never heard the song before.

After we had finished singing, we both looked at each other (brace yourself, here’s the sappy part). "I can’t believe you know that carol. Nobody knows that carol." I said in amazement. "I know, and I can’t understand why. Its my favorite hymn." He replied. "Its your favorite?! Its mine too!" I declared. Love Connection! We began dating a few months later.

The first Christmas after we began dating, I wanted to get my new boyfriend something very meaningful for Christmas – a gift that spoke about our relationship in a significant way. I thought and thought for a while and finally, I had just the idea. I commissioned a calligrapher to write the words to the first verse of the song on parchment. She carefully matted it and I placed it in an oak frame. Then I wrapped it and waited with much anticipation for Christmas Day to arrive.

Meanwhile, my eventually-to-be-husband also had wanted to give a gift of significance to his new girl. He thought and thought for a while and finally, he had just the idea. He would enlist his mother, a calligrapher by trade, to create a shadow box with dried flowers and the words to the hymn written on the paper inside. She enthusiastically completed the task, wrapped the gift, and then they both waited with much anticipation for Christmas to arrive.

Brian and I were living in Southern California at the time. We decided we would spend Christmas Eve and Christmas Day with my parents, in Northern California and then travel to Oregon a few days later and spend rest of the season and New Years Day with his mother. On Christmas Day, I eagerly presented Brian with his present. As he unwrapped it, his face lit up. He was so moved. His reaction was far more than I expected. Needless to say, I was thrilled at his response.

He gave me some really nice gifts that day, but assured me that there was one far better yet to come when we got to his mom’s. I was clueless. I began guessing immediately as to what the "better" gift might be. We hadn’t really dated long enough for it to be an engagement ring and even if I had thought that is what it was, I wasn’t going to blow this relationship by scaring him away so soon by the idea of marriage. Eventually I stopped trying to figure out what the gift was because every time I ventured a guess, he would answer with an "I’m not going to say either way".

When the day finally arrived for us to open presents at his mother’s house, I was really anxious to open his gift. After opening almost everything under the tree, Brian decided it was time to present me with the special present I had been waiting for. Before he did, however, he went to his room and retrieved the picture I had given him. "Can you believe this great gift Carolyn gave me Mom?" he asked. "Okay, that’s nice," I thought. "But, what does that have to do with the package I’m holding in my hands?" Still clueless, I began to unwrap my present.  I was speechless. I was so touched that he and I had same idea.  Needless to say, I was delighted by his thoughtfulness.  

Almost a year later, we were married. We had a trio perform this hymn at our wedding. The pictures now hang on the wall in our family room. Every once in a while, someone will notice they contain the same verse and will ask us the significance of them. I love being able to recount the story of how one Christmas, my husband and I were of the same heart and mind in giving each other the gift of "our song".

Below are the words and music to an ancient Christmas hymn. I believe, in fact, that it is the oldest hymn still sung today. It holds special significance to me, but I'll write about the reason for that in my next post. I wanted to put the words up first. There are serveral more verses to this song, but I only posted the four I have most commonly found in hymnals. This song was first written in Latin early in the 5th century AD. It was latter translated into English and paired with the 11th century plainsong, Divinum Mysterium, sometime in the 1800's. Unfortunately there aren't any really good professional recordings of it on YouTube but this recording seemed to have the best quality and arrangement.

Of the Father's love begotten, ere the worlds began to be,
He is Alpha and Omega, He the source, the ending He,
Of the things that are, that have been,
And that future years shall see, evermore and evermore!

O that birth forever blessed, when the virgin, full of grace,
By the Holy Ghost conceiving, bare the Savior of our race;
And the Babe, the world’s Redeemer,
First revealed His sacred face, evermore and evermore!

O ye heights of heaven adore Him; angel hosts, His praises sing;
Powers, dominions, bow before Him, and extol our God and King!
Let no tongue on earth be silent,
Every voice in concert sing, evermore and evermore!

Christ, to Thee with God the Father, and, O Holy Ghost, to Thee,
Hymn and chant with high thanksgiving, and unwearied praises be:
Honor, glory, and dominion,
And eternal victory, evermore and evermore! 

When I was a kid I was never a big fan of bread pudding. Over the years, though, I’ve tasted some that have really won me over. A few months ago, my church was needing to get rid of several bags of frozen hot dog and hamburger buns left over from the summer BBQ’s that we hosted. I didn’t want to see all that bread go to waste so I offered to take them home. I have been using them to make bread crumbs, croutons, breakfast casserole and bread pudding.

A few days ago I was looking in my fridge and saw some leftover coffee (I save leftover coffee for my husband to make iced coffee drinks) and some eggnog. My kids had been asking me to make bread pudding and I thought "I wonder what coffee-eggnog bread pudding would taste like?" I googled it and lo and behold, I found a recipe for eggnog bread pudding that called for using instant coffee grounds. It also called for adding semi-sweet chocolate to the mix. "Hmmm chocolate, eggnog, and coffee – some of my favorite things. I think I’ll try it."

Instead of using that recipe, though, I tweaked the one I usually use instead. It turned out really good – my kids loved it! We ate it for desert that night and for breakfast the next morning (okay I know I’m a bad mom, feeding my kids desert for breakfast, but I figure its better than sugar cereal or a donut). Here’s what I came up with:

 Eggnog-Coffee Bread Pudding

6 cups of bread, cut in to 1 inch cubes

1/4 cup of chocolate chips, chopped

2 Cups eggnog

2 Cups of milk or ½ & ½ (I used 1% milk)

1 Cup of cold coffee (can brew it double strength for more flavor if desired)

5 - 6 eggs, beaten (I used 5)

1/3 cup of sugar

2 Tablespoons of butter broken up into small pieces

Whipped cream (optional garnish)

Preheat oven for 325 degrees Fahrenheit. Grease 9x13 inch pan (can use a slightly smaller pan as well). Toss bread and chocolate together in a bowl until well combined. Mix beaten eggs, milk, eggnog, coffee, and sugar together. Pour egg-milk mixture over bread and chocolate and stir until the bread is completely coated. Let sit 10 minutes. Pour mixture into baking dish and dot the top with butter pieces. Bake for 1 hour or until the color is golden and the center is firm. Let cool slightly. Serve warm with whipped cream.

I can't believe I'm posting these before Sunday this week.  I'm feeling a little more on the ball  . 

Scripture Reading for the Third Sunday in Advent: Luke 2:8-12

The Advent Wreath:  The Third candle is the pink one, the "Shepherds’ " or "Joy" candle . It should be lit on the third Sunday along with the first two. This brighter candle symbolizes the JOY that the shepherds experienced while hearing the announcement by the angel host that first Christmas night. Luke 2:8-12 tells the story.  The lighter color is also an indication that the period of darkness, of waiting, is almost over.  A sort of "light at the end of the tunnel". 

Hymn: "While Shepherds watched their flocks by night" or  "The First Noel"

Monday: Genesis 46:32-34

Tuesday: 1 Samuel 16:10-12

Wednesday: Psalm 23

Thursday: Revelation 7:14-17

Friday: John 16:20-24

Saturday: James 1:2-5

Last Thursday we went into the forest to cut our tree. We’ve done this for the past 7 years and it has become a fun Christmas tradition. We bring along hot chocolate, snacks, and Christmas CD’s and make a day of it. Because I wasn’t feeling well, I let Brian and the girls brave the cold and snow and do the actual "hunting". With the exception of leaving the car to take a few photos, I stayed inside our heated vehicle for most of the time.

My mom and dad went along too and kept me company for a good part of the time. Traipsing around in knee-deep snow looking for the perfect ever-green really isn’t their thing. But, they enjoy the nostalgia and the enthusiasm of their kids and grand-kids regarding the whole experience, so it was worth it for them to come along for the ride.

Our gang

Mom & Dad

This is it!

Keep on sawing . . .keep on sawing

 The dedicated lumberjack

Decorating!

The beautiful end-result!

I have a cool praise report that I wanted to share.  We are about to take a really big step of faith in the form of a new ministry transition in less than three weeks. I’ll blog more on that later, but the gist of it means that we will be without a reliable income for a period of time – relying on savings and God’s provision to see us through.

I am both excited and scared about this upcoming change. One of the things I am excited about is seeing the way God will supply our needs as we trust Him in areas that seem out of our control. Recently we got a taste of that provision in an amazing way.

Right now it is reaally cold where we live. A few days ago, the thermometer read -24 below 0. In order to save hundreds of dollars a year in heating costs, we have been relying on our wood stove to provide all of the heat for our house. My husband, Brian, gets a permit for wood cutting for $25 and with that is allowed to get 4 cords of wood from the slash piles in a nearby forest. We had turned off the pilot light on our furnace which saves us about $15 a month and are hoping that our gas bill will be next to nothing (even with the wood stove, last year it was a couple hundred dollars a month) if we just rely on the stove for warmth. Our stove is in our basement. We can usually keep that part of the house toasty warm – in the high 70's. The highest the upstairs reaches is usually 65 degrees. That is what we would normally set the thermostat for though, so its really not too bad.

Well, in subzero temps, our wood stove has really fallen down on the job of getting the upstairs warm. I went up to the kitchen a few mornings ago and it was 52 degrees. Brian and I began brainstorming how we could heat the upstairs with out lighting the furnace. We thought about a wood stove insert for the upstairs fire place, but those are expensive. Maybe we could buy a used one. However, while we saw quite a few of them in houses while we were living in CA, we have never noticed anyone using them here. "Let’s see how God provides for us and begin praying for a fireplace insert", I said. Then I actually forgot to pray about it.

Brian began praying immediately for it, however, and in the mean time lit the pilot light to the furnace and turned on the heat . . . sort of. The heat didn’t come on all day! Well, last night at church, Brian was telling a friend about this and he said, "You need a fireplace insert? I just happen to have one that works that I was going to throw away. You can have it. I can’t use it and its just sitting in my garage." Wow!!!! We were blown away!

Well, when we returned home guess what? Our furnace was going strong. If it had turned on in the morning, Brian probably wouldn’t have mentioned anything to our friend and we wouldn’t have known about his fireplace insert. God is so good to us. Praise Him from whom all blessings flow!