Christmas 2010

Besides that Caleb and I got step throat Christmas was good this year. It was great to hear what gift folks are going to give Jesus this year and what they are thankful to the Lord for from this past year. God's provision in each person's life was amazing. So much to be thankful for! James 1:17--
Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.

Jeb got a 4-wheeler and I don't know who was happier Daddy or Jeb. It brought J so much joy to ride with his son. They were both smiling much of our time together outside! Caleb is content since he got a tractor from Nana Mac and Papa D to ride. He rides out through the pasture like his Power Wheels are gasoline engines. It is funny to watch him. We had a great steak dinner and family time Christmas Eve at Nana Mac's and lots of presents were opened and exchanged. Caleb loved his tractor and his tools, including a welder. Later at my family's Christmas he got even more tools and his own air compressor and that made him proud! Jeb is loving his Wii and Jonas is also enjoying hunting games with Jeb on the Wii. I am reliving my childhood playing Super Mario Brothers. We had fun with all the cousins riding dirt bikes and 4 -wheelers and with our neighbors and family ATV's we were rolling to the tune of about 8 ATV's/dirt bikes out and about. It looked like Moto-cross around here. The snow was as extra-special blessing this year and Jeb proudly reported that he did his first doughnut on the four-wheeler --yikes. It is crazy to have so many kids around, but it is also so much fun. Every year there is less fighting and more fun! The little girls are such a sweet addition to our family the past few years!

I have included an old pic of my dad in this blog, so that for the record folks can see that Jeb looks just like the man. Amazing.

Going to try to trust God for even more in 2011. It seems like each year I say that and I do better letting go in one area while holding more tightly to another. This world is so crazy and uncertain and runs so differently than how a believer should live that each day is another day to wage the war of trusting God instead of leaning on myself. Every day is a struggle to trust God for our finances, to fight greed/materialism, to give of our time/money/talents/comfort/convince to bless others, to do the tough work of parenting/discipline, to make healthy choices for me and my family, to be a wife that blesses my husband, to be patient and wait on God, to be self-controlled, to keep priorities straight...I could go on and on...
Psalm 13:5
But I trust in your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in your salvation.
Psalm 37:5-6
Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him and he will do this: 6 He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn, the justice of your cause like the noonday sun.
Psalm 56:3
When I am afraid, I will trust in you.
Psalm 62:8
Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge.

I am one chapter short of finishing the book Radical by David Platt. If you want a book that completely revolutionizes how you think about your faith, what it means to be a "christian", your finances, your time, your church--READ THIS BOOK. It is by far the most convicting book I have ever read. It has really challenged me to re-vamp some things, but also encouraged me in some areas. I HIGHLY recommend it if you are ready for some serious reckoning with God.