New Year's Eve

First we saw Ice! at the Gaylord ...

... then we rang in the New Year at Rain Forest Cafe.

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Me and My Baby

I came across this picture of me and Noah in Nanning, June 2008. He was so frail and malnourished when we got him. We even had people tell us they were sorry for us. I was a little confused by their reaction to Noah because all I saw was my precious son. Oh, how I love him!

Winter

This can be such a difficult time of the year for those of us who have experienced great loss. Nothing feels right. It is supposed to be the "most wonderful time of the year" yet we struggle with overwhelming feelings of sadness over the departure of those dearest to us.

I wrote the poem below for a wonderful friend who has recently gone through a great loss. She was describing her current season in life as the "winter of my soul." Her beautiful words inspired me to write "Winter Branches". I hope that those of you who are experiencing grief and loss during this Christmas season will find comfort in these words.

Winter Branches

Winter white, stark and bare.

These are the clothes of grief I wear.

Hard and cold, no life giving.

How can I go on living?

Dead leaves of autumn are covered by snow,

Their colors buried deep below.

But I know I've been given the promise of spring

Where all things are new - to this do I cling.

The tree that seems to be void of life now

Will soon display a wealth of green boughs.

The stark winter white of grief that I wear

Will put forth new buds of faith, hope, and care.

Claire's Recital

I couldn't resist posting this cute gingerbread house the kids decorated. Didn't they do a great job?

Claire's duet partner

Accompanied by her teacher on "Up on the Housetop"

We love Miss Jennifer!

The Choices We Make

I have chosen the way of truth; Your judgments I have laid before me. Psalm 119:30, NKJV

From the time we make the choice to open our eyes and get out of bed in the morning until we make the choice to go back to bed and close our eyes in the evening, our days are filled with a series of choices. We choose where we go, what we do, what we believe, and how we behave. Our own lives, reputations, relationships, careers, health, future, and values are shaped by the choices we make. The choice to lie or to tell the truth, to seek vengeance or to forgive, to ignore God or to acknowledge God, determines the type of person we are. Without question, the most important choice you will ever make involves your attitude toward God and your relationship with Him.

(From "Joy of My Heart", 12-12-09, Anne Graham Lotz)

Blessings,

A Gift

Ethan had the opportunity to play his violin this morning at a local nursing home. He did very well and even accompanied the residents as they sang Christmas carols. He gave the precious gift of his time and his music. The residents were thrilled! We plan on going there again to visit very soon.

Snow

We awakened to snow flurries this morning. It was too wet and warm to last through the day. However, there was enough accumulation to cause quite a bit of excitement!