"You need me both as God and as Man. Only My Incarnation on that first, long-ago Christmas could fulfill your neediness. Since I went to such extreme measures to save you from your sins, you can be assured that I will graciously give you all you need." from Jesus Calling by Sarah Young

"He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?" Romans 8:32

Wrapping Up

The pastor of our church has been truly blessing his congregation this advent season by his series on "waiting". I assume it's for this reason, that I have felt this year, more than ever the anticipation for Christmas. It's not excited anticipation that has my children out of sorts. It's different and I can't quite put my finger on it. I guess as I get older and more mindful of the world's hurts it makes waiting for His second coming harder.

I have been asking myself if I am living as if I am waiting for eternity with God. Do I really get what life is about? I am realizing more and more how the blinders of sin keep me from seeing. I am, we are, missing out on so much.

"we live by faith, not by sight" 2 Cor 5:7. I used to assume it required faith because we aren't capable of truly understanding. But now I am wondering if it's also because we can't really "see." Like physically see. 

John 11:40 says, 'Then Jesus said, "Did I not tell you that if you believed, you would see the glory of God?"'

The more I believe, the more I am seeing. It's altogether wonderful and lovely and heartbreaking.

Waiting for gifts has been really hard for Mason this year. He has a lot of his mama in him. I used to search and snoop and pull back tape. It drove my sister nuts. It's hard convincing him that the waiting is good for him. It will be worth the wait. "seeing too early" doesn't really feel as good as you think it will.

It is hard to wait. And sometimes when we are waiting in a hard place it tends to make the outcome all the more wonderful. If life was easy Heaven wouldn't sound so good. It's good to long for it. It's good to have reason to long for it.

The boys each did their Christmas shopping for the members of our immediate family. They used money from their "spending" jars. They each put really good thought into what they would get. There was also no concern for their spending jars getting low. So far the allowance and jars has been a good thing. Mim was gracious and patient enough to take them to buy presents for EJ and me. If only I could have been a fly on the wall. I can't wait to see my treasure :)

 

I have also realized that a person has to learn how to wrap a present. Ha! It's so second nature to me.

The "holy night" banner in the background of their pictures was the craft project I was hoping to get to and did. I love it! Silent night didn't seem appropriate in a house with 3 boys ;) Although we are far from holy! Ha. 

Praying it turns our eyes where we need them to be. Not on our wrapped gifts but on The GREATEST GIFT ever.

Oh and my wrapping is almost done. Good thing b/c I am a crazy person who insists on making this cake in Southern Living. It just looks too yummy not to. I know I am going to hate myself for it.

Peaceful

Once we take the tree down, I am going to really miss this view

during my morning QUIET time. There is nothing quite like it.

Excited

2 very eager boys waiting for Daddy (last night) to come home and take them to the train station to pick up Mim!

Sugar

No one was interested in helping me make sugar cookies this year. I went ahead and did it anyway b/c I was hoping they'd change their minds. Mason helped roll out some of the dough and use the cutters for the first 2 trays. I finally just stuck it all in the fridge and finished after everyone was in bed. I enjoyed decorating them in the peace and quiet but a little bummed that Owen didn't want to help at all. 

I don't know if this is an age thing or if he is just needing to get used to being home all day (today was better than yesterday), but he doesn't want to do anything! Yet he sits around and says he is bored. Things that he use to enjoy even a few weeks ago, he doesn't want to do. I hope it's just a phase. I am trying not to let it bring me down, but I miss my crafty buddy.

This little guy had no problem helping with the sugar cookies. Eating them that is!