My heart bursts with thanksgiving!

In the morning, O LORD, you hear my voice;  In the morning I lay my requests before you and wait in expectation.  -Psalm 5:3

The LORD is good to those whose hope is in Him.   -Lamentations 3:25

Two weeks ago, I was in tears, discouraged because we didn't even have enough money to pay for the gas we needed to make the 18 hour trip north to spend (potentially our last) Christmas with our family.

I was questioning if we should stay home, but Michael encouraged me that God would provide, and we left for our trip in faith.

I am overwhelmed by God's provision during our trip. It seemed that everywhere we turned, people were giving us money to help out with gas! We were amazed by His provision and so blessed and touched by the generosity and obedience of those whom God asked to give.  We feel so blessed and are overwhelmed by His goodness.

Secondly, we were trying to take advantage of our time away from the daily grind to seek God's timing for us. Can we really make it there by July? We've still got quite a ways to go in our support raising. We still need to take the required courses. The clock is ticking. Where will we live if we have to wait until October to go? Lots of questions and not quite sure of the answers...

Well, I think God was trying to speak to us today. We had $1,000 in support checks waiting for us in the mail when we got home! I received another unexpected financial blessing this morning from a dear sister. Then we got a phone call from dad that someone had contacted him wanting to support us! Then within 10 minutes of that phone call, we received word online of another substantial donation! I was more and more choked up with each report to Michael, who by the end was responding with "No way....Are you serious?"

With hearts full of thanksgiving and overwhelmed by God's goodness, we gathered together as a family tonight to praise God for His provision. We told the kids, "We have been asking God about when He wants us to go and I think He might be trying to give us an answer!" :) No, we're not totally certain that we'll be able to go in July, but He is definitely encouraging our hearts that He is making a way.

The most beautiful part of this testimony is that the last two generous donations we were surprised by today were from people that we have not even told about our call to Africa! They just somehow found their way to us. I know my Father and I know He worked it out this way on purpose... to remind us once again that this is His work. We are not raising the funds. He is.

But I trust in Your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in Your salvation. I will sing to the LORD, for He has been good to me.   -Psalm 9:10

Christ-Centered Christmas Traditions

I'm always looking for new traditions that our family can enjoy to make the holidays meaningful and memorable. Here are some that our family enjoy. Wanted to share incase you're looking for new ideas like me :)

Christ-Centered Christmas Traditions

1. “What God wants for Christmas” activity/nativity (by FamilyLife)

•  It’s so  easy to use and the kids love it! 

2. Advent wreath/devotionals 

• light a candle and share a brief devotional each of the 4 Sundays leading up to Christmas.
  

 

3. The Jesse Tree is a centuries-old family Advent devotion that helps kids (and adults) follow the faithfulness of God throughout history, eventually leading us to Christ's birth on Christmas Day. You hang a symbolic ornament on your tree and read a corresponding Scripture passage each of the 28 days of Advent.

• Here’s a great link to get you started: Jesse Tree Devotions and symbols.

Our Jesse Tree... thanks to Kathy and Lois Wills!

And a close-up

4. Schedule a night to cozy up as a family to watch a movie that tells the Christmas story.

• Greatest Heroes and Legends of the Bible –The Nativity is a good cartoon video for preschoolers 

5. Serve as a family

• Fill OperationChristmas shoeboxes for needy children around the world

• Bake a holiday treat to share with a neighbor or someone who might need a little extra love around the holiday

• Visit a nursing home - sing Christmas carols and hand out candy canes to the residents. (They love seeing the kids!)

This was actually caroling to my parents' neighbors in Chicopee last year.

• Invite someone to celebrate the holiday with you who may not have family in town

6. As you receive Christmas cards, place them in a basket near your dining room table. Each night at dinner you can read one card and pray for that family. If you want to go the extra mile you can even email or facebook that person to let them know your family prayed for them that night.

   7. Host an outreach for your neighbors

• party, cookie exchange, anything… the point is to show you care and to build relationships. 

 
8. Make a gingerbread house together and teach them about the different “homes” of Jesus and the home He’s preparing for us in Heaven. (Use this “Gingerbreadgospel” as a guide.)

From 2009

           

    9. In the beginning of the season wrap a bunch of children Christmas books in Christmas paper and place them in a basket. Each night let a child unwrap one Christmas book to read together by the Christmas Tree.

   10. Let the kids help bake and decorate a birthday cake for Jesus and encourage them to make cards/special gifts to celebrate His birthday.

Last year's birthday party

11.  Each time you turn on a light during Advent say, “Christ is  
      Welcome in our home.”

• When you turn on your tree lights say, “Jesus is the Light of the World!” 

• Children love the repetition and learn valuable truths. (Tyler, age 2 now, remembers this from last year and yells it out on his own every time we see Christmas tree lights or lights outside. :)

   12. We put a “pregnant Mary” on display with our Willow Tree nativity set until Christmas Eve. Then after the kids go to bed, we replace her with the original Mary so that when they come down on Christmas morning, they see that she is no longer pregnant but now holds baby Jesus in her arms.     

This is what the kids see Christmas Eve when they go to bed...

..And this is what they see when they wake up! :)

   
   13. Dress in cozy jammies and drive around as a family looking for Christmas lights and listening to/singing Christmas carols. As you admire the lights you can discuss the symbolism of Christmas lights. (see the Symbolism of Christmas Traditions post)

   14. Label some gifts under the tree:  “To                        . With love, Jesus”

• “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights.” (James 1:17)

I love new great ideas, so please don't hold back if you have some!! 

What to do with this anxious heart?

LORD,

I do not think it's possible for us to have everything in order by July. The weeks and months are flying by. And daily responsibilities and relationships are still requiring my time and attention. I'm having trouble finding all the extra time needed to write support letters, thank yous, read the required books, design prayer cards, fill in forms, complete the required course work, etc...

As you can see, I'm feeling a bit overwhelmed. Of course Christmas, traveling, and financial stresses are also in the mix right now.

LORD, calm my racing heart. I want You to relieve this pressure, this seemingly impossible deadline. To relieve the stress that I'm carrying.

But, I have a sneaking suspicion that's not Your plan. Michael's perspective further confirms that suspicion.

You know me...I like a plan. I like a time table. I like to be in control. I like to make things happen. I try to find my peace in being on top of things.

I think that instead of relieving it, you are asking me to live in this tension... to struggle through it. To press into You, to seek You daily as I prioritize what you would have me to do TODAY.. this hour... this moment. To realize and accept that I cannot make this happen by July. To leave room for Your glory, if this does all somehow come together by July. To find rest and peace in You amidst the unknown, amidst the undone.

Because I know Your Word, there are a few things I know with certainty that you want from me right now...

You want me to keep my eyes fixed on You, the author and perfecter of my faith. (Hebrews 12:2)

You want me to find rest and refuge in You, where I will not be shaken. (Psalm 62:5-6)

You want me to come to You with my concerns and trade in my anxiety for Your peace that transcends all understanding. (Philippians 4:6-7)

You want me to seek You above all and trust You to work everthing else out. You want me to stop worrying about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. (Matthew 6:33-34)

You want me to trust the plans that You have for our family and trust You to bring them to fruition in Your timing. (Jeremiah 29:11)

"You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast because they trust in You." (Isaiah 26:3)

Jesus, help me to trust You with all of my heart instead of leaning on my own understanding or perception. Help me to acknowledge You in all my ways and trust You to direct our path. (Proverbs 3:5-6)

Hmmm. I'm not feeling so anxious anymore... :)

I'll keep plugging away, one day at a time. Just show me how to use the time that You have given me today... I'll be asking you again, tomorrow.