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| These gifts are easy to receive! |
Remember that Zero for gifts? ... Add to it my perspective on God as The Giver of all good gifts. Pondering gifts during this time of year, causes this angst in me. In receiving His gifts, there's no 'silent eye-rolling, smile fixed, thank yous' I need in graciously receiving. Don't get me wrong, I love a good surprise and receive with heart felt gratitude the majority of these earthly treasures knowing they are an expression of love from the giver ... the same way quality time and physical touch reaches deep in my soul, gift giving touches a part of others that equates to the heavenly hosts appearing. SO I'm pondering ... what is my perspective this season in receiving (and giving) gifts?
It's as simple as asking, are we celebrating a baby or a Savior? ...
Am I distracted by festive twinkling lights or captured by the wonder in my son's sparkly eyes? ...
Am I comparing with darting eyes that need to hurry and scurry for the perfect gift or do I choose the peaceful serenity of being present at every gathering? ...
Do I join the ranks of eye rolling at the commercial demand to buy and give or choose to receive with grace knowing it's an expression of their love to me?
Since Micah was two, (15 years ago) we've given the gift of our hearts to Jesus for His birthday gift. We have a simply adorned and treasured box that we wrap and open first each year. We read the small explanation then say, "Happy birthday Jesus" as we place the small laminated red heart containing our name back in the box as a gift for Jesus. This box, was not even a thought crossing my mind 8 weeks ago as we packed, stuffed and measured our bags in preparation for home leave in PA. This year, our precious box, sadly remains separated from us, in Costa Rica. Oh the atrocity, now we don't have a gift, although symbolic, to give to the One who gives us life! Thank you sweet Jesus, You receive our hearts whether they are symbolically wrapped, poured out raw and broken, or given joyfully in worship. If my perspective is that I need to comply with the tradition of giving this box, the heartfelt meaning is lost and I'm pretty sure He may just be rolling His eyes!
If I look outward at gift giving, one may notice my eye-rolling that has not yet caught up with the maturity of my age. If I look inward, receiving and giving according to His example, blessings of love and joy abound! The encounters I've had with each one of you through the physical gifts of hugs and time spent or through the spirit of prayer, words of encouragement and affirmation ... Each of you is a gift to me, an example of the goodness of God! And so, even with that zero for receiving gifts, it's easy to reflect on The Gift of Jesus which then causes me to receive with childlike wonder, marveling at the gift of love each physical gift is intended to be! *This is not a ploy to get more gifts : ) !*
Look inward, receive His gifts ... Look outward, share them with others ...
See the heart of the Giver!
Recovering from back surgery ... Visits and time well spent with many of you ... More sleepovers and breakfast dates ... Laser tag and Spanish food to celebrate Micah's 17th year of life ... Sharing our hearts with Hinkletown School high school and elementary groups ... Looking to Jesus, the light who shines in the darkness of unsettled health issues ... The joy that comes with spur of the moment meals with family ... Visiting with cousins from Mexico ... The gift of Fox Meadows ice cream to celebrate the first day of Winter ... The gift of Star Wars : ) ... Setting up our tree and digging out our 'old, stored' ornaments ... Purchasing with child like innocence, the perfect gift for our token name draw ... Choosing a heart of gratitude in the precious moments as gifts are given and received!
Sinus Update:
Daryl met with the ENT doctor to review his CT scan. His sinus cavities are packed and full of "junk" but we still don't know why. Doctor says it's not infection, fluid is clear. His recommended course of action is to do a month long course of broad spectrum antibiotics to see if that clears anything up (even if the fluid isn't infected??). If it doesn't, then surgery to clean out the sinus' would be a possibility. As well, a tube would be placed in his ear to drain the fluid which has affected his hearing. We tentatively scheduled surgery for January 10th, 2 days before our proposed return flight to CR! This was the earliest he could get on the surgery schedule. Doctor is then requiring a 3 week recovery period before returning to CR.
Praises
Jen's biopsy report from the lesion on her spine was NEGATIVE, Praise God!
Mrs Martin (and the HMS school family), Adam LOVES his teacher and class time with new friends
Heart connections with many of you
Birthday success for Micah (every year he says, "this was the best birthday ever")
Connections with EMM and feeling Father's arms around us through them
A positive perspective on receiving gifts
Prayers
Daryl's sinus' to clear up, not needing surgery and to be able to return to CR as scheduled.
All of us to peacefully accept Father's plan, even if that includes surgery, delaying our return to CR.
Healing for Micah's knee
Walking through the emotions of good byes with Jedidiah
Training our physical eyes to see what HE sees
Peace in our marriage as we're out of routine and not always responding in love
Financial partners, we need $2000/month to complete our budget for the next 4 years.Would you prayerfully consider how you can be part of helping us return to CR? emm.org/donate
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| Sharing a tattoo with cousins : ) ... It was really a mom play date! |
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| Jr youth and his Ugly Christmas Sweater ... Never thought these shoes would be the perfect color for anything! |
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| Of course he chose a brownie ... Would you believe it was 'to much of a good thing?!' |
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| Birthday cake - Peach crisp made with love by Mimi |
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| Puzzles with Busy Bee who came from Hinkletown School to spend the weekend with Adam |
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| Their long days finally paid off ... Congrats Pop-pop, can't wait for some good bologna! |
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| Laser tag with this bunch of Mennonite boys : ) ... |
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| Hoover-Diener-Spanish food celebration ... Can you say "please, thank you and good day" in Spanish before eating! |
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| Costa Rica - Mexican cousins speaking Spanglish together! |
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| What, Santa comes to Brownstown in a firetruck? |
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| Dress up and laughter as we clean out the boxes of "why did we keep this stuff?" ... |
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| Fox Meadows Ice Cream ... Seriously, Lancaster Co. ice cream is so delicious! |
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| Hide -N- Seek ... the perfect hiding spot ... If you're not claustrophobic! |
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| Thanks for the pre and post birthday gifts Willean! ... She knows the way to these boys hearts! |
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| Do I look cool? ... There are no words to describe the amount of coolness! Merry Christmas from our Cool house to yours! May your days be graced by this truth ... As for God, His way is perfect His word is flawless He is a shield to all who take refuge in Him! 2 Samuel 22:31 |
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