A Savior is Born!!!!

It's easy to forget that this day is not about you and me.

That it's not about the snow falling outside, as I write this,
or the cinnamon roll I just ate.

It's not about the music in the background or the good meal and family time ahead for us.

It's not even about the presents.

I forget that sometime.
And when all of the above doesn't fall into place you'll hear me say

"it just doesn't feel like Christmas".


It was a normal day for this world, as far as the people were concerned.
A day of work, of routine. Nothing special. Or so it seemed.

And yet God, in His infinite wisdom, chose that particular day to provide a way
of salvation for you and me.
And He chose it in a form of a baby.

And He didn't plan it to be "special" in the ways
that we would think it needed to be.
He had Our Saviour born to a very young, inexperienced couple.
He had the birth take place in the discomfort of a stable.
A smelly, dirty place intended for animals.
Certainly not built with the intention that a King would be born there.

He made a grand announcement,
not to the high society of the times,
but rather to a bunch of poor, dirty shepherds.

And then He put this young couple, with a small child,
on the run for their lives.
Having to trust fully in Him.
That what He had said would come to pass.

Yes, the wise men came to worship Him eventually
but I don't recall hearing of them at the foot of the cross
as He was dying.

And, now, you and I are asked to fully trust Him.
That what He said will come to pass.

No, the day doesn't always feel like what it is.
But it is what it was meant to be.

Let us not forget.

Our Family Christmas 2010 Tennessee

While our whole family was together earlier this month,
we were blessed that a good friend
of Jason and Kellie
(who just so happens to be a professional photographer)
volunteered
(by his wife's nudges!)
to take some family pictures for us.

What a gift!

This guy still gives me butterflies!

Our "crazy" grandchildren.
Our cup runneth over with joy!

You can get a little bit of a glimpse of their personalities
with these pictures!

Our family has a lot of fun together
and I think Rich captured our enjoyment of each other.

side note: Notice Jake on Brett's shoulders.
While taking these picture, at some point,
Brett spit on the ground.
(he said later that right after he did it
he knew it was a mistake)
Jake copied him.
Then Brett heard,
"oh, that was a mistake."
He continued to tell Brett that he had spit but it landed
in Brett's hair - thus the mistake.
He then proceeded to try and wipe it off.
Not so good for Brett's purposely messed up hair.
Oh well, like Brett said - he made the first mistake!

Josh and Jodi thought it was a great time to have a good
picture taken of their family together....

Actually, I think it's great.
Each person is so themselves in this picture.
It's a keeper!

Thank you so much Rich Smith!
They are the greatest and we are blessed that you would do this for us.
And Heather, thank you for the little arm twisting that you may have had to do!

You guys are the best!

Our First Brazilian Holiday

While all of you in the United States were celebrating Labor day,
we were here in Brasil celebrating too!

It was Independence day for the Brazilians
and, once again, a reason to party!

We had another enjoyable time with Barakat family and friends.

When you are invited to their house you can be sure that there will be good food
and warm fellowship. We were not to be disappointed!

One of their daughters, Vanessa, had some of her college friends over so we had a lively dinner conversation about all the things you can only imagine young girls talk about! Brought back memories of my parent's table with me and my 3 sisters or the years of Kellie and her friends around our table. Good memories.

And there was a lot of laughter - even though we spoke different languages!!!

It was a great way to spend our first holiday in Brazil.

And we felt blessed!

He is Risen Indeed!!!

Happy Easter!

I am so very thankful that I serve a risen, living God. A God that knows me and loves me as I am. It's mind boggling to think or to try to imagine what He really did for me there on the cross. Thank you, Jesus!

In other matters:

God, once again in this waiting process, has made His will known to us. We had an offer made on our house yesterday, we counter-offered today and a few minutes ago heard that it was accepted. Of course we still have inspections to do and one very crazy hurdle to cross: they haven't seen the house yet! They have visited by means of the virtual tour and then sent the realtor to "spy out the land" and on that have made the offer. They will come to visit next Saturday.

We, once again, stand in amazement of an awesome God. We know that this is nothing short of a miracle and, believe me, we are praising the Lord today. We marvel at the way He has made it so clear that we are to go to Brazil and are so thankful for the clarity of His direction in that. We know that there are likely to be times in Brazil when we are going to have to go back to the past to confirm His will that we are there!

At times I have had only a mustard seed of faith but my God has remained faithful.

We desire your prayers in the completion of this sale. The viewing next Saturday, the inspections and the time frame. In all those areas where the enemy can come in an take our joy.

We are rejoicing!

Picture by Jodi Yoder

One Dark Night....

The shepherds were tending their flocks.

They were about their normal business - probably not a career of their own choosing but rather their lot in life. It was a lowly job. Not one to be desired. Imagine stinky, dumb sheep being your companions. Day after day and night after night basically the same thing - with a wolf or a bear thrown in there now and then to add a little excitement!

I imagine it as a still, quiet night - normal in most regards - when it happened. The time when God in His infinite wisdom revealed Himself to the shepherds. With great pomp and circumstance the angels told of the most important birth of all times. And they told it to a bunch of dirty shepherds. The shepherds weren't dressed for such an occasion, they hadn't made a great meal or wrapped beautiful presents. They had done nothing to prepare. But still God chose them to hear of the greatest wonders of wonders.

I cannot imagine the sky that night!

He was giving them, some of the lowest of society, a Savior! As He was announcing to them the birth of the King, Emmanuel, Savior, Redeemer...(etc.) He was also letting them know that they were someone in His eyes. They were loved by Him. He knew where they were and what they were doing. And that this King, this Messiah, was for them too.

And He's for you.

Merry Christmas!

it somehow humbles me...