What's in a Name?

Ecstasy (n)- 2. Excessive joy; rapture; a degree of delight that arrests the whole mind; joy may rise to ecstasy. (Websters 1828 Dictionary)
Doldrums (n)- A sate of inactivity or stagnation.(Dictionary.com)

Friday, December 26, 2008

Wednesday, December 24, 2008

A Very Merry Christmas!


Oh little town of Bethlehem
Looks like another silent night
Above your deep and dreamless sleep
A giant star lights up the sky
And while you're lying in the dark
There shines an everlasting light
For the King has left His throne
And is sleeping in a manger tonight
Oh Bethlehem, what you have missed while you were sleeping
For God became a man
And stepped into your world today
Oh Bethlehem, you will go down in history
As a city with no room for its King
While you were sleeping
While you were sleeping
~from While You Were Sleeping
by Castin Crowns
Let's not forget the Baby Savior King who was born for us! He is the real and true Gift of this season and the reason why we celebrate!
May you have a Blessed and Joyful Christmas!!

Monday, December 22, 2008

Is Scrooge alive and well in Chrisendom?

Once upon a time- of all the good days in the year, on Christmas Eve......

Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol is one of my favorite stories. The intend behind the book is what I love best about it. Dickens looked at his world and saw poverty, ignorance, inhumanity and callousness toward fellow man. He wanted to do something about it, but wasn't sure what he could do. On a walk one day, he was haunted by ideas of a miserly old man and his dynamic change of character. Wanting also to revive the true spirit of Christmas, Dickens sat down and brought to life some of our favorite characters- Tiny Tim, Mr. Fezzywig, The Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present and Yet-To-Come and the infamous Ebenezer Scrooge. This short story was an instrument in renewing Christmas cheer and goodwill.

While babysitting some of my favorite little men, I was reading an article in one of my friend Lori's magazines. I was infuriated and discouraged by what I read. This article stated that Christians give less than non-beleivers. Immediately I thought of all of the pennies gone to waste by these horrible misrepresentitives of Christ. How could we be so stingy and selfish. I brooded over this for a long time and didn't realize some important things, until a later conversation with my mother.

"I have seen your nobler aspirations fall off one by one, until the master-passion, Gain, engrosses you."

If we, as Christians, are to give in secret and without expecting anything back, not "tooting our own horns," so to speak, then why would they be able to document how much we give? So, these ratios and percentages aren't actually acurate! Phew! Then I thought, how much to I actually give of my time and rescources in secret? Hmmm.. food for thought.

The other point my mom brought to my attention is that non-Christians and cults are trying to earn their way to Heaven and most of them are doing good deeds to gain favor and approval with men. It is their "salvation" in their own minds- albeit a very false and decieving salvation. They probably will always outgive us for the two reasons above stated. This was a bit of a comfort to me.

This doesn't mean that we shouldn't be challenged by this article. That we should ignore it and just keep on going with mediocre generosity. We should really contemplate why we give and how much we give. How much do I spend on my own pleasures rather than using my means to contribute to the welfare of others much less fortunate than ourselves?

This Christmas, let's put Scrooge somewhere where we will be reminded to give and give in secret and for God's glory and God's favor! Keep giving and don't let anyone know about it, my dear brothers and sisters in Christ!!


"...and it was always said of him, that he knew how to keep Christmas well, if any man alive possessed the knowledge. May this be truly said of us, and all of us! And so, as Tiny Tim observed, God bless us, every one!"


Sunday, December 21, 2008

Trim up the Tree

One of our favorite traditions is trimming up the Christmas tree. While Mom and Dad were on a date one night, we did just that!

Yes, the tree is fake. : (
Ethan, hard at work.

The fruit of our labor.




We took time after for some recreational photography.

"Every Who down in Whoville, the tall and the small......"



I hope you've trimmed up your tree and enjoyed everymoment of this fun time of year!!

Sunday, December 7, 2008

Oooing and Oh-ing at the BIG O

This fall we attended the "Big O" (ie the Oxford Fair) with our friends the Fletchers. I love fairs. Not the rides, mind you, but the exhibits and the mingling and the food!
We had some friends in a 4-H club, so we decided to check out their displays and visit them.
Kayla's favorite hang-out spot!!
Check out that Tractah!
We went on Education day (in other words, we got in free and were able to do alot of really cool things!), so Amanda here is doing some stamping demonstrations in the 4-H building.
Hayden and Ethan investigating a display.

Something's funny about this bunny....



Looks like this bunny had way too much fun with the mascara!!

awwww... cute little bunny!



The boys looooved hanging out in this army vehicle.
Don't ask me the technical name for it, 'cause I haven't a clue!


Look! A Match!

Panning for precious minerals. This was fun!




The kids got to see their corn ground up into feed for the chickens- who were in a pen!



Hayden's corn cob.



This building was my favorite- it was set up like a farmhouse and a general store. Social History, don't you know!


I think he's trying to make a brake for it!!

I walked by these guys and did a double take. I thought, there must be a special reason for these odd sheep suits. And then I got excited about the interesting information that I might get from asking. So I asked. It was rather disappointing. It was simply because they were recently washed and their owners didn't want their wooly whites to get dirty. Bummer.

Haley got a chance to drive some steer. She did a superb job!





Aren't they darling?


And what fair is not complete with French Fries??




Don't you just love this chicken's style??

This is what Ethan thought about that chicken!

Where are all these bunnies coming from?

A little Chick looking at little chicks.

We have friends who actually named their five chicks after us! I was exceedingly flattered!



"Baa baa black sheep"

The boys were so funny- they would pat the sheep, but they did NOT want to feed them!



There was a lady at the fair (the goat lady) who had goats that would follow her around and put their front hooves in her lap! They were sweet.

Yet another bunny.

Little piggies!!

How cute is he?!?
Is your mama a llama?
Well, I hope you enjoyed this little photo journal of the Big O. Quite intellectually stimulating, let me tell you!! : )