Christmas Is Coming!

Hello my friends. Just a quick update, and probably the last until the craziness of Christmas is past. This time of year is so special with little ones in the house. Since having children we are motivated to establish family traditions that make the true meaning of Christmas a focus. I have to be careful with traditions, because the danger with me is that the traditions become the focus and then we end up serving the tradition and not the reason for the tradition. (I think the Pharisees had this problem too.) So we have kept it simple around here. Every Sunday morning in December we light one candle on our Advent Wreath as we eat breakfast and we talk about Jesus, the one who brought light to our darkness by coming to earth. We also each get three presents for Christmas. This really keeps Christmas shopping/spending under control and most importantly, it helps us to remember that Jesus received three gifts too and He is our greatest gift.

Speaking of gifts, wow isn't it so fun and frustrating at the same time to buy for everyone on your list? I struggle most with teenagers. Kids are easy, any little toy or book is usually very appreciated. Adults are usually so happy with a homemade gift. But teenagers, they are really tough. $5 or $10 doesn't buy much for them and I wonder if they think homemade is hokey. We have enough teenagers on our list that we HAVE to keep the cost down. I saw an idea that I'm going to try this year, I'll let you know how it goes over. My first attempt is in the photo here. What teenager doesn't love Soda and Candy?

Well our big Christmas Drama is less than a week away. Becca and I are directing it this year and the kids are doing GREAT! One of the young people at our church adapted the play from the book, THE BEST CHRISTMAS PAGEANT EVER. It is really cute and funny. We are also looking forward to the annual church Christmas party tonight. This is a fun time of games and Christmas cookies. The kids really love it that the games are adult and kid interactive. It's a time that no matter your age you're a kid again for one night.

Thursday night we are headed to Michigan to spend some time with Dad, Mom, Grandma, and big brother Doug's family. Mom has promised us snow. I'm not that into winter, but it seems in Southern Illinois we get a lot of cold rain and not much snow. Now, if it's going to be cold, I vote for cold and pretty. If not, than just give me 80 degrees and be done with it. :) But I digress. We will be back home in IL. for Christmas Eve which we will spend with Matt's family. Then Christmas day we are home for our family Christmas. So busy busy busy.

Well, I should close. Thank you all for the gift that you are in our lives. You encourage us to stay close to Jesus and we are thankful for your prayers. May your Christmas be blessed with the Joy of abiding in our Savior.

Jingle Bells

The Mellado Conservatory Students playing Jingle Bells. Even Micah got in on this one.

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Beautiful Music

Hey, I'm trying to learn how to upload videos to my blog. Here's my first attempt.

This video is of the String Ensemble from Josiah's Christmas Recital. These are the more advanced students, ranging from age 11 to 17. LaRae and Rachelle (Laura's girls) are in this group.