This Christmas was so special to us. It was a precious time of rest from running hard last year—we moved, had a baby, and Brian attended ILE and was working towards his graduate degree on the side. We sensed the Lord telling us to BE THE SALT AND LIGHT this Christmas. As we celebrated Advent…really…for the first time…each week the Lord was so gracious to speak to us so specifically as to what His Peace, Hope, Joy, and Love represent….it was amazing, I have never experienced advent in this way before. It was unforgettable for me. For Joy week, we went to a “Joy Night” at the Schmidt’s house with our Sunday School class and they were all so full of His joy and singing praises from the bottom of their hearts to Him. For Peace week, my sweet friend, Christine, demonstrated peace amidst so many hard things happening in her life at the time…it was a wonderful testimony to me. For Hope week, as we prayed through the PWOC prayer vine, we saw the birth of babies…and the loss of babies…as well as other loved ones who passed away in the lives of beloved friends in PWOC…it was a deeper meaning of what Hope in Him really means….and for Love week, our whole family got really sick, and I learned about sacrificial love. God’s love is generous, giving, sacrificial, unselfish, and redemptive.
I sensed the kids growing in their knowledge of who God is…each of them in their own way. I am truly amazed at how God is growing them. Lewis is so committed to Jesus and has a surprising depth of knowledge of who God is. He really paid attention to what he learned about Jesus this Christmas…and He remembers it. He also loves to teach what He learns, which is so beautiful to me. Hannah is so perceptive and has a depth of love and devotion for the Lord. She loves intimately. As she experienced Christmas for the first time as a 3 year old…she fell in love with baby Jesus and all He has done for her.
We are all learning how to consistently walk in the Light. We pray His light shines brighter and brighter in us as we learn to do this.
Here are some pictures of our family this Christmas:
Walking in Faith 