Immanuel, God With Us

Learning God’s character, as displayed through His names, was something that revolutionized the way I live my life.  Every need I have finds it’s ultimate fulfillment in Him.   I cling to Him as my Home when I am lonely and longing for stability.  I look to Him as Counselor when I am needing wisdom as a parent.  And I recently cried out to Him as Jehovah Rapha when I went blind in my left eye (in His great grace He has restored my vision almost back to normal). 

This Christmas, more than any other, the name IMMANUEL (God with us) has been so precious to me.  It’s no surprise, really, when I have just been touched by Him in such a powerful way.  I speak not merely of His work as Healer, but also as the One who accompanied me through each test, IV treatment, each moment of waiting.  The One who carried me through each disorienting hour, each sleepless night.  He was WITH me in a way I have never experienced before, and now I have the joy of knowing Him more deeply.  The very One who came as a babe, to die for me, is WITH me.  My Savior.  My Immanuel. 

May He be WITH you today in a special way as well!  Merry Christmas! 

photo: Google images

Christmas at My House

Merry Christmas and welcome to my home!  I’m so glad you’re here!

With my recent vision scare, I really focused on keeping things simple this year and it took me several days to get everything out.  I was surprised at how very enjoyable it was to just do it little by little.  And great news, I CAN SEE IT ALL.  My left eye is still dimmer than the right but I am seeing amazingly well!  Thank you so much for praying for me! 

My nativity from Venezuela (our former country of service) greets you as you enter the room.  Traditionally, Venezuelans do not place the baby Jesus in the manger until Christmas day, which I love the idea of, but can never quite bring myself to do. 

Every year I cover the matte of our family picture with some wrapping paper.  It takes about a minute and gives it a festive touch.  Here’s what it looked like last year. 

 

A few ornaments in the kitchen make me smile while I do the dishes!   

My tree is gold, red and cream.  This is Paraguayan Nyanduti that I thought would be beautiful as snowflakes.  They would use these to embellish a top or a dress. 

I just love my little 10 cent birdies.  I think my husband finds them mildly creepy though!  :)

My favorite ornaments (also used on the kitchen curtains) were an after Christmas clearance steal at Target last year while we were on home assignment. 

 
With cement walls, we don’t drill holes for stockings, so my ring clips came to the rescue!  I love how “limitations” make you more creative and you come up with something unique that you really love. 

Thanks for stopping by!  I only wish it was in person so I could make you a latte and share some yummy Christmas cookies over a good visit!

The Screaming Banshee Meets Baby's First Christmas

Darling Little Redhead with the Screaming Banshee. "What?", you ask. The.Screaming.Banshee. Which is an overpriced plastic car-eating tractor. Who doesn't eat any old car. Who only eats CARS cars (which are also overpriced). Yeah. Rockin' present, right? Obviously DLR thought so! :) And that's all that matters to this mama!


And here's the sweetest present of all! El Principito on his first Christmas.

Hope and Joy Bedecked in Spray Paint

Found these little treasures at my local Walmart in the Christmas aisle. I scooped up quite a few of them. I had a vision in my mind, knowing it had been much to long since I had wielded a spray paint can and seeing the perfect opportunity for said vice!

Not bad...but not that great either!

Better!

So cheery!

This project was super easy and inexpensive...great for a busy mom who wants to feel like she still has a creative bone in her body!! I can't wait to stuff them in my Christmas cards! :) And I love that I can customize them so easily by just using a different color of paint or ribbon!