Not 2010 yet - Christmas pictures

Even though my blog's look has changed, it still isn't 2010. So here is the highlight of our family Christmas on Christmas day with all the kids and grandkids. We started a new tradition of reading the Christmas story from the Bible and the grandkids light a candle for each person mentioned - Joseph, Mary, Baby Jesus, Angels, Shepherds. Evan was in charge of Baby Jesus' candle, but the cupcake looked way too inviting. He tried to fight off the urge, but...well, see for yourself:

That's ok. Baby Jesus' candle got lit and put on the "tower" anyway. Then we sang "Happy Birthday, dear Jesus" and the kids blew out the candles. It was so cute! Hope you all had a wonderful Christmas!!

See you January 1st!

Day 1 - January 1, 2010

Today is the first day of my 2010 blog. It's a new day, a new year and a new beginning. I hope I can blog every day, but if not, I will blog about every day. So, here goes with Day 1 - Today, I am thankful for toothpaste. Now, this might seem a bit silly, but wait until I explain. First I want to give you a little history of toothpaste. Toothpaste dates back a long way, but it didn't really get into public use until the 19th century (that's the 1800's for those who get confused with that sort of thing). It was a powder then and probably tasted pretty awful. I remember tooth powder. I think my grandma used it. We always had toothpaste, probably Pepsodent ("Hey Ma, look, no cavities!" remember that commercial?) It was minty and gritty, but it did the job. Dale and I like Aim, as it is very cheap (less than a dollar a tube) and has a minty taste.

Now, why am I thankful for it? Well, I have a saliva problem - I make very little. My mouth is always dry (that's why you'll see me with gum or a water bottle). During the night it really gets bad. So, first thing in the morning, I go and brush my teeth and BINGO, my mouth isn't dry and it tastes fresh and my eyes are even open! For those of you who aren't morning persons, you won't understand how hard it is to get going in the morning. I usually brush my teeth with my eyes closed (this helps produce tears, as my eyes get very dry at night, too) and by the time I'm finished, VOILA!, I can see and feel much more awake! If I didn't have toothpaste and just tried to get started with say, a cup of coffee or some such, it wouldn't be the same. So thank you all those people who came up with the idea for tooth powder and for the companies that made it into toothpaste! I'm sure there are friends and family out there who are thankful, too, as otherwise, I think we'd all have very bad breath!

My first picture of 2010 may seem strange to you, but it shows me the start of the new year. Every year when I was growing up, my mom and I would watch the Rose Bowl Parade on TV on New Year's Day. She would start taking down the tree and the decorations while we watched. Then everything would be put back where it belonged and that's how we started the new year. So, I chose a picture of the Rose Parade from Pasadena, California and the corner where the tree sat for my first + picture.

"The whole world was lost in the darkness of sin,

The Light of the world is Jesus.

Like sunshine at noonday His glory shone in,

The Light of the world is Jesus."

Our Christmas Eve service is a candlelight service and is always beautiful and touching. We sing "Silent Night" a cappella while the candles are lit and it give me goose bumps every time.

This year, Pastor Bernard and Lynette Farquar sang "One Day" (to a different arrangement and tune) while tableaus were performed. One, the nativity, two the cross, three the tomb, four, His ascension and five His coming. Each time they sang the chorus "Living He loved me, dying He saved me, buried He carried my sins far away. Rising He justified, freely forever, someday He's coming, O glorious day!" the people in the tableau changed a little. It was really awesome and I admit I had tears realizing all my Savior had done for me. Plus, thinking ahead to His coming, as of course, at Christmas time I always think of our Christmas 22 years ago and how sad it was. But, I know there will be a glorious reunion when we all get to heaven! Like my nephew said on facebook - "...if this earth thing would hurry up and get over with".

I want to wish you all a Merry Christmas and will post again on Monday to let you know how our celebrations went.

Emmanuel - His title; Jesus - His name

God With Us

Who are we --- that You should be mindful of us?

What do You see --- that's worth looking our way?

We are free --- in ways that we never should be.

Sweet release --- from the grips of these chains.

Like hinges straining from the weight

My heart no longer can keep from singing,

All that is within me cries,

For You alone be glorified,

Emmanuel God with us

My heart sings a brand new song,

the debt is paid, these chains are gone

Emmanuel God with us.

Lord, You know --- our hearts don't deserve Your glory

Still You show --- a love we cannot afford

Like hinges straining from the weight

My heart no longer can keep from singing

All that is within me cries

For You alone be glorified

Emmanuel God with us

My heart sings a brand new song

The debt is paid, these chains are gone

Emmanuel God with us

Such a tiny offering

Compared to Calvary

Nevertheless, we lay this at Your feet

All that is within me cries, for You alone be glorified

Emmanuel God with us

My heart sings a brand new song

The debt is paid these chains are gone

Emmanuel God with us

Picture a congregation singing this chorus with a band backup and about 40+adults, 10 teen and 25 or so younger boys and girls. I truly believe heaven will be this glorious! This was the picture Sunday morning (December 20) in our church. It was the 3rd service and we choir people had been at all three (since 7:45 I might add!) and I, with my staunch Baptist upbringing, could almost not contain myself! It was truly a beauty to behold! You could tell the people in the congregation were moved as well.

I love singing Christmas carols and this one is pretty much not a carol, but, boy does it ever relay the Christmas message!!! Why should He have ever been mindful of us or find us with any worth whatsoever. And yet He sent His only Son down to the earth to suffer and die for us, so that by taking Him as our Savior, "The debt is paid, these chains are gone!" Praise God! That's what we are living for!

God bless you all as we come to Christmas day. I pray that we will all put this truly wonderful Gift of God in the forefront of our lives that day. I am planning on making the "Happy Birthday Jesus" cake for our grandkids - with a few variations. I want them to know the true meaning of Christmas!

"For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have everlasting life". John 3:16

Happy Birthday, Xander

Sandra made an awesome "forest of Endor Moon" cake. We got a cheesy smile from Xander while we sang to him. Grandpa Stein obligingly lit the candles twice, so I got a picture of him blowing them out. (He lit them so Evan could blow them out, but Xander beat him to it, so they were lit a third time!)

December 5th is Xander's 4th birthday! We had celebrated with family last night (the 4th), as it makes it easier on his other grandparents to come down and make it home in time for Sunday service. We had a good time. Even Aislynn and Elora came, as they were staying with Aunt Cindy for the evening. It is so hard to believe these kids are growing - well, we say that all the time, but I don't know why it is so hard to believe. That's what happens. Years go by and kids grow up. It's just so neat to see the changes in them and in Xander especially. He is so much more outgoing and we love it that he comes over to our place. Papa says after the new year (or maybe during the Christmas break) he's having Xander and Lucas over for a "Talespin marathon". I can't imagine Bethany and Erin not wanting to get in on this as well and probably Evan, too. Oh my, what a houseful that will be!! We so enjoy being with them and playing or watching them play. Xander got some new games, too, so Christmas should be fun.

Happy Birthday, Xander!!