Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas family and friends! We are enjoying our first Christmas in Kentucky. As Kim and I crept into Calvin's room to place his stocking at the foot of his bed, he sat right up and shouted, "Is it time for presents?" (Good thing we have told him the truth about Santa Claus)

Our morning started at 7:00 am with stockings. Then we had a wonderful breakfast. Calvin asked to be excused and stood by his presents patiently waiting until Dad and Mom and Teddy finished eating. When we finally arrived in the living room he was shaking with excitement.

Both Calvin and Teddy Dean loved all of their gifts. Kim and I were the recipient of many wonderful gifts as well. Oh yeah, Calvin is not good at surprises. He whispered to mommy last night as they snuggled in his bed, "I got you Jelly Bellies in your stocking."

After gifts and a nap (for daddy and Teddy Dean) we went for a walk. It is almost 50 degrees and sunny today so this was a wonderful family time. We are getting ready for afternoon naps (yeah!) and then we are off to our friends' home, Scott and Marcie.

As we exchange gifts today, we are remembering the greatest gift ever given: Jesus Christ.

Merry Christmas to all, we miss and love all of you dearly.

$.84 of Joy

Ken is not the only one sneaking a treat here and there...

A package of three Ferrero Rocher chocolates, $0.84.

Sitting alone in the van to eat them, priceless.

$.79 of joy

This morning as I returned from the seminary I passed the Krispy Kreme store just minutes from my home. I had just enough change to have one steaming hot iced donut. Mmmmm, it's the little things...

Preschool Christmas Party

We had a fun time at the church Christmas party for families of preschoolers on Sunday night. As I thought, it was a riot. I played Christmas carols and sang to a fidgety group. The whole time, there was something of a low roar, as all the kids talked, screamed, cried, etc. Pastor Jeff read the Christmas story after that and remarked, "Tough crowd. Kind of like preaching at a nursing home." Very true. The kids enjoyed decorating Christmas cookies. Here is a picture of Calvin with his Sunday School teacher, Miss Becky.

Here are some of Calvin's friends from Sunday School, also enjoying decorating their cookies.

Pictures of Our New Home

Here are a few pictures of our new home, decorated for Christmas.

(This one was taken in November.)

Away In A Manger

A couple days ago, Calvin and I worked together to put out our nativity scene. I was so impressed with the care he was taking with each piece, and how interested he was with the whole thing. Since he so enjoyed it, I decided to take the risk of displaying it within reach. Here you can see both Calvin and Teddy examining the manger.


For an hour or more, Calvin played happily by the manger, looking at the baby Jesus and singing, "Away In A Manger." I was in the kitchen, smiling as I listened to him play in the other room. How precious, I thought.


Later in the day, Calvin was alone for a while as I tended to Teddy. I came into the living room to find the nativity pieces strewn about, and the manger grass and shrubs smashed into the carpet. My two-year-old was not so trustworthy after all.


The nativity is now safely displayed above the TV armoire. The three wise men journeying on camels toward Bethlehem are the only pieces within reach.


I guess any hands-on manger activity will need to wait for a couple years. For now, we will talk about the nativity and admire from a distance.

Random thoughts...

• I just ran out of my supply of Caribou Sumatra Decaf that Pat G. sent down in November. I love Caribou, nothing compares down here.
• I love bagels. For those of you who know me, this is amazing. I do not know what happened.
• The Green Bay Packers are having a great season. The beauty of it is that I still have no expectations of them.
• Baseball is in sad shape.
• I am studying the book of Genesis. I am more and more persuaded that the point of this book is to tell us who God is and who humanity is and what that means. It was not written to determine how many days creation entailed and to give us an age for the earth.
• I am also studying the theme of worship. Worship is about engaging with God in the way that He reveals pleases Him.
• I am excited about Christmas this year. We are having friends over for Christmas Eve from my work and our church. This is going to be a wonderful time of singing Christmas carols and reading the story of the birth of Jesus.
• I have been home the last two days and been in charge of discipline for Calvin. It is a tiring job. He is in a rebellious stage and needs constant discipline. It is starting to work, his heart is softening and he is obeying more. I am more thankful for Kimberly and all her hard work as I have taken on the role of main disciplinarian.
• We have great friends. Everywhere we go, God places amazing people in our lives that give generously of their time and talents. The body of Christ is called to minister to one another. I only hope that my family will be a blessing to others as others have been a great blessing to us.
• I like the weather in Louisville. It is cool now, but not cold. We have yet to have snow. This is a very good thing.
• I do want snow on Christmas Eve...then I want it to melt quickly.
• That is it for now...