Jubilee and Jeremiah

The past couple of weeks have been very busy - I was being led through the Refiner's fire, we had snow, snow, snow and we celebrated two birthdays. That's right - Jubilee and Jeremiah both turned 11! Although the snow changed birthday plans, they were both troopers and had very special days. Happy Birthday to them!

Snow

We have been snowed in all week - and I mean snowed in - like, can't-move-the-car-because-there-is-so-much-snow snowed in. Although Rob was able to drive the 4 wheel drive suburban to get to work (thanks for getting it running, Pa!) the rest of us were home. It was a nice break from school for Hayley and Riley - but Jubilee and Jem had tests. I was also reminded that I DO NOT like snow!! Being cold is just not for me!! It is a good thing Hayley didn't mind - because I hear Fairbanks gets a tad more snow than we have!! We still have tons of snow but I am so thankful for one thing... our power has stayed on through it all - snow, wind, ice - and I am hopeful it will continue to stay on.

Malawi 2012

Rob and I are heading to Malawi in June 2012 and we are so excited! More information to come....

Zoolights

Over the holidays we did something we've never done before - we went to Zoolights at the Point Defiance Zoo and Aquarium. It was so much fun!! We arrived early so we had time to walk around and see the animals. Then when the zoo closed for an hour to get ready we stayed and had dinner in the cafe. And then we saw the lights. They were totally spectacular! There were literally millions of lights - hodge podge, animal shapes, scenes, moving pictures - simply amazing!! It was so fun I wondered for a moment why we had never done it before. And then I thought - super long drive, expensive, below freezing temperatures - hmmmm....

I am so glad we made the trip and if you have never been I would highly encourage you to make plans and go next year. Just remember your camera, scarf and hat!

Congratulations to Hayley!

We want to share this exciting news with you... Hayley Ann has been accepted to the University of Alaska Fairbanks!! Although she is waiting to confirm until she has been presented with a financial aid package, we are so excited and are looking forward to what the Lord has for her. Please join us in praying for her, her financial needs, the students she will meet, housing, a church to call home in Fairbanks, and the list goes on. And as we plan and prepare for August 2012 - let's all say.... Go Nanooks! Wait a minute... what is a nanook??? How about Go UAF!

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas - from our family to yours!

"For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David's throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the LORD Almighty will accomplish this." Isaiah 9:6&7

The Coming King

Last Sunday night I had the privilege of participating in a Christmas sing along. We sang Christmas songs out of hymnals, read about the birth of our Saviour and talked about the Scriptures. Something that was said has been rattling around in my head. It went something like this...
The foretelling of the coming King is sprinkled throughout the Old Testament - and yet, the people were not prepared. The foretelling of the coming King (His second coming) is sprinkled throughout the New Testament - and yet people are not prepared. More specifically, we are not ready, not living as if He is coming soon. It is easy for us to look back and wonder why the people were not prepared when they knew He was coming - but now I am wondering why we are not prepared when we know He is coming back!!
May we take time this Christmas to not only look back to His birth but to also look ahead to His return. May it all be about Him!