Happy New Years Eve!

Today is the last day of 2009. I hope you all enjoy whatever plans you have for this evening whether it be going to bed early, staying in, or going out. For all of you who are going out - Be Careful! There will be a lot of "crazies" out tonight!

I will be going to my friend Jill's house after work (can't wait!!!) to hang out for a while and then I plan to swing by Missio Dei. If there are any of you who do not yet have plans but know that you don't want to stay home, I suggest you stop by. There will be food and games, nothing fancy but it will be fun and you are guaranteed some good fellowship.

I also plan to take note of the full moon we will have tonight. It is the second full moon this month. Apparently, it is pretty rare to have two full moons in one month (only happens about every two years.) It is even more rare to have this happen on new years eve (only happens every 19 years.) I don't know what use this fact is but I thought it was interesting so I decided to share it with you. :)

I've got nothing awesome to say. I sincerely hope you all have lovely evenings.

Lord Bless,

Nichole

Promise to Count On

For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus. Philippians 1:6

Grandpa's Home

The kids were so happy! We are praising our gracious heavenly Father for His mercy and compassion.

Grandpa is weak and we have a long and expensive road ahead, but we know God's grace is sufficient.

Thoughts for a New Year

 

In a few days 2009 will be over and 2010 will begin.  I never know how to respond to this change of year.  In one way, I want to hold on to things from the old year but in another way, I want to look forward to what lies ahead. I usually don't make New Year's Resolutions either.  As I have learned over the past few years, one never knows what the future holds.  Will it be a good year?  Will it be a hard year?  But one thing that I do know is that God is on His throne!  I may not know what the future holds for me, but I can know for sure that God promises to take care of me.  I just need to put my trust in Him. There is a song that is popular on Christian radio right now by the Sidewalk Prophets.  The song's refrain has stuck in my mind and I plan to take their advice as I start a new year. Be strong in the Lord. And never give up hope.  You're gonna do great things. I already know God's got His hands on you, so don't live life in fear. Forgive and forget but don't forget why you're here.  Take your time and pray and thank God for each day. I hope you take these words to heart also.

Christmas Memories

Christmas is many things to many people. I think that a lot of our thoughts and feelings about Christmas are influenced by the traditions that we were submerged in throughout our lives. Whether we continue those traditions or whether we have decided to make new traditions, I think that what we have experienced really does leave it's mark upon our current lives.

As I think about my "Christmas' Past" a few things come to mind. Some of my favorites are spending Christmas Eve at my Grandma Jacobi's house drinking kiddie cocktails (Shirley Temples) in my Grandpa's basement bar and singing Christmas carols with the whole Jacobi clan while my Grandma played the organ. They kept their basement decorated year round for Christmas but it always seemed magical to be down there on Christmas Eve, eating treats and feeling loved by my Grandparents. Since getting married, we have the tradition of spending Christmas day at Ry's parent's house laughing with family and eating ham, potato salad, (watching others eat baked beans) and lots and lots of black olives. It's always so wonderful to be with our family on that special day. I remember the Christmas when I was pregnant with Aaron, when I had such a craving for oranges that I kept eating my mom-in-laws stash of oranges that she had set aside for putting in the toes of the stockings. I remember another one of our early years after we were married, listening to Ryan's dad read an Advent story each evening leading up to Christmas and feeling sad whenever we weren't there to hear it because it was so exciting. I also think of the first year when Ryan, I and the boys did our first Advent Calendar as a family. It was Noelle Piper's and after about the 6th day of repeating the story and adding a new element; the boys had it memorized and would repeat it together. They've gotten older now and we've passed that wonderful Advent Calendar on to a family with little ones to be blessed by it.

Traditions are not so traditional in our household. We are sporadic in our festivities. This year we don't have a tree or an Advent Calendar. In fact the only Christmas decoration that we have is a beautiful Willow Tree Nativity that my mom bought for me as a gift. We haven't baked cookies, done much Christmas shopping, gone caroling or drank any eggnog (thankfully). But we still have Jesus. We still sing Christmas songs with joyful celebration of the Humility of Christ in leaving the glories of Heaven to be born as a babe. We still praise God that Jesus is Immanuel: God with us. We still look with faith filled expectation to the future day when we will celebrate the day of Christ's birth in His presence. And so we rejoice. We don't need a tree or a fancy meal or even a wonderful family to gather together with. There are Christians locked in cold jail cells right now suffering for the love of Jesus, but they have just as much to celebrate and someday we'll celebrate together... and all to the praise of the glory of His grace. So it is Christmas because of Jesus... and because of Jesus we have much to celebrate. May this be our true Christmas celebration!

Happy Christmas Everyone.