Lost but not forsaken.

I ask all my friends to forgive me at the moment, because I feel so lost.
I seem to forget much of what I am suppose to do.

My daughter Daniella and her daughter Shiarn have been staying over and keeping me company.

In Daniella's Bible she carries photos of her children.
It made me feel so sad to see a picture of her third son Matteo, who only lived nine days.
He died on  Christmas eve, 1998.
What a hard time, on a holiday season,  to say goodbye to a little one.
Today as we sat and talked I asked her what became of his ashes??
"They are in the top of my wardrobe mum," she told me.
"One day they'll be buried with me."

She spoke so naturally.... Oh how my heart went out to her.
As a mother, I want to protect her from hurts.
I think of the many times she has moved house, and how often she must lovingly secured those remains..
She always remembers him and keeps him close.
Just as our Heaven Father does with all of us.

^"For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, 

neither the present nor the future, nor any powers,  

neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, 

will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord."

Romans 8:38-39

a Happy New Year

Pictured above, one of our New Year's Clock CookiesOur New Year’s eve was spent enjoying food, fun and family. We stayed in to avoid the crowds downtown who were waiting for the city’s fireworks display at midnight. We opted to have a fabulous dinner at home, dance to music, and play games as we waited for the New Year. A few days before New Year’s eve, we had family over. My parents and my

The Tale of Three Trees: a Traditional Folktale

Last year during Advent, we came across a book that told a beautiful story about three trees. This book is usually read during Easter time but we enjoyed reading it during the Holiday season leading to Christmas day.The Tale of Three Trees: a Traditional Folktale by Angela Elwell Hunt, illustrated by Tim Jonke tells the story of three small trees stand living on a mountaintop. The three trees

Romancing Christmas

Unwrapping the Gift of Christmas, is my grandson Luke.

We have romanced Christmas with our western culture.

We think of it with beautiful Carols, the Nativity Scene and gaily wrapped presents.

"But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah,

                though you are small among the clans of Judah,

                          out of you will come for me one who will be 
                     ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old,
                         from ancient times." (Micah 5:2)


It is no accident that the man chosen to be Jesus father on earth, Joseph,  was "of the house and lineage of David"
(Luke 2:4) and that Jesus was born in Bethlehem.


 "Joseph went to Bethlehem to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born."
(Luke 2:5-6)

I cannot imagine the young Mary walking all that way from
Nazareth to Bethlehem while heavily pregnant.
It was a three to four day trip, and as a woman I can empathise with her. I understand how she gave birth, after that long and tedious journey. How difficult!
We are not told she rode on a donkey??
We are not told her age?
But this was her first baby, and there were no luxuries.
No doctors or nurses to assist with the birth.
No pretty clothes or crib.
Only drudgery and hardship.

How different for us who worship Him, the King of Glory.
We don't suffer to celebrate our Savours birth.

We eat to bursting.
We relax in the comforts of our homes.
We are entertained by lovely Christmas Carols.
We romance the birth of Christ. 

Do we fully understand? Do we fully appreciate???

God's son was born in hardship.

We need to contemplate on these things..

a Happy Anniversary on Christmas eve

Christmas Eve was filled with activity by making cookies and making crafts. It is a day we celebrate together but it is also marks the day that Timothy and I became husband and wife. We celebrated 12 years together on Christmas Eve with love for each other and our children.So in the midst of greeting friends and family, serving foods and wrapping gifts, we set aside time for a date at home after

Celine Dion and Josh Groban, "The Prayer"

God Bless You All This Christmas Season.
May you be happy, healthy safe and blessed.
From Us to you.
Happy Christmas and Prosperous new Year.

Celebrating Las Posadas: family, food, books and crafts

In Mexico and many parts of Central America, people celebrate Las Posadas during the nine days before Christmas. It is a reenactment of the journey Joseph and Mary took to find shelter before the birth of their child.


At Christmas time, our city hosts a candlelit procession called "La posada" which means "the inns" or "the shelters" in Spanish. For many, it is a religious and social

Week in Review: Advent and Winter (weeks 14 - 15)

Dec. 6 to Dec. 17thOur weeks of homeschooling have been light this month as we celebrate Advent. We have not had any wintery weather to date but winter has not officially begun, so we’ll see. During the week of December 6th, we read books on Snowman but we also did family readings from our Bible. Our second Sunday of Advent was spent reading books on Advent and making advent crafts and ornaments

Decorating our tree with handmade ornaments

For years I have always wanted to put up our tree the day after Thanksgiving like some of my sisters and my mom do but that never happens in our home. My husband is from Indiana and his family always picked a tree in the woods and trimmed it on Christmas eve. My family growing up usually had ours up the first week in December.We compromised by agreeing to decorate our tree after my oldest son’s

Snowflake Ornaments and Snow books

This week we made some Snowflake ornaments for our unit study on Snow. We are still continuing with our reading books about the Advent but we also included some books on snow in hopes up that we would get some this year. It rarely snows here where we live but that does not stop us from hoping. My youngest son and I selected two books about snow and winter this week. I am Snow by Jean Marzollo,

Candy Cane Angels, Peppermint Ornaments and Books

Last Wednesday we decorated our tree. My husband grew up in Indiana and his family has a tradition of picking a tree in the woods, cutting it down and trimming the tree on Christmas Eve. I grew up here in Texas and my family would decorate the tree on the first week of December. We have learned to compromised over the years and begin decorating our tree between the 10th and 14th of December since

Nostalgia

I’m feeling a little nostalgic today.
We have been getting a lot of rain with showers, downfalls and flooding in some area's.
In Queensland the heat prevails. Christmas comes to Australia in the summertime. There is no white Christmas, so much of the traditional fare we see overseas is not the same here. I enjoy looking at all the American Blog’s and seeing the homes all dressed up. It certainly does make if different.

We are casual and laid back. Some may put up a Christmas tree and place a few decorations about, but it is not like the colder countries.
Windows and doors are open and ceiling fan whirl.

Christmas Day may be spent outdoor on a picnic or at the beach. Anywhere cool!!

How was Christmas back a hundred years ago?
Now one thing I think you’ll agree, they wore too many clothes..
I cannot image going to the beach dressed like this. Thank God for progress.

                                            Coogee Beach 1800's

                                                                       Bush Picnic 1920's

As a child growing up in a small country community, we made our own Christmas decorations. Christmas Bush grew in the plenty, it was pretty and it cost nothing.
We picked bunches of this and placed it around the home. For me today, it is the one thing I miss. Of course it still grows but it lacks the child enthusiasm of picking, bringing it home and placing it into large jar's with water. 

The children have their Christmas holidays of six weeks home from school, before the new school year begins.

So its off for some fun in the sun.

All over the world past and present we celebrate the Christmas season in different ways. Yet the meaning remains the same.

It's not how we celebrate but why we do. 

God came to earth. He revealed himself in the flesh.

He lived a human life. He dwelt among us..

He didn't only tell us how to live. He showed us how..

He forgave and He loved. We are His family, when we believe in Him.

"For to us a child is born, to us a son is given: and the government shall be on his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace."

(Isaiah 9:6)

                            Hallelujah





  

Books on Nativity and Nativity craft ornament

Pictured above our Nativity Cd ornamentThis Sunday marked the second Sunday of Advent. Last year was our first year celebrating the Advent as a family. I have to confess that in years past the focus was on the presents, That changed last year when decided to keep Christ in Christmas.It started last year when we read children’s books on the Nativity, I felt a strong desire to teach my children

Week in Review: Advent and Birthdays (week 13)

Nov. 28th to Dec. 4thThis week we did not do much in terms of homeschooling. We had two birthdays this week after Thanksgiving and began our celebration of Advent. During this month we are homeschooling on a lighter schedule to devote time to spend together as a family.On Sunday November 28, we celebrated our first Sunday of Advent. For hundreds of years, Christians have used an Advent wreath to

Our preemie turns 11

Today marked my son's birthday. Our former preemie is now 11 years old! He woke up to find presents waiting for him to open. He got a Gigan and Jet Jaguar figure and assorted Godzilla toys. HIs cake he picked this year was Spiderman. After playing with his toys and watching Godzilla movies, we had his choice of food: he chose Chinese takeout, his favorite.REFLECTIONPictured above my preemie baby

Snowman books and a Snowman ornament craft

I have always had a love for making homemade holiday ornaments. My inspiration came from my mother who would always hang the handmade ornaments we made her as children. No matter how old or worn, my mother proudly smiled at the handmade ornaments on her tree that reminded her of our love for her as children.Each year when we visit my Mom and Dad, looking at her tree is like looking at a family

Cd Advent Wreath for our first Sunday of Advent

This Sunday was the first Sunday of Advent and the boys and I made together our of Advent Wreath from recycled materials. We are known for making recycled holiday crafts and this year is no exception. During Advent our family will be keeping CHRIST in Christmas and sharing the gift of Faith, Hope, Love, and Peace.Family ReadingWe read in our Doubleday Illustrated Children's Bible the story "Time

Celebrating Advent and what it means to us

This Sunday November 28 begins Advent. I look forward to celebrating this season with my children. It a season of waiting, expecting, and hoping. For hundreds of years, Christians have used an Advent wreath to inspire their hopes for the coming of Christ. By lighting candles and reading Bible verses, we are reminded about the meaning of Christ's birth and become more excited about his coming in

Week in Review for December 20 -25 (Advent)

This month we are homeschooling on a lighter schedule and focusing on the Advent. This week finished making our handmade gifts and ornaments. We had extended family over to visit and on Christmas Eve we went to see my parents. We celebrated Christmas at home.For our last week of Advent the boys were excited about Christmas. I was a bit nervous because sometime ago my husband lost his job and we

Christmas with Family

Pictured above my parents who have been married since 1954, a total of 55 years. My Dad is 78 years young and my Mom is 73 years young. We went to visit my parents home. While there, my older brother stopped by and it was a treat getting to see him and my parents. My older brother was kind enough to leave a gift for each of my sons for Christmas.We were so happy to see my Mom and Dad. My