Wednesday, December 10, 2008
Before church that night I set up our little village set, which is a mismatched set of little houses and churches and random Christmas ornaments, on the window sill. As a little girl, the Christmas village was the most fun. I used to envy Mom, but now I get the privilege of setting it up. For the next couple days we worked on decorating the house.
Friday, December 12, 2008
Once that was finished we watched 'The Grinch Who Stole Christmas.' Dad always gets a kick out of the song. "You've got garlic in your soul, Mr. Grinch..." Ha! Then we spent the remainder of the night listening to Dad tell us stories about his childhood and pondering the goodness of the Lord to our family. It was a special time!
Sunday, December 14, 2008
Daddy preached from Revelation 3 about the church in Pergamos. His message was about many things. Mary worship. Idol worship. Pentecostal healing. Drinking. It was good. After the preaching we served hotdogs, coleslaw, and chips for lunch. It was a hit, and people ate like true Baptists. Ha, ha! Then after lunch we watched 'The Nativity Story.' That movie is awesome. I like it better each time I see it. There were several times during the movie that I had to refrain from sobbing out loud--as Mary washed Joseph’s travel-weary feet, at the birth, and when the shepherds came....realizing that God really did humble Himself to become a baby. Herod expected a powerful man, but the Messiah chose to come in the form of a helpless infant. That thought alone is astounding!
We went to church in Panama City at night. The service was a blessing, as always. Bro. Buddy preached about the cities of refuge and how Jesus is our city of refuge. Praise God!
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
The concert was wonderful; I loved it. Handel could only have been inspired of God to compose such heavenly music. The words are pure Scripture. I think the phrase that hit me the hardest was that Jesus was "a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief." He knew sorrow so deep that no words would suffice and only groans could escape; He knew that kind of inner agony. He felt bodily pain as we do, and that is why He knows us so well. Because He lowered Himself to become human. Throughout the night that phrase continued to run through my mind. "A man of sorrows and acquainted with grief."
The Kamps and a sweet couple from their church were also at the concert. It was nice to see them and fellowship a little during the break.
We got home at 11 p.m., and Lydia and I sang the opera parts in the kitchen as we made a snack. Dad had to remind us that our neighbors were probably sleeping. (chuckle)
We got home at 11 p.m., and Lydia and I sang the opera parts in the kitchen as we made a snack. Dad had to remind us that our neighbors were probably sleeping. (chuckle)
My parents were disappointed with the concert because they have seen better concerts in the past. I've been to a Handel's Messiah concert one other time, at Christmastime in 2006. We were in the States, and I went with my parents and grandparents to the Eastman Theater in downtown Rochester. It was so much fun and so very exciting!!! I sat next to Grandma in the balcony. I'll never, ever forget it!
Sunday, December 21, 2008
We had our big Christmas service today. Once we got to church it was the mad dash to get tables and chairs set up and the room decorated. Our family and Mischa worked hard. Mischa and I didn’t even get a chance to finished practicing the songs before it was time to start the service. I think the service went very well. I felt very calm as I played, despite the fact that I spent all morning racing from one thing to the next. Lyd and I sang 'Lo How a Rose E'er Blooming' before the preaching. It went perfectly, praise God! I know it was only the Lord, and I’m thankful to Him! Dad preached about God’s Word being sweeter than honey. After the service we had a potluck. The food was delicious. All the older kids gathered in the back room off the kitchen, and we played several games of UNO. It was late by the time we got everything cleaned up and headed home. I think we were at church for over 6 hours. Talk about being addicted to the ministry!!! (chuckle)
Digging in!!!
Geertje and baby Ilona. Oscar and Geertje have faithfully been coming to our church for the past several months. They are such a blessing, and we have enjoyed seeing them grow in the Lord as they follow the Bible Way! Praise God!
Josiah and Jeremiah eating lunch.
Karin and Morena, our two sweet "widows." Pray for them as they raise their children alone in one of the most wicked cities in the world.
Baby Nathan getting a much needed nap. Isn't he precious? There are few things cuter than a sleeping baby.
We had an hour or two before 6 p.m. Then we gathered around in the living room and "went to church" in Panama City. Clay, Russell, and Bro. Buddy sang 'Mary, Did You Know?' as a special. I love that song! Then Bro. Buddy preached from Isaiah 7:14 and Matthew 1:23--"Immanuel, God With Us." It was good to hear a Christmas message about the Saviour being born! Later on, after church, Lydia and I talked to Russell and Clay. It was such a blessing!!! I'm so glad God gave us friends our age who are also in the ministry and know where we're coming from. We've had some deep spiritual discussions. Proverbs 27:17 "Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend."
We had an hour or two before 6 p.m. Then we gathered around in the living room and "went to church" in Panama City. Clay, Russell, and Bro. Buddy sang 'Mary, Did You Know?' as a special. I love that song! Then Bro. Buddy preached from Isaiah 7:14 and Matthew 1:23--"Immanuel, God With Us." It was good to hear a Christmas message about the Saviour being born! Later on, after church, Lydia and I talked to Russell and Clay. It was such a blessing!!! I'm so glad God gave us friends our age who are also in the ministry and know where we're coming from. We've had some deep spiritual discussions. Proverbs 27:17 "Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend."
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
I got a few emails written before dinner. We ate our traditional Christmas Eve meal--turkey divan, with rice and salad. It was delicious! We cleaned up dinner together, Lydia and me emptying the dishwasher for the umpteenth time. Bless God for dishwashers!!! (chuckle) Then everyone went about their business. Lydia and I looked at the Jo-Ann Fabrics online magazine, then I picked up and vacuumed the living room. I had Josiah do the kitchen. I wanted the house to look clean for Christmas! We lit candles around the living room and then settled down as a family to watch a nice Christmas movie. Partway through the movie the Maynards contacted us. We talked for a while and watched them open our Christmas gifts. We wished each other a Merry Christmas, and then we resumed our movie. Afterwards we ate chocolate-covered coffee beans and a slice of Christmas apricot bread. It was delicious!!! We talked for a while and listened to a radio program. It was a nice, cozy, and pleasant evening. I really enjoyed being together! Christmas Eve is almost magical to me. I almost like Christmas Eve better than Christmas Day. I really do.
Thursday, December 25, 2008
I read the Christmas story in Luke for my devotions for the third time this month and prayed for those who are dear to me. I miss them! As a missionary, it's harder over the holidays. You really realize that you are AWAY as everyone in the States is busy preparing for Christmas, and sometimes it seems like they forget. I guess it doesn't bother me as much as it used to.
I sent a Christmas email to a few friends and the Maynards. By the time we were all showered and dressed and sitting down for Christmas breakfast, it was 11 a.m. or later. I made Brunch Florentine yesterday (a breakfast casserole with eggs, spinach, bread, onions and cheese), and we had turkey ham, hash browns, and Lydia made a delicious fruit salad.
I was glad we didn’t do a lot of gifts this year. Christmas meant much more to me this year than it has in years past. It's not about gifts, it's about The Gift--Jesus Christ. As I'm growing up, I'm realizing that it's not about me; it's about Him. Besides, I don’t need gifts. Being together is good enough for me!
MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!
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