Christmas Eve 2012

A week in a cabin

We are so blessed to have friends that invited us along to a week in a cabin at Gaitlinburg,Tennessee. After a busy week of Mission's conference, we were able to 'chill out' with them. We went with a family of 6 and a family of 5. Adding our family, it summed to 10 kids--11 years old and under! What a crew! It was a four story log cabin with a large-sized pool in the basement. It had four stair-cases that eventually led to the fourth level. So there was plenty of space for all the little kids and the big kids too!

We were in a room with a big hot tub and the kids insisted that they wanted to sleep there so we let them. We put some thick blankets down and after a strong warning to our son Jeremy not to touch the knobs--this became their beds for the week!

We stayed in the cabin the whole time except for some trips to the grocery store and goodwill. The kids played, the men played pool and the ladies talked. It was a very relaxing time. The kids were not able to swim in the pool until the last day because the heater was broken, so when it was fixed they took full advantage of it!

Every night, we had a little devotion and singing before going to bed. It was a sweet time of fellowship with God and with each other. It was a blessing when all the kids got up and sang for us. Children's voices praising our Creator--what a beautiful sound! After hearing about the massacre that occurred in Connecticut, I grieve for the parents and love-ones who have suffered such a painful loss. Hearing these children's voices, looking through their innocent eyes, feeling their warm embrace, sharing their laughter provokes me into thought of the value of time and life. Training these children and 'spending life' with them is so important and sometimes I grow weary but it really is a great privilege to be a parent. I thank the Lord for giving me my kids!

A little reminiscing...

As we are approaching the end of 2012, it has come to a time when I can't help but reminisce of this year's events. November and December months are very busy and eventful in my family. It starts with my wedding anniversary, Thanksgiving, Jason's birthday, my birthday and Christmas.  

-Wedding Anniversary-

I thank the Lord that He gave me a special mate to spend the rest of my life with. Looking back, before we were courting, we were both in a hard place. We had courting relationships that fell through and left us broken-hearted. God broke those relationships at the same time. It was a difficult time for me, but little did I know that God was behind the scenes working out a beautiful love story for me and an unexpected man. Jason and I were working in the church as friends, we didn't really see each other that way but we enjoyed each others company and spirit. As we got to know each other while ministering, God opened my eyes to his heart for lost souls and his heart for the people of God and it didn't hurt that I thought he was quite good-looking :).  Throughout, our time courting, God confirmed over and over again that Jason was the man I was meant to marry.  It really makes a difference when you give God full reins of your life, He takes it and makes something more beautiful that you can ever imagine! 

-Thanksgiving-

We were able enjoy this holiday with Jason's family. This is probably Jason's favourite holiday and I thank the Lord we got to spend it here in the US. Jason's mum cooked a HUGE spread. Turkey, ham, devilled eggs, stuffing, and whole lot more fixins' :) The kids really enjoyed spending time with their Nana and it was a such a blessing to see them playing and laughing together. We got home after an hour of driving and the kids were wore out! 

Jason's Birthday

Jason doesn't usually make a big deal about his birthday, but it's hard not to be excited when the kids are. They were so ecstatic that it was Daddy's birthday. They gave him kisses and a whole lot of lovin'.  MY KIDS KNOW HOW TO GIVE LOVIN'! They'll give it their best--snot, spit and all.  We spent the day just doing every day things, but we spent it together :) .

My Birthday

I had a wonderfully blessed birthday. My church family has been so good to me. I got to spend the day shopping with all the preacher and missionary wives. What a blessing it was to talk and fellowship with "co-labourers" in the field, to hear their "war stories" and sometimes their incredibly embarrassing stories. My birthday fell on our Mission's Conference week. It was an encouragement to spend the week hearing Bro. Danny preach, listening to amazing musicians, and to see how many people denied themselves to be a blessing to another. God has been good!

I would like to take more time reminiscing but my little munchkins are probably gonna get into something they ought not to, so...... until next time. 

"It is God that girdeth me with strength, and maketh my way perfect"

Psalm:18:32

Ruth and her kinsman Redeemer

I have always loved the story of Ruth and Boaz, maybe because I'm a romantic at heart. It is a beautiful love story in the best book book ever written, the Bible. Ruth, a Moabitess, suffered some heartaches-- a death of a husband, leaving the country of her birth.What I see in Ruth is her capacity to love and trust. She loved Naomi so much, she was willing to leave everything behind and trust her mother-in-law's God.  

Boaz, the kinsman, was a rich man who owned a field. The Bible calls him "a mighty man of wealth". I love how he notices Ruth gleaning in his field and asks his servants "Whose damsel is this?" He took interest in her and tells her not to glean in another field but his and to drink of his vessels when she is thirsty. He wanted to take care of her. In chapter 3, this is where the title "our handfuls of purpose" came from. Boaz was so concerned about Ruth, that he commanded his servants to make sure that they "let fall also some of the handfuls of purpose for her, and leave them, that she may glean them, and rebuke her not". Boaz wanted to make sure that there was enough wheat for her to glean. He loved her. At the end of the book of Ruth, I can say that they "lived happily ever after".  

The story of Boaz and Ruth is a beautiful typology of Christ and his Bride. Jesus Christ is my kinsman Redeemer. While working in His field, sometimes it is hard, but Jesus always gives me "handfuls of purpose" to keep going. I am so weak so He gives me special "handfuls" to encourage and strengthen me.  Jesus Christ is my Saviour, my God and my friend. He saved me from eternal punishment in the lake of fire and He didn't stop there. He gives me grace, love, hope, provision, peace, strength, boldness to help me each day. 

I am truly thankful that Christ took an interest in me.

"The LORD recompense thy work, and a full reward be given thee of the LORD God of Israel, under whose wings thou art come to trust". 

Ruth 2:12