Cookie Decorating Day!

Our annual Christmas cookie decorating took place today on New Year's Eve.  We normally do this before Christmas, but due to having all our windows replaced, we had to postpone the event until after the work was complete - and consequently after the Christmas holiday.  But we still had a great time together!

Before Laura and the kiddos showed up mid-morning, we found our supplies and set up shop.

We spent the morning decorating cookies with icing and sprinkles.  This is something the kids always really enjoy!  It is fun for us adults to watch them be creative and see how much they've grown in ability in a year's time.

Essie is becoming quite the decorator!

Benjamin spent a long time on each of his cookies.  He is very meticulous in his work!

Sarah quietly makes her creations all by herself.

This was Hannah's first year to fully participate, and she thoroughly enjoyed herself from decorating to eating the tasty treats along the way. :)

And we can't forget Grace!  She watched the activities from her high chair while munching on her Puffs.

Here is the fruit of our morning's labors:

After lunch, we set about making chocolate-covered pretzels.  Yes, they aren't cookies, but they use a similar ingredient: sprinkles.

After completing our creations, we had a grand mess in the kitchen!  We were literally treading on sprinkles all over the place.  We tried to get a picture, but it really doesn't do it justice.  You would have had to have been here yourself and feel the sprinkles on the bottom of your feet.

It was a very fun day with lots of special memories!

A Merry Christmas!

God blessed us with a wonderful Christmas together this year!  It was a quiet, enjoyable day filled with smiles, laughter, good food, and family fellowship.

While waiting for the Tuner clan to arrive early that afternoon, we made some dinner preparations and went to work on a puzzle.  Dad went about re-hanging some of our mini-blinds.

Here are other pictures from the day:

All ready to open presents!!!

On Tuesday, Kathy and I spent part of the day baking some of our favorite Christmas cookies: candy cane and gingerbread.  So on Christmas day, we had an array of desserts to choose from following our dinner.  

We concluded the day together by playing two rounds of Scotland Yard.  

It was a lovely family day before the beginning of packed schedules and everyone going their separate ways.  Now for one more week of "calm before the storm". 

It's starting to feel like Christmas...

It has been all-around different for us this holiday season.  Because the installation of new windows and doors have turned our house inside-out and altered traditional Christmas activities and plans, things just haven't felt the same.  This past weekend, though, a couple of us were itching to do some holiday baking, so even though there was a mess around us, we hit the kitchen determined to have some fun!

One of the items baked was Linzer cookies.  We hadn't touched this recipe in several years.  It's a several step process, but the end of product is both beautiful and tasty!

Cut-out and ready to be baked!

Cooling and waiting for the filling.

The final product!

We are looking forward to spending time together as a family the next couple of weeks while there's a break in both school and work obligations.  And for an update on the windows:  the project was completed today!!!  So good-bye to disorder and a cold house…

We wish you all a very Merry Christmas!  May you have a joyous time celebrating the salvation given to us through the Lord Jesus Christ.

Four Years Ago...

12.21.09

I'll never forget what I was doing or where I was standing when our phone rang around 7am that morning.  Hearing the panic in Mom's voice and grappling with the reality of utter horror are moments forever etched in my memory.  As events continued to unfold, I remember being completely overcome with fear and anxiousness and repeatedly casting myself upon the Lord for comfort and an awareness of His presence.  It was exhausting to grapple with reality while trying to reconcile it with God's wisdom and goodness.

Dad violently attacked.  His car stolen and totaled in a high speed chase three days later. Why?  Why him, and why our family?  It was all so horrible.  It felt as if we were walking through a nightmare that we hoped wasn't real.

12.21.09:  A day I will never forget, a day that forever transformed my view of God and of His power.

This event in our lives, though so awful and difficult, is something that I look back upon for hope and encouragement as I face the future.  God's hand of sovereign power and love were so clearly evident throughout those dark days that I stand completely amazed before Him.  That He could take something so evil and frightening and turn it into something so beautiful and for the good of His people is a work that only He can do.

On this day four years ago, God spared the life of someone I dearly love.  

On this day four years ago, God provided in ways beyond my comprehension.

On this day four years ago, God displayed His power in a way I had never seen before.

On this day four years ago, God laid the foundation for a testimony to His mercy and faithfulness for generations to come.

On this day four years ago, God changed lives for the praise of His glorious grace.

Every valley has a purpose, and God is faithful to His word and to His people.  His power is such that it makes beauty from ashes.

12.21.09:  A day I will never forget, a day for which I will ever thank and praise the Lord!

Wisdom's Words: Submission

"To submit to God is to give up ourselves to be governed by his will and pleasure, our thoughts, our counsels, our affections, our actions must be guided according to the strict rules of His Word…Are we willing to give ourselves up to his will without reservation?

It involves handing ourselves over to the disposal of God’s providence…Discontent is clearly rebellion; we want our will done, and not God’s.  When we complain, God and we contend; his will must be done to us as well as by us.

The nobleness of surrender.  Submission seems base, but to God it is noble…There is no baseness in the act, but there is much glory in the reward."

(Thomas Matton)

Christmas Decorating???

Well, this past weekend, we began the process of preparing for the installation of our new windows, which will begin tomorrow morning and be completed by December 23.  We spent all of Saturday taking down window treatments (blinds and curtains), writing down measurements, labeling all the individual parts, washing curtains, covering the windows with paper, and making lists of what needed to be packed and moved in each room.  Doing this for thirteen windows took a full day's work, but thankfully we didn't run into too many glitches along the way.

As we went from room to room dismantling everything, I couldn't help but laugh.  What a lovely way to decorate for the holidays!  We joked about drawing winter scenes or something Christmasy on our paper window coverings since we could no longer look outdoors or put up our usual indoor Christmas lights, candles, and ribbon.  Rather than enjoying tradition we are making new family memories this year!  And of course, I just had to snap a few pictures as we worked to document the occasion.

Upon completing our project around 5pm, we immediately set to work pulling together final preparations for Dad's birthday dinner.  Although his birthday was last Thursday, we postponed the family celebration until Saturday when Ben, Laura, and all the kiddos could join us.  It was a yummy meal:  Mom's homemade spaghetti, salad with homemade croutons, garlic bread (albeit a little burned since we forgot it was in the oven!), and veggies with dill dip - all of Dad's favorites!

Due to being so busy, Laura graciously offered to bake Dad's birthday dessert.  Since Dad loves gingerbread, we often make a giant gingerbread man for him.  Time didn't allow for pipping around the edges with white icing or adding a few candies for color, but it was still enjoyed by all.

Yes, we were a little short on candles so had to resort to using duck candles. :)  Such is life right now…can't quite keep up with all the little details.

Both Hannah and Sarah wanted to sit in Grandpa's lap while eating their dessert.  It made for a tight fit but it worked!

Back to packing up pictures and moving furniture in preparation for tomorrow's work.  We'll all be glad when this is over and we can look out of our windows again!

Happy Birthday, Dad!

 I thank the Lord for the wonderful father He has given me!  His provision, protection, love, care, guidance, wisdom, spiritual shepherding, and investment are blessings I'll carry with me for the rest of my life.  We love you, Dad, and appreciate all you do for your family!

Wisdom's Words: Everything Matters

As I go through life day-by-day, sometimes I wonder if my time is filled with anything of significance.  I get up, drive to work, spend eight hours following the same routines and procedures, drive home, squeeze in as many evening activities or projects as possible before the late hour gets the best of me, and fall into bed only to do the same thing all over again the next day.

The mundane:  a vicious cycle.  It's endless.  In reality, it is what consumes most of our time and energy.

Does it matter at all?  Do I spin my wheels in vain?  What about the calls I make, the emails I type, the newsletter I put together every week, the dishes I wash, the bathroom I clean, the refreshments I serve, the hug I give a little one, the words I speak to encourage or exhort?  Does it amount to anything?

The answer lies in my perspective. 

Consider this quote from Dr. Philip Ryken: 

"At the final judgment, it will matter how we used our time, whether we wasted it on foolish pleasures or worked hard for the Lord. It will matter what we did with our money, whether we spent it on ourselves or invested it in the eternal kingdom. It will matter what we did with our bodies—what our eyes saw, our hands touched, our mouths spoke. Whether we obey our father and mother will matter; so will the look we gave them and the little comment as we were walking away. What we did for the two-year-old will matter—the way we made time for her and got down on her level. What we said about someone else's performance will matter—the sarcastic remark or the word of genuine praise. The proud boast and the selfless sacrifice will matter. The household task and homework assignment will matter. The cup of water, the tear of compassion, the word of testimony—all of it matters. 

"The final message of Ecclesiastes is not that nothing matters but that everything does."*

This perspective gives purpose, joy, and fulfillment throughout all of life.  It does matter.  Everything matters.  Therefore, pursue what God gives - whatever it may be -  because it matters.

Colossians 3:23 - Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men,"

 Galatians 6:9 - And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up."


*Philip Graham Ryken in Ecclesiastes: Why Everything Matters  p.281 (Crossway Books, 2010)

Statehouse Prayer Service

Save the date!  You are all invited to join us at the Indiana Statehouse on January 6, 2014 at 12 noon for a time of prayer before the start of Indiana's legislative session!  This is always a wonderful time of humbling ourselves before God and asking for His wisdom and blessing in all upcoming procedures and decisions.  Several of Indiana's leaders participate as well as pastors from across the state.  I hope to see you there!

Wisdom's Words: Speaking to Your Heart

Do you ever speak to your heart?

I find myself so easily overwhelmed by thoughts, conclusions, emotions, and responses that are contrary to the ways of God.  This is the essence of the spiritual battle we daily face, but so often I fail to remember that God has not left His people defenseless.  He has given me the most effective and powerful weapon mankind has ever known for fighting the attacks of the Enemy, and that weapon is the Word of God.

I must learn to employ the power of the Word.

One practical application of this is speaking to your heart.  Psalm 15 directly addresses this matter in these words:  O Lord, who shall sojourn in your tent?  Who shall dwell on your holy hill?  He who…speaks the truth in his heart…"

Several years ago when I read this passage, God impressed upon my heart the following truths:

1. What does this person do?  He speaks – that is, he subdues the inward anguish and turbulence that no one can see.  It is not a half-hearted mumble but a convincing reproof that defies emotions and faulty conclusions. 

2. What is spoken?  He speaks what will give him firmness and stability.  This is not his own words or reasoning, another person’s wise words, or even hopeful dreams or fantasies.  It’s truth, reality – it is the Word of God.  It dwells within him richly so that it governs the core of his life.

3. Where is the truth spoken?  The heart.  It is internal, meaning it is not visible to anyone else.  He is not preaching to others or before huge audiences.  He is talking to one – to himself- whose heart is before God Almighty.  It is a hidden often silent work which profoundly impacts one’s life and influence on others.

And what is the result?  “He who does these things shall never be moved.” (v.5)

The Word provides stability and produces an inward strength that cannot be shaken.

When I'm unstable or feeling tossed around by life and all its challenges, suffering, and trials, all these things should be a gentle reminder to me of my duty to employ the weapon of the Word and speak the truth to my heart.

Family Birthdays

This past Sunday we celebrated Sarah and Hannah's birthdays!  Their birthdays were November 15 and 20, but with our busy schedules and people being out of town, last weekend was the first opportunity for a party when we were all available.    Ed & Pat Turner graciously hosted us in their home and prepared a delicious meal.  I loved the simple yet special touches Mr. Turner added to the celebration.  He placed a Hershey's kiss and orange piece on each of the birthday girl's plates, and little bowls of chocolates followed us wherever we went that afternoon (compliments of Benjamin).

Essie designed and decorated this cake with homemade fondant all by herself!  She's getting to be quite the little baker!

Sarah turned 4 and Hannah 2.  They were two very excited birthday girls when it came time to blow out the candles and open presents.  

Waiting to open their presents…

I gave both the girls pearl necklaces.  The following pictures are a bit fuzzy, but their expressions upon opening that particular gift are priceless.  They were both beyond delighted!

There were an assortment of other gifts, each received with great excitement.  This is such a fun age for birthday parties!

It was a great afternoon as families together, and we look forward to more such times in the future.