A Very Merry Christmas

Here are a few pictures of our Christmas yesterday.  It was so wonderful to be together again as a family!

Hannah is one of my "snuggle bugs". 

Rachael received a box of gloves from Ben and Laura to assist in changing the diapers of the little ones.  Quite appropriate for the nurse in the family.  Katie thought it was funny, too. :)

I think it would be safe to say that the gifts "outgrew" the tree. :)

Little Katie reminds us all of a baby doll - except that she's alive!

The first gift that Samuel opened that day was all he really needed.  The animal crackers had to eventually be removed from the room so that there would be some left for later.

Essie is smiling in this picture because the package of socks she is holding doesn't contain a single match, something which only Aunt Rachael would think to give! :)

After opening gifts, we ate dinner and spent the remainder of the evening playing games, doing puzzles, reading stories, and talking and laughing together.   What a fun day with special memories.  So grateful for another wonderful Christmas!

Changing Seasons

It's Christmastime

It is that time of year when you want to be with family and close friends and do those extra-special, out-of-the-ordinary things that only happen in December.  Peppermint hot chocolate, homemade treats, festive decorations - it all means it's Christmastime.

I came home from work one Friday night a week ago wanting to do something to enjoy the holiday spirit and proposed the idea that me, Dad, and Rachael go downtown to see the Circle of Lights.  It turned out to be a really fun evening together, other than the fact that it was very cold, windy, and rainy.  But the elements didn't keep us from getting a few pictures!

Several weeks ago, Mom and Rachael were in Walmart and spotted a small, potted live Christmas tree.  We haven't pulled out our Christmas decorations in years due to lack of time and space, but this small Christmas tree ended up in their shopping cart and through our front door, finding its final resting place on our hearth.  We bought a few lights and some bows and ornaments and had the kids help us decorate it.  They had so much fun, and it turned out so pretty!

We also just recently celebrated Dad's birthday.  The kids were very pleased to give him homemade gingerbread cookies, which represented the Turner clan with Grandpa and Grandma.

Only a week left and Kathy arrives home!  Maybe there will be fresh snow on the ground to greet her.  We look forward to being together again!

Wisdom's Words

God's redeeming acts towards his chosen are forever the favorite themes of their praise.

-Charles Spurgeon-

November Birthdays

It's fun to have four Turner birthdays all in one month.  This past weekend, we celebrated three of them all together:  Hannah's (Nov 15), Sarah's (Nov 20), and Samuel's (Nov 24).  

Hannah told me several weeks ago that she wanted "pink cake" for the party.  Since Sarah was also in agreement, and I knew that Samuel wouldn't really care what he had since he was only turning two, I fulfilled the request.   Here's the what the pink (strawberry) cake turned out to be: butterfly cupcakes!!

The chocolate covered pretzels made a perfect party favor.

Some little girls (or, should I say big girls since they are now five and seven?) were very excited when it came time to blow out the candles!

Big sister Essie helped Samuel with his....

Samuel is such a handsome little man.  He literally posed for this picture for me before diving into his dessert.  

Present time was a little wild with three children opening their gifts all at the same time! 

Here were Samuel's gifts...

...and Sarah's gifts...

...and Hannah's gifts.

There were plenty of smiles and squeals!

It's hard to believe that we are now on to the holidays!  Perhaps the moment we are all eagerly awaiting the most is Kathy's arrival home on December 19.  It will be a joyous reunion.  Stay tuned for more pictures!

Wisdom's Words

The one who is born of God will have family resemblance to His God.

- Dr. Michael McKelvey -  

Little Cuties

Need I say more?

Beyond the Ballot: Shiphrah and Puah

But the midwives feared God and did not do as the king of Egypt commanded them, but let the male children live. 

(Exodus 1:17)

I was struck by several things when reading about these two midwives –

1.  God’s redemptive plan can never be thwarted.  Even though Pharaoh went to great lengths to destroy the Israelite nation, his efforts were ultimately futile.  I’m sure those were uncertain and scary days in which to be living, yet the chosen people witnessed the power of their God prevail over the aggressive attacks of the enemy.  So in our day, whoever is elected to power is ultimately under the rulership of King Jesus and cannot overstep His decreed limits.

2. The extreme hardships that the Israelites suffered at the hand of the Egyptians brought about a beautiful response:  crying out to the Lord.  We do not know what the months and years ahead hold for the people of God in our country today, but whatever may come, may the church humble themselves before the Lord and cry out to Him for courage, help, protection, and provision. 

3. These two midwives exhibited great courage in the face of overwhelming odds.  And their faith and actions played an important role in God’s redemptive plan for His people.  Sometimes I wonder how soon I will be faced with the decision in my own day to “obey God rather than man.”  This is what Shiphrah and Puah demonstrated.  God’s people today must be ready to defend and sacrifice everything for what is precious and of value in the sight of God. 

Beyond the Ballot: Sarah, the Mother of Kings

I have always been challenged by the faith of Abraham and Sarah.  God made an extraordinary covenant with Abraham in declaring that his descendants would number the stars of the heavens, and, contrary to all human wisdom and invention, he fulfilled that covenant in its entirety. 

“…she considered him faithful who promised.”  (Hebrews 11:11b)  For Sarah, the fulfillment of God’s spoken word seemed impossible.   How could she, a barren woman and advanced in years, give Abraham a son, much less be known as “the mother of kings”? 

“Is anything too hard for the Lord?”  (Genesis 18:14).  These words spoken to Sarah before the birth of Isaac mirror the message delivered to Mary when it was revealed to her she would be the mother of the promised Messiah:   “For nothing shall be impossible with God.”  (Luke 1:37)

Two noble women faced with impossible situations, called to anchor themselves in the truth of God’s decreed will.   The spoken word would defy all impossibilities and accomplish the plan of redemption.

For both Abraham and Sarah, this journey in seeing the covenant become reality through the gift of Isaac was anything but easy.  The Genesis account bears witness to their questionings and doubt through life difficulties.   In spite of their shortcomings, God remained faithful to his word, and this couple is a living example of what genuine faith looks like.  For faith to be exercised it has to be convinced of the trustworthiness of the object.  And for Abraham and Sarah, they knew that the trustworthiness of their covenant-making God was sure and established.

God used Sarah to continue the covenant of redemption throughout time.  Though I’m sure she did not fully comprehend the full breadth of God’s work in the human race through her, she believed the spoken word, and the power and faithfulness of God stands preeminent in her life for all generations.

So as I pray for my leaders, I am challenged to pray for those who do have a relationship with Christ, that their faith will be anchored in the spoken word of God so that they can rise above the seemingly impossible situations they face and find encouragement and boldness in their work because they are sure of the power and faithfulness of their God.

The Indiana Statehouse

I admit I might be a little partial, but I believe we have one of the most beautiful capitol buildings in the country.  Yesterday, Rachael and I took a friend downtown for a tour of our statehouse.  Since it was a weekend with hardly anyone there, it was the perfect opportunity to practice some artistic photography.

We also got a couple of outdoors shots:

Following the statehouse tour, we made our way over to the Indiana State Library known for its rare manuscripts.  When I spotted Garfield, Rachael couldn't resist a pose...

It was a beautiful fall day, so we walked along the canal for a bit and took a few more pictures.  

We shared a great morning and afternoon together!