Of the Father’s Love Begotten..

We’ve been busy here with birthdays and Christmas excitement, Advent gifts and sewing projects, Christmas Teas and weddings.  Yes!  All that in just the last month!

But one of my favorite things we’ve done lately is to sing Christmas carols to a sweet friend.  She lives alone now since her husband died a few years ago – although one of her daughters is close by – as are many of us in her church family.  After a recent surgery for cataracts and a rotator cuff issue, she accidentally stepped on her cat, fell – and broke her hip!  She is home now and recovering, but she has had weeks of pain and perseverance. 

So a group of us – 18 kids and 8 adults trooped on over to her house after church and sang Christmas carols to her in her living room, while she alternated between huge smiles of joy and tears of happiness.  A simple thing for us – singing songs we love about the Savior we love.  But for her – His love in action.  God reminding her through us, that He has not forgotten her, nor forsaken her.  He loves her – and so do we!

After we left her home, and piled noisily into the van, I thanked the kids.  I asked them if they could see how much their gift meant to Mrs. G.  Of course they could tell – she had been absolutely delighted!  And I reminded them how important it is not to forget people when they are sick, or hurt, or old…  That although what seems a simple thing – singing Christmas carols- seems small to us, it is evidence of love – the Father’s love! – to someone else.  Often, we need to be reminded of our Father’s love for us, and then show our gratitude by sharing His love with others – maybe just when they need to be reminded, too!

A Bevy of Beauties

After church today, several girls came to spend the afternoon with us.  It was very impromptu and very fun!  Our 3 littlest girls went to visit cousins and friends, and we had cousins and friends here with us. 

Let’s see – we had girls ages 17, 15, 14, 14, 13, 13, 12, 11, 11, 11 – plus Luke and Noah.  They played a favorite game called, “Family”, watched a couple of home-made video productions (mysteries), drew pictures, made their own video production, played the piano, and one of them even helped me make homemade applesauce.  I popped them some popcorn and laid out the brownies left over from the fellowship meal today at church. 

What a delightful day it was – I love each of those girls and am so thankful for their friendships with our girls.  Lovely young ladies, every one.

We’ve always hoped our kids would invite friends here often as they enter their teen years.  We want them to come and enjoy each other’s company, have plenty to eat, and feel welcome to relax and have fun.  Lord willing, we will enjoy many more days like today with our kids and their friends!

(grateful thanks to the parents for “lending” them to us!)

Paper flowers

 

No pictures of our little people this time – but a crafting idea for the crafty people. 

                           

Alix had an idea that inspired me to make flowers out of craft/wrapping paper.  The gift was for the bride-to-be, Crystal.  The paper wrapped around the gift is the same paper we used to make the flowers.

I saved several cans, cleaned them out, and Glenn kindly punched 2 holes on opposite sides around the rims.  We threaded some jute string through them and then hung them from some trees at Crystal’s outdoor bridal shower. 

They were so simple, but I loved how pretty and delicate they look.

 

We’ve made tissue paper flowers before, but this was a first.  It gave us all kinds of ideas about what could possibly be used to make flowers!

Grace

Luke is working on his new Catechism question.  It is so good – that all week I have planned to put it here.  Finally!  I did it.

Westminster Larger Catechism, Question #71:

How is justification an act of God’s free grace?

Answer:

Although Christ, by His obedience and death, did make a proper, real, and full satisfaction to God’s justice in the behalf of them that are justified; yet inasmuch as God accepteth the satisfaction from a surety, His own only Son, imputing His righteousness to them, and requiring nothing of them for their justification but faith, which also is His gift, their justification is to them of free grace.

 

Even now, as I read it again, I am amazed, and so very thankful to God for His goodness.. and His beautiful grace.

Pumpkin Pie Cake

Every month, I have lunch with my 3 wonderful sisters-in-law (Vickie, Julia and Marianne), Aunt Pauline, and Marilyn (Glenn’s step-mom).  We were at Aunt Pauline’s this time, and she served a wonderful meal – but of course my favorite was dessert!  It was sooooo good – and so perfect for this time of year, that I had to have the recipe.  I haven’t made it yet – but I can definitely vouch for its goodness. 

You really should try it!  You won’t be disappointed!

1 32 oz can pumpkin

1 1/2 c sugar

1 tsp ginger

1/2 tsp ground cloves

1 large can (about 15 oz Eagle Brand) of evaporated milk

4 beaten eggs

 

2 sticks butter

and a yellow or white cake mix

 

Mix together the top 6 ingredients and pour into a 9x13 pan.  Sprinkle with the box of cake mix.  Melt the 2 sticks of butter and drizzle over it all.  You can top with pecans if you want.  Bake at 325 for 1 1/2 hours.

 

I only wish I had a picture…

Lake Michigan

  A few pictures from our recent trip to Lake Michigan with the Worleys and Gilberts… so much fun…

Great weather, great food, great times with our family! 

 

There was a little digging in the sand….

   

There was a little swimming in the lake….

                     

    

 

And then finally, a little rest….

 

        

 

 

            

Goodbye Beachaus!!  Thank you, Gilberts, for sharing your wonderful home with us!

Babies (?)

  This was too cute not to post.   After watching “Babies” with the Cox girls, Alix wrapped Olivia the way we watched the Japanese nurse wrap a Japanese baby!  She’s just a wee bit bigger than that baby.