Category Archives: Christmas ADVENTure

Dec24

ADVENTure Day 24 Last Day of Advent

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ADVENTure Day 24 Last Day of Advent

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.”  John 3:16 & 17

Do you feel loved today?

Say these verses out loud.  Look them up and read the verses before and after. Mull them over like simmering mulling spices. Think on these things. Attend a Christmas Eve worship service in honor the One who gave it all for you.

Yesterday my son asked me what I’m most thankful for. Counting up to one thousand gifts, this is what I told him:

82) Jesus, God’s Son, the Savior of the world.

83) Family gatherings that induce

84) laughter

85) fun

86) love

87) Two awesome, smart, handsome, growing sons.

88) A husband who provides and loves unconditionally.

89) Our health.

90) Friends to share laughter, birthdays, and holidays with.

Dec23

ADVENTure Day 23 My Son’s Birth

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ADVENTure Day 23 My Son’s Birth

Lord, I know You bless children to touch our hearts for a reason

As You blessed the babe within me during a very special season

 

You planned it so well that I would carry and give birth at Christmas time

As you knew it was needed to remind me of Your Son’s life and times

 

As my son kicked and squirmed within

I couldn’t help but think of Mary’s journey to the inn

 

I often thought of Mary along that long journey’s road

Especially when I felt I was carrying a heavy load

 

You drove me to my knees during this burdened time

As my son was breech and he needed some time

 

I know Mary spent many a night on her knees

As she was preparing for Your delivery

 

Just as you planned Your Son’s birth from the start

You planned my son’s birth to show me Your heart

 

Two days before Christmas you gave me this special gift

Just to remind me of Your Son’s great gift

 

You drew me closer to Your heart through my son’s birth

I now pray his life will speak of Your Son’s great birth

 

I surrender him to You today

Just as Mary had to everyday

 

Written by Ellen Humphries

For her son Hudson Taylor

 

Dec21

ADVENTure Day 21 Cockeyed Sheets

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ADVENTure Day 21 Cockeyed Sheets

With sons, sometimes I have to write chores on the hall chalkboard like this:

Often he only puts sheets on partially, cockeyed and without pillow cases.  And if the lid is down on the hamper, clothes will be piled on top, instead of piled inside…

But I wouldn’t trade these guys for the world.  Someday I will long for piles of clothes and cockeyed sheets, for someday my guys will be long gone and I won’t hear the screaming and laughter coming from the room (at this very moment) with a total of five guys in it.

If you opened the bedroom door right now, you would smell all sorts of odors!  (I won’t long for that someday.) But for now, I’m enjoying the season of Advent and Christmas vacation, as we live, love and laugh together.

Always err on the side of relationships. The dust will return and the to-do list can be altered. This Advent season play with your kids and allow them to mess up your house with their friends.

“Sons are a heritage…”  Psalms 127:3

Dec19

ADVENTure Blog Day 19 Sacred Architecture

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ADVENTure Blog Day 19 Sacred Architecture

Eating lunch at an architectural treasure in Downtown Houston brings a sacred moment for me as I walk the grounds.

I pass the chapel and see a priest leading a small service, while people mingle in the courtyard, talking on their cell phones. I pray a silent prayer.

An old Episcopal church named, Christ Church Cathedral operates food service in the church’s restaurant, The Cloister (where Treebeards serves their menu), in a unique setting of the church’s social hall. To dine there is truly an experience worth the visit, as your body and soul are nourished while observing the surroundings.

Take time this Advent season to quiet your soul among the sacred, even in the most unexpected places.

Dec18

ADVENTure Blog Day 16-18 Colors of the Season

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ADVENTure Blog Day 16-18 Colors of the Season

This season of Advent has been quite the ADVENTure! Even though I’m not blogging daily, like I hoped I would, it’s keeping my eyes and heart peeled for the ADVENTure of the real reason for the season.

Lately, I’ve noticed the colors outside. Fall and winter colors come to Houston late in the year, because of our fickle weather. The trees have been gorgeous! I just had to go on a photo adventure today!  As you can see, the contrast of red and green colors are striking.

Admiring the colors of the season got me thinking about what Lisa Whelchel says in her book The ADVENTure of Christmas. She says:

“Over the years, tradition has ascribed special meaning to the colors of Christmas. Green suggests life–the eternal ‘ever-green’ life we have in Christ. Red recalls the blood that Jesus shed on the cross for us.

White speaks of the purity of the spotless Lamb.

Taken in 2004 on a rare snow day

Gold celebrates the divine nature of God’s Son and reminds us that He is the great King…”

As you decorate and notice of the colors of Christmas, let the green of the wreath and trees, the red of the poinsettia and berries, the white of the snow, and the gold of ornaments (and trees in Houston) remind you of the first Artist and His creative use of color in our world.

Which leads me to Thankful Thursday on Saturday, counting to one thousand gifts!

78) I’m thankful for the beautiful changing colors outdoors.

79) that God impressed on a complete stranger to support my Building Blocks for Orphans fundraiser.

80) Meeting our $2,000 financial deadline for our Family Legacy missions trip.

81) For band teachers who take sixth graders from this:

to this in eighth grade:

Dec15

ADVENTure Blog Day 15 Virtual Open House

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ADVENTure Blog Day 15 Virtual Open House

I’ve been a busy elf for the last few days in preparation for my Building Blocks for Orphans Open House–Gifts with a World Impact.

As a result of the Open House, and many friends financial donations, my son and I have met our first financial deadline of $2000 for our mission trip to Zambia next summer.

We still have $5400 to go. But we believe God has provided this first financial deadline a month ahead of time and He will continue to do so for the remaining monies.

Preparing for the Open House, I had the thought that I could do a “Virtual Open House” right here on my blog. So if you’re looking to buy gifts with a world impact, I’d like to feature some opportunities right here and now.

The first one is through Groobs (Giving Relief Out of Buying Shoes). Jason Fry (A You Rock Dad), founded this organization and he attends my church. I’ve purchased this pair of his shoes and they are comfy! 

Check out a recent video of his organization and passion for helping the needy here.

The following is a blurb from the Groobs website for more information: ”GROOBS was founded for one reason.  “Compassion.”   With every pair of GROOBS you purchase, you and GROOBS become partners.  Partners in Compassion.  For every pair of GROOBS you buy, we will give a new pair of GROOBS to someone in need with the help of the shoe charity www.soles4souls.org………..and we’re just getting started.  In addition to sending a new pair of shoes to a needy individual, you will also get to pick a charity YOUR CHOICE to send 50% of the proceeds to your chosen charity.  For short and to change the BOGO, we call it “BOGO FIVE O” – Buy One Give One AND 50% of the proceeds will be sent to a charity of YOUR choosing!  You pick the charity that you are passionate about.”

The second opportunity to give is through The Mercy House founded by Kristen Welch of We are THAT Family. Kristen and I have a mutual friend and I’ve also met her and her family at a family camp.  She truly has a giving heart and is currently founding The Mercy House which exists to provide alternative options for pregnant girls living in the streets of Kenya. The Mercy House will aid them in nutrition, housing, prenatal care, counseling, Biblical teaching and job skills for sustainable living. You can support this newly founded organization by purchasing hand crafted items off of Kristen’s Etsy page here. In fact, I donated some of my Building Blocks for Orphans to her cause and they sold!

And the last opportunity but certainly not the least is Gifts of Compassion Catalog through Compassion International.  This is an on-line catalog of gift alternatives for friends, family and clients. No crowds, no lines, no stress – just a gift that will help make a difference in the life of a child living in one of the poorest communities of the world. These gifts help provide clean drinking water, medical treatment, disaster relief, food supplies and much, much more for Compassion-assisted children and their families. Meet real needs and bring real joy with a Gift of Compassion. Gifts include mosquito nets, soccer balls, chickens, goats, water filters, farm equipment, clean water and more. Gift prices range from $10 to $5000.

I’ve personally heard the President, Dr. Wesley K. Stafford, of Compassion International speak and his personal story is amazing. This is truly an authentic organization.

You and your family can also sponsor a child through Compassion International here.

“Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves. … Defend the rights of the poor and needy.”
— Proverbs 31:8-9

Dec9

ADVENTure Blog Day 9 It’s More Blessed to Give Than to Receive, plus Thankful Thursday!

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ADVENTure Blog Day 9 It’s More Blessed to Give Than to Receive, plus Thankful Thursday!

“…I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ ” Acts 20:35

Our community’s Cotillion group meets once a month and they collect donations each time for the local Boys and Girl’s Country.  In October we collected blue jeans. In November we collected canned goods, and this month we collected toiletries.

What a generous community we have!

The philanthropic committee I’m on has been overwhelmed with the outpouring of donations.

I was in charge of December, including counting all toiletries donated. I’ve been looking for opportunities for my sons to give this holiday season, so what better way to put Zach to service then to have him do the counting, as well as the unloading and loading of the bins from the car!

Out of approximately 100 kids 548 items were donated!

This Saturday, other cotillions with Zach and I, will personally deliver the items to the Boys and Girl’s Country.  They will be able to look into the eyes of kids just like them but who are in need and bless and be blessed by giving.

Which leads me to Thankful Thursday and my counting to one thousand gifts:

62) I’m thankful for opportunities for my kids to participate in giving this Christmas season.

63) For God’s guidance in leading me back to proper health and honoring Him with my body. Even though I stumble, especially this Christmas season, He guides and gives hope for the next meal.

64) For God turning hearts of friends back to one another.

65) That even though our whole flooring is irregular and needs to be replaced for the third time in two years, I still have a floor in a warm home on 66) cold brisk mornings.

67) Relieved that my broken rib is nothing more than a broken rib. Ouch!

68) Sharing in the adoption of three precious little Edwards girls 69) Katelyn Faith, 70) Airetta Joy, and 71) Eniya Grace.

72) Calling the Edwards our friends 73) Don, 74) Kitty, 75) Cameron, 76) Elizabeth, and 77) Hannah. What an inspiration they are!

Dec9

Adoption ADVENTure Blog Day 8 Faith, Joy, and Grace

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Adoption ADVENTure Blog Day 8 Faith, Joy, and Grace

This blog post began several weeks ago as I interviewed my dear friend, Kitty, about her families adoption process of three precious little girls. Today this blog will culminate in their legal adoption.

Is not this picture precious of Kitty crying at the adoption hearing with Airetta Joy looking on in concern?

I know it took Kitty’s husband, Don and her whole families’ faith, strength, and love to make this adoption happen, but I will be focusing more on Kitty, because quite frankly, SHE ROCKS!

Kitty is uniquely gifted to love on children. I’ve known her for about 13 years and never knew until today that her major in college was Special Education. How did I miss that?! But I am not surprised, as where Kitty is, you will always find children being loved on.

She truly lives out the verse in Matthew 25:40 that says, “…I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these…, you did for me.” Loving on kids is how Kitty worships God. She is living out her passion and purpose.

Kitty has referenced several scriptures in emails about the girls, of which you’ll find throughout this post.

Kitty, tell me briefly about your girls adoption story.

Kitty's husband, Don and Airetta Joy playing pick-a-boo (Don loves kids as well which makes their marriage so sweet)

I have always wanted to adopt. Ever since I was a little girl I would dream and plan about having an orphanage (with my sister whose part in the dreaming was to have pets for all the kids because she is an animal lover). When I got married my husband knew I wanted about 10 kids in different shades of skin. I think he hoped it was just a dream as he thought two was a good number. But after we had three kids and I still had the dream, he and I talked and prayed for years until we finally agreed on fostering as a kind of compromise. Our first placement was the three most precious little girls–a five-week old, a one year old, and two-year old. We fell in love with them! The next two years were an emotional roller coaster waiting to see what would happen to them but now by the grace of God we are adopting.

What stirs righteous anger in you?

Kitty & Don's six kids. Many hands make light work! (Cameron, Elizabeth & Hannah have caught the vision of loving on kids everywhere they go)

Most people that have a heart for orphans may say that abuse or neglect stir up righteous anger in them. For me, God has given me so much compassion for anyone overwhelmed and without the resources they need to parent.

What brings you joy?

Forgiveness, grace, spending time with my family and friends, and serving God, especially in Zambia (with Family Legacy Missions). Also seeing my kids relationship with God grow brings me great joy.

What past experiences, both good and bad, have shown you about your purpose for adopting?

Katelyn Faith "Thanks be to God for this indescribable gift." II Cor. 9:15

Being a young mother I would just hold our babies and feel so sad for anyone that didn’t have a mom or dad to love them. I grew up in a home where I always felt so loved and cared for and that really made it so easy for me to accept and understand the love my Father in heaven has for me. That is something I wanted to be able to give all my kids–biological and adopted.

What are your spiritual gifts?

Giving, hospitality, singing(jk), and faith.

Again, I’m not surprised at Kitty’s spiritual gifts. She’s one of the most generous people I know. (Wish I had more time and space to share stories of her generosity). Even though she has six kids, she doesn’t let that keep her from entertaining friends and more children in her home. Her faith from childhood to have children of different shades of skin has come to fruition. And the girls middle names of Faith, Joy, and Grace sums their two-plus year journey and Kitty’s passion to love on children.

Kitty, you don’t have to have a beautiful singing voice. Your life of genuine love for children is a beautiful song that I never get tired of hearing.  YOU ROCK, Kitty, YOU ROCK!

Eniya Grace "Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights..." James 1:17

"Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress..." James 1:27

 

Celebrating!

 

New life!

 

 

 

Dec7

ADVENTure Blog Day 7 Gifts with a World Impact

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ADVENTure Blog Day 7 Gifts with a World Impact

Elegance $4

Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.” James 1:27

I’m taking orders for the featured ornaments (I call them Building Blocks for Orphans) for my and Zach’s trip to Zambia next summer to work a camp for orphaned and vulnerable children through Family Legacy Missions.

We are raising funds for our trip and to provide monies for more kids to attend the camps.

“The King will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.’  Matthew 25:40

Great teacher gifts! Supplies are limited!

Half of all costs will be tax deductible through Family Legacy Missions.

 

Words $4. This ornament is in honor of my friend, Cathy, in Louisiana. We play Words with Friends on our iPhones and keep in touch through our games.

Noel $8

 

Joy $6

Merry Christmas $28

Good Things Come in Small Packages. $4 (Green)

Good Things Come in Small Packages. $4 (Red)

Dec6

ADVENTure Blog Day 6 Choose Joy

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ADVENTure Blog Day 6 Choose Joy

“You can have joy because God keeps his promises.” That was the resounding theme in our Kids Ministry at church on Sunday with the theme Bible verse “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!” Philippians 4:4.

These kids know how to have joy!

Ms. Tammy leads with love and joy!

The Bible story was centered on the foretold birth of John through Zechariah and Elizabeth and how God kept his promise to that birth and ultimately to John being the forerunner of Christ in Luke 1.

I shared with my tween girls that life will happen like getting flooring installed three times in two years of which I’m dealing with right now. And that despite circumstances, we can choose joy. I shared that even though life has been topsy-turvy, I will choose to laugh, eat dark chocolate, and pray!

I didn’t share that I choose joy with puffed pride. I shared it because I’ve had to learn to choose joy despite frustrating circumstances. I know, because I’m one of them, girls can be emotional and dramatic about the circumstances of life. And sometimes their circumstances are very real and painful. But I’ve had to learn to set the feelings aside and trust that God keeps His promises to “Be strong and courageous…Not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord God goes with me; he will never leave me nor forsake me.” Deuteronomy 31:6.

There are countless other promises in scripture that I’ve had to cling to for joy.

The ultimate promises to remember this Christmas season are in Isaiah 7:14 “Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.” And Isaiah 9:6 ”For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”

Choosing Joy!

CHILD’S CHRISTMAS TREE

For a joyful child’s Christmas tree, decorate it with stuffed animals. It brought be great joy decorating these trees for the Kids Ministry.