Gingerbread Men

Gingerbread Men....as requested by Bobo

Bobo calls candy canes..."candy can"

Ornaments!

We wanted to make ornaments for our Advent night and for family.

We started out in a "civil manner" and then Drew called and when I came back into the room...

....I saw this and them

So I agreed to one Christmas song which included dancing and being wild.  The mess had already started so I thought...why not and we could get a good picture moment!!  Well as I see these pics, it got a lot worse.

It was one tough clean up...with two of the three working much harder.  It was a lot and I wondered if they thought it was worth it.  I just asked Bobo who is sitting on my lap as I write this, he said, "he wouldn"t do it again, because it took a long time to clean up."  (he he)

On another evening, we painted our creations.

Happy Advent

nativity

We have made 3 of our Jesse ornaments, maybe a few more will be made this year and we will continue next year.  We have enjoyed our readings from Ann Voskamp's download on Advent.

Their painted nativity scene....

Deveraux had asked if you have a baby just by praying for one.

My first thought..."oh boy!  I need more time" 

Then, "wow wouldn't that be great" (as I would love a 3rd but I have a husband content with our two)

 and then later I thought, well that is what happened with Mary, sort of.  So I thought that comment belongs here with Mary looking over baby Jesus.

Bobo loves baby Jesus

Carmel by the Sea Tree lighting



First time brave enough to sit alone...



Believing

Hearing the news about Sandy Hook was pure shock and just sadness.

Then fear

Then "what if" and a sense that no one is safe

Then just trying to make sense and searching for articles that will somehow make pieces fit or a sense to try and understand and to be a part being so far removed and yet not....because it could be me, it could be us.

I had a friend coming over for coffee, I wondered if she wonders how the God I believe in could allow this to happen. 

I don't know. 

I know He can stop these things and sometimes He does and sometimes He doesn't.

I know my relationship isn't and cannot be based on what I see Him or doing or not doing.

It can't be.

I have chosen to believe and I know the alternative to not believing during these days would feel despairing. 

So I will pray for these families and mine. 

Hoping I will never have to walk that path, in moments I wonder how I would survive.

And I believe in a God I don't always understand... knowing I can trust in Him and not in what I see...even within me. 

Saving grace is all we have.

He is who we have.

"Streets of Bethlehem"

A large Baptist church in Salinas hosts "Streets of Bethlehem" and this was their 21st year.  It is a major production with many volunteers and many who go to see it.  We decided to walk the streets of Bethlehem.

We were greeted by Roman solders who told us we were here to be counted in a census. 

After seeing the scene where Mary is visited by Gabriel, we were ushered into the busy streets of Bethlehem where the many vender's were selling their wares.  We saw many things like fabrics, spices, beads, animals, fruits and vegetables.This woman above leaned close to Deveraux and said, "Did you hear?  Tonight a King is going to be born..but don't tell the soldiers."

we continued to walk

Then we saw Mary and Joseph come to where they discovered there was no room in the inn.

And as the angels opened the doors, we beheld a sight that we will never tire of.....

And this was his face when he saw what lay behind the barn doors.  Then Jesus as a man came out to speak to us, I wondered if Bobo really thought that might be Jesus.  It was a wonderful night of receiving just a taste of Bethlehem the night Jesus was born.