Continuing Christmas Tradition- RACHEL'S FAITH

It hard to sit in our middle class homes filled with decoration and comforts and not feel pain for those who do not have the same opportunity we do. Even when money is tight, we have so much in comparison to much of the world.
In years past we have given donations to organizations like Samaritans Purse as gift to family for Christmas. This year with our heart focus being drawn more strongly towards orphans around the world we have looked into some of the great opportunities that All Gods Children Int'l offers to help orphans, mothers, and widows. AGCI helps family with the adoption process, but also has different ministries that help these groups in foreign, poverty stricken areas. They have a few ministries in Ethiopia one of which is Rachel's Faith. You have an option to donate to the cause or to actually travel with them on a mission trip to work with these women. And since a trip out of the country is not an option right now, we decided to donate to this ministry this year. Below is the info on Rachel's Faith from their website www.OrphanCare2011.org.

If you as looking for a last minute gift, how about the gift of life and family. :)


RACHEL'S FAITH:

In the Tigray region of Ethiopia, it is difficult for single mothers and widows to find jobs to help support their families. AGCI's program 'Rachel's Faith' provides opportunities for women to learn trades, open businesses, and care for their families. Because of this outreach to single mothers, children who were on the verge of being orphaned are now able to remain in their home environment.

May you all have a very Merry Christmas as we pause to remember our Savior being born as a man to save all men from their sins. A King so humble, the perfect Son and sacrifice.
Happy Birthday Jesus, thank you for the best gift ever.... you!

Christ must be 1st at CHRISTmas! Cute idea ahead...

Saw this on the MOPS Int'l website and thought it was a cute idea.
With our kids we make a birthday card for Jesus and put it in his stocking and then on Christmas morning when we have breakfast we read them to Him at his Birthday party. And yes we do the candel in the panCAKE and sing, it wouldn't be a party w/o that (a least acording to my 4 yr old).
Merry Christmas! :)



A Stocking-Stuffer Christmas Story
By Sherry Fiscella

It’s easy to get caught up in a “Here-Comes-Santa-Claus” kind of Christmas. One way to focus on the real meaning of Christmas is by telling the story of Jesus’ birthday with five fun stocking stuffers.

After gathering the stocking stuffers suggested below, wrap and number them in the order listed. Next, place the items in a single stocking or distribute them among family members’ stockings.

On Christmas morning, help your children unwrap the gifts in numerical order. Use each item as a prompt to tell a portion of the Christmas story.

Stocking Stuffers:



Angel ornament: This Christmas ornament reminds me of the angel, Gabriel, who told a young lady named Mary that God had chosen her to be the mother of a special baby boy. The angel told Mary to name the baby “Jesus.”

Small box of blocks: These remind me of a builder. Joseph, who promised Mary that he would be her husband, was a builder. While baby Jesus was still in Mary’s tummy, Joseph and Mary took a trip to Bethlehem, a town that was far away.

Animal crackers: When Joseph and Mary arrived in Bethlehem, there was no room left in any of the hotels. Instead, they stayed in a stable, a cave where animals were kept. These animal crackers remind me of the animals that might have lived in that stable.

A pacifier-shaped lollipop or a baby doll item: This reminds me of a baby. The most special baby ever born was God’s own Son, Jesus! Baby Jesus was born while Joseph and Mary were staying in that stable in Bethlehem.

A soft pair of socks or mittens: These soft socks remind me of wooly sheep. An angel visited some shepherds who were watching their wooly sheep near where Jesus was born. The angel told the shepherds to find baby Jesus. After finding the newborn Savior, the shepherds told lots of people the good news. I’m glad I can share the good news about Jesus with you this Christmas, too!








Sherry Fiscella loves stuffing her Christmas full of reminders of Jesus’ birthday as she celebrates with her husband and two children. A freelance writer and speaker, she may be contacted through her website: www.sherryfiscella.com.

babies are growing up

You know your "babies" are growing up when they call you by yuor 1st name instead of mama.
The twins are having a hard time going to sleep today and have been talking/ singing in their beds for about 30 minutes. I have tried laying them down and rubbing their backs, etc. without success. I left to for awhile to see what would happen, and I hear the sweet 2 yr. old voice, "Mama poopy." I thought if was probably just a trick to get me in the room again so I wait and a minute later hear her say, "K-Tina, I poopy." I did go that time, she's never called my by "my name" before so figured it had to be real. She was perfectly dry and sweetly smiles up at me and says "Sissy poop" her sister confirms so I check her only to find she is dry as well. They just laugh. They have defiantly been perfecting their "twin language" and can now use it to plan and trick mama! :)
We have been thinking about giving potty training a shot over Christmas, if this keeps up I think they might be successful at it. They know what their bodies are trying to do, its a start. Now helping them learn only certain people can call me certain names, which is hard I know since I have so many (even some of my adult friends have been confused at what to call me;)) Just not ready for them to be so grown up!:) I'll always be "mama."

"Baby Jesus"

Karis has produced her 1st Christmas single! ;)

Now that the twins have begun to really master language it is quite a fun (and noisy) place. I love to sit and listen to them talk with each other. I didn't quite believe others when they said that twins have their own language, but it's defiantly true for our two. They can sit and have full length conversations with each other, most are able to be interpreted by us, but some is just for themselves. Some of my favorite things about the language development is that they sing, alot. ABC's, Twinkle little star, B-I-B-L-E, and many more. Sometimes they, especially Karis, will just sing about a random thing they are doing or thinking about, usually to a tune of one of their favorite songs. Today I caught them playing with the nativity set when I was getting replacement bulbs to fix some lights on the tree, but I couldn't get upset b/c they were playing so nicely and singing about baby Jesus.

Here is a sample of Karis' 1st recorded Christmas single! ;)

She is only 26 months old, so not to bad!

toddlers rule

All parents know that the toddler years are interesting, busy, and full of surprises. These young children have unspoken rules, and when you have multiple children that fit into this category there are many amusing as well as frustrating moments.
If you have one 2 yr old, then that toys is hers, there is no contest. I am blessed with two 2 yr old and a 3 and 4 year old. So the old toddler rule of: I want it, it's mine; can cause quite a rowdy scene around our home.
Some of the consistent rules of a toddler I have found in my days of parenting:
- I saw it, it's mine.
- I want it, it's mine
- You have it, I can get it, it's mine.
-I beat her to it, it's mine.
- You let me use it, its mine.
- You set it down it's mine.
-You ever thought about getting me, one it, its mine.
- I'm giving you cute puppy dog eyes, it's mine.
- She's had it long enough (in my opinion), so now it mine (forever).
-It light's up, its mine.
-It talks, its mine.
- It sparkles, it's mine.

The list could continue.......................... on and on................................... :) ......................... but you know what I'm talking about.


No one ever had to teach us to be self centered (or most of the other not so pleasent attributes we have). And some say we are naturally good! Anyone that has spent a good amount of time with a kid, or looked honestly at themselves, can see that is totally false. We are a depraved and sinful people, even as cute toddlers.

Praying that during this season so fulled with 'things' and the 'stuff that I need to be mine' attitude that we are not overcome with ourselves, but that we are overwhelmed with the love a Savior that gave so we could have life. How many rulers/ false gods ever gave of themselves or resources so that the lowly could become part of their family/ inheritance?

I do look forward to the joy and excitement that will fill those 8 beautiful eyes of our children on Christmas, and I hope the same for our family and friends.
May you find many opportunities to fill your home with Christ as we prepare for His glorious birthday celebrations!