Prayer for 2010

Lord, I pray for my ability in Christ to Be more grateful, Love more unselfishly, Live more passionately, Choose more purposefully, Laugh more freely, Care more deeply, Forgive more easily, Speak more boldly, Understand more clearly, Plan more hopefully, Serve more willingly, Give more faithfully, Accept more quickly, Sow more bountifully, Play more wisely, Feast more sparingly, Share more abundantly, Learn more broadly, Teach more humbly, Fumble more gracefully, Wait more patiently, Appreciate more timely, Listen more closely and above all Worship more fully.

Minnesota Christmas Morning

We love being hibernated by a blanket of fresh, white snow.
What better way to enjoy a Christmas morning?





The image of immaculate, untouched snow.












Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.

Psalm 51:7


We have a visual reminder each time it snows of the work that Christ does in our hearts - if we allow Him too.





When the weather report announces a winter storm on the way - we can remember what His word says and remind ourselves of His analogy of snow in our lives.




Time for reflection on what is going on in our hearts.






The cleansing act of repentance brings the advent of purity in our hearts.










A soft heart that hears the still, small voice of God.





A voice we all long to hear.



But he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. To him the gatekeeper opens. The sheep hear his voice, and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought out all his own, he goes before them, and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice. A stranger they will not follow, but they will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers. John 10:2-5

Christ in Christmas

**Christmas is Christ in us.**





"In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. "John 1:4







Grace 4 -Learning phonics and life from her older siblings, growing fast.


"Lord,
Show us how to reflect the light that You are in us.









Bethany 13 - Loves drawing, hanging out with friends, and teaching kids at church











Allison 15 learning ballet, earning a driver's permit, and playing music



'That was the true Light which gives light to every man coming into the world.' John 1:9






Emily 18 - Finishing high school, working at Caribou, and playing music


Show us how to love as You loved.

'But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name:'
John 1:12







Teach us how to respond to Your grace
when we are wrestling with "doing our own thing."

We need your grace to keep forgiving one another when we fall short... again.
'And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another as God in Christ forgave you.' Eph 4:32

'And of His fullness we have all received, and grace for grace.' John 1:16

Laura 20 - Developing her photography business and enjoys traveling wherever that takes her.



Keep us forever in your protection...
















...and thank you Lord, for all the blessings you have given to us.



Benjamin 22 - Finished with drafting school, working at Cabela's warehouse, and moving out with friends in the Spring








We are grateful for our family and friends that you put in our lives.





Each of them have helped us grow in our relationship with You.





Bridget - teaching Allison, Bethany and Grace at home, helping with the family housecleaning business



We ask Your blessing on the New Year for our family and friends.










Bless them with wisdom and grace, health and provision for their every need.






Tom - Working at his Chimney Safe business, Cabela's fishing dept., our family house cleaning business and keeping our home warm and cozy.


Grant every one a Merry Christmas!"

Mosaic Lives

It has been a busy year. We are finally getting back to posting.
Christmas time is always a great time to make a few homemade gifts from the heart.
This year it's mosaics.



Arts and crafts gives us reason
to slow down our busy lives

and create.

To have time to quiet our minds
and focus on one project at a time.

To think

about how Christ dwells in this part of our lives

and gives it all meaning and purpose.

"In Him was life and the life was the light of men" John 1:4


Our lives are mosaics.

When we are broken and in pieces

- at the end of ourselves-

is the moment we can allow Christ to pick us up and create something beautiful with our lives.

"And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ. " Philippians 1:6


His grace is the glue that holds our broken bits

together

and gives us purpose.











It's all about Him

in

us.



"And those who are wise shall shine like the brightness of the sky above; and those who turn many to righteousness, like the stars forever and ever. "
Daniel 12:3