Hello iPhone World

Merry Christmas to us! Fancy new iPhone 5's :)

Again, so blessed.

Christmas Blessings

The greatest gift for us this Christmas was having my family here to spend time with us. They drove up a few days early because we bought tickets to the Titans game on the 23rd. Although it was below freezing the entire game, we were prepared so we didn't even get cold. Even though the Titans played terrible, we had a lot of fun just being in the stadium and spending time together. My mom stayed home in the warmth and had a delicious meal on the table for us when we got home from the game :)

I wish I had remembered to take a picture of our living room after they arrived with all their presents. 

We went to Christmas Eve service at our church Monday night. I was so used to celebrating Christmas Eve with a candlelight service that it didn't even occur to me that other churches might not do the same. It was different not having the candles but great to be able to celebrate the ultimate Christmas gift together.

I feel like we spent most of our time together eating, but we had some delicious food! On Christmas day, I made my first ever turkey and it was a success (the secret is the two day brine with salt and sugar). My parents even said it was the best they've ever had! We had crab wontons and spicy sausage balls for appetizers and mashed potatoes and gravy, green beans, and homemade mac and cheese with our turkey. I also made my favorite holiday dessert, chocolate torte with raspberry sauce. More labor intensive, but so worth it! It was even more special because we got to serve it on my great-grandmother's china that I was given. What a great meal (that definitely earned us a few trips to the Y) :)

When we weren't eating, we played a lot of dominoes. I'll admit I thought it would be lame, but it can actually be a lot of fun to play. Justin and I have even broken out the dominoes once since they left. We also spent the last month trying to find volunteer opportunities during the week of Christmas. Unfortunately, all opportunities were the week before so Mom found another way for us to give to others during the season. She found this article that listed ways you can make a difference in the lives of  SHES children and families. One thing they requested were snowflakes to create a winter wonderland when the students return to school. We went old fashioned with the paper snowflakes (the hexagon is the key) and made quite a pile by the end of the week. We also each wrote letters to victims' families. What a sobering experience, especially on Christmas.

Spoiled rotten...that bed is heated

Justin had to go back to work the day after Christmas, so we decided to go ice skating during the day since skating is one of his least favorite activities. We skated for over an hour and were much more comfortable at the end. We were even doing a train around the rink.

The ten seconds Dad was on the ice

Nicholas had to show us his taping skills before he left, as well as try out his new shark tape cutter. Apparently you can't use pre-wrap on an ankle...or so he says. Maybe he just enjoyed ripping all the tape off.

Justin got a scalp massager for Christmas (one of those that looks like a giant whisk)...this is the resulting hair style

I also finally got both pairs of my winter boots in the mail. Pretty necessary when you have over a foot of snow! These are the more stylish of the two. I feel like an eskimo when I wear them :)

We are so thankful to my parents and Nicholas for making the trip up to visit (and thanks to Sydney for giving up time with Nicholas). What a wonderful first Christmas married. We have the best family and I cannot wait to celebrate many more holidays together!

Great News!

I'm not one to brag or mush, especially on the internet, but we have great news! Justin got a promotion! I am so proud of him and all the hard work he does. It is nice to see others recognizing his accomplishments as well. :) He will kick off his new job with a 5 day business trip to South Carolina at the end of January. How cool is that?!

He got the offer the week before Christmas, so we made a three course fondue dinner and had game/puzzle/movie night to celebrate, and the weekend before Christmas we celebrated with my family at our favorite Italian place, Carmella's. The food and company was awesome, and we even got to see Donald Driver there (who was wearing those snap-up athletic pants that we all thought were cool in elementary school with his super bowl bling while his date had on a mink coat, classy).

We also spent a little time playing in the snow we got earlier in the week. We had about a foot of snow, but it was too cold to stick so no snowman.

We are so thankful for the continued blessings we have! 

Rediscovering the Christmas Season: Day 8

Matthew 25:31-46

31 “When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his glorious throne. 32 All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. 33 He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left. 34 “Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. 35 For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, 36 I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’ 37 “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? 39 When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’ 40 “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’ 41 “Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. 42 For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, 43 I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.’ 44 “They also will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?’ 45 “He will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.’ 46 “Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life.”

I want to live my life as one of Christ's sheep. I am praying for God to reveal to me people in my 
life who are "the least of these" and how I can help them.

Also, two years ago today Justin and I made the best decision of our lives thus far. Not our best picture (or looks in general, what were we thinking?!) but a great memory :)

Rediscovering the Christmas Season: Day 6/7

The topics for the last two days have been giving and decorating. This was very appropriate since we spent the weekend shopping and finishing our decorations! Often it is easy for the focus of Christmas to be on receiving gifts, especially with children. I remember when I was growing up how my parents were very intentional about trying to focus my brother's and my attention more on the season of giving and doing for others and less on Santa wish lists. Giving is so much more rewarding than receiving. I love shopping for others. I enjoy spending time picking out gifts for each person that you know they will enjoy. (I also just don't like opening presents. When I was younger, I refused to open all my gifts on Christmas.) We have been so blessed by God and it is therefore our responsibility to use this blessing to give to others. And what a fun way to share God's love this season!
Now I know many people (including our LED-happy neighbors) were very anxious to decorate for the Christmas season. Thanksgiving weekend was full of Facebook pictures of people's trees, lights, mantles, wreaths, and candles. While I'm sure blow up Santas and garland galore is festive, what exactly are we celebrating with these decorations? What are the meaning and significance of the decorations? I doubt many of us even know. Maybe it is just a family tradition or a great craft we saw on Pintererst or we just decorate a certain way because everyone else does. How many of our decorations speak to the focus we place on Christ during this season? If you are like us, probably not many, if any. Of course there is a manger, but if you have any other great ideas for an ornament or decoration to create that represents our relationship with Jesus this season, please share! What a great reason for a craft! We also got a little God-made Christmas decoration today :)

And finally, a little Christmas love from us.

Rediscovering the Christmas Season: Day 4/5

Yes, we did complete day 4 yesterday, I just did not blog about it so today will be a combo.
For day 4, we read some verses from Mark 9 where Jesus addresses his disciples about being a servant. I feel that often during the Christmas season we can get so caught up in ourselves and our families that we forget our real purpose. We are meant to serve others. This is not an inconvenience; it is a blessing. More often than not, the one serving is the person that walks away from the experience having gained the most. It is rewarding mentally, emotionally, spiritually, and eternally. Our challenge is to take an inventory this Christmas season of how our days are spent:  are we characterized more by being served or by serving? 

"Anyone who wants to be first must be the very last, and the servant of all." Mark 9:35

For day 5, we read verses from Matthew 4, Isaiah 9, and Matthew 5 that focused on being a light for the world. Lights are a popular thing this time of year. You will see them on Christmas trees, lining gutters, on light poles, and if you are our neighbor, on every inch of the outside of your house. But how many of us spend more time putting lights on our trees than being lights for the world ourselves? When I think about how my life has been a light to those around me, I can definitely think of many things I can change to make my light shine brighter. Let's all make a point to be a light for Jesus during this Christmas season.   

“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven." Matthew 5:14-16

On another note, I have done a lot of driving in the areas surrounding us since moving to Wisconsin. One thing I have seen a lot of that was new to me is uncontrolled intersections. If you don't know what this is or have not seen one, it is the most ridiculous accident waiting to happen. On my way to work everyday, I have to drive through 4 or 5 uncontrolled 4 way intersections where two roads cross and there are no stop signs, yield signs, or any other type of law, sign, know fact about how the traffic flow should work if more than one car would approach the intersection. No direction has the right of way and not a single person can tell me what one should do when multiple cars are crossing the intersection. There are a few different methods to maneuvering these roads: 1) drive as fast as you can through the intersection as to not be hit (not suggested but chosen method by many) 2) take the first car to the intersection has the right of way approach (and hope the other person thinks the same way) 3) assume the person traveling straight on the same road and not turning has the right of way (this does not work when cars are going straight on both roads) 4) treat every intersection as a yield sign (which will most likely end up getting you rear-ended) 5) stop at every intersection (which often ends in a friendly back and forth of waving the other to drive first) 6) assume the person on the right will always have the right of way (what if you are going straight and the person to the right wants to turn right to go the same direction you are -- do you stop and let them turn or can they just wait to turn after you have passed?) 
Overall, this is a very confusing situation and I do not know how it is legal to have a four way intersection with no rules governing how cars should appropriately travel the intersection. If I was making a city, it would never have any uncontrolled intersections. Control is there for our safety and security. 

Rediscovering the Christmas Season: Day 3

Luke chapter 2. Imagine if you were one of the shepherds and an angel appeared to you, declaring your Savior had been born. How exciting and scary at the same time. God communicates to us all. Maybe not using as drastic measures as an angel, but he is telling us an important message, we just have to take the time to listen. This is what we hope to accomplish this Christmas season.

Rediscovering the Christmas Season: Day 1/2

We started this reading plan a few days late, so we did days 1 and 2 today to catch up. This is a plan to refocus our attention on Christ during the Christmas season. Day 1 we read some verses from Luke 2 that talked about a man named Simeon and a woman named Anna that anxiously awaited the arrival of Jesus. This is advent. Many of us have probably heard the word before and maybe even had an advent wreath in our home or church, but have we ever taken the time to really figure out the purpose? 

What Is Advent? Advent comes from the Latin word adventus meaning arrival or coming. The Hebrews looked forward to the coming of a Savior or Messiah—the First Advent. Now, we are waiting expectantly for His return to sweep His bride off of our feet—the Second Advent. The Church has been waiting for Him to come back from the moment He left the first time. 

Why Should I Participate in Advent? So, what does Advent have to do with celebrating the arrival of Jesus? Traditionally, Advent counts down the four weeks leading up to Christmas. Practically, Advent reminds us to look forward to His return every day. This season is about resetting Jesus Christ at the center of our lives. After all, when He comes to take us home forever, we want to be ready. Expect to be inspired, challenged, refocused, broken, motivated, unified, encouraged, and most of all, expectant.

 

Advent is not something you do once a year by lighting candles on a wreath. Advent is a way of life. We should live everyday anxiously awaiting the arrival of our King. I cannot honestly say that this is how I live. Our small group was having a discussion the other week and this topic came up. Do you ever wish Jesus would wait to come back because you simply love your life right now? Guilty. I am so blessed in this earthly world and really do hope to live to enjoy many more blessings in my future. But if I desire this more than spending eternity with my King, I need to reevaluate my priorities. We cannot even fathom the heavenly blessings that await us and how much better they are than any earthly blessing ever could be.

Christmas is a wonderful time of year. We get a vacation from work, spend time with family, attend Christmas eve service, cook and eat delicious and laborious meals together, give and receive gifts, bake cookies, listen to music, watch football, enjoy the decorations, etc. As you can see, the holiday season comes with busyness, but my goal this season is to think about how I anticipate Christmas. How much of this feeling of excitement is centered on the arrival of Christ? 

6 Months!

The past 6 months have been incredible being married to my best friend!  Our lives have changed so much in the last half-year, but we have been wonderfully blessed.  God has such a big plan for our lives, and although it is about as different from my plan as possible, it is so much better than I could ever imagine.
Although I was sick over the weekend, we did make it out to...you guessed it, Mexican, to celebrate on Saturday (minus the margarita :( but with plenty of queso/salsa mix to make up for it).



I never posted pictures after some of Justin's family came to visit before Thanksgiving.  We went out to eat, to the movies, Christmas shopping (and even played "the claw" machine while out where Justin almost won a stuffed penguin), watched some football, and cooked a Thanksgiving meal together. We had a great time with them and even made it up to Green Bay for our third tour of the stadium.  I can't wait until we make it there for a game in December!

Justin and his brothers, Jackson and Jordan

Justin and his grandpa Denny

Since Thanksgiving I have been busy lesson planning/grading (school is crazy during this time!), Christmas shopping, and decorating the house. I have even had the Christmas music going and holiday candles burning the past few nights, but I still feel like we are not really prepared for Christmas because we are not taking time to focus on the real meaning of Christmas. I have decided to spend the next the next 25 days rediscovering the Christmas season through a bible reading plan. I plan on posting a reflection once a day to hold myself accountable. 

Until tomorrow!