Do You See What I See?

We spent Sunday morning in Isaiah looking ahead to the Messiah. Israel (the 10 northern tribes) was on their way down for the last time. Judah (the 2 southern tribes) was backslidden again. Then here comes the prophet Isaiah with hope for the future. (9:2) "The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned." And then in 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." The good news for us today is that we don't have to wait 700 years like Israel, hope is here for us today.

We had an awesome time with a full house Sunday night at the Bethel Family Christmas. With the third Sunday morning in a row with snow or ice, we may have had more out in the p.m. than the a.m. (Free food helps too.) Here is a picture of Jeremiah and Elizabeth quoting Ephesians chapter 6 during the open mic time.


Here's a picture of one of our youth, Megan C. She lost her mom a few years ago and it has been a hard road at times, but here she is singing a song during the night. She heads to Costa Rica this March for a missions trip. We are very proud of her. God is faithful.


Tradition of the Day: We hit two traditions yesterday (Monday). One is we always go out to eat at The Olive Garden. I'm sure that sounds odd, but about 10 years ago Charlene W. gave us a gift certificate from there. The closest Olive Garden is probably about 30 miles, so we went in and hit the mall too and did some Christmas shopping. It was so nice to get away for 1/2 a day in the busy Christmas season we've done it every year since.

We also give the kids their ornaments for the year when we get back from the Olive Garden trip.
-Ethan got a cell phone ornament. He bought a LG Chocolate cell phone with his summer wages. (Which went through the wash twice in the first few months. Now he uses dad's old one.)
-Isaac got a mailbox ornament. He always has to check the mail and wants to know what's going on.
-Jeremiah received a cross ornament. He went on a mission's trip this summer and was also baptized in water this fall.
-Elizabeth got an ornament in the shape of a Christmas tree made with soccer balls. She had an awesome year in soccer this fall.

Be Refreshed!

Proverb of the Day: Proverbs 18:24 A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.

Scripture of the Day: Luke 1:30-33 30 But the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God. 31 You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus. 32 He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, 33 and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever; his kingdom will never end."

Quote of the Day: A prison cell, in which one waits, hopes... and is completely dependent on the fact that the door of freedom has to be opened from the outside, is not a bad picture of Advent. Dietrich Bonhoeffer