Amazing

Hebrews 1:3

The Son is the radiance of God's glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven.

Blessings in NYC

We spent most of the last three days getting to know New York City. It was quite the experience with a wide range of emotions, memories, and insights...

The first day we were really nervous, a bit stressed and completely unsure of what to do, how to get around, where to go... Oh boy! The kids were pretty relaxed, they must trust us a lot! We found the train and a parking lot, finally found a person to get our tickets and instructions so we didn't get lost and then we were on our way to NYC ( we drove from Pennsylvania and parked in New Jersery). Once we get there, we figured out the street system and made our way through the very cold streets 18 blocks or so to where we were taking a bus tour. Everyone was excited, and perhaps still a little nervous when Tim realizes he left his wallet in New Jersey in the van!!! I don't think I can explain the emotions that he and I had at that moment... We had our printout ticket but no ID and no... Wallet! Ahhh...

After praying, we went inside and kept praying that they would let us still have our tickets. Praise God, after some talking and lots of praying ( did I mention the praying!) they gave us our tickets! We had a wonderful day seeing many sights. I highly recommend a tour bus ! Very informative and fun! Just remember to bring your wallet for saving unneeded stress! We found our way back to the van with help of very friendly people and made it to our town again. We stopped for a couple of groceries and a drink at McDonald's and ended up getting the drink for free! We all slept well !

Day 2
We returned again ( with a 48 hour pass) and had a great time again on our tour ( with ID and wallet! :) We took the night tour through the city and saw a completely different view of what was around us. As we were on our way back to Penn Station to get the train we realized... We forgot our backpack on the bus! They run every 20 minutes, so we knew it would already be gone for a loop around town again, we had to leave without it. Thankfully there wasn't much in it, just a few snacks. We made it home again only slightly concerned about the loss of the backpack...

Day 3

Tim and I took a third day with just the two of us in the city. We went to McDonalds on the way to get a drink, when we went to pay they told us it was free! I couldn't help but laugh! Tim just reminded me of Matthew 7:11

If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!

God has given us some funny blessings and good gifts!
We continued on, safely made it to the city again, and felt very comfortable this time! It was not at all stressful or nerve wracking , in fact it was so much fun! We first went to check if there was a lost and found at our tour place, and got our backpack back! Then we picked up tickets for Voca People. We walked around town and found a ton if music stores!! It was amazing going from store to store trying out different instruments :)
After this we had a lovely dinner at a Japanese restaurant, then went to a diner for cheesecake!! Mmmmm, I will add pictures when we get home! The show was so great! Very funny, and entertaining!

Among our *mishaps this past week, we saw God's hand through it all. I was overwhelmed more by His blessings than the sights and sounds of the city. We had a good time for sure but we serve a GREAT, AWESOME God!

Refresh

We, or probably more I, am in need of some refreshing. Time away with my family and time with God without distractions. I always know I should spend more time with God and of course always see a difference when I do. Yet, that doesn't override my choices ... Time away from everyday life seems to be a good place to start fresh and be refreshed. I'm going to read a couple good books (I open to suggestions) and spend time listening to my Maker. I'm very much looking forward to this!
Sometimes we think that because we don't feel close to God He isn't there but He is always with us,sometimes we move farther away... God says in James 4:8
"Come near to God and He will come near to you."
So it's up to us, it's up to me. I'm going to go:)

Momma Monday ...on Tuesday!

My boy Matthew is a joy to be around. He brings a smile to our faces and lights up the rooms he enters. This Christmas in each of our stockings he had a verse for us that God gave him to share. They are always the most perfect and appropriate verses for each of us. My stocking verse came from the book of Proverbs chapter 14 verse 30 and says " a peaceful heart leads to a healthy body " As a mom, part of my job is to bring and enable peace in our home. Sometimes I do just the opposite, this was a good reminder for me from my precious tender hearted boy!

Merry Christmas to All!

It finally snowed!  Of this I'm very happy!  It feels so much more like Christmas with the ground being covered in a clean white layer!  Hopefully the rain holds off, or some more snow comes in the next couple of days!  

Visiting with (Great) Grandma Sibley :)

Merry Christmas to you!  Please take time to look ahead to Christ's coming!  Prepare your heart.  Love. Serve. Give.  Make your Christmas season different than the world's - Christ centred, as each day should be.  Give Him time.  Enjoy one another :)

Light of the World!

In the beginning when God started to create, in Genesis 1:4

God saw that the light was good, and he separated the light from the darkness.

The word light is found many many times in the Bible.  We are drawn to light and captivated by it.  Of course, as the Bible says as well in John 3:19 people do love darkness.  

This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil

However, we still have that choice.  Darkness, being the absence of light, is so hopeless.  We can have an eternal hope in Christ.  To live forever with Him where there will be no need of the sun because the glory of God will shine so brightly!  How awesome!  Jesus says, in John 9:5

While I am in the world, I am the light of the world.

Momma Monday

My "little drummer boy" showed his talent today at our Christmas lunch.  We had a couple of neighbours over for a yummy meal and visit and they requested some singing.  So I brought out the guitar and we all sang some Christmas carols.  It was really lovely, I enjoyed it a lot!  All of my kids were more than willing participants, we even had a few songs already out from Sunday morning's service so they were ready to go.  Ryan sang with us for a few songs, then realized what was missing.  He went and got the djembe (hand drum) and played along.  He's got music in him and can really play the drums well!  It amazes me how well he can play at such a young age and without any training.  He plays the drum kit at church when I lead the music.  He also plays during the week every other Wednesday for youth and every Thursday for Boys and Girls Club.  There have been a few times that we'll be worshiping God through music and I completely forget that my son, now 11 years old, is the one on the drum kit.  God has truly gifted him.  He continues to improve more and more each time he plays.  It doesn't take him long to figure out new patterns and rhythms.  Music has such a way to show emotion.  It can bring joy in our hearts and release emotion.  All through the Bible music was used to celebrate, soothe hearts, and praise God!  In 2 Samuel 6:5 it says,

David and all Israel were celebrating with all their might before the LORD, with castanets, harps, lyres, timbrels, sistrums and cymbals.

I pray that my little drummer boy will continue celebrating and praising his Lord and Saviour!