What I learned from my pastor... 12-6

In the weeks leading up to Christmas, Kevin is preaching about some of the reasons Jesus was born. This morning's sermon examined how Jesus was born to die. Jesus knew as he taught, healed, prayed and lived that his earthly ministry would culminate in the most brutal of ends, on a cross. But that would not be the ultimate end - his death and resurrection purchased our salvation. Kevin encouraged us to remember what Jesus went through and accomplished on the cross and in his resurrection. He also encouraged us to reflect on our own life's purpose - on the moments God has given and will give us to make a difference for His kingdom.

I have reflected a lot on the past year - maybe because I just finished our family's Christmas letter. What a year this has been! Major life changes, a diagnosis, and a new life being knit together in me as I sit here and type. It has been heart-wrenching, exhilarating, faith-building. I can't say that I've synthesized and settled the meaning of it all yet, if I ever will fully. One step at a time.

I was encouraged this week by a letter from Desiring God executive director Jon Bloom, who wrote:

The Holy Family's first few years were not tranquil. They were filled with grueling travel during the hardest part of pregnancy, a birth in worse than a barn, no steady income, an assassination attempt, two desert crossings on foot with an infant, living in a foreign country, waiting on God for guidance and provisions just in the nick of time. It was difficult, expensive, time-consuming, career-delaying and full of uncertainty.

And it was God's will.

The unplanned, inefficient detours of our lives are planned by God. They are common for disciples, and they commonly don't make sense in the moment. But God's ways are not our ways because our lives are about him, not about us. He is orchestrating far more than we know in every unexpected event and delay.

So when you find yourself suddenly moving in a direction you had not planned, take heart, hold tight, and trust God's navigation.

May you take heart, hold tight, and trust this Christmas season.

O Christmas Tree

Our first Christmas tradition of every season is to decorate the Christmas tree together. In the midst of unpacking, morning sickness that lasts all day (for Rachel) and a BUSY week back, we finally got to do it on Tuesday.

The kids really got into it this year - Naomi is quite skilled at spreading the ornaments out, and Johnathan was thrilled to "put the toys on the twee!"

The finished product:


The final step is the turning off of all the lights and snuggling on the sofa while gazing at the tree. In the past this step is also accompanied by peppermint ice cream, but we've learned our lesson about ice cream so close to bedtime! Maybe in a few years!

First Glimpse

Ok, so this isn't the clearest baby picture, but it's our first one for new Baby Boaz, and we were excited to get a glimpse and hear his or her little heartbeat again! The heartrate is clocking in at a brisk 183 beats per minute, and you can (not really) see the baby's heart beating between those two white lines in the middle of the picture. (We're taking the ob's word for it on that one!)Just wanted to share our little peek with you!

What I learned from my pastor... 11-29

Kevin wrapped up the series on Colossians this morning with a sermon entitled "Ultimate Life." This passage covered a lot of ground, from relationships between slaves and masters, to prayer and opening the door to the gospel, and greetings from Paul to individuals. But Kevin pulled it all together, showing how all of it revolves around our life in Christ. Our attitudes at work should reflect our faith in Christ. And we are called to pray for open doors so that we can share Christ with others, and to live a life that is available and shines a light that will draw others to Him. Kevin talked about how evangelism is not just a component of the Christian life, like reading your Bible, praying, or going to church. When we wholeheartedly follow Christ and allow Him to season our speech and our responses to life with His salt, we will naturally have an impact that shows the Good News.

As I read the final section of Colossians 4, where Paul sends greetings to a list of people, I wondered, "How are we supposed to apply this?" Kevin pointed out that Paul really invested his life in what really matters to God - the hearts and lives of others. Check out this passage that I normally skim over: It is full of people who encouraged, served, started churches, and were the very beginnings of a chain of faith that leads all the way to us, who today have been blessed to hear and believe the gospel!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving from the Boaz Family!

We Are Thankful For...

We are so grateful we got to visit our families in Colorado Springs last week! Here are pictures of some of the people and things we're thankful for...

Time to play with grandmas and grandpas

Playing with buddies Keira, Lily, and Nick

Fun with little cousin Prisca

Yummy food!

Snuggles with Great-grandpa and grandma Gardner and GreatMom McNabb

Playing with cousin Kayla, Matt and Ben

And a little bit of snow! We are also thankful for safe travel and our excellent travelers, Naomi and Johnathan, who go through airport security like little pros!

Thanksgiving Feast

A post about Naomi's preschool Thanksgiving Feast by guest blogger Naomi Boaz:

I am singing Thanksgiving songs. I have a turkey hat on my head. I cutted a piece of paper and glued everything and then I weared it.

I ate corn and some turkey and stuffing. Johnny and Daddy and Mommy ate some food.

My favorite Thanksgiving recipe: Pumkin Pie

Ingredients:

Canned goods

Milk

Dough

1. Take ingredients and mix them all together.

2. Put them in a big pan.

3. Put it in the oven for 5 minutes.

4. While its baking, make a fall leaf out of dough.

5. While the pie is cooling, make some whipped cream.

6. Eat it and watch Mary Poppins.