Friday, December 28, 2007

Christmas Blessings

What blessing did you receive this Christmas? What was the center of your focus?

This year our Christmas was quiet and low key. We had a white Christmas here in Kansas, USA. The day after we even got an additional snowfall. It was so beautiful as it quietly came down and blanketed our world. Christmas evening we attended our Christmas Eve service, opening our gifts before leaving for the service. Christmas day was spent with our daughter while my husband slept (during the day) or worked (that night). Our "big" Chrismas day with our sons and families will be on New Year's Day.

When something is so familiar as the Christmas story, it is hard to see it from a fresh point of view. This year I heard a song on the radio that gave me that "fpv". I don't even know the name of it, but it talked about the Magi's expectations and what they actually found. They were looking for a King (ruler?), and a grown man. What did they find? A child, yet God, Himself! They came away with much more of a blessing they ever dreamed. Their encounter with God was way beyond what they ever dreamed or expected. It gives a new meaning to "Emmanuel = God,...with US!"

What has been your encounter with God this Christmas?

Monday, December 17, 2007

Let it snow!

Oh, the weather outside is frightful, but the picture outside the window is delightful!!!! (to "pare a phrase.")

We had some ice last week through about Wed. The temps rose just enough to melt most of it. The roads were all cleared. Now, today, Saturday we have woken up to a little bit of snow. We didn't get as much as predicted (3-5 inches), but I'd say there's at least an inch out there. Glad I'm home!

I did have a student worker ask me Monday of last week – when the ice storm was still being anticipated: "if classes are canceled, will we still be open?" I told her, sure, I was here (I stay over night twice a week on campus) and the students were here, of course we would. Somebody might want the chance to get some extra studying done. The look on her face told me how she felt about that! But fortunately we didn't have to test her commitment to her job.

Have you ever looked at an individual snowflake? Did you know it is always made up of 6 sections and there are never any two alike? And there's been a LOT of snowflakes dropped on this ole world! What an imaginative Creator we have.

This definition, "White ice crystals that have combined in a complex branched hexagonal form" was found here.

Thursday, December 13, 2007

More Advent Calendars

Snowflakes - Here’s a cute advent calendar for teachers to use with their kids.

Okay here’s one with ideas, but is a rather boring presentation.

Here’s a Wallpaper Advent Calendar.

Most appropriate of all I found is this one.

I haven’t had a lot time to just hunt, but I like the last one given above I think the best. I'm sure there can be more found like it. If you know of one, let me know.

Friday, December 07, 2007

Christmas online Advent Calendar

Another blog mentioned this advent calendar. I thought it was rather interesting, so I'm sharing it here as well. This one shares library books that have to do with Christmas. Here's another one but of a different kind. It deals with the art work that depicts different parts of the christmas story.

I'll have to look for some more. I think this a neat idea!! If you know of one let me know.

One thing they both do that I don't care for is the numbers are not sequintial. You have to hunt for the number. In the second one the numbers are a little hard to see. But it also messes with my penchant for wanting things neat and in order. It gives me the feeling of chaos. (AAAGGGHHHHHHH).

oh, by the way, Merry Christmas. :-)