Happy New Year’s Eve Party!

Great friends, Cards, Trivia Pursuit(on the Xbox) and Sparkling Grape Juice…what else could you ask for.

Dinner with the Cotton’s, Beach’s and Cargle’s.

I feel like the break has been a catch up time. We have been so busy with everything this semester that we have not been able to sit down and have dinner with some of our close friends, so that is what we have done/are doing this break…catching up. We did dinner with the Cotton’s(Olive Garden..YUM) dinner with the Beach’s(Rusty Bucket.. I like panko) and with the Cargle’s(Red Lobster) We defiantly used up those holiday gift cards. J And a few more to go!

Good Bye 2012

I am sitting here and thinking back on 2012. So much has happened it is pretty overwhelming....
Fun things from 2012:
-New Job in Cincinnati
-Discipleship with 3 lovely ladies
-Lots of babies (many friends have had kidos and other are on the way)

Some of What God has Taught me in 2012
-Patience
-Reliance
-Faith

What to work on in 2013
-Fitness
-Relationships
-Consistency

Merry Christmas!

It is hard to believe that is it already Christmas time has flown by! And even though it is already here I am still not entirely used to the idea of being in the US rather than East Asia. The last 2 years Josh and I were serving in East Asia and this year 11 of our students have gone in our place. I know that God has so much to teach me and plans to use us this year as we stay and serve where we are. During the Christmas Break the Bridge Adults have been able to come together to study and build community. I am so excited to use some of what I learned over this break with the ladies that I meet with! Well Merry Christmas to everyone...I pray God is teaching you like he is teaching me!

1 John 3:7-8

“Little children, let no one deceive you. Whoever practices righteousness is righteous, as he is righteous. Whoever makes a practice of sinning is of the devil, for the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the works of the devil.”

True Community.

Well the students are gone and Sunday mornings have begun. The “old people” aka adults, who are still in town, have decided to meet Sunday mornings for church. It is more like a bible study or small group. We are currently going through the book “True Community” By Jerry Bridges. It talks about fellowship and what that really means. So far it has been pretty good, we will see where it takes us.

Romans 5:10-11

“For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life. More than that, we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.”

Dodge Christmas

This year all the adults did a Gift Exchange, we all drew names and bough for one person rather than for all 15 of us. We still bought items for the kidos. It was a nice day. Josh got a few video games, gift cards and pj pants. I got pj pants, a deep fryer, boots and some nail polish. We are so blessed to have such a wonderful family (both sides)

John 20:30-31

“Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.”

John 18:37

“Then Pilate said to him, “So you are a king?” Jesus answered, “You say that I am a king. For this purpose I was born and for this purpose I have come into the world—to bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth listens to my voice.”

1 John 3:8

“Whoever makes a practice of sinning is of the devil, for the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the works of the devil.”

Hebrews 2:14-15

“Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery.”

John 17:18

“As you sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world.”

Jeremiah 31:31

“Behold, the days are coming, declares the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and the house of Judah,”

Goob Bye East Asia Team...

Our Mission Team boarded a plane headed for the other side of the globe, and sadly Josh and I were not on it. It is really odd thinking that we will be celebrating Christmas and the New Year here in the States. It is not a bad thing just very different since the last 2 years have been in small villages, where the Gospel and Christmas are so new and unknown. Which has really made me think about being here and realizing that the Gospel and Christmas, though they are spoken and more present they are still unknown to so many. So many American’s just like those across the world have a skewed view of what Christmas really is.  One image that always will stick with me is the was the one where Santa is holding baby Jesus. Ironically in the States you do not typically see this image (at least I have not) but when I saw it abroad it hit me this is what an American Christmas is all about It is so sad but they got it right, here we choose to compartmentalize Christmas with Santa at home a Christ at Church. We love the holiday cheer and the joy of the season but skim over the birth of our Savior. I love Christmas I really do, I love seeing my family, baking cookies and buying gifts for loved ones. But I need to stop and truly remember and share what Christmas is about, what my life is about and what we are about. 

One Crazy Weekend

So this weekend was a bittersweet weekend. Friday night I babysat my youngest niece she will be 2 in January… they grow up so fast. Saturday was filled with baking and sharing amazing times with my sisters and mother. We baked and baked cookies (more than you can imagine) Then I headed home for some nice relaxing time with my hubby.

 

Sunday was our first small group Sunday , during the Christmas break 95% of the Church goes home since they are all students this leaves about 10 of us (mostly the married folk) so this year we are starting a journey through the book True Community by Jerry Bridges. Week one seemed to go pretty good. I am excited to see where God leads and teaches us over the next few weeks.

John 10:10

“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.”

Cookie Day

Every year for the last who knows how many my mother and sisters have done what we call “Cookie Day” it is a day filled with baking, melting and lots of laughter. The last two years I have not been able to attend since Josh and I were overseas. But this year my calendar was open so I made the drive back into town to take part in the festivities. Oh So many cookies, candies, fudge and so much more. It is always fun when I am able to spend time with my family.

Hebrews 8:6

“But as it is, Christ has obtained a ministry that is as much more excellent than the old as the covenant he mediates is better, since it is enacted on better promises.”

Hebrews 8:1-2

“Now the point in what we are saying is this: we have such a high priest, one who is seated at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in heaven, a minister in the holy places, in the true tent that the Lord set up, not man.”

Hebrews 8:1-2

“Now the point in what we are saying is this: we have such a high priest, one who is seated at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in heaven, a minister in the holy places, in the true tent that the Lord set up, not man.”

Dinner with the Cappacios

Tonight we headed over to the Cappacio’s home for dinner and a little Soap making. We had specially grilled cheese (multiple cheeses and jalapenos) and some chili! It was nice to spend time with great friends. After dinner I taught Alyse how to make my home made Laundry Soap. Then we headed to trivia for a fun and crazy evening…we got third place, not too shabby.

Hebrews 2:14-15

“Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil,  and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery.”

Matthew 2:10-11

“When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy.  And going into the house they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh.”

Matthew 2:3

“When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him;”

Matthew 2:2

“saying, “Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.”

Matthew 2:1-2

“after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem, saying, “Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.”

Luke 2:12-14

“And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.”  And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,

“Glory to God in the highest,
and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!”

Luke 2:6-7

“And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.”

Luke 2:1-5

“In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. This was the first registration when Quirinius was governor of Syria. And all went to be registered, each to his own town. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child.”

Luke 16:46-55

“Blessed be the Lord God of Israel,
for he has visited and redeemed his people
and has raised up a horn of salvation for us
in the house of his servant David,
as he spoke by the mouth of his holy prophets from of old,
that we should be saved from our enemies
and from the hand of all who hate us;"

Luke 16:46-55

“And Mary said,

“My soul magnifies the Lord,
and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
for he has looked on the humble estate of his servant.

For behold, from now on all generations will call me blessed;
for he who is mighty has done great things for me,
and holy is his name.
And his mercy is for those who fear him
from generation to generation.
He has shown strength with his arm;
he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts;
he has brought down the mighty from their thrones
and exalted those of humble estate;
he has filled the hungry with good things,
and the rich he has sent away empty.
He has helped his servant Israel,
in remembrance of his mercy,
as he spoke to our fathers,
to Abraham and to his offspring forever.”

Long Day

Oh I am so ready for a nap…

Let’s take a look at this day, it may not seem all that crazy but with the mileage it makes for a long day.

Morning Church with my parents and sister (in Columbus)

Panera for lunch (Yum)

Shopping at Michaels

Drive home(South Dayton)

Pack and grab Baby Shower gifts

Head to Baby Shower (North Dayton)

Baby Shower

Drive to Church (Oxford)

Christmas Service

Cookie Fellowship after church

Dinner at Chilies (Hamilton)

Bed!

That is a nice busy day

Luke 1:16-17

“And he will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God, and he will go before him in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, to make ready for the Lord a people prepared.”

Over Time: here we come

So today was my mother’s annual overtime day for Payroll conversions and since I have FABS overtime we both ended up working, yeah for 7 hours on a Saturday… Over all it was not too bad our project deployed with no major major issues just a few minors here and there. After work we headed home to work on my baked good for the Bridge Christmas Party and a bunch of other randomness….

 

 

 

Desserts (YUM)

Smores Cookies – they turned out sooo good

 

 

 

 

 

 

Salted Carmel Bars – Oh my I love this caramel!!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Projects

Baby Hat Embroidery – end project was good the process was not!

DIY Bench Project – lots of fun and great idea mom!

More Baby Shower Bow Ties – Still love them so!

Advent

We have been studding advent at church for the last few weeks (since we are a college town and everyone evacuates by the middle of December we have Christmas early.) And now that Advent truly starts tomorrow I am super excited to start this little study I found called Good New of Great Joy from Desiring God and John Piper

John 17:24

“Father, I desire that they also, whom you have given me, may be with me where I am, to see my glory that you have given me because you loved me before the foundation of the world.”