Because Christmas is Forever

It’s Jan. 23. Nearly a month after Dec. 25. I’m still finding random Christmas items around the house that should have been boxed up weeks ago.

Just yesterday I stashed away a pile of Christmas-themed picture books and board books. And we still have a healthy stash of candy canes and other stocking-stuffer sweets lingering on the kitchen counter.

I think part of me wants to celebrate Christmas again on some random day in February. Pull out the books and the music. Bake up those sugar cookies we never got around to making this year, and maybe whip up another batch of our favorite cinnamon rolls. Mmmmm…

One of my favorite authors, she says you can have the most hope after Christmas. She shares this conversation with her youngest daughter Shalom, who is the same age as my youngest daughter.

“Mama?” Shalom walks beside me, holding my hand. “Will tomorrow be Christmas too?”

I know that feeling. Not wanting any of this wonder to wander away — or me from it.

“Well, I’m thinking… ” I stop, look out across the fields and the white and the stars. “I’m thinking that it’s Christmas now forever.”

Her laughter rings all around us.

“Yes, Mama, yes!” She spins around in snow, in the halo of the barn light, us all under stars.

“It is Christmas forever now — because Christ is always with us.”

I like the idea of Christmas forever, don’t you? Christ is always with us, and in John 14:23 He promises to make His home with us when we love Him and obey His teaching. Jesus calls us to love and serve one another, and He promises that we will be blessed by doing so. In fact, in John 15:14, He says we are His friends if we do what He commands.

So this year, as Jesus’ friends, we’re re-celebrating Christmas on Feb. 25 in a really big way. This celebration will include hope and food and gift-giving on an enormous scale, but we’ll skip the over-decorated balsam fir, homemade cinnamon rolls and sugar cookies.

On Feb. 25, our church family is teaming up with 10 other churches and three Minnesota organizations (Feed My Starving Children, Impact Lives and Kids Against Hunger) to package and send over 1 million highly nutritious meals to the Dadaab Refugee Camp in Kenya. Right now in the Horn of Africa, 12 million Ethiopians, Kenyans and Somalians are suffering through the worst drought in more than 50 years. The project is called the Hunger Initiative, and you can learn more about it at thehungerinitiative.org.

Friends, may I humbly offer a few wonderful ways for you — as Jesus’ friend — to join us in loving and serving these who are in such desperate need for food?

First, pray! This is a huge project with the potential of saving thousands of lives. Secondly, since it costs $50 to pack one box of food (about 216 meals), financial donations are needed and appreciated. You can click here to donate – our specific project is the Brookwood/Bridgewood/Oakwood – Feed My Starving Children project.

Or perhaps you might consider serving in a personal, long-term way by sponsoring a child in Ethiopia?

Two years ago our family began sponsoring Dawit (pictured above) through Children’s HopeChest. God has richly blessed us through the pictures and handwritten letters we have received from Dawit. And God is softening our hearts and our children’s hearts as we pray regularly for Dawit and his friends at Kind Hearts carepoint, as we send letters and care packages to him, and as we pray for the various mission teams and mission projects connected with Kind Hearts.

Trees of Glory is another Children’s HopeChest carepoint in Ethiopia, and it has several new children in need of sponsor families. Click here to learn more about this excellent child sponsorship program, coordinated by Karen Wistrom who blogs at Family from Afar.

Christ is with us, so let’s let the world know we are Christians by showing our love. Let’s celebrate Christmas forever!

 

No Fool

“A man’s greatest care should be for that place where he lives longest; therefore eternity should be his scope.” – Thomas Watson (1620-1686)

Eternity was the scope of Jim Elliot.

Sixty-six years ago this month, Elliot and four other men, including pilot Nate Saint, were martyred in an effort to bring the Gospel to the Waodani (Auca) people of Ecuador.

Elliot died at age 28, and many might say his life was wasted, dying so young and leaving behind a wife and daughter. And he was doing what many would consider foolish — trying to befriend a tribe of savage killers.

But eternity was the scope of Jim Elliot.

“He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose.” – Jim Elliot (1927-1956)

Elliot gave his life on earth — a life that he could not keep. And he gained what he cannot lose — accruing friends for eternity by bringing the Gospel to the ends of the earth.

Elliot’s death, and the deaths of the men with him, paved the way for the Gospel to spread to the Waodani people. Many lives were changed because of their ultimate sacrifices, and many who were inspired by these martyrs became missionaries themselves, further spreading the Gospel.

Sometimes Jesus’ followers have to lose their lives in service and witness so that many come to faith.

Jesus says in John 12:23-26:

“…unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. Whoever loves his life loses it, and whoever hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. If anyone serves me, he must follow me; and where I am, there will my servant be also. If anyone serves me, the Father will honor him.”

Eternity was the scope of Jim Elliot.

Elisabeth Elliot, his widow, wrote two books about her late husband: Through the Gates of Splendor and Shadow of the Almighty: The Life and Testament of Jim Elliot. Elliot’s story is also featured in Torchlighters: The Jim Elliot Story, an animated movie for kids ages 8 to 12, and in Hero Tales Volume 2 by Dave and Neta Jackson. His story along with Nate Saint’s story is also featured in the 2006 movie The End of the Spear.

 

The Best of 2011

It’s snowing here on New Year’s Eve — gigantic, golf-ball-sized snowflakes — the biggest snowflakes we’ve seen in all our 15 winters here.

Usually snow doesn’t phase Minnesotans, especially in December. Ordinarily we have seen it all by this time of the year. But our state has been in a strange “snow drought” this December. We didn’t have a white Christmas, and that’s a huge blow to Minnesota pride. It’s hard to surrender bragging rights on a white Christmas, especially when you have to endure nine months of winter.

But now this. Gigantic snowflakes spiraling down to us from heaven above, piling up into a fluffy blanket worthy of sleds and snowball fights and such. This snowfall is making our household downright giddy! And some neighbors must feel the same snow thrill because as I type, at 10 p.m., I can hear shrieks of joy and crazy laughter from a few sledders on the hill nearby.

I wonder if the Israelites were ever this thrilled about manna? And I wonder what God-given gifts of grace our family will unwrap in 2012.

In the meantime, since the last moments of 2011 are slipping away, let’s have an award show! Eleven awards during the eleventh hour of the 2011th year! Woo-hoo!

#11, #10 and #9. For Best Movies of 2011, it’s a three-way first place tie between Dolphin Tale, Soul Surfer and Courageous. Somehow I managed to see two of these movies in the theatre (gasp!) with my husband. That’s really the most shocking news here. And the other movie, Dolphin Tale, our entire family just finished watching in the basement a few moments ago. There were tears and sobs and laughs a-plenty, especially from the younger generation. And then after spending two hours completely entranced by Winter the Dolphin, we came upstairs to be completely entranced by Winter the Season. This is the stuff “Remember that time…” memories are made of.

#8. For Best Book, the award goes to One Thousand Gifts by Ann Voskamp. Here’s my review of it from last January.

#7. For Best Children’s Book Author, the award goes to the late Elizabeth Enright (1909-1968). I read aloud two of her books – Gone Away Lake and The Saturdays — to the girls this year. We all adored them and look forward to reading more of her works in 2012.

#6. For Best Date-Night Destination, the award goes to Freeziac, a do-it-yourself frozen yogurt shop. Think TCBY 1980-something, except you get to dish up the cold stuff and top it however you like it. Marshmallows, nuts, hot caramel, hot butterscotch, and a few dozen other toppings. You pay by the ounce. And with comfy seating and board games, it’s the perfect destination for a fulfilling yet inexpensive evening hanging out with someone you dearly love. Truth be told, we’ve only been to Freeziac as a family. But I’m thinking this post might inspire a certain someone I know to set up a date night. Soon. (I’ll let you know if he gets the hint.)

#5. For Best Strangely Lovable Four-Legged Animal, the award goes to the llama. Most significant contributors to the llama’s new-found popularity are Chocolate Chip and Carmella, which we met and hiked with this fall on a homeschool field trip. Also factoring into this election are the book Llama Llama Red Pajama by Anna Dewdney and the movie The Emperor’s New Groove, in which the emperor turns into a llama.

#4. For Best Tea I Finally Tried, the award goes to Tazo Organic Chai. After years of refusing to try chai tea simply because it seemed entirely too trendy and creamy for my taste, I tried and fell in love with this tea, with sugar and without milk, mind you. My daughters adore it, too.

#3. For Best Garden Display in Minnesota, the award goes to the rose garden at the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum.

#2. For Best Garden Display in My Backyard, the award goes to my backyard peonies. We came home from vacation in June just in time to savor this delightful display of pink blooms.

#1. For Best Gift in My Thousand Gifts List, the award goes to number 718, Linnea’s baptism.

 

The Story Behind the Red Kettle and Bells

by Linnea, age 9

Catherine Booth was very bold. She was born in 1829 and died in 1890. She was a woman who preached sometimes. She married William Booth, and they started the Salvation Army together.

It was very hard work. People threw rotten fruits and other stuff at the Salvation Army Band. The Salvation Army tried very hard and succeeded a lot in telling people about Jesus.

If you would like to help the Salvation Army, put money in one of their red kettles. You can find them at Wal-Mart, Walgreens, etc. If you hear some bells ringing at a store and see somebody, there should be a Salvation Army kettle nearby.

If you would like to learn more about the Salvation Army and the Booths, you can read Kidnapped by River Rats  or Heroes of the Faith by Dave and Neta Jackson or watch Torchlighters Heroes of the Faith: The William Booth Story on DVD.

Would you like to know Jesus, too? If you want to know more about Him, you can look at www.needhim.org. •

Linnea is 9 years old and a 3rd grader at Starlight Home School. She thoroughly enjoys lessons in ballet, tap dance, art and piano. When she isn’t devouring chapter books, Linnea delights in numerous craft and sewing projects, nature walks, fishing, boating and swimming. In 2011 she rode a horse, a pony and an elephant, and she took a llama on a hike. She recently learned to crochet, and she has become thoroughly ambidextrous this fall while healing from a severe arm injury.

 

Re-Membering with Thanks This Christmas

Broken.

One adjective describes so much in this fallen world we all live in. A broken prong on the dishwasher. Broken springs on the garage door. A broken air conditioner in the heat of July. A broken vacuum cleaner. A broken pie plate. Two broken drinking glasses. A broken faucet handle. A broken lid on the trash can. A friend’s broken tap shoes, spilling tiny screws across the dance floor. A broken chair. Our neighbors’ broken mailbox. And, most memorable of all, our oldest daughter’s broken arm.

Yes, we live in a fallen world, teeming with brokenness. It can leave us broken down, broken-hearted or just flat broke.

Yet through the cracks of all our broken pieces, the Light shines.

“Here are the broken spots,” the tall doctor proclaims as he points to X-rays of my firstborn’s forearm, six weeks after her infamous fall on the playground.

And then he quickly corrects himself. “Actually, what I should say is: Here are the healing spots.”

Healing spots.

Yes, broken spots can become healing spots when exposed to the Light. A perfect spot at which to pause and thank God. He is the One who can not only heal us physically but also restore our broken relationship with Him when we believe in His Son, Jesus. And isn’t that relationship what needs fixed most of all?

Remembering to pause and give thanks to God has become a priority this year. From January to October, I counted up more than one thousand gifts – memorable moments of grace captured in words and photographs. In thanking Him regularly this way and watching closely for His goodness toward me and my family, I’ve learned so much about His unchanging character. God is who He says He is. God can do what He says He can do.

Even when little upside-down legs let go and bones crack and the whole world seems to come crashing down in a helpless heap near the monkey bars. Even then God never lets go. He never lets go. And even then, in those terrifying moments of brokenness, we can thank God for holding us together.

Author Ann Voskamp says it best: “Because when we remember how He blesses and loves us, when we recollect His goodnesses to us — our broken places re-collect. We re-member. We heal. In the remembering to give thanks, our broken places are re-membered — made whole.”

This Christmas we celebrate God’s greatest gift to us – His Son Jesus, the One holds us and all of creation together. Jesus is very familiar with brokenness. Isaiah 53 says Jesus was pierced for our rebellion, crushed for our sins; He was beaten so we could be whole, and by His wounds we are healed.

And so we commune with God when we remember this truth, when we stop complaining, when we accept every moment with gratitude. In the Last Supper, Jesus himself exemplifies this. 1 Corinthians 11:24 says, “…when He had given thanks, He broke {the bread} and said, ‘Take, eat; this is My body which is broken for you; do this in remembrance of Me.’ ”

Our joy this Christmas is not in perfect appliances or perfect dishes or perfect shoes or perfectly healed bodies. Our joy is the best gift, Jesus, the perfect Savior, the perfect Lamb of God, the One whose bones were never broken.

We also have joy in watching for the thousands of ways God loves us in every moment.

Won’t you take the dare, too? Won’t you count the ways He loves you? Count the ordinary, the amazing, the grace-filled moments of 2012 and see for yourself just how much He loves you, too. •

Diana has been happily married to a guitar and sailing fanatic for 15 years. She is a homeschool mother of two who regularly shares stories and photos here at starlightwriter.wordpress.com.

 

Roses in December

“God gave us memories so we might have roses in December.” ~ J.M. Barrie

Thank You, God, for these lovely memories of all the sweet-smelling roses. Thank You for the long, warm days of June. And thank You for little girls in white dresses frolicking through the garden green.

 

Faith-Building Biographies for All Ages

The neatly typed list of books was extensive — a full page with two or three columns of book titles, single-spaced. And I remember feeling overwhelmed when my 9th grade Advanced English teacher, Mrs. Frailey, boldly encouraged me and my classmates to read as many of them as possible during our high school years.

Although I read Jane Eyre and several of the recommendations, I’m not sure how many of those books I officially marked off the list four years later. But two decades later, I do remember the one book on that list that changed my life: The Hiding Place by Corrie ten Boom.

God used this Christian autobiography to teach me many biblical truths. His glory shines brightly throughout the book, especially as Ms. ten Boom and her sister endure horrific struggles while held in a concentration camp.

After college, I continued reading about Ms. ten Boom’s life in Tramp for the Lord and Jesus is Victor. She is undoubtedly a true hero of the Christian faith, and reading her story can quickly ignite a passion for following Christ.

Pastor John Piper of Desiring God Ministries in Minneapolis says God intends for the true stories of Christian heroes – such as Gladys Alyward, Martin Luther and John Calvin –  to not only encourage and strengthen our faith, but also guide and enrich our lives as we consider the outcome of their faith in Christ.

“Reading stories of great men and women combines lots of things that you could do separately,” he says. A Christian biography typically combines theology with the person’s real-life problems, struggles, marriage and family. It allows readers to learn about the person’s whole life — where he came from, what he does in the middle, what he does at the end, and how the Bible and God fit into his life.

“It’s like getting to know somebody,” Piper explains.

What’s more, Piper says the Bible instructs us to watch our leaders and  consider the outcome of their faith.

Hebrews 13:7 says, “Remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith.”

“I don’t think it meant only living leaders because Hebrews 11 is all dead guys and gals,” he says. “You look at them and you are inspired.”

Piper concludes that reading Christian biographies is “life-giving, interesting, exciting, faith-building and Christ-honoring.”

So where do you start?

Just in time for Christmas, I’ve compiled this list of Christian biographies – as well as a few biographical DVDs — which offers something for all ages.

Most of these are already part of our family’s homeschool library. We haven’t read every word of all these yet, of course, but I have read enough to confidently recommend what’s here.

I pray that you find these biographies life-giving, faith-building and Christ-honoring as well. Happy reading!

Christian Biographies for All Ages

Hero Tales Volume I, II, III and IV: A Family Treasury of True Stories from the Lives of Christian Heroes by Dave and Neta Jackson (ages 6 to 12)

Missionary Stories with the Millers by Mildred A. Martin (ages 6 and up)

Little Lights Biographies by Catherine Mackenzie (ages 4 to 7)

Light Keepers: Ten Boys Who…  by Irene Howat, a Five-Volume Boxed Set (ages 8 to 12)

Light Keepers: Ten Girls Who… by Irene Howat, Five-Volume Boxed Set (ages 8 to 12)

Torchlighters Series  (on DVD, ages 8 to 12)

Christian Heroes Then and Now a series of 25 books by Janet and Geoff Benge (ages 10 to 14)

 

In Everything Give Thanks

“In everything give thanks for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.”

{1 Thes. 5:18}

***

1,001. Jessica’s words that encourage me to keep counting {A Diamond in the Rough}

1,002. surprisingly lovable llamas

1,003. trail hikes with Carmella and Chocolate Chip

1,004. a fantastic field trip with dear friends

1,005. a special visit by Great Grandma

1,006. hot tea with breakfast

1,007. introducing Great Grandma to our favorite red wagon, Lacie, at the apple orchard

1,008. slices of Sweet 16, Honeycrisp and SweetTango apples

1,009. sips of hot apple cider

1,010. fruit-seekers crunching through the fallen leaves

1,011. tree branches sagging heavy with ripe apples

1,012. little girls happily snatching apples

1,013. chasing butterflies wildly through the vineyard and orchard

1,014. the monarch that finally lets me capture it on camera

1,015. the brilliant display of fall colors in the trees

1,016. rains that rush in just before we leave the apple orchard

1,017. big hats and a fancy tea luncheon with Great Grandma

1,018. the cheery, busy squeak of our apple peeler

1,019. Great Grandma’s help with our pie baking tradition

1,020. the smell of cinnamon lofting throughout the house

1,021. Piper’s free seminar on Let the Nations Be Glad

1,022. God’s promises in the Psalms and in Isaiah

1,023. prayers and praises in the Psalms

1,024. character lessons in compassion, kindness, creativity and courage from Betsy-Tacy

1,025. little girls bubbling with excitement as they share thoughts about the book

1,026. our own little “Sand Store” of bottles full of colorful sand

1,027. a sunny autumn morning at the park with friends

1,028. another hard eucharisteo: the fall that fractures both bones in her delicate little forearm

1,029. the kind, dear friend eagerly helping so many ways — the help that comes from the Maker of Heaven and Earth

1,030. strength and peace that gets us through a traumatic Friday

1,031. words, freshly memorized in Isaiah 53, that help calm her sobs

1,031. medicine that helps manage her pain and the pastor who speaks healing Words to us

1,032. quiet moments in the hospital room, just before her surgery, watching the sun rise and the birds fly in formation and then later reading Malachi 4:2 – “But to you who fear My name the Sun of Righteousness shall arise with healing in His wings.”

1,033. the skilled hands of both surgeons and the kind, familiar face in the pre-op/recovery room

1,034. a real plaster cast for her Girls-n-Grace doll, too

1,035. Debra, Kathy and Stacey, three exceptional nurses on the pediatrics floor

1,036. peace that passes understanding while she undergoes surgery

1,037. the prayers of countless friends and family as we wait

1,038. bendable nails that help keep her bones in place

1,039. her groggy, sleepy smile after surgery

1,040. friends cheering at the curbside as she leaves the hospital — and the sweet little boy who does a “happy jog” of joy

1,041. the soft gray shawl that is just her size and keeps her arms and shoulders warm

1,042. cards and gifts and balloons and callers for the injured one

1,043. homemade soup and bread

1,044. her fearless ambition to become ambidextrous

“Praise be to the LORD, the God of Israel,  from everlasting to everlasting. Then all the people said “Amen” and “Praise the LORD.”

{1 Chronicles 16:36}

You’re invited! Check out other bloggers’ posts in the One Thousand Gifts community by clicking the graphic below. Or click here  to check out all previous posts in my ”Counting to 1,000″ series.

 

Homeschool Moms, Let’s Do Lunch!

As a kid, I always, always, always toted a lunch box to school. My first one was metal with a blue plastic handle and had illustrations of Holly Hobby on it. Inside I usually had a slightly smashed peanut butter and jelly sandwich and a thermos of chocolate milk. The best part of lunch was sometimes finding a love note from my mom, written on the napkin. I missed my mom, even while I was busy at school, and so those notes were a comforting reminder of her love.

When I started out as a homeschool mom a few years ago, I was happy to have my oldest daughter home at lunch time and thankful we did not need to pack lunches for her. The thought of packing lunches seemed silly and unnecessary for a homeschool family.

Somewhere along the course of the last three years, though, lunch time morphed into something less than pleasant. With all the morning chores and school work to do, lunch always sneaked up without a plan. At noon, instead of feeling the relief and satisfaction of having most of our school work done, I stressed out over what to feed my now starving students who were too short to safely reach things in the kitchen.

A while back I decided we needed to try out bento boxes, like the school kids use in Japan. In the process of shopping for those, I stumbled upon Goodbyn lunch boxes.

These aren’t insulated, so they might not work for a typical school kid who stashes lunch in a warm locker for several hours. But with five deep compartments under one lid, plus a beverage container, these lunch boxes fit well in the refrigerator and work superbly for our homeschool family. Packing them at dinner or breakfast time keeps me proactive about the lunch meal. So if my 3rd grader and I are still finishing up a math problem at 12:04, my hungry Kindergartener marches up to the kitchen and happily starts eating on her own. Finally, lunch time feels like a real break for me! Yay!

By the way, the Goodbyn lunch boxes come in a few sizes and colors. The ones I purchased have “ears” and came with dozens of dishwasher-safe stickers for customizing. Each costs about $25, is made in the U.S.A., and is BPA-free. The plastic cleans easily and dries very quickly; I usually make my kids handwash theirs. The biggest compartment is large enough and deep enough to fit a whole banana or apple. Another compartment fits a cup of pudding nicely. So far, nothing has jumbled up with food from another compartment. This box is really fun to pack and I enjoy seeing what fits in each compartment; maybe I’m just weird. But you’ll be happy to eliminate the need for plastic baggies, I bet. Oh, and just in case your child does need to carry his lunch somewhere, the Goodbyn does have handles.

My children insist on having a napkin packed, too, and sometimes I even include a mint with it. My youngest reports that mints make the napkin smell better.

So, without further discussion, let’s do lunch!

PLEASE NOTE: I am not being compensated in any way by the company that makes the Goodbyn lunch box. But if they’d like to pay me for this honest review, I’d {probably} gladly take their money.

 

Counting to 1,000 (980-1,000)

“But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumphal procession in Christ and through us spreads everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of Him. For we are to God the aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing.”

{2 Corinthians 2:14-15}

I started my One Thousand Gifts list back in January with “the aroma of fresh bread baking” as the very first item. Is there a more delicious, comforting smell on a cold winter day?

I pray that my list has also been an aroma of the Bread of Life, a pleasant fragrance of thanks to God.

Second Corinthians 2:15 says, “For we are to God the aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing.”

While regularly counting the ways God loves me and thanking Him for each, I have seen God’s character. Time and again, I have seen that God is who He says He is. God can do what He says He can do. I can trust Him.

Daniel 11:32 says, ”…but the people who know their God shall be strong.”

Dear readers, I pray that you also know the one true God and find your strength in Him. You can trust Him, too. Just count the ways He loves you. Draw near to Him and He will draw near to you.

This week my own list reaches 1,000. I realize how the list doesn’t end there. Once you start, you can’t stop! Endless gifts, indeed, because His love stretches from everlasting to everlasting.

“Praise be to the LORD, the God of Israel,  from everlasting to everlasting. Then all the people said “Amen” and “Praise the LORD.”

{1 Chronicles 16:36}

***

980. trees ablaze with a brilliant display of color

981. the smell and crunch of dry leaves

982. the neighbor kids raking leaves into pile

983. the linden tree that’s grown strong enough for her to climb

984. her first and last carmel apple for a while

985. her big, beautiful smile that’s a little more shiny

986. the sweet family that hosts our church’s Fall Festival

987. an afternoon hayride pulled by their Allis Chalmers

988. how they love to wear boots and hats when they visit the farm

989. fellowship around the bonfire

990. finding hay in her boots

991. the silver-sliver moon that reminds me of the night my youngest was born

992. their open Bibles at the breakfast table

993. learning about El Elyon, God Most High

994. reminders about quietness and trust (Isaiah 30:15)

995. Isaac’s baptism

996. her birthday countdown and uncontainable anticipation, and all her six years

997. the movie that encourages men to be Courageous

998. true friends who share life with us, feed us pizza and cookies, know our imperfections and love us anyway

999. jars of her apple pie filling, apple sauce, tomatoes and hot pepper jelly

1,000. the boldness to fiercely trust God

You’re invited! Check out other bloggers’ posts in the One Thousand Gifts community by clicking the graphic below. Or click here  to check out all previous posts in my ”Counting to 1,000″ series.