5 yrs old today!

It's our Grandson Wyatt 5 years ago. Time goes so fast.

This is one of the sleepers we gave Wyatt. What a doll he was.

His baptism day. I had a great time sewing this baptism romper.

Just look at him now!

He's such a big boy who loves to play with his friends.

He loves having his dad or mom read to him!

He loves having his Papa and Nana visit him.

He spends time playing outside in their yard, in the park and in the leaves and snow.

He has a great time with his siblings,

here he is walking his baby sister shortly after she turned 1yr old.

He is five today and he is still a doll!

Happy Birthday Wyatt, We love you and always will!

Here he is with his older sister and the roller skates we got him last year for his 4th birthday.

Going Home

My Aunt Viola , my dads sister went home early yesterday morning. I am posting a beautiful song, by a boys choir from England, Libera. Here are just a few of the words, remember that in the Bible, Jesus is called the Bright and Morning Star. I hope you enjoy it! You will need to scroll down to the pink play list on the right side and hit the center button to turn off my blog music.

Going Home, going home, I am going home, quiet like, some still day, I am going home, work all done, care laid by, never fear no more, lots of faces will gather there, all the friends I knew. No more fear, no more pain, no ...more slumber by the way, Morning Star lights the way, restless dreams all gone, shadows gone break of day, real life has begun.

Libera - Going Home (Full Version - Live)

Something good from something bad!

We had a bag of apples that were not as firm, crunchy or as tasty as we had hoped. My husband had a suggestion to make a apple pie from the apples. So I peeled, cut and sliced the apples, put them in a home made crust, added sugar and Cinnamon and here we are, ready for the oven.

I always sprinkle a bit of sugar over the top crust, whats a little more sugar when your talking about a pie? Right?

UM-NUM! Something very very good

from something that was not so good!

This reminds me of our sinful selves, we are all bad by nature, born in sin! Only God takes something not so good and turns it (us) into something very very good, righteous, godly, through His son Jesus, we are cleansed by the blood of the perfect lamb, (Jesus) and forgiven for all our badness. We are changed through Baptism and we become a new person, adopted by Christ and we carry His name, Christian.

As scripture tells us in Romans 6:4 We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.

Just like these not-so-good apples no longer exist , our old self no longer exists, we have put on a new self through the Holy Spirit! We are like that pie, sweet, and tasty and good in the eyes of our loving, forgiving God! It's true!

Christmas at Porcupine on Pine Ridge Reservation

The Angel coming to Mary!
Luke 1:30-31 But the Angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God. You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus."

Luke 2:7 and she gave birth to her firstborn , a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room in the inn.

The shepherds hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in a manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child. Luke 2 16-17

The Angels Luke 2:14 " Glory to God in the Highest and on earth peace

to men on whom his favor rests."

The Angels

The shepherds

Angels and shepherds.

Wise men followed the star.

Matthew 1:11

On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures

and presented him with gifts of gold and of incense and of myrrh.

Albert Sutton leading the worship service on Dec 13Th.

Albert has full attention as he talked about different gifts and the happy box or the sad box.
Jesus is the only gift that remained in the Happy Box. All other gifts break, wear out or get lost!

Rev Utecht with Ezekiel tells a familiar Bible Lesson!

Donna and Doris with their Christmas t-shirts.

A delicious meal was served and enjoyed by all.
Doris always has enough food!

There were about 80 at the Christmas celebration service on Dec 20th.

Albert helps with the juice and condiments!

Hannah showing her craft, a white feather Angel ornament.

Other children showing off their feather Angel ornaments.

What a cutie!

Part of the Christmas crowd of 80 or more.

Larry baking his special Birthday Cake for Jesus.
It looks like a yummy Birthday Cake for Jesus!

The Nativity was done without practice!
I thought they did a great job and I pray that the special memories of their part

will always remind them of the first Christmas, Jesus birth!

Gifts and a fruit bag were given to each person. These were purchased with funds donated by Zion Lutheran Church and Thrivent for Lutherans.

We know that many would be receiving gifts but for some of these children and adults,

this was the only gift they would receive this Christmas.

Rev Utecht told of the very first Christmas gift and how that gift of Love

is our very best gift.

John 3:16 God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten son, that whosoever believes in him, should not perish but have everlasting life.

Our Christmas tree 2009

This year we put our Christmas tree in the living room. I like the way it shows through the picture window and that I can see it both from the kitchen and family room.

I think our 12 year old dog Baxter enjoys this time of year. He often lays looking at the tree as if he knows what Christmas is all about. I sometimes think the animals, who are also Gods creation, praise the Lord. Isaiah 43:20 The wild animals honor me. If even the wild animals honor God, I'm sure the tame pets do too! We need to praise and honor Him for all His gifts, especially the GIFT of His Son, Jesus.

Our old 18 yr old cat, Sammy still loves to lay under the tree. It's been very cold and snowy so I'm sure that makes a difference. It is supposed to get -11 tonight. I'm thankful we have very little wind. Below is a close up picture of Sammy cat under the tree! He is blind on one eye, has a bum ear with many notches and limps a little. He dose quite well for his age.

I have a few birds I purchased a few years ago and they look nice in our Christmas tree.

This Dove was purchased when we were in Germany. It is made from wood from the Holy Land. The colorful ornament towards the left is one we had a child. This is so pretty when it spins and it seems to spin for a long time. I have pleasant memories of me and my brother hanging these on the tree and spinning them over and over. I can still feel that excitement!

The white snow flake is one of many that my mother crocheted for me. I love them and use them every year. The precious moments ceramic ornament was a gift from my mother about 25 years ago, it says TO MY DAUGHTER! I will always love and treasure it!

This bell with the Nativity is also made from wood from the Holy lands. The little sleeping snow baby ornament was a gift from my oldest daughter. It always has a special place on the tree.

This is a blown glass Nativity that I received from our youngest daughter. I love it and the way it reflects the light. We also need to reflect the light, Jesus said, I am the light of the world. We need to reflect that special love of Jesus with His help.

I pray that you are all blessed by this Advent season and taking advantage of the Special Advent worship services that are offered in many Church's.