Christmas and Revival!

We had a wonderful Christmas!

I will definitely try to do a Christmas re-cap soon.  I need some time to sort through my pictures.  As I began to scroll through them today my heart was filled with joy as I was reminded of the moments (just 2 days ago!) where the kids were filled with such excitement they could hardly contain themselves. :)

Christmas night, after the littles were tucked into bed, Andy was upstairs playing new video games with the boys, so I curled up on the couch and picked up this book that my MIL gave me for Christmas.

In case you are wondering why this might be a book I would receive as a present, 

my mom was raised Jewish, but became a Christian as a teenager.  So I am part Jewish and have always had an interest in learning more about my heritage.

Andy grew up in a church that focused on teaching about how the Jewish traditions and feasts point to the coming of Christ, and so Andy's parents have always had a love for Jews and spent many years studying how Christ is revealed through these feasts.  So along with my mom, Andy's parents have great resources to pass along to me.

That night as I was reading I came to the chapter on Rosh Hashanah.  As the author began giving the biblical history of this time my spirit leapt as I read the passage below about King Josiah.

This righteous king's zeal for the Lord inspired a revival in Israel...

The part that jumped out at me was the word "revival".  About a month ago I was awake in the night and could not sleep and remembered a teaching I had recently heard that said if you are awakened in the night and can't sleep, maybe the Lord wants to share something with you.  

In the past if I couldn't sleep at night I would usually pick up a book and begin to read until I felt groggy enough to drift back to sleep.

But, remembering that teaching I decided to just pray to the Lord and lay there and rest in Him.  All that kept running through my mind was the word "revival".  I was awake for awhile longer, and all I kept thinking about was this one word.  The next morning I wondered what it could mean.  Is it a revival for our family?  For our country? For the church?  I really didn't know, but I did share it with a few friends because it was so clear to me that night.

So as I'm reading this book the word "revival" pops out at me and I immediately thought back to that night.  Leading up to this passage, the author had begun to share a little bit about King Josiah from II Chronicles.  Now most of this year I have been camped out in the New Testament for my personal quiet times, but Christmas night I was excited!  I wanted to get my bible and open up to II Chronicles as quickly as I could so that I could know more about this King.  Since I can't get upstairs very often right now I called to Andy and asked him to bring me my Courson commentary that included this book of the Bible.  I began to read.  Here's a portion of what Jon Courson shared about II Chronicles 34:15,16 (where Hilkiah the priest found a book of the law of the Lord given by Moses.  He found it during the restoration of the House of the Lord that King Josiah began).

"Throughout history, every lasting revival that has taken place has been liked to a rediscovery of the Word.  The same thing will happen in our lives personally.  That is, if we get into the Word, revival can't help but break out.  A Bible that's falling apart usually belongs to someone who isn't."

-Jon Courson's Application Commentary (Old Testament Volume 1)

This year I feel like I have had my own personal revival and it has all had to do with being in the Word consistently.

These past few weeks with the busyness of Christmas and recovering from surgery I haven't been rising early to open my bible and so my bible time has been more sporadic.  It does not take long to lose the excitement of the Word.  So as I read this passage the other night I couldn't wait to dig back in, and now I'm excited to head to the Old Testament!

When I read the part in the commentary about a bible falling apart, it made me think of Andy's mom's bible that she gave him.  I think she gifted it to him before we were married.  It's full of her handwriting out to the sides of scripture where she was sitting under the teaching of the pastor who taught them so much about the Jewish people and another teacher she greatly admired.  What a treasure, what a gift!

There is even a note written in the openning of the bible where they prayed for a specific request, and then the date when that specific prayer had been answered.

I desire to have a bible like that.  Full of notes from Godly teachers, personal revelations from the Lord, and faith builders where the Lord showed himself to our family and me in real and personal ways.

Yesterday and today I listened to a teaching about the "Road to Revival".  There were 8 challenging and encouraging points that Courson made.  If you have time I encourage you to listen to this teaching.  Listen in bits and pieces if you don't have extended periods of time.  Many times I will put my laptop in the kitchen while I'm fixing breakfast and listen to 5-10 minutes at a time.  If you aren't feeling drawn to this teaching, he has almost every topic you can think of.  Maybe the Lord is speaking to you in a different area.  All I can tell you is that more of the Word builds an excitement in your soul and draws you closer to Him.

I'm still not sure if I fully realize the meaning of the word I was given in the middle of the night, but I do know that although I was given lovely gifts and I know I will enjoy them, right now I'm drawn more to spending time learning about King Josiah and the other kings from II Chronicles, which begins with King Solomon.  I already have read enough to know that some did right in the sight of the Lord, and some did evil in the sight of the Lord, and I can't wait to see what I can learn from each of them.

Courson mentioned lyrics from this song towards the end of his teaching, so I'll leave you with this. :)

(P.S.  If you can't hear it, click on the mute button.  For some reason my mute was turned on.) 

 Merry Christmas from our family to yours.

Kid Free Weekend!!!

Yes, that's right.  Andy and I had a weekend completely to ourselves.  We had a wonderful time!  We figured out that this is the first time in over 8 years (since Drew was born), that we have been alone in our home without our children.  We have gone away on trips alone together, but it has just never happened that we have had the kids go on a trip.  : )

My parents had asked if the kids could come and stay with them this weekend because they were having an annual Christmas party with all of the families we grew up with.  It's a wonderful party.  They have horse rides, hay rides, games, food, and the kids even got to be in a play.  : )  Which Drew told me he really loved!  Andy and I were unable to make it this year because his firm's Christmas party was this weekend, so we checked to make certain that my parents were sure they were up for it and then, before they could change their minds, told them absolutely!

When Andy left on Friday I ran out, more like walked really really slowly, to run a few Christmas errands.  Of course I got side tracked, like usual, with window shopping for the new house.  Isn't this rolling laundry cart cute?

When Andy got home we left for a date night.  Our plan was dinner and a movie.  We started with dinner, where we had sushi for two.  Sushi is new for me, but I have discovered that I LOVE spicy tuna rolls.  If you have never tried one, you should!  

After dinner we were looking at the movies.  We used to love going to the movies, but we just don't have as much time and we also just haven't found many movies that we are excited about watching.  So we looked at our options and we weren't finding anything that we really wanted to watch, so I told Andy we could just go home.  He told me that there was no way we were going home at 7:30 on a night where we don't have kids, so we finally settled on seeing the latest Hunger Games movie.  I thought it was pretty good!  It definitely entertained us.  When we got home I was so tired because it's usually my bed time, but Andy asked me if I wanted to watch TV and I said "absolutely YES!"  I wanted to stay up late since we could sleep in the next morning.  By the time we finally went to bed I was soooooo tired! :)

The next morning we still woke up early because our internal clocks are set I guess, but instead of getting up we both read and then went back to sleep.  It was wonderful!

We took our time and headed out to meet some good friends for brunch.

I didn't think to take a picture of the food before we ate it.  Oops!  But, trust me when I say it was delicious.  I had gouda grits, berries, sausage, poached eggs, and some sort of delicious sconce.  If you are local, I highly recommend you trying Paisely Cafe for brunch.

After this we headed out to check on our house.  They've been painting walls this week and we wanted to check out the progress.  You can't really tell from the picture, but our main color is a light grey.  We also are using a medium grey, dark grey, and blue grey.  Do you see a theme? ;)

Saturday night we had Andy's work Christmas party.  

We were one of the first ones to arrive, along with one of the partners.  We walked in to this great surprise.  They were twins!  That was the beginning of the laughter.  The night continued on in that same spirit.  It was so much fun! :)

The decorations were done by one of the ladies in the office.  They were so cute.  She got old pictures from all of us, and used them in the centerpieces.

Andy is holding this candle as a tribute to a fictional character that the founding partner made up in this long drawn out story that he told.  I can't even begin to describe this story because it was so far fetched.  He told all of us to please refrain from laughing because this was a very serious story.  Us girls were crying because the story was SO unbelievable and we were all trying to keep from laughing.  He then proceeded to present office awards that were named after this make believe child hood friend.  What an imagination!!!

I really do love where Andy works.  All of the people are so kind and caring and they really are like family.  There may not be any other stay-at-home, homeschool moms, but I have never once had a hard time making conversation with any of them.  So much of the night was spent laughing!  It was great!

At the end of the night I was talking with one of the wives of Andy's co-workers.  They are the ones whose wedding we attended a few weeks ago.  We were comparing notes on who had the messiest house.  She has wedding presents all over the place, and I told her we were in the middle of wrapping all of our Christmas gifts, so when we got home we exchanged pictures.  What is it about having someone in your shoes that makes you feel better?  All I know is that when I got her picture I felt better knowing we weren't the only ones with a mess.  :) 

This morning I woke a little earlier and had some really precious time in the bible.  I must say these last few weeks since I haven't been getting up as early, and have been spending most of my day having Christmas fun with the kiddos, I haven't had my quiet time.  I've really missed it.  I would always intend to find time to do it, but the day would pass and I never did.  

This morning it was so peaceful in our home.  I knew no one would be running down the stairs or coming out of their rooms, so I knew I could have as much time as I wanted.

I'm currently in Galatians and especially loved these 2 verses I read this morning.

"Let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.  Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith."

~Galatians 6:9-10

This is my favorite time of the year!  But it's also a time when I can grow weary, and instead of the joy I desire to have, I am worn down and don't always share love.

I told someone the other day that I need to do a post on the many things I have been learning through my injury.

One of my favorites is that I am being forced to slow down.  I am always in a hurry, even if I don't have to be.  The first day I was able to walk without crutches I ventured out to Target.  I am wearing a straight leg brace that causes me to walk with a peg leg.  Let's just say, old people were passing me left and right.  I love Target, but that was the longest I had ever been there.

Most days if the kids and I get out we are limiting it to once a day.  I also can't go upstairs (so if you come over and go upstairs, please don't tell me what it looks like up there!)  I can't really do much cleaning, so I'm not constantly thinking about things I "should be doing".   It's forced us to take this season to relax and be together and not feel like we are missing out on something.

I even busted out crafts this week.  It was so much fun!  We have laughed, played, snuggled and slowed down.  (I just need to make a side note before you think it's all rainbows and butterflies.  There are still normal fussy moments for all of us.)  But, I have genuinely enjoyed this time leading up to Christmas with the kids.  I hope when I can walk normally again I will remember to stop and smell the flowers.  :)

After quiet time, I got ready because we had plans to "brunch" again.  We met up with part of my work out crew.  They have been so sweet to check in with me to see how I'm feeling and recovering, and they brought us delicious Christmas goodies.  So basically this weekend I have eaten brunch food and sugar. (and sushi!) :)

We finished wrapping presents today and then Andy left to meet my parents to get the kids.

Our reunion was so sweet!  The kids rushed in and began telling me about all of the fun they had and then discovered the presents around the tree.  They loved it, and I loved hearing the excitement in their voices.

 I am praying for you all to have a wonderful week leading up to Christmas day.  May joy fill your homes and I pray that in the midst of the last minute things that may be on your "to do" list that you won't grow weary, but will seize opportunities to do good to all.

May your love abound more and more during this, the most wonderful time of the year. :)

A week in pictures

Kids enjoyed a cookie decorating party at our friends house!

Andy and I attended his co-worker's beautiful wedding!

(My crutches were there, but our friend was holding them.  Can you tell I only have one shoe on?  My other foot was still so swollen I couldn't fit a shoe, so I wore a sock. :)  )

Elf fun

Enjoying new books.

Care package from my good friend.  Thanks Heather!!!

Excited to implement some of these new ideas for healthy eating.

Time with my girl.

(Painting nails and doing make-up)

Silly faces and kisses.

Santa Time

Pre-Santa snack

Patiently waiting...

School time

No more teachers, no more books....

we are officially on Christmas Break.  WHOOHOO!!!!

New PJ's.  Thanks Elf.

Outing to check on our house

Started physical therapy.  Get to walk without crutches!

Love my minion helper.  :)

Ornament party

Friday Fun Day

Ellis is heading to her first tea party (at Gigi and Papa's)

Boys headed to Gainesville for some Gator basketball

And just for fun, here's a few throwback pictures.

 I pray that you are enjoying your loved ones during this wonderful time of year!