Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

The end of the year is quickly approaching.  We have yet to decide if we are staying awake to greet the first minutes of 2018 but first I need to post something.  We had no hesitation putting the kids to bed at the normal time.  We'll try to make ebelskivers in the morning.  I think we may have skipped last year so it may be a biennial tradition.

December was a busy month.  Isaac enjoyed his spy birthday party and we had fun as well.  We also had a family birthday dinner and two Christmas celebrations and one more happening next weekend.  We went to the cemetery today and Isaac tried out his remote controlled car in the snow.  Lily-Anna says Josiah's name if I point to his picture.  She keeps surprising us with new words.  It is a very cold day.  People were ice fishing on the pond at the cemetery.  (Yes, my thoughts are coming randomly.)

For the first year, we missed the Christmas memorial at the Coping Centre due to sickness but they left our Josiah ornament and gifts in the mailbox so we went on a Saturday and put the ornament on a tree.  It was nice to be there together as a family.

A few stories from the month:

I hadn't heard back from one of Isaac's friends as to whether or not he was coming to the birthday party.  I saw his mom and spoke to her but she hadn't seen the invitation.  She later asked her son about it and was told that the invitation said 'Top Secret' so he thought he wasn't supposed to tell her about it.

***

Lily-Anna was drinking milk from her glass.  She put down the glass and said, "Bye bye milk."

***

Kohen found me and asked me to come downstairs as there was something moving with legs.  It was some sort of insect so I found a glass to take it outside.  He wanted to hold it but I said it was a job for me.  When I came in he was very upset that I hadn't let him put the glass outside.  Between the tears he said, "I wanted to practise being a daddy!"  Next time I will let him help.

***

Kohen started singing our "We Miss You Josiah" song.  Then he said, "I wish I were Josiah."  I asked him why and he answered, "Because then I could be in heaven."

***

Clearly Graham and I need to go on more dates!  I told Kohen that Mommy and Daddy were going out (to a Board dinner).  He asked me if we would bring home a baby!  He was remembering one of the previous times we went out together ... and ended up bringing home Lily-Anna.

***

Well, I was quite proud of myself for staying up late on Christmas Eve and making a 'wifesaver' for breakfast.  I felt very motherly.  Not one of the kids liked it.  Graham and I ate it for three days.  Perhaps we'll just do Cheerios and toast next year.

At the end of this year, we are very thankful for our many blessings.  We are especially thankful that my mom is feeling better than she was a few months ago and my father-in-law is back in good health.  We are grateful for our family and friends and health.  We also think of the deep losses and grieve with those who are grieving.  I can think of beautiful reasons to celebrate and others for which I would like to cry.  There are many things I do not understand but I know I can trust the only One who is good, who is love, who is in control, who brings good out of bad, who has good plans, and has good works for me to accomplish.  I pray that my family will grow closer to our Lord Jesus this year and seek His face, and do His will, bringing glory to Him alone.

I wish the same for you in a happy new year!

Blessings,
Elizabeth


Matthew 22:37-40

³⁷ Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’^{[c] 38} This is the first and greatest commandment. ³⁹ And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’^{[d] 40} All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”

Hebrews 11:6

⁶ And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.