Just because….

I want to remember their faces of Christmas 2010.

All smiles

We did so much these past few days but we wanted you to know that we were blessed to have a wonderful Christmas! We made precious memories with each other and treasured all the time we were given with our extended family members.

God is good!
Praise Him!

Wordless Wednesday

Merry Christmas!

“For even the Son of Man
came not to be served
but to serve,
and to give his life
as a ransom
for many.”
Mark 10:45

It may be technology but the story is the same

10 questions to ask

Ten Questions to Ask at a Christmas Gathering

Many of us struggle to make conversation at Christmas gatherings, whether church events, work-related parties, neighborhood drop-ins, or annual family occasions. Sometimes our difficulty lies in having to chat with people we rarely see or have never met. At other times we simply don’t know what to say to those with whom we feel little in common. Moreover, as Christians we want to take advantage of the special opportunities provided by the Christmas season to share our faith, but are often unsure how to begin. Here’s a list of questions designed not only to kindle a conversation in almost any Christmas situation, but also to take the dialogue gradually to a deeper level. Use them in a private conversation or as a group exercise, with believers or unbelievers, with strangers or with family.

1. What’s the best thing that’s happened to you since last Christmas?
2. What was your best Christmas ever? Why?
3. What’s the most meaningful Christmas gift you’ve ever received?
4. What was the most appreciated Christmas gift you’ve ever given?
5. What was your favorite Christmas tradition as a child?
6. What is your favorite Christmas tradition now?
7. What do you do to try to keep Christ in Christmas?
8. Why do you think people started celebrating the birth of Jesus?
9. Do you think the birth of Jesus deserves such a nearly worldwide celebration?
10. Why do you think Jesus came to earth?

Of course, remember to pray before your Christmas gatherings. Ask the Lord to grant you “divine appointments,” to guide your conversations, and to open doors for the gospel. May He use you to bring glory to Christ this Christmas.

She painted my toe nails

She followed me around like a puppy until I could finally give her the time to sit down and let her paint my toe nails. She was thrilled to “beau-ti-fy” me and I think my toes were happy when she “finished”.

The other side

We ate dinner last night with Mitch’s side of the family. I always enjoy this time and it reminds me of how very thankful I am that God gave me beautiful in-laws.

Temperature differences

These pics were taken a few days before Thanksgiving. Notice my kids have on shorts and are playing outside at a park down the street from our house.

Now, just three weeks later, we are waking to 19 degree weather and me telling my son, “No, sweetie…you can’t go outside to play. You’d be miserable and your nose might get frost bitten.” Of course, we don’t have snow (lots of sleet today, though) like my friends Coralie, Melissa G, and Angela – but we are still COLD!

Party Time

Christmas means LOTS OF PARTIES! Most of the ones we attend are with our church family. Here’s the proof!

First, there’s the annual Dirty Santa party with our small group….the viking helmet and heart shaped plastic fly swatter made another appearance. Both items were randomly selected by the Fell family. Sorry, Alison and Nathan!

Chad delights in his stocking full of chocolate candy. He didn’t keep it for long – Ira loves candy.

I gave my gift to my daughter – a Webkinz puppy that she named WORLEY.

The favorite and most stolen gift item of the night: A 6 pack of Blue Moon. The pastor opened it first but it was then stolen by Chad. Finally, Kelsey stole it one last time and was a happy man (and his wife was his biggest cheerleader).

Sometimes, we gather to have more mature parties, like this one. Our entire church family ate dinner together this past Sunday evening – it was delicious and the conversations were even sweeter.

Yeah, that’s right….Ira was first in line. Every church meal, we always wait for him to start before forming a line.

I just thought this picture was funny – I looked over my shoulder and saw the Bundy-Fell jubilee!