Christmas - "And the truth shall set you free."

Truth. As parents I think we often take this concept lightly. We want to be truthful to our children and others, but we can bend the truth when it suits our purposes. One of our family values in honesty. But I have to admit in some things we bend the truth a little. For instance, take Santa. However some may feel about the legend of Santa, I have always felt that it was one of the magical parts of Christmas. It keeps the wonder and innocence in the season for children. Over the course of the past year, our 11 year old came to terms with Santa not being real. It was a belief she came to on her own and we supported her in it and even applauded her maturity. At the time, little did I know that this year would mark the end of Santa in our household.

After losing her first tooth, Abby became very distraught about the tooth fairy. She would cry while declaring "I don't want a stranger coming in my room while I'm asleep." So needless to say, eventually we told her the truth about the tooth fairy. I guess I shouldn't have been surprised that as I tucked her in on Christmas Eve she became upset about Santa having access to our home when we were all asleep. She had anxiety that he might come in her room or that she might accidentally wake up while he was at our house and get into some kind of trouble. After reassuring her that Santa was kind, loved children, and certainly would not be mad at her for waking up, she was able to calm down and go to sleep. HOWEVER, within the first three hours of being asleep, Abby woke up two more times with worries and a stomach ache. Finally the during the second of these times, as I tried to calm her, she began feeling sick to her stomach and was literally shaking with fear! It broke my heart and I didn't even hesitate to tell her the truth about Santa.

Of course, after doing so, I felt an incredible amount of let down. I was also worried that Abby would be hurt, or disappointed, or . . . I mean how does one respond when a long held childhood belief comes crashing down around them? I looked down at Abby and asked her how she felt. She was all smiles and said she was happy to know. I asked if she would still be excited about Christmas and she exclaimed, "Yes! I still get presents!" What a relief. I also felt better knowing that I was able to give my baby the gift of security and calmness. Abby got a restful night's sleep and we had a great Christmas.

In John 8: 31-32, the Bible says, "If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. 32Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." There are so many areas where I long for truth in my life. How comforting to know that there is an answer. If I hold to the teachings of Christ and live as His disciple. I will know the truth and be set free! That is my wish for myself and all of those I know and love this new year. Know the truth . . . and be set free!

How has the time gone by?

No, really. How has the time gone by? I just looked at my blogs and can't believe how long it's been since I last posted anything. What have I been doing? When I look back, we've been busy, but where are all those wasted hours spent on Facebook or watching TV?

Christmas is just around the corner and as I bask in the glow our our Christmas tree, I find myself pondering everything I've been teaching the kids at church. We've been talking about "God's Unstoppable Plan." Even though so many things tried to get in the way of Christ's birth, God loved us so much that nothing could stop his plan from moving forward. You know, sometimes I'm obsessive about having a Plan B. Did God have a Plan B, or did he just know his original plan would pull through? I guess when you're God it's easier to have faith in Plan A. After all, you're kind of in charge. But sometimes, maybe it's not such a good thing. I think knowing the consequences of your plan might make it harder to follow through. For instance: how do you allow your Son to be born knowing that He will die a horrible death? How do you let Him experience the joy and richness of life when you already know the pain and suffering He'll experience with it? When I think of these things, I find myself speechless. I know I couldn't do it. Which shows me just how small my love is and how GIGANTIC God's love is. Then I'm overwhelmed to the point of tears. How can anyone love me so much that they would willingly go through all of that pain and heartache? Yet, I know I am loved that much. And so are you! That's what I hope I can teach my kids and all the little lives I have the privilege of influencing. YOU are the reason God gives us Christmas - and all of the wonderful, tragic, glorious days that follow. Merry Christmas!


Today I am thankful for: a warm house that keeps out the wind, the security of jobs for John and I, and the gift found in the manger over 2000 years ago.

Thanksgiving

What a range of emotions we have experienced today. We got to our friends' house so we could drop our dog off, only to find that their dog was dying. We stayed with them until he was gone. It was a heart-wrenching tragic moment, but I couldn't help but think that this is what doing life together is all about. When you truly share your life with others, you are together in good times and hard times. There is not place I would have rather been at that moment. There was nothing I could do to help, but it felt right to be there to pray silently for them in their grief and offer our love and hugs.
Moments later we got to my mom's and were surrounded by the familiarity and comfort of home. The best was seeing the joy on the girls' faces when they got the surprise of the Irwins being here from Florida. As the day went on and there were 15 of us, ranging from 1 1/2 - 81 years, there were moments when I wished to be anywhere else. Preferably a deserted tropical island with the power to make those I wished to spend time with appear and disappear at will. Then there was the moment of laughing so hard I had to sit down for fear of peeing myself (TMI?) because mom, Mindy, and I were trying to work together on a dessert recipe- but we all were reading it at different points and confusing everything! Now I'm with my fabulous four, relaxing in the hotel after swimming, enjoying the relative quiet and . . . I can't wait to go back into the meylay tomorrow!

Tonight I am thankful for:
1) hotels and the staff who have to work on a holiday so my family and I can relax
2) an overabudance of delicious food
3)my Muncie Goebels

My First Post!!!

Well, I've been saying I'm going to do this for awhile, and I'm finally getting around to it. I don't know if anyone will be interested in what I have to say, but here it is for better or worse.

As we get ready for thanksgiving, one thing I want to start doing is listing three things I am thankful for each day. Those of you who are Jarheads might recognize this as a challenge from Chris last week. So, before I head off to clean . . .

I am thankful for:
1)My amazing husband
2)My beautiful girls
3)A warm, safe house