The Consolation of Israel

Here is another post from Jake:

The Consolation of Israel

In my last post I talked about how "Christ" means anointed one which means that Jesus is the Anointed King of Israel. Check out Psalm 2, one the most quoted psalms in the New Testament:

The kings of the earth set themselves, And the rulers take counsel together, Against the LORD and against His Anointed, saying, “Let us break Their bonds in pieces And cast away Their cords from us...yet I have set My King On My holy hill of Zion.” “I will declare the decree: The LORD has said to Me, ‘You are My Son, Today I have begotten You. Ask of Me, and I will give You The nations for Your inheritance, And the ends of the earth for Your possession. (‭Psalms‬ ‭2‬:‭2-8‬ NKJV)

If you're around church during Christmas time, most likely you will hear certain passages of Scripture recited concerning the birth of Jesus. And if you've grown up in church like me, you've heard them year after year and it's easy to zone out, eyes glaze over, and completely miss what is being said. Though in doing so, we do a great disservice to one of the most foundational parts of the story, not simply that Jesus came in a cute manger scene with shepherds and cuddly animals standing by, but more importantly that Jesus came on the scene as a continuation of a much grander storyline. Christianity does not begin with the birth of Christ. It starts in Genesis with the creation account, the fall, the rebellion of man, Abraham, the Patriarchs, the election of Israel, the giving of the Law, King David, the Prophets, etc. The New Testament assumes the storyline of the Old. It builds on a pre-existent foundation laid in the Law & Prophets. Therefore when Jesus arrives, certain ideas like salvation, the gospel, the Christ, the Kingdom, were established clear in the minds of the early Jews who heard his message. And this is why I think it is critical to gain an understanding of what The Old Testament says. Just because we call it the "old" testament doesn't mean it is outdated or no longer useful.

In Luke 2, after his birth, Jesus is brought up to The temple by his parents. he is noticed by two aged and devout Israelites, Simeon and Anna. Verse 25 says, Simeon was righteous and devout, "looking for the consolation of Israel." Anna, who rarely left the temple from her fasting and prayer, spoke of the child "to all who were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem." (V. 38)

The consolation of Israel and the redemption of Jerusalem are promises referring to the age to come, when the Messiah will make Jerusalem a praise in all the earth (isaiah 62:6). Israel's history, even to this very day, is far from what Isaiah says in chapter 40, a salvation which Simeon and Anna were certainly yearning for: "Comfort, comfort my people, says your God. Speak tenderly to Jerusalem and cry to her that her warfare is ended, and her iniquity is pardoned." If Jesus is indeed the promised Christ, why hasn't war in Israel ended? Did he fail to fulfill the promises made to the Abraham, David, and the Jewish people? Not at all! Rather His first coming was "to bear the sins of many. To those who eagerly wait for Him He will appear a second time, apart from sin, for salvation."(‭Hebrews‬ ‭9‬:‭28‬ NKJV) Not one stroke of the pen from all that was written in the law and the prophets will be left unfulfilled. That's the point of all this. Jesus is coming a second time, but this time it won't be to suffer, but to be glorified as the King of Israel, the Lion of Judah. In that day, the warfare in Jerusalem will be forever ended the consolation and redemption that Simeon and Anna were longing for will be realized. 

Even so, come Lord Jesus!

Waiting

As I write this I'm sitting on a giant exercise ball, rocking back and forth to give my hips and tail bone a break. I'm also trying to do some squats. Anything to get this baby to come. 

My due date was yesterday, and now we wait.

Waiting was rather easy with my first child.

I knew that the average woman went 8 days past her due date for her first pregnancy.

I didn't have anything pressing happening.

There was no rush.

This time it feels so different.

I have all these plans and dates and hopes and dreams and they all seem to include a baby that came early or on time. 

Christmas is coming, and I want my baby to be here.

Jake's family is coming, and I want them to meet this new addition. 

Isn't it funny that one of the most momentous occasions of your life you have little to no control of? 

I don't think it's a coincidence that modern medicine still hasn't figured out what causes labor to begin. 

I think it's meant to be a mystery. 

We're supposed to trust God and His perfect timing.

My mentor sent me this quote today about rest.

"When we are at rest we are trusting that there are larger forces at work taking care of the world."

I need His perfect peace.

I need that rest.

The Lord of Heaven's Armies is intimately aware of this little life in my womb, and He knows what's best. 

I wonder if Mary was tempted to fear when it didn't seem like 'perfect timing' for her first to be born.

Being forced to relocate to a far away city on foot that close to your due date. 

Then, not finding anywhere other than a stable to give birth. 

Being away from friends and family who could give support.

But it was all a part of the Master's plan.

His son needed to be born in the city of David, the place of Kings.

He wanted His entrance into the world to be far from grand and set the stage for a life of lowliness.

I have to trust that God's ways are best, and allow this time of 'discipline' to train me.

I'm choosing Mary's response;

"I am the Lord's servant. Let it be to me according to your will"

The King is Coming

Now for a guest post by my hubby Jake.

 I'm sure you've seen the bumper sticker or placard  in someone's yard: 'Keep Christ in Christmas' contending against Christmas being made into something having nothing to do with the birth of Christ. I was thinking about that statement and I certainly agree with it but my concern this season is that we have made 'Christ' into something having very little to do with what it actually means. The word "Christ" comes from the Hebrew word 'mashiyach' or the transliteration more commonly known, messiah, which literally means the 'anointed one'. Thus begs the question, anointed for what? For that answer, we must travel back to Hannah's prayer recorded in the book of Samuel:

The adversaries of the Lord shall be broken in pieces; From heaven He will thunder against them. The Lord will judge the ends of the earth. “He will give strength to His king, And exalt the horn of His anointed.” (I Samuel 2:10 NKJV)

To be the 'anointed one' or the 'messiah' or the 'Christ' simply means to be the King of Israel. The same exact word used to describe Jesus as Christ in the New Testament is used to for all the Lord's anointed kings of Israel (Saul, David, Solomon, etc.). Just as 'Pharaoh' is the throne name for the Egyptian kings or 'Czar' is the title for Russian supreme leaders, so 'Christ' is the throne name for the Kings of Israel. (Confusing? Watch this super helpful 20 minute video on the Biblical Foundations of 'Messiah' or 'Christ')

 King David was promised that one of his descendants would sit on a throne in Jerusalem and rule over Israel and the nations forever as king. This is what God promised him:

“When your days are fulfilled and you rest with your fathers, I will set up your seed after you, who will come from your body, and I will establish his kingdom. He shall build a house for My name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever. I will be his Father, and he shall be My son. If he commits iniquity, I will chasten him with the rod of men and with the blows of the sons of men. But My mercy shall not depart from him, as I took it from Saul, whom I removed from before you. And your house and your kingdom shall be established forever before you. Your throne shall be established forever.” ’ ” (II Samuel 7:12-16 NKJV)

The writings of the Prophets and the Psalms are teeming with royal depictions of the Messiah's coming. He will have the obedience of all the nations (Gen. 49:8-10). The ends of the earth will be His possession (Psalm 2:1-9). He will make His enemies a fiery furnace (Psalm 21:1-10). God has blessed Him forever and all the nations will be under His feet (Psalm 45:1-7). He will have God's judgments, dominion from sea to sea, and all Kings will serve Him (Psalm 72:1-19). His throne will be established forever, he shall be exalted as the highest king of the earth (Psalm 89:3-28). He will sit on a throne in Zion (Jersualem) the desired dwelling place of God forever (Psalm 132:11-18). The government shall be upon His shoulders (Isaiah 9:6-7). In righteousness He will judge for the poor and slay the wicked with the breath of His mouth (Isaiah 11:1-10).

Here's the kicker, neither Jesus nor any writers of the New Testament once redefine, reinterpret, or spiritualize these promises! On the contrary, Jesus repeatedly affirms that He is the One the Prophets spoke of and that "all things must be fulfilled which were written in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms concerning Me.” (Luke 24:44 NKJV) Look what Mary is told at Jesus' birth:

He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David. And He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end.” (Luke 1:32, 33 NKJV)

As Gentiles (non-jews) who believe, we have been grafted into the rich heritage of the Jewish people (Romans 9:4) and share in the same hope of redemption, restoration, and resurrection when King Jesus returns. Christianity differs from Judaism is that we believe the Messiah had to suffer (as atonement for sin) before entering glory, which had also been foretold throughout the Law and the Prophets (Luke 24:25-27). This is the stumbling block and the Rock of offense: the King of Israel executed on a Roman cross, ie. Christ crucified. Think about the magnitude of offense! The one deserving the most honor and glory whom all nations will bow down to is suffering a humiliating, gruesome death at the hands of Israel's enemies. Sounds like an epic fail, right? But we know that's not the end of the story. But that's for another post.

It would be more accurate to say Jesus the Christ, or Jesus the Messiah. So, next time you are reading the New Testament, try inserting 'King of Israel' every time you come across the word 'Christ'. The reason this feels so awkward and foreign to us is because we have lost sight or redefined what 'Christ' means. This wasn't so with the early church! When Paul preached the gospel, he preached from the Old Testament. We have to remember that we stand on a Jewish foundation, with Jewish promises, and a Jewish King! Though we have different righteousness (one of faith apart from keeping the law), we have the same hope. Here's the bottom line: Jesus is at the right hand of the Father presently waiting the day He is going to  return to sit on a throne in the temple on Mt. Zion over Israel to administer the glory of God, resurrection, and judgment of the nations at the day of The Lord into the age to come. This is our hope and it has yet to be consummated. The King is coming!

Ode to Israel

A few days ago I was telling another mom about a cute phrase Izzy often says, when she exclaimed,

"Oh Lindy, you need to make sure you write that down! You don't want to forget that!"

A few different emotions came over me in that moment. 

Guilt, frustration, urgency, overwhelmed.

I haven't done a very good job of celebrating and documenting life.

This blog has been lying dormant, my journals are covered in dust, my nice camera stays put on the shelf, and to be honest, I still haven't printed out pictures from our wedding. 

Yep, it's that bad. 

So, instead of feeling overwhelmed which leads to me usually doing nothing, I'm going to start with some baby steps.

Very small baby steps.

I'm here to tell you all about my adorable and wonderful son, Israel Paul.

Favorite toys: Anything where he gets to "Knock 'em down!", stuffed rabbit named Pierre, his 'lello gigi' aka yellow digger, cardboard boxes

Fun words: "meh-mane" aka airplane, "puss" aka push, "loolel" aka noodle, "chew bed" aka new bed, "appa goosh" aka apple juice

Current Interests: Thomas the Train and anything choo choo related, Elmo, dancing, praying (always while holding hands), being chased by Dad (all the time), construction machines, 'swimming' in the tub,  identifying colors (he is so good at it!), drawing

And, his cute phrase that my friend didn't want me to forget is my favorite. Whenever he wants you to throw something up in the air, he points up and says "To the moon!" We have no idea where he came up with it, but it is so darn cute!
He's turning 2 at the end of January and should be a big brother by the end of this month!
I don't think he understands that we're about to add a permanent addition to our family, but I think he will handle it fairly well.
He loves babies.
Hopefully he loves babies that take a lot of mom and dad's attention :)

 These are from this summer. The one in the stroller was from our beach trip :) He really enjoyed the sand and the water, as long as he was in control.

 He loves his dada SO much. It is such a joy to watch their relationship.

 A few from earlier this fall. Izzy LOVES the red balls at Target. He insists on trying to 'move' them every time, while grunting and groaning "heavy!"

I love my little guy. He is such a blessing.

Flower Therapy

I have had so much fun working with flowers lately. 

I never thought I would have a job that brought me so much life and inspired me creatively more and more as time went on. 

The hope is that when we move to Minnesota, I might be able to do some weddings on my own. 

In the mean time I'm soaking up all the expertise I can get from my boss. She's seriously so talented.

I thought I would do a post with some snapshots of what we've created lately. 

 Buckets of babies breath. So lovely and dainty.

 Hard at work

 Boutonniere I made

 Simple yet elegant babies breath wreath my boss made

 Love all the textures in this bouquet!

 Altar arrangement with some stellar roses

 <3 p="">

 Wrist corsage I made

 Tricky boutonniere I made in a wine cork. 

 Wrist corsage I made for this weekends wedding

 For some reason the photo uploaded sideways, but you still get the picture. My boss made this AWESOME bride's bouquet for this weekend's wedding. Love those colors!

I had the honor of making the floral crown for the bride this weekend.

 She looked stunning!

 Really fun centerpiece I got to do for a wedding a little while back. The container is covered in birch bark!

 Peony bouquet I made for a wedding expo event. It was fun to make a bouquet without the pressure of a wedding :) 

And last but not least, my boss and I put together this 6 foot garland for a wedding. This shot of it in a box just doesn't do it justice. It was beautiful! 

Jerusalem, if I forget you...

Wearing my 'watchmen on the wall' necklace every day lately in hopes that it may remind me to pray for Israel. 

My heart aches and my belly feels sick the more I hear about what's going on in the Middle East. 

There is so much unrest, and believe it or not, the nation of Israel is in someway linked to most of it. 

The devil hates everything that is dearest to God, and His chosen people are at the center of his rage.

I don't pretend to have a perfect revelation of God's heart for Israel.

I feel the temptation to be swayed by the current of the culture/media which is quick to point an unforgiving finger at this tiny nation. 

But I do know that God has wrapped up His very character and name in this people by making an everlasting covenant with them. 

I do know that we are commanded to pray for the peace of Jerusalem.

I do know that my invitation into the promises of God are only because of their waywardness.

I do know that the land matters to God and that He will have a Jewish king sitting on a throne in Jerusalem. 

I do know that their repentance will mean life from the dead (literally, the resurrection)

I do know that it is a dangerous thing to be apathetic about the things God is zealous for.

Isaiah 62:1, 6-7

For Zion’s sake I will not hold My peace,

And for Jerusalem’s sake I will not rest,

Until her righteousness goes forth as brightness,

And her salvation as a lamp that burns.

I have set watchmen on your walls, O Jerusalem;

They shall never hold their peace day or night.

You who make mention of the Lord, do not keep silent,

And give Him no rest till He establishes

And till He makes Jerusalem a praise in the earth.

Check out this message that Jake did this past Tuesday night at our House of Prayer's equipping service. I feel like it's a very clear call to understand the "mystery of Israel" and what our response should be. 

I am in no way saying that Israel as a political entity is perfect, or even should be wholeheartedly supported. 

My heart is that I would be burdened like Paul who said he would choose to be accursed if it meant his brethren might be saved, or like Jesus who wept over the hardened hearts in Jerusalem, or like Moses who was willing to put his own life on the line for his people. 

We as believers are forever linked to this people because our savior will forever be a Jewish man. 

Lord we pray that the people walking in darkness would see a great light! We pray that you would magnify Jesus, their long awaited Messiah and King! Bring your everlasting peace to Jerusalem and establish her with a government that will know no end! Come Lord Jesus! (Isaiah 9)

Taking Stock

 

 

Making : to-do lists for our upcoming move to Minnesota in November! (more to come on that subject)

Cooking : (baking) my mom's recipe for zucchini bread. So tasty!

Drinking : lots and lots of water, which means lots and lots of potty breaks for this pregnant lady

Reading: "Husband Coached Childbirth" again, and "Origins" Did I mention I'm pregnant?

Wanting: a trip to the coast! I feel so lost in the summer when I haven't been to the beach.

Playing: Izzy seems to like when we use the record player, so it's oldies for us.

Sewing: I wish I could say I had a sewing project in the works. I have so many dreams, but nothing I'm actually working on. My mom and I are making plans for her to whip up some crib sheets for baby #2

Wishing: I had a little more energy and motivation

Enjoying: this stage of 'toddlerhood' with Israel. He seriously brings us so much joy!

Liking: taking long walks with my little family

Wondering: what is going to happen in the nations (specifically the Middle East) over the next months/years? We are living in some mind blowing/crazy/sobering/exciting times. 

Hoping: to get Iz and I on a more regular day-to-day schedule. 

Marveling: at the patience and kindness of God

Needing: a body pillow for this growing belly

Smelling: the flowers on my table

Wearing: whatever is comfy and fits! 

Thinking: this summer is going to fly by

Feeling: ^ like it already has!

Bookmarking: gender neutral baby things since we're not finding out the gender this time!

Anyone else want to join in on this list? I saw it on another blog and thought it would be a nice and easy way for me to share a little update. 

Minnesota Trip

We're currently in Minnesota for 3 weeks, visiting family and friends and seeking the Lord for some vision and direction for the next phase of life. We've felt God stirring up new excitement and passion over the last year and sense a move toward pursuing some of them. I know those were some super vague statements, but we really are trying to figure everything out ourselves. We've spent a lot of time in prayer, seeking counsel, and mapping out all the pros and cons of some different options. It's been an emotional time for me, as I feel like I've been a few steps behind Jake in hearing from God/feeling excited and passionate about change. Change. It's become a lot more intimidating now that I've become a mama. Change means challenging times with a toddler. Change means my weaknesses become a lot more obvious and I have to lean more heavily on the Holy Spirit. Change; not a bad thing, but almost always brings something hard. I'm crying out for a yielded heart that says "not my will but Yours be done." Anyways, here are some pictures from our time here so far.

 Izzy has become a fan of all things water, as long as he doesn't get too wet. 

 Izzy and his new friend Maddox sharing some cheerios together

 I learned how to make challah bread and am so excited to make it again!

 I savored my mother-in-laws last peonies of the year

 Izzy's first time at a splash pad. He loved watching the other kids and sticking his shoes in the water

 Minneapolis 

 Sipping a drink at one of our favorite cafes.

 I'm not sure who enjoys chalk time more, Jake or Izzy.

 We went on a date to Stillwater and took a cruise down the St. Croix

(really blurry picture, but I love it so much!)

This guy has been a trooper this trip. We've taken him to so many new places, skipped naps, ate at strange times and basically tossed everything he once knew as normal out the window. He's had his melt down moments, but for the most part is handling it like a champ. 

A Worm

Have you ever felt like your character was in question?

Have you ever felt like you weren't trusted?

Have you ever felt misunderstood?

Have you ever felt evaluated and found wanting?

You know why all of those things feel so terrible when we experience them? 

It's because we love ourselves.

We can be so consumed with 'me' that any attack against this obsession leaves us angry, resentful, and defensive. 

So why not defend our honor and set the record straight? 

Isn't that only fair? 

Isn't that just?

Well, we will almost always react rather than respond.

We will almost always bring others lower in order to raise ourselves higher.

We will almost always give in to arrogance before all is said and done. 

Hallelujah! There is good news in all of this! 

We have the most beautiful example in Jesus; the most misunderstood man.

His character was questioned, and he did not defend.

He was not trusted, but he did not react.

He was misunderstood, and continued to puzzle the masses.

His reputation was drug through the mud, but he showed us meakness.

"In a pathetic passage in a prophetic psalm, He (Jesus) says,

'I am a worm, and no man.'

Those who have been in tropical lands tell us the difference between a snake and a worm, when you attempt to strike at them. The snake rears itself up and hisses and tries to strike back- a true picture of self. But a worm offers no resistance, it allows you to do what you like with it, kick it or squash it under your heel- a picture of true brokenness." Roy Hession - The Calvary Road

The cross is the most relevant message to me daily. 

I don't ever graduate from this lesson.

The cross isn't our 'stepping stone' onto bigger and better things.

The cross needs to be ever before me, or else I quickly begin to wander. 

"Brokenness in daily experience is simply the response of humility to the conviction of God. And inasmuch as this conviction is continuous, we shall need to be broken continually. And this can be very costly, when we see all the yielding of rights and selfish interests that this will involve, and the confessions and restitutions that may be sometimes necessary. For this reason, we are not likely to be broken except at the cross of Jesus. The willingness of Jesus to be broken for us is the all-compelling motive in our being broken too." Roy Hession

It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me.

Oh Lord, give me grace to follow in this beautiful example.

Crumbled

This past year has been the hardest of my life.

 I feel like I got T-boned by motherhood and I'm still in a state of shock as I pick up the pieces while my ears continue to ring from the crash. 

I felt a little sheepish about sharing this with people, because in reality, my life is pretty good. 

I have an amazing husband, a healthy baby (toddler?), a cozy home, food on the table, a supportive community and family nearby.

What more could I ask for?

The storm has been raging on the inside, and underneath my smile and upbeat personality, I've been drowning. 

A few months ago as I was attempting to process some of the emotions that were swirling inside of me I realized a very interesting trend.

All of my life I've been able to be good, or even great, at whatever I do. 

Give me a goal, some guidelines or rules, a time limit and I'm there. 

If at any point I realize that I'm not going to succeed, or be the best, I quit.

I quit.

I run away.

I escape.

I have more stories than I'd like to admit where when faced with weakness or possible failure, I've run for the hills in order to 'save face.' 

For most of my post-high school life I've been in some kind of structured internship or program where I've been able to succeed.

The expectations were set and I was able to meet them, exceed them, and strive for more.

Motherhood is a whole new ballgame.

Success doesn't have a clear definition and being the best doesn't necessarily mean that you have anything to show for it.

And the hardest part of all; there's no escaping when you feel like a failure.

Feeling like a failure while at the same time being struck with the 'mundaneness' of motherhood sent me reeling. 

Now comes in the most helpful article I've read in a long time by a guy named David Sliker.

His post about being 'ordinary' brought to light so much of the struggle going on inside of me.

"The language of the modern church reflects a worldview that is slightly different than the Bible’s definition of success. The cry is often heard at youth gatherings and conferences: “You’re special. You’re powerful. You’re great. You can change the world!” There is a major difference between having a positive outlook and preaching unbiblical positivism. Unbiblical positivism has another name: flattery. Flattery initially feels good to the soul, but is ultimately very damaging to the heart over the long-term. The problems with flattery lie within its vanity and powerlessness to equip the heart for the toils and snares of life."

In other words, I had a self-absorbed and extremely inflated view of myself that loathed weakness and scorned the simplicity and, dare I say, invisible life of a mom. 

When the programs, the awards, the A's, and the acknowledgements disappeared, I felt naked and shaky in my own identity. 

"Some refuse to face the truth about their daily life. They cling to the fantasy they bought wholeheartedly in their younger days, which makes the eventual collision with truth more painful. When life comes crashing into the one who believed the flattering words of a self-absorbed messenger, the consequences are tragic. The heart hardens quickly. Cynicism and bitterness are the beginning of the new life that awaits the disillusioned. Compromise often follows."

I was angry at God.

I was confused, wounded, and depressed.

I felt hardness creeping into my heart and shame coaxed me to isolate, numb, and give myself over to despair.

If it were up to me, I would have stayed in bed all day.

There was no escaping.

There was no quick fix or just right answer.

In fact, I wish I could in all honesty talk about this in a 'past tense' way, but I can't.

This is still hard for me. 

Being great, being in ministry, being gifted, being in the forefront was so woven into the core of me that when it was stripped, I crumbled.

I still feel like I'm in pieces.

2 Corinthians 4:8-10

We are hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed- always carrying about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body.

And now the task is given to me to die. Daily. 

To take up my cross and follow.

"God's not out to hurt your pride, he's out to kill it!"

He's crushing my pride, my vanity, my self-centeredness in hopes of beauty on the other side.

He's looking to make me like gold, which is only perfected through fire.

In his wisdom he gave me the desire to be a mom, knowing that motherhood happened in the background, in the late nights, and in the laying down of my life. 

He does have a plan for me that is extraordinary and through my selfish desires I interpreted that to mean my own greatness.

But in the end, He will receive glory from my life; a broken and contrite spirit that comes from years of patient endurance and faithfulness, by the grace of God!

Fa la la la late!

Even though we're well into February, I'm going to update you all on our Christmas.

Yep, I'm a little bit behind.

I even had an Advent Series post almost completely finished but I never posted it.

traveling + holidays + sickness + sleeplessness = no blogging.

On to Christmas!

This was our first Christmas as a family of 3 and it was so much fun to reminisce about what life looked like just one year before. 

I was very pregnant.

We had a homeless woman living with us.

And we (well mostly me) were desperate to get moved into our new house.

It was an interesting, challenging, and expectant Christmas.

This one was also filled with a few trials, but extremely fun and fulfilling nonetheless.

We knew we were leaving on the 20th on an eighteen hour journey to Minnesota, so we made sure to decorate earlier this year in order to soak it all in. 

Also, this Christmas season was hugely impacted by the focus God was giving us on advent. 

We really enjoyed going through different passages in the Bible highlighting Jesus' first and second coming.

It was very special for Jake and I to do that together.

We liked it so much that we also started up a bible reading plan for the new year.

Izzy was a road trip pro and made the car ride a breeze on the way out.

We stopped in Indiana as the halfway point both ways with our dear friends the Beilers.

Those were precious moments spent with that family. 

Our time in Minnesota started out just as we hoped; filled with family, friends, good food, our wonderful church, and cherished memories made. 

We are so grateful for that first week.

But then, sickness hit. And it hit hard.

All 3 of us got knocked out by some sort of flu or virus or something.

I don't know what it was, but it was awful.

We spent our last week taking care of each other, lounging on the couch, puking, coughing, wiping noses, shivering, aching, and just plain old miserable.

We even stayed an extra day because I wasn't well enough to travel.

Bummer!

It was sort of the best and the worst time to get sick.

The best because Jake's family was so helpful with Izzy and took great care of us.

The worst because we only get to be in Minnesota once in a while and we wanted to make the most of it. 

Either way, it was still special. Jake's whole family got to be together all under one roof and for that I am very grateful.

Now, enough of my rambly-journaling and on to the pictures!

 We got to host our Gateway Staff Christmas party in our home. One thing I've learned about myself over the last year is how much I LOVE to host.

 Izzy got a bunch of his Dad's old animals for Christmas. 

We think he likes them, based on how often he growls at them. 

 A bunch of blonde boys tearing up a phone book. Who knew that could be so fun?

 At first, he was terrified of her. By the end of the visit, he loved her.

 How many Paurus' can you fit on a bed?

Snuggly walks

Found the perfect Christmas PJs at Goodwill.... in January. Oh well.

Sweet dreams!