Day of Beauty-day 23 A day at home

Christmas day this year was a quiet laid back day at home.

We didn't open gifts until 9am, after birthday cake and the Christmas story being read.  We have never really been a rushed early morning Christmas family.

The kids each get 3gifts and  their stockings.  Joe and I just did stockings for each other.  It didn't take long to open all of our gifts, and the rest of the day was spent enjoying them.

Watching movies, playing games, playing indoor basketball, and eating.  We had no where to go.  I didn't even get out of my PJs all day. 
It was wonderful.

We spent today at home too.  I really think our family needed this time to reconnect and just decompress.

A catch up-Beauty

I know I am behind.

A few things of beauty I have noticed this past week
1. dry clear roads-I don't like ice

2. Deer on the fresh clean snow

3.Plans that are changed- God knows the future not me!

4. a night home, alone with my husband. We have had a rough week.

5. Truth and light- where there is truth there is light.  It can be so hard to get to this point for some couples. I am glad we are there and have stayed there  for nearly 9 years.

6. Being able to say with conviction-"I have been there and God was faithful and saw me through." amen

7. God, not letting my past pain be wasted.  He is so good and merciful.

 Colleen's wedding

 You might not want to eat our cookies!

Haley and Annie- handing out cookies to our neighbors.

Beaty day 15- location

We have lived in many areas of Indiana.  There are good and bad to each, at different times of the year especially.

Christmas in Indy is fun though.  We are so close to big events, like concerts, plays, ballet.

I went on a field trip with Annie's class yesterday to the IRT's production of "A Christmas Carol".  Honestly, the story isn't one of my favorites.  I love redemption though- so that makes it OK.  I just like Gods redempting(is that even a word?) love better! 

Her class had read the book recently, and I also got to hear how much they differed.  Annie loves details.

Anyway, we took the bus downtown to the theatre.  The downtown is decorated so well, with the snow it was so pretty.

The production was fabulous, they did a superb job, very professional.

We then went to Circle Center mall for lunch and to walk around a little.  Being there with 10 year old girls was a lot of fun.

Being close to the arts is a thing of beauty for me!

Beauty day 14- 2 hour delay

I heart 2 hour delays!  They are a thing of beauty for this momma who likes to sleep.

Beauty day 13 pets

I know its crazy and my husband would so disagree with this post.

Kelsey is our 10 year old dog who brings us much joy. 
She brings me much strife sometimes, but for the most part, she is a joy.

I took her to the vet today and watching her all nervous and acting like a real kid just cracked me up.

So today having pets is a thing of beauty.

Beaty day 12-Corporate worship, personal God

As I mentioned earlier, we had a great day of worship yesterday.
Worshipping with a large group of people can seem impersonal to some. I felt God speaking to my heart as if I was the only one there!
One of my favorite songs of the morning was "Your Beautiful" by Phil Wickham.
I love it, but it brings me to tears every.single.time!

Worshipping with others is a thing of beauty, as is the God who speaks to each of our hearts independently.

Beauty day 11- family worship

We attend a large church with over 4000 members.  We usually attend on Saturday night with 800 others.  This week, though, we had to attend on Sunday morning with over 1500 other people.

The service was quite the production.

But..... what was more beautiful was worshipping with the whole family.  Seeing the kids sing and worship was great.  Nothing brings me more joy than knowing (and seeing) that my kids worship the King of Kings.

Family worship is a thing of beauty.