Christmas!

(Cousins together at Grandma Nadene's & Grandpa Marvin's)

What a blessing Christmas was to our family! Not only were we able to spend time with our family, all of us were given gifts beyond our expectations! Since this was the first Christmas with our "financial standing," we had prepared our children that this Christmas would be different. Thanks to some VERY generous family members, that was not the case. Eric and I were blessed, the children were blessed and the season was celebrated with high spirits. It also proved to be an excellent physical example of one of the principles that we have been trying to teach the kids. We have been teaching and instructing them over the last few months about tithing. Yeah, I know. It's a really tough subject. But one we really feel strongly about instilling in our childrens' hearts. We have explained the process and the "requirements" and have encouraged them to give joyfully (even when they don't feel like it). It was, of course, met with the reaction you would expect of teenagers... moans and groans. But they have been faithful and obedient. So, Eric and I were really pleased to point out to them that what they just received (unexpectedly) for Christmas was a direct result of their faithfulness to the Lord! And they got it! How wonderful it was for us as parents to see our children grasp a spiritual concept (that is a really hard one for adults, too). I'm so thankful to God for that moment. It allowed my children to see firsthand what we've been teaching. And it will make this concept so much easier for our children to continue. It also reminded me just how great our God is!!

We are looking forward with great anticipation to all the wonderful blessings He will be sending our way in 2007!