Come, let us adore Him...

 It's a snow day tomorrow. The fire is crackling, Christmas lights are on, the kids are asleep, and there's quiet. Or relative quiet. Aaron has football on-so there's that.

 We are doing our best at catching up on all the Christmas movies out there. Hallmark classics, and even some oldies and goodies! As we were watching the Sound of Music tonight, Cade made the exclamation, "they make girls look like they are light as feathers or something. That's a lie! They are heavy as rocks!"

He is getting coal in his stocking.

 Every night, as the dark comes early, Aaron will get on his hands and knees and play superheroes with the kids. It is hysterical. Imagine if you will, grown man with a bright orange rope for his super power.  One minute he's the Flash, and the next minute he's the man with the magic power  of the golden rope. Libbi is queen Elsa with ice magic, and will yell screaming through the house, "don't worry I won't pull your heart out, I just take it out and keep it in my box. Nicely. Right mom?"

Umm, yeah.

 I've struggled this year as December 23 approaches. This date comes every year, but for this year my flashbacks are real, and vivid. I also remember how I felt reading about the Christ-child that year. The Emmanuel, God with us. He came near, and is still near. Perhaps it's because of how deeply Advent has impacted me this year that it made me remember.

 Earlier this week My mother-in-law had an appointment and had to be at the office by 6:45am. It was a cold morning, and the snow was  starting to fly, and the stars were  bright and shining. I smiled at Libbi and her Sleepy-eyed  and Tussled  hair functioning quite well for being disturbed from her slumber.  Because of the early hour and no provision for small children, I decided it would be a perfect time to go shopping. Because that's just what you do at 0-dark 30 in the morning.

So there I was...shopping, and killin'  time. Libbi was singing loud with powdered donuts in hand when I heard someone say my name. Who in their right mind would be out that early? And what would be the chances that It was my doctor?  The kind hearted soul who found my cancer. It had been 5 years since I've seen him. (He changed jobs.) We caught up on his life, his job, my kids, and Aaron.

We parted ways, said nothing about cancer,  and I knew without a doubt that the God of Abraham,  Jacob, & Isaac was still alive and well. That sorrow lasts for a moment and Joy, to the whole world, has come and will come in the morning. His call is always "where are you?" He longs for our time with Him. Even if we have to be reminded in the middle of Sam's Club that the God who is near is the God who hears. That in His presence our fears have no place. And at the sound of his voice, the darkness flees.

I would love to say that the Star of Bethlehem shone bright and that the angels were singing, and gathered all around to complete the moment, but the flourecent bulbs of Sam's Club and the repeated over-head-page for customer service assistance was all I heard.

But He was there.

And will be there for you- for me-for all of us.

Whatever you're carrying; hiding; seeking; grieving; celebrating; dreading; giving or getting this year, will never EVER STOP His presence. It's as unending as His love for each of us.

At the very end of every fear is "alone." And the greatest gift that ever was came and abolished that forever. We don't have to fear that or say it ever again in that context again, unless it's at this Christmas time when we raise our voices loud and sing that He ALONE is worthy, yes, it is Christ the King.

Come, let us adore Him.

Hugs to you and yours,

~ Erin

Mentoring

 Hey y'all! It's almost Christmas! At our house that means we've been waiting for it for the whole year. I have two kids that love Christmas even more than I do! It's a big deal around here. How about you?

With all the hustle and bustle and tradition, we find ourselves looking for the King of Kings. We've been going through Advent with Ann Voskamp's book (annvoskamp.com). SO good. And pure and loving.  This is her second year through and I have yet to get through it without crying. Like a baby, all is lost, and then found. Great reminders. Such a wonderful perspective about Jesus and the event of his birth.


 I'm also reading a book called "desperate." It's a book of hope for mom to need to breathe. Desperate: Hope for the Mom Who Needs to Breathe. Desperate: Hope Excellent stuff! Such a great reminder of why we need mentors for ourselves, and to mentor those younger than us. I'm in that season. I just found a wonderful mentor for myself, I don't know what I would do with out "G"!
 She lovingly guides me through the ups and downs of being a woman, a mother, a wife, and a pastor's wife. What a precarious path! Sometimes the lines connect well, but most days I feel like I'm in a big tangled knot!

The sweet girl-turned-woman I once mentored is now married and making her way in life. I love watching her flourish on her own walk with Jesus. Not long after she said "I do," I was introduced to my next. She is so dear. The feelings of "oh my gosh, what do I say here?" "I'm not qualified for this." Yes, all the feels are there, and I've laid them at the Lords feet. I canNOT do this on my own, nor can I turn away this opportunity.  I look forward to this new season of growth.

If ever  there was a time and need for mentoring, it is now. What about you? Have you ever thought about it? I promise, you'll never regret it! It's not about having the perfect answers and being the perfect person. It's about being real, authentic, and sharing your heart with hers. Taking her to the feet of the Lord where the cross can  bridge any gaps between you.

 My kids are awake, so that means I must go adult for today. Libby is howling, like a wolf. Cade is singing, and practicing his poem that he has chosen for speech class. My world is full of overachievers and little stinkers. I love it. At least most days. *wink*