Day 5 {{ God, You & Luke 2 }}

I've been posting on my other blog since Advent began. Wanted to share from yesterday's post....
Join me each day, reading Luke 2:1-21 until Dec. 24th. See what you'll learn reading and reading...
Day 5. Dreams

I'm reading "Touching Wonder: Recapturing the Awe of Christmas". It was a free download and I thought I would glance through and see what it held. I had no idea how captivated I would become with the words as told by various characters in our story.

Over the years many of them have already been considered I have let my mind wander to the thoughts of "what was it like for_______?". And fill in the blank with different members of this cast. I will give my thoughts another day. Today I will share a tiny bit from the book that is hard to lay down yet hard to remain in for long periods of time. It pierces the soul, makes you really sit in awe of this story if you allow yourself to delve into its depths.



Joseph

You know who reminds me of me these days? Old Job, faithful old Job. I too followed the commandments, no one forced me, it was my decision. Yet all seemed taken away, like Job.

Before that I had other dreams. Dreams with no angels in them. I Dreamed of Mary and a house full of children, of growing old with her. The children would grow strong and devout and Mary and I would ease into a cranky elegance. We would live a well ordered life. Then all those dreams were snatched away.

If you do not believe there were moments when I was tempted to " curse God and die" then you make me out to be something I am not. I am not angel or one of the lesser God's. I am a man and this was not the life I had planned.

But curse the Mighty One? I could not. My ordered life? a memory...The control I'd long worked to establish? Gone. Maybe it was never really there but I thought it was and I lived like it was.

My reputation among family and friends? Stained. What kind of story have I fallen into?



there will be more from this book throughout the coming days. Keep reading and let it sink in.

Georgia, Sweet Georgia

Coffee...lots of coffee...long hours...

My time in Georgia kept me ever so busy with three beautiful young ladies and their Grandfather. We rapidly became like family with the feeling we had known each other, always, but had missed some stories here and there.

Our week was filled with normal activities like "homework, cheer practice, school pictures,

dinners at home and smoothies at night". Quite naturally, Reed and I fell into the rhythm of this life, caring for the girls; it seemed too easy. 

 I nearly held my breath, waiting for something to go wrong, waiting for a hiccup. 

Ahh. It came. The nightly routine after cheer practice was thrown off schedule by 2 hours with a late but wonderful dinner at home and so the meltdowns began.

It was comical even in the midst as we ran up and down the stairs consoling one, praying with another and carrying a sobbing little girl up two flights of stairs and back to bed.  (ouch...someone was out of shape)

The disruption continued long into the next day until school was dismissed for Labor Day Weekend . Vacation begins!

The girls made a  Bucket List  of  "fun things to do" and we tried to accomplish all we could to make their time special while Mom and Dad were out of the country.

Friday night started with a Mexican dinner at  Cheeky's, a restaurant we found listed in the GPS. Little did we know it would lead us on an adventure to a nearby town giving me my first glimpse of  the beauty surrounding us. We traveled through the winding hills of GA on the night of the rare "Blue Moon" whose light shone through the evergreens creating unforgettable, magical images in my mind.

It could not have been more beautiful.

A favorite night for all, it was so delightful, we began the quest for another town on Saturday night.

The road to Roswell was memorable (thank you girls...) but the real surprise and charm of this sweet town is in the historical district. There, the streets are lined with adorable little restaurants and people enjoying one another's company. The weather was perfect for out-door dining but we took these starving girls indoors to Pasti's whose old world charm called for all the table manners the girls could muster. As we looked over this exceptional menu, they were given wise counsel from their Grandfather and it provided a timely reminder on how a woman should be treated by a man. I'll not forget that conversation...it was Priceless.

For the grownups Pasti's provided a taste of  fine French cuisine with leg of lamb as our main course. A gracious and lovely evening for me; indeed, a rare treat. It was a comfortable quiet night with sleepy girls in the back seat as we head  home. Once again we drive under a full moon peaking over the evergreens, illuminating the dark night. 

Sunday was church at Browns Bridge Community Church with Pastor Andy Stanley. 

Oh! It is an awesome church and I highly recommend their pod casts.

Our fun things included jumping on the trampoline together, head stand practice, bubble baths for the girls, making homemade lemonade and smoothies, among other things.....

Monday we took four girls shopping at The Avenues where they went out 2 x 2 while Reed and I enjoyed 

coffee in Barnes & Noble. An early dinner at Ichiban's  for Japanese and then it's back home to get on schedule after a wonderful Labor Day Weekend.

Homecoming!!!

The whole reason I am here in GA is to help care for the older sisters while B&C finalize the adoption on two more little girls.

The day finally arrives and after cleaning house and making "Welcome Home" signs we head for the airport to pick up the family. After weeks away the parents return and bring with them Dasha and Leanna, the new sisters. 

What a joy to be here and witness this moment; the first glimpse of them coming down the hall.

 I've walked alongside B since this was merely a thought.

Like, "Really? Is God calling us to international adoption?" 

Yes, He was and I couldn't think of a more loving family to bring these 2 girls to. 

I marvel that when they were born in the Ukraine, God had picked out a family in the U.S. who would rescue them and raise them in a Christian home where they are surrounded by His name.

We all enjoyed a few days of  family bonding with the littles but

with their arrival comes the retirement of  Reed and Zanetta, the"Fifth String" babysitters. 

What a great time we (Dadushka & Nana) had "doing life" with the girls and being with the whole family. Unforgettable moments...

Truly I am thankful for them all.

Life Abounds

There's "Life on Margaret". 

So many changes, so many challenges, hurts, joys.

Most importantly, there's Life.

We stick by eachother on our street. We carry eachother's load. We have changes coming and

what will become of the family ties that we've created between us?

We're pretty much like what a church should look like and that bond

is stronger than some because it's the Jesus blood that creates this bond.

It's everlasting and through eternity.

Yes, there's Life on Margaret.

Remarkable, really, the way the Lord speaks when you go before Him. Today's OYB reading that jumped at me was: Judges 6:14 Then the Lord turned to him (Gideon) and said, Go with the strength you have and rescue Israel from the Midianites.  I am sending you!

WOW!

I'm not rescuing Israel but this speaks strongly. It says, this day has been prepared. I've lined everyone up to be there. (Says God) You are equipped, ready and it's time; "I am sending you!"

What is the Lord telling you to do? He's speaking; are you listening? Do you know His voice or has it been so long that you weren't sure Who that was? Are you so close that you know the sound of His whisper? He's speaking to you.

{{ 107 }} Reception

Colors for the wedding reception: Cobalt Blue, Tangerine & Lime...

Fun Fun Fun...inside the civic center was transformed into a garden theme complete with barn doors, a gazebo, Japanese lanterns, Gerber daisies and gardens spots. It was a festive affair, a celebration enjoyed by all.

{{ 96 }} Teens

Have I mentioned lately how blessed I am?  One such night was this one....I quietly listened to the conversations of my son and two friends as they cooked steaks, listened to country music and just hung out. Once the food was done I heard them offer thanks to the Father for their meal. No adults to remind them to pray at dinner, they just did.  : )

{{ 95}} Travel

Part of me wants to go somewhere....I feel the itch to do something adventurous and fun. A year ago the boys and I should have been joining R. in Israel as missionaries. The door closed and here I sit. It's hard to just be......

{{ 92 }} Chosen

I like the word "Chosen". 

It makes me feel safe, secure

sought after, protected.

 It makes me feel like it's not too late for dreams.