Full Heart

What else can I say? My heart is full! I have not taken the time to write down all that's been happening because I am enjoying being in the moment with my family, preparing for Christmas, seeing the excitement and wonder in my children's little eyes. What am I loving? The scent of candles - Home for the Holidays, Holiday Bayberry, Christmas Tree. The music - Handel's Messiah, Sara Groves, Enya, Tim Janis, Jim Brickman, Twila Paris, Canadian Brass, A Winter's Solstice, and the list goes on. The sounds - my children laughing and singing, telling and retelling the story of Jesus' birth...I'm really going to try to get at least an audio recording of them describing the angels telling the shepherds "Do not be afraid!" and assuring Mary "You are going to have a son and His name will be called Jesus!!!!!" Just today, KBH exclaimed, "Follow the star and see the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords!!!" Oh how my heart melts that they know the Truth at such an early age!
What else do I love? I love when we open a door on our advent calendar after dinner each night, as NCH reads the scripture reference inside, and then looks up the verse in the Bible to read to us...I am so thankful he can read and that he knows where to find each verse in the Bible!! I love that when we pray before dinner, my three-year-old will thank God for not only the food on the table, but for special people in his life, and for others who are sick or hurting. I love when my children are excited for one another. I love when they encourage one another. I love that they are THRILLED to see their Daddy every night!
I love my church - the pastors, the worship, the people. We have been in Galatians and I am being stretched and challenged in wonderful ways. Today, we watched the Star of Bethlehem film during Sunday School hour, and then Pastor Matt preached on Galatians 4:1-7. Is Christmas about stress and Santa and presents for you? I encourage you to visit the church web site www.temple-baptist.org and give a listen to today's message...Christmas is so much more! Are you someone who has been a Christian your whole life but you have trouble "obeying" all of the rules and laws? Be free...listen to the Galatians series and know that the law is not to make us holy, but to show us how unrighteous we are and how much we need God!
Ok, enough preaching...but my heart is so very full right now, I just had to share.