Uncommon Devotion: December 2008

Thursday, December 25, 2008

Click here to see more
Christmas Pictures

Christmas in California

Christmas 08 005, originally uploaded by melspann.

Thank you to all the grandparents and great grandparents, aunts and uncles who made this Christmas so special for our kids. The kids got a package in the mail everyday the week before Christmas. The tree was loaded with some amazing an loved toys. Merry Christmas everyone.

Love you and Miss you

Friday, December 19, 2008

Home made Christmas Ornaments.

The oval shape is Maylee's creation. The first cross is mine with cloves for nails. The purple and yellow is Tom's and the rest are one we made with some cookie cutters I had. Then we painted them and put glitter on. It was actually a great deal of fun. We spent about three hours on it. The morning flew by fast. It was 1:00 and the kids didn't once ask for lunch. That means they were really into it. SHHHH!!!Tom loved it just as much!!!

Sunday, December 14, 2008

Airplane

Fun Pictures
I was just having fun taking pictures on Friday. The light was good and the kids were enjoying their time outside after school work. Sadly it is December and we can be out with shorts on. Okay maybe not so sad but you get the point.

Saturday, December 13, 2008

Gingerbread Houses
This is becoming fun tradition in our house. Right now Tom and I do most of the work while the kids eat the candy and icing.

I am not sure how many times I told Lilly to stop licking the icing.

Maylee, Lilly and I did this one.

Daddy and Aiden's house.

My Attempt at an Advent wreath
Okay Jennifer J. I got this idea from you. I wanted to make mine natural like yours but we live in an apartment complex. They tend to frown on people cutting the foliage so I had to buy my evergreen from Joann's Fabric. 50% off coupon. It still turned out decent and the kids seem to love it. Every night they ask if we can light another candle. Mostly in hopes that Christmas is one week closer.

Why Uncommon Devotion?

..As Joseph of Arimetha took Jesus down from the cross, wrapped him in linen cloth and laid him in the tomb, the women who had come with Jesus from Galilee watched. Tears led the way as Mary Magdalene searched through her heart and memories for answers to the brokeness she felt inside. Questions only served as rocks to weigh down an already crushed hope. The stone was rolled into its place while everything else in her world seemed out of place. Pulling herself together she and the other women did the only thing they knew to do. They went home to prepare spices and perfumes. It was certainly late on this day of preparation. The Sabbath was approaching. So knowing the heart of most women they probably worked as late into the night as possible before the Sabbath arrived. She had to have toiled diligently because the sorrowful happenings of the day are best processed when the hands are kept busy. When the Sabbath day arrived Mary Magdalene must have laid her head down in hopes that exhaustion would pull her thoughts into a deep sleep. The final thought before closing her eyes, "My God, help me to understand."
The Sabbath, a day of rest, but for all who loved Jesus rest came only to the body. Thoughts and emotions danced together around the corridors of their mind. Mary Magdalene was no different. Her heart must have been on edge waiting for the day to pass so she could take her preparations to her Lord. Bringing the perfume to pour out on the lifeless body of her Saviour was the only act she knew to do that would convey her love for Jesus. Her devotion to Him began that way. One night she brought the only treasure she had and poured it on Christ. A broken spirit emptied her calloused heart through her tears as she draped His precious feet with her hair. Catching a glimpse into His forgiving eyes, love rushed though her veins, revived her helpless soul and branded her heart with His name forever.
Finally she made her way to His burial site only to find He was not there. She collapsed on the inside as the baracade of emotions broke. Forgetting that she served a God who delights in detail, worry forced her eyes to look around. Soon she found God's provision for her doubt, an angel who reminded her of Christ words that He would be crucified and would be resurrected on the third day. Hope came alive!God orchestrated that moment for many reasons. Perhaps one of those reasons was to reward Mary Magdalene for her uncommon devotion and to tell her once again of His unconditional love for her.

**** Help me Lord to have a devoted heart such as hers. You are so faithful to remind us all of how much you love us even when we are at our worst. ****