what a night.

Zach and I just hosted our very first "Christmas Sweater Party". The object was to wear the the worst sweater you can find. I couldn't find one - but I did find a dress for $5 at the thrift shop. I tried my best to look like I was out of the 70's, parted my hair and wore frosted lipstick and everything. Oh well. Below are some photos of a super fun night.

(more photos to come...having trouble uploading or is it downloading) 

They're up on facebook.

                   

cleaning green.

As I listen to my new Christmas cd by Shane & Shane - see post below...I'm attempting to winter-clean (not spring clean) our entire home without using any paper towels and Mrs. Meyers cleaning products (my fav). Basil is my favorite scent, then lavender, then geranium! ~ back to work

music of the season.

Zach and I just saw Bethany Dillon, Phil Wickham (our fav) and Shane & Shane in concert. Shane and Shane have a great new Christmas album, that I highly recommend for this advent season. It is a great way to celebrate the coming of our King! Also, if you link to Phil Wickham's site, he has a free download of his Singalong CD. ~ Do it! 

we exploited a cardinal.

It was oddly almost 70 degrees outside yesterday, so Zach and I decided to open our front door, including our glass door.  Respectively studying for our finals we hear a loud BANG! A curious little cardinal decided to fly right by our door and BAM - ran straight into our open glass door. Perplexed on our porch, he didn't move. Zach picked him up to help him fly, but he wouldn't budge. Then Zach says, go get the camera, this is a great photo! Reluctantly, I went and got it. I felt bad exploiting this injured bird for a great photo op. As you can see, I didn't feel that bad.

The bird remained still for a good 15 minutes. We were hesitant to leave him by himself knowing that our neighbors had cats. Suddenly, out of the corner of my eye I see the neighbors grey can eyeing the entire situation. Shoot! What should we do, the little bugger wasn't ready to fly yet. 

So, Zach picked him up again and brought him to our side porch rail, to keep an eye on him. About 7 more minutes went by and he finally flew to the nearest tree. Zach said he felt so much joy to see him fly away. What an experience. We closed our door after that. ~ amazing

out of the blue.

Perhaps my last post was a bit out of the blue and a bit sporadic. Argh.  A flood of thoughts always engulf me when I hear the song O Holy Night. I can never properly articulate the thoughts and feelings the song evokes in me. Maybe I'm not supposed to. Perhaps it is the intimate mystery that I get to share with our creator. Something that will never be perfectly explained, only lived out in my life. Maybe I should cease my attempts of explanation and heed a life of justice, love and sacrifice! ~ Just maybe.

christmas.

What Christmas means to me. It is the day of remembrance. They day God became visible through his son. His son who came to die, that we might live. He came so that all people would be set free from the bonds oppression. His law is love and his gospel is peace.  The world was bound by error and sin till he appeared and we finally discovered our worth. No longer are we bound by the standards of this world - truly we are loved and called to love one another. The slave is our brother. Therefore, there are people out in our world who are literately bound by the chains of oppression: war, AIDs, child labor, sex trafficking, poverty, addictions, abuse, hate, pain, loneliness, and so much more. That person is our brother - that person should be welcomed to our table. Tonight I was reminded of the vision that I have for life. I confess that in the midst of school, success, performance, finals and papers I lost sight of what really matters. People. People are what really matter. PRESENCE. Not gifts, not grades, not successes and failures, but people. People deserve to live life and live it freely. Well, really we don't deserve anything - but a child has been given unto us...and the government will be on his shoulders. And we will call him WONDERFUL, COUNSELOR, MIGHTY GOD, EVERLASTING FATHER, PRINCE OF PEACE! And so we sing...

O holy night! The stars are brightly shining,

It is the night of our dear Savior's birth.

Long lay the world in sin and error pining.

Till he appeared and the soul felt its worth.

A thrill of hope the weary world rejoices,

For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn.

Fall on your knees! Oh, hear the angel voices!

O night divine, the night when Christ was born;

O night divine, O night, O night divine.

Truly he taught us to love one another, 

His law is love and His gospel is peace.

Chains shall he break, for the slave is our brother.

And in his name all oppression shall cease.

Sweet hymns of joy in grateful chorus raise we,

With all our hearts we praise His holy name.

Christ is the Lord! The ever, ever praise we.

His power and glory ever more proclaim!

His power and glory ever more proclaim!

green tea.

Bangkok tea by Harney & Sons is a must try and it is going out of stock. It is a green tea with coconut, lemongrass and ginger. They have created a similar blend to take its place, but this is truly the best and the pink tin is great for storing things in your home and kitchen. Right now they are selling it for 5$, you can find it (the new blend) 8$ at Barnes and Noble and 10$ at the posh kitchen stores. You choose - shipping was 3$. And worth every penny.

advent.

Greetings and happy advent. I am swimming in a sea of school work trying to remember that we have entered the wonderful advent season. By this time next week I will be finished with my first semester of school. At that point I hope to embark on the makings of Christmas presents and taking more photos! Zach and I just visited our dearest friends Matt, Flo and their son Benjamin. It was great. We drove down to Georgia to see them - it only took 5 hours. Here is a glimpse of that trip and our Thanksgiving day with some new friends. It was my first attempt at putting together a Thanksgiving meal - note to self, you don't get a nap on T-day when you are the cook. However, I DID IT - with many thanks to Lydia and Lauren!! ~ cheers

    

   

   

Now for our trip to Georgia to see the Naults...

  

How can you not fall in love with this adorable face!

         

    

                               

Family photo!

Tienes dientes, Benjamin Mateo?

My love.