We Built a Town!

Putting together "town":

The finished product, after much frosting, decorating, and the like:
Hayley's house, Mothers Mercantile, and the tree is done by Nahla, who was spending the afternoon at our house:

My house, Caitlin's log cabin, and yes, those rocks are edible, chocolate, in fact:


And this deserved a picture all to itself, Laurels church, you can tell she is the artist in the family:
It is always so much fun to do this. I hope it inspires you! (Translated: Go make a gingerbread house, and post about it!)
Merry CHRISTmas,

Jillian

Holiday Spirit

The season before us is... the holidays. The time of hectic shopping, frantic baking, and desperate wrapping of gifts and checking lists. But only if your focus is on the here and now. In Scripture the holy days were times of feasts and remembering the blessings of God in peoples lives. Christians ought to keep the same perspective before them for their holidays. So here are some of the things I am trying to cultivate for a true holiday spirit.

The first big holiday before us is Thanksgiving. This celebrates a harvest stored to see us through winter, the fact that God has protected us from famine and disease in the work of the summer months and that He has prepared the days ahead for us.

So the first seeds I must cultivate in my garden of holiday spirit is thankfulness.
This means to be grateful for all I have been given, a humble attitude that recognizes I can do nothing for myself. The next holy day ahead is the celebration of Christmas. Christ Jesus, God becomes human flesh that we may understand that He knows all parts of human nature. This God we touch, feel, and know sympathizes yet does His work entirely for us.

The true holiday spirit is one of joy. A cheerful demeanor, a pleasant smile, a ready and kind word, all given with overflowing generosity. Such joy, so ready to make others joyful and share in others happiness. The great gift which I have been given reminds me to share its' bounteous treasure with all others.

Following hard on the heels of one joy is another festive day, New Years. Leaving behind the days that mark one circle around the sun, we begin the cycle again. Many contemplate the past year and make plans and goals for the one ahead.

As I look over the past year I can see God's faithfulness to me, and this gives me a spirit of praise. I desire to give credit where credit is due, honor to whom honor is due, and readily give praise to God the Spirit for His intervention on my behalf. Who knows what would happen to any of us were it not for the new mercies of every morning.

So my holiday spirit is in place, and by the grace of God I shall apply it everyday, content with His lovingkindness to sustain me.

The Handmaiden's Example

There are four handmaids in this household who gained all their knowledge on how to be such by the teaching and example of one handmaiden of the Lord, our mother.

Being a handmaiden is not natural, as the tendency is to wish to be a princess at leisure. In this culture that devalues the wife, mother, homemaker, and helpmeet, young women do not have examples of godly serving in their own homes, much less in the world around them. In a me-I-myself world the selfless mother is brighter than sunshine after days of overcast and dreary weather. I regard the tasks of serving with my hands, as a maiden of purity in the house of the Lord and my parents, more valuable because of the example of my mother.

My mother, Rebecca, has taught me most through her patience in serving her husband. It is not a perfect marriage, because they are not perfect people. But it is humble, especially on my mother's part. She has a lot to deal with between a perfectionist husband, an unfinished house, unruly property, and four distinctly different girls of all kinds of emotional make-ups to train into poised, godly women. She handles it all with grace and humility. She makes the house beautiful with her skills of interior design and an eye for bargains. She does what she can on the property with what she has. Our garden is filled with beautiful plants because of her hard work, and what has been done around the property is a resulf of her determination. Her husband has a strong trust for her ability to manange his home well and has never shown a doubt that she can handle any situation. Her daughters have learned and are learning from her words, but more so from her actions. She has taught us to make wise decisions and we love to know we have gained her approval and given her joy. Any child loves to bring their mother pleasure, and the older I get the more I enjoy doing what gives her joy.

Therefore, on this Mother's Day 2009, I wish to thank her for teaching me how to be a handmaid! I love you Mother, Caitlin