Christmas in the barn...

 Ahh Christmas in the Barn!

It feel so good to finally be "in" the barn.  We found the bedroom slippers, Little Britches books, Stratego, and that one missing dog bowl we have looked everywere for:-)

It isn't "Courrier and Ives" by any stretch of the imagination!  We have just a few outlets wired up so far and this dear girl had to wire up an outlet she needed so she could decorate for Christmas :-)

As I write this it is a balmy 5 degrees outside which translates inside to hugging the wood stove and contemplating the fact that I can see my breath in the "living room" :-)

Samarah pulled out her violin for the first time in months and gave this momma goose bumps with a by ear rendition of the star spangled banner - oh my!

Moriah takes her quarter final on Monday and can't wait to start in on a stack of books she has been dying to dig into.  I was looking through her stack of authors...Elisabeth Elliot, Josh Harris, Fracis Chan and of course some Louis Lamour and Steven Bly.

Jeff found all his war history books and has been snuggling under a pile of quilts to re-read the favorites.

Corban found the paper and has restarted the flow of loving art for each us.

I have begun to dig around in the mound of paperwork on the mommy should-do list that has been piling up for several months....

And I am contemplating these verses all the while ~

Psalm 40:9 and 10

I have told the glad news of deliverance in the great congregation; behold, I have not restrained my lips, as you know, O Lord.  I have not hidden your deliverance within my heart; I have spoken of your faithfulness and your salvation.  I have not concealed your steadfast love and your faithfulness from the congregation.

Have I?

In the preparations for Christmas, I am struck by the needs surrounding us.  Emotional, physical, spiritual needs that are made known to us for a purpose.  Praying that this season when our homes, barns, lives have the potential to influence others to clearly see God's salavtion, that I would take every opportunity to speak of God's faithfulness.

Will you?

How has the Lord worked in the life of your family this year?  How have you seen God's provision and perfect timing?  What are some of the goals you have for the next year that when completed will speak of the grace of God in your life?  We have a mere three weeks left of 2013.  Might I encourage you to take some time and reflect on your year and set family goals for this coming year.  Who are you going to reach out to?  What are you as a family going to work together on?  What are you going to memorize?  What are you going to read?  In our family we have a saying that we remind each other often of...

A failure to plan is a plan to fail.

Take some time to get away from the business of Christmas to reflect and plan. 

Merry Christmas from the Givens Family