Wow.

Wow. 9 days until Christmas. Already! Where has the time gone. I am feeling so blessed this year, and am thankful that I am able to recognize it, and appreciate it. I know that there are so many others out there that aren't as blessed as we are, and I pray that they find comfort wherever they may be and know that there is One who loves them and desires to know each and every one. Wow.

I'm writing this as I should be preparing for my MOPS meeting tomorrow, but as usual, I'm procrastinating, and popped in here to catch all of you up and check out the comments that people have left. I was disappointed that someone chose to anonymously post some comments that aren't helpful in any way. Wow. I suppose that is your options, or was, as I've changed my settings to no longer allow anonymous settings. My fault for trusting in the first place. Those of you who have put helpful comments, I pray that you know how encouraging they are.

And a big Wahoo! I'm done with school this semester. I will start back on the 12th of January. I did fairly well this semester, though it kicked my behind to get it all done. I'm within 30 units now of getting my B.S. degree (28 units to be exact) and I should be done this summer if everything stays on track. I have two math classes left to take to fulfill my "requirements" the rest is simply elective courses that will probably be made up of education, psychology and theology classes because I learn the most from them. Woo! (Sorry, not much to wow there.)

I went and got the application packet to start substitute teaching today. I'm waiting for them to get back to me, because Sutter County seems to require a Bachelor's degree, where as there is a credential that you can get as a prospective teacher that will allow you to sub with less than that. So I'm waiting to hear if they'll accept me or not. I will be majorly bummed if they won't. It's an insanely expensive and time consuming process to go through to get just a substitute credential. It's slightly more than 200 dollars once you throw in the fingerprinting fees, license fees and other various fees that are associated with the process. My jaw almost hit the floor when I realized that. (WOW!!!) I'm confident however that God will provide the money though, and am trusting that I will be allowed to go where He wants me.

I sincerely want to thank all of you who have supported me over the last year and a half as I've been doing this. All of your encouraging words and helpful advice, offers to help in any way, have been MUCH appreciated and I am so humbled by your kind words and thoughts. I ask that you would continue to pray us through this journey as I'm terrified of what's to come. I've never been afraid before, but the farther I get into the process, and the realization that I will be responsible for students on my own, and the vast amount of responsibility and weight that carries, is feeling slightly overwhelming to me right now. Please continue to offer that up for us. We do so greatly appreciate it.

As for the rest of the family, everyone is doing well. Joshua celebrates his second birthday next week (WOW!). He is talking more and more, and is definitely getting his own opinions. He and Charlotte are beginning to fight more too. It's great fun! Most of the time I let them work it out themselves, however, I do intervene if it goes seriously awry. It's so fun to watch them grow and learn to love each other, and those around them. Charlotte has decided that it is her job to help tuck Joshua in bed each night. The three of us (and daddy when he's home) kneel at the foot of Joshua's bed, we pray and then give kisses all around. Charlotte has been the last to kiss Joshua lately then, she tells him goodnight and shuts off the light and closes the door. It's so sweet. She loves him so much. He lights up in the morning when he sees her too, so I know the feeling is mutual. (Wow!)

Chris is working so hard to provide for our family. I am so humbled by his willingness to continue to work two jobs, even telling me that if I need to take the summer off and finish my school in the fall semester (I'm not going to), that he's willing to continue to work so that I can stay home as long as I want. I'm so blessed. Beyond blessed. I thank the Lord that He has given me such an amazing partner for life. I definitely didn't/don't deserve it. (Wow!)

That's about all from here. I pray that you all have a wonderful Christmas. Spend some time with your loved ones, and know that Christ came for you, because He loves you. Spend some time with Him this season as well. He wants to know you more.

Reflections on Mary...

December. Cold. Damp. Still. Quiet. Yet, in it all, there is a celebration being prepared in Heaven. The angels are preparing for the Messiah's birth. The promised one.
A 14 year old girl has been chosen to carry the Christ-child. How scared she must have been, yet so full of wonder and hope as well. I was 24 when I had my daughter, and I know how scared I was, I can't imagine being 10 years younger, and having God's Son.

As I sit here now, in my bed, snuggled up in a heated house, I think about Mary traveling on the back of a donkey, 9 months pregnant. I never made it that far with either of my kids, yet I know how miserable those last weeks can be in the comforts of the modern ages, let alone 2000 years ago. Was it cold? Was she having labor pains the whole time she was walking to Bethlehem? Was she excited? Scared? Confident? Confused? Lonely? At peace?

I remember being pregnant with Joshua this time of year and found myself fascinated with Mary. I tried to imagine what she must have been going through feeling the child inside of her as she traveled to Bethlehem. Was she uncomfortable? Or did God spare her that? What was Jesus like to raise? Ha, I imagine he was the quintessential "perfect child" in that he was fully God. The Bible says that he never sinned, and was a pure and spotless lamb. I wonder if that means he never threw his food on the floor, or stayed up half of the night and then was cranky in the morning?

I think I'm going to have to find a study on Mary over the next few weeks. I'm in awe of her strength and faith. To be 14, betrothed, and to know that the child she carried was the Christ-child, yet also know she could be stoned to death for being pregnant before she had been in the marriage bed with her husband. I desire for my heart to beat the same way. To say "Lord, I'm here" whenever He calls for whatever He wants.

May God be with you all this Christmas season. Know that I am praying for each of you to find Him and to be in His will this Christmas. Please join me in welcoming Jesus this Christmas, into your home, into your heart and into every part of your being. Know that He loves you, and desires to become intimate with you.

God Bless You!
Heidi