Spring with the Moodys

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Cute dog? Well, it has more meaning than just that. Last Friday, that picture and four others were mailed off to the artist to begin sketching for Spring with the Moodys. This picture of “Maple” (actually Lady in real life) will be used by the artist for her drawings. For each chapter of a Moodys book, we decide what we want for the illustration. Then we need to get a photograph of what it should look like so the artist knows what to draw.

The basic text is in, and I am working on revising and editing before the book goes to the proofreader. I’m hoping by the middle of next year that Spring will be out. Your prayers are greatly appreciated, as I’ve found this book to be the most challenging of all four thus far.

Joyfully His,
Sarah

Caroling

Sunday night our family, including Nathan, Melanie, Grandad, and Grandma caroled at  thirty-three of our neighbors’ homes. Grandma started our Christmas-caroling tradition about seventeen years ago by planning a caroling evening to her Meals-on-Wheels, elderly friends. When she no longer was delivering Meals-on-Wheels, we moved the caroling to our neighborhood.

Along with caroling, we deliver a plate of cookies and candy to each home. This year, we worked on baking goodies to go on the caroling plates for two Saturdays. Then, Sunday afternoon, we compiled the plates. Dad buys brightly wrapped candy at SAMS to add a finishing touch to the plates. We also include a card that we design with a Scripture verse on it with the plate.

After we carol, we go next door to my grandparents, have our evening Bible time together, eat cookies, and drink hot chocolate. Caroling to our neighbors is one of the highlights of the Christmas season for our family!

Only for Jesus,
Sarah

I didn’t take pictures of this year’s plates, but here are some pictures from last year’s plates.

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Baby Update

Dear Friends,
You may remember that Melanie and I were going to have a ultrasound first part of December. We have elected to delay it until January. This will reduce the number of ultrasounds we have, which we feel is in the child’s best interest. We continue to covet your prayers.
Nathan

Christmas Decorations

This was a recent blog comment. “In this same vein (Scripture against TV) would you post scriptures that helped you decide how to celebrate Christmas? I’ve read elsewhere that you have Christ centered decorations only and I’d love to see pictures of your choices. I’ve been trying to incorporate your ideas, but would love further guidance. Have you got your Christmas decorations up yet?”

I reread Teri’s Corner and would add a reference that she did not include that has had an impact on how we decorate. “Thus saith the LORD, Learn not the way of the heathen, and be not dismayed at the signs of heaven; for the heathen are dismayed at them. For the customs of the people are vain: for one cutteth a tree out of the forest, the work of the hands of the workman, with the axe. They deck it with silver and with gold; they fasten it with nails and with hammers, that it move not,” (Jeremiah 10:2-4).

So, here is the Corner link and a few pictures! Mom’s Corner on Christmas Decorating

Steve

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The ceramic plaques with the names of Jesus were originally bought at a Christian book store. We no longer are able to find them.

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I designed this cross one year.