GOD WITH US~

He has come...He is with us!! ALWAYS~

I love to CELEBRATE His coming...God's gift to us!!














When someone says, "It's time to sing Happy Birthday to Jesus", when everyone, young and old, gathers around or near the table, I see living proof, HE IS WITH US!














May the traditions and memories of all we do to CELEBRATE His coming also stir our hearts to celebrate HIS LORDSHIP every day in the coming new year!



















EMMANUEL, EMMANUEL,
HIS NAME IS CALLED
EMMANUEL.
GOD WITH US,
REVEALED IN US,
HIS NAME IS CALLED
EMMANUEL.

Words: Bob McGee

"Let's do it again..."













May we always have an attitude of CELEBRATION for HIM!

A Communion Hymn for Christmas

Gathered round Your table on this holy eve,
Viewing Bethlehem's stable we rejoice and grieve;
Joy to see You lying in Your manger bed,
Weep to see You dying in our sinful stead.

Prince of Glory, gracing Heav'n ere time began,
Now for us embracing death as Son of Man;
By Your birth so lowly, by Your love so true,
By Your cross most holy, Lord, we worship You!

Bethlehem's Incarnation, Calvary's bitter cross,
Wrought for us salvation by Your pain and loss;
Now we fall before You in this holy place,
Prostrate we adore You, for Your gift of grace.

With profoundest wonder we Your body take--
Laid in manger yonder, broken for our sake:
Hushed in adoration we approach the cup--
Bethlehem's pure oblation freely offered up.

Christmas Babe so tender, Lamb who bore our blame,
How shall sinners render praises due Your name?
Do Your own good pleasure in the lives we bring;
In Your ransomed treasure reign forever King!
Words: Margaret Clarkson, 1986

A Thousand Candles~

"I am come a light into the world, that whosoever believeth on me should not abide in darkness."
John 12:46

We light a thousand candles bright, around the earth today,
And all the beams will shine across the heaven's grand display.

Yes, over land and sea tonight the joyful message brings
The birth of Him, our Lord and Christ, our Savior and our King.

Dear brightest star o'er Bethlehem, O let your precious light
Shine in with hope and peace toward men in ev'ry home tonight.

In all our house so cold and dark, please send your warmth sublime,
The warmth that comes from Jesus' love this blessed Christmas time.

A Swedish Carol; Translated by Evie Karlsson



















John's fort w/lights

Would love to enjoy the lights all year long!!

Merry Christmas~2011

Psalm 96:6-9
Honour and majesty are before him: strength and beauty are in his sanctuary.
Give unto the LORD, O ye kindreds of the people, give unto the LORD glory and strength.
Give unto the LORD the glory due unto his name: bring an offering, and come into his courts.
O worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness: fear before him, all the earth.

Worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness,
Bow down before Him, His glory proclaim;
Gold of obedience and incense of lowliness,
Bring and adore Him—the Lord is His Name.

Low at His feet lay Thy burden of carefulness,
High on His heart He will bear it for thee;
Comfort thy sorrows and answer thy prayerfulness,
Guiding thy steps as may best for thee be.

Fear not to enter His courts in the slenderness
Of the poor wealth thou wouldst reckon as thine;
Truth in its beauty, and love in its tenderness,
These are the offerings to lay on His shrine.

These though we bring them in trembling and fearfulness,
He will accept for the Name that is dear,
Mornings of joy give for evenings of tearfulness,
Trust for our trembling, and hope for our fear.

A GREAT and MIGHTY WONDER~

Phanatic Phamily Photo Phun, 2010

Should there EVER be a doubt in my mind as we prep each year for our family photo session that...
"It'll be OK" ?
HE is bigger than this!!

On the morning of our photo shoot last year, we awakened to find it was raining buckets outside!!
Soooo, "On to 'Plan B'...". Our photo would have to be taken inside.
Dare I say I was disappointed?

I never imagined the haunting shadows that would be cast on our faces from the lighting overhead.













We had two different sets of photos made, but both sets turned out poorly.
Yet, we still sent them out, and made another memory.

This morning it wasn't raining, but guess what?
We were about to walk out the door when someone noticed the attachment to the tripod was missing!!
After a quick search for it, only to discover it was still missing, one of the more quickly adjusted persons in the family left to plead mercy from a family two doors down. Thankfully, they allowed us to use their attachment and tripod!!
Thank you Jesus!! Thank you Mrs. Lee!!

Finally, we were on our way, and although it was still early, I noticed the sun was no where to be found.
So Mark began to sing, and my heart was lifted from the grim grip of a cloudy spirit!!

As it turned out, in the absence of the sun, we enjoyed much fun.
"I have the BEST Family!!"
When we packed up to leave, the sun began to shine!!

Upon our arrival home, I realized...
My earring was missing the entire photo shoot and no one noticed!! Ha~

It's a WONDERFUL LIFE!!!

A Great and Mighty Wonder

A great and mighty wonder, a full and holy cure:
The virgin bears the Infant with virgin honor pure!
“To God on high be glory
And peace on earth to men!”

The Word becomes incarnate and yet remains on high,
The shepherds hear the anthem as glory fills the sky:
“To God on high be glory
And peace on earth to men!”

The angels sing the story: rejoice, O distant lands!
You valleys, forests, mountains, and oceans, clap your hands!
“To God on high be glory
And peace on earth to men!”

He comes to save all nations: let all now hear His word!
Approach and bring Him worship, the Saviour and the Lord:
“To God on high be glory
And peace on earth to men!”

While thus they sing your Monarch, those bright angelic bands,
Rejoice, ye vales and mountains, ye oceans, clap your hands.
“To God on high be glory
And peace on earth to men!”

Since all He comes to ransom, by all be He adored,
The Infant born in Bethl'em, the Savior and the Lord.
“To God on high be glory
And peace on earth to men!”

And idol forms shall perish, and error shall decay,
And Christ shall wield His scepter, our Lord and God for aye.
"To God on high be glory
And peace on earth to men!”

Lyrics: St. Germanus, 634-734
Translated by John M. Neale, 1818-1866

Gloria Deo!

Gloria Deo! The Savior is come;
Born to a virgin is God’s holy Son.
David’s Awaited will sit on his throne,
Ruling the nations; His praises make known.

Refrain
“Gloria! Gloria!” Shout of His birth!
God the Creator descends to the earth!
Born in the squalor to cleanse us from sin;
Glory to God for the Savior of men!
Glory to God for the Savior of men!

Gloria Deo! The shepherds behold
Angels announce what the prophets foretold:
“Born is the Savior, the Master of all!
Swaddled Messiah lies hushed in a stall.”

Gloria Deo! Sin’s power is dead.
Jesus, though bruised, crushed the serpent’s foul head!
Seed of the woman, Redeemer of men,
Vanquishes Satan! We sing out again—

Gloria Deo! The sinner may live!
Joyous the news heaven’s messengers give.
Peace to the fallen but favored Christ brings.
“Glory to God!” let the church loudly sing!

Text: Chris Anderson

Where's the Line to See Jesus?

I received this in an email from my Aunt Wanda the other day...

About the Song: While at the mall a couple of years ago, my then four year old nephew, Spencer, saw kids lined up to see Santa Claus. Having been taught as a toddler that Christmas is the holiday that Christians celebrate the birth of Jesus, he asked his mom, "where's the line to see Jesus"? My sister mentioned this to my dad, who immediately became inspired and jotted words down to a song in just a few minutes. After putting music to the words, and doing a quick recording at home, he received a great response from friends. He sent the song off to Nashville without much response, except for a Christian song writer who suggested adding a bridge at the end of the first chorus. My dad then asked if I wanted to record the song to see what we could do with it. I listened to the song, made a few changes to the words to make it flow better, and we headed to Shock City Studios. It was at the studio where Chris, owner and producer, rewrote the 2nd verse and part of the chorus... with goose bumps and emotions high, we were all hopeful and felt like we had something special. The demo was recorded in just under 2 hours and sent off again to Nashville ... still no response. Then 2 weeks before Christmas last year, my cousins Greg and Robbie decided to do a video to see what we could accomplish on YouTube. The first day we had 3000 hits and it soared from there. We received e-mails, phone calls, Facebook messages from people all over asking for the music, CD's, iTunes, anything... we had nothing. After a couple of meetings with Chris following the amazing response, we got serious. We headed back into the studio this past spring... this time with guitars, drums, bass, pianos, choirs... the real deal.... and here we are today. Getting iTunes set up, a website put together, and loving that thousands upon thousands of Christians have come together... remembering the true meaning of Christmas. Out of the mouths of babes come profound truths that many adults cannot understand. Hopefully Spencer's observation will cause people all over to reflect on the love of Jesus, and that one day we will all stand in line to see Him. We are most thankful to our Heavenly Father to have this chance to share our music with you. Merry Christmas everyone. Becky Kelley

Of the Father's Love Begotten

This is a song that has captured my thoughts and hands at the piano in recent weeks.
Although only three verses are noted in our hymnal, there are nine that follow...

Of the Father’s love begotten, ere the worlds began to be,
He is Alpha and Omega, He the source, the ending He,
Of the things that are, that have been,
And that future years shall see, evermore and evermore!

At His Word the worlds were framèd; He commanded; it was done:
Heaven and earth and depths of ocean in their threefold order one;
All that grows beneath the shining
Of the moon and burning sun, evermore and evermore!

He is found in human fashion, death and sorrow here to know,
That the race of Adam’s children doomed by law to endless woe,
May not henceforth die and perish
In the dreadful gulf below, evermore and evermore!

O that birth forever blessèd, when the virgin, full of grace,
By the Holy Ghost conceiving, bare the Savior of our race;
And the Babe, the world’s Redeemer,
First revealed His sacred face, evermore and evermore!

This is He Whom seers in old time chanted of with one accord;
Whom the voices of the prophets promised in their faithful word;
Now He shines, the long expected,
Let creation praise its Lord, evermore and evermore!

O ye heights of heaven adore Him; angel hosts, His praises sing;
Powers, dominions, bow before Him, and extol our God and King!
Let no tongue on earth be silent,
Every voice in concert sing, evermore and evermore!

Righteous judge of souls departed, righteous King of them that live,
On the Father’s throne exalted none in might with Thee may strive;
Who at last in vengeance coming
Sinners from Thy face shalt drive, evermore and evermore!

Thee let old men, thee let young men, thee let boys in chorus sing;
Matrons, virgins, little maidens, with glad voices answering:
Let their guileless songs re-echo,
And the heart its music bring, evermore and evermore!

Christ, to Thee with God the Father, and, O Holy Ghost, to Thee,
Hymn and chant with high thanksgiving, and unwearied praises be:
Honor, glory, and dominion,
And eternal victory, evermore and evermore!

Words: Aurelius Prudentius, 5th Cen­tu­ry (Corde na­tus ex pa­ren­tis);

Trans­lat­ed from Latin to English by John M. Neale, 1854, and Henry W. Baker, 1859.

At Christmas....His Blessings to You~

Meowy Christmas~

"....It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas;
Soon the bells will start,
And the thing that will make them ring is the carol that you sing
Right within your heart."
Meredith Wilson, 1951

The song is quite inspiring, to say the least. It just didn't seem right to have a sleeping cat in the room and not decorate him also!!



However, he didn't much approve, nor did he have much of a kitty song on his heart!

Oh well...Meowy Christmas from Calvin anyway~
>*.*<

Jesus, Joy of the Highest Heaven~

Jesus, Joy of the Highest Heaven (A Children's Carol)

Keith Getty and Kristyn Getty

Copyright © 2011 Gettymusic

Jesus, joy of the highest heaven,

Born as a little baby

Under a wondrous star.

Like us, crying he takes His first breath

Held by His mother, helpless

Close to her beating heart.

Jesus, laid in a lowly manger,

Facing a world of dangers,

Come to turn me a stranger

Into a child of God.

Jesus, King of the highest heaven

Learning to take His first steps,

That He might bring us life.

Like us, knowing our smiles and sorrows,

He showed the way to follow,

A way that is true and right.

Jesus, take away every darkness,

Steady my simple footsteps

That I might in your goodness

Live as a child of God.

Enjoying Good in Labor...

Unbeknownst to me, Mark and Matt began their day together by running out to purchase a log splitter. They had a goal in mind~



















They planned to spend their birthday doing manual labor~!
Well, sort of!














Earlier in the year, our oak tree was trimmed, and we kept the branches for cutting and burning. In addition to this, my parents gave us wood from their back yard, so we had a good pile of wood to split...one by one, piece by piece.














So, bright and early, they were at it, and Matt was good at it!!
"Hi ho, hi ho..."














With a few good pumps of the arms, and movement of the hips, the hydaulic press did the trick....














Some logs proved to be a little harder than others, so he told us we needed some exercise.














Fortunately, the novelty of a new piece of equipment was encouraging and everyone took turns splitting logs, but sadly no one volunteered for a photo shoot! When one got tired, another took over. Even Kat and I took turns, and yeah, John made sandwiches... I love team work!




















At the end of the day, it was almost disappointing for the fun to end!














This pile of wood speaks volumes to me...
"Home is where the heart[h] is", which is truly our reward!!














As worn out as we were, we cleaned up and headed out to celebrate God's continued goodness!

Happy Birthday Mark and Matt~
I'm so very grateful the LORD has blessed us through the two of you~
(How did I not get Dad's photo?)




















There is nothing better for a man, than that he should eat and drink, and that he should make his soul enjoy good in his labor. This also I saw, that it was from the hand of God. Ecclesiastes 2:24

I'm thankful for my faithful, loving husband and sons whose hands are not soft!
Even John stated at the end of the day, "This has been a really good day!!"

SMILE~

He Never Changes...

Of old hast thou laid the foundation of the earth: and the heavens are the work of thy hands.














They shall perish, but thou shalt endure:














yea, all of them shall wax old like a garment;














as a vesture shalt thou change them, and they shall be changed:














But thou art the same, and thy years shall have no end.














The children of thy servants shall continue, and their seed shall be established before thee.

Psalm 102: 25-28

What a comfort~

Note: Photos captured on our recent time away in the North Carolina mountains.

Rejoice! Give Thanks~

(The beautiful rest stop in South Carolina before crossing the North Caroline line.)

Rejoice ye pure in heart;
Rejoice, give thanks, and sing;
Your glorious banner wave on high,
The cross of Christ your King.

Rejoice, rejoice, rejoice,
Give thanks and sing.

Bright youth and snow crowned age,
Strong men and maidens meek,
Raise high your free, exultant song,
God’s wondrous praises speak.

Rejoice, rejoice, rejoice,
Give thanks and sing.

Yes onward, onward still
With hymn, and chant and song,
Through gate, and porch and columned aisle,
The hallowed pathways throng.

Rejoice, rejoice, rejoice,
Give thanks and sing.

With all the angel choirs,
With all the saints of earth,
Pour out the strains of joy and bliss,
True rapture, noblest mirth.

Rejoice, rejoice, rejoice,
Give thanks and sing.

Your clear hosannas raise;
And alleluias loud;
Whilst answering echoes upward float,
Like wreaths of incense cloud.

Rejoice, rejoice, rejoice,
Give thanks and sing.

With voice as full and strong
As ocean’s surging praise,
Send forth the hymns our fathers loved,
The psalms of ancient days.

Rejoice, rejoice, rejoice,
Give thanks and sing.

Yes, on through life’s long path,
Still chanting as ye go;
From youth to age, by night and day,
In gladness and in woe.

Rejoice, rejoice, rejoice,
Give thanks and sing.

Still lift your standard high,
Still march in firm array,
As warriors through the darkness toil,
Till dawns the golden day.

Rejoice, rejoice, rejoice,
Give thanks and sing.

At last the march shall end;
The wearied ones shall rest;
The pilgrims find their heavenly home,
Jerusalem the blessed.

Rejoice, rejoice, rejoice,
Give thanks and sing.

Then on, ye pure in heart!
Rejoice, give thanks and sing!
Your glorious banner wave on high,
The cross of Christ your King.

Rejoice, rejoice, rejoice,
Give thanks and sing.

Praise Him Who reigns on high,
The Lord Whom we adore,
The Father, Son and Holy Ghost,
One God forevermore.

Rejoice, rejoice, rejoice,
Give thanks and sing.

Ed­ward H. Plump­tre, 1865

Happy Thanksgiving, Dear Friends~

Charleston Harbor

A few weeks ago, we left town to head for the mountains of Asheville, NC.
To cut the driving in half, we decided to stop and spend the night in Charleston.
What a beautiful place!


Before heading out for some sightseeing, we relaxed by the pool while watching Katherine and John swim. The Residence Inn provided dinner, so we didn't break away before sunset.

More than anything, I'm grateful for the time we enjoyed getting away...being together and benefitting from having Marriott points... : )) Free lodging and great food!



















By sunset, we were waiting on the shuttle to take us downtown to the harbor. Even in the dark, we enjoyed walking and touring some of the waterfront sights.

































Mark Stephen and I enjoyed playing with the camera that night, but found it didn't like a lot of distance or the dark, thus fewer decent photos to share! : ( Oh well, maybe next time.
Word has it, children can play and wade through this fountain...




















but not this one...The Pineapple Fountain, so beautiful!



























































The expanse of the harbor was awesome, and beautiful at night!







































Kaminskis Bakery was the place to be!














































We can't wait to return so we can spend more time touring, ...possibly in the spring, we'll see.~