Christmas Decorations - 2018

I get excited when the time finally comes to decorate for Christmas! (Actually, I get excited when the Christmas season finally gets here!) It's always such fun to think about what decorations I want to use and where I want to put them. 

Joy has dawned upon the world, 

Promised from creation— 

God’s salvation now unfurled, 

Hope for ev’ry nation.

"Joy Has Dawned" by Keith Getty and Stuart Townend

Meet Judah Nathaniel

I have a brand new nephew! Judah Nathaniel made his arrival on Wednesday, August 22.

I asked my sister if I would be able to come over and take his newborn photos. She said yes! Judah was an angel during his session. He only cried once and after a quick snuggle with his mama and a little bit of bouncing with his oldest sister, he was ready to finish his shoot. 

After his photo session, Judah was joined by his siblings.

Gavin, Maddie, Owen, Ben, Alaine, and Macie all took their turn with their baby brother.

We are in love!

Make Me Thy Fuel, Flame of God

I saw the last stanza of this poem a few weeks ago on facebook and I've been thinking about the words since then. 

From prayer that asks that I may be 

Sheltered from winds that beat on Thee, 

From fearing when I should aspire, 

From faltering when I should climb higher 

From silken self, O Captain, free 

Thy soldier who would follow Thee. 

From subtle love of softening things, 

From easy choices, weakenings, 

(Not thus are spirits fortified, 

Not this way went the Crucified) 

From all that dims Thy Calvary 

O Lamb of God, deliver me. 

Give me the love that leads the way, 

The faith that nothing can dismay 

The hope no disappointments tire, 

The passion that will burn like fire; 

Let me not sink to be a clod; 

Make me Thy fuel, Flame of God. 

 —Amy Carmichael

2018 Book Challenge

For the past couple years I've used a reading challenge to try to boost my reading. Since I keep very busy, its easy to let reading get pushed to the back of my list. Having a reading challenge to try to complete is an easy way to accomplish some reading. 

Last year I finished 11 of the 12 themes. I was reading a book to complete the last theme but I didn't set aside quite enough time to finish before the end of the year. Hoping to complete the whole challenge this year!