.:celebrate:.

Hail the heav'n-born Prince of Peace!
Hail the Son of Righteousness!
Light and life to all He brings
Ris'n with healing in His wings
Mild He lays His glory by
Born that man no more may die
Born to raise the sons of earth
Born to give them second birth
Hark! The herald angels sing
"Glory to the newborn King!"

 A week full of concerts and celebrating JESUS!  God has refreshed my spirit recently on how much opportunity we have to worship Jesus through this season. I've found myself really thinking about the lyrics of the Christmas songs I've song since a child.  It doesn't have to be a time of dread or busyness or stress - but can rather be a time to reflect the goodness of our Father that He would let His perfect Son come to earth to be in relationship with us!  The lyrics in "Hark the Herald Angel Sings" explain: "Mild He lays His glory by!born that man no more may die!" The celebration of Christ's birth reminds my heart of how much freedom we have through Jesus if we would just but accept it and live in it! Beautiful!  

Enjoyed a date night at Chubby's Tacos and then hearing The Civil Wars band in concert at the Duke Page Auditorium.  They were absolutely AMAZING!  If you haven't heard them, PLEASE look them up! You won't be disappointed!  Wednesday night included a birthday girl treat for Miss Ashley Smith, one of my senior bible study girls who I'm so proud of!  We went to hear Drew and Ellie Holcomb and Jars of Clay.

  It was a really fun time celebrating Jesus and hearing beautiful Christmas music!  Even got to see the new Mr. and Mrs. Kiser there!  Came back from the concert to see my little homemade chalkboard made by Mr. Taylor:

 Prepping and praying ahead of our Dec 30 - Jan 9th trip to India.  Jake and I are still raising support for this trip!  If you feel led to support us, you can donate at www.globalhopeindia.org/donate  This trip will involve: medical ministry camps, pastor conferences, orphan outreach, and spending time at a school of 28 children who've recently been pulled from child slavery.  I think I'm the most excited about the work that God does in my heart and marriage when we are there!  Please pray for us as we prepare to go into some dark places of India that don't know Jesus!

.:instagrams this week:.

Thanksgiving weekend...a little late, I know!

measuring for the *perfect* tree...

Liam's first tree farm trip

we ended up at the TOP of this mountain to find our tree...what a hike! what a hottie!

LOVED getting to prepare Thanksgiving lunch with Mama! sweet family time...

when we got home - J&B decorating tradition: Phil Wickham Christmas music, glass of wine, fireplace on, and hanging ornaments from the places we've been t/g

I love "us"! Thankful for this season in our life!

.:Advent = HOPE:.

Woo! It's Friday! Been MIA a little lately from Thanksgiving and planning our Global Hope India First Annual Christmas In India benefit.  It was last night and was such a huge success! I will be posting pictures later next week once we "collect" them all!

This morning I've had time to just sit and be still.  It's so refreshing when we get to do that, especially amidst a crazy holiday season.  I'm reminded this morning of how this season of Advent is a really about waiting.  Focusing on advent, rather than the whole commercialism of Christmas is something that I'm aiming to do this season.  Advent really upholds the idea of waiting and hoping.  It's amazing to me each time I read of the prophecies of Jesus (in Isaiah especially) just how much detail was planned for Jesus' arrival.  The prophecies in the old testament I'm sure gave so much hope to God's children, as they waited for an earthly King.  Isn't it crazy that they waited for so long for the Messiah, yet some of them never knew Him?  I think we take for granted that we don't necessarily have to wait, but that we already have that hope! Do we know "how good we have it"? That we have a King, the Messiah,...that He IS with us and in us?  Do we hope in HIM who is consistent+faithful+powerful in us, or in fleeting & inconsistent success + our own strength? Are we urgently waiting HIS power in our life?