Baby Jesus

Since it is now December, I have spent a little time each morning reading the story of the birth of Jesus in each of the gospels. Each author focuses on a different angle. Mark avoids the story altogether. I love the different names for Jesus woven throughout the stories....The Son of the Most High...Horn of salvation...The Sunrise from on high...A Savior, Who is Christ The Lord...A Light of revelation to the Gentiles...Immanuel!

I realized that my favorite version of Jesus' birth comes from John's gospel...

"And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth." -John 1:14

That's it! Short and to the point! The Word...Who was with God and was God...and Who made the world...and Who is Life and Light...and Who gave us the right to become children of God...that Word came down and lived among us! Wow!

And (you know this about me), I just have to mention another story. Still about Jesus, just not His birthday story...

"so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith..." -Ephesians 3:17

So cool that He came to dwell among us! So amazing and life-changing that then He chose to dwell in us!

I'll close with my prayer from my journal on the first day of December:
     Lord, this month I desire to be still and know that You are God!
     To marvel in the miracle of You becoming flesh!
     To be continually mindful that You are a Light of revelation to me!
     That You are alive and active in me!
     Thank You! Thank You! Thank You!

Praying that you, Nick, Ali, Maria, Greg, and my two other favorite young adults in the whole wide world, have time this month to be in awe of the miracle of Jesus...being among us, now in us!
oxo-Mom

ps-Maria and Greg, oh.my.goodness...you're engaged!!! You're fiancés!!! You get to hang out and do life together!!! I couldn't be more thrilled! What a magical weekend that was!

Ali-oh.my.goodness...you have a boyfriend that you love!!! And, he is a wonderful man!!! And, Thanksgiving with you two was so very special! I am so excited to see where God leads you two, knowing that you both are enjoying every step of the journey!

Nick-oh.my.goodness...(just had to do that so you wouldn't feel left out)...you are sitting right here next to me with your headphones on watching "How I Met Your Mother"! You hung some of our Christmas lights! You went to Santa Barbara with us! (Yes, you should have given me some help in writing this part.)

Yes!

That's what you said, sweet Maria, and I couldn't be more thrilled! What a magical day that was last Saturday!...

You taking very seriously your job of "grilling" David (since that was the main purpose of your visit)...The enthusiasm in your voice as you shared with us about making your first set of dentures as we were driving to the beach (with no idea what was about to happen)...The look on your face as Greg handed you the note from Gregory...Your confusion as you got to the bottom of the steps at Traps and were not getting the call Gregory's note mentioned...Your hesitancy as you headed down the rose-petal path on the beach to the "table" covered with more rose petals, stones, photos of you and Gregory, more notes and a little black box...Your look of surprise and joy as Gregory stepped out from behind the reeds (yes, I'm crying as I'm typing now)...The sight of you two sharing that intimate moment when Gregory asked you to be his wife (and us getting to view this from a distance)...You two turning to us with such joy, Gregory giving us the old fist pump, like, "Yes! I got the girl!!!"...Taylor capturing this special time...All of us hugging, jumping, talking, knowing we are getting YOU as a new addition to our family!...The rest of the evening...Eating, drinking, sharing, soaking it all in!

Maria, you are truly a gift to Gregory and to our whole family! Like I told you, I knew the moment I met you that you would someday be my daughter. I just knew! What you bring out in my son is the very best! I love how he does his little dances around you, sings around you, smiles A LOT around you, pats your head and face as he says to anyone around, "She's real!", goes to lots of baseball games and is trying to really understand it, how he leads your relationship like a man, not a little boy, how he is protective of you and wants the best for you (even if it means you can't live together for awhile after you are married), how he wants to be prepared for a long distance marriage by getting good counsel, and how he adores, cherishes and loves you!

And, precious Maria, people love you from the moment they meet you! (Have I told you how many people had the same comment after meeting you?..."She's a keeper!") I know I sure did! So much I admire and love about you! Your enthusiasm for life, your passion for Jesus, your desire to give of yourself in serving others, your dedication in dental school, the way you are so intentional in your friendships, the way you know how to give your all in your studies, yet, still give your all to Gregory, your family and your friends when you are with them, your spark, your feistiness, your energy, your gentleness, your humility, your joy, and your deep commitment to, love of and respect for my son! Really, you are the answer to this mama's prayers!

So, darling Maria, I am so excited that you and Gregory will be beginning this adventure called marriage soon! And, I will continue to pray that you both listen to the voice of your Shepherd, abide in Him, walk in His Spirit, love and respect one another daily, hug and kiss and cuddle a lot when you are together, be tender with one another, laugh often, and get ready for the completion of OMM!!!

I love you, one of my favorite young adults in the whole wide world!
Alisa

Hold Tight

Happy 2013 to my favorite three young adults in the whole wide world and to my future three other favorites,

So...nothing new from me since 2012, though I have thought of what I would write once I started again...Maybe just photos from the past year...Maybe a list of highlights (and there have been many!)...Maybe a summary of what Ali and I learned from our nutrition program (another blog, another time)...Maybe some deep spiritual lesson God has taught me recently (can't think of anything off hand, just, "Trust Me, love Me, abide in Me, be completely dependent on Me").

Well, here are my words of wisdom for 2013 so far:

Hug often. Hug long. Dad and I do this thing...We just hug, snuggled together as close as we can get, no talking, not even looking at each other...Just hugging...Letting our hearts beat together...Forgetting why we might be frustrated with each other...Not thinking about problems...Just hugging!

There you have it! Now go practice.

Love you all more than you'll ever know!
oxo-Mom