The Jesse Tree

This year instead of buying an Advent house, I decided to make a Jesse tree and ornaments with my children. We started our reading and ornaments yesterday. I've been reading ahead and decided to summarize each of our scripture readings for the children so they can better understand them. Today our reading comes from Genesis 3:1-24, which is the story of the fall of man. Our symbol is an apple and a snake. We are talking about how Adam and Eve disobeyed God and because of that they had to leave the garden of Eden. I talked to them this morning about how even though God still loved them very much, there were consequences to them disobeying God's instructions. This is a great lesson for us right now, because we can relate it to how there is a punishment (like time out,)when we disobey mommy or daddy. They are both trying to learn how to share with one another with out taking toys away from one another or yelling at each other. Taking turns is not always easy when you are two and three. At this age, they struggle with the mine, mine, mine concept or getting angry at one another is one takes the other's toy. Last week at church we were able to talk about the story of Cain and Able and how it's Ok to have happy, sad or even mad feelings, because God gave us different emotions and feelings. But, it's learning what to do with our feelings that matters, (enter the concept of self-control.) We talked about how God was pleased with Abel's offering because he gave his best to God. But, Cain kept the best for himself and gave God what was left over, which I'm sure made God very sad, and there fore He was pleased with Abel's offering and not Cain's. This made Cain very angry, and because he was so angry he ended up hurting and killing his brother Able. Next, we talked about how maybe if Cain had talked to God about how he felt he wouldn't have acted on those angry feelings and done something he couldn't take back. And because of what he had done he had to leave, just as Adam and Eve had to leave the garden. Again I explained to them that God still loved Cain very much, and promised He would protect him, but there were consequences to the bad thing he had done,which is "sin." So, this is all tying in together and I hope giving them the beginning of understanding to sin. And hopefully hearing these stories at different times and places will help them to remember them and the lessons behind them. Tonight as a family and at Master Club, we are going to talk about Noah, a man who obeyed God's instruction, even when others made fun or him. And how God protected him and his family. We are going to talk about the ark and the animals, and how the rainbow represents a promise from God. That story comes from Genesis 6:11-22 and Genesis 8:6-12. And our symbol is the ark with a rainbow over it. I'm praying that the Lord will help me prepare my heart each night as I read ahead and get ready for our bible story and ornament for the next day. I want this to be exciting and fun for them as we learn.

ADVENT: Preparing our hearts for the Lord.

Light one purple candle - (symbolizing HOPE)

sing a Christmas carol (This is the one I've chosen.)

O come, O come, Emmanuel
O come, O come, Emmanuel
And ransom captive Israel
That mourns in lonely exile here
Until the Son of God appear
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel.

O come, Thou Rod of Jesse, free
Thine own from Satan's tyranny
From depths of Hell Thy people save
And give them victory o'er the grave
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel.

O come, Thou Day-Spring, come and cheer
Our spirits by Thine advent here
Disperse the gloomy clouds of night
And death's dark shadows put to flight.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel.

O come, Thou Key of David, come,
And open wide our heavenly home;
Make safe the way that leads on high,
And close the path to misery.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel.

O come, O come, Thou Lord of might,
Who to Thy tribes, on Sinai's height,
In ancient times did'st give the Law,
In cloud, and majesty and awe.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel.

Scripture
John 8:12 When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life."

Isaiah 60:2-3 See darkness covers the earth and thick darkness is over the peoples, but the Lord rises upon you and His glory appears over you. Nations will come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your dawn.
We are making our own Jesse tree this year. The symbols on the Jesse tree remind us that our belief grows out of deep roots of thousands of years of ancestors in the faith. The Jesse tree is symbolic of Jesus' family tree. (Jesse tree :website.) Today we are reading the following scripture as we make and hang our first ornaments.

Isaiah 11:1 A shoot shall come out of the stump of Jesse, and a branch shall grow out of his roots.

1 Samuel 16:1-13
The Lord said to Samuel, "How long will you mourn for Saul, since I have rejected him as king over Israel? Fill your horn with oil and be on your way; I am sending you to Jesse of Bethlehem. I have chosen one of his sons to be king." But Samuel said, "How can I go? Saul will hear about it and kill me." The Lord said, "Take a heifer with you and say, 'I have come to sacrifice to the Lord.' Invite Jesse to the sacrifice, and I will show you what to do. You are to anoint for me the one I indicate." Samuel did what the Lord said. When he arrived at Bethlehem, the elders of the town trembled when they met him. They asked, "Do you come in peace?" Samuel replied, "Yes, in peace; I have come to sacrifice to the Lord. Consecrate yourselves and come to the sacrifice with me." Then he consecrated Jesse and his sons and invited them to the sacrifice. When they arrived, Samuel saw Eliab and thought, "Surely the Lord's anointed stands here before the Lord." But the Lord said to Samuel, "Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart." Then Jesse called Abinadab and had him pass in front of Samuel. But Samuel said, "The Lord has not chosen this one either." Jesse then had Shammah pass by, but Samuel said, "Nor has the Lord chosen this one." Jesse had seven of his sons pass before Samuel, but Samuel said to him, "The Lord has not chosen these." So he asked Jesse, "Are these all the sons you have?" "There is still the youngest," Jesse answered, "but he is tending the sheep." Samuel said, "Send for him; we will not sit down until he arrives." So he sent and had him brought in. He was ruddy, with a fine appearance and handsome features. Then the Lord said, "Rise and anoint him; he is the one." So Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the presence of his brothers, and from that day on the Spirit of the Lord came upon David in power. Samuel then went to Ramah.

Genesis 1:24-28 And God said, "Let the land produce living creatures according to their kinds: livestock, creatures that move along the ground, and wild animals, each according to its kind." And it was so. God made the wild animals according to their kinds, the livestock according to their kinds, and all the creatures that move along the ground according to their kinds. And God saw that it was good. Then God said, "Let us make man in our image, in our likeness, and let them rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air, over the livestock, over all the earth, and over all the creatures that move along the ground." So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them. God blessed them and said to them, "Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air and over every living creature that moves on the ground."

Unfortunately, our little man woke up with a fever last night, so we decided to stay home from church today. This turned out to be the perfect day to start this project with the kids. I'm going to break up each of the readings at meal time. So in a sense we are having church at home together today as a family. I'll post pictures later of our Jesse tree with the ornaments.

Prayer: Thank you God, for our family. Help us as a family this Advent season to prepare to celebrate Jesus' birthday at Christmas. As we think of His family tree, may we grow to love Him more and to love our own family more. Amen.

Tonight....

I am thankful for a wonderful night out with my husband, and friends. We had dinner with Heidi and Glen. We were able to find a babysitter and enjoy a little quality time together. Just adults. That almost never happens for us, since we are so far away from family. But, it all worked out perfectly. Thank you Lord for such a wonderful evening. Hugh and I even got to do a little Christmas shopping for the kids before coming home. I can't wait to wrap everything and put it under the tree. And I can't wait to see their little faces light up when they open their presents.

Tomorrow officially begins the ADVENT SEASON! Yah! I'm so excited! I need to get my advent wreath out and get my scripture ready to read for each Sunday. I need to get my decorations and nativity out too. This is my favorite time of year. And I think this year my children will really be able to start to grasp what Christmas is all about. The true meaning of Christmas! I'll share as we go along through out the season. It's truly as much fun for me as it is for them if not more. What are you doing to prepare your heart and family for Advent and Christmas? I always enjoy hearing about family traditions, so please feel free to share! And Blessings to you as we begin this wonderful season!

Today, I'm Thankful for a quiet day at home with my little ones. We've had snow flurries throughout the day. Although it's still too warm for them to stick, it is so pretty. And it is so peaceful to watch. We went for a walk earlier. Just around the neighborhood. Then we came back for a cup of hot chocolate with mini marshmallows. Yummy! The babies are watching Mary Poppins right now and are as content as can be. It's been such a perfect day. I'm so ready for the snow to get here and stay for the winter. I can't wait to play in it with my children. I need to get Trey a new snow suit and snow boots. Anna grace is all taken care of. They grow too fast for me. I want to freeze them right where they are and keep them young and sweet forever. They still crawl up into my lap and snuggle me, even though they are more than half my height already. I just love them so much. Sweet babies! I can't wait to get our tree up and start decorating for the Christmas holidays. I need to find a little countdown calendar or house. I think Trey and Anna Grace are finally old enough for it. Hugh and I were telling them about Jesus' birthday the other night. They were really excited and I would love for us to focus on the true meaning of the holidays together as a family. I am so thankful for this time of year and all the magic and excitement and expectation that it holds. I hope all of you are having a wonderful holiday weekend and getting plenty of rest and quality time with your families. Blessings!

Happy Thanksgiving!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING everyone! I hope y'all are having a wonderful day with your families and friends today! I am so thankful to be home with my little family. Hugh is feeling much better after struggling the last couple days with a tummy bug. Anna Grace helped to make him feel better by putting a Barbie band aid on his tummy and giving it a kiss. Then both the babies said a prayer for their daddy that night. And the Lord answered their prayer. He woke up feeling much better last night. I started my cooking last night. I made home made cranberry sauce, and apple cider. We are having a couple of friends over for dinner at six o'clock. I'm cooking a small turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, green bean casserole, corn, crescent rolls, and a peach cobbler. We enjoyed an early breakfast of blue berry muffins,sausage, and fruit this morning. And we are enjoying the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade together right now. Trey and Anna Grace are so excited. They started screaming and jumping up and down when they saw Spider Man and all the Sesame Street characters. They keep asking if we can go there -to the parade. That would be a nice memory to share. Maybe someday we'll spend Thanksgiving in New York and see the parade live. I've always wanted to be at Rockefeller Center when they light the Christmas tree. And then spend that night ice skating. But, for today, we are spending a nice, laid back day together. I am thankful for our health, and for the chance to spend this day in freedom to worship and pray and share a special meal and time together. I am also thankful for all of you, my friends in bloggyland. I've enjoyed getting to know all of you, reading your blogs and your comments when you visit mine. Blessings to you and yours this special Thanksgiving Day!

Thankful for...

Today, I'm thankful for many things. Hugh is off for 4 whole days. (Happy dance!) I got my holiday china out this week and washed it all up. I've been enjoying my morning coffee in my holiday cup. I can't wait to use it when we host a couple of our friends for Thanksgiving dinner Thursday night. I'm trying to talk Hugh into helping me put up the tree before then, so we can enjoy the atmosphere. He is very against breaking out the Christmas decor before Thanksgiving. But, I think it would be nice to enjoy a piece of pie or cup of coffee/hot chocolate in front of the tree, after dinner. Maybe even watch a holiday movie together. I never shop on black Friday, so I'll be decorating the front of our house that day. Anyway, I wanted to post a Great quote I found that has inspired me.

The Beauty of the House is Order,
The Blessing of the House is Contentment,
The Glory of the House is Hospitality,
The Crown of the House is Godliness.

Have a Beautiful and Blessed Day!

Thankful Challenge: healthy hair

I have had a series of disappointing haircuts here in Ohio. And I finally found a stylist that I feel comfortable with and trust. I took a picture of myself and a hair style I was trying to get back to. Basically, I wanted to get back to a more polished, more manicured look. I came home with it a tad bit shorter than i would have liked ,but it's hair, and it will grow. At least, I got a good cut. I also got my brows waxed and I had been there for 2 hours, so I opted out of getting it dryed and styled. It was already 9:00pm, the babies were in bed, my husband had the night off, Grey's Anatomy was already on....I was ready to go. Plus, she burned me three times while waxing my brows. Ouch. So, when I came home, my husband was like, "Do you like it?" Men can not envision it. No, really, I couldn't either, but, I didn't care at that point. And today I woke up, took a shower, got ready and it all went smoothly. I think, I'm really going to like it. But, before, when I was in the shower, I was giving myself a little pep talk that went something like this.... "Tiffany, you need to be glad you have hair. Lots of thick, shiny, healthy hair. You could be sick, going through chemo, and having to wear a wig. So, shake it off, and count your blessings. It's just hair. If it doesn't work out, it will grow."
I try to focus on the positive. Negative is so draining. I think I spent my adolescence so jaded. I was such a victim. I was focused on every bad thing that had ever happened to me, and how I couldn't seem to over come it. I was broken, and whiny, and pitiful. (Gag.) I was so focused on myself. My focus was inward instead of upward. Not that I didn't have the Lord in my life at that time. (Our lives are always a work in progress.) And I knew that He loved me. I just hated myself more. And now, I'm so over it. Not that I'm over all my problems in life. I just choose to handle them differently. It's hard for me to allow myself to even go back there, because I don't want to flirt with that old thought pattern. And It took up so much of my time and energy. I guess that's why I avoid people and situations that are negative. I mean we all have our days. But, I'm not going to get caught up in that again. And, I know that's what the Lord wants for me. A good life, a fruitful, productive life. And a good, healthy head of hair;)