Our Beautiful Town

I just ran across these pictures of downtown Florence at Christmastime and knew my children would love them. Our first Christmas in Florence (1984) was wonderful and COLD! Living in a 16th century villa sounded quaint, but those stone walls kept things pretty chilly. I remember dreading being away from my family in this strange land...and then having my parents and Aunt Rema arrive from Florida, and both of my brothers and sister-in-law arrive from Nigeria. Each Christmas became better and better as Florence became our home. Strolling the streets late at night with our four little ones eating roasted chestnuts, stopping at Gilli's for hot chocolate...not to mention our nightly ritual looking for an International Herald and a USA Today. The sweet memories of our children's school programs, shopping for Christmas outfits at Coin, and letting them pick out new hats and mittens at Upim. It was in Italy that we began our tradition of making plates of sweets to pass out to our local merchants and friends...Silvano the fruit man, Mario, our barman, Antonio the gardener. And each year we were blessed with many baskets of panettone, candies, and other goodies in exchange. The dearest of our friends received olive oil from our groves. I learned long ago that we can't be everywhere at once, and I am grateful for this year. A year where all of my children are on this continent. There will be no phone calls to Wuhan, China this year...or Catania, Sicily. On Friday I will be with all of my brothers and sisters, and each of my children. I will add another daughter to my family. And I hopethat one day, if the Lord allows, we can all share another Christmas in Florence, and that I can share the beautiful streets of my city with all of my children and grandchildren. Buon Natale!

Beautiful Days

"Into all our lives, in many simple, familiar homey ways, God infuses this element of joy from the surprises of life, which unexpectedly brighten our days and fill our eyes with light."  Samuel Longfellow
 "Every house where love abides and friendship is a guest is surely home, and home sweet home; for there the heart can rest."  Henry Van Dyke

Luke Edward

On December 8, 2010 at 3:57 in the afternoon, Luke Edward, my newest grandson entered this world. He was eagerly waited for by his brother Gabriel, 5, his sister Maria, 3, and his sister, Julia, 1(they both have birthdays next month). He is a beautiful child, with dark hair and dark eyes. Maria wanted me to put him down so he could walk around, and then asked me why he didn't say much! I enjoyed my days there while Tim and Katie bonded in the hospital with their little one. I enjoyed homeschooling Gabriel so much. He uses the same curriculum I used with Jordan and Christian several years past and it was a vivid reminder of how fast time flies. He's, not surprisingly, a very sharp little boy. Watching them play together is a gift. One I'm so grateful to have. Welcome to the world, Luke. You have been blessed with the most loving family a little boy could ever ask for.

Some of My Favorite Ornaments

Just a few of our favorite ornaments. The picture in the silver frame was a gift from my sister Kathi last year. It is a photo from 1976 when Terry came home with me from Harding College for the holidays. It brought tears to my eyes. I had never seen this picture before. It was the beginning of so many wonderful holidays together. The homemaking ornaments have been birthday gifts over the past several years from Katie. They are really special to me. The ornament composed of many pictures was a gift from Laurel Sewell and the late Beverly Bradford after our trip together to Italy and Greece. Ou tree may not win any awards for beauty, but each ornament holds a dear memory of a beautiful life.

Christmas Goodies

This year Martha Stewart has outdone herself! While my daughters were in town I made an outing to Michael's. Would you believe it was my first time to go to a Michael's? What rock have I been living under??I picked up some adorable ceramic bread mini-loaf pans for a dollar and these cute-as-a -button Christmas treat bags. I made some Apple caramel bread to pass out to friends at church before Thanksgiving in the loaf pans. I always love getting little treats. It's nice to know we are thought of by others. We have been so blessed with kind and generous folks since moving to Alabama this summer. There are not enough loaf pans or treat bags in the world to thank all of those who have helped us, spoken words of encouragement, taught our children, and prayed for us to have a smooth transition. So tonight I finished making some chocolate brickle and some peppermint bark to thank Terry's work colleagues for all that they have done to help his first semester go so well. And what better way to deliver them than these Martha Stewart bags! Sorry, Chelsea, I know how you feel about her, but this IS the season of forgiveness:)!

Ice Skating with Seeds and Lights

Last Tuesday the younger boys went ice skating for the first time with their friends from church. They had so muchfun, especially since Chelsea, Justin, Jon and Kristin were already home for the holidays. I didn't even know that Jonand Justin knew how to skate, but I shouldn't have been surprised. Those two will try anything!

Psalm 101:2-3

"I will walk within my house in the integrityof my heart.
I will set no worthless thing before my eyes;
I hate the work of those who fall away;
It shall not fasten its grip on me."

Ouch. A few days ago, while reading my Bible one evening, these words jumped out at me. Painfully. I had just spent a week of unadulterated bliss with my husband and children, and their children. We had worshipped together. What joy it brought me to hear all of their voices raised in praise to Him. And that is when Satan enters the picture. I have tried for many years to be careful to live my life by His word, and not by what my culture, or even fellow believers, says is right. This decision has forced me to make some difficult decisions as to how I educate my children, our choice to adopt transracially, and even where we live and work. But I have allowed the world's thinking to effect me in a serious way. And unfortunately, I have been guilty of sharing this with those I love most. That is the idea that at the end of a long day- hopefully a day of serving and doing for others- that it is OK to "Veg" and watch "mindless" TV shows. Shows that share the lifestyles of people of the world who live in a way that is totally abhorred by my God. I have been wrong. I have been teased in times past of the shows on my recorder--The Waltons, Anne of Green Gables, Wind At My Back, etc. But each of these shows teach the values I believe in, and values which are taught in God's word. So I have repented. I will no longer watch shows in my home that condone homosexuality, adultery,and immodesty. It is not enough to watch and comment occasionally, " I cannot believe these people!" We are called to be set apart. I apologize to those I have been a poor example to. There is so much beauty in the world that God has blessed us with. We may have to search a bit harder, but it is there.
I will set no worthless thing before my eyes