Christmas 2008

CAN WE COME DOWN YET??????????????????????????????? All of the pictures are out of order! I keep forgetting to start with the last pictures taken FIRST! Anyway, the above picture was taken this morning. We don't let the kids come down until we have "One more cup of coffee!"

Viktor at Aunt Leenie's

Mikey at Aunt Leenie's (above)

Maddy at Aunt Leenie's

Below - Lily at Aunt Leenie's

Below: Laura at Leenie's

Above is Leenie, Brandon and Katie. Right below is Kaci, Billy and Alex Dolen.

Above: We told the boys to unwrap "dad's present" as he didn't want to do it. Little did they know that there was football equipment in the boxes for THEM. They've been wanting helmets, shoulder pads, pants, etc. for a long time. They were very excited!

Below: Lily gets her doll, Sunnie, from Target!

Below: Paulie gets her doll, Robyn, from Target (between puking!).

Viktor gets a tripod for his video camera!

Mike with more Packer gear!!!

Yory getting a PINK soccer ball!

Lily getting "Underdog"/Paulina throwing up!

We had a great day at Ben and Leenie's house, although poor Paulina and Yory couldn't come due to the stomach flu. They were throwing up all day, even between opening presents this morning. Here are some pictures from our house this morning and Aunt Leenie and Uncle Ben's house this afternoon...

Christmas Time!

The kids have their Christmas program tonight and they're getting excited. Our pastor's wife does an excellent job at writing a new program every year. She weaves the gospel in where it is unmistakeable. Today some dear friends, Ken and Ruth, took us out to eat at Paradise Landing in Balsam Lake, WI. It's a beautiful restaurant and we indulged in an all you can eat lunch. Platters of food were brought to our private room! Ahhhh....the best part about it was that I didn't have to make LUNCH today for 8 people!!! Yesterday we celebrated Christmas at Ed's Aunt Marnie's house. She did a fantastic job and SPOILED us rotten (as usual) with the great meal of Swissy (it's a danish food). Thank you again Aunt Moo for a perfect Christmas!

Let us not forget the reason we celebrate the birth of Jesus. There is a song called Born to Die. The words sum up the reason...

On the night Christ was born
Just before break of morn,
As the stars in the sky were fading,
O'er the place where He lay
Fell a shadow cold and gray
Of a cross that would humble a king.

Born to die upon Calv'ry
Jesus suffered my sin to forgive;
Born to die upon Calv'ry,
He was wounded that I might live.

Jesus knew when He came
He would suffer in shame;
He could feel every pain and sorrow.
But He left Paradise,
With His blood He paid the price-
My redemption to Jesus I owe.

Born to die upon Calv'ry
Jesus suffered my sin to forgive
Born to die upon Calv'ry
He was wounded that I might live.

There are two other verses. The song says it all beautifully. For those of you who don't have a testimony regarding Jesus Christ please go to http://www.livingwaters.com/ and take the "good person" test. I promise that you will fail it! Everybody does! You'll see why you should take the test once you're there.

Psalm 139:23-24

"Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting."

I finally got the courage up to pray that this morning. That is so hard to do sometimes, but I always am so glad when I am finished praying. He showed me what was wrong in my heart and thoughts. I already knew but had not yet apologized to Him. It is so good to be "cleansed". 1 John 1:9 says "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." Once saved always saved, but we sometimes (only sometimes????!!!! - ha!) continue to sin and need to go to our Father and apologize. He is FAITHFUL (unlike us) and JUST to FORGIVE US our sins! Thank God! If you haven't done this in awhile go to Jesus in prayer. Read your Bible out loud - it'll help you stay focused on Him. 1st or 2nd Peter are GREAT books to read though.

If anyone wants a great website where you can listen to some excellent speakers go to www.olivetreeviews.org. Go under the radio archives and you'll find many many speakers...