These are a few of my favorite things ...December update

Merry Christmas from our family to yours!

Here are a few of my favorite things from December...

Our church doing the Names of Jesus advent devotional

and ornaments together ...and our advent wreath.

Our donation gifts in honor of family members.

solar lanterns for 2 seniors in Uganda through ROTOM

(watch this video!)

and Christmas gifts of a toy and food

for 3 children through Footprints of the Son in Haiti.

the German Christmas star ornaments Grace

and I made together

decorating our Christmas tree as a family...

the kids' new ornaments for this year

Nathan - archery hunter

Grace - "chicken mama"

treats of homemade Cinnamon Bun popcorn

for our country neighbors

Grace's gingerbread village made from scratch

(my favorite Christmas decoration)

handmade gifts...

like this slate sign 

and these handknit socks for our moms!

(my fingers were cramped!)

Family outings to ...

A Walk Through Bethlehem

and 

Follow the Star concert by Tennessee Backporch band

Hosting Colwell family on Christmas Eve...

making homemade soups (including noodles)

and breads.

Grace making gingerbread people cookies

decorating them to look like family 

that came over on Christmas Eve.

attending Christmas Eve service at 

Townville Baptist Church with Nancy

(where Matt and his mom grew up)

despite the blinding snow and drifts

donuts/drinks, singing Christmas carols,

reading of the Christmas story, and prayer

at our church on Christmas morning

with both our moms

PRAISE GOD FOR A NEW YEAR FULL OF HOPE AND PROMISES!!!