A Lazy Christmas

We had a lazy Christmas. Due to Brother Nowling and Jessa having to work. Jessa got in at 3:30 am and Brother Nowling at 8:30 am. Jessa had to head back to work at 2 pm and Brother Nowling at 9 pm so we decided to have our Christmas dinner on Saturday. We opened gifts as soon as Brother Nowling changed into in his pj's (I know kind of reversed). This year I did what I haven't done for several years, the girls all got the same things just in different colors or styles, so I played Santa and passed out the gifts so they would be opening the same gifts at the same time. Though it's not the way I like to do things, it worked this year. They seemed to like everything they got. I got Brother Nowling a camera. He's always relied on the girls or me to take pictures. But he'll be headed to Colorado next month to be the evangelist for their men's retreat and he's going by himself. I was trying to figure out what to do about a camera for him when he actually ASKED for one. So I got him a Nikon, point and shoot as we keep calling it. He's funny with it as he learns to use it...which he is doing. Then I got an I Phone. He is so cute, as he is so proud of himself for pulling it off as I had no idea. AND he got a great deal. He knew one of the guys at AT&T as he works with through Alaska Airlines. Anyway through his AA discounts and some other strings they pulled, he actually got the phone for half price. I bought an I Touch a while back with a bonus check from work. I was kicking myself for not just waiting for the I phone to come out and he kind of uses my I Touch more than I so...he did good. He's so proud as he did my birthday and Christmas by himself. Any way after gifts Brother Nowling, Joleesa and Jessa went to bed. Jenna and I watched movies, and played on the computer. Joleesa got up and fixed baked ziti for supper and that was our Christmas. Saturday we had brisket and though it cooked all day, it wasn't the best brisket but I think it was the meat itself and it could've been my frustration that Joleesa went into work at McDonald's because they were short so we still weren't all together. All in all it was still good.

Today's SS and service was really good. Lately I've been thinking a lot of how easily people give up on God. I heard on Dr. Dobson that Christians go into marriage thinking it's for life. And though they don't always "feel" in love, they know they still love each other and when things get tough they just hang in there and watch their love grow deep. Well we're in this relationship with Christ for life (more ways then one). When the going gets tough and we're not "feeling" God we have to know He's still there and our relationship with Him is growing stronger through each trial. We can't just "give up". Well today's lesson on "watching" for Him brought so many thoughts along that way. We don't know when He's coming and I'm one that hates to wait...but I have to live like it's today. And when it talked about temptations...we may not be tempted to do drugs, smoke, drink, etc, but our temptation may be to be discouraged, frustrated, disappointed, etc so much so that it becomes the enemy's snare to get us to give up. Watching is two fold here, watching that enemy doesn't lure us away AND watching for His return and making sure every second of every day we are ready.

Then Brother Nowling preached on sorrow turning to joy...he referred to the song "Give Them All". It was really an encouraging message after a time of worship.

I have determined no matter what anyone else does, I'm going to worship, I'm going to glean from the time we are to be learning of Him. I get so frustrated to the rudeness and disrespect some individuals have texting, writing notes, playing games on their phones, being on their "little" computers, whispering, etc. I tell you the day of judgement is coming and I don't want to lose out on any opportunity and I only wish those that do this would recognize that recompense is hard thing. BUT no matter what I want to reap all that I can from Him to help me to make it to the end. There are days my mind wonders and I find myself fighting a physical battle reining it in...but I don't want to be found guilty of purposely missing something OR of being a distraction to someone else.

Wow. I've really strayed from my subject line...sorry. I think I'll go take a little nap.

TO FRIENDS AND FAMILY IN BLOGLAND

Snowzilla

With all the talk and pictures of snow storms in blogland I thought you would all enjoy hearing about Snowzilla. This has been a huge story across the U.S. ADN.com's Snowzilla stories on 12/22 got 1.2 million page views...more than Palin's stories. Here's the pictures. The first picture is the original Snowzilla (16' tall) and then the city knocked her down because it broke city ordinance...during the night it got rebuilt at 25' tall, and no one is owning up to it. The story made Yahoo's home page on Monday (thus the pageviews to adn.com). To follow the story and look at more pictures go to http://www.adn.com/. The hat is a collapsible laundry basket, the pipe a manila envelope...you'll find the details and more pictures at adn.com. It's quite the story.

A Good But Busy Weekend

Well another weekend has passed and what a busy one it was. Friday night Brother Nowling and I headed to the party craft store to find stuff to decorate the tables for our Christmas dinner that we put on for the church on Sunday. Then off to grocery shop and then pick Zay and Nathan up from the airport. It's always fun to have them come. We stayed up late of course on Friday night but I determined that I wasn't going to sleep the day away on Saturday but I wasn't about to set my alarm. I actually woke up at 9 am. I made sausage and pancakes while Brother Nowling was being goofy and got Zay motivated with a cup of snow applied to his head (isn't he mean). Nathan was already up. Then the kids headed out to do things while we finished our Christmas shopping.

Saturday night was our youth night at Sister Heather's. We walked in her door and oh it smelled so good of her Carmel popcorn balls. We watched Pilgrim Progress (if you haven't got the DVD it's worth it). Then headed back to the house. I put the boys peeling potatoes while they were watching TV while I made the jello and the cherry delight pies for the Sunday dinner. Plus I finished the bulletins. Another late night.

Then we had a good SS and service. The boys helped out setting up tables, moving the piano by to the back of the room by the Christmas tree and then back home to get the dinner all together. They all took off for a couple of hours to go sledding while we finished things. Brother Nowling was awesome, right there helping me however I needed him. I was panicking early on trying to figure how I would get everything to the church and keep it hot. Potatoes were my biggest concern. One of the gals at work suggested I borrow her rice cooker. We both forgot about it during the week, and even though she lives in Eagle River, she made it a point to come to town and drop it and a crock pot off for me. Isn't it something how God uses those in our lives in the least expected way. So my cherry delight, and my tropical fusion jello (Larry's mom thought I called it confusion Jello and it was quite fitting as you tried to figure out the flavor~tee hee), mashed potatoes, brown gravy, green beans, ham, buns, punch (with sorbet as Zay can't have dairy), pickles, black and green olives and the meal was complete. Everything ready by 4:45 pm (was to start at 5 pm). There were some that came in late ~ here it I am the one doing all the work and was on time. Everyone knew the time it started, but what is it with some always having to be late (not counting those that worked). We went ahead and started at 5 pm. The rice cooker worked perfect for my potatoes (I want one) as they were still steaming when we went to clean up AND they were moist. How cool is that. I'm not sure what everyone else thought, but as tired as I was, I so loved being able to give in this way. We had 15; with only 5 missing, Jessa (who was working the horrible crowds at the airport), Jeremy Adams and Don Texter, Jr both working and then Micah and Megan were in TN. All in all I was very pleased.I am so thankful for Zay, Nathan, Jacob , and Joleesa's help and of course my husband ~ although it was his idea.

But the best part of the night was the time following. I had the piano moved by the Christmas tree because I wanted to have the ambiance of an old fashion, family Christmas around the piano and tree. We sang caroles (I have really enjoyed the caroles this year and we started singing them as soon as Thanksgiving was over ~ grin) and then Jenna shared scriptures from Luke on Mary's Manificant. I then shared a tradition we had with my extended family when all the nieces and nephews were little, we had a Christmas story. There are so many touching story books out there. A couple of years ago I bought "Mary's Treasure Box" and I had Joleesa read it. She is so like her dad as she pretended everyone were kids ~ grin. With her goofiness she was referring to pictures of donkeys as horses and after having been corrected with laughs, she then referred to a cow as a donkey. It was great. We sang some more caroles, had prayer (I am so kicking myself I forgot to take up the VLB offering ~ I had forgotten it was a service, it was family~smile) and then some had brought gifts, so those were distributed. Then it was clean up time and once again Zay and Nathan, Jenna and Joleesa were right in there helping clean up.

Tonight Jenna went to her apartment, Joleesa was sleeping, Jessa and the boys out with Matt, I took advantage of having time alone and wrapped gifts. I decided though to use gift boxes for as much as I could. Joleesa said she wanted me to at least wrap her gifts, but Joleesa dear, mom is too worn out. There are some wrapped gifts but mostly they're in gift boxes. It's actually pretty.

Now to leave you with some pictures of church dinner and oldf ashion Christmas around the tree.

Overwhelmed by our Winter Wonderland

It's a good overwhelm...I am awe when I look out at the beauty of winter this year. We have over a foot of snow. Some trees have layers of snow on them giving them a grandeur of white, but after the snow came cold and hoar (?) frost and I love it. The skies have had the alpine glow of pinks with clear blue skies around the cloud. Some times a fog adding to the perfection. Such beauty that I can't believe I'm experiencing it first hand not just looking at a picture. Jenna captured it when she did Jessa and Levi's engagement pictures. She hasn't gotten any of the hoar frost or the awesome skies. I don't ever have my camera with me.

This morning I went in to work late so that I could drive out to Girdwood with Jessa to look at the Girdwood Chapel. They want to get married in Girdwood as this has been one of Jessa's favorite places and Levi proposed to her there. The Lady of the Snow church would be nice but it's $1600 for the chapel for 4 hours on the wedding day and hour the night before rehearsal, AND the reception hall. Though it's nice and the nature surrounding it is awesome, $1600 is ridiculous to pay. So any way she called on this little chapel that would only be $150. 50 would be a crowd for it but they said it would work and that we could do the reception there too. Yeah, funny. It looked like a visitor's center from the outside. It was one room with 6 pews and then chairs. 50 would definitely be the limit. And to do the reception we could set the pews off along the walls and move the chairs out of the way to set up tables. The BEST part (I'm being sarcastic here) is there is no indoor plumbing. All they have is a porta-potty. Yeah, I don't think so. The scenery is awesome but that's it. So after having driven in the dark on the uncertain winter roads, we head back disappointed but under a gorgeous pink and blue sky surrounds by white covered mountains, and iced waters. It was an awesome drive back.

I get into work and my office doesn't have any windows but as I walk around to other parts of the building I don't know how many times I stop and just stand at the windows, commenting on the beauty to whoever will listen. It has been an absolute awesome winter wonderland. Hey Levi, all this beauty ALMOST makes me want to insist you have a winter wedding (not that it would work, and don't get any ideas, I did say almost).

ADN.com has a map where we can find Christmas lights to look at, so seeing as we don't have the Christmas parades that Sister Tammi gets to enjoy, or the acres of lights that Sister Becki Horne has seen, maybe we can take a drive to look at lights. Sister Grant's brother drives limos taking people around to look at the lights. That's something I would love to do.

Maybe I'll take my camera to work tomorrow to see if I can catch some of the beauty I see from our windows. With my luck tomorrow it will be a dreary day.

By the way for those of you who wonder how many hours of daylight we are getting, tomorrow were expected to get 5 hours and 28 minutes...yeah. At least they've been beautiful.

Can We Go Back to Friday Night?

It's been such a busy weekend. Brother Nowling and I went out for dinner Friday night. I was so craving halibut, though I would've loved to go to Sea Galley I knew it's just way too expensive and usually packed on Friday nights so we went to the Sourdough Mining Company. It too can be expensive but I knew that I could get the Motherlode which is a sampler of of halibut, chicken strips and potato skins for $12. It satisfied the craving. Then we went to find my dad's gift. With him being in the nursing home I wanted to find him an Alaska blanket. I've looked and though some had moose or bear on them, they could have been from anywhere and they anywhere from $70-$100 (more than I could spend). But we found it at "Once in a Blue Moose". It actually is a heavy throw that says Alaska, the last frontier and then has scenes of Alaska all over the blanket. It's perfect. Every year there's a "perfect" gift that I find for someone and this year it's my dad.

Then we went to Target and got a few things. Then Saturday morning we actually slept in until 9 am. I got up and fixed french toast and bacon, started laundry, we picked up the house, went to a coffee shop and got ourselves some coffee, visited our dear Sister Texter. From there we headed to the post office with the intent of getting my passport so I could go to England. Yeah right, at Christmas time. The lines were soooo long so I picked up the application and I'll fill it out and try to take it in soon. Then we headed to Walmart and Cosco. I dropped Brother Nowling off, headed to Michaels and then the grocery store. And before we knew it Saturday was gone.

Sunday, I got stew put in the oven, and we headed out to church. SS was great and Brother Nowling preached a really good message on the Ugliness of Christmas...the sin of the world that made it necessary for Christ to come. It was really thought provoking. Tonight is our Christmas program and then Brother Nowling will be preaching on "The Beauty of Christmas". It sounds like we'll have some visitors. We'll then be having refreshments afterwards.

So the weekend is flying by and I have so much to do. Brother Nowling wants us to put on a ham dinner for the Church next Sunday. I love the idea. It's our family thanking the church for their love and giving...but it's not going to be easy as there is no kitchen at the church. I have to transport everything. I don't want to do it just do it half way either. I want it to be perfect from the decorating to the food to the fellowship. Though I'm looking forward to it, I'm also stressing over it so please pray that I stay calm and that everything comes together.

Everyone have a great week.

CHRISTMAS JOY 100 FOLD!

If you have been to Jessa's blog you already know this but for those that haven't ... Levi Stephens proposed to Jessa today. Sunday night he asked Brother Nowling for his permission to marry his daughter. Though they had talked of it, set the date, started the wedding planning, he still wanted to be sure he had our approval. Brother Nowling kept telling him he needed to have his "last supper" as Brother Dupre called it. So finally Sunday night, while the youth were having their practice, we took Levi to Village Inn. Though there were serious moments, like when Brother Nowling told Levi, his main request was that Levi does his part in making sure she makes it to heaven and that he doesn't break her heart which was very precious ~It was kind of backwards because Levi hadn't asked him yet ~ giggle. I was trying to make it difficult for him but Brother Nowling wouldn't let me. We talked a little but we all knew the youth were going to be meeting up with us and time was getting away and he still hadn't asked. Then suddenly we see Josh and I told him "Levi just ask". He quickly says "can I marry your daughter." And Brother Nowling laughed and then said "yes, Levi, you have my blessing and permission." We knew they didn't need it but it was great that they still wanted it. He then wanted to do an official proposal so what better place than in the winter wonderland of Alyeska (go to Jessa's blog godcanIgohomenow.blogspot.com for the story and pictures).

We are so thrilled that God has brought these two precious young people together. God is already using them. Best of all is HE IS MOVING TO ALASKA. Though we know we won't have our daughters with us forever, the longer the better and we are so grateful that God has led them to each other and they will be here to work with us for Him.

Now the next neat thing is there wedding date...JUNE 13, 2009, Heritage Day. This means the weekend following camp. Though it'll make for a hectic week for me, we will be blessed with possibly visitors to Alaska camp and the next best thing is Sister Sharon Griffin will be our evangelist for camp AND she, Tim and Victoria will be staying for the wedding and she has agreed to be their pianist.

God has shown Jessa and Levi that faithfulness to Him will bring them their hearts desire. It is so good to see Jessa happy. He leaves out tomorrow and I'm not sure when they'll be able to see each other again, but God will sustain them and each conversation and moment they do have together will make that June 13th date even more special.

Great Birthday!

It has been a very busy last few days. My body is truly wearing down from the lack of sleep but it has been worth it. This is been one of the best birthday's I've had in many years. Not because of the gifts (I'll talk about them in a little bit), but because of family. These days it is very difficult to get the three girls and Jody and I together at the same time and I really wanted that for my birthday. I not only had them but Levi as well.

It started Friday night (even though my birthday wasn't until Saturday). I walk in the door and Brother Nowling points to my chair and tells me to try them on...he got me Alaska Airlines polo shirt, fleece sweatshirt and an awesome jacket (all with various Alaska Airlines logos on them). Now to let you know how special this alone was, for years the two of haven't bought birthday gifts for each other we just pick out something for ourselves, but he not only bought these for me, but he had to go to a lot of effort get it from AA their employee store is open very limited hours. I was trying to help Jessa get dinner on the table as she and Brother Nowling had band service at 7 pm. He is so wanting me to try these on, so I tried the jacket on first in a hurry and got the zipper stuck. He's trying to help me and it's not happening, Jessa calling for help in the kitchen so Joleesa comes and gets poor mom unstuck (is that a word?). Then I go get the macaroni and cheese in the oven and then try on the other two. They all fit perfect. Then Jenna walks in the door and she can't resist giving her gift as it was too big to wrap so she brings in two boxes taped together with beautiful touch lamps that have light houses on them. They are for our bedroom. I had eagle ones that got left behind in Wisconsin as I was confident they wouldn't make it one piece, so this is something I've really been wanting. Brother Nowling, Jessa and Levi head off to band service while I clean the kitchen and Jenna starts putting the tree together. Joleesa gets home and she heads down to the crawl space to bring up the decorations but the tubs are too big and heavy for her and to try to get up so she starts handing thing up to me one by one so we can get started on decorating. Jessa heads off to work (poor girl had to work 9:30 pm to 2:30 am) and when band service is over Brother Nowling and Levi head home to help us. The rest of the decorations are brought up, Brother Nowling chooses to put my lamps together and leave the decorating to us. Levi, Jenna and Joleesa do the tree with lots of laughs along the way, while I'm hanging the stockings and putting the other decorations around. Along the way Joleesa brings out her gift and says she wants to give it to me now and when I say let's wait until tomorrow she's telling I have to stay up until midnight then and sits it in middle of the room to see if I can resist the temptation. Throughout the night she keeps asking "you want to open it now don't you?" It was so cute and sweet of her. Finally when all the decorating was done and we were all sitting down, it was about 11:15 pm and I said I'm not staying up until midnight so I'll open it but no one had the energy to get out of their chairs to bring it to me. Finally when Brother Nowling walked in to the room they had him bring it to me and it was a beautiful sweater AND the reason she wanted me to open it; a Michael W. Smith Christmas CD. We always have Christmas music playing while decorating and she was wanting me to play that. I goofed on that one, but we still had a lot of fun. Then there's Jessa and Levi's gift. I knew they got it in VA as Levi called and said they'd got my gift and I was really going to like it. Then Jessa gets on the phone and says but it's gotta be a birthday and Christmas gift because of what it cost. So funny. Then we're headed to church Wednesday night and Levi asks me if I'm curious as to what they got me. There's a couple of things you've got know here; this is the first I've met Levi AND Jessa has missed my birthday on occasion in the past. Left at that, due to the youth activity in the evening I said I wanted us to go out for a birthday breakfast to Qwennies (an Alaskan Restaurant). Now Jessa had asked me when I wanted their gift and I told them to wait until breakfast, so seeing as everyone else had given me their gifts, before we headed out for breakfast I said why don't I just open it now so we don't have to carry it in and out...ah she forgot it at her apartment and needed to wrap it. So funny. As the day got busy I wound up not getting it until after the youth activity but you know what, it was worth the wait. It's a bell symphonium (music box with 16 discs; 8 Christmas and 8 classical). We saw a huge one in a KY gift shop years ago on our way to the assembly and then we've seen the small ones at Cracker Barrel in the past. I've even bought a CD of the music. So it was very cool, and Levi picked it out without having actually met me yet.

So why was all of this so special? I am one that when I buy cards or gifts I try very hard to think of the person and find something that is perfect for them. That's what my family did this year. From spending time with me, to the gifts. It was all very special!

We then had the youth at the church last night decorating the church tree. It's a very pretty tree that I was able to buy for $20 from one of the ladies at work that got laid off and is moving to CA. It's one of those tall skinny trees. I love it. But the night didn't start out too well. The stand was missing the two bolts that hold the tree up straight. We were having a dinner and someone forgot the drinks, and I forgot bowls, and we ran out of hooks for the ornaments so people were running to the store. But the good news was we had all but two of our youth there (Josh and Jeremy, we really missed you) and we had two visitors. While everyone was eating I shared a devotion on Mary and her emotions in having been chosen, the responsibility, the fears, etc that had to be a part of her in baring the Son of God. There was good participation and a lot of great reflection.

We came home, and I was already exhausted but the girls and Levi and I sat around visiting. I find it so hard to go to bed when we have company. I really want to get to know this young man who has become so very special to my daughter. So it was 1 am before I went to bed and I was so tired but I couldn't sleep. It was after 3 am before I finally fell asleep.

Then this morning I got up finished up the bulletins, put the makings for Swiss Steak in the oven and Brother Nowling, Levi and I headed out for church. Once again it was a great SS class. I love our young people and teaching SS. I love to bring it home and get them involved and I'm rarely disappointed. Then we went into a great worship of "Adoring Him" and then Levi preached a whirlwind message. What I mean by that is this is a young man that waste no time behind the altar. He hits the floor running with what God has given him. Jessa then followed it up with a special song (her at the piano and Micah on the guitar) during the altar call. God was present and it felt real good. God is going to use this couple in a great ways. I am so proud of them already.

Tonight we're having a singsperation and then the youth have their play practice while Brother Nowling and I get some time alone with Levi at Village Inn (oh yeah ~ smile)and the rest will meet up with us afterwards.

Hopefully tomorrow we'll get to play some games and I believe Levi leaves out on Wednesday.

Thank you all for the birthday wishes. And a special thanks to my family who made the day special and really made me feel special. It's been a great weekend that I don't want to end.