The Evolution of a Christmas Tradition in the Holt House

Today begins our third year of tradition with our Jesse Tree. Each year we have arranged it differently, but this year is by far my favorite setup. Each year me changing and making something to new to make it more of our own.

In 2010, we began our first adventure with this tradition. I built my Jesse Tree Book, and it started with a mini-tree. The ornaments printed and surrounded by green paper (Luk's favorite color), with a the cheapest mini-tree I could find on our budget.

In 2011, we continued our tradition, but used our candle wreath ("Cradle to Cross") differently since Logan was touchy feely baby. As a gift I received the wreath, candles were not going to happen so I spend the evening painting corks gold and spiraling wire to make our ornament stands (new ornaments). Then, since our house was small we used a small tree and adorned it with the scripture from the Jesse Tree Devotional.

Now in 2012, we have our "Stump of Jesse", our "Cradle to Cross" Wreath all working together to bring a remembrance to our Christmas season. We don't have a Santa come visit our home, but we enjoy teaching about who he represents in St. Nicholas. Our real Christmas tree is now covered in the truth,

and I am incredibly excited to start this year off, in our new church, new jobs, new home, and new "stump." The backyard had this beautiful limb on the ground just for us, an empty two-liter bottle knocked over on the table from the night before, and so I began. Left over ribbon from crafts before covering the unsightly bottle, the limb wrapped with green twine and single golden ribbon leading to the top signifying Christ's reign, and a little bit of our bunny's hay to decorate around our stump.

We are ready to celebrate His coming, His reign, His birth, and soon... His death.

Merry Christmas!

All our tradition resources come from www.aholyexperience.com

Sunday October 6, 2012 Chau, America!

Since this is travel day, I will simply give a play-by-play post

Once our group of 14 checked in for our flight, we made our way through security in the FLL Airport. If you want stress in your life be responsible for a church youth group to make it on a plane to a foreign country. I, promise, the stress is instantaneous and unenjoyable. However, I will say that thanks to God's timing it went rather smooth.

Once at the terminal, our group came to the realization that our flight had a two hour delay before we would leaving. So commenced our time killers...

For 9 out of 14 of our group this was their first time out of the country, and for a few it was the first time on an airplane. It was an adventure on every level for our group. Luk was incredibly excited to see the entrance of the plane because a two hour delay to a six year old is like an eternity.

But, Luk very quickly found his comfort zone in his seat, while...

the adults realized we were on the last row... and there was about three inches of leg space missing.

Once we made it out of Lima's Airport we met our awesome YWAM leader Cesar. He was a sight for sore eyes. It was good to be back in a country I loved and held dear in my heart, and to see a friend that has been missed over the past nine months.

Imagine that the six year old is too tired to walk after a six hour flight... 

Safe and sound at the YWAM Base and home for the next eight days!

Day 5 in Peru

It is the fifth day that we have been in Peru. It is the day that this boy:

will meet this boy:

separated by a mass of ocean, but God saw fit to bring together through the Compassion program. Two boys writing, drawing, and loving each other from so far will finally get to touch, feel, and hear each other. When I stepped foot in Peru this time last year I knew that I had to bring my son to see our precious Smith. It is never too early to expose your child to truth behind poverty. It is never too early to give your child a connection as strong as this one.

Later this week I hope to write about the other things we have done this week, but the time is approaching to hop in a taxi to see that face! I will leave you with these photos from the week so far.

Peru in 2 days...

Our car is packed with four backpacks, a luggage roof carrier, and a change of clothes. As many of you know God brought us to Georgia in the beginning of September (another post), and we are settled with every box unpacked, rooms organized, and homeschooling underway. However, over a year ago after meeting Smith, we began the process of getting our youth group in FL to Peru.

Our youth's parents faithfully agreed to switch our dates of travel from July to October to cut the costs in half and allow their kiddos to miss four days of school. We leave our nest for Florida tomorrow morning and head to Peru on Saturday afternoon. This trip is incredible special for my husband and I because 1) our six year old is going 2) my husband and Luk will be meeting Smith for the first time 3) two of the other people going to Peru will be meeting their Compassion child for the first time (WHOA!) and 4) 10 out of the 14 people going have NEVER gone out of the country, a few have NEVER ridden on an airplane, and few have gone further that Georgia or Alabama.

Needless to say, I am humbled that they are coming on this journey. I am shaken to the core that my beautiful brothers and sisters in Christ are inviting us into the homes to share the love of Christ. It is overwhelming to have them in my family!

As we were preparing for our travel, it has occurred to me more and more just how much this trip is going to change my son's life. We leave his baby brother behind (he is not too happy about this) knowing he will make the same trip in just a couple of years I do not hesitate in the decision to take Luk. I have posted before how he writes to his friend in Burkino Faso, and God has laid it heavily on my husband and my heart to show Luk what we believe in.

Be in prayer for our entire team. We know that from God we can expect faith to move mountains. Pray for Luk. He has been very emotional the past two days wanting to make sure he gives Smith the perfect gift. He still doesn't understand that HE is the perfect gift. His big heart in a little body is overwhelmed by the idea of meeting Smith. I having met him already know Smith is going love on him to no end.

We will also be meeting my mother's Compassion child, Anderson.  Mom, thank you! I know that you wanted to meet him first, and I want you to know just how honored I am that you are letting us spend the day with him! I know the decision was a hard one, but I promise to hug and love on your boy so much!

Pray!

Him

I have always been a relatively organized person, but the last time that I was this organized in my life I was a newlywed with no children, new job, new college, and new home. Frankly put, I was so organized because of ME. As I was putting my baby boy to bed as his older brother and dad are at a football game it occurred that I have NEVER been this organized down to a regulated menu for dinner time. The boys' rooms are clean not because they weren't played in, but because the boys knew it was time to clean up. The kitchen is clean because as dinner is coming to end I am able to start rinse and placing in the dish washer. As I rinsed the last dish I came to the conclusion that the only reason I am remotely THIS organized is because of HIM.

You know, there were moments in that newlywed stage that I wish I could say HE carried me through it, but I wanted to so badly be the one to do it... I didn't give Him any glory to what He was doing in my life. My life then was disrupted greatly. He wanted me to give Him glory. My jealous Father wanted me to acknowledge Him in all His splendor, and I fought tooth and nail NOT to do it.

I am so blessed to not be that girl anymore. There are moments when I look at hate towards her, but I have to remember just how much HE loved her (and still loves her). He loved her so much that He poured an abundance of grace unto her being that He made her who she is today and will be in the future. He commands our destiny. What a beautiful promise that is.

I stand in that truth tonight as I remember my selfish, "one man" show. It is the past, and the present and the future are looking bright. May you be engrossed in His glory as you read. Shine it out and tell your story because you are called on a mission. It is a mission to glorify the one true and holy God. Don't forget that, baste in it.

May I always remember to boast in His glory.

Remember Compassion

I haven't been able to write the amazing things that has been going on in our lives. We will be going to Peru in October. The best part is seeing our Smith again with my husband and son.

Luk is incredibly excited to meet one of our boys. Now, today we received an updated photo of our boy in Burkina Faso. Luk is itching to get on a plane to Peru, but if he had his choice he would be going to Africa to see his Abdou. I've posted before about their relationship and letter writing before.

Here was our first photo of Abdou:

Now, look at our oldest!

Look at that boy! Precious! He is getting so big! There is nothing like getting a letter from one of our boys, but there is something great to see their new photos.

Once we see Smith; I know that Luk will be begging to see Mr. Abdou, here. Then to head over to Thailand to see our third guy. Our trips seem to be far, farther, further (is that right?).

www.compassion.com is just a click away to have one of the most meaningful relationships you can have in this life that will bring glory to God's kingdom. In Jesus name...

After visiting Haiti in March, I had to share this beauty's photo, she needs a sponsor! Click on her name to learn more about her.

Edmaleelle