December was spent with family and friends, doing things that make Christmas special. We decorated cookies, went caroling, enjoyed a children's program and church dinner. We shared Christmas morning with our church family, serving breakfast to the homeless of our community.
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| Rebecca, Andy and Jake making cookies! |
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| Rachael, Andrew and Mark making cookies! |
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| Young Adult home group |
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| Mark making toast at the Kailua Nazarene Christmas Breakfast (Photo Credit: Di Berrien) |
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| Mark and his leg lamp - gift from Mike and Morgan (Photo Credit: Di Berrien) |
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| Back to the house for cookies after caroling! (Photo Credit: Di Berrien) |
About a week before Christmas, our community thinned out. Several of our young adults went home for Christmas, so our gatherings were smaller and quieter... It took a bit of getting used to. But it gave our family a chance to be together, just us.
Just about the time I began to wonder if I could sustain our pace of activity, the pace slowed and we rested. Ahhhhh! It's just like Jesus to know exactly what we need and then provide.
“Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me.
Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest.
Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace.
I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you.
Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.”
Coming home from my run this week, I was overwhelmed with gratitude for the changes that 2012 has brought to my life. So many dreams have been realized. This new life is good. God is good, and I am loved. This house, these people, this community is what I've always wanted. This is home...
Now the new year has begun and we're ready to pick up the pace again. The young adults are returning and the calendar is filling. My prayer is to keep company with Jesus and learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I want to live 2013 freely and lightly. There is no better way to enjoy the view!
