The Christmas Star

"When they saw the star they were filled with Joy".  

Matthew 2:10

This Christmas I am so thankful for so many things.  It seems like just yesterday we were waiting for our oldest son to be born.  Now that's been 18 years ago and we are coming upon his graduation from high school and thoughts of college and moving out of our home are surfacing.  

It seems like just yesterday that we were then waiting for our baby girl to be born.  She is now a beautiful young lady.  In 10th grade.  So grown up.

Then again, it seems like just yesterday that we were waiting for our next baby girl to be born.  She is now in middle school, playing volleyball and is such an amazing young lady.

Yet again, it seems like just yesterday that our next baby girl was to be born.  Literally, she has a January birthday and I was so ready to see her this time at this time of the year.  It was still a wonder if she was a girl or boy at this time of the year, but we found out shortly as our third princess entered this world.

And, it seems like just a few years ago that our fourth little girl was just a newborn baby at this time of the year.  Such a sweet bundle we were able to share with our family as we celebrated Christmas that year.

And, it seems like just yesterday that we were waiting, wondering what God was going to do to show us our child that was waiting for us in Ethiopia.  It was on December 23, 2010 that God showed us our SONS that were waiting for us.  

God has blessed us beyond what I could ever dreamed of with each of these children.  He has continually shown us His faithfulness and love with each of these gifts. 

I have to admit, at times many times I have wondered what God was up to.  And, in the time that has passed since we have brought home our twins from Ethiopia has been a time of wonder.  A time of watching God knit together our family in an amazing, awesome fashion.  A time on our knees asking God what we are supposed to do with what He has shown us.   I think that's a good place to be.  If God had laid out my whole life in front of me before I "lived" it I think I would have been overwhelmed. 

This Christmas I am so very thankful for the Christmas Star and JOY.   Just like the wise men that were following the star to find baby Jesus - the Savior of the World - I am so thankful for the guiding hand of the  Lord.  I'm so very thankful that I can look up and see the star AND when I see that shining star that I am filled with JOY.  It is my prayer that you too look up and see the guiding hand of the creator of this world and feel His JOY this Christmas and whole year through.

Merry, Merry Christmas from our home to yours!