Christmas and New Year Vacation

• Our visit in Cincinnati went very well. Ricky's mom flew to us from WA, travelled with us north, stayed with us (we were there 10 days), and rode back with us before flying to her home. So, we were able to spend almost two weeks with her :) We also got to enjoy plenty of time Grandpa and Uncle Robby (who is much adored!). Ricky's dog Tuesday, almost 16, died soon after we got there, which was bittersweet because we all got to be there together. Other memories: game nights, Star Wars, a lot of reading (yay!), Lego art exhibit, IMAX Mars movie, aquarium (petting penguins), church, and...
• So, if you didn't open presents on Christmas day, what did you do? We had a full, fun-filled day celebrating our LORD Jesus' birth! We started off by having a big, special breakfast. Then, we made a big pillow bed on the living room floor and watched several short Christmas movies while a fire roared in the fireplace (and started dinner in the crock pot). After singing several Christmas songs together, we threw a little party with decorations/cake/cheese/candles/gifts (for Jesus)/sharing. The kids got to skip nap time since we had a coffee cake with coffee in it. Then, we all participated and acted out the nativity story (see a clip below) before heading outdoors to enjoy God's creation and playing together (the kids just love the rope swing). We ate an earlier dinner, made warm, sweet drinks and took them with us while we went to drive through a light show that evening. We loved our new Christmas day traditions and can't wait to do them again next year!
• On New Year's Eve we toasted with mango juice, shared, and watched all of our home videos from the previous year :) And to further celebrate the past year, we hold family interviews and record each one of us sharing some of our favorite memories from 2015. 
• I'll catch up last week next week.

with the late, beloved Tuesday

making Jesus' birthday cake

Uncle Robby

Nonna

DiMartino men

• School verse: Psalm 89:8 ~ O -- O LORD God Almighty, who is like You? You are mighty, O LORD, and Your faithfulness surrounds You.
• Verse to memorize this week: 2 Corinthians 3:1-2 ~ Are we beginning to commend ourselves again? Or do we need, like some people, letters of recommendation to you or from you? You yourselves are our letter, written on our hearts, known and read by everyone.

Wait Till It's Free

I've had a packed week and didn't even turn the computer on until now. So, I'll try to catch up next week ;)

There is a great documentary called Wait Till It's Free about the future of healthcare. It is very well done and is free to watch this month! Click here :)

Resolutions for 2016

The intro is from my post two years ago on resolutions:

"Let me start by saying that just hearing the phrase New Year's resolutions rubs me wrong. I think that one reason is because weight loss is the first thing to come to mind because it is so common. Also, no one actually keeps them or remembers them after a few months. So they seem pointless and not very profitable.

But... it is hard for me to let such an opportunity to pass me by. I relish times of purpose to be still and reflect. [I sound like a Mary -- haha, but I really am a Martha-doer struggling to find (designate) time to be still and reflect.]

If God does not forbid it, and it strengthens your love-relationship with Christ, then I want to take advantage! Not that I cannot make "resolutions" other times of the year, but I have to be somewhat forced to sit back and reflect or it just does not happen because life is constantly demanding! Since this new year's time is already designated for making resolutions, then I'm going to let it "force" me :)

I find that I frequently need to evaluate my life in all areas to keep it going in the direction I want it to (towards glorifying God, of course). I hate regret and don't want to be on my death-bed, looking back on my life, and thinking, "If only I had done something with that part of my life back when I had the chance before it spiraled out of control."

The best way to change anything is to alter my spiritual life and let God have more access to my heart so He can bring true and lasting change to myself. Hopefully, these are somewhat feasible ways I can keep my spiritual life disciplined and on track this year:"

1. Prayer life: I want to spend just one minute a day talking to God about each person in our family (four minutes total). I'm starting small because if I'm overly ambitious, it won't happen. I have a hard time focusing while praying, so I'm trying to counter that by making this time direct, pointed, and conversational (if possible, I will do this out loud).
2. Devotional life: I plan on reading Jesus' words (the red words) and a commentary about them. Even if it's just one verse a day to ponder and digest. This is what I need most right now. For 15 ways to get into the Word, see these ideas! For many years now, I have read a page a day of certain books (or devotional) just to make it through more books in a year -- I have a huge list. Right now, I have three books I'm reading this way. It takes just about a minute a page, and every time I have a minute to spare or wait, I pick up one of these books :) [These are usually nonfiction as I read my fiction novel in the evenings while reclining ;)]
3. Scripture memorization: Last year I ended up not only memorizing different psalms but reading one a day out loud, which was wonderful but now I have even more psalm verses I want to memorize! This year I am finally going to memorize my favorite chapter in the Bible -- 2 Corinthians 4. However, I am also going to memorize the chapter before and after it. So, 2 Corinthians 3-5 in all. As far as quoting the verses I already know, I do it daily but I just recite a bunch all at once. It's not my favorite way, so I'm trying to come up with a new plan. I'm thinking about pausing every hour to quote a verse or passage. I usually recite them in biblical order.
4. Marital life: To increase my respect of Ricky, I am going to tag my lord on after his name whenever I am speaking to him. This will be a very apparent and vivid reminder to myself that I need to speak to Ricky as I speak to my LORD God. My respect for Ricky should not hinder on his behavior but on my submission and obedience to God. I.e. "Ricky, my lord, will you please take the trash out?"
5. Personal life: I am really into the replacement principle. I want to use it in two areas of my life, but I'll only do one this year. Whenever I feel myself getting upset or frustrated or wanting to complain, I want to pause and give thanks for that moment or anything applicable.
6. Social life: Last year I was praying for people that came to our house. It was great for six months and fizzled out over the summer for several reasons. One complication being that many people were in too much of a rush to leave. So, I want to modify last year's resolution to work better for this year. To pass on blessing to visitors, I'm going to do just that and leave them with a parting word, Scripture, or simple blessing.

Well. This is overwhelming to look at, but I think it's possible with a whole lot of grace and second chances. They are not dreams floating around in the sky. I have real and practical ways of implementing each one. ["Failing to plan is planning to fail."] I'm grabbing hold of each desire and figuring out how to incorporate it into my current, daily life. I've also decided that even if I constantly forget one or fail at another, I'm not going to be depressed over it and just give it up. Instead, I'm going to pick it right back up and keep going.

Happy New Year's resolving,

Merry CHRISTmas!

2015

Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death— even death on a cross!

Philippians 2:6-8 

Reveling in the God Who bent low and humbled himself,

Ricky, Aidan, Aolani (almost 6), and Micaiah (4) DiMartino

On Top and Full

• Brief overview: last week was normal, but we went to over to eat and visit with friends one night and invited another friend over to enjoy pizza/movie night with us and stay for games. Yesterday was a bit of a challenge (a lot going on), but we got to attend another book launch for our friend's book at the library. Ricky's mom flew all day yesterday from WA and took a shuttle here arriving late last night. Today was filled with packing and kitchen preparations. We are ready to leave for Ohio tomorrow morn!

Our completed Advent tree (all 24 ornaments were made by Aolani)

• Verse to memorize this week and next: Psalm 100:4-5 ~ Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name. For the Lord is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations.

Holy-days {Advent 2015}

[edited version of last year's Advent post]

Simple. Focused. Intentional.

That is our motto for this time of year.

If you want bunches of ideas for celebrating Christmas, you should probably go to Pinterest. We are more about cutting out a lot of the hoopla -- going for special and memorable (yes) but simple. It is Jesus' birthday; so, we focus on Advent ("waiting with hope") and then throwing a birthday party for Jesus. Simple as that. However, we will be going to stay with extended family over the Christmas week this year. Yet, here is what we have been doing so far this month:

Devotions: Advent is where I put most of our emphasis, because what is this holy-day about if we do not prepare our hearts waiting for the Christ-child to come? You can see our Advent wreath (carved out of wood, with 24 candle holes, and there's a movable donkey carrying Mary). We light the candles after moving the traveling one forward. This year, we are using the same book we did two years ago -- Christmas Carols for a Kid's Heart (this is our third time using this devotional!). We sing a hymn, read a verse, say a little prayer, and let our kids blow out the candle. Occasionally, we read an accompanying story from The Jesus Storybook Bible (not pictured) after the singing.

Activities: Our days have been so nice, special, and fun. I love having this time to change up our routine for the month. Our days consist of: 

1. Unwrapping a Christmas book and reading it together. I wrapped all of the Christmas books we owned, plus two new ones from us and three more from family. I ordered the books according to our schedule. Each day, they alternate opening the book. After we are done reading, we put it in a "Christmas book basket". [Maybe I'll be on top of my game next year and can list all of the books we have collected thus far.]
2. Our biggest activity every day has been following Truth in the Tinsel Advent (made for toddlers but Aolani and I so enjoy it!). We flip a clue (printed on paper which I numbered and hung on string), read a Scripture passage, talk about it and maybe do an activity about it, and then we make a simple/fun/easy ornament to hang (they focus on the story about Jesus' birth versus Jesse Tree ornaments that encompass the story of God's redemption plan for the world beginning with Creation.)
3. We also added in a few other activities that we all enjoy -- like making snowflakes, baking treats for neighbors, snow and ice trays, candlelight baths, hide-n-seek in the tree lot, watching Christmas movies, picking out presents for Jesus...
4. Schooling: I'm taking six weeks off from schooling the kids (Thanksgiving week until after the new year), so we have more time for Advent stuff and traveling.  The kids are loving this winter break! [And, Aolani is reading like crazy ;)]
5. However, I am taking advantage of time alone with the kids (most days) by focusing on obedience training -- stories, games, crafts, reading... We are seeing fruit in Aolani as she is already applying it (not all the time of course); and then, I cry for joy for her.
6. Our Advent devotional in the evening with Daddy
7. Reading Christmas Around the World at bedtime

Decorations: Most noticeably, we do not have a Christmas tree. We are not against them; we just choose (for several reasons) not to erect one at this time. We have other items (ornaments, stockings, nativity sets...) and the things we are making on display and hanging around. We have a Christmas book basket and keep the Christmas music playing. Also, we simply hang the Christmas cards we receive on ribbon with clothespins. For the past two years, we have kept them up the whole year!

Treats: Our treats are sporadic this year again -- apple cobbler, ginger cookies, pumpkin pie, apple cake, ice cream, vanilla drinks, coffee cake, etc.

Presents: This year we have begun to do it a bit differently. Whereas we use to not exchange presents amongst just ourselves, we asked our extended families to work in "Christmas presents" with other events -- like new year's or increase birthday or summer or a new school year or a visit or other holidays. We want to teach our kids that just as they get presents on their birthday, Jesus gets the gifts on His birthday (see Matthew 25:45) -- just keeping it simple (and imitating St. Nicholas!). This year, we started my new favorite family tradition! I had collected like a dozen gift catalogs over the past month or so. One evening, we spread them out on the floor, allotted each person an equal amount of money, and had a Picking Party! So fun and wonderful! Yet, we do buy a few New Year's gifts for ourselves as a family and some friends that are to encourage faith and witness (such as Voice of the Martyrs' prayer calendars) for 2016. [Yes, our kids get gifts from us throughout the year as does Jesus, but we all know that birthdays are special for the birthday person ;)]

CHRISTmas joy to you in your celebrations and preparation for the coming of the King,

Wishing Birthday Wishes

• Last week included inviting friends over for dinner two nights, guys' night, all the normal activities and company, and Ricky working out of county for two days. Then, the grandparents came for a visit and to celebrate Micaiah's fourth birthday. Over the weekend, we went to a park (great weather), had pizza/movie night, played a game, went to church, and took the kids to see The Good Dinosaur at the theater. On his actual birthday, he got a haircut (from a friend), the kids went to art class, and then we had a family party with dinner (homemade beef tacos), dessert, balloons, presents... they both loved it all! Ricky and I then went on a date to see a late-night movie :) One of the many perks of having grandparents staying at your house!

Decorating the little puppy tree we keep in our office

with Grandma and Papa (my parents)

Micaiah requested pumpkin pie AND vanilla ice cream with sweet chex mix

Aolani was so excited for his gift time ;)

Saxoflute

the T-rex from The Good Dinosaur (Micaiah is really into dinosaurs right now!)

• At the end of his day, Micaiah said to me on his way to bed, "May you have a birthday too." ;) 

My family's Christmas card photo

• A girl from our church recorded the kids quoting John 3:16 --
• Verse to memorize this week: Psalm 100:3 ~ It is he who made us, and we are His; we are His people, the sheep of his pasture.

Getting Dirty Is Indeed Why

This is excerpted from my friends' blog post, dirty is why we are here. So good!

"I think about the many people Jesus--Jesus, the ONLY clean man--must have been told not to touch.  The lepers.  The Samaritans.  The children.  The outcasts.  The lame.  The demon-possessed.

the sinners

They were dirty.  They smelled.  They were covered in their own filth.  

They were unable to do anything for themselves.

Like me.

How many times Jesus must have been told not to do something.  Because it wasn't how it was done. Because culture wouldn't allow it.  Because it was embarrassing and shameful.  Because it would get him dirty.

Like leaving his heavenly throne of light and righteousness and becoming flesh.  Like holding the children and touching the crippled.  Like carrying the weight and burdens of billions.  Like being spat on and beaten and nailed to a rugged cross.  Like taking on the putrid sins of the world.  

I bet He wept, too.  I bet He cried at the world's broken reality so many times.

And then He touched.  Then He prayed.  Then He went.  Then He gave.

He was here to get dirty.  That is why He came.

If we think for a minute that we are here on this earth to get rich, to get blessed, to get beautified, to build up our own little kingdoms, to get presents, to get famous, to celebrate ourselves this Christmas...I don't know what to say except that you are following the wrong Jesus.  

Christmas : Jesus came to get dirty and to suffer and to die.  And by His scourging, we are healed.

Family, if we are following hard after this Jesus, wherever we are, we better be here to get dirty.  

For His glory."  

Amen!

Making and Decking

• Advent started last week, which means no school (more about what we do all day in my upcoming Advent post). Aolani helped me decorate the house, which she enjoyed :) Apart from that, the week was mostly normal, fun, and relaxed: friends came to help, art class, dinner with friends and kids, dinner and late night game with another friend, pizza/movie night (Shaun the Sheep was such a hit with them), visited a friend's book launch, church, and small group dinner party! Simply, lots of crafts, art, fun, food, and friends!
  
  Displaying her people and produce double-decker train wagon
  
   New hiding place -- a tight squeeze
  

At their art exhibit station at their art program's show last month

at art class

• Verse to memorize this week: Psalm 100:2 ~ Worship the Lord with gladness; come before Him with joyful songs. Know that the Lord is God.

Feeling Victorious versus Being Victorious

I've been thinking on and off about being victorious for over a year now.

Revelation 21:7 says, "Those who are victorious will inherit all this..." After reading Revelation 21:1-6, it's a Yes, I want this!! The precondition to getting it -- being victorious. Oh no! I sure don't feel victorious.

How do I feel victorious? And suddenly, there's a ton of pressure to do, perform, work -- be victorious, through human effort. Which I can't do and stress out trying to. Enter depression and self-loathing at not being able to. Self always wedges in there to get me off track and off focus.

Worshipping one day, and the gentle reminder --

"Yes the blood, it is my victory"

Of course I don't feel victorious because on my own I'm not. He is. Because I am His I am victorious. I am covered by His blood. I am covered in victory. So, when God looks on me, He sees victory!

Forget getting hung up on feelings! What is truth? What does the Word tell me?

for everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. Who is it that overcomes the world? Only the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God. (1 John 5:4-5)

Jesus answered, "The work of God is this: to believe in the One He has sent." (John 6:29)

How am I victorious? By not giving up or losing heart, but by fighting the good fight of faith to keep on believing in Jesus and His blood! Yes!

Sweet victory!
 

A Thankful Sweep

• The week before Thanksgiving was pretty normal, which still includes people coming over everyday :) Ricky did head up a flag football game for our church and a time of prayer for the persecuted church at our church. Then, we were off to visit my family for the week! We visited and played with my brother's family several days, visited with friends, had a game night with another friend, prepped for Advent, watched Jurassic World, got our car washed, celebrated Thanksgiving with yummy food and apple cake and cousins and reading and football and games, and went to Myrtle Beach one day to see a model train exhibit and dine and take the kids to play miniature golf for the first time (Micaiah would sweep the ball very determined to get it in the hole; Aolani was impatient with it at first but was wanting to play again when we were done).
• The funniest thing was when Papa and Micaiah were watching a hunting show. Papa was telling him about different animals and Micaiah kept replying I know that. Then, he turned to Papa and very seriously told him, "I know everything." ;)

• This month I'll learn Psalm 100. Verse to memorize this week: Psalm  100:1 ~ Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth.

Receiving the Miracle Today

Resonating today --

"The Gospel isn’t a one time message for the unbeliever but the constant miracle for the imperfect." ~Ann Voskamp