Christmas 2009

Come in, come in.... we're so glad you came!

We will be your host and hostess today!

Help yourself to hors d'oeuvres ... Pioneer Woman Artichoke Dip, Shrimp Cocktail, Brie En Croute, Cranberry Bread, and Fresh Melon...

Enjoy happy hour with a little Christmas music...

Here's something with your name on it...

A little pre-dinner entertainment...



The next course is served... Filet Mignon with Roquefort Butter, French Bread, and Corn Chip Salad.

Make sure there is still room for dessert... Pioneer Woman Chocolate Sheet Cake.

Merry Christmas Ya'll... From the Bowman's!

Wait! Where are you going? There are still dishes and wrapping paper to clean-up!

Psalm 24

Who shall ascend into the hill of the LORD? or who shall stand in his holy place?

She that has clean hands and a pure heart, she who has not lifted up her soul unto vanity, or she that has not sworn deceitfully.

She shall receive the blessing from the LORD, and righteousness from the God of her salvation.

This is the generation of them that seek him, that seek his face, O Jacob. Selah.

I have been blessed by two teenage girls in my life. I have watched them grow up and am watching them bloom before my eyes. I have seen them accept Jesus Christ as their Savior and I have seen them standing up for the Gospel. I have seen their hearts break for friends that deny Him, and I have seen them bring friends in their life that need stability and family.

I just want it to stay this way. I don't want them to get dirty hands and souls filled with vanity and hearts that are not pure.

But I'm not the one that can make sure that doesn't happen.

So, I will lift them up to the God of their salvation and keep praying for them to seek His face every day.

On the sixth day... Eve gets bubbly

Eve has been spending waaaay too much time in commercial stores to go to Goodwill. This makes Eve grieve, but I am sure that she will make up for lost time in January. Eve is preparing her closet for holiday parties and she is coming up short.

Do you buy one awesome outfit and wear it over and over or do you fill in with Goodwill clothes?

Step One.
Find something to start with...
Eve is going to call it the Blue Tuxedo Dress (Wrinked).
Eve passed this dress several times, but then got drawn back by the details on the dress.

Eve loves it, but the length and lack of waist concerns her. It looks sort of like a shiny pillowcase hanging on her. Eve has worn it a few times tucked into a skirt, but she is ready for something different.

Step Two.
Cut lining shorter than dress and take sides up two inches. Then gather the hem of dress and sew it to lining.

Annnnd Insta-Bubble.

Paired with a Isaac Mizrahi black wool pencil skirt...

This outfit is completely Goodwill, clear down to the velvet bows her toes.

Eve is still a little so-so about it... The good thing is, it is still long enough to still whack off and hem back again to be tucked in.

A few different looks...

I am sure that Adam would thank you for being the guinea pig.
He rolls his eyes when Eve starts rattling hangers.

Rapping

Share This Christmas (Joy To The World) by Toby Mac

I received a McMaster and Storm European Fastener from my sister for my birthday. I was thrilled, but I still didn't understand all the hype. Until I unwrapped the muslin bag adorned with a red bird and held the magnificent thing in my hands. I became empowered. I felt like a gift wrap extraordinaire. A ribbon and tag diva. I used up the preloaded staples already and I felt that panic rise in me, the panic that knows that I'll probably lose the extra staples and you can't replace them at WalMart. I stapled all of my ribbon and tags, (hopefully) my New Year's cards, and some names on Moleskine journals. And am looking for the next victim.

Making my list and unchecking it twice....

Christmas Shopping: Uncheck

Gifts Wrapped: Uncheck

Tree Cut Down: Check
(Don't laugh)

One Batch of Cinnamon Rolls: Check

Five More to Go: Uncheck

Baking Cabinet Clean: Check

Drew's Galileo Project: Check

Twin Oaks Christmas Play:
Check and Double Check

**Manger Scene Photo Courtesy of Eric Liller**
Christmas Decorating: Half Checked

Drew's School Party Planned: Check

Sewing: Uncheck

"Whenever Christmas begins to burden, it's a sign that I've taken on something of the world and not of Christ."
Ann Voskamp (and Towngirl)

Love for Christ: Check

Love for Family: Check

Love for Christmas Season: Check

Unburdened by the Love of Christ : Check

Just a little jingle to stick in your head...

Attention: This is not our school...



But this is one of the songs that the Fifth Graders sang last night at the school program that I loved.

I've been shaking my maracas ever since.

Luke 12:6-7

Are not five sparrows sold for two farthings, and not one of them is forgotten before God? But even the very hairs on your head are all numbered. Fear not therefore: ye are of more value than many sparrows.

The Lord has a lot less numbering to do at our house.

Finn would just stand in front of the mirror and stare. He has never had short hair. He asks me to rub down the back of his head and he says, "I think this is the softest hair I have ever felt."

It kind of makes me feel bad that I have never given him the choice.

Kind of.

Downtown Roanoke

So the tracts are printed, tied, and delivered....

And it was one of the best nights of my life.

The knot in my stomach was for naught.

The body of Christ is an awesome thing. I think the most important thing I learned by passing out Salvation Tracts was the reaction of fellow Christians. They would take one look and thank us, or hand them back and tell us to give it to someone else saying, "Praise God, I am already saved!" or keep it to give to someone else. I am so thankful for Evan's boldness in desiring to share the gospel because I never would have done this alone!

Apparently, rusty keys are a hit with the pierced crowd. We had people that would chase us down for a key.

And that's okay with us.