The reason for the season

This past weekend, Tom and I hosted our annual N&N Christmas party. For those of you who have not heard of this festive event, let me explain. Tom and I go temporarily insane for about 3 days a year: one day near Christmas and one weekend in the summer. We invite all our nephews and nieces to our house and play all day long. Don't get me wrong: we have a blast! In fact, we have so much fun that neither of us can move the next day! This year, we made ornaments, decorated their Christmas tree, ate gross hot dogs with chili and Cheetos (not me!), went to the mall for a photo scavenger hunt (girls won!), ice skated, and came home to a home cooked meal of spaghetti and a time of sugar cookie decorating and reminiscing over the fun parts of our day. The kids went home with smiles on their faces and giggles in their hearts! Tom and I fell on the couch with smiles on our faces and a bottle of Advil in our hands!

Many people, including our family, ask us why we do this? Let me share. There is the selfish reason of wanting to spend time with them. Of wanting them to remember us when they are grown. Of wanting them to have a family tradition that they will pass down to their children. But it's bigger than that.

As we were driving to the mall, one of my nephews looked up at me and said, " Aunt Marsha, what's that scripture that goes, 'For God so...loved the world...that He...gave....' ", and I helped him finish John 3:16. I asked him what he thought that verse meant and he told me that it meant people who love Jesus get to go to heaven and people who don't go to the bad place. I smiled and would normally have left it at that with a younger child, but I felt the tug of the Holy Spirit on my heart to go a little further.

" This is true," I said. "But it means so much more. Look at all these cars driving around us." We were on I20 at the time.

"God loves all these people in all these cars. And it's not just one person in each car. There are 6 of us in this car and 5 in Meagan's car. So just imagine how many people there are in all these cars! Then think about how many people there are in all the world! That's alot! God loves them all! The good people and the bad people." I had his attention. God had my attention. I continued on.

"In fact, God loved them so much, that he couldn't just let them live in their sin and go to the bad place. You know, God is a just God and he requires perfection. Do you know what that means?" He nodded his head. "So, you remember the flood when all the wicked people were washed away and only Noah was saved? God sent a rainbow saying he would never do that again. So how is he going to deal with evil and wickedness?" Again, that questioning look. He wanted the answer.

"God sent his Son, who was perfect. That Son was Jesus. And Jesus took all that evil and sin for us. And because He did that, we can be with God forever. So, the last part of that verse you memorized is really cool because I want to be with God forever and be in heaven forever! But sometimes we forget the first part of the verse....For God so loved the world.....That's where it starts. For God so loved you, " and I said his name. " And if you were the only person who ever lived, he would have done it all, just for you, so you could be with him, forever!

I was choking back tears. Tom was choking back tears. The kids in the back seat were giving each other wet-willies and had no idea of the mystery of the majesty of the Kingdom of God going on in the front seat of the truck . My nephew is a contemplator. God has his hand on him in a mighty way and I am so excited to see what is in store for him in the future!

My pastor preached a similar message on Sunday. As I pondered once again John 3:16, I realized that I am in a different place in my walk with Christ than I was many years ago. As a younger Christian, I shared the gospel in such a way that I just wanted people to get their "ticket to heaven". I wasn't worried about much more. As God has worked his love and truth in my heart and continued to mold me more and more into his image, I am coming to realize it is all about His love.

For God so LOVED the world........that is truly the REASON for this season.......for EVERY season........and for our lives!

Neice Nephew Weekend

OK, This is late in posting... But last weekend was a blast! As you may have read in my WW post, we had all the nieces and nephews from Marsha's side of the family over for the semi-annul niece-nephew weekend. This is a tradition Marsha started with the kids several years ago. She started out having them over for an afternoon and as they have grown, she has increased the time to overnight visits. We picked 'em all up on Friday evening. Yep, we was late, as usual, and it took two vehicles. Everyone was ready and waiting at Billy's house. After much seat calling and car/truck calling(i.e. "I'm riding with Meagan! I get shotgun! I'm in the truck! I'm not riding with Logan (Lexi of course)!", we loaded up and headed to Fort Worth.. Once there we got out the movies and games or just hung out. They had a great time.

Saturday morning we we had no trouble waking ANYONE up (except Meagan). I think they were a wee bit excited about heading out to the water park (NRH20). I cooked up a huge hearty breakfast. (It defitnately wasn't Weight Watcher friendly) We had scrambled eggs, bacon, sausage, hash browns, pancakes, orange juice and milk. I even saw one kid putting syrup on her eggs, YUCK!! But it sure made her smile!! (Awesome). We finally woke Meagan up around 0845.



Then we put the kids to work. It's amazing what good workers you have when there is incentive! Chance, Logan, and Shelby packed our chips in to individual bags (yes p's they washed their hands good before working). Makela and Lexi made PBJ Sandwiches and Turkey and Cheese sandwichs. (These were very good sandwiches). We also packed soda, water bottles, and gatorade for drinks. We loaded everything up in the truck and Meagan's car and headed out........

Arrival at NRH20. We got there about 30 minutes before they opened, and there was already a line. Luckily Meagan arrived early enough to get good spot in line. While we waited, Marsha started the sunscreen spray line. Everyone got covered, including Chance, who claimed, "Mexican's don't need sunscreen." There was much protest, but it served the nurse's heart well to know she at least protected them for one hour. They were on their own after that.



They opened the doors at 10am but told us due to "shocking" the water we couldn't swim till 11am. So we sat around just picking our noses.



But finally we got to play. And play we did. Luckily we didn't really get sunburned too bad. The kids were told to re-apply every two hours and the sunscreens were left on the table. I think they did a pretty good job. At lunch time we all had a great sandwich, and talked. Lots of laughter by the kids, then off they went. They were all smiles every time I ran into them. They ran around in groups of two for the most part. At other times they were in groups of three. Marsha and I spent much time in the kiddie area watching/helping the twins go up and down some pretty big slides. They had no fear!! They were all about the play area.



Marsha and the twins came home about mid afternoon for movie time. They both said they weren't tired... But look at this.....



They watched a movie and took a nap. Then Marsha and the twins loaded up, made a stop at the Little Ceaser's and brought us dinner of pizza. You wouldn't believe how much they ate!! After dinner we played till they closed the park. Then we got to watch some really cool fire works. It was awesome.



Sunday morning, we got up and watched a movie, got our stuff ready for the P's and had an easy breakfast of cereal. One hour later everyone was hungry again! How does that happen? Out came fruit, left over pizza, granola bars, chips, etc. They ate most of it. Incredible.



Note from Marsha: Everyone had a good time, we think. I know Tom, Meagan, and me enjoyed all the time we were able to spend with each of you who were here. We love each of you so very much! This is a time we look forward to every year! Can't wait 'til Christmas! Any votes on what to do????

Thanks guys for coming to play at our house.

Tom and Marsha

Marsha's 40th Birthday Lunch

Anne on the Left, and Beautiful Marsha on the right.



Well my beautiful wife turned 40 and we had lunch with friends. About two weeks ago, my wife started getting suspicious that I was up to something. So she called me on the carpet. My wonderful wife loves to be in the back ground, and not the center of attention. After much discussion, she settled on having another couple or two over to celebrate her birthday on Saturday evening. So we made plans to keep it very very small. All the while I was working on a relatively small lunch (about 6 families) from church mostly, to join us for a birthday lunch with out alot of hoop la.

Saturday Night came around, and one of the couples that was coming was supposed to call the other one, but forgot. But my good friend Jim, and his daughter Isabella, and her friend came to visit as well. So Saturday night we still filled up the dinner table. Marsha, Tom, Jim, Anne, Meagan, Lauren, Isabella, and friend (Can't remember her name.) We ate Jalapenos wrapped in bacon and stuffed with cream cheese. Venison, Beef, Chicken, and Shrimp fajitas with Re fried Beans and Sweet tea. A good time was had by all, and Marsha thought it was over.

Sunday morning we got up and headed out to church. After church, I informed Marsha we would take her to lunch. She wasn't expecting anything yet. We arrived to her surprise and found a table set for several families. She was a wee bit shocked. It was a good time had by all.


Michael & Melissa Hatcher - Anne Crowell


Luke LeNeveu - Nephew extraordinaire


Donna & Joe





Robin and Janice


Don't let her face fool you. I caught her throwing small wads of paper at me.


Don't worry. We have one more Birthday Celebration to be had for her on July 4Th at the farm, with the Freeman & Nutter families. Should be an exciting day for all.

Tom

Meagan is Home!!

Last night was a time to celebrate. Meagan has arrived safely from Tunisia. We watched closely as her plane crossed the sea, and then as it was getting closer we watched it move across the USA on our computer screen. Lauren was so excited she couldn't stand it. Between my excitement and antics and Lauren's laughter the house was in an uproar! Lauren was laughing so hard I thought she was going to pee in her pants, and Tracey was giggling like a school girl. So Marsha, Tracey, Lauren and I loaded up in the truck and headed off to the airport.


On the way to the airport Marsha noted the clouds and commented that it was going to be a good rain storm. We prayed that Meagan would get in safely. Little did we know that Meagan and party had prayed for rain when they got home. Well God sure heard them. Meagan was so excited about rain she even went and played in it. The rain came down hard, with brilliant streaks of lightening. Lauren commented that God was celebrating Meagan's return home with us. We all laughed and so enjoyed each others company.

As we sat and visited over dinner, and were listening to such awesome stories of her month, it became obvious that Meagan had been traveling for over 18 and half hours. She was beginning to fade. So we let her relax, with a promise to share her photos and more stories later.

My heart is overjoyed with her return to our home. Now we have about a month to enjoy her company before she heads back to Baylor. And guess what... God is still answering her prayers, but more on that later.

Love ya'll

Tom