Advent 2014

Advent.  My favorite season of the church year.  I know it has always been this way, ever since I was little.  I was extremely blessed to have grown up in the home of a pastor, so I have always known of Advent.  We always had special Advent devotions and, now that I think of it, that is what I loved the most.  Lighting the wreath, singing hymns, making preparations.  And if there was snow, well that made it even more wonderful. I could never understand why my parents did not like snow.  I get it now.

24 years ago, I celebrated my first Advent as a married woman.  Mark and I started our own traditions, but nightly devotions I carried over from my childhood.  For a while, my mom would send us things, devotions, then when we had kids, activities and devotions.  That has waned over the years as she has gotten older, and as I felt Advent approaching this year, I knew I needed something different.  So I splurged and got Ann Voscamp's new book, Unwrapping the Greatest Gift.  It arrived last week.  I also got a new Advent wreath, a simple metal one, but I found it at Amazon with the candles included.  That is a definite bonus.  Usually I spend the first Sunday in Advent hunting through the Walmart candle section looking for candles.  Now, it is already done.  I have never been this prepared.  It is a great feeling.

Lift up your heads, ye mighty gates!

Behold, the King of Glory waits.

The King of Kings is drawing near;

The Savior of the world is here!

Life and salvation He doth bring;

Therefore rejoice and gladly sing.

To God the Father raise

Your joyful hymns of praise!

Movie Night - November 28, 2014

I am not sure when this tradition began, but for at least 15 years, albeit there are no volleyball games or other conflicts, Friday night is pizza and movie night at the Belli home.  I thought that this might be something that would get me writing consistently on my blog.  

Yesterday, we watched How to Train Your Dragon 2.  Half of us had already seen it in the theaters, but we all agreed it was worth seeing again so the others could enjoy it for the first time.

And here are the pizzas we ate.  The one on the far left, the one that looks like it has meatballs, was Mark's winner internet find.  Leftover Thanksgiving pizza.  The meatballs are stuffing balls.  It was actually quite good and a very innovative way to use up leftovers.  The recipe is somewhere online and if you really want it, just let me know.  The other back pizzas were Aldi frozens for $1.99 a piece and the front two were homemade cheese and vegetable.  I have been making my own crust for about 10 years now.  It is so easy.  The pizza sauce is also homemade, thanks to so many friends giving us their tomatoes this summer.  We won't have to buy sauce until February, I think.

This was one of the highlights of my summer, seeing my sister and most of her family.  I love the fact that Naser wanted to take a picture in front of the corn, to show those city people back east.  Yep, corn is about the only tourist site in this little town.  So very, very thankful that this visit was given to me.  I learned a lot about my sister and her family that I never knew, never had a chance to know.  And it strengthened my faith and reminded me of what a great God we serve and love.

Multiplied

                                                                   
Whew, it has been a while.  I journal in my pen and paper journal so much more.  My computer is just way too slow lately.  We need a new one, but it is on the list with all the other things that we need a new one of.  
The first time I heard NeedtoBreathe it was a song called "Washed by the Water".  As I recall it was one of Dorothee's favorites.  She usually is the one to clue me into an awesome song.  Anyhow, I love their sound.  So I am really surprised when I drove home from bells this evening and I did not know who was singing the song I was loving.  That voice, I knew I had heard it before.  Yes, of course, Need to Breathe.  
The lyric video I found on You Tube did not do it justice.  So I have the audio video here and I typed up the words.  
Raise your hands and join me in worship.

                                                                       "Multiplied"

Your love is like radiant diamonds
Bursting inside us we cannot contain
Your love will surely come find us
Like blazing wild fires singing Your name

God of mercy sweet love of mine
I have surrendered to Your design
May this offering stretch across the skies
And these Halleluiahs be multiplied

Your love is like radiant diamonds
Bursting inside us we cannot contain
Your love will surely come find us
Like blazing wild fires singing Your name

God of mercy sweet love of mine
I have surrendered to Your design
May this offering stretch across the skies
And these Halleluiahs be multiplied

(Multiplied)
(Oh multiplied)

God of mercy sweet love of mine
I have surrendered to Your design
May this offering stretch across the skies
And these Halleluiahs be multiplied

These Halleluiahs be multiplied

(Your love is like radiant diamonds)
(Bursting inside us we cannot contain)
(Your love will surely come find us)
Like blazing wild fires singing Your name

Yes Lord, may Your love burst through me!

So glad you are back

This picture says it all for all of us.  It was great to have her here.