31 Days in December #27: Family moments

Sharing favorite moments from our family Christmas 2013:

how thankful we are for a godly heritage. 

We agree with the psalmist who sang, 

Bless the Lord, O my soul, 

and all that is within me bless his holy name. 

Bless the Lord oh my soul, and all that is within me, 

and do not forget all his benefits. (Ps 103: 1-2) 

Marzipan competition among cousins: a log cabin,
a tree frog, Pingu, and a yellow Furbee

The Daher tribe

The Kowalski tribe

One-month-old Levi and Grandmama

Our family tradition: reading scripture
between singing carols

Even Miss K joins the caroling

Best friends who become family:
the best of all worlds

We hope your Christmas was similarly peaceful and blessed and wish you happiness during this season of joy and hope.

Read more:

*Lord, may all who love you be like the sun when it rises in its strength. Judges 5:31 NIV

*The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding. For through wisdom your days will be many, and years will be added to your life. Proverbs 9:10-11 NIV

*Once you were darkness, but now in the Lord you are light. Live as children of light. Ephesians 5:8 ESV

Moravian Prayer: God, the light of your love illuminates the darkest corners of human existence. Banish our fears and make us your light-bearers as we offer our lives and our service to you. Amen.

31 Days in December #23: Savoring the old and the new

I'll miss the patina of Switzerland's houses, some built hundreds of years ago.

Shutters guard the old windows

From the window of the car, this house catches my eye.

A beautiful doorway

Little alleys of staircases provide shortcuts from the main streets into Swiss neighborhoods.

We visited a Marzipan factory today. Marzipan can be rolled out as a filling or icing ... 

Cake decor

or it can become tasty playdough. 

Marzipan figurines

Marzipan vegetables: 1" miniatures

In spite of all our brokenness as humanity, each one of us is innovative. God invests in us and fills us with life, inspiration, and invention. This trip has confirmed how - in every culture we visit - God is generous.

I'm amazed that he trusted us with his Son. That Jesus was entrusted to Mary and Joseph, parents who forged a living from their surroundings and lived in their community. He not only saves us from our sins, but he encourages us to play and make ourselves at home in his world. Lovely!

We're packed up to return home to the USA tomorrow. Three planes. Travel time= 2-3 hours to the airport and through security. 18 hours of flying and the drive home. Something to look forward to at the end ... a ride with our daughter and sleeping in our own bed. Life is good.

Read more:
*Israel is saved by the Lord with everlasting salvation; you shall not be put to shame or confounded to all eternity. Isaiah 45:17 ESV

*An angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, "Mary will bear a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins." Matthew 1:20-21 ESV

Moravian Prayer: Surprising God, your finest act was carried out by the most humble of humanity. You showed us that your power can exist in human weakness. We praise you and pray for the faith to accept it. Amen.