12 Days of Christmas



You might or might not have heard this version of the 12 Days of Christmas. It isn't a song. It's a story. A true story. Just a reminder why we celebrate Christmas.  It is not the gifts, Santa, decorations, money it is our Saviour Jesus Christ and everything he has done for us.

Enjoy!



On the 1st day of Christmas my true love gave to me...

A Partridge in a Pear Tree.



The partridge in a pear tree is Jesus the Christ, the Son of God, whose birthday we celebrate on December 25, the first day of Christmas. In the song, Christ is symbolically presented as a mother partridge that feigns injury to decoy predators from her helpless nestlings, recalling the expression of Christ's sadness over the fate of Jerusalem: "Jerusalem! Jerusalem! How often would I have sheltered you under my wings, as a hen does her chicks, but you would not have it so . . . ." (Luke 13:34)



On the 2nd day of Christmas my true love gave to me...

Two Turtle Doves



The Old and New Testaments, which together bear witness to God's self-revelation in history and the creation of a people to tell the Story of God to the world.



On the 3rd day of Christmas my true love gave to me...

Three French Hens



The Three Theological Virtues: 1) Faith, 2) Hope, and 3) Love (1 Corinthians 13:13)



On the 4th day of Christmas my true love gave to me...

Four Calling Birds



The Four Gospels: 1) Matthew, 2) Mark, 3) Luke, and 4) John, which proclaim the Good News of God's reconciliation of the world to Himself in Jesus Christ.



On the 5th day of Christmas my true love gave to me...

Five Gold Rings



The first Five Books of the Old Testament, known as the Torah or the Pentateuch: 1) Genesis, 2) Exodus, 3) Leviticus, 4) Numbers, and 5) Deuteronomy, which gives the history of humanity's sinful failure and God's response of grace in the creation of a people to be a light to the world.



On the 6th day of Christmas my true love gave to me...

Six Geese A-laying



The six days of creation that confesses God as Creator and Sustainer of the world (Genesis 1).



On the 7th day of Christmas my true love gave to me...

Seven Swans A-swimming



The seven gifts of the Holy Spirit: 1) prophecy, 2) ministry, 3) teaching, 4) exhortation, 5) giving, 6) leading, and 7) compassion (Romans 12:6-8; cf. 1 Corinthians 12:8-11)



On the 8th day of Christmas my true love gave to me...

Eight Maids A-milking



The eight Beatitudes: 1) Blessed are the poor in spirit, 2) those who mourn, 3) the meek, 4) those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, 5) the merciful, 6) the pure in heart, 7) the peacemakers, 8) those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake. (Matthew 5:3-10)



On the 9th day of Christmas my true love gave to me...

Nine Ladies Dancing



The nine Fruit of the Holy Spirit: 1) love, 2) joy, 3) peace, 4) patience, 5) kindness,6) generosity, 7) faithfulness, 8) gentleness, and 9) self-control. (Galatians 5:22)



On the 10th day of Christmas my true love gave to me...

Ten Lords A-leaping



The ten commandments: 1) You shall have no other gods before me; 2) Do not make an idol; 3) Do not take God's name in vain; 4) Remember the Sabbath Day; 5) Honor your father and mother; 6) Do not murder; 7) Do not commit adultery; 8) Do not steal; 9) Do not bear false witness; 10) Do not covet. (Exodus 20:1-17)



On the 11th day of Christmas my true love gave to me...

Eleven Pipers Piping



The eleven Faithful Apostles: 1) Simon Peter, 2) Andrew, 3) James, 4) John, 5) Philip, 6) Bartholomew, 7) Matthew, 8) Thomas, 9) James bar Alphaeus, 10) Simon the Zealot, 11) Judas bar James. (Luke 6:14-16). The list does not include the twelfth disciple, Judas Iscariot who betrayed Jesus to the religious leaders and the Romans.



On the 12th day of Christmas my true love gave to me...

Twelve Drummers Drumming



The twelve points of doctrine in the Apostles' Creed: 1) I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth. 2) I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord. 3) He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary. 4) He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended into hell [the grave]. 5) On the third day he rose again. He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father. 6) He will come again to judge the living and the dead. 7) I believe in the Holy Spirit, 8) the holy catholic Church, 9) the communion of saints, 10) the forgiveness of sins, 11) the resurrection of the body, 12) and life everlasting.

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Fred and I went to Canton yesterday. I had never been and I have to say I was very overwelmed. That place is huge! We bought a few things but nothing really great. But we still have a great time with Greg, Babette and Tiffany.

He's all BOY!

Hayden had more fun playing in the little creek that runs through their backyard. He was muddy from head to toe.

Happy Birthday Brad and Addy

Last weekend we celebrated Brad and Addison 's Birthdays. Brad turned 31 (wow) and Addy is a Big 6!

Cutie Patooties!

I love these two kids. They are so much fun!! Hayden is in preschool now and Addison is in kindergarten. She loves it.

Circus

We went to the Circus with April and the grandkids about a month ago. Brad was in California at the time. We had a great time.

Yep Hayden was throwing a little fit. Dont ya just love 2 year olds. I do!

Lunch with Addy

I cant remember this little boys name but he was sitting next to us and he didn't have any granparents there :( But he was a cutie!

Friday was Grandparents Day at Addy's school. I got to go and have lunch and then we went to the Library and they took pictures. It was fun. I think Addy really enjoyed having me and her Nana there.

Colorado - Part 2

These are some of pictures from Colorado. It is a really pretty state. We hope to go back some day.

This is a sunset. It looks like a fire. It was really pretty.

This is Black Canyon National Park.

This is some of the wildlife we saw. Sorry so blurry.

We were sitting on the back porch and this deer just walked right on by.

This is a moose and her two babies. Sorry that is blurry. This was so cool to see.

Lyn and I were walking around town one day and this flower was was in a hanging basket at one of the shops. It is just Beautiful! I can not remember the name of it. It doesnt look real does it?

Yep - that is me. Yuck! But I was freezing! This was the day we got there and is was drizzling and the wind was blowing like crazy.

Back to the heat/school....

Fred and I went to Colorado last week. We had a great time. Fred caught lots of fish. We brought some home so we are going to have a fish fry for Nathan's birthday. It was so nice and cool there. I had never been to Colorado so I was really excited to go. We stay in Lake City with some friends. They have rented a house for 2 months this summer. Here are some of the pictures from out trip. Of course the weather decided to get HOT again(just when we returne

Next week back to school. Summer vacation is OVER :(

The Great Sand Dunes National Park was really cool. There are these sand dunes surrounded by mountains. Really strange.

Fred fishing in this stream that ran right down the middle of Lake City. So nice.

This is the house we stayed at. It was really nice inside. All the comforts of home. These are our friends/hosts. We had a great time. Thanks Lyn and Ronnie. See ya in September.

Got a new car....

I got a new Tahoe last week. My other one was 7 years old. The color is called Blue Granite. We test drove several different SUV's and finally decided on the Tahoe. Fred shopped around and got a really good deal. Looking forward to taking it on the road when we go to Colorado next month. We are going to Lake City. I have never been to Colorado so I am looking forward to it.

Meet Sophie

Fred went to Tractor Supply yesterday and came home with a puppy. They told him she is part lab and part retriever. She is 9 weeks old. I dont know what he was thinking. We do not need another dog. We are going to Colorado for 7 days next month, what are we going to do with her while we are gone. OMGoodness! Well she is a cutie and we will probably figure something out.

Field of Wildflowers

Fred and I took a walk in our pasture today. It was so pretty, all the different wildflowers.

I love Spring!!