The Gift

One little baby, born more than 2,000 yrs ago, in a stable no less, in a small, poor country. No electricity, no tv (what?), no newspapers, not much of anything really. Just people trying to survive with hardship and the same wants and needs that we have. The mark of time is counted from the year of His birth (B.C and A.D.), almost every country on earth celebrates His birth with songs, gift giving, time off from work and school, unique customs and foods, and special decorations and a spirit of thinking of others. As a homebirth midwife for more than 30 yrs., I really appreciate the fact that His mom labored on a donkey on their way to Bethlehem. I can't imagine how hard that must have been....Then He was born in a stable, surrounded by animals and all that comes with them...I know that God made a little place for them, a circle of love where Jesus was born...Who would think that one little baby born in a stable would have such an impact on the world 2000 yrs later? Why is that? What difference does it make? Who was this baby? And what does all of that have to do with me and my life? Well, it's huge, all of it.

When He was born, there were shepherds looking after their sheep/goats, whatever, in the fields surrounding the town. All normal, right? All of a sudden, an angel appears to them and scares them half to death and tells them to not be afraid because he has brought them some good news.
The angel said," I'm here to announce to YOU a GREAT and JOYFUL event, that is meant for EVERYONE worldwide. A SAVIOR, who is Christ the Lord." Lk 2:8-11 Then the angel told them how to find the baby and they went to go see for themselves. So, His birth was to be a joyful celebration for all of us. It doesn't matter who you are or what you've done or not done, what you have or don't have, where you come from or where you're going. This is for all of us then and now. We didn't even know we needed a Savior, but God did and He loved us enough to give us one. John 3:16 He loves us on our good days, bad days, when we're mean to each other, even if we don't love Him, He still loves us. Nothing can make Him not love us. Romans 8:38 says that "neither death, nor life, not angels, nor principalities (demons), nor things present, nor things to come, not powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus." Well, that just about covers it, don't you think?

In John 1:1 it says that in the beginning was the Word and that the Word was God....then in verse 14 the Bible says that the Word (God) became flesh and dwelt among us. The Message says, "and the Word became flesh and blood and moved into the neighborhood." I love it! God did move into the neighborhood when He was born in human form as a baby in Bethlehem. What a neighborhood we are too! Fighting with each other, wanting what somebody else has, being selfish and self centered, stressed and crabby with each other. Don't you feel like saying sometimes, "Get me outa here!!" Well, God heard our cry and sent salvation..JESUS, the reason for the season! Jesus grew up and became a man, gave us examples of how to live and stretched out His arms and died willingly for all of our sins, past, present and future. He made a way for us to be able to be with God. To have relationship with Him. To hang out with Him like with a friend.

Christmas is a gift. A joyful celebration of this gift and God's love for everybody and His way of giving us a bridge to fellowship with Him. So it's a birthday party! Let's celebrate! What do you do at a birthday party? Sing happy birthday? Eat cake? Play games? Laugh, visit, eat a meal? Give gifts? Well, what are you going to give to Jesus, this year? He doesn't really need anything, right? Try to think of something....maybe this year, be available to those that need your help..or share what you have with others, or spend more quality time with those that love you...we can think of something to give Him, I know we can. After all, He gave us everything....

Thank You, Lord

Thanksgiving time!! I have so much to thank you for Lord. I have my family, my salvation, the light of Your word in my life. You have given me my senses; sight, sound, touch, taste, smell and then You have created the earth with things to fill my senses..The sight of color and nature, of crazy looking animals like that lizard in New Zealand or Australia that runs at you and flips out this goofy looking collar thing! Not to mention centipedes or worms, rhinos, elephants...What a variety of sights...smiles, snow, sunshine, stars and moon! The smell of my kids when they come inside after playing in the sun, puppies, a brand new baby only minutes old. Food cooking like bread, flowers and fresh cut grass....The feel of wind, of a new baby's skin, or of someone that you love holding your hand, the feel of a hug from a friend..warm and solid. You, Lord, thought of everything before anything was created. You thought of me, my life, my need for You, Your love for me even though I fail and don't do things right. You made a way for me to You. You loved me enough to come down here, to this place to live among us that didn't and don't give a rip for You, and then You gave Yourself up to death to pay for my sin and the right to be called Your child. Lord, how can I thank You? That you would even think of me....You also created compassion, love, families, all of those things and people that bless us. Thank You also for music. For low riders especially old Chevys!! LOL! Lord, help us to never forget that You provide everything that we need, even what we desire according to Your riches in glory. That You and You alone are in control, that You have a plan for us. To prosper us and not to harm us..That You have PROMISED to NEVER leave us or forsake us, even to the end of the age..That there is but one name given to men by which we must be saved, the name of JESUS. Thank You for it all Lord, I love You.....

Fall !!

Don't ya' love autumn? All the leaves are turning, it's getting colder outside, holidays are coming, you see woodsmoke in chimneys, and for some reason I always want to cook up a storm. Apple frittters, stews, donuts, soups, etc. Makes me think of time with family, projects to do during the winter months, stuff like that. I have been blessed by God. My kid's are great, my husband has a heart for God, He provides everything we need and then some, we are healthy and we live in the greatest country on the earth. I know we need to improve some things, but it still is the greatest! I wonder what the election will bring? I'm praying for our leadership and a change of heart for those that don't know Jesus. I know that God is in control of everything and that we don't need to worry about who will be elected, but I sure hope it's McCain. I really don't want a leader that is not willing to stand up for the unborn. If he can't give protection to those without a voice, how will he care for the rest of us? Why would he even care what is good for this country? I will be really glad when it's all over, the election that is :), I'm tired of the ads, the signs, and the people that say the dumbest things because they are famous. Anyway, I love autumn and hope all of you out there have a great day and a safe night. Blessings.........Mary

Awesome Fall Day

Well, it is so pretty outside and I'm stuck inside being sick. Third day of a crappy cold. My head feels like it's in a box, everything muffled. Which could be a good thing when you have 11 kids at home. Everyone here is into pumpkins and such. Baking zucchini bread, fried green tomatoes, etc. All the autumn stuff....Pita decided to have a barn dance for the kid's that come to her ranch here. Disabled adults from high school age and up.. Should be fun. Food, games, dancing and a d.j. for the music. I'll have to get pictures and put them up. Hope I feel better soon. This being sick really cramps my style. Later......

My Great Grandbaby!!!:)

I got to help my great-grandbaby get born this morning.. What a blessing to see the wonder of God's creative plan unfold before my eyes. He has put into place blessing, redemption, and His purpose into our lives, if we could only pay attention and realize it. When all of the country is in turmoil, His plan holds together. The world system sucks and always has problems, but God's plan never fails.....Even if it all fails, money, building and buying stuff, countries threatening each other with nucs, HE is still in control and we can totally trust Him to bring us through. Reminds me of the hymn, I think it is "Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus". If we look into His face and keep our eyes on Him, then the things of this world grow "strangely dim in the light of His glory and grace."

Hope you all have a great day.....it's my great-grandbaby's birthday......God loves us and what more could we ask for!!!:)

Speedy

Well, got called for a birth yesterday. First time mom, one week over. Pita and I were already in town doing prenatal visits so we went right over to her house. She had that baby in 2 hrs. from start to finish. What a cutie!! We didn't even have time to get the birth tub filled!! It always amazes me this birth stuff. What a great design God has done:) Kid's are the best thing and I can't imagine anything better.
Speaking of kid's, Isaias, my 17 yr old son, just got back from SC. Man, we missed him. His brothers are so glad to have him home. It really leaves a hole in the fam when one of them is gone. I can really feel it.
Today it's a trip to the orthodontist and checking that new baby, grocery shopping (I hate it!) and who knows what else with 11 kids at home. Not to mention, trying to get our pool finished before winter sets in. We only started this dumb project in May! Boy, life really gets in the way sometimes.....

Bye for now!!

September 15, '08

Well, I can't believe that summer is history. It went way too fast for my liking. I love having my kids home with me and not in school. Also, I hate getting up to an alarm at 5:30 in the morning. I'd much rather be wakened by the phone to go to a birth. My daughter, (in picture with me) is my assistant and we have one mom who is a few days over, having her 1st baby after being told 8 yrs ago that she would never conceive. I love it! God's ways are not our ways, and we can totally trust Him to do the best for us. If I've learned anything about birth, it is how not to expect the expected. Be open to all things, and trust in the Creator, not in the creation. His design is awesome. Not just birth and women's bodies, but everything. He has thought of the tiniest details of the world. He truly is a wonder. I've been a midwife for 35 yrs. and I'm still totally hooked on it. The process, the families, the emotions, all of it. Each and every one is unique, just like the people involved. There is so much more to learn and experience. As I get older I appreciate it more I think. It's kind of weird being 61 and feeling like you did your whole life. Mentally that is. It takes me more time to recover from the workout of a birthing now. I used to feel better than the new mom the next day, now she's in way better shape than me!!!

Well, time to go.. Making apple butter today. Blessings.......