I Painted This?

I painted again. First time with acrylic.

Brave Dancer

Lil’ Dancer in the school program...

And Now, Goodnight...

It was a good day. And now, goodnight. 😊

Christmas Night

The house had emptied. The blessed mess ignored. The twinkle lights still twinkling. And the younger children placed lovingly in bed.

I was brushing the silky hair of my older daughter when I saw her shoulders start to shake. I saw her wipe her eyes with her hands and I knew, without looking at her face, that she had tears falling down.

Oh my dear sweet girl.

I tied up the bottom of her braid and gently spun her around to wrap her tight against my chest.  I held her. And I then held her longer. I pressed her forehead and nose against mine. I wiped her tears. Squeezed her thin body stronger, trusting that her words would come in the safe embrace of her Mama.

And they did.

"I just don't want the day to end..." She managed to form the words in my ear.

"Oh my baby... I know how you feel."

And I do know how she feels.

Christmas day as a child can feel magical. Too wonderful for words.

The delights of a beautiful home, a loving family, many gifts, good food, games and goodness. And then welcoming friends like family (because family is far), laughter filling the rooms, more good food, a joyous loving atmosphere.

There is really nothing like it. Who wants it to end?

Her heart was full and now the day must end and tomorrow must go on. And tomorrow will not be like today.

Sadness.

I understand.

But I can feel in my own heart and in the heart of my daughter what is really happening.

She is longing for something more.

The fullness of her heart after a day like today feels like home. Today felt like belonging. It felt right.  It felt like the fullness of joy.

Because it was. It IS.

It is right.

My girlie was CREATED for more than this world has to offer.

She was created for days such as today. Days full of holy delights. Full of love. Full of friends and family. Full of the goodness of God. Full of worship. Full of the presence of God in the midst of all.

She was created for ETERNITY.

Yes. Eternity.

Just as I was.

Just as you were.

And the realization of what was happening in her spirit sunk into mine... my own eyes brimmed with tears as I told her of the things that filled my heart and thoughts. My heart poured out...

She was meant to exist in days like today.

She was meant to live an eternity of joyous, full-of-heart childlike Christmas days.

And those days will come.

He will come.

He came once many years ago to begin His Great Rescue Plan, and my hope is set on him coming again. He will come. I am certain of it. He will make all things right. He will take us home. And we will enjoy an eternity of beautiful full-of-heart days together in Him.

Maybe your Christmas day brings pain and not joy. I am deeply sorry. But take heart, for you were created for more. You were created to life an eternity of beautiful days with God and man in heaven.

Earth is not home.

Do you hear me?

We were not created to live in this place as it is now. With pain and hurt and sadness and sin and Christmas days that only come once a year. We were created for heaven. That is our design. And it will come to pass.

So of course there was a longing in my girlie's heart this night.

The longing is in my heart also.

I long for eternity.

Christ came as an infant. He lived perfectly yet has died to pay the price for our sins. He took our sin to make us clean so that we can enter the presence of a Holy God. All we must do is put our trust in Him. He will come once more and all will be settled at last.

Oh what a blessed Christmas night this is.

My own heart is full from a day full of holy delights and also from a hope for the future that is so much bigger than myself.

May you have peace and joy and HOPE for you and yours tonight, for we have much to look forward to in Christ.

He is coming to take us home, to live an eternity of full-of-heart days.

Merry Christmas, for the one who has come to save us from our sins has come to earth. Hallelujah.

Merry Christmas!

Jesus. He is born! My heart is full. May He draw you nearer Himself this Christmas.

Tiny Giver

Little lady working hard preparing gifts for 8 of her teachers. White board markers, what a good idea. She says they are always running ‘round trying to find a single marker to use! She’s so happy, precious little giver.

Well Cared For

Spent most of my evening in bed fighting a migraine. By the time the younger kids went to bed I had been given a collection of stuffed animals and a very large card to comfort me. There was also an offer of tea. But the best was Mister B, before going to bed came in to tell me “If you need anything Mama, just yell for me...” If that doesn’t just melt your heart...

Reminder (Shepherd's Meal)

Here is your Shepherds’ Meal Reminder! Last year we had a Shepherds’ Meal on Christmas Eve. Fresh Herb bread, cheese, dried meats, cheeses, nuts, dried fruits, cut vegetables, etc. No cooking, nothing to time right, and leftovers to nibble after church at night. Also a great way to remember the Shepherds’ journey to see the Messiah. I highly recommend it! Consider yourself reminded!

Orthadontist Outing

We Uber to the Orthadontist, share earbuds in the backseat, and listen to Freakonomics podcast together. I like it. I like him.

My Happy Place

My happy place and natural habitat. Morning reading time with my kiddos. Surrounded by books, tea, candles, coloring. We sang hymns, read poetry and stories and history and grammar. We reflected on advent. We colored maps and prayed for nations. (We also have some whining and attitudes, naturally... that is learning too!) But delightful nonetheless.

Howard Carter's House (Aswan and Luxor Part 9)

Near the Valley of the Kings is the home of Howard Carter. Carter was a British Archaeologist and Egyptologist who discovered the burial site of Tutankhamen in 1922.

Most of us have heard of King Tut. But did you know he was famous not for anything he did for Egypt or because of his reign as Pharaoh? In fact he had a very short reign marked by young age and sickness. He is famous simply because his is one of the only Pharonic Burial sites that was discovered largely in tact, and hadn't been ruined by grave robbers. So it is because of his tomb that we have learned so much about Egyptian burials and have beautiful artifacts to lay eyes on.

So Howard Carter was the man who was convinced he could find that site in the Valley of the Kings. Despite many obstacles, he succeeded!

And while he searched and then later dug and cataloged thousands of items from the site, this is the place he called home.

We managed to tour the inside after much confusion at where tickets could be purchased. Which, strangely and frustratingly isn't at the house itself. Well, now we know. Eventually after much protesting and pleas for help... (Hello, do you see my four children tired out from just walking all over the Valley of the Kings? Please don't make us load them up again to go buy a ticket somewhere else!!!!) ...a man jumped on his motorcycle and took care of it for us. Whew. There is ALWAYS a way. Ha!

It was a modest home, built to stay cool in the hot temperatures. I hoped it worked for him!

Sitting at his very desk...

Also on the site of the house is a replica of Tutankhamen's Tomb. The actual tomb inside the Valley of the King's isn't open to tour (don't ask me), but they built this replica which actually serves the same purpose. Cool!

Compared to the other tombs we had walked in that day, this one was remarkably small. Like, teensy weensy.

Does the photo of that mask below look familiar? That's King Tut's burial mask. It lies in the Egyptian Museum in Cairo along with many of the artifacts. A breathtaking display!

The Valley of the Kings (Aswan and Luxor Part 8)

The next morning, we awoke to venture to the world famous Valley of the Kings. 63 tombs are located in this valley. You'd never guess it from the outside...

Except for maybe these two fellas on guard outside the complex.

Here is a model (off the internet) of the valley with all the tombs marked.

And here is the underside of a model in the visitors center where you can see the number and depth and size and length of the main tombs. It's hard to see from these photos, but it's truly remarkable.

This was another place that was full of tourists! We are always happy to see that... so good for the economy.

So we bought tickets and jumped aboard this tram to take us a distance up the valley.

The ticket allows you to enter three tombs. So after some research, we chose our first one. Ramses IV.

What you find inside is truly breathtaking.

The colors and carvings are beautiful.

Of course much of it is faded now, but let me tell you, these Pharoahs had my taste in colors!

Some of the tunnels were quite long.

Hieroglyphics. So many hieroglyphics. And all of it full of meaning and beliefs.

Once back outside, we sat to make a choice for the next tomb. At this point all Bridger wanted to do was watch Shrek on Mike's phone, ha! Classic toddler in world famous place.

We hiked further in to the Valley. The crowd got thinner the further we walked.

Well, some walked. Some were carried.

Another rest (it was a gorgeous day but still hot in the sun).

And more reading aloud from the tour book. Wow I love me a good tour book. I love learning!

More tunnels, colors, carvings, etc.

It wasn't just tunnels. It was also large rooms deep in the earth.

For sarcophagi, obviously! That was the whole point.

And onto the last tomb we chose.

Wow. Still incredible.

And then back to the tram for the return ride.

I'd like to know SO MUCH MORE about The Valley of the Kings. What an interesting and lovely visit it was.