Merry and Bright

I thought I would keep my post about Christmas simple. From the first decorations to the lovely day just spent with family; this is Christmas Lehman style.

 

 

 

Christmas Decorations

Stockings and Baskets

 

 Presents

 Presents in the Evening with Oma and Opa

Dinner

 After Dinner Activity

 Happy Birthday Benjy and Brittany!

 Whether we speak of the manger or of the cross, may we be reminded daily of the Father's love.

Merry Christmas!

Thanksgiving

In 1 Chronicles chapter 16, King David comes before the ark of the Lord and gives thanks. I thought this was a very appropriate chapter for the day we set aside to give thanks.

 

"Give thanks unto the LORD, call upon his name, make known his deeds among the people."

 

"Sing unto him, sing psalms unto him, talk ye of all his wondrous works."

 

"Glory ye in his holy name: let the heart of them rejoice that seek the Lord."

 

"Sing unto the Lord, all the earth, shew forth from day to day his salvation."

"Give unto the Lord the glory due unto his name: bring an offering and come before him: worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness."

 

"Let the sea roar, and the fullness thereof: let the fields rejoice, and all that is therein."

 

"O give thanks unto the Lord; for he is good; for his mercy endureth for ever."
 

 

Today I hope we can all take a break from our material lives and stop to thank God for what we truly cherish in this world. I would rather have my family, friends, and my little niece that's on the way than more clothes, a big flat screen TV, a month in Europe...you name it. Most of all I would rather have my Lord and Savior than anything. Health, safety, comfort...I would rather have Jesus.

 

Take a step back from the table piled with food, and the black Friday shopping cart that is full to the brim. What really matters to you? When you have the answer, then take some time to sincerely thank the Lord for the blessings of this life.

 

Thankfulness is so much more than a Facebook status declaring thankfulness for the trivial things in life. It cannot fit in a blog post, a short story, or a novel. Thankfulness, the real kind, is a way of life. It is not contained to one day, one month.

 

True thankfulness is shown in 1 Chronicles 16, when King David and all his people made sacrifices, music, and poetry declaring their love for the Lord. It is praising Him on the beautiful days and in the blackest of nights.

 

Take a deep breath and a moment to think. And then praise Him!

Girl's Night Out

 

With Benjy and Brittany's wedding only a week away, the girls decided to take a night away from the craziness at home. We decided to head to a little Bed and Breakfast in Monticello, about a half hour away from home. Brittany had no idea what we were planning. All she knew was that she had plans. Lucky for us, she fell asleep on the couch while everyone was arriving. We all gathered around the couch to wake her up. She was surprised to see us all around her, as her sister lives a few hours away.

 

So, armed with spa stuff, junk food, and laughter we loaded into the van.

 

 

This picture was without Brittany's bags, I think. Also, Ashley and Kaddie didn't have their things in this vehicle either. What can we say? We're girls ;)

 

Sparkling grape juice, yogurt covered pretzels, pumpkin roll, cuties, soda, candy...whew! Junk food abounds!

 

I picked up some different face masks and grabbed some of my Bath and Body lotions for our little spa time. We also borrowed a hand waxing machine for the night. As we snacked and talked we painted our nails, waxed our hands and, of course, had fun with the face masks!

 

 

I think we all liked the clay mask! If you ever want to creep someone out, just buy a tube of face mask! Don't you just love Brittany's mustache?

 

We had two adjoining rooms, which was nice since the rooms were a bit smaller than I had anticipated.

 

 

 

I may have broken the faucet. Oops. At least it provided some amusement! Everyone avoided that sink after I got sprayed.

 

After talking for a long time we watched a movie. I actually forget what it was called. It was about a football player and his daughter. After the movie, we were all pretty much comatose, so we headed to our respective rooms and crashed.

 

 

Jo and I shared this very large and comfortable air mattress. Next time I go camping I think I will take one of these! It was almost as comfortable as my bed at home.

 

We just spent one night at the B&B. It was a nice reprieve from the crazy wedding preparations that are taking place around here! On the way home everyone crashed. And by everyone, I mean all those in the backseat. Kim and I stayed awake, which is a good thing seeing as I was driving!

 

 

 

I love this group of girls! Even though this is the first time I have really spent time with Ashley and Kaddie, we had a blast! I am really looking forward to spending more fun times with these girls.

 

With only 4 days until the wedding, life is getting crazy around here! Hopefully I will get another post up here before the end of the week.

 

Thanksgiving Blessings!

 



Simple Pleasures

As the weather steadily darkens, cools, and changes our surroundings from green to a brilliant array of oranges, yellows and reds, I am feeling thankful. Fall means the beginning of all things warm and cozy: soup, fuzzy socks, oversized sweatshirts, and (best of all!!) campfires.

 

 

The other evening, with the sun shining brightly, my family gathered in our little forest area for a campfire. As the fire cheerily burned, we laughed and talked the evening away.

 

 

I don't have many blog posts that include my big bro!! Benjy is usually the absent one, but that has changed quite drastically in the past few weeks. Benjy and his fiancé Brittany are living with us right now! It has certainly added some excitement to our lives! Buddy, their adorable puppy, is along for the ride as well.

 

 

 
 

 

Do not be deceived by this little booger! He may appear fuzzy, adorable and cuddly, but he is really a crazed maniac dog whose mission in life is to make things difficult. Ok, and he is adorable. Needless to say, we all adore him.

 

Mick the faithful. Unlike Buddy, he is a well behaved gentleman. He likes to stand guard at the entrance to our forest area. Just in case there are any bad guys you know...

 

My little cousin Edie, who isn't so little anymore, got to spend the evening with us as well. Mary was especially happy that Edie came! She added a bit more sunshine to our gathering.

 

 

It was such a beautiful night. Even better, this evening didn't cost a lot of money, we didn't have to leave our house, and it didn't take a ton of effort. No, this was one of life's simple pleasures. It was one of those evenings where I couldn't imagine myself to be anywhere else.

 

This is my home, my family.

This was a day that the Lord made, and we rejoiced in the simple pleasure of it.

 

 

 

 

 



Love Beyond Measure

 

 

On the surface, one could look at this picture and see a traditional family; two parents, five children. The photograph is quite obviously an informal one, as there aren't any signs of matching clothing. All this is superficial. To fully experience this photograph, one must take a moment and go far beyond the superficial. That is where the real story unfolds.

 

This is my family. My father stands in the back, a very unassuming figure. Of average build and weight, nothing appears to be remarkable about him. It only takes one look in his face to see the kindness there. A smile spreads across his face, gently tilting down on the the left side. It lends him an air of mischievousness, and rightly so. Salt and pepper hair and reading glasses in his front pocket, he portrays his forty-eight years accurately. His right arms rests liesurely and lovingly on my mother, his wife of twenty-five years.

She is a woman of average height, wearing her customary denim skirt and modest top. The color of the top is a bright and cheery pink, very flattering with her graying black hair. Her sandals are the sensible ones that give support. She smiles easily at the camera, a customary expression for her, judging by the smile lines around her eyes. The glasses on her face are a current style, a definite upgrade from the old pair she wore. Overall, she looks like a mother, not drawing attention to herself, but giving all her time, energy and love into the family surrounding her.

My oldest brother Benjamin (Benjy), age 21, stands at the far left of the photo. He appears very confident and comfortable with himself. A dress shirt neatly tucked into a pair of dark jeans makes up his business casual look that he depends on every day. The usual blue colts cap is missing from his head, his matted hair being the telltale sign. Wire framed glasses somewhat hide his tired eyes, the only visible indication of his extreme work schedule. His beard grows coarsely and covers much of the lower half of his face. One arm hangs to his side loosely, and the other is wrapped around his girlfriend.

Brittany is easy going and fun to be around. Her wide smile and open face proves that point. Taller than all of the girls in my family, she is obviously the one that is not related. Light brown hair with a hint of red mingled in is in direct contrast to our family's deep brown hair. Yet, even though she could appear to the casual observer as the outsider, she blends well with our family. The family envelopes her, making her feel right at home. One hand rests on her hip, showing her spirit and determined attitude. After all, she was the one who helped convince Benjy that they were long overdue for a visit home.

Next in line of age would obviously be the girl in the deep pink ruffled shirt: me. I am seventeen and I do not appear any older than that. My looks are a strong mix of traits from my Mom and Dad. My body shape resembles that of my mom, as does my smile. From Dad I got the sparkle in my eye, giving the impression that I have a good sense of humor. The long, modest denim skirt adorning me is worn and faded. A cotton shirt shows that I care about looking nice, but also that I do not spend much money on clothing. I am playing with my hands, a habit I fall to when feeling self concious or impatient. My right arm rests on a teenage boy.

Perhaps someone with no previous experience with Down Syndrome would not take special notice of Isaac right away, but after another look anyone can see that he is not "normal." His eyes are the telltale almond shape of a person with Down Syndrome. The smile displayed on his face is tight and unnatural; he never has liked posing for pictures. Sport shorts, a construction yellow t-shirt and some knock-off brand of crocs complete the fifteen year old look. Three pens are perfectly placed in the shirt pocket, evenly spaced to the ever calculating eye of their owner. An outdated gray changepurse is clutched tightly in Isaac's hands, carrying the money he likes to use for his lunch. His arms and legs are kept carefully from anyone.

To his lower left the youngest leans awkwardly on the steps. Mary wears an orange shirt with black bermuda shorts. A bright and cheery smile serves as an accessory to her neon shirt. She inherited a very similar smile and overall look as I. Her dark brown hair is drawn back into a ponytail and, for extra measure, secured with a thick black headband. The freckles fanning out on her face could deceive the observer into thinking she were younger than her fourteen years. It is a face very deserving of the child with the baby of the family status.

We are joyful, connected, accepting, forgiving, and unconditionally loved...we are a true family. Though a picture may express a thousand words, no picture could capture the depth of the love my family has for one another. It goes beyond words that could be uttered in this world; perhaps in Heaven we will find the words to speak that can allow others to fully grasp the meaning of family.

 

 

 

Party Time!

It is birthday season around my house! 4 of the 6 people in my family living at home have their birthdays in September and October: Mom, Grandma, Isaac and I. I just have to say, I LOVE BIRTHDAYS!!! Ask anyone in my family :)

 

Mom's birthday is September 30th, so this is a little late. For her birthday Mary, Isaac and I made dinner. For her birthday dinner she requested tacos with all the fixings, homemade taco shells (she made them...), and chips with salsa. I must say, they were really delicious!

 

 

The cooks!

 

 

Yum! For dessert Isaac and I made an extreme chocolate mocha cake. I found the recipe on Pinterest (where else?) and it was seriously the best. cake. ever. Also the messiest...

 

 

As gifts Mom got several fall decorations, a journal, measuring cups, soap from bath and body, money and cards. Her favorite season is Autumn, so we used that as a guide for what to buy her. If you are looking for cute fall decorations, look at Hobby Lobby! Their stuff is super cute and reasonably priced.

 

 

The next birthday is mine! My birthday was today :) I had a really fun day at the Feast of the Hunter's Moon (if you have never been, look it up!) and then with a party just a few hours ago with the fam. It feels so strange to be 18. As a friend texted me earlier, "welcome to being an adult for the rest of your life!" Somehow that thought really just made me wish that I had somehow savored childhood more!

 

I didn't get any pictures of dinner, but I chose meatloaf, mashed potatoes, green beans, fruit salad, and chocolate cake with chocolate frosting. Once again...YUM! Mom made all of it and she did an amazing job of it too!

 

The collage above is all my gifts, as I am sure you figured out! Grandma gave me the two shirts in the top right corner that I have been eyeing for weeks at Target! The blue shirt has little birds all over it and a really cute belt. Mary gave me the silly gifts, as well as the $25 towards a laptop case. The silly glasses actually have a windup thing on the nose that moves the eyebrows and moustache automatically. Of course I look incredibly dignified when wearing them... Mom and Dad gave me a full KJV travel Bible and a pretty watch to wear on dressier occasions. I have been wanting a full travel Bible that had the old testament as well as the new testament, and this one is ADORABLE. They even got my name engraved on the cover! Isaac (in other words, Mom) got me two JJ Heller CDs. Since I drive to school 3 days a week I will really appreciate some new music to listen to!

 

Birthdays are really wonderful. They are such a great time to evaluate your life. Some things I want to do in this next year include reading the entire Bible in chronological order, keeping up with a journal, and growing in my walk with the Lord. Also, I really appreciated the love and support from others on this day. It is so neat to feel that love and to be able to give it back.

 

Blessings!



The Problem of Perfection

What is Perfection?

 



Perfection: somebody or something that has reached the highest attainable standard.

That is the definition I found when I typed define: perfection into Bing. But REALLY, what is perfection? As a Christian I believe that it is something that we should be striving for every moment of our life. God is perfect. Jesus set the perfect example for us when he came in human flesh to this dirty and sinful world.

Sadly, this is not the what the world is striving for. In the world, perfection takes on a menacing face, haunting our hopes and dreams, destroying confidence. Perfection has come to mean the Pinterest-perfect home, the new and perfect car, the perfect body, the perfect job...really it is enough to drive me insane! Peer pressure points each of us to find that "perfect" whatever.

Here is a startling revelation: We don't have to be perfect.

 

Now, please realize I am talking about in the world, not spiritually. God does not call the Christian to wear the right clothes, have the newest technology, or be like everyone else. Yet that is what we work toward, isn't it?! Yet God calls us to separate ourselves from the world.

 

Romans 12:2 - And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what [is] that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

 

In fact, this verse in Romans says separate yourself from the world IN ORDER TO find the perfect will of God!! Perfection is not the world!

 

Perfection is NOT Paula Deen cooking. Wouldn't God rather us serve others with whatever we have instead of never inviting people because we can't serve them gourmet or gorgeously presented food?

 

Perfection is not the size 2 body, or the size 8, or the size 16...or the size anything!! It is not the perfect short, revealing dress meant to garner attention. No, true perfection would never dare stoop so low. Wouldn't God prefer us to know we were created in His image and are therefore a beautiful creation NO MATTER OUR SIZE?! Wouldn't He rather us show our beauty through our hearts and attitudes than through revealing clothing?!

 

Perfection is not the car that screams wealth, that purrs like some sort of jungle cat, or that turns heads wherever you go. God wants us to live modest lives...and this my friends is not modest! It is something the world tells us we need.

 

Perfection is not having the most beautiful "stuff." It is not having the most talent or making the most beautiful music. When we come to judgment day, what will having the most beautiful stuff do for us? Nothing. God does not care if we cannot play the piano, sing, dance, write, etc. as well as the next person. Wouldn't God rather us using the talent He has given us to the best of our ability not to the best of their ability?!

 

God loves you. He does not want us to be perfect in the world's standards. He wants us to live to His glory and honor, holding the banner of Christ high. To do that we can be a terrible cook, we can be a size 4 or a size 14, we can own a hunk of junk car, and we can fail at carrying a tune. All God wants is for us to love Him with all our hearts, to listen with our spiritual ears to His direction, and to serve His people with love using whatever talent we have been granted.

 

So what is the problem of the world's standard of perfection? It isn't perfect. It makes us think that if our lives don't look like a fairy tale we are doing something wrong. Using that standard, any of us could get caught up in the pursuit of wealth and fame, the pursuit of stuff. 

 

So please. Don't be perfect. Don't strive to fit in with the world's standards. That is the last thing this world needs.   

 

Our world needs the love of Christ. So run, seek, and find that path to spiritual perfection that Christ has laid before us. Though I know I will never reach the level of perfection that Jesus exhibited, it is the journey to get there that counts. And I know He will walk beside me all the way if I earnestly and unwaveringly follow that path.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Indiana Beach

Our library did a special deal this summer, as they do most summers, which allows anyone to get into Indiana Beach for free if they read a certain amount of books. My family LOVES to read, so it was not a chore at all!! Armed with our free passes, Mom, Mary, Isaac and I headed to Monticello for a day of fun.

 

 

The only part of Indiana Beach that Isaac does not enjoy is the noise! Every time the roller coaster went roaring past he would quickly cover his ears.

 

Waiting for the Scrambler to start spinning

 

Mary HATES all the rides that spin or are fast, which rules out almost all of the rides! She went on the River Queen boat tour, the bumper cars, the ferris wheel, and also did Adventure Point with us. Otherwise it was just Isaac and I that did all the thrilling rides!

 

 

All three of us loved Adventure Point! First they buckled us into harnesses and then you followed a path, either the lower one or the one that was pretty far off the ground.  Mary did the lower one and Isaac and I did the higher one. Sometimes we were walking on beams, sometimes ropes, and sometimes on little stepping stones. I was impressed with how well Isaac did! It was really an impressive feat for him, considering how little balance he has! Mom decided to just watch and take pictures. :)

 

The music express was Isaacs favorite...until I squished him because of centrifugal force. :/ Oops! 

 

 

Mom, Isaac and I rode the swings together.

 

Isaac also really enjoyed the ride that takes you from one side of the park to the other. This was our overhead view of the taco shop.

Mary and Mom passed some of their time doing the arcade games and the game booths. She won a basketball from a 3 point basketball shooting game and also two stuffed dogs from a balloon toss.

 

 

It was such a blessing to have a day of fun with my family. It was a good end to our summer as well! Now Isaac is back in school, I start college on Monday, and Mary will start school after Labor day. Real life begins again :(

 

Have a blessed day!! Hopefully I can post again in the next few days!