WELCOMING A NEW BABY INTO THIS WORLD

We are excited to announce that we are expecting a little one on July 1, 2009. Tina is finished with her first trimester and entering into her second. We heard the baby's heartbeat today and it was beating 161/minute. We even heard a little kick....As we celebrate this Christmas season, we are just amazed by the miracle birth of our Savior Jesus Christ.

In Luke 1:39-45, we see that while John the Baptist was in his mother's womb, he leaped for joy as baby Jesus was in Mary's womb while visiting them. The baby's jump was a sign to both Mary and Elizabeth that they were in the middle of God's special plan. We see this as a miracle and a great expectation of what was to come. There are so many reasons to celebrate Christmas this year, we first go back to the miracle of baby Jesus being born. We have an awesome Savior.

Tina and Emma

Tina teaches piano every Wednesday evening. This picture is Tina with one of her piano student's little sister Emma. Emma's funniest words are, "I wanna eat a tookie with milt". She is a mixed kid, and maybe ours will look just as adorable.

White Christmas

Today, Chicagoland was hit by a big snowstorm, accumulating to almost a foot of snow. We are still expecting another two big snow days for the next week. I guess after all, it will be a white Christmas. Nathan and I are enjoying each other's company, staying in to watch Christmas movies and playing with our cat Annie.

In the following photo, we see Annie perched in her favorite position. We did not put her on Nathan's back, she climbed on there all by herself. She is adorable.

Thanksgiving in Missouri

We spent Thanksgiving in Missouri with my eldest brother, my sister in law, my two nieces and my mom. It was an 8 hour drive, but we took two days to drive it because we don't want to be too tired. It was a great thanksgiving. This was the first time I ever had a "turdukin" which is a chicken and duck inside of a turkey without its bones. It was awesome.

Nathan will start a new job on Dec 8. We are very thankful for God's provision for us. I am still working hard at the substance counseling abuse place. I am starting a 10 week outpatient substance abuse group for clients with behavioral problems. I hope God will use me greatly there. I hope to give these kids a little glimpse of what life with Christ is like.

As we enter the Christmas season, I am reminded of the passage in Col 1:15-23, where we learn that Christ is an incarnate representation of God, and He is God. Not only is he God, He rules over creation because He made it and sustains it. The true meaning of the Gospel reminds me to stand firm and live our lives based on the hope of the gospel. Although all the gifts and family time is nice during Christmas, I really don't want to lose sight of the deeper meaning behind Christmas. My prayer is that Nathan and I will make plans and priorities necessary to honor and celebrate this season for the right reason.