Merry Christmas

Today is December 26 and Mary, Joel and I are 2/3 of the way into our Christmas celebrations. We opened gifts at my parents' house on Sunday afternoon. My Grandma, who recently celebrated her 98th birthday, got to meet Joel for the first time. My grandma was born in Oklahoma a few years after statehood. While attending school in Jones, OK, she played basketball. One of the venues for their games was the Round Barn in Arcadia. She is literally a world traveler having served as a missionary in Kenya, Australia, and the small Caribbean Island of Cayman Brac, among other places.

Monday, Christmas Eve, my brother Joel and I helped my dad clear a bunch of limbs from the recent ice storm. It was a fun excuse to ride a 4wheeler and run a chain saw. Liam and Luke helped as well. They both felt pretty sure that this selfless act secured their spot on Santa's "Nice" list.

After a great Christmas Day lunch at Joel and Stefani's house, Mary and I returned to Edmond where we exchanged gifts. I got Mary a small digital camera for her to keep in her purse/diaper bag. Here is a cute picture she took of Joel and a mom/son self-portrait.

We look forward to the coming weekend with Mary's family in Texas. I trust that God is blessing you during this Christmas season.

N - Ice Storm 2007

When reading the title of this blog you have to use your best news anchor announcer voice . . .  Ice Storm 2007!!!  Seriously, Oklahoma did get hit with a pretty good ice storm this weekend.  Here are some pictures from our house.

Bradford pear tree (AKA worst tree known to mankind) in our front yard

Live oak tree in our backyard (my dad and I planted this on Mary and my wedding day), hopefully this one will make it

Mary's rose bush

N - Joel & cousin Nick

Mary, Joel and I went to Dallas this past weekend for Michaela's birthday party. It was our first trip outside of OKC with Joel and he did really well. We took him to the Dallas Christmas parade on Saturday morning.

We watched the OU game Saturday night. I didn't let Joel wear his OU outfit though as it proved unlucky against Texas Tech. Plus Joel's Sooner loyalty is somewhat in question as he peed all over my OU sweatshirt when I got home from the Bedlam game.

While in Dallas Joel got to meet his cousin Nick for the first time. Nick is 3 days older than Joel. He is Michaela's little brother. Joel outweighs Nick by a pound or so (mostly in his cheeks).

Joel really likes his swing a lot these days. He's starting to resist sleep a little bit (uh oh!) but this often does the trick.

N - Deep Thoughts

Isn't it interesting how you often see something new in the Bible after reading the same passage a thousand times?

I often find myself in Mark 15 when I am pondering Christ's sacrifice.  I have read these verses many, many times but I noticed something new this Sunday.  Right before Jesus gave up his spirit, he cried out in a loud voice "My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?" (NLT)  These words have always rung loud in my conscious as a powerful example of Christ's humanity.  It is obvious that he truly felt separate from God.  He was completely alone.  I never realized though that at that moment when God had turned his back on him, Christ was actually quoting scripture (Ps 22:1).  Christ was God and he was carrying out God's plan for salvation.  It was a very "Godly" thing to say but at the same time very "human".  I think it is the perfect balance of Christ's divinity and humanity.

N - Sunset Answers

I know you have been waiting with anticipation so here are the correct answers.

A = Great Salt Lake in SLC, Utah (taken on our way to Yellowstone in September 2007)

B = Edmond (taken from on top of our roof last week)

C = Lake Murray in Ardmore (taken at Sooner Youth Camp 2006)

D = Edmond (taken from on top of our roof in the fall of 2006)

E = Maui (taken in February 2005)