What is all this BCE and CE stuff?

Did you know that if you look in many of your child's 

textbook these days, you will most likely see dates 

that say "400 BCE" instead of the "400 BC" 

that you grew up?

And the year we live in is now referred 

to as "2014 CE" instead of "2014 AD"

So what is this BCE and CE stuff?

It's a "non-offending" way to date things 

claiming to be a bit more accurate. You know, for 

the wise and educated people.

You see "BCE" stands for "Before the Common Era" but it

still is based on the same date in history when Jesus Christ 

was born.....you know, "Before Christ"....

And "CE" stands for "Common Era" which is

used instead of AD (not "After Death" but

 the Latin "Anno Domini" meaning in the year of our Lord).

I'm sorry, since when does a calendar acronym offend people?

This appears to me like a subtle way to rename something

in hopes that the next generation will hear about Christ less and less....

Just like Santa stealing the spotlight of Christmas, this

seems to be a way to "quietly" take Christ out of the calender.

 

Not sure why this bothers me so much but it does....I don't

want my children to believe they are just living in the COMMON ERA.

They are living in the time After Death but before the return of Christ....

The day when the calendar no longer matters....

but what you believe does...

Sacrifice....surrender.....

Ever wrestle with a choice that keeps popping up but you really 

don't want to make the difficult decision?

Maybe you try a new approach to the problem 

and hope things will get better.....

.....But it doesn't......

....because deep down, you know to really address the problem....

....you might actually have to give up something...

This is how I felt about "THE HOME SCHOOL" decision...

You see, summer was coming to a close and 

my youngest was going to Kindergarten ALL DAY.

The "light at the end of the tunnel" was almost here!

There was that hint of the long awaited freedom of mothering young ones
and finally some time with my husband!

Everyone kept asking...."what are you going to do all day?"....

I didn't really know but I knew I would find something to do for 
30 hours a week while my three children were at school!

BUT, Sarah had a very difficult 3 weeks as she attempted to transition

to middle school this past September. Her anxiety levels were

extremely high due to that fact she threw up just 4 months before

which is her worst fear (emetophobia).

It became more and more apparent that the 

learning environment was too difficult for her and 

we might have to consider pulling her out.

Bryan was very supportive about my teaching abilities and

passion for curriculum and learning. 

I was more concerned of the extreme contrast of

personalities and learning styles of
 the teacher and the student.

BUT God spoke through many other people 
and after prayers and quiet time listening....

.....I knew I was being asked to
sacrifice my free time and become the 
teacher I always wanted to be....

It was for her benefit....to provide her an environment
to learn and grow in her faith.....

The reward far outweighted the cost....and so I raised my white flag....

The journey so far has had it's ups and downs....


There have been many "down" days that test my patience 
as a mom and a teacher....

Those days I vent my frustrations to God and say...."See, I knew this would happen!!! How is this even worth it? I can't do this anymore.".....

And then my wise teacher gently reminds me....
"this is not about you....this is for her good and MY GLORY...."

But the "ups" now outweigh the "downs" and I have truly gotten
to know my daughter so much better over the past three months as we have spent one-on-one time each and every week day. 

She is an amazingly, creative person whose laughter explodes out
of her heart and fills the house with indescribable joy!

A girl now transforming into a beautiful young woman 
who loves Jesus with a bold faith that takes my breath away....

but my sacrifice doesn't even compare to 
the sacrifice of the one who loves me.....

I guess sacrifice is something that 

LOVE DOES.... 

What does Christmas look like.....then & now...

One of my treasured childhood memories of Christmas 

is visiting a live nativity that my church did each year....

The breathtaking view of a simple stable 

with a baby laying in a manger of hay.....

.....people there to come and adore Him....Jesus...the reason for the season.

...hearing the classic hymns playing softly in the background........

"Away in the Manger.....no room for a bed...

..the little Lord Jesus laid down his sweet head...."

...as a little girl of 8 years, I dreamed that 
one day maybe I could be Mary....

Now I am a grown woman and I gaze around at what Christmas 

looks like just 30 years later......and my heart is sad....

The nativity scenes.....they are few and far between..

..most of made of plastic now.....

The signs around town display where Santa will be visiting next 

so all can come and take their picture with them 

and tell him what they want for Christmas this year....

The big focus on GETTING rather than GIVING....

The stores are selling elves that watch 
over you to see if you are being good.....

But God is already watching you and His arms are wide 

open in love....ready to meet your every need....not the 

"wants" of a new gadget or the newest fashion "must-have"....

So, what does Christmas look like around you?

Does it remind you of your past? 

This generation is critical because we still remember 
when it was OK to tell

someone "MERRY CHRISTMAS" 
instead of "HAPPY HOLIDAYS"....

...when it was OK to say you believed in JESUS and 

that Christmas is when we celebrate his birthday!

So this year.....my calling is to bring the Christ back into CHRISTmas....

More about giving and less about getting...

So we all went to the manger together....

....a Christmas event that families can attend & take their picture not with Santa but with the King of Kings....the best gift that was given!

December 2014 was the first MIRACLE IN THE MANGER event....

...and nearly 100 people came to adore the newborn King.....the images captured that day are filled with the beauty of His glory and they take my breath away....follow the link below to see some of the images of the Christ child and some of his treasured children....

MIRACLE IN THE MANGER.....