O Christmas Tree!

This is a momentous post. As of this week I've officially written over 100 posts. Small-time for many of my blogger friends, but reason enough to celebrate for me :).

I've seen many posting their Christmas trees so I thought I'd post the Terry's Tree. This year's is my favorite.

Merry Christmas!

This was another full weekend. I've been rehearsing the choir at our church for the last three weeks and trying to build our numbers. It's been difficult in this busy season. I even had to beg Vance to sing tenor because we only had two other tenors. Actually, he did it happily. I thought everything went really well.


We showed up with all our kids at 2pm on Saturday and rehearsed with the band and the choir. We broke at 5pm to have dinner at the church then service at 6:30pm. We got home about 9pm. Everyone was exhausted.


The alarm went off at 6:45am this morning. This was the first morning Kael, Morgan and Rachie didn't climb into my bed and wake me up, but I had to get up and get ready. We arrived at church at 8am and did the two services this morning.


Later on, we went to Sam's and got home for just enough time to sit and feed Tristan. Then, at 4:30 I packed up my keyboard and went to a conference center down the street to set it up so I could lead some carols at a banquet for our AWANA leaders. It was tons of fun. Those AWANA people really know how to throw a party.


So, my intentions over the last three weeks were to be prepared for all the singing events, have my Christmas cards finished and sent out, have the house cleaned and the gifts wrapped before Christmas Eve. It looks like another Christmas Eve being up until 2am wrapping and some will receive their cards a little late. But, the good thing about that is that those who receive a late card will also get our new and improved picture.


Here it is.

Merry Christmas from the Terrys!

Advent Conspiracy

Survivor Part Three

Although Mae Louis Westervelt and her husband never attained their dream of providing a home for missionary children, God did allow them to secure several low-cost homes in Denny Terrace, a community near Columbia Bible College. These were rented to students and to missionaries home on furlough. With a sensitive heart, Mae Louise prayed, wrote and gave sacrificially to those serving God on foreign fields. Then, unexpectedly, she was hit for the fifth time. "One day as her husband changed a tire by the roadside, he was killed by a drunken driver."

But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the surpassing greatness of the power may be of God and not from ourselves; we are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not despairing; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying about in the body the dying of Jesus, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body (2 Corinthians 4:7-10)

"Undaunted, Mae Louis walked the streets of Denny Terrace, selling Avon products to support her adopted son, and sharing the good news of life in Christ. On Fridays she visited the sick in the hospital. On Thursdays there was an evangelistic home visitation, at other times there were Bible studies with the unsaved." As unknown yet well-known...as sorrowful yet always rejoicing, as poor yet making many rich, as having nothing yet possessing all things" (2 Corinthians 6:9, 10)

Then came the sixth wave. "A pacemaker extended her fragile life, but she just kept pressing on. Sunday morning she would gather a load of little boys in her rattly old Plymouth, bring them to Sunday School and sit with them as they wiggled their way through the worship service." At Christmastime Dr. McQuilken told her, "You are one of my true heroes!" A hero she was, a soldier of the cross. Mae Louise had lived at Calvary, making the bitter sweet, and her God had not let her drown. Nor had she let Him down. She endured as seeing Him who is invisible (Hebrews 11:27). Then one day, having been "poured out as a drink offering upon the sacrifice and service of others' faith" (Philippians 2:17), while sipping tea as she sat on her living room sofa, she heard her Lord say, "Come home, and we'll dine together at My table."

Someday, Beloved, He will call you home. How comfortable will you be when you see Him face to face, the God of Calvary? How well have you fought the good fight? How well have you kept the faith?

The December 10 entry from Teach Me How To Live by Kay Arthur

Survivor Part Two

From Teach Me How To Live
A second devotional journey with
Kay Arthur

The Psalmist asked: "What shall I render the Lord for all His benefits toward me?" (Psalms 116:12). What is the answer? Would it not be to live at the cross, letting the bitter be made sweet rather than making me bitter? Would it not be to drink the cup by taking up my cross even as Jesus took up His cross, saying, "Father...not my will, but Thine be done; if it pleases Thee, it pleases me"?

I read of such a woman, to me a heroine of the faith, whose story will probably never be in print except here and in The President's Letter, where I read it. The President's Letter is a publication sent out by Roberston McQuilkin, president of Columbia Bible College, a man Jack and I love and admire. In April, 1982, he told the story of Mae Louise Westervelt. When I read her story I remembered my experience at the beach. Mae Louise was a survivor. She knew the God of Calvary, and, because of this, the bitter was palatable.

The child of missionary parents, Mae Louise's dream was to provide a home for missionary children. Her husband shared that dream. "She was carrying her firstborn when her husband was crippled in body and spirit in a terrible automobile accident. Partially recovered, he carried on valiantly, but little Mae Louise was destined to carry the spiritual thrust of the family."

While recovering from the first wave, they were hit by a second - their newborn son was born helplessly handicapped. The third wave came years later when at the age of eleven their son drowned. But life went on - without bitterness. "For Thy sake we are being put to death all day long; we were considered as sheep to be slaughtered" (Romans 8:36). A fourth wave was to hit when their daughter, a few weeks away from graduation from the University of South Carolina, was killed in an automobile accident. "But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us" (Romans 8:37). Undaunted, Mae Louise did not give up; she kept on leading the missions program in her little Baptist church, teaching the teenage girls, and shepherding the children of the neighborhood. A fifth wave, a sixth would come, again she would say, "The Lord preserves the simple; I was brought low, and He saved me" (Psalms 116:6). You can say the same, if you will He saves you. He preserves you at Calvary. Don't give up. Fight the good fight of faith.

Tagged at Christmas

Alrighty, Alexis. I think the Rachel you mentioned in your blog was me and I was sent an email with these same 25 things from someone else and thought it might be fun so here goes...

1) Egg Nog or Hot Chocolate? I like both. After reading two blogs talking about an eggnog latte I’ve really got a hankerin’ to try it.

2) Does Santa wrap presents or just sit them under the tree? We do both. This year little Rachie is getting the coolest tricycle I’ve ever seen and there’s no way we can wrap it. Vance doesn’t like getting up early so there’s always an unwrapped toy or two for them to play with until we can drag ourselves out of bed.

3) Colored lights or white? I like both. Our tree actually has both. It actually looks like something you’d find in Las Vegas.

4) Do you hang mistletoe? No, but that would be cute for a couples Christmas party.

5) When do you get out your decorations? Every year I say I’m going to start in October, but we just got our decorations down from the attic yesterday.

6) Favorite holiday dish, excluding dessert? Mashed potatoes and gravy. Sometimes I shock myself with how much I can eat.

7) Favorite holiday memory as a child? My mom never ceased to amaze us. Even when we were on welfare and living in Section 8 housing, she always managed to give us a good Christmas. When my mom married my step dad we got a video camera and he always got out of bed before we did so he could film us getting up with our bed heads. So early, in fact, that it was still dark outside when we opened presents.

8) When and how did you learn the truth about Santa? My little brother told me. We were living in Alaska and Stephen brought me downstairs and opened a closet to show me all the unwrapped gifts waiting for Christmas Eve. I was so sad.

9) Do you open a gift on Christmas Eve? We open only one gift on Christmas Eve. It gets the kiddos really pumped for Christmas morning. Oh, my goodness that sounds horrible.

10) How do you decorate your trees? We try to stuff every ornament, every string of garland (wooden ones), every kid craft, lights on our little tree – and this year I added sprigs that stick out of the tree.

11) Snow, love it or hate it? I used to hate the snow around here because we seemed to get so much of it and it make everything so muddy. I really like it now. It makes it feel more like Christmas. Our front yard is still covered with four or five inches with a remnant of a snowman from the last snow. We’re supposed to get some more tomorrow. Let it snow. Vance is outside chopping firewood right now to prepare.

12) Can you ice skate? I can, but I like roller skating better.

13) Do you remember your favorite gift? I got a Cabbage Patch Doll the year that so many parents were fighting over them in stores. I was so excited that I sliced my hand open on one of those copper staples that held the box together.

14) What is the most important thing about the holidays for you? “Holidays” yuck. I’m beginning to hate that word!!! Christmas this year has become very personal. I’ve taken to studying Advent, The Pronunciation and the Virgin Birth. Amazing, just amazing. I look at my little Tristan and cannot believe that the God of the Universe would choose to take that form. So strange and wonderful.

15) Favorite Holiday dessert? I love blueberry and blackberry pie. My mom used to make this and I’ve found that the Sam’s by our house must have my mom’s recipe. I can’t get enough.

16) Favorite Christmas tradition? Reading the Christmas story from Luke 2.

17) What tops your tree? Normally I make a big bow out of plaid ribbon, but this year we bought a wrought iron star.

18) What's better giving or receiving? I love to give gifts. I think I would like to receive more if someone really put A LOT of thought into what I would like. I feel like Lucy on the Charlie Brown Christmas movie… “I never get what I really want.” I’d rather have someone just write me a nice note - no, really!

19) Favorite Christmas song? I love that version of “I’m Dreaming of a White Christmas” that’s on the movie “Home Alone” Do, do, do do – do – do – do di do.

20) Candy Canes, yummy or yucky? I’m sort of in between yummy and yucky. – Yumcky.

21) What do you want for Christmas? I’m with Alexis. I think I want another baby. I’d also love to see my children really happy and not get a terrible case of the spoiled rotten brat syndrome that seems to happen after receiving too many presents.

22) Do you attend an annual Christmas Party? We have an annual worship team Christmas party. I wish we could do one for our friends and family.

23) Do you dress up for Christmas eve? Our church always has a Christmas Eve candle light service. Yes, I’ve got the cutest dresses for my girls and my boys will look so handsome in their sweaters.

24) Do you own a Santa Hat? Nope. I’ve never been that type.

25) Who do you normally spend Christmas with? That’s a secret.

Survivor

I have a devotional series I'd like to share over the next couple of days. Here's the first entry written by Kay Arther from her book Teach Me How To Live.

Have you ever ridden the waves on some ocean beach? I'm not much of a swimmer so I never go out beyond where my feet can touch solid ground. Plus, I can't stand to get water up my nose. It makes me choke, cough and sputter like a whale with hiccups! Yet I enjoy the waves if I can stay in control of the situation. Watching for that wave to come along, catching it at its crest and allowing it to propel toward the shore is grand fun.

But have you ever been picked up by a wave, pitched head first into the surf, and held there by the relentless force of the water? I have, and I can tell you I was terrified. I tried desperately to regain my footing, and my throat burned from all the salt water I was swallowing. All dignity gone, crawling on all fours, I clawed the sand frantically trying to get up only to feel the undertow dragging me farther from the safety of the shore. Fighting with all the energy of one who has been terrorized, I finally made it to my feet. Choking violently I stumbled toward shore only to be knocked down again as I was hit by a second wave and dragged back toward death. Engulfed in the water, I couldn't even cry for help but I pleaded inwardly, O God, don't let me drown. Head over heels I turned until I hit bottom. Finally getting to my feet, weak, belching, and choking, I was caught for the third time and taken under. With all that was in me I fought the waters and cried to God. I didn't give up. I didn't want to surrender to the waters. I wanted to live.

Those who have never been so overwhelmed or caught so helplessly in such and undertow could never understand my panic and my desperate effort to survive. They would only laugh, kid or condescendingly say they were sorry. But those who have been where I was would know how I felt. They could relate. They would understand my struggle to survive and they could shake their heads and say with empathy, "I know the feeling. You survived because you were determined you weren't going to give up." And it is true; the survivors are those who "fight the good fight," those who persevere. If you do not persevere, you have surrendered!

A life lived for Jesus, a life lived at the cross, a life that follows Him fully will always be a life that is contested on every hand in one way or another. Waves and undertows may knock the breath out of you, pulling you under, leaving you gasping and choking. Men may not hear your cries, but God will - "O God, don't let me drown."

"The cords of death encompassed me, and the terrors of Sheol came upon me; I found distress and sorrow. Then I called upon the name of the Lord: "O Lord, I beseech Thee, save my life!" Psalms 116:3, 4

Terry Family Christmas Newsletter

Some of you may receive this letter, but I thought I'd post it on our blog, too.

This year I have been studying Advent and have been impressed at just how special this time of year really is. I have been struck with wonder and awe of our Amazing God. I’m thankful for this blessing since Christmas can get all discombobbled and too familiar.

Advent is a time of expectant waiting. Waiting is not a popular idea, but Advent is different. It literally means “coming” and is not only a reminder of His first coming, but a time of expectation for His second. I imagine Mary and Joseph, Elizabeth and Zechariah, Anna, Simeon, the three “Wise Men” and the shepherd all waiting. Waiting on the promises and prophecies they knew so well. Waiting as we are today. They saw that promise fulfilled with their own eyes. We may have that same privilege. In the meantime, I will be waiting expectantly. As Elizabeth said to Mary “Blessed is she who believed that the promise made her by the Lord would be fulfilled.” Luke 1:45

So, here’s a little about the family…

Vance is working and running Absolute Best Painting, Inc. for the 12th year. We are extremely blessed to continue to have work in these turbulent economic times. He is providing for our many children. On that note…we believe that God provides for each child so if we have more we know He will provide for each additional one J.

Vance also leads a men’s Bible study at 6am on Thursday mornings. This is a real God thing because I know He has called Vance to minister and disciple and I’m so glad he is able to continue in this gifting even though He does not have a position at a church. God really does work in GREAT and mysterious ways.

I (Rachel) delivered my eighth child this year in August and, as many of you know, he was almost 11 pounds. I can’t kiss him enough. There are not enough hours in a day (or night for that matter) to hold him.

I continue to work as choir and vocal director at Mountain Springs Church which has grown to over 3000 members. God has been faithful to see this dream and desire realized. I love being able to minister through music.

I still sell Mary Kay. I still teach group fitness (mostly indoor cycling and hip hop). I still home school. I still run the office part of Vance’s business. And…this year I started blogging. There probably is something very wrong with me J. BTW – you can get more updates on the family at www.homemadesalsa.blogspot.com.

Glen just turned 11. I can already see some manly traits starting to show through. He takes his responsibility as being the oldest seriously. Yet, he still has that little boy wonder and excitement about him. He has this excited dance that he has done since he was small. He tries to hide it a little now, but Vance and I both get a great kick out of watching him do it.

Glen’s interests are riding his new bike, creating stories (he wants to write a book about dragons), playing with his brothers and neighbor friends and anything having to do with computer games. It doesn’t matter which game system or computer.

Ryan is 9 and is our challenge child. He’s so close to Glen in age, but is really nothing like him. He has a sharp, quick tongue. He can be brilliant one minute and not so the next. He loves to talk; he loves to think. He does both at the same time so sometimes it’s hard to understand what he’s saying. I think one day he will be a great orator.

Ryan’s interests are creating things outdoors like forts and such. He also likes making things out of paper. He makes a paper crown for each person in the family on their birthday. He loves science experiments and art. There are some days he will draw all day long.

Will recently turned 6. He is the most gentle and loving child we have. I should clarify that he’s not gentle physically but emotionally. He has such a tender heart, but he can tackle his daddy to the ground. He loves to spend time with his dad. He goes to work with Vance at least twice a week. They drive around town to job sites and paint stores and home improvement warehouses.

Will loves to run. Whenever Glen and Ryan ride their bikes to the park, up and down hills for over a half a mile, Will runs along side them. Then he still has energy to play at the park, run back home and drive me crazy.

Rachie is 4 and is our little princess and she’ll tell you so. We never encouraged the princess thing, but when she started taking the boys’ toys and odd items around the house to pretend she had tea and dresses and babies (Buzz Light-year wrapped in blankets) we thought we’d indulge her.

Rachie’s favorite color is pink. I went shopping for Glen’s birthday bike with her and she picked out a beautiful, Pepto-Bismol pink tricycle and rode it around the store the entire time we were there. She cried when we left. Guess what she’s getting for Christmas?

Kael is 2 and has decided he’s a lion. I can’t count how many times he’s watched The Lion King. I’ve tried unplugging the TV and VCR, but he’s figured out how to plug them back in, get his video tape, put it in the player, press play and turn the volume all the way up (usually at 6:30 in the morning). For the last two weeks he’s been walking around the house roaring.

Morgan is 2 and is the ruler of the roost. She tells everyone what to do and very clearly. She has the cutest little tip-toe run I’ve ever seen. She’s so soft and squishy; the poor girl has to fight to get away from me. She’s so easy to hug and kiss. Actually, she indulges me most of the time. The thing about Morgan is she can make an unbelievable mess out of any food or meal. It’s always a chore to get her and her place cleaned up after meal time.

Tristan is 3 months and will be exactly 4 months on Christmas Day. Oh my boy!!! I cannot put into words how much joy this child brings me. He searches the room for me with his eyes and when he gets a lock he smiles. There are some nights that I wish he would wake up just so I could hold him. He’s so good. I take him everywhere with me and he rarely fusses. He’s just happy to be with mommy. He gets a thousand kisses a day from his 8 other family members.

Pearl Harbor Day

Today is Pearl Harbor Day. All that seems important to everyone in the media is football. All that was on TV today, all that was on the front page of my ISP was football. It's so sad how easily people forget the lives that were sacrificed so we can live in a country where we feel sorry for ourselves if we don't have 50 presents under the Christmas tree.

Alright, I'll concede that I'm sounding cynical and bitter so I'll just say "Thank you" to those who serve. Thank you for sacrificing your families, your finances, your education, your lives so that The United States of America remains free.

Have you ever noticed when tools are new or in good condition your job is made easier? I'm only posting this to remind myself. When I use a new cleaning sponge, it's easier to clean the kitchen. When I have a really sharp knife, I cut through tomotoes and potatoes in half the time.

Nuts don't belong in milk chocolate.

That's it.

Thanksgiving

It's December. All my plans for being able to really celebrate this time of year and make it truly meaningful have gone out the window. The house is a disaster again, my home schooling schedule and being purposeful to spend quality time with my kids, Christmas cards, decorating, everything is out of control. I'm back at that place once again where I don't even know where to start. And...I'm tired.

But...there's one thing I know...I've got so much to be thankful for. I will sing praises to God and bless His name. For He is good and his mercies endure!

Thanksgiving was good this year. We decided to stay home. One of Vance's very good friends came to visit us during this time. I was moody and the house and kids were a bit of chaos so, hopefully, he enjoyed himself.

I cooked mashed potatoes, sweet potato pie, green bean casserole, stuffing, homemade apple pie, homemade chips and salsa, honey ham and Vance and Jim deep-fried the turkey. I cooked for four hours and didn't take any pictures. What a bummer. We've been feasting on all the left-overs since the big day. Vance made a turkey tortilla soup. It's been nice not to have to cook several meals so, I guess the four hours was worth it.

We also celebrated Glen's birthday. He was born on Thanksgiving Day in 1997 and it's taken 11 years for his birthday to fall on Thanksgiving Day again. He asked for a new bike. The pictures are of his face when he saw the gift and how happy he was to receive it.

We also got our first real snow that very weekend. We got about two feet out here. The kids built a mighty fine snowman.

Christmas Treasures of the Heart

Reach Out to Those Who Need Fellowship

Invite a newcomer, an elderly couple or person, or a friend who will be alone this Christmas to attend your church's Christmas Eve service. Ask ahead of time and include some fellowship time together and snacks shared around the tree before you go.

I would take this a step further and invite them over with your family for your Christmas meal. Vance and I have done this with people from church who do not have family in town. Relationships are such an important part of our lives and I can think of few better things to show the love of Christ.