...we are acutely aware...

...that the last 2 installments on this blog seem to illuminate hypocrisy within our household.

How can we claim to be pursuing and advocating a self-sacrificing-Christmas/lifestyle for the blessing and Salvation of others in the midst of "adding more to our kingdom"?

This is a valid question; one that we ask ourselves.

And yet we go back to the fact that we laid our "plans" out prayerfully before the LORD; asking Him to completely halt them or move to complete them. And we've been amazed that the project has had a life of its own and are convinced that God can and has given us financial resources in order that we may employ people who need the money --invite them into our home and live out the Gospel in front of their eyes, pray for them and allow God's resources to flow from our hands into theirs.

We are also on our knees--- no, on our faces ----because we are blown away by God's Grace: His unmerited Grace that flowed from his very blood, saving us from our complete and utter depravity in order that we may stand before Him without fault or accusation; His daily Grace that enables and empowers us to do things far beyond our natural capabilities and inclinations so that we may use our mortal, simple lives to bring Him glory and honor; and His abundant temporal Grace that has blessed us in the natural realm of earthly matters, so that we are now called to abundantly provide for the blessing of our family, neighbors, community and world in order to make known the Gospel of God's Grace for sinners.

Matthew 22:37-39

Jesus replied: " 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment.

And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'"

As we daily seek to KNOW God deeply and intimately through His word and the indwelling of His Holy Spirit, His specific will for our lives will take shape. And we anticipate a great invitation to take part in work and service that will bring the hope of the Gospel to people who are desperate for it.

We want to Love others. We want to give more of ourselves.

Sometimes we feel paralyzed to move into action because the needs are so great, or our schedules are so tight, or our kids are too young. But we commit to pray: that our hearts will be stirred up for the lost, the helpless, the hungry, the depressed, the injured, all those who need to know they have a Savior who has 1st loved them. And we commit to respond to whatever the LORD requires of our family.

Psalm 126:3

"The LORD has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy."

…we’re a bit nuts.

Marty and I are busybodies. We thrive on activity and accomplishment. When the weekends come, we talk of lounging around, sleeping in, and catching a movie or two.

But the reality is that we never sleep in (due to early rising children), lounging makes us feel lazy, and if we have the extra time to see a movie we feel we should spend it doing something of value (like finishing an entire conversation with each other).

Thus we find ourselves amidst a bit of construction 4 days before my family arrives to celebrate the Birth of our Lord and Savior. This project has been in our mind for years, but was always spoken of as an eventuality.

That is until last Friday when Marty's study partner and his wife welcomed the birth of their first child. This meant that Marty would not be occupied with hours of study and would have a bit of free time.

Ahhh, what to do with free time? Naturally he decided to call our Contractor and schedule some home repairs and remodeling! And this past Monday morning the demo began and our 'eventual' project is now a reality.

All the major work will be done by Tuesday we have been assured...but our new couches may not arrive as promised. Nevertheless, we are grateful to be receiving such abundant "newness" this Christmas, and to be employing some folks who really need the extra work.

The progression…

...we can make Christmas about Christ.

Please visit www.adventconspiracy.org to learn more!!!!!!!

...Jayden had her 'formance'!

For 3 weeks Jayden diligently practiced the 2 songs she had been learning at preschool for the annual Christmas performance:

"Do You Hear the Christmas Bells?" to the tune of Have you Seen the Gingerbread Man?, and "My Love for Jesus" to the tune of Jesus Loves Me.

The most important part she'd say was to "remember to sing SO SO LOUD so that all the moms and dads and grandmas can hear us." Her teachers, Miss Mary and Miss Suk, said that because of her amazing projection and how well she remembered the words and motions during rehearsal she'd in the front row. J

Today was the Big Show and Jayden was super jazzed to be wearing her new "formance clothes".

She thought all the girls in her class looked gorgeous and complemented each one…here she and Taylor are admiring their own loveliness.

The entire class performed quite well. Only one little girl fled the stage and into her daddy's arms.

And Jayden sang oh so very loud; in fact she was quite possibly the only audible voice! She lit up the stage with confidence and joy and made us so very proud to call her our little girl.

... of LOVE

LOVE playgrounds at any mall – I delight to hear their joyful squeals as they skip and climb.

LOVE early mornings – I delight to watch them share and create games together.

LOVE Starbucks – I thoroughly enjoy having 2 dates for coffee, especially on a rainy day.

LOVE the freedom of childhood – My heart swells to see the carefree, life-lovin', bouts of dancing exuberance in our house and around the town.

LOVE Goldenspoon – I'm so thankful for a bounty of Costco babywipes.

LOVE my beautiful children – Looking at them I KNOW that God is the supreme Good, that God is the complete LOVE, that God's Grace Super-abounds.

Psalm 92:4

"For you make me glad by your deeds, O LORD: I sing for joy at the works of your hands."

...Halloween was happy.

Jayden Malia dons Princess garb nearly every day of the week and wears her "clip clop" high heels all around town (see pix below). So to make Halloween dress up out of the ordinary she had to wait nearly a month to wear this Belle gown which we had given her for her Birthday.

Zachary went along with the program surprisingly well and was especially fond of his fire hat. Our neighbor, Mr. Darrell, is a Fire Captain and on occasion a fire truck will be parked outside his house for which Zach can hardly contain his excitement.By 6:00 Zach was ready to hit the hay so he never saw a single trick-or-treater. On the other hand Jayden was giddy 'tll 8:15 (waaaay past bed-time) and even collected candy from 4 of our friends houses. She had to sleep with her small bag of candy to keep it safe from Zachy.

*********************************************

Jayden Malia's Daily Garb:

*****A very 'normal' trip to Ralphs

****Picking Mima up at the Simi Train Station

…we celebrate the day.

My best inspiration comes to me just moments after sliding under the covers and plunking my weary head on the pillow. I feel so tired from the day, yet my mind cannot stop "talking". And so I babble to the LORD about the day behind and the day ahead, and I pray that each thought racing through my mind would be translated, by the Holy Spirit, into prayer and praise before His throne.

Many of these babbling prayer conversations include the request that I be inspired with practical mothering creativity that will enhance Jayden's and Zachary's understanding of God and all His amazing-ness.

Last week I was moved to begin a new morning ritual called 'Celebrate the Day'. Both my kids wake up long before the first glimmer of morning sun, and so we typically begin our day hunkered down in the office quietly listening to praise music, drawing, and having our Quiet time.

But now as the sun begins to peek through the mountains we gather at the kitchen door to celebrate the new day. I crack the door just wide enough to let a bit of brisk air brush our cheeks and then I ask, "What do you see? What do you hear? What do you smell?"

Zachary responds immediately in his deep man voice with warbled words of excitement. Often Jayden is quiet or tells me to answer the questions. But one day she took a deep breath and exhaled a most beautiful reply. She said "I smell precious sky."

The picture above is from that morning and I do believe it is very precious…that God made us a brand new morning simmering with an orange horizon and a sky lined with clouds eager to kiss the warm rays of the sun.

...Thursday means fellowship with Aimee!

About a month ago I invited my dear friend Aimee to join me in a Beth Moore Bible Study called "Stepping Up. a journey through the Psalms of Ascent." I hated being on 'summer vacation' from my regular Women's Bible Study through EV Free and had prayerfully decided to plop down some bux and buy the complete DVD study online (http://www.lifeway.com/) in hopes that someone I knew would get excited about doing it with me.

My mom joyfully 'signed up', but the few friends I mentioned it to seemed disinterested. And then Aimee called and voiced the same eagerness to be in a study that would force her to dig deep every day into God's Word, and move her to the next step in her relationship with the LORD. So every Thursday from 9:30-11:30 we hunker down in my office to sip tea, and nibble on a quiche or other breakfast yummy while we share what we learned throughout the week or watch a video of Beth's on-fire and rich teaching. While we hang out, my neighbor and fabulous sitter, Unjalee, hangs out with Zachary and Taryn (Jayden has preschool).

This time together has become our absolute favorite hours of the week and is radically changing our hearts, minds and souls. We are amazed at how little we knew about these familiar Psalms (120-134) and their relevance to our pilgrimage as New Testament believers; and we are ecstatic to discover how God will change us through our time in His Word and with each other.

..we pulled it off! part 1

On September 21st my 2 brothers, sister-in-law, husband and I successfully surprised my parents with a party to celebrate their 40th anniversary! All the months of planning and tightly zipped lips (so hard for me because I chit chat with my mom about everything ---especially party planning!) saw their fruition in the flabbergasted expression of my dad, and my mom's ecstatic beaming grin at the sight of very dear lifelong friends all gathered to commemorate their marriage.

The Sunday began with a series of decoy activites because they had gotten wind that we were concocting secretive plans. So the brothers and I came up with a full day of doings that would culminate with a lovely dinner and scavenger hunt in hopes that they would expect no further surprise.

Bright and early on the 21st Andrew drove Mom and Dad to Long Beach to meet Marty and I for a French Mediterranean breakfast at La Creperie on 2nd street. After our Parisian yummies we walked along the quaint streets and then headed to church at First Baptist Lakewood where Andrew directs the worship most Sundays. After the service we skedaddled back to Encinitas to meet up with John and Kelly and get ready for an early dinner. I had made reservations at their favorite Italian restaurant called Viggilucci's. They knew we were taking them to eat, but were convinced that it was the party and nervously expected something of a surprise when they walked in. This video shows the relief my dad felt when we told him "this is it, sorry to disappoint you, but it's just us".

Towards the end of the meal we presented the surprise scavenger hunt we had created for further diversion, and to allow us time to set up the party venue. We had drafted a series of clues that would lead them to various "memory spots" of their early life together. They were to drive to each location and take a cellular photo of themselves and text it to us and then we'd text back the next clue. The final clue brought them to Seacoast Community church where 60 of their friends had lovingly gathered in their honor.Here are a couple of the clues, answer locations and the pictures they were able to snap:

" Years 1966-1968; any given Wednesday. A single silver dollar for a full spaghetti meal. Self-snap a 40-yr kiss in front of the former site." :: The Courthouse Restaurant (La Jolla) ::
"Years 1968-1977. Ten-cent cream & a seminal frijole recipe feed the start of a new family together in a surfer's paradise of numbered streets. Get us both a Grey pic & a sugar cone snap at the former site." : The Grey House (Del Mar) :

...the Gospel is in theaters now :)

Support this movie http://www.fireproofthemovie.com/. It most likely won't win any Oscars but the message is IMPERATIVE for all. And the soundtrack is awesome.

USA Today wrote an article about the movie with some interesting facts:

*The actors are not payed
* Volunteers build the sets.
*Sunday school kids cater.
*They had a $500,000 budget
*They (The Kendrick's aka the Christian Coen brothers) are getting the kind of return on their films that would make Spielberg envious. Their first theatrical release, 2006's Facing the Giants, about a struggling football coach, cost $100,000 and raked in $10 million in theaters.

today is a beautiful day because

Create your own family sticker graphic at pYzam.com

...there's always a reason to laugh.

An example of events that can transpire when a mom takes a minute to go to the bathroom :)

..we got a Burley!

Ever since Marty began the arduous task of studying for the Cisco CCIE Voice certification about 8 months ago he hasn't felt like he could take the time to exercise. But after receiving an expected "F" on his first attempt at the exam (on average it has taken the 800 or so people in the world who have passed 4-6 attempts) he realized that he may be studying for a lot longer and should get off his keister and get in shape.
The other night he came home with this awesome trailer for the kids to ride in hoping that they will motivate him to hit the road a few nights a week. Sure enough, ever since the maiden journey Jayden continually asks if Daddy is going to take her biking. This morning he took her on an extra long ride which included a stop at Starbucks -- great bonding time for them and an excellent reprieve from mom duty for me (Zach was sleeping).

...we know Who to worship.

On Monday afternoon Marty and I drove into Malibu Canyon to pick up Mike and his girlfriend. Mike is one of Marty's best clients and for his birthday he had specifically requested that we take him to see the Radiohead concert at the Hollywood Bowl. We remember this group from our high school days but had no clue that they were still making albums, and were shocked to discover that their fan base is so HUGANTIC that front row tickets were going for $10,000.00 each!!!

Marty was able to acquire some amazing seats in the Garden section where you can actually order food from a waiter and dine at a small table in your "box". We brought our own pic-nic courtesy of Bristol Farms and got there early enough to watch the diverse LA crowd take their seats....Patricia Arquette, Rob Lowe, Patton Oswalt, and various reality TV stars were amongst the few we spotted.
Once the show began everyone in the sold out audience (except us of course) became entranced, enthralled and raised their hands in praise....it was surreal to see such a spectacle of worship for something as simple as melodic tunes and a catchy light show. I read an online review whose author described the show as "pop narcotic" and went on to say that "Radiohead’s music enters my ears and makes a beeline to the vein that is the tunnel to my heart. They know every twist and turn of that route, and over the course of 25 songs and two encores the band funneled note by note into my body, causing my pumper to pump harder, pushing blood faster to my brain."
The entire course of the evening felt like an out of body experience for me. I kept imagining the scene at Christs return--- the light that will burst from his glory; his voice like the "sound of rushing waters" (Rev 1); every head bowed in awe. I was sad for the crowd of stoned people around me. It was obvious that they desired to worship "something", experience an emotional high. If only they knew that this longing could be satisfied in Christ. As Beth Moore says "there ain't no high like the Most High."

...Mima came to the rescue!

For the first year of Jayden's life Mima came up on the train just about every week for at least 2 days. Her help was invaluable and I cherished watching Jayden develop a deep love for her. More importantly we had a blast together. Over the past year she's still made the 4 hour trek to Moorpark, but not as frequently. So last week I was thrilled that she was here for not 1, but 3 nights! I had no idea how much I'd need her around until I managed to lose my only set of keys in the Pinkberry parking lot and had to have the SUV towed to Ford for the night :)

...Biking is a blast.

Marty's parents live in Cathedral City near Palm Springs, but are spending a week in Oxnard to escape the heat. So on Sunday we headed to the coast to visit them and the Hernandez clan (Marty's sister and fam). We got such joy from watching Jayden and Zachary riding bikes with their cousins.

Marty and his sister Susie.

...We are amazed.

In an effort to ward off bad behavior and encourage the good, I've made various "behavioral charts" for Jayden and Zachary. One of them is called a "Heart Chart" which was inspired by a Bible Study I did last fall by Beth Moore on the Fruit of the Spirit. Every time Jayden did something that displayed one aspect of the Fruit she received a heart and I'd have her repeat, and eventually recite, Galatians 5:22-23.

Sometime ago God drove home in my own heart that it was His word changing Jayden's behavior and not the chart activity itself. So I really began praying that God would inspire me to create a way that Jayden (and eventually Zachary) could absorb scriptures. As Christian parents we are commanded in Deuteronomy 11:18-20 to

"Fix these words of mine in your hearts and minds; tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Teach them to your children, talking about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates".

And in Proverbs 7:1,3 God says that we are to

"keep my words and store up my commands within you. Bind them on your fingers; write them on the tablet of your heart."

So seven weeks ago I had the inspiration to make a "verse chart" to help us memorize a new scripture each week (we took 1 week off for vacation). It seemed obvious to start in the beginning and then navigate our way through every book of the Bible. We are just finishing Joshua 1:9 and I will be selecting a verse from Judges for Monday.

We are absolutely astounded and amazed at how quickly Jayden memorizes each verse and how she can recall all of the old ones. She looks forward to practicing and will often say "lets go do my verse now." Zachary loves to put the star on the chart and I believe he is absorbing the words as well.
My encouragement to all you parents reading this is to not underestimate your child's ability to take in, grasp and be changed by scripture nor to underestimate God's command for us to be feeding His Word to our kids and babies. I hope you will pray and allow the Holy Spirit to inspire you with a creative way to be doing something like this in your own home.

...Independance Weekend was a blast- cont.

On July 4th Marty's parents and godparents arrived and we lit up the barbecue and stayed cool under our newly installed misting system. Stella brought a ton of gifts for the kids and after hours of playing in the kiddie pool they were ready for bed. Then we set up the lawn chairs in the back of the yard and watched the much anticipated annual illegal fire-works spectacular put on by the crazy folks in the neighborhood below us. You never know when and where the bursts of color will appear and when the cops will roll through the streets trying to find the perps.

The next morning we loaded up the BOB and walked the leisurely mile and a half to Starbucks for breakfast sandwiches and coffee. Later that day Marty made some sandwiches and we headed to the Regan Library for a picnic and to see the Air Force One display.