The Controversial Santa

In the immediate future of this blog, there are several posts that while they may not be timely are either family history and need to be recorded  or things on my mind that I want to share. So the next few weeks will be catching up on the last few weeks of Christmas and the crazy train that our lives have been on. Some posts will be about family, some will be more reflective. 

This will be a bit of both. 

Now that Christmas is over, I can "come out of the closet" and confess my kids believe in Santa.

This is not the most popular sentiment in the Christian culture - because apparently my children will either forget that Christmas is about Jesus or hate me for lying to them when they find out that Santa isn't really real. 

I like Santa Claus. 

I like the magic of Santa Claus. 

My kids like Santa Claus.

We also love Jesus.

We love Jesus more than Santa and we all understand that Jesus is what we celebrate at Christmas.

More than any other prayer, I desire my children know and love Jesus. That they depend on Him and not themselves. That they earnestly seek Him and His purpose for their lives. That they die to themselves every day for a Savior who died for them. I don't care how much money they make, who they marry, what they do for a living or anything else about their future - if they love God with all their heart and mind and soul and strength, I will consider my life well spent.

I do not believe that a belief in Santa as children compromises that. Santa visited our house - and left three presents. As a reminder of the three gifts the wise men left in worship of the baby Jesus. 

Becky wanted to know if Santa was sent by Jesus to remind us of Him with the gifts he leaves.

I think they get what's important. 

So I am going to let them have the magic of Santa and the fantasy of childhood. 

A child's delight - priceless in the eyes of Jesus, especially in a fallen world full of things no child should have to worry about. My kids know that is was only God who was with them in their darkest hours. They know it is Jesus' sacrifice on the cross that gives us eternal life. They understand that Jesus is a very real and living presence in their lives and the world today.

When they discover that Santa is a tradition formed from a story about a real person living out Jesus' love for others, I am not worried they will be unable to distinguish between the myth of a Santa they can't see who is not real and Jesus who is alive and living in their hearts. 

I suspect they will love the magic and cherish the memories of a childhood belief. And that is all good and pure and true. 

The Great One

Grandfather that is! 

We had a great visit with Grandpa this week who came from St. Louis to see his grandkids and meet his new great grand baby! 

 The first four generation Yingling picture - probably ever! 

And she is rightfully the center of the world! 

This truly was an awesome visit for so many reasons! The girls love their grandpa - and it means so much to them when he comes and visits!

It is also huge because Melidee is the first Yingling great grandchild. Due to a combination of genetics and a traditional midwest culinary culture lifestyle, there is a strong family history of heart disease and shorten life expectancies. Grandpa is going strong (ah - the marvels of modern medical science!) so we expect him to be around to dance at her wedding! 

The Festivities of the Season

 We have been super busy here - Christmas activities, out of town visitors, adoption hearings and generally trying to keep everyone regulated through it all! 

This pictorial essay begins with the annual Christmas Boulevard at church. We get there early so the lines for Katie's favorite activity isn't too long....she LOVES the sledding !

 We went with our friends - and Cami and Sammy did the tandem sledding - loved it too! 

 Bella and Becky were next - Bella loved it and Becky....well, that's now three years in a row it's not her favorite. She tried it last year and the year before - same expression, different year. Oh well - there's always next year! 

 there were train rides....

 ....and Santa....

 .....and Christmas crafts.....

 .....and s'mores....

 ....and after all that - the favorite thing for the girls was seeing their very favorite assistant principal Mrs. Swaney! 

so not the best picture of me - but my friend Kelly looks great (as always!). We are so blessed to know this family and to have them as part of our "family" - their Bella is in Becky's class and their Sammy has becaome Cami's "wing girl" in the 3rd grade. We love their love for the Lord and the grace that they come to us with. 

The day after Christmas Boulevard, we had a long overdue visit from Aunt Roni & Uncle Don. Aunt Roni once again hit a home run with the craft - tiara making! 

 We also got a chance to learn about Hanukkah. The girls loved the story of how God provided oil for the Passover celebration and they each got their own driedle.  

 We then rolled into the school Christmas Pagent. December 13th - one year to the day that I first met Cami. A play where these kids sung about Jesus' birth and celebrated the Savior. We are SO very blessed that the amazing education they receive every day is wrapped inside hte love of Christ. 

 Each class had a showcase song - the kinders used rhythm sticks - sort of ironic for Becky who has no rhythm. But she sure looked cute! 

 She also apparently missed the memo about ignoring the audience! She spent a lot of time giving instructions to me :)

 Some of these are not mine - because I was simply crying too hard to get any good photos. You see - one year ago from this day, this child could not close her mouth. This night, she was playing the recorder. With her mouth closed. With her new fingers. It was simply too much to take in as we celebrated the Savior to see what He had done. 

 Two nights later, our church presented "No Room at the Inn" - their annual program from the Disabilities Ministry. For the past two years, they have included the little ones. I missed last year because I was in China, so I was super excited for this year's program - but not as excited as Katie! 

 Each of the little ones read a piece of the "Friendly Beast" poem - with a little help form their friends. We are so blessed by this ministry - there are over 40 high school kids who support these kids in Sunday school, VBS and this Christmas program. 

 We were so proud of how well she did - but she was even more proud of herself! 

The program was even more special because Katie's teacher came to see her! 

Then we rolled into the classroom festivities! Cami's 3rd grade class holds  Yule Store where the parents donate new or slightly used items and the kids pay .50 each for them to give to their family & friends. It was a great event - awesome to see these kids SO excited about giving! The money raised goes to a local charity that our school supports.

Katie's class did "Poems and Pies" where each child read a line or two form a poem about how different cultures celebrate at this time of year then we had pie! 

The kindergartners had a birthday party for Jesus - 

Are you tired yet - because we were exhausted after all this! It was nice to celebrate but I have to say that I am glad it is all done and we can focus on the REASON for the SEASON and cast our eyes upon Jesus through family time! 

One Year.

One Year. 

That's how long I have known her.

That's how long she has been called "daughter"'.

One year ago today. 

So much has changed since this photo was taken. We have learned much and grown much and cried much and laughed more. 

She has learned about us and about families that stick together. No matter what. Always.

We have learned to let a child grieve things no child should have to grieve and love her through it because it it what will heal her. 

We have learned some people stay through the tough times and some leave. We learned that who does which will surprise you. We have had our heart broken by some while others step into the gap to help heal that hurt.

Of all that has changed however, the biggest is my relationship with God. 

In the ten years I have been a follower of Christ, I have attended some wonderful bible studies led by amazing women. I have gone on retreats to the mountaintop where I got real with God. I have worshipped through tears of joy and thanksgiving. I have had deep and reflective devotional time with Jesus. 

I hadn't truly met him though, until this year. 

Sitting on the floor of a child's room as she raged through emotions I can not begin to comprehend. 

Calling out to Him to remove the generational attachments that allow the enemy a foothold in her life. 

Begging Him to give us strength to do this for just five more minutes .

Watching His redemptive love work on a broken heart. 

Listening to her sing His praises - a Savior who a year ago she didn't know even existed. 

I thought I would be leading her to Christ. Turns out, she brought Him with her when she came. 

One year. 

Not just our daughter, but His daughter. 

More Melidee!

The sweetest baby! We are loving having her here!! 

Grandpa - this man was built to be a grandpa! 

Part of Miss Melidee's ever expanding fan club! 

Wordless Wednesday