The Snow Queen

I got to open an early Christmas present this past weekend. Andy bought me tickets to Ballet Magnificat's Snow Queen!

It was wonderful! I loved the story and music (though it made me miss dancing!). And Andy actually liked it as well!

I loved the performance and I love the Company and what they are doing. 

Ballet Magnificat is a Christian ballet company that tours nationally and internationally. "Magnificat is Latin for "to magnify Him".  It is derived from "Mary's Song" of praise in the 1st Chapter of the the Gospel of Luke when she first learned she was to be the mother of the Messiah. Ballet Magnificat! is an arts organization dedicated to presenting the good news of Jesus Christ to the whole world."

The Snow Queen is based on a Hans Christian Andersen tale and had a very Narnia like feel to it. It is about  two children Kai and Gerda. Kai is captured by the Snow Queen and Gerda goes to rescue him. The Snow Queen represents the world, and Gerda's quest to save Kai is reminiscent of the Pilgrim's Progress in the battles she fights. 

Here is a clip showing some of the rehearsals:

Thank you Andy!

A Charlie Brown Christmas

I feel a little like Charlie Brown this Christmas.

One: we have a Charlie Brown tree

(Did you know you can get free branches from tree farms and Wal-mart?)

Two: I feel more depressed by this Christmas season than joyful. 

And though I, like Linus, know the "true meaning" of Christmas I still feel the same. 

As you know we won't be going home for Christmas. Our friends, Alex and Liz, invited us to his family for Christmas day. We are so thankful and feel so blessed by their offer. Christmas day will definitely be full. 

I put up some Christmas decorations and we have presents under the tree, and I am thankful that our house is starting to feel like Christmas.

I feel the pressure for the true meaning of Christmas to be bigger and louder than the cultural Christmas. Yet how can a baby in a manger compare to cookies, presents, holiday cheer, and Santa?

Though I know that the baby in a manger becomes a Savior on a cross. And therefore there is hope!

For "I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me." 

Galatians 2:20

"Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised— who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us." Romans 8:34

So in the end I know it doesn't matter what I feel but rather what is TRUE.

Life up till now

At the moment I am trying to decorate for Christmas, but I am just not in the mood. I miss how at home, the house transforms, and when you walk in you know it is Christmas. I have about 2 actual Christmas decorations, so I am trying to make the house feel Christmas-y with what is around the house. 

Round 1: failure 

Round 2: maybe tomorrow

Anyhoo, a few updates...

Andy was promoted!! Which is actually, quite complicated and we have no idea when it will kick in or if he will have any changes in what he does at work...but were grateful. So more details to come; I don't know when, but hopefully soon!

I started working a few afternoons a week with Promise Kids at my school. Promise Kids is a class of 5 down-syndrome girls and boys; K-2nd grade. I was really scared at first but it was a lot easier, and more enjoyable than I thought it would be.


I am taking a hand-quilting class at church. I don't know if this is going to be my new thing, but I am really glad I am trying it. I mean who wouldn't want to learn something taught by a sweet older Southern woman (who says hup, instead of hoop), and sitting and chatting with a group of women of all different ages?

We are making pillow cases. I just started with hand quilting process. And let me tell you it is so HARD!









Here are my lovely stitches, not so straight...or even...











Thanksgiving was lovely. He drove to Wichita, to spend Thanksgiving with the Fugler's and the Lecheler's. It was a relaxing weekend (despite getting sick), and Travis and Jenny really were such servants to us: making meals, taking care of us sickies, and everything else!

Jen (and Betsy!) was amazing at making dinner for us all. The turk was especially delicious! 

This was my first Thanksgiving away from home. And while I was so thankful to be around family and not alone in Jackson, it was still sad.  I missed my family.

This will be my first Christmas away from home as well. We will be staying in Jackson, and as of right now spending it with just the two of us. I start to cry if I think about it too much. So instead, as a distraction :), I am going to make an old-timey Christmas dinner, including a roast goose like in A Christmas Carol, roast chestnuts over an open fire like that song, and maybe even some figgy pudding. Any ideas?!

That's the plan at least, we'll see what will come. :)