Advent 2016! Week 2

Day 8 - Week 2 began with the activity of making a nativity scene out of Legoes. To make it more interesting, we used the basic Lego pieces in our mixed bin and would often not have the color or piece we exactly wanted. But Henry was very creative and made do to create a beautiful masterpiece. Day 8's adverb is "Humbly" as Mary was example of serving God humbly when she accepted her role in being the mother of our savior Jesus Christ. Likewise, we too should humble ourselves in obedience to that which God calls us.

Day 9 - This Friday was chock full of activities, from Henry's last rescheduled track & field class to his SCCS Christmas musical to a drive to Monterey in preparation for the Jingle Bell 5k run the next morning. It was exhausting but also so much fun. It was great to see Henry do all the track & field events even though he was conserving energy on the runs for the musical later on. His favorite and most successful event was the shot put.

The SCCS Christmas musical shined and seeing Henry in both shows with him and Aidan alternating roles as a shepherd was a joy to see.

When we finally got to our hotel after some after musical ice cream at McDonald's, Mama pulled out a yummy Christmas treat that Henry took a nibble of before passing out to sleep. The adverb for the day was "Faithfully" as Joseph faithfully followed God's command to take Mary as his wife. We didn't get to this adverb until Monday night but it reminded us to remain faithful to God' calling.

Day 10 - The morning started out fast with our Jingle Bell 5k run with Addison and her family. We avoided most of the rain during the run and even saw an incredible rainbow during it. The afternoon was filled with Cannery Row walking, Ghirardelli ice cream and sloshing back to our hotel through the eventual rain to enjoy our late checkout and shower before heading to Fremont to see Layla's ballet, The Nutcracker.

The show was amazing to see with the wide array of ballet talent and costumes. Good thing we heard the story the year before at the SF Zoo event so we could follow along with the action. The day's adverb is "Lovingly" as the marriage of Mary and Joseph showed their love and Jesus' birth shows us God's love for us, so much so he sent his son to and for us.

















Day 11 - Sunday was Sunday School and then lunch at Sweet Tomatoes to raise money for Sinnott school by purchasing a meal there. Afterwards, we began working on teacher Christmas gifts as Henry and Mama designed and started writing special note cards for the special gift treats. The adverb for the day was "Soon!" as Mary and Joseph headed back to Bethlehem knowing soon, the son of God would be born. Welcoming God into our hearts must likewise happen soon to start our new life in Christ asap.

Day 12 - This day was a busy one with Dada's TKD class and especially Mama's late night prep for her own school sing-a-long music program. The day's activity included a pair of new Christmas books that Mama had bought for Henry to read. The books were "A Boy Called Christmas" and "The Light of Christmas". The adverb for the day was "Dutifully" as we get a picture of the shepherds who heard the good news were dutifully keeping watch over their flock of sheep, much like God keeps watch over us.

Day 13 - April Service Project brainstorm with Dada. The adverb for the day is "Obediently" as we read Psalm 23 and see God as our shepherd and we, his sheep, should act obediently.

Day 14 - Red/ Green Christmas themed Dotahoey. So much festivity and we had a full house with both Youngs, Leungs, the Throm, and even Annie and Will and the Alcalas dropped by. Everyone was decked out in red/green garb and so were the dishes, from green rice and lemonade to Christmas tree cheesy bread, a broccoli wreath and even a mini cotton candy machine! The kids watched two different Christmas movies and had fun playing hide and seek and whatever it is kids play upstairs. The adverb of the day is "Where?" which Henry was concerned with it not being an adverb. Where has us ask where is God and reflect on the message to the shepherds about God being born in the tiny town of Bethlehem.

Advent 2016! Week 1

Day 1- Henry was super excited and in a really good mood when he found out it was time to set up our tree! As one of Henry's favorite activities, Henry wanted to help in every aspect of putting up the tree, from unboxing, to assembling, to putting the star on first! Going through old ornaments was lots of fun, especially the shrinky-dink ones we made last year, one for all the people we love. Henry pointed out all the people we needed to add to update our ornaments. Something to do in future advents.

This year, our advent book is "The Adverbs of Advent" which goes through the advent season with verses and adverbs to capture different themes. The excerpts are short but full of great insight. The first day's adverb is "Once" as a start of the story of man and God.

Day 2 -  Reindeer droppings. Henry wasn't sure what it was but after reading the poem/story, having a good laugh, and taking a cautious bite, he couldn't stop eating the reindeer droppings (chocolate coated doughnut holes). Day 2's adverb is "Sadly" as Adam and Eve decided to turn away from God and sin.

Day 3 - Service Project January brainstorm with Mama, Potluck dinner at Nick's. Henry danced! This advent, we're looking to do service projects throughout the year and spending an advent day to brainstorm some ideas and pick one to do for each month. Day 3's adverb is "Patiently" as people had waited patiently for God's promise to be fulfilled.

In the evening, we headed to Nick's Dance Studio for the final potluck celebration. The studio is closing after so many years. It was a bittersweet moment catching up with old friends and doing a few line dances and choreographed couple dances. Henry even jumped on the dance floor and gave it his best shot at line dancing! Afterward, we went stopped by Wendy's for a late night snack (frosty dairy dessert) because that's what Jack and I used to do after spending a night at Nick's! Henry gladly took part in that tradition one last time!

Day 4 - Service Project Feb brainstorm with Dada. Day 4's adverb is "Unexpectedly" as Zechariah had unexpectedly been told by Gabriel about the miraculous birth of a child for him. God also works unexpectedly in our lives in ways we can't imagine.

Day 5 - Service Project March brainstorm with Mama. Day 5's adverb is "Quietly" as Zechariah had to wait quietly as a result of his unbelief while we ourselves can meditate quietly and free from distraction on God's greatness.

Day 6 - Hot chocolate day with candy cane Henry earned from class and mini marshmallow and shaved chocolate. Sitting around the kitchen table nursing our hot chocolate mugs was sublime. Day 6's adverb is "Happily" as the birth of Zechariah's son John brought so much happiness. In the same way, we should share the joy and happiness we feel with others around us.

Day 7 - Breakfast for dinner (tater tots casserole, ham and cheese sliders, cinnamon buns and Aunty Marilyn's birthday) and Movie (Christmas is Here Again), more hot chocolate! Dinner was flipped upside down and breakfast was delicious. We all got to share Auntie Marilyn's birthday edible arrangement. Yum! Day 7's adverb is "Truly" and John the Baptist pointed to the true messiah, Jesus Christ.