America

One year ago today we landed in America… cold, tired and temporarily homeless. Our journey across Congo, then Africa, Europe and the Atlantic Ocean was one we would not soon forget. We were taken in by the Lightners first, then the Pinkertons. We collected enough winter clothes from these families to keep ourselves from freezing. Then we arrived on Barry mountain and hunkered down for the next week at Moot hall, sitting in front of the fire and spending hours of uninterrupted family time together for the first time in years. Several people stopped in with food for us and half of us experienced snow for the first time. This is how our life in America began.

Today, one year later, the Lord has added a son to our family, several thousand to our almost empty bank account and many new friends here in our next temporary home.

One year ago today we were on a plane bound for America…

...I'm on the road, dog Got my back pack, maps and my road dogs If you could see what we see You would want to go where we're going just to be where we'll be In the presence of more than a baby boy The Lord who can save you and save me, or Maybe if it's still not clear Let wise men open your eyes and take you there ..We'd studied the script Next step was to study the trip Packed up, we were ready to dip Ready to roll Wasn't even sweating the cold We were convinced of His hotness Ready to go! Don't forget the planks that anchor the tents And with the gold, grab myrrh and some frankincense Let's go! ...It's been a minute but we're still steppin' Still trekkin' Can't wait to put our eyes on what our heart's expectin'... (Cross Movement)

Unto you a child is born!

It was a beautiful thing to deliver Enoch into the world so close to our celebration of Jesus coming to be with us.

Looking back at some pictures of Enoch's birth, this Christmas song came to mind:

Tears are falling, hearts are breaking How we need to hear from God You've been promised, we've been waiting Welcome Holy Child Hope that You don't mind our manger How I wish we could have known But long-awaited Holy Stranger Make Yourself at home Please make Yourself at home Bring Your peace into our violence Bid our hungry souls be filled Word now breaking Heaven's silence Welcome to our world

Fragile finger sent to heal us Tender brow prepared for thorn Tiny heart whose blood will save us Unto us is born

So wrap our injured flesh around You Breathe our air and walk our sod Rob our sins and make us holy Perfect Son of God Welcome to our world

(Welcome to our World by Chris Rice)

Christmas Things

Christmas cookies and painting

Salem is learning to walk

Snowflake making

Stockings! (one is turned around)

Snack time with Salem, featuring Aunt R's recipe I made with large pretzels since the minis were sold out

Orcxance’s first deer; it's hunting season in WNC

our Christmas tree

My blueprint table did a snowy baby boy shower for our last meeting on Tuesday

Snowy morning drive to Orcxance’s work

In which we have a ladies night out and do some Christmas crafts, get snow, celebrate Thanksgiving, and Orcxance pulls off another great dinner for Barry Mountain.

Ladies craft night at church

First real snow

We hosted a Thanksgiving dinner on Tuesday. It was a ton of work but everyone loved the food!

Christmas trees in Banner Elk on my drive to work

Thanksgiving day craft from Grandma B

Family Thanksgiving day lunch