Christmas Eve Party

Here are some pictures of this evening at our party.

Merry Christmas!

This evening, we went to the Laings and enjoyed an evening of mingling with others. Eli wasn't feeling well, so even though he was promptly taken from my arms the minute we entered the door, I saw him periodically throughout the night. He was fussy and so ready to go home to bed. It was a good excuse to get home a little early to enjoy our Christmas Eve alone.

After Eli was put down for the night, soon to be dreaming of sugar plums, we did a little straightening for tomorrow and took this picture of our third Christmas together. It's hard to believe that it hasn't been longer when you consider everything that has transpired in those years. On the other hand, it's hard to believe we're here, when it seems only yesterday that we first fell in love.

We look forward to many many more Christmases to come.

Our Christmas Eve

The best of all gifts around any Christmas tree: the presence of a happy family all wrapped up in each other.
~Burton Hillis

Christmas Eve began a little later than planned. We were intending to walk to the first service this morning which begins at 8:00 am. But seeing as how I woke up at precisely 8:07, it looked like we would have to choose between the second and third services. We decided to walk to the second service which begins at 9:45, but before getting ready, I brought Eli to bed with us and gave him his morning bottle there. Dan put on How The Grinch Stole Christmas and we watched the first half of it all cuddled close in bed. Eli's attention span didn't last the whole movie even though it's only 26 minutes long. So just as the Grinch stole away with his kind-hearted dog Max pulling all the belongings of Whoville - and after Cindy Lou Who was no more than two was tucked soundly in her bed - we turned it off and proceded to get breakfast.

The day is just beautiful with the sun shining brightly through the bare trees, but unfortunately there is no hope of having a white Christmas here in Bucks County, PA. It's about 40 or so outside and the wind this morning was strong (somewhat strong to make our walk to church a pleasant stroll). The house has been quiet for the past couple hours since returning from church as we've all been reading and napping. Eli is just beginning to stir at 2:00 in the afternoon. Dan is still snoozing on the couch. This evening holds joy and cheer as we join our friends at the Laing's for a Christmas party.

Last night, we enjoyed a party at the Fichera household where many of our church friends gathered. Dan and I have been reflecting how awesome it is to spend time at the holidays with our community family, and how after three years, we have really grown close to many of the people in our church.

Steps Away From Walking

While I don't have a picture or video to show it off to the world yet, Eli is taking steps without holding onto anything. He's still wobbly and falls after the first or second step, but it could be a matter of days when he's walking short distances. We'll see. He definitely prefers walking to crawling. If he can grab hold of a finger or pant-leg, he'll walk where he wants to go. If, of course, he needs to get there quickly and there's nothing around to help him along the way, he will naturally, crawl. And he does crawl very fast.

He's been playing this new game - it's so cute: He'll start crawling away from us. When we say, "Where are you going?" or "I'm going to get you!" he crawls faster, giggling all the way. It's so cute.

I think he's about done with baby food, too. He seems to prefer chunks of food to being spoon-fed. So now, I have to get creative.

IF ANYONE HAS TODDLER FOOD IDEAS, PLEASE LET ME KNOW.

I'd like to get the book, Super Baby Food. I borrowed it from someone for awhile, but I gave it back hoping to buy a new one for myself. So if I don't get it for Christmas, I'll just have to find a deal and go get it. It has so many ideas and tells you how to do everything. A lot of the stuff is over the top for me (I doubt I will EVER roll out my own crackers!) but there are a lot of really great money-saving and food ideas for babies, toddlers and older kids.

Eli accounts

When we were young, I remember how my brother, Tim's, socks used to always come partially off his feet so that they were hanging off his toes. This morning, I noticed that Eli's socks were doing the same thing, and I couldn't help but take a picture.


Here's Eli eating his breakfast: an oatmeal bar. I know. I know. What kind of a mother would give their 10-month old an oatmeal bar to eat for breakfast? Well, I'll tell you what. If he refuses to eat everything else you give him for days, you get to the point where you have to get him to eat something. And an oatmeal bar just happens to be healthier than some things; so that's what he got this morning. As you can see, he was quite pleased with the little bit he ate. I think he was more smiling for the camera than he was for the food, though.

I don't know if he's teething where I can't see it, or if he's just sick and tired of the food I've been giving him. I don't know if there's some other hidden reason why he refuses to eat. The thought has crossed my mind that maybe with the hustle and bustle of everything going on recently and my having to leave him a little more often than usual, he's just refused to eat. But in every other aspect, he seems fine. He's fine with me leaving him and although he's a little clingy, it's not really much more than normal. Oh well. It could be that he's just sick of baby food and wants real food. But even then, he doesn't always eat it. We'll keep trying!


Here's Eli looking through a box we brought home from Dan's parents' house after helping them clean out their basement. He found his daddy's old trophies!

Johnny's Back

Our boy, Johnny, is home from California for Christmas break. In August, he moved out there to go to The Masters' College; so he's home now, and is presently sitting in our living room with Dan playing their guitars. Johnny has a lot of access to new worship music, so he brought some home to play it with Dan.

The "PopPoperazzi" Does It Again

Last night, Dan took me out for my birthday so we left Elias with Nonie and Pop Pop. While Nonie was excited about playing with Baby Elias, Pop Pop was excited about another opportunity to take more pictures. (The grandchildren don't recognize Pop Pop without his camera.) Although I know it was frustrating for Nonie to keep him in positions when she just wanted to play with him, I'm glad she commiserated because I happen to love these shots. If I ever get a Christmas letter written and sent out, I think I'd like to try to send this Christmas picture of Eli with it. I just love it.


And don't you just love his hair?

Thanksgiving Pictures

I got these pictures of Thanksgiving weekend from Melissa .

Uncle Tim and Eli...


Maremy, Mom and others at Thanksgiving Dinner...



Aunt Melissa and Elias...

Thanksgiving with the Gregson Clan

2006 was the first Thanksgiving that the Tim Gregson Clan has been together in years. I don't remember how long it's been, but it's probably been since Tim II was in college. Tiffany (a.k.a. Aunt Biff) came home from college. Tim and Melissa (affectionately referred to as Tilissa) drove in on Wednesday from Aurora, IL. Mary and Jeremy (affectionately referred to Maremy) drove in from Abington, PA on the same day. Dan, Eli, Angela (a.k.a. Aunt Peg) and I drove in late Wednesday night from Bucks County, PA. We were all together until Saturday. It was a great time. We look forward to Christmas where we will all see each other again, though not for as long a time and not until a few days after Christmas Day. But we look forward to it, nonetheless. We are becoming accustomed to splitting ourselves between other families and still maintaining some semblance of family tradition. But I suppose everyone has to adjust to these things when the kids get married and join other families. It fun, though, beginning new traditions and doing new things. I look forward to many years from now when we have our own family traditions with our kids during the holidays.

Here is a picture (I'm the one taking it) of the whole family at Thanksgiving Dinner. Dan is purposefully making an undigified face.

More Fun Eli Pictures

With the decorating for Christmas and finding room to put up our tree, we've been forced to put the highchair away and have graduated Eli to a booster seat. I actually love the concept even if it's not the style I would choose. It's strapped to a chair so you don't take up anymore space than a regular chair would. Eli has taken to it quite easily as you can see below.


Bath fun...



Just a silly boy being silly. In this picture, you can actually see his sixth tooth that had just come in that morning. It's the tooth next to his two front teeth on his right side.

Abigail Sorensen Visits

Friday night, Abby Sorensen came to visit us. If you recall back when Eli was born, there were two other babies in our Home Fellowship born within two weeks of him. Abby is four days older than Eli, daughter of Josh and Becky Sorensen; Reed is nine days younger, son of Paul and Wendi Johnson.

Anyway, Abby came to visit while her mommy and daddy had a date night. After dinner out, they came back to the house to visit with us. It was a very enjoyable, and much-needed time together. I caught some adorable pictures of Abby while she was playing. Eli went to bed as soon as she arrived, the lazy bum. He just can't stay up late. He needs his sleep, which is A-Okay with me!

Hangin' with Nana on a very warm December day...


Eating graham crackers at Nonie's house...


Aunt Mary reading books to Elias...


Decorating for Christmas...

Fun Pix

I know I have been negligent in updating the blog since Dan's return. As I'm sure you are all experiencing, the busyness of the holidays frequently keeps me from doing the normal things that need constant maintaining - the blog being one of them. While I don't have much time to update you, here are some pictures to view until I can sit down a little bit longer.

"Together At Last, Together Forever..."

Welcome Home...
My title quotes song lyrics from the broadway hit, "Annie," but so fitting. Friday night, I was beyond Cloud 9. I left Eli with a friend, Linda (you can see her in the background, left), and went with one of our associate pastors, Doug, and some of the others to pick up the team. We got there early. Because Doug had a trailer hitched to the back of his SUV, we couldn't park. So we drove around for about 45 minutes to an hour before I finally asked him to let me out so I could find a restroom. I had drank a 12 oz cup of coffee and a bottle of water and I knew we probably wouldn't stop before we got home which was a two hour drive. When I came out of the restroom, the other men who had parked and were waiting at the door for the team to come through customs, were no where to be seen. I went outside to look for them and spotted Doug's SUV and trailer. Then I saw some of the team members throwing their luggage in the vehicle. As I neared them, I scoured the crowd for Dan. Friends though they were, they weren't who I was looking for and I wasn't about to say anything to them until I had greeted my dear husband. There was our pastor John, making a rucous as usual, and there...oh there he was, turning around, it's...my Dan! What could be more fitting than a big smackeroo on the lips and a squeeze that could make anyone feel loved and secure. I whispered in his ear, "Welcome home." I didn't pay any attention to John's loud booming voice, hollaring, "No making out in the street! No making out in the street!" Of course, we were just hugging, but John happens to think he's so funny yelling that out in the middle of the airport for all to hear. We quickly jumped in Doug's car as the others went to find the other vehicles, and off we went.

There was a large crowd at the church cafe waiting to welcome home the Israel team. We stayed a short while, but then left with our son Eli who was overjoyed to see his daddy again, but plenty tired as it was past his bedtime. Dan slept for ten hours that night. I laid there for the same amount, but didn't sleep quite as well. It was great to have him home again.

What now?
I'm sure you are all wondering about the stories and whether or not we will return as a family. We are discussing things and praying about it. We invite you to pray with us. Some things need to happen before we would go to the field, but we definitely feel the pull on our hearts to be doing God's work. God is refining our hearts and livestyles to prepare us for what He would have us do. Pray with us to guard our hearts against the evil one. He sneaks in and twists the truth to make it look appealing and right. Unfortunately, that's what the church at large is facing. But for us, we remain true to the gospel of Jesus Christ. Prayer keeps us focused on Him and keeps our hearts from getting distracted and wayward. These things can happen all to easily. We need the Holy Spirit to protect us and guide us.

Thank you all for your love and interest. For those of you who gave financially, making it possible for Dan to go to Israel this time round, we give a special thanks. Expect a special letter of thanks in the mail along with a short update from Dan. We love you all!

"Home Again, Home Again, Jiggety-Jig..."

Dan is en route to the US right now. It should be about a twelve hour flight, so pray that he gets some sleep on the plane, because he won't be getting it right away once he lands! It was 11:15am in Israel when he left (4:15am EST). He'll arrive in Newark, NJ at 4:35pm. Then once they all get their luggage, we'll drive back to the church (a two hour drive), I imagine, stopping for some dinner at some point.

Pray for their continued safety for the remainder of their flight and travels back to each respective home.

Pictures from Israel

Qumran: Where the Dead Sea Scrolls were found...


Lindsay riding a camel...

Tiberias in the morning...

Thursday morning and I'm just getting up to prepare for returning home. I wanted to post these pictures for you. I love the picture of Tiberias on the water. It's so beautiful.

I'm ready to return to my home and community. I've had a wonderful time here with Mom and Dad. Mom and I really got to know each other all over again, and this time, we had the time to just relax and enjoy each other's company without feeling rushed. It was great. I think I will look back on this time for many years to come and be thankful for the time we had to spend together. It was nice for Eli to get to know Mom and Dad. (and Heidi, the dog, whom he loves! She'd never seen a baby before so she didn't know what to do with him. I think she thought he was a toy, but then he moved a lot on his own, so she was confused.) We'll be back in two weeks for Thanksgiving so hopefully he will remember them and the house and feel more at ease from the start. It seems like he's grown so much these 11 days. He's really gotten big and is moving about with so much more ease than before. He's been letting go of surfaces and standing for a few seconds before lowering himself to the floor or falling on his rear end. He has five teeth now with one just below the surface, and his hair is getting shaggy. I can't wait for Dan to see him.

I will be driving to Newark with some others from the church to pick up the team tomorrow. I'm so excited to see Dan. I'm planning to leave Eli behind: still working out the details.

Now I need to go get ready for the day. Eli's been laying in his room squealing and making noises for about an hour now. It's only 6:45! I can't wait till he gets back into his routine. At least, he's content to stay in his crib for a little while longer.

More pictures

The Market in Tel Aviv...

The Mediterranean Sea...

The Worship Team on the streets of Tel Aviv...

Pictures

Here is a group picture of everyone sitting on outdoor "toilets." The ancient public sewage system.

Here is a group picture. Dan is on the far right.

The Chronicles of the Separation of Dan and Gen: Day 7

I realized that my title "The Chronicles of the Separation of..." sounds like Dan and I are separated due to an argument or something horrible like that. I can't have people thinking we are separated!! But I don't know what else to call it. We are, indeed, separated for a time and it kills me. I am experiencing the withdrawal of half of me being gone. I was praying last night as I was falling asleep and telling God that I now really understand the meaning of "becoming as one." When we got married, God began a work of uniting us as one flesh: body, soul and spirit. He will continue to meld us together as time grows on, but even now, after seven days, I feel lost and sad without my husband. I guess I didn't realize the impact he has on my happiness and joy. It's just as it should be. While my true ultimate joy comes from Jesus Christ, He has given Dan to me to be a symbol of His love for the Church. And I hold to Dan as my better half, my guide in this life, my love for eternity.

I was finally able to get ahold of an itinerary for the Israel team. Today is going to be awesome for them. Today they are going to visit the Mount of Olives. Then they are going to see the Palm Sunday Road. I hope one day to be there and see it with my own eyes; to reflect on what it must have been like to be there laying the palm leaves on the ground before my Lord rode by on a humble young donkey, only a few days later to die hanging on a tree for me, for my sins, for the sins of the world, just so that we wouldn't have to pay the penalty when we die. Because he conquered death and rose to life three days later, those who accept His free gift of salvation can live eternally with Him in heaven. I know that's where I'll be when I die. And I look forward to it with full anticipation of being in His very presence with no effect of sin on my soul.

While they haven't run into violence (that I know of), they have seen the effects of it and have heard stories of God's goodness to the people in the land. It's easier to see God's grace and goodness in a land where there is so much danger because it stands out more than if everything were just fine and running smoothly. There is a story of how a missile went off right in front of an apartment building and there was not one injury. Every window in the building was blown to pieces and no one was hurt. There was even a woman was standing directly in front of her window doing the dishes and she didn't have one cut on her.

They visited and ministered to Lebanese Christian refugees. These refugees fought for Israel against Hizbollah during a war some years ago. Lebanon obviously didn't want them back and Israel didn't want them because they were Lebanese. Israel eventually allowed them through the border, but finding jobs is difficult, to say the least, and they have very little. They were very glad to have received our team and were blessed by their time.

The internet hasn't been very accessible to them since they left Tel Aviv, so that's why the updates haven't been as regular on the church website. Dan told me that they have some good pictures but uploading hasn't been easy. I hope they get them uploaded soon so that you can all see what they have been doing and the beautiful sights they have seen.

They were able to update the journal telling about the ministry they have done the past few days. Click on the link to the right and you will go straight to it.

Continue praying for their safety and that God would work through them. Pray for unity in the team as they finish up the rest of the week.

It's Football Season

Since we found out that Elias was going to be a boy, Dad has been excited about sitting and watching football together. He and Tim used to always get into it together, and now that Tim's gone, Dad has no one to watch it with. (Tiff keeps up with it, but she's usually at college.) So today, Dad sat down with Eli and pointed out how the game works. Amazingly enough, Eli was fascinated and listened to every word as his eyes were glued to the television.

Rocking Horse

Floyd and Marilyn Lepper, a couple that goes to my parent's church, brought by a wooden rocking horse today. It's solid oak and very sturdy. Not only is it a great toy for kids to play with, but it looks great too. It will stay at Mom and Dad's house for all the grandkids to play with.

Clock is Current Time in Israel

The clock to the right tells the current time in Israel. They are seven hours ahead of us.

High Speed Internet Up and Running!!

THANK YOU, GOD!!! Aaron Rulison: what a blessing. He came to fix Mom and Dad's computer yesterday while Mom and I were out. We returned to smoothly running internet connection and computers. It's so great that I don't have to go to Panera Bread to update the blog or have to sit and wait on dial-up to check my email (only in html format, too).

Dan is still doing well. He called the other night which was such a surprise to me. I wasn't expecting that he would call. I was floating the rest of the night.

Eli's cold turned into teeth! He has a shiny new tooth next to his upper front teeth. The one on the other side is about to peak through. It explains so much. Last week, he had diarhea like crazy, but no symptoms of feeling bad or dehydration. Then this week, he's been slightly off with his sleeping patterns and his gums seemed to be pretty sensitive. He's been drooling like a leaking faucet and has pretty serious congestion. This morning, someone at church said that her kids had diarhea before cutting teeth. I had no idea that was a symptom, but now it makes so much sense. Hopefully, this last tooth will cut today and he'll be back to his normal schedule with less drool.

Here's a picture of Eli and me and Panera Bread the other day. We were there using the free wireless internet.