I’ve started and deleted several sentences so far. Just goes to show I should write up my DPP posts before 8:00pm as I’m entirely certain that my brain goes into rapid shutdown mode by the time my children go to bed.

Tonight the lovely Claire knelt down and received the sacrament of baptism on her head. It was a profound moment and utterly moving. At least two women in front of me were also wiping away tears. We’re knit together in this body of believers and witnessing Claire (and Tess) become members of Redeemer made me more grateful than ever for these brothers and sisters in Christ. Christ is the head and we line up in the Body underneath his authority. Perhaps that’s why the humility we saw up front carried even more weight. The humble posture of submission to God’s authority was a perfect visual for the way we want to live our lives.

There. I’m not going to delete those sentences. December 7, you’ve been beautiful.

It’s a wonder I ever have a complete conversation at women’s events at church anymore with little faces like this looking in my direction. I’ll often try to leave my camera in my bag (women get really weird about being photographed, for the record) and live in the moment. You know, engage in the present and all that. Jack’s enormous brown eyes, though, were too much to resist. This little guy is so cute and so precious that I was powerless against his charm. I expect to soon be laughing at his antics as his mom is one of the funniest people I know.

Last weekend approximately forty women descended upon my friend Jen’s home for a daylong women’s retreat. It was awesome. And restful. And life-giving.

Jen’s cat Clooney held his own amongst the ladies. Initially he planted his fluffy body in the middle of a walkway as though to make sure everyone knew they were in his space. Later, as I walked through the home snapping photos, I found Clooney in the ultimate position of repose—reclining on the master bed. Nay, not just reclining, but leaning back into the pillows as though the plebians could go about their business in the main rooms, but he was going to catch up on his beauty sleep, thankyouverymuch.

Oh Clooney, you are too much.

Silent night, holy night,
all is calm, all is bright
round yon virgin
mother and child.
Holy infant, so tender and mild,
sleep in heavenly peace,
sleep in heavenly peace.

Silent night, holy night,
wondrous star, lend thy light;
with the angels let us sing,
Alleluia to our King;
Christ the Savior is born,
Christ the Savior is born!

Little Ezra is another card-carrying member of the Two-Finger Suckers club. Which basically means he has the power to turn my heart into mush when those fingers go into his mouth. And when he crawls up to sit next to me and cuddle? Or reaches his arms up for me to hold his chunky two-year old self? Well, then I’m all his. Doesn’t matter that I had elbow surgery two months ago, I’ll hold him as long as I can.

I figure that Elsie, the sweetness on the other side of me, loves me because I give her Lucky Charms for a snack. Or because I let her watch copious amount of television when her family stayed at our house in December. Or because I snuggled with her when she had a fever. Whatever the reason is, she and I are now bonded. Buddies. I hope this is a lifelong friendship.

Welcome to Lincoln and to Redeemer, Gordon family! We are thrilled you are here to stay.

**Photo credit to Chris Gordon who helped herself to my camera and thus allowed me to actually be in a photograph.

Friends. Coffee. Brunch. Encouragement. It’s kind of like MOPS on a smaller scale. If you’d like to hear what we heard last week, check out Kerri’s blog. She did a fabulous job speaking.

**Table decor courtesy the creative and talented Tara Mackrill! I love her eye, and it blesses us moms month after month.

My church is full of quite possibly the cutest children on the planet. Tonight many of them sang in a Christmas choir and they did a wonderful job due to the efforts of their fearless leader Vikki Power (thank you, Vikki!). Here is a shot of my buddy Josh who recited a giant portion of Luke 2. If you are like the rest of us lazy hacks and haven’t actually memorized the passage, here it is:

1 In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. 2 (This was the first census that took place while[a] Quirinius was governor of Syria.) 3 And everyone went to their own town to register.
4 So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. 5 He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. 6 While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, 7 and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.

8 And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. 11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”

13 Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,

14 “Glory to God in the highest heaven,
and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”

15 When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”

16 So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. 17 When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, 18 and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. 19 But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. 20 The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.

I love the people of Redeemer. Featured here are two fabulous musicians. Brittany just happened to have a night off of playing music (and thus was sitting in the perfect location for me to snap her picture) and Josh, well, Josh pulled out the banjo for a few songs. I love that banjo business. Thanks to both of them, and the rest of our musicians, for leading worship week after week. Singing praises to God corporately is always a great way to soften my heart to focus on Jesus.

The Redeemer Christmas Party was tonight. Such a great time of hanging out with fun folks. The top shot is my friend Tara, who is also a DPP participant. The bottom shot is the lovely Ashley modeling her white elephant gift.