The eagle has landed. The Israelites have entered the Promised Land. Zion Church has a new location. Okay, okay. So the eagle and wandering Hebrews comments are an exaggeration, but we are indeed thrilled to have a new structure to call “home.” It was delightful to walk through new (new-to-us rather) hallways and rooms this morning and see familiar items like framed pictures and coffee tables from the remnants at 9th & D. I have a new Flickr set with my other shots from this morning’s dedication service. We praise God for His provision for us!

Sometime between midnight and 8:00am, the rain fell… and froze… and created glistening statues of nature’s smallest beauties. My sister-in-law Kristin is right–there is something very poetic about this type of storm. From the crunch of frozen grass blades beneath my shoes to the canceled parades and miscellaneous Saturday morning plans, the frozen rain was indeed a force of nature.

Hurray, the December Photo Project is underway! Check out all the bloggers participating (see sidebar to right) and support them with your comments of encouragement. This year we also have a Flickr pool, if you feel like contributing that way. If you are participating, and haven’t received a pool invite, leave me a comment below.

The December Photo Project begins tomorrow!

I suppose this means I should remember to take my camera with me when I leave the house. If not, I imagine the blog will be subjected to late-night shots of my Walmart Christmas tree.

So far the DPP challenge has been picked up by women only. Any men dare to join up? Any last-minute takers? Tomorrow the fun begins.

The December Photo Project is back for the third year!

Come one, come all. Grab your cameras and join me in a photography challenge for the first 25 days of December. Snap a picture each day and show the world what you’re looking at! Drop a comment on the Prairie Box or email me privately, and we’ll list your blog under a DPP heading off to the right once December rolls around.

The excitement begins December 1. Join us! (And stayed tuned for more info about a Flickr Pool…)

**Bounced back to the top of the blog for now.

The Nicene Creed

We believe in one God, the Father Almighty,
Maker of heaven and earth,
of all things visible and invisible.

And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only-begotten Son of God,
begotten of his Father before all worlds,
God of God, Light of Light,
very God of very God,
begotten, not made, being of one substance with the Father;
by whom all things were made;
who for us and for our salvation
came down from heaven,
and was incarnate by the Holy Spirit of the virgin Mary,
and was made man;
and was crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate;
he suffered and was buried;
and the third day he rose again according to the Scriptures,
and ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father;
and he shall come again, with glory, to judge both the living and the dead;
whose kingdom shall have no end.

And we believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord and giver of life,
who proceeds from the Father and the Son;
who with the Father and the Son together is worshiped and glorified;
who spoke by the prophets;
and we believe in one holy catholic and apostolic church;
we acknowledge one baptism for the remission of sins;
and we look for the resurrection of the dead,
and the life of the world to come. Amen.

When a gift tag becomes something really special…

This is Livia’s 3rd Christmas, but it’s the first time she is able to understand (partially at least) the meanings and traditions related to the day. BabyJesuswasbornonChristmasDay! she says at least ten times a day. And despite knowing that presents are opened on Christmas Day, she got a bit itchy and tore into one yesterday while I was on the phone, preoccupied with a conversation. Overall she’s been very patient waiting both for Baby Jesus to be born and for presents to be opened. Jeremy and I plan on a few tears Christmas Day when Liv can’t actually pat and hold this Baby Jesus she’s been waiting for. I’m hoping our little Advent calendar and a birthday cake will help my sweet two and a half year old understand the holiday.

A gift tag becomes really special when you think about the present, buy it, store it away for weeks or even months, pull it out and wrap it… and give it to your small child. Merry Christmas to Livia, child of mine with fresh eyes. I love you more each day.

I am just now realizing it’s the TWENTIETH of December. Dear goodness me. I am not quite prepared for the upcoming family celebrations on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.

I’ve been down and out the last seven days after having surgery. Like a friend said to me today, sometimes there are hidden blessings in not being able to participate in typical everyday life. Livia and I have cozied up in our living room recently and watched tons of PBS. I’m steadily working my way through the Mitford series. Jeremy and I have been kicking back in the evenings with Ewan and Charley. And overall I’ve avoided stress that often accompanies the holidays. Not too bad, right? Now, to complete the final shopping duties and gift-wrapping, and then I’m all set for the family parties.

Only five more days of the December Photo Project. Are y’all prepared to complete the challenge?