Maria shared that Romeo is getting ready for his first hugs from family at the end of the week! We are so excited and happy to all be together except for Hallel! As we were sharing morning prayer this morning this verse from Revelations filled me with the anticipation that is building and building with my family Christmas followed by Pat's family's Christmas and then Christmas day, which I am working at the nursing home this year. "The urgency of Advent longing increases as Christmas, the celebration of the birth of the great Morning Star, Jesus Christ the Lord, comes almost within sight. May the urgency drown out the mounting urgency of commercial messages this week." see www.magnificat.com
I am going to use some other pictures of Amy making cookies for her today. We sure enjoy her visits and her sweet joyful attitude. Nancy shared a wonderful sharing on her blog yesterday that is definitely worth the read, and taking to heart that joyful attitude at all the Lord gives us to make our lives rich and special! http://www.dosmallthingswithlove.com/2014/12/on-choosing-joy-motherhood.html An untimely death of a young woman Nancy's age, who had just married and was so yearning for a family of her own, while on her honeymoon has deeply touched Nancy and many with appreciating the LIFE they have been blessed with. "Yes, I am coming soon." speaks to us of how Christmas is rapidly coming upon us to celebrate God entering the world to bring LIGHT and healing to all. And on another level it is reminding us that we need to be prepared at all times for his coming again to bring all the believers to their eternal HOME with Jesus, Mary, the Saints and Angels!
Impressive is the word for having such cheerful and joyful help with this annual Christmas cookie making.
Another Revelations verse from morning prayer; "I, Jesus, sent an angel to give you this testimony for the churches. I am the root and offspring of David, the bright morning star." "You will do well to be attentive to it, as to a lamp shining in dark places, until day dawns and the morning star rises in our hearts." 2 Peter 1:19 I think of Jesus as more like the sun rising in the morning and filling the world with LIGHT and Hope! Guess what? It just dawned on me that the Sun is the morning star! It is a star and it brings LIGHT into the world of darkness!
Teamwork because the lid would fall back with a crash unless someone held it... so it took two and they made a good team!
Jesus has to be The Sun, the morning star, which brings LIGHT, and warmth, and joy into the world! I just had a friend share that she needs the bright light and rays of the sun to help her find a happier place in her day to day life. She spoke of all these gloomy days making it hard for her mentally and emotionally. Jesus can have that effect on our hearts, minds and souls - healing them and bringing warmth and brightness into all the corners of darkness of sin. The result of His LIGHT is for us to find the fruits of the Spirit..." love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.” Galations 5:22-23 as we embrace The Tree of LIFE/The Cross.
I have never seen Amy without a beautiful radiant smile lighting up her face. Where does that JOY come from? Within.
The iron was very hot to work with...
Jesus, we are reminded of the great anticipation that is building within at your coming and the real reason for the season! The welcoming of The Morning Star/The Sun into our world of darkness. May we bask in the rays of your LOVE and the warmth that floods our hearts as we die to self so that you may live in us! This Advent season is for this purpose - so that you may dwell more and more fully in us and we may be yours for all eternity! The commercialism is all around us, yet we long to only gaze upon the baby small and helpless, who came to save us and show us the Truth that can set up free! Jesus, we trust in YOU. Amen and Hallelujah
Johnny sharing one of his cookies with little Luke.
Bless-bless, Barbara Luke

Look to Jesus!!!!
How's that for a little joyful girl? Rose is opening and blossoming like her name! It is so great to see her sweet self coming out, and to hear her speaking more to us! "A cow goes moo." Was her response to grandpa at Sunday dinner when grandpa asked her: "What's up with you, Rose?"
Light up the sky - The Afters

Third Day - Do you hear what I hear?
We can't wait either Romeo, Patrick, David, Therese, Maria and Jospeh!!!! Bless-bless and safe wonderful travels!
Our arms are open and waiting for you! Lots of hugs!!! I remember when Maria would hug and hug and never let me go! Maybe that is in store for me once again?

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