We had a very blessed and relaxing Christmas at our home this year! I have delayed in posting lately because we also have been struck with a stomach flu since Wednesday. I am thankful it didn’t hit until after Christmas…but we thank the extended Edmonds family for passing it on to us on Christmas Eve! This is the second year in a row that they have taken ill on the holidays. Alas! I will break from my Natural Living on a Budget series today, but would like to post a few pictures from our celebrations. Enjoy!

The Lord blessed us with the opportunity of really ministering to one of our neighbors this past weekend. Do you remember me telling you how I was struggling with my delay and decided to make some bread at the last minute to give as gifts? Although most of our neighbors were out of town, we did have the opportunity of giving a loaf to an older divorced woman. She was really hurting and opened up to us. We were able to pray for her. She was so blessed by our prayers and by holding little Karis, that she even began to tear up. She expressed interest in going to church with us in the new year. Praise God! This was such an encouragement. We have been trying to reach out to one particular couple in our neighborhood without much success, as we had invited to three different Christmas events and they backed out of each one. God encouraged us to just keep being faithful! I know He has placed us in this neighborhood for a reason…and I don’t want to miss out on the opportunities to minister.

Karis with her Christmas hat & Grandma Taylor (my mom!)

Here we are at the Grotto Festival of Lights last Saturday

Our Christmas Tree with Christmas cards posted on the window

Karis with her stocking (it is as large as she is! Thanks to Grandma Edmonds)