Past Festivities!

How does one find time amist all the holidays to tell others of their wonderful times? It is quite difficult for me to make time to update blogs, edit, etc. with all the pictures that are taken simply at the push of a button! So a month later I tell you of all our delightful Christmas times we had. (Excuse the disordered photos.) First we start with our Christmas meal...We were, in the most lovely way, blessed with a white Christmas. (Something that has never happened that I can remember on Christmas day in N.C.) After we opened our presents on Chrismas morning around ten o'clock, it began to fall, and didn't stop untill the next morning.(Note: this also casue quite a bit of drama in the house trying to figure out if we needed to leave for Florida while we could still get with the motorhome. We finally concluded to park the motorhome at the top of our lane and wait until morning to leave.:) Christmas night at midnight we all went out for a stroll in the snow before bed. It turned into a snowlady making, and tackle football playing session. I stood alone in the back yard watching the snow fall in the rays of our outdoor light. Jesus truly answered my prayer and gave me a wonderful gift of a special moment that surpassed all other Christmas fun. Here we are posing for a silly caroling picture...:)Father with the snowball. (I miss him now, as he is across the ocean in Africa. More on our week without him later.)Mother and Father with our "Dancing lady" Christmas morning....The boys got their wish of one bass and one electric guitar! They couldn't wait to open these. (Dad wasn't sure he liked the idea of a electirc guitar, but Kyle assured him it could be played in a decent manner! :))This year us Childern joined forces and got gifts for the wonderful Authorities. This was the first year one of us could drive so we could go shopping for them, and the frist year that one of us had a "job". (Derek was the "one" in both cases. Though the rest of us chipped in, of coures.) So we were able to do thing for them we weren't before. It was a complete joy! Eugene and I made a plank with our family mission statement painted on it; "To be living proof of a loving God in a watching world".Grace with some of her Christmas goodies...She cried when she opened this one! :) Which was sweet. As a mother, one often puts "needs" on ones Christmas list. She didn't know that someone knew her desire for one of these...but I did! :) It was so super fun to treat her...Kyle has such a giving heart. He went to great financial lengths to by His father a nice leather coat, cologn (So he doesn't keep using his! :)), and a very specail card. Dad says "Kyle you didn't.." :)I myself got a lovely coat...Euegne with a very happy face! :)Trying on my coat.(It didn't fit, but I told mom it was just nice to own it for a while! Still searching for another that I can pick out myself! Tell me if you find something "me")Reading the Christmas story on the morning of...On Christmas eve the chillens slept downstairs by the fire. (by morning all that was left was Kyle and Grece!:))Christmas eves we have or- devoures...(Note...Grace likes to wear a veil at home sometimes...lest you think...not yet...) :)Grace and Derek playing "God rest ye merry gentlemen."An attempt...we are pretty rusty and playing together, but we enjoy it.Have I told you of our free 100 year old piano that I have grown to treasure. When I was quite young it was given to us by a wonderful Christian family that attended our church and were moving away. It's a charm..Daddy is wore out after all the wresteling...Danced to the "Hallelujia Chorus"...and other Christmas songs...Derek uses his domestic flair...Birds flocked to our feeders during the snow! It's our favorite, we can watch them as we do dishes! (photo credits to Mother. She likes capturing nature far more then I.)The "youth formal". Good time we had. Me and Sire Valiant pose by Christmas tree. Cassy and his "vest brothers". :)Me with Sir. He's simply dashing...Brother and his two beautiful sisters. He won the costume allot with the top hat don't you say?Silly entertainment we had...Our youth elders and their wonderful family..Instead of a gift exchange amonst ourselves, be brought in a family with childern in our church to minister to and have fun with. Christmas can be a hard thing with little ones when presnts are as bountiful because of hard times. So we we able to help them out with some gifts. We also were alloted a child per group and had to make a manger scene with Studio day! We recorded 2 skits for the new dvd. It was interesting. Not always happy faces.! :) Spa day at Sillas. Twas very lovely! We signed up to have one of our own.
Thus, I leave you. Though this heart and mind have much to say, I only have time for pictures now! :) I hope to soon post of things happening in recent. Such as: Aunts coming while Daddy goes across the ocean, and sisters turning seven. May this new week be simply breath-taking for you when reminded of all His wonderful ways! (I hope I also can turn my eyes Heaven-word and rest in His love.So soon I forget, so soon I doubt. So glad He is so quick to forgive. :))
~Deborah Iasabel.

When becomming a women...

Bat Barakah meaning "Daughter of Blessing". This evening to be a "Daughter of blessing" was pure joy. I had a wonderful time, and was blessed abundantly. Right on my sixteenth birthday I was able to have the special ceremony of going into womanhood. It's a Jewish custom that our family has been taught about by several friends that practice it. It's not that it all has to be a certain way, just the idea of entering into a new stage of life, Womanhood. It's one of the sweetest things that has ever happened to me. The preparation was fun, (sometimes stressful.:) and the event very meaningful. Thank you Lord for honoring the prayer of my dear Father as He cried to you simply to bring you Glory though it all.

This was the celebration after the ceremony. It was such a blessing that the church had all the goblets, tables, chairs, tablecloths, and candles already there that we could enjoy all of those pleasures.So many people were so helpful in getting this all together.The place to put written blessing. So grateful for all of you who sent blessings even if you weren't able to attend. (Mother and Brother Eugene made "blessing" sign.)April and Alisha were so generous in helping with drinks and cleanup. Here is April from her secret place :))The desert table.My heart was so put to rest by the lovely Christmas music played by my Kindereds from Ohio that so generously made their way to N.C. for the evening. It was a joy to have them, even though it was short. They were splendid: Cherie Chloria and Christina Celisse.Brothers..,Praying at the opening..Wonderful songs lead by Galen. "BE Thou my vision oh Ruler of all..."Testimonial. :)A time for siblings to give blessings. It was so sweet. He was valiant, of course.He made me laugh, of course.He made me melt, of course.She stole all hearts, of course, as she read of her speech and blessing...as well as played piano for me.Mother was the perfect mother. :) ...her blessing was exquisite, she has taught me true womanhood, and it showed in her blessings...She gave me a Bread Book of breads from all countries. Because she knows I like such things, and she related it to them giving me back to the Lord's hands to be broken bread for others, and in physical to be a women of "good understanding" and prudent. Her blessing was out of the story of Abigail and David, it was so special.Nelson and Sarah Coblentz had a "Patriarchal Blessing". As to step into place of previous generations.It was so special to me to have them play that part.She's sweet.And then we had a time for the guest to speak blessings as they felt led...And to the dear LaVern Miller family for coming to N.C. with your darling daughters, I am grateful. And thank you Victoria for sharing.It was so great to have Marvin and Janice come for this. They were here for my baptism as well. They are like second grandparents. He gave the "Aronic" blessing from the Bible as well as their own personal words.Fathers blessing that he typed and framed. :) Giving Dad the "Key to my Heart."My heart.Prayer of blessing by Pastor Jason and group...The ribbon crossing was my favorite. A physical symble of going into womanhood. All girls 15 and under on one side, 16 and older on the other. I start on one side and cross over to the women, they all clapped, cheered and hugged and Cherie played "blessings flow".And we left the sanctuary as Cherie played "Edelweiss" to the celebration!

Marvin, Cherie, Christy and I. Menu: Cream of Broccoli Barley soup, delicious "Olive Garden" bread sticks made by Silla, and veggies. Dessert: Cappacino Muffins, Gingerbread Biscotti, "Mom's best chocolate cake. Drinks: Coffee, hot chocolate, and Pumpkin Lattes.

It was so sweet. All the gifts and presents were simply fun. Being up late with my friends from OHio was ridiculously inspirational. This night has brought me much joy. What fun these few weeks of being a women have been! :)

~Miss Deborah Isabel