Christmas Room Tour

May I see a raise of hands of those who love Christmas home tours as much as I do? (both of my hands are in the air :) There is something so cozy and beautiful about homes that reflect the joy and peace that Christ brought to earth! I do want to clarify that I don't believe God likes you more, or feels more welcome in a home that "goes all out" for Christmas than those that don't. This has nothing to do with that other than it's clear in God's Word that He makes and enjoys beautiful things... So, why not reflect that? 

 Here goes...

 Christmas tree: clearance at Walmart

Record player: apparently no longer available...

Willow Tree Angel: gifted

Mini berry tree: Michaels

JOY letters: DIY prodject

Bottles: spray painted

Snowflake ornament: clearance at Michaels

Pinecones: picked up beside the road :)

 I had a huge chalkboard that I didn't have a need for at the moment so I propped it up in the corner and now I use it to hang my extra throw blankets... You use what you have, right? ;)

 Candle stands: thrifted

candles: thrifted

Glass Nativity Scene: thrifted

Gold frame: thrifted 

 Gold Reindeer: thrifted

Candle Stand: thrifted

Candle: Bath and Body Works

Twinkle lights: Home Scense

Ornaments: thrifted

Diamond string: thrifted

Sweater Pillow: DIY

JOY Pillow: clearance at Superstore

Navy plush throw: Gift from a previous Christmas

 Jingle Bell String: DIY

Curtains: thrifted

Large bells: thrifted

Mini berry tree: Michaels

Silver reindeer ornament: thrifted

White key: Michaels

White fur fabric: some fabric store but it's been so long ago that i have no idea where!

:: here's an extra little tidbit ::

 It astounds me again and again that God would send His Son to a sinful world, knowing that He would be ridiculed and mocked, unloved and beaten... How much love for a thankless people! A while back we were watching a message titled "The Grace of the Cross" and i want to insert a section of it because it's just very true! The cradle and the cross really go hand in hand... 

"If He wasn’t a man, then who was that in Bethlehem’s manger? And if He wasn’t God then why did the angels say, “unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior which is Christ the Lord?” If He wasn’t man then who was baptized in the River Jordan? And if He wasn’t God then why did a voice from Heaven say, “this is my beloved Son, in whom I’m well pleased?”  if He wasn’t man then who was that that was tempted in the wilderness? And if He wasn’t God, of whom did the Scriptures say, “He was made to be sin for us, He who knew no sin, that we might be made the righteousness of God through Him?” if He wasn’t man, to whom did the leopard bow and say “Lord, if thou will then make me clean?” and if He wasn’t God then who said “I will, be thou clean?” if He wasn’t man then who was it that touched the brow of Peter’s wife’s mother? And if He wasn’t God then who made the fever to leave? If He wasn’t man then who was that sleeping in the back of the boat? And if He wasn’t God then who was it that said “Peace, be still” to the raging storm? If He wasn’t man then who was it that spent all night on the mountain in prayer? And if He wasn’t God then who was it that saw the disciples in a storm and walked on the water to bring their salvation? If He wasn’t man, who was it that stood all day and taught the multitudes? And if He wasn’t God, who took five loaves and two fish and fed five thousand people besides the children and women? If He wasn’t man, who wept outside the tomb of Lazarus in Bethany’s graveyard? And if He wasn’t God, who cried with a loud voice, “Lazarus, come forth!” and raised him from the dead? If He wasn’t man then who washed the disciples’ feet? And if He wasn’t God, who said, “this is my body, broken for you. This is my blood which is shed for you?” if He wasn’t man, who sweat drops of blood? And if He wasn’t God, who was it that said, “Father, if it be possible let this cup pass from me, nevertheless my will, but thine be done?” if He wasn’t man, who said “I thirst?” And if He wasn’t God, who looked at the thief next to Him and said “today you will be with me in paradise?” if He wasn’t man, who looked down at Mary and said, “woman, behold thy son. And looked at John and said, “son, behold thy mother?” and if He wasn’t God then who cried, “It is finished!”  and if He wasn’t man then who hung on that cross that day and cried “my God, my God! Why have you forsaken me?” and if He wasn’t God, who said “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit?” if He wasn’t man, who’s body did they place in the borrowed tomb of Joseph? And If He wasn’t God, who rose up triumphantly on the third day to declare your justification and mine?"

Merry Christmas, everyone!

Today a Savior, who is Messiah the Lord, was born for you in the city of David.

Luke 2:11

Western Canada Tour: Weeks 6&7 and Coming Home!

Time sure does fly! We have now been home for three weeks and I'm only now getting to post about our last week and a half on tour! I do apologize for that!

:: The last time I posted was just a day or two before the Widow's Banquet in Grassy Lake... Singing and helping with these is always a highlight of the tour ::

:: Mom with a wonderful friend ::

:: spending an afternoon walking around Lethbridge with a dear friend seeing all the lights and reindeer, eating popcorn and drinking hot chocolate ::

:: let's just say we drink a lot of French pressed coffee :) ::

:: Whenever we're in the area we have to stop in at our favorite German/Mexican restaurant for some veranijke ::

:: this was a surprise! After one of our concerts my Aunt and Uncle came to the bus and gave us this ginormous gift basket! ::

:: We sang in Foam Lake one evening and the next day for lunch they hosted a Widow's Banquet where we had the privilege to sing ::

:: Go for it, TJ! ::

:: Wow! Three Widow's banquets in this post, huh? Well, the last one here was in Kenora, ON and it was a blast! ::

:: so many ladies... so many stories... ::

:: The following day we had church with long-time family friends and during lunch there was never a lull in catching up :D ::

From there we finally made it HOME! that was Sunday, November 26, so we've had some good times at home since then.

(This was waiting for us at home and it kinda made my day!)

 My dear friend Crista came for a week and I have never spent so much time decorating a gingerbread village in my life :) but I had the best of times talking and making coffee drinks, singing endlessly along with "When We are Together" by the Tenors, and laughing up a storm!

:: Isn't this a beauty? ::

:: family gatherings are for building relationships and quilts ::

:: our little basement sitting area got cozier ::

:: our little Selah wants to be in on everything! ::

:: Ty has been real busy perfecting his snow sculptures and I've got to say, he does real well! ::

:: gasp ::

:: Julia and Lonita went on a Holiday Home tour with some friends ::

:: clearing snow is a frequent activity for them ::

:: Just last week Thursday we sang for a Senors Supper that some friends host every month... it was good to have my Dad's parents and my Mom's Dad there with us! ::

:: long winter evenings are meant for stories and cuddles, no? ::

Well, everyone! that concludes the Western Canada Tour of 2017! I'm hoping to keep up with posting every week when we leave again middle of January, but up until then, be on the lookout for a change of scenery :) I'll see if i can't post some more festive things and a room tour is coming up on Friday!

Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable His judgments and untraceable His ways! For who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has been His counselor? Or who has ever first given to Him and needs to be repaid? For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be the glory forever. Amen.

Romans 11:33-36