Adventures of the Elkins

Well, we are finally back home for good from all our travels. It was so great to spend some time away and get to see family we don't often get to see, but it is also nice to be in our own home. I've always been somewhat of a homebody. I enjoy traveling but one of the best parts of traveling is coming home. We might not have the biggest or nicest home, but it's ours and we love it.

I realized some things this Christmas season I'd thought I share.
1) Be thankful for any time you have with family. We never know when they (or us) will no longer be around. My friend Chris lost his grandmother a few days before Christmas. It reminds of you of how precious a gift our family is.
2) Be thankful for where God has you right now. God has placed Dan and I in a wonderful church home. We are surrounded by people who love and care for us. We are in a place where God's word is preached unashamedly. Where the music that is sung and played helps lead us to worship. Where we have the best group of middle schoolers. They're not perfect, but who is. Where we are surrounded by co-laborers who long to seek the Lord with their whole heart and encourage us to do the same. I will forever be grateful to the people who have touched our lives.
3) I have learned to appreciate my husband. Dan is a wonderful man. He leads our home in the way I believe God wants him to. He is the most incredible father. It shows every time he's near Katelyn. Her face lights up and mommy becomes invisible. It's all about Daddy( and I LOVE it). Dan's not perfect, which I'm SO thankful for. If he was, then he would have never married me because we all know I am the queen-messer-upper. Though he messes up, he is quick to apologize and try to make things right. He goes out of his way to look for ways to cheer me up when I'm down. Or to make me laugh in the middle of a "discussion." He doesn't take himself too seriously, yet knows there is a time a place for silliness. I am so blessed to have him as my leader, partner, and best friend. I pray I will never lose sight of that.

Anyway, I hope you had as wonderful a Christmas as my family did. I am once again in awe of the gift that was given in the form of a Baby in a manger. Being a parent now, I somewhat understand what God must have felt when He sent Jesus to be our sacrifice. I couldn't have given Katelyn. Thank You, Jesus for loving us so much You would come to earth as a lowly baby to die on the cross so I could live forever.

Amazing love how can it be?
That You my King would die for me.
Amazing love I know it's true.
And it's my joy to honor You.
In all I do, I honor You.