I Choose Love

"It’s quiet. It’s early. My coffee is hot. The sky is still black. The world is still asleep. The day is coming. In a few moments the day will arrive. It will roar down the track with the rising of the sun. The stillness of the dawn will be exchanged for the noise of the day. The calm of solitude will be invaded by decisions to be made and deadlines to be met. For the next twelve hours I will be exposed to the day’s demands. It is now that I must make a choice. Because of Calvary, I’m free to choose. And so I choose.

I choose LOVE...No occasion justifies hatred; no injustice warrants bitterness. I choose love. Today I will love God and what God loves.

I choose JOY...I will invite my God to be the God of circumstances. I will refuse the temptation to be cynical...the tool of the lazy thinker. I will refuse to see people as anything less than human beings created by God. I will refuse to see any problem as anything less than an opportunity to see God.

I choose PEACE...I will live forgiven. I will forgive so that I may live.

I choose PATIENCE ...I will overlook the inconveniences of the world. Instead of cursing the one who takes my place, I’ll invite him to do so. Rather than complain that the wait is too long, I will thank God for a moment to pray. Instead of clenching my fist at new assignments, I will face them with joy and courage.

I choose KINDNESS...I will be kind to the poor, for they are alone. Kind to the rich, for they are afraid. And kind to the unkind, for such is how God has treated me.

I choose GOODNESS...I will go without a dollar before I take a dishonest one. I will be overlooked before I will boast. I will confess before I will accuse.

I choose FAITHFULNESS...Today I will keep my promises. My debtors will not regret their trust. My associates will not question my word. My wife will not question my love. And my children will never fear that their father will not come home.

I choose GENTLENESS...Nothing is won by force. I choose to be gentle. If I raise my voice may it be only in praise. If I clench my fist, may it be only in prayer. If I make a demand, may it be only of myself.

I choose SELF-CONTROL...I am a spiritual being. After this body is dead, my spirit will soar. I refuse to let what will not, rule the eternal. I will be drunk only by joy. I will be impassioned only by my faith. I will be influenced only by God. I will be taught only by Christ.

LOVE, JOY, PEACE, PATIENCE, KINDNESS, GOODNESS, FAITHFULLNESS, GENTLENESS AND SELF CONTROL Gal.5:22,23

To these I commit my day. If I succeed, I will give thanks. If I fail, I will seek His grace. And then, when this day is done, I will place my head on my pillow and rest with the peace that passes all understanding."

-Max Lucado, When God Whispers Your Name

Roll Tide (It has nothing to do with Alabama and everything to do with a house full of guests dressed in holiday bests : )

I love these wonderful women!

Ava appreciates your accommodations.

That's my beautiful, artistic, creative, carpenter, chef, best friend, and mother. : )

Isn't she just awesome? Yes, yes she is. : )

My family loves an atlas. : )

Commander and Chief. He's awesome, too. Way awesome.

Mmmm. Marzipan.

Sometimes Marzipan makes you tired. : )

Beads from Kari and Kirsten. (We've already made a bunch of different ones!)

Do you remember this feeling as a kid? : )

As is turns out Julianna does have some Viking in her. It's 40 degrees outside and she's in a sun dress. : )

Kirsten and Mike no doubt talking up some politics. : )

Uncle Dicky and Grandma. You better watch out teasing Dicky or you get noogies. ; )

Monkey See.

Monkey Do.

Monkey See.

Monkey Do.

D0-si-do, promenade.

Pick your partner up....and spin her around!

Snuggles for Kari.

Uncle Dicky and Grandma full of holiday spirit!

Tofte/Jeffcoat Contingent.

We pretty much made the funny photo pose vogue.

And since none of us plan on running for public office...

These crack me up every time...

Jackie sporting the famous Dad, Jennifer, and Jackie facial expression. I love it!

Oh, you two. I love you.

This was the ONLY photo of us that Mike was making a silly face in! : )

Vassup?

Jackie's boots.

I am thinking we should have wrapped these up and put them under the tree. : )

Sillies

I love my dad. He's the best. (And the best don't mess.)

Dicky in his Christmas vest : )

My love.

Can you believe this young lady is 90? So lovely.

Norwegian Christmas Shoes. : )

Ready for church on Christmas Eve. Can you believe last year's dresses still fit? They wanted to wear these instead of the new ones. : )

Lovely Ladies

The grand passing out of gifts...

Mike is getting Ava psyched up for presents!

Oh this bag is so heavy with presents for me I can hardly lift it...giggle, giggle...

...here, let me lay this burden of heavy gifts down... : )

One of my favorites!

Don't let her fool you...she kept sneak opening her presents out of turn. ; )

Mermaid dress up clothes. Jackie has a priceless photo of Mike helping the girls open these boxes. Except it looks like Mike was opening a Mermaid outfit for himself. Hilarious.

Dicky opening Mike's present...from Hickory Farms.

Jackie opens some of her fav beer bread!

Lion Bookends for bubba.

A princess doll from Mormor and Papa!

Oh, that's my big girl. Looking so much older and so lovely.

The awesome purse mom made for Grandma!

The awesome blanket mom made for Chad! Fashionable Mizzou colors and all!

It is good for snuggling two little girls!

Gingerbread House construction!

It's not as easy as it looks.

The final product.

Playing Guess-Who with Uncle John

Hanging Out after dinner!

Uncle John has an easy time dressing for Christmas. He just pulls out all his Ohio State clothes!

And still more presents...

And grateful hearts...

...and more hugs...

It was a great Christmas!