Merry Texas '23 Christmas Y'all! (UPDATED)

O little town of Bethlehem, how still we see thee lie! Above thy deep and dreamless sleep the silent stars go by. Yet in thy dark streets shineth the everlasting light; the hopes and fears of all the years are met in thee tonight.

We've never felt as old as we do right now AND we never felt as blessed. As we think back over 2023 and look ahead to 24 we can barely believe where we find ourselves. Our year has been full of leaving and losing yet He has turned it into gaining and growing. Psalm 126 captures it in a verse: "Those who sow in tears shall reap with shouts of joy!" Our church went through a tough transition that scattered many of our staff and left our hearts aching and wondering if we were dreaming or in the middle of a nightmare. We faced lots of loss and began to welcome wonder once again to our lives.   

In September we left the country to spend 40 days with the Lord wrestling with questions we had (read about it here). We went away deeply disappointed, greatly grieved and literally frozen in frustration. We returned deeply hopeful, greatly challenged and with shouts of joy! It was Chris' therapists' idea for us to attend a term as students at L'ABRI and so we ran with it. We even got tattoos to mark our time there! L'Abri was just what the doctor ordered as we saw God accomplish all we imagined and more - one of which was to launch out to our own 501(c)(3) for LIFT Ministries and begin to embrace the avalanche of feelings we had going on deep inside. Praise the Lord for the unmerited favor we received from the IRS and that we are now officially official! If you'd like to know more about what we do - please reach out. If you'd like to pray, subscribe for updates HERE. If you'd like to support us financially, sign up HERE (it's easy to sign up to be a monthly giver).

2 For Christ is born of Mary; and, gathered all above, while mortals sleep, the angels keep their watch of wond'ring love.

O morning stars, together proclaim the holy birth, and praises sing to God the King, & peace to men on earth.

Our firstborn, Rachael's PHOTOGRAPHY BIZ is flourishing as well as her entire family. She beautifully balances her gifts in photography with her love & priority for her family. You should check out what her clients have to say about her on her website. She's got mad skills and combine that with Quinton's mad skills - you find a successful photography business! 

Zion started first grade & stands above the rest in his class with his blond hair, blue eyes, drive for excellence & adorable toothless grin. He could stay outside all day and night. Piper Quinn is a fierce force to be reckoned with. We are grateful for her unconditional love she lavishes on us. Watch out world - she began Kinder this fall. I can only imagine what she's gonna be one day... whether she's sitting on the Supreme Court or raising 3 kids of her own - we know she's gonna change the world! 

Canaan is the last, but never the least. He will literally keep you rofl as one liners roll off his tongue effortlessly. He's the best helper and we are overjoyed that the Lord saw fit to place him in the family. His laugh and walk are ear and eye catching. Quinton leads his family well by modeling excellence & perseverance as well as authentic living. He's keenly intentional with his time, money and family and we couldn't be more thrilled he chose to be a part of our family. 

P.S. At Canaan's PreK Christmas production he was a little nervous and stole the show as he at first lost sight of his momma and when his concerned turned to joy he blew her a big kiss after a frantic wave. When he saw his Poppa Chris he actually waved and then put a "force choke" on him - like Darth Vadar would... he repeated this at least 3 times if not 5 different times over the course of the few minutes he was on stage with his class. That's little C - always making us laugh. If you wanna see the video - just ask - I'll send it gladly.

3 How silently, how silently, the wondrous gift is giv'n!

So God imparts to human hearts the blessings of His heav'n. No ear may hear His coming, but in this world of sin, where meek souls will receive Him still, the dear Christ enters in.

Our middle child, Josiah, has figured out how to embrace all the femininity around him so masterfully (grew up with two sisters, now is surrounded once again with girls - wife, two daughters and even their dog is a girl!). He and his best bud, Daniel's true crime podcast "NEXT OF KIN" launched last year and just released an update of the 15 year unsolved murder in Kentucky. Also, be on the lookout because a popular podcast has picked up the story and is running with it. Details to come. I was not a fan as he prepared for it, but I am now his biggest fan and we couldn't be more proud of him and his work! By day he's a Chiquita banana engineer! Katie's job branched out this year and she's able to work from her closet. Follow her on BeReal to see all the angles. She keeps us laughing, but also keeps her household in such godly order. Margo Rey is now 4.5 and reciting the "Tweetle Beatles" section of Fox In Socks with perfection!

She welcomed her baby sister to the world in July and is the best big sister anyone could ever hope for. I had the privilege of teaching her how to play Uno as we waited on Maylah Wren's arrival and she typically wins 95% of the time...legit-ly. I don't credit my teaching abilities, but believe we have a little card shark on our hands. She's a brilliant game player and maybe someday I should take her to Vegas or Louisiana with me? What's there to say about our sweet Maylah? She has the giggle, smile and sprig of hair that will melt your heart and bring a rush of good chemicals to your brain and we just couldn't be more happy that she completes this perfect little family. 

4 O holy Child of Bethlehem, descend to us, we pray; cast out our sin and enter in; be born in us today. We hear the Christmas angels, the great glad tidings tell; O come to us, abide with us, our Lord Emmanuel!

And then there's Brynna Kate, our baby. She had another baby!! Baby Levi Bryant was born ON Poppa Chris' birthday!! Whohoo!! What a gift. Baby Judah is 15 months old and a pure joy. Brynna and Garrett's passion to journey alongside others in their journeys with Jesus inspire me. She shares a calendar with me so I see how much they pours into others. She lives out Titus chapter two. She's always mentoring and being mentored. The great love & adoration they have for their church is refreshing. Garrett is often found teaching in their Connect class at SAGEMONT. He is faithful as he studies diligently to lead his family and class with excellence, but most importantly is his personal time with the Lord. He faces every task ahead of him with great gusto and pours all he has into making much of Him. Judah captures the eyes and hearts of all around him. He lights up the room with his smile and laughter. He can eat more food than Chris and I combined. When it comes to his fine and gross motor skills he is off the charts! His balance is unbelievable. He's got skills I tell you! If you haven't READ the story of what a miracle he is, please make a note to come back to it. You won't be sorry. He was our little lion, yet didn't roar at birth. Blog coming soon about Levi's birth. He DID roar! Praise God. Much redemption was seen in his birth story.

From our family to yours... 

Merry Christmas 

and

Happy New Year!

May 2024 bring us all closer to Him.

2023 has been the year for me to read through the Bible chronologically for the first time in my life. If you've never read the Bible all the way through - I dare you to try the Bible Recap! Just 12 minutes/day is all it takes. I have found that it's the most riveting book I've ever read. It's hard to put down. Tara Leigh-Cobble says it best:

"He is where the joy is!"

so, be with Him!

Jesus Meets Us At... Who We Are (which is way better than where we are)

Reflections from my recap of the Bible Recap Day 302: 

I consistently hear on the radio or see in memes “Jesus will meet you where you are…” It seems to be a theme these days. I was reading from John 11 the story of “The Death of Lazarus” and I was struck again with the sharp differences in the personalities of Martha and Mary. 

AND ACTUALLY more than that I noticed how differently Jesus engaged with the two of them... individually. He didn’t just meet them “where” they were (as our cute Christian culture likes to remind us), but He engaged them with WHO they are. On their “level”. He engaged with their quirks and specific personalities. As a Nana, I engage with each of my grandkids differently (we have six grands!) because I care about communicating with them individually. I care about understanding who they are… what makes them tick. I can only imagine how much MORE the Lord cares about us. When I do try to imagine it - it blows my mind.

As I’ve participated in Biblical counseling the last few years looking at what makes me tick (it always goes back to family of origin, right? :D) - I’ve realized I am often trapped into believing that I must conform to others expectations to be acceptable…therefore leaving my true self ignored. So, to realize in John how Jesus responded to Martha and especially Mary made my eyes fill up with tears. To know that He cares about who I am - loves me in my flaws and all - not just where I am. 

As I was doing a little deep dive into Martha & Mary’s personalities I read from Luke 10:38-42 as well. It’s so interesting to see the drastic differences. Take a look:

“38 …Jesus entered a village. And a woman named Martha welcomed him into her house. 39 And she had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord's feet and listened to his teaching. 40 But Martha was distracted with much serving. And she went up to him and said, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me.” 41 But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, 42 but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.”

John 11: “Now a certain man was ill, Lazarus of Bethany, the village of Mary and her sister Martha. 2 It was Mary who anointed the Lord with ointment and wiped his feet with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was ill. 3 So the sisters sent to him, saying, “Lord, he whom you love is ill.” 4 But when Jesus heard it he said, “This illness does not lead to death. It is for the glory of God, so that the Son of God may be glorified through it.” 5 Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus… 17 Now when Jesus came, he found that Lazarus had already been in the tomb four days. 18 Bethany was near Jerusalem, about two miles off, 19 and many of the Jews had come to Martha and Mary to console them concerning their brother. 20 So when Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went and met him, but Mary remained seated in the house. 21 Martha said to Jesus, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died. 22 But even now I know that whatever you ask from God, God will give you.” 23 Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise again.” 24 Martha said to him, “I know that he will rise again in the resurrection on the last day.” 25 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, 26 and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?” 27 She said to him, “Yes, Lord; I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, who is coming into the world.” 28 When she had said this, she went and called her sister Mary, saying in private, “The Teacher is here and is calling for you.” 29 And when she heard it, she rose quickly and went to him. 30 Now Jesus had not yet come into the village, but was still in the place where Martha had met him. 31 When the Jews who were with her in the house, consoling her, saw Mary rise quickly and go out, they followed her, supposing that she was going to the tomb to weep there. 32 Now when Mary came to where Jesus was and saw him, she fell at his feet, saying to him, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.” 33 When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who had come with her also weeping, he was deeply moved in his spirit and greatly troubled. 34 And he said, “Where have you laid him?” They said to him, “Lord, come and see.” 35 Jesus wept.”

How did Jesus engage with Martha? How did He engage with Mary? Have you experienced a time in your life where Jesus met you so personally, so intimately? 

“Jesus saw Mary weeping… he was deeply moved… and He wept.”