Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas from my family to yours!

Just missing one brother and sister-in-law

We love our little actors!

For unto you is born this day in the city of David 

a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.

Luke 2:11

Marcie and family

Christmas 2013

Merry Christmas!

It hasn't been the most typical Christmas day for us but was relaxing and fun. One little boy was in tears last week when he realized that we wouldn't get snow here but didn't mention it today. He was probably distracted by the presents…and waffles, new movies to watch, a couple of visitors for dinner, and family on Skype from Canada.

The view from our new apartment

Happy birthday Jesus!

We're so glad you came!

We hope you enjoyed your day as much as we did! Goodnight!

Marcie Cooper

Hope

Hello!

I can't believe that it is December already! It feels too warm for Christmas but we have been seeing Christmas decorations up in stores here since September. We have our tree and lights up and a Little People Nativity set out on a little table for the kids. They love it!

I have started doing an Advent Bible Study from goodmorninggirls.org to focus on Jesus during the holiday season. This week has been full of great verses focusing on HOPE. I was so encouraged by looking at how Jesus fulfilled Jewish prophesy and came to bring hope to all people.

Romans 15:12 tells us, "...Isaiah says, 'The Root of Jesse will spring up, one who will arise to rule over the nations; the Gentiles will hope in him.'"

We can all have hope because Jesus came to earth as a baby, lived a perfect life, died on the cross to pay the price for our sins, and rose from the dead on the third day. Let's not forget that this Christmas!

Romans 15:13 says, "May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit." This is my prayer for you this Christmas season--that you will truly trust in Jesus and be filled with his joy, peace and hope.

With hope,

Marcie Cooper

Packing

Hello!

I haven't had much time to write because we've been busy packing.

Our printer is broken so I didn't get to print off the advent sheets I wanted the kids to colour for "peace" on Sunday. They coloured the candle on their advent cake page but that was all. I can't believe that next Sunday is Christmas! It will be a busy week but I'm sure we'll enjoy it and I hope you will too!

Have a great day!

Marcie Cooper

Joy

Hello!

I love the picture from ministry-to-children.com that my kids are going to colour today for advent.

The illustrator, Mandy Groce, explains that the kids in the back have lots of presents but don't have joy. The little girl in the front doesn't have as much but you can see the joy in her face.

True joy comes from Jesus. As you look forward to Christmas, focus on Him and celebrate His birthday with joy!

EnJOY your day and the rest of the Christmas season!

Marcie Cooper

Counting the Days

Hello!

My kids can't wait to go and visit their grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins for Christmas. I can't either! They kept asking when we could go so we decided to make a paper chain to keep track.

My little girl cuts off the red chains and my little monkey boy cuts off the green ones. We're getting closer!

Whether you stay home or travel over the holidays, I hope that you enjoy them!

Have a great day!

Marcie Cooper

Advent

Hello!

Do you have an advent calendar or candles in your house? We can't buy advent calendars here and I didn't want to make anything fancy because we'll be traveling a lot over the holidays. So I printed these Happy Birthday Jesus pages for the kids to colour:

Each day we are colouring a circle to count down to Christmas.
Each Sunday we are colouring a candle for advent. We are also doing advent colouring pages from ministry-to-children.com.

Today we talked about how God loved us so much that He sent His Son to earth to make a way for us to go to heaven. That's what Christmas is all about!

There are only three more weeks before Christmas. Enjoy them!

Marcie Cooper