Dear Readers
  Have you ever felt like you just wanted to escape to a deserted island with your closest dear ones? Although no one ever really means this (how would you get healthcare, food, evangelical oppurtunites, etc??) I know sometimes my family jokes about it. When the weight of the world come crashing down full force, it can be easy to want to escape to your own tiny nook free from troubles!


   "For the Lamb at the center of the throne
            will be their shepherd;
      He will lead them to springs of living water.
   And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes." ~Revelation 7:17

Doesn't that sound just like your island? Except even better.  Some days God gives us little glimpses into what it will be like, and I think Christmas generally does! The time to be goofy with your family is always  much appreciated in my house.

I tell Cate I want pictures..and this is what she does! haha love that girl

She does this,too...





Christmas baking makes for some goofy pictures,too!





And then there's the silliness that comes in a box full of gingerbread!

I thought you might like to see the final project just for fun...

This one's me being goofy...giving aerial photography a spin!
I thought this one turned out really pretty,though

Another birds eye view! Haha this one looks REALLY goofy!





And the triplets who wrapped all their gifts up in ridiculous boxes!

I looked forward to the sugar cookie decorating ALL DECEMBER. We finally did it on Christmas eve!

EVeryone pitched in--this is a very serious project, people! Haha





I hope everyone had a smiling-ful Christmas! And I also hope it provided a much needed breather from everything going on. I always feel like the world rushes,rushes,rushes, and while Christmas certainly isn't free from that, it does allow you to take a deep,collective breath and just 'be'.
  But my prayer is that this week, as everyone adjusts to going back to school,work, etc, it will be joyful! My mom always says joy is a choice and it is definitely a choice I'm working to make as we go back to school tomorrow.
  God has been amazing with already providing me an oppurtunity of joy. I started volunteering at our church's Special Needs Ministries this past weekend, and it was beyond amazing. I loved every minute and fell in love with the kids and the ministry. But not only that, I now get to interpret their Bible Study for a Deaf woman who attends. Those of you who know me know that this is a dream come true! I am thrilled and CAN'T WAIT for my first Bible Study this thursday. I will be blogging about it, I promise! Prayers would be appreciated. :)
  Also, I wanted to give a shout out to anyone reading this. I have fallen in love with Marcia (the orphan mentioned in my previous post) and feel desperate to get her out of the orphanage. I have emailed Jeanette and the blog "Life Rearranged" to request that she advocates for Marcia on her blog. If you or anyone you know would like to help this dear child find a home by featuring her on your blog, leave a comment! I would love that more than anything. You can also visit  this link for all the information you need on her. Thank you from the bottom of my heart!

 Have a joy filled week, my friends. I am forever thankful for those who read my thoughts on here!
Your thankful blogger,
 Claire