And Jacob begot Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus who is called Christ. Matthew 1:16
He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Simon Peter answered and said, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” Matthew 16:15-16
Aria loves to play with the Nativity sets that we have throughout our home. So I wanted to make her Nativity dolls that she could play with. My goal was to have the whole scene done by the first of December, including the shepherds, wise men and all the animals, but that did not happen. I did however finish Mary, Joseph and of course baby Jesus. My new goal is to add to the set each year.
The pellets were added in the bottom so that the dolls could stand up.
After I sewed and stuffed the dolls, I put hot coffee on them using a sponge brush to give them an aged look.
I set them outside in the sun so they could dry.
I gathered the materials I needed to finish the dolls. Including the hair and the fabric for their clothes.
For me, no doll is complete without rosy cheeks.
Adding the hair is a very fun part of this process.
I used the body of the doll to measure and cut out their clothes. 
And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. Luke 2:7
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Wherein is the beauty of Christmas?
With it’s dazzling, vivid colors and the packages tucked tight under the tree arousing wonder and curiosity.
The anticipation and suspense of the season with it’s aromatic senses and tongue tingling pleasures that holds the promise of self-indulgence.
With the sounds that leave the impressions of that Christmas feeling that lighten the spirits and gives warm fuzzies to the auditor.
Is the beauty in the phenomenon of the generosity of mankind, who for just this season open their hearts and wallets to the less fortunate among them?
Wherein is the beauty of Christmas? The resplendent glory that radiates the wonder and awe into our own human hearts. The lustre of the reflected light that reaches down and draws us in.
It is HE who disrobed His own renown and glory and left His glorious splendor and majesty behind and wrapped Himself in our own likeness. Flesh. . . dirty and rotting, wasting away in sickness and in pain. 
Wherein is the beauty of CHRIST~mas?
Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bond-servant, and coming in the likeness of men. Phillippians 2:5-7
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But do not forget to do good and to share, for with such sacrifices God is well pleased. Hebrews 13:16
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It will be any day now, this knitting together in the mother’s womb will be complete.
Soon, she shall bring forth her newborn babe.
She will call her name Aniyah Grace. The second girl child of my first born.
Preparations have been well underway for the past several months.
We have been doing our own knitting as well.
The babe will be wrapped with the covering of the wool of a lamb.
Hand dyed, hand spun and hand knit for our new little blessing.
The pattern for the cobblestone knitted baby vest can be found at:
“For You created my inmost being; You knit me together in my mother’s womb.” Psalm 139:13
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They lined both sides of the long drive as our bus pulled into the Children’s Home in Kitengela, Kenya.
They held up signs that they had prepared for our arrival. Each one with the name of one of the missionaries that occupied the bus.
After all the praying and preparations, the months that turned into years, being able to finally lay hold of these precious children caused the overwhelming fountain of tears to flow down the faces of the ones who had traveled the long distance to see them.
The greeting was like none I have ever seen before. Gifts from these who have nothing were prepared and presented to us as we found the child with our name.
Peter was the one who held my name with his hands. A ten year old orphan who lost his mother at the age of five from AIDS.
Peter was found living among other street boys in the garbage site scavenging for his food.
But here, tucked safely within the confines of Jesus. Hobbs House of Hope, Peter is just a little boy . . . one that has food, clothing, shelter and attends school everyday.
His days are not filled with wondering how he will fill his tummy or where he will sleep anymore.
The sweet spirit of one who has lost so much and has known so much pain, lovingly clings to the open arms of the American missionaries.
Peter’s playful personality has not been defeated or overcome.
His face always maintains a smile that blesses the heart of the one that looks upon him
And didn’t we come to bless them?
Didn’t we come to minister to them?
And still . . . just over a year later, my heart bursts with joy and tenderness at the thought of him.
I continue to be blessed each time I look upon the gifts that was so graciously bestowed upon me.
Each time my eyes rest on the photos of the sweet face of Peter my heart is full.
I will make you a great nation; I will bless you and make your name great; And you shall be a blessing. Genesis 12:2
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“And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.” Matthew 1:21
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It’s been a hard week.
The tummy bug hit Aria.
Five days of throwing up and feeling bad.
Fluids have been forced and eating has been very minimal.
An extraordinary supply of prayers and petitions have been lifted up.
The Lord will strengthen him on his bed of illness; You will sustain him on his sickbed. Psalm 41:3
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Every spring, gumps and Aria team up to plant the garden. 
Gumps has spent a lot of time preparing the soil for this much treasured time with his favorite play mate.
This is a very serious job for both gumps and Aria.
They work diligently in anticipation of the harvest that will follow.
Thoughts of fresh, red ripe tomatoes, crisp green peppers and sweet onions that can be picked and ate right out of the ground push on their efforts.
This small brigade will spend the next few months fighting the persistent weeds and the insects that will threaten their hard labor.
Every trip to mammy and gumps’ house will find Aria checking on their precious tomatoes. She carefully inspects them with expectation for some kind of growth (sometimes everyday).
There is always a little time to spare . . .
to check on the neighbors.
or to tell secrets.
But they always finish the task at hand with time to spare for play.
In the end, they will loose the battle against the weeds, and the grasshoppers. Tiny inch worms will fill their belly’s with more of the much beloved crop that will gumps and Aria. The Texas summer heat will suck the life and moisture from the earth and the crops will whither before their eyes.
But, gumps has already started the preparations necessary for the planting of the next spring crops.
Yes, they do get to sample a few tomatoes and peppers achieved from all their efforts.
But . . . the real harvest comes from the planting in the heart.
Jesus said to them, “My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me, and to finish His work. “Do you not say, ‘There are still four months and then comes the harvest’? Behold, I say to you, lift up your eyes and look at the fields, for they are already white for harvest!” John 4:34-35
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Are you hungry for the Word of God?
Your words were found, and I ate them, And Your word was to me the joy and rejoicing of my heart; For I am called by Your name, O Lord God of hosts. Jeremiah 15:16
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The Portion of my Inheritance 
