Consider this your Christmas Card!

Consider this your Christmas Card, Hanukah Card, Holiday Card, etc.

The past few months I have been challenged through several means (messages at Church, guest speakers at my MOPS meetings, bible study and prayer) to simplify things this season and be ON MISSION. Phillip and I discussed how we would spend our time and money this time of year and what changes we could make in order to have more of these resources. Growing up I didn't have a Christmas Tree, so over the past few years I have gone somewhat overboard with 3 Christmas Trees and the ornaments and lights to decorate them all. This year we reduced our decorating, we discussed drastically reducing our gift buying and among other changes, we are not mailing out cards. Don't get me wrong I certainly enjoy sending and receiving cards this time of year, picking out the best picture, thinking and praying for each family as we address the envelope and buying the seasonal stamps, but in our attempts to simplify these things made the most sense.

We have decided that our extra resources this season will go towards spreading joy and being ON MISSION. Some things we are doing: praying as a family for each family that we receive a card from (so don't leave us off your list), knocking on our neighbors doors handing out treats, leaving something extra for our mail carrier, paying for the car behind us the drive thru and spending time with people we love.
I have heard of many other wonderful ideas that help us focus on the "reason for the season" +pay for someone else's gas at the pump
+rake a neighbors yard
+hang a "Jesus stocking" and write down everything you do for others between now and Christmas and put it in the stocking
+ Bake a Birthday Cake for Jesus

This time of year the Harper's celebrate 2 miracles: Hanukah the Festival of Lights celebrating the miracle of oil lasting for 8 nights and commemorating the Maccabees's recapturing the temple from Syrian Rule and the greatest miracle of all the birth of Our Savior. Be a miracle to someone else this season by simplifying things so you can focus on "gifts" for others in celebration of the greatest Gift that has been given to us.

We wish you a very Merry Christmas and Happy Hanukah!
Peace, Joy & Blessings in the New Year
With Love,
The Harper's

Priceless Shot!

I had to share this picture from tonight. Noah accessorized with Santa Hat, lighting the Menorah! Happy Hanukah!

Delivering Some Christmas Joy!

This afternoon after Noah's nap we finished making some "Hot Chocolate Cones" (our homemade gift for the season). We put on our "Santa Suits" and walked around the neighborhood delivering them to our neighbors. Noah loves to knock on doors, so we have to remind him that 1-2x is enough and we need to wait to see if anyone answers. After one neighbor invited us in, each house we visited after that Noah walked in whether we were invited our not. I don't think anyone minded too much. Noah reached into his basket and said "Merry Christmas, Hot Chocolate Cone". Of course the speech wasn't as clear as it reads, but hearing him say it was certainly priceless.

Santa Claus is coming to town!

This morning we took Noah to see Santa. We had been talking about Santa and pointing out "other" Santa's to prepare him. I don't think you can really prepare a toddler to sit on the lap of a strange man with a beard, but we tried.
Last year Noah went to Santa right away and we got some great pictures, he is much to smart for that now. Of course as we were leaving the "North Pole" Noah was saying Santa, Santa's house. Too late buddy you had your turn.