A Reminder of Sin & the Cross?

Well, I thought I would venture into some topical blog posts on issues that we may face or on topics that I have always wondered about and maybe you have too!  I hope you will find them interesting or at least something worth discussing.

Have you ever wondered where the idea of a Christmas Tree originated?  I decided to do a little research and find out for myself.  Well, there were many different ideas, some of which were fictional legends, but I was able to come across some articles that really made me think.

Many believe that the Christmas tree was started by Martin Luther who brought a fir tree into his home as a sign of life.  Other sources, however, state that this idea is a pure legend.

In an article written by Dr. Richard P. Bucher, he explains his own research of the scholarly records to see where the true meaning behind the christmas tree began.  His sources have brought him to the conclusion that the original idea of the evergreen tree was used as the paradise tree in religious plays performed outdoors or in churches.  One of the most popular scenes was depicting creation with Adam & Eve, their sin and banishment from paradise, ending with the promise of Christ.  The tree would be the only prop with apples hanging from it, which Eve would take from and give to Adam.

After they discontinued the plays, people had grown so accustomed to the tree, that they started bringing them into their own homes and decorating them with apples (representing sin) and homemade wafers (representing communion and life).  It has slowly changed over the years to adding lights and decorative globes, etc.

I found this quote from him worth thinking about, even for those of us who don't necessarily carry the tradition of having a 'Christmas tree' in our homes.  "The tree reminds us of the tree in Eden by which Adam and Eve were overcome and which thrust them into sin. But more importantly, the tree reminds us of the tree by which our sin was overcome, namely the tree upon which Christ Jesus was crucified."

You can find Dr. Bucher's article here.

According to Wikipedia, the Christmas tree began in Germany and was a form Christianization of pagan tradition of winter solstice.
You can find the article here.

Whether these sources and others that I read have any validity or not, I feel that the modern day Christmas tree is most likely a blend of both fact and legend.  Where exactly it originated from, I still don't know what to think.  One thing is for sure, my research has really made me think.

Should I get a paradise/christmas tree?

Winter Traveling

I know many who absolutely hate winter traveling, but there are those who are willing to brave the weather.  Andrew and I traveled to Ontario this past weekend to see his family for Christmas.  We were supposed to drive home on Sunday evening, but when we saw what was being predicted for an oncoming storm, we decided to leave earlier to try to avoid as much of the storm as possible.  Driving on the Canadian side was pretty decent, but once we crossed the border into Michigan we started hitting heavier snow.  We carefully passed 19 cars that were either already in the ditch, spinning out in front of us, or off to the side for a fender bender.  At certain points along the way, the wind was blowing the snow quite hard, making it harder to see, but not quite a total white out yet!  As the day progressed, we understood that the weather would be getting increasingly worse, especially on the Canadian side, so we were glad we didn't have to experience any of it.

Here are a couple links of those who did, including a family from our church who tried to head back to Grand Rapids early Monday morning.

from the National Post

from the Detroit News

We thank God that we were spared from this weather, and that He spared the family from our church who were taken to a hotel to spend the night.

 

Are Homeschooled Kids Socialized?

I thought this was a cute video of what many people view homeschooling yet don't understand what truly goes on.  My family homeschools as well and the younger siblings are in just about every social connection possible, i.g. basketball teams, choir, band, drama, co-op groups, etc
It was well stated here.
Hope you enjoy it as well.

Living Room & Dining updates...

I can't say that the carpet we had in our living room and dining was bad or anything, but the vinyl in the kitchen floor definitely needed to be replace at some point.  Well, we decided to replace it all with a walnut wood laminate.  It is much easier to take care of with pets.  We chose a laminate because real wood was more expensive and wouldn't last under the toe nails of our lovely girl, Roxy, who loves to run around the house.

Completed floor, next on to painting...

We also chose one wall in our living room to be the accent wall, which I wallpapered.  We painted the walls a soft neutral, so as to not fight with the wallpaper and other accents in the room, like my red sofa! :)  Things are still a slow work in progress, as I would love to change out the area rug and a few other items in the room, but that will have to be for a different post.  Major things first and minor accent adjustments will happen later.

Painted, but without the wallpaper on the white wall

 Finally able to hang my clock and other accents

Before:

After:

Now to focus on the kitchen...

What Every Girl Needs...

I just wanted to share with you a fun experience I had with a bunch of girls from our young adult bible study/book study group!  Last Saturday night, we decided to split up the group - guys/girls - and each have our own bonding evening together.  The guys all met at one house, had pizza, and played highly competitive games till late into the night.

The girls, on the other hand, met at a different house and enjoyed a wonderful spa night together!  We started the evening with a fresh salad that was recommended for a spa evening, some white chicken chili 'n chips, cheese 'n crackers, and topped it off with a glass of wine.  We started the evening with exfoliating our faces, by applying a face mask and letting it thoroughly dry, then we washed our faces and cherished the soft fresh feel of our cheeks! :)  Next we go busy with soaking our feet and taking turns giving each other foot massages with salt scrub, lotion, and completing it with painted toes.  After we had fully pampered each other, we finished off the night with a documentary called "Not Without My Daughter".

Here are a few pics to share of our wonderful evening!

Can't wait to do this again soon girls!!

One Man's JuNk - Another Person's TrEaSuRe! (part 3)

I have another Craig's List find for you!  Do you remember the 2 previous posts I made quite a while ago now?  You can look at them here and here. Well, I am finally getting around to continuing them and even show you a couple more deals that I have gotten since those posts.

Guess how much I paid for this sofa?  It is vinyl, not leather and still seats firmly.

Also, I found this wonderful Buffet which is on my list of painting projects.

I'm Thankful For...

I can't believe it is Thanksgiving already!  Time sure flies when you're busy with house projects and working full time, juggling being a house wife on top of it all!
I promise to post some updates of all our house projects soon... it just takes longer than one thinks, to get them all done!  Oh well.

Well, I just wanted to post ten things that I am very thankful for:

1. I am thankful to God for all the things that have happened this past year and that he has brought us all safely through it.

2. I am thankful for my wonderful husband who, despite the challenges of being a husband - trying to do everything 'perfectly' or to my satisfaction, still loves me, is ever faithful, and I can't stop loving him! :)

3. I am thankful for the house we have to live in and all the projects we have been able to work on.

4. I am thankful for God's hand in Andrew's immigration process, that everything has been moving quickly - in comparison to what it could have been - and we pray that he last appointment next Monday will go smoothly as well.

5. I am thankful for my Moerdyk and Bergsma families and the support they have shown to us throughout this past year, with our dating, engagement, and marriage relationships.

6. I am thankful for my job at Verhey Carpets!  We have been able to remain in business and I have been able to maintain a full time position there, even though other companies around us have closed their doors.

7. I am thankful for the loving friendships of other couples and friends around us.

8. I am thankful for being spared this past spring from a car accident.

9. I am thankful that both our vehicles have remained in good condition and so we save up to afford a better one for me next year!

10. I am thankful for God's gift of womanhood, the opportunity to be a Godly wife, the motherly instincts he gives us ladies, and the joys of being a homemaker.