The last five days haven't exactly been what we planned for our first Christmas at home. We usually travel to be with extended family for the holidays, but this year Todd felt strongly that we should be home as a little family...oh how happy I am that he was led by our Sovereign God! I don't think the folks on the airplane would appreciate the Frue Crew this Christmas...
(to be sung to the tune of Twelve Days of Christmas)
On the eve before Christmas the Stomach Flu gave to me:
Twelve Loads of Lurch Laundry
Eleven Tossed-Cookie Clothing Changes
Ten Barf Bowl Visits
Nine Rug Ralphings
Eight Midnight Messes
Seven Poopie Pampers
Six Up-Chuck Mop-Ups
Five YUCKING FRUES!
Four Spewed Sippycups
Three Heave-and-cleaves
Two Hurling Parents
And a Vomit Virus Under Our Treeeeeeee!
My apologies for those with weak stomachs...my mind must also be sick ;)
If that hasn't made your stomach turn, this will: I'm THANKFUL for the Frue Flu of Christmas 2011. We have spent more time snuggling, giggling, enjoying, and resting than the last I-don't-know-when. We caught up on our Advent stories and ornaments that we missed from being so busy this month. We were able to "just say no" to calls and invites without feeling guilty or being tempted to drag our children to another holiday happening. We sang lots of Christmas Carols and talked about them. We joked and told stories and watched movies and worshipped Jesus together. It's been a Christmas centered around Christ, just how we wanted it to be...how sad that we need a virus for that.
But here's the epiphany: we didn't have ANY discipline issues--because the boys' love-tanks were full even if their stomachs were continually emptied. And sweeter still, Todd and I got along the whole time of quarantine and cared for each other and the boys sincerely and tenderly without grumbling or self-seeking.
Imagine that.
"But He said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong."
2 Corinthians 12:9-10
Thank you Jesus for coming to us, in our sin and sickness, and bringing us Your joy. Like the Christ-child in a manger, we thank you for sending us gifts that come in the least-expected ways.
Tonight we celebrate YOU.