Tuesday, December 16, 2008
Sunday, December 14, 2008
The Stokes family wishes you a very blessed Christmas.
We are looking forward to seeing some of you soon. Today was in the 50's here, so make sure you keep some snow for us. It has been a busy time of year for us as I'm sure for most of you. We had our "Victory Family Christmas" this morning with lots of music and kids involvement and it was a delightful time though we are, of course, exhausted. It is such a joy to praise Him during this season through music. We feel very blessed as musicians. Like the little drummer boy story, sometimes it feels like a song is all we have to offer him. But if it flows from our hearts, even if our hands are empty, not only does Jesus accept our gift but He gives us so much more than we could ever deserve - grace upon grace.
We are thankful for a really good time with the Chernyavsky's over Thanksgiving weekend. We had wondered how to celebrate Ruth's 8th birthday and having them here was such a cool present for Ruth that it didn't matter much what we did. Although we did do some fun things that weekend. . . southern lights at the Kentucky Horse Park, swimming at the hotel, girls sleepover, birthday pancake breakfast with both our families and Tim's godfather, etc.. It was great having them here.
The next week I had my student piano recital, which though we videotaped it I don't have pictures of it right now. It was my first time with (almost) all my students here together and was very rewarding. That same day Ruth auditioned for the performing arts school here in Lexington and did, we've heard, a great job. We will hear for sure in January whether she will be accepted or not.
As I reflect back on this year, I remember when we were planning this move, our first major move as a family, to Kentucky, and Joseph kept asking things like, "Is there McDonald's in Kentucky?" "Is there Target in Kentucky?" Is Thomas the Train in Kentucky?" "Will my toys be in Kentucky?" And for all of us, there have been times of uncertainty and questioning, "Is Jesus in Kentucky? Is He really here with us through all we are dealing with?" We know now that there are Christmas trees and parties and lights and crazy shopping frenzies and music in December in Kentucky. Joseph now knows there is even McDonald's and Thomas the Train. And yes, there is Jesus. May you know Him this season wherever you are.
We are looking forward to seeing some of you soon. Today was in the 50's here, so make sure you keep some snow for us. It has been a busy time of year for us as I'm sure for most of you. We had our "Victory Family Christmas" this morning with lots of music and kids involvement and it was a delightful time though we are, of course, exhausted. It is such a joy to praise Him during this season through music. We feel very blessed as musicians. Like the little drummer boy story, sometimes it feels like a song is all we have to offer him. But if it flows from our hearts, even if our hands are empty, not only does Jesus accept our gift but He gives us so much more than we could ever deserve - grace upon grace.
We are thankful for a really good time with the Chernyavsky's over Thanksgiving weekend. We had wondered how to celebrate Ruth's 8th birthday and having them here was such a cool present for Ruth that it didn't matter much what we did. Although we did do some fun things that weekend. . . southern lights at the Kentucky Horse Park, swimming at the hotel, girls sleepover, birthday pancake breakfast with both our families and Tim's godfather, etc.. It was great having them here.
The next week I had my student piano recital, which though we videotaped it I don't have pictures of it right now. It was my first time with (almost) all my students here together and was very rewarding. That same day Ruth auditioned for the performing arts school here in Lexington and did, we've heard, a great job. We will hear for sure in January whether she will be accepted or not.
As I reflect back on this year, I remember when we were planning this move, our first major move as a family, to Kentucky, and Joseph kept asking things like, "Is there McDonald's in Kentucky?" "Is there Target in Kentucky?" Is Thomas the Train in Kentucky?" "Will my toys be in Kentucky?" And for all of us, there have been times of uncertainty and questioning, "Is Jesus in Kentucky? Is He really here with us through all we are dealing with?" We know now that there are Christmas trees and parties and lights and crazy shopping frenzies and music in December in Kentucky. Joseph now knows there is even McDonald's and Thomas the Train. And yes, there is Jesus. May you know Him this season wherever you are.
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