Rejoice Sunday!

Rejoice Always.

Pray without ceasing.

Give Thanks in all circumstances.

These were the lessons today from the Gospel for the third Sunday of Advent,

Gaudete (Rejoice!) Sunday. 

I think they are good things to keep in mind, not just for the Christmas season, but all year long.

We rejoice for scenes like this:

Our llamas and the calves next door have been fence buddies since the calves came here.  (Except for that one little black calf wayyyyy out there in the distance).  Tony and the hereford calf on the right are good buddies, and started this fence visit.

We give thanks for this 12 year old kid too, and his two little buddies, who bring such joy to our lives. 

And for this little girl, who asks so little of us now, just food, and some water, and a warm, safe place to sleep.

And for the strong arms and back of this one, who fetched and carried and cleaned for us over the weekend.

And we're thankful for THESE.... only, I have to make two more batches as some went home with Nathan, we've eaten some, given away some.... and now we need to make another batch for our Christmas party.  They're GOOD!

I hope you counted some of your own blessings today!

Thinking about Christmas

Here it is, Advent already, and this Sunday is "Gaudete" or "Rejoice!" Sunday, in preparation for the coming birth of the Baby Jesus. 

Our church is decorated and getting ready...

The pink (purple) candle will be lit on Sunday.

The manger is ready and waiting.  I LOVE the huge white angel behind it.

Keith brought in a bin we had not opened since we lived above Chicago now almost seven years ago.  In it was this sepia colored nativity scene, so I put it on the sideboard just in case we can't locate my parent's nativity scene this weekend.  Chris will be here and can climb up in the loft of the storage building and search for me.

And, lest you think I'm not going to mention any animals... it is 10:48 PM as I write this.  Keith went out a moment ago to walk around our neighbor's house... they are out of town for a funeral, and we are keeping an eye on it.  As he started down the deck steps, he cast the strong flashlight out towards the henyards... and there, on a fence post, was an owl bigger than the hawk.  He came back in and tried to get me out to see it... I put my heavy chore coat on over my nightgown and started out the door, but when he shone the light again, the owl had flown away. 

Oh. Joy.