The Reichanadter Journey

Emma prayed these words last night before going to bed: “…And thank you for Dad, that he has work now.”

Her words reminded me of God’s faithfulness in answering our prayers. We waited and prayed (sometimes begged) for about two and a half years for the right job for Jeff. Not just a job, but a calling, a vocation. Last month it came! He started full-time at our church in a spot that he seems to be created for. We are so thankful for God’s perfect timing, and that we’re able to be in a stable place after it seemed like being in “survival mode” had become commonplace.

When Jeff preached last Sunday, I had tears in my eyes several times as I realized that this hope for us has finally become reality. We are starting to see the beauty that came out of the waiting, and the things God wanted to do inside of us ... things that could only happen in the waiting.

May you find beauty in whatever spot you wait in this Advent, as He who waits with you has not forgotten you, but holds you while you wait. And may you find comfort in the words of A.W. Tozer:

If God has done it anytime, He can do it now.

If God has done it anywhere, He can do it here.

If God has done it for anyone, He can do it for you.

Jeff says it looks like we are celebrating the Feast of Tabernacles because of this fort the kids built in our backyard.

These little friends went through our brush pile in the alley and found long sticks that would be just right to hold up our discarded Christmas tree branches. I love how they used bricks to keep the sticks in place. They have played for hours in this fort, and even laid hay on the floor of it. I also noticed yesterday that they were using things from our compost pile as “food” (bits of old broccoli, pieces of grapefruit peel, etc.).

Our kids asked recently if we could live here as long as the neighbors live next door. That makes me smile.

Last night we surprised the kids by putting them to bed, then "waking them up" with Jeff's Polar Express Conductor shout, "All aboard, tickets please!" We listened to Michael Buble's "I'm dreaming of a White Christmas" in our "sleigh" while we drove downtown for a walk around the Circle to admire the lights. Clay and Emma were absolutely giddy with excitement to be out of bed and still in their jammies, running around with their Santa hats on. They said this (below) was their sleigh.We ended our evening with hot chocolate and ice cream at The Chocolate Cafe, and went home to tuck them into their beds for the second time of the night! This has gotten to be one of the kids' favorite traditions, and one that they won't let us forget about. :)

Jeff's parents came into town last weekend, and we took them to the Traders Point Creamery in Zionsville. It is an amazing place and it's motto is: Fresh. Simple. Organic. Hudson did not like sitting on Santa's lap. Here are the Happy Hayriders. Rows and rows of amazing cheeses.
Then we went downtown Zionsville to walk around and have ice cream at this cute old-fashioned shop.And, since we hadn't had enough sweets for one day, we decorated sugar cookies when we got home! :) Dad and Mom Reichanadter, thanks so much for coming for a Christmas visit!

Emma and I were able to have some special girl time over the weekend. We started with a Christmas Tea with 150 ladies at our old church in Elkhart. Jeff's mom put it on with the help of several other friends. It was great to be there and get to experience it with all the women of the Reichanadter family and my mom too!

Then we rushed back to Indy for the Nutcracker Ballet with Kristina, Mom, and Grandma. Here's our Four Generation photo.Emma and I feel so blessed to have all these amazing women in our life, and to have many special memories from our weekend!

...for our annual Gingerbread House Making night. This becomes our dining room table centerpiece for the rest of December. Usually there are a few less pieces of candy on the house by the end of the month. :) This year we had a little shenanigan to contend with. He would come quietly and then quickly snatch a piece of candy from the table. I caught the little thief in action (far left, below). And then, he showed no shame in literally biting through wrappers to get to the good stuff. We used the kids' old Halloween candy (a way to get rid of it without eating it all), and Jeff had the idea to make chewing gum window panes. I thought they turned out cute. Emma would love to live in a house like this!
The malted milkball surrounded by gum at the bottom is Em's "basket of fruit" creation. Clay thought of the Tootsie Roll Chimney. And the candy cane topped with yellow M & M (right) is Emma's candle.

Hope you have a beautiful month of making memories and celebrating the birth of Christ.