Meet Us In Bethlehem

Kids Connection at church had a special evening:

Meet Us In Bethlehem.

Several of us dressed as characters from the Christmas story 

and the kids had to find us and get us to stamp their sheet of paper. 

Once they collected all the stamps they got a prize.

Stephen & I were Zechariah  & Elizabeth.

Stephen and Karen had some fun with the shepherd's crooks.

Stephen & I ran the cookie decorating station.

Most of the kids ate their cookies as soon as they 

were finished decorating.

Steven & Katlyn were Mary & Joseph.

They read the Bible story.

Our group.

New Advent Tradition

On the first Sunday of Advent we ate a meal with some friends who introduced us to one of their Advent traditions.

In the evening of each Sunday of Advent they eat their meal to the light of the Advent candles. This means that the first Sunday is fairly dark, but each week the light becomes progressively brighter the closer we arrive to Christmas. We thought it was a wonderful tradition 

and decided to do it ourselves.

Hebrew Reading - Psalm 130

This past semester Stephen & I were in a class called Hebrew Reading (it could also be called Hebrew Performance). During the semester we memorized 2 Kings 8:1-6 and Psalm 130 in Hebrew, studied both texts extensively, and then acted them out in performance. Below is our performance of Psalm 130.

Psalm 130

A Song of Ascents.
Out of the depths I cry to you, O Lord.
   Lord, hear my voice!
Let your ears be attentive
   to the voice of my supplications!

If you, O Lord, should mark iniquities,
   Lord, who could stand?
But there is forgiveness with you,
   so that you may be revered.

I wait for the Lord, my soul waits,
   and in his word I hope;
my soul waits for the Lord
   more than those who watch for the morning,
   more than those who watch for the morning.

O Israel, hope in the Lord!
   For with the Lord there is steadfast love,
   and with him is great power to redeem.
It is he who will redeem Israel
   from all its iniquities.

Video: WTSHebrewPlayers

Out For a Walk

Stephen & I went for a walk last week. I thought some of the

shadows looked really neat.

I also realised I didn't have many pictures of the seminary.

Our house is the second one in.

Birthday Fun

Last week we were able to celebrate our friend Aaron's birthday

at Wild Chef. Hibachi was a lot of fun.

Decorating

We don't have very many Christmas decorations.

But, we have a lovely Nativity scene...

And a little Christmas tree (thanks to a friend from church).

Vespers

This past Sunday we had the opportunity of 

attending Vespers at Hope College.

Stephen's Mom really enjoys going, 

and it certainly was beautiful.

Sinterklaas Treats

We aren't doing anything really special for Sinterklaas,

but we are enjoying Kruid nootjes and chocolate letters.

Tara

The family in Pennsylvania also owns another inn: Tara

It is inspired by the movie: Gone With The Wind 

When remodeling they found this fireplace behind a wall.

Stephen has spent much time in this room.

This banquet room is nick-named the Gun Room.

It houses one of the largest 

Civil War weapons collection in the country. 

Stephen's Grandma Nancy makes all the decorations by hand

and strings them up each year.

They just put up the Nativity scene. 

The lights were turned on, on Thanksgiving.

Buhl Mansion

Stephen's Step-Mom Laura manages Buhl Mansion,

a bed-and-breakfast in Sharon, PA. 

 We had the privilege of spending a few nights there.

We stayed in the Steele Magnate Room. 

Some rooms had the tub in the turret.

Beautiful Chandeliers. 

This bed was a neat shape.

There are a total of 10 rooms.

At the Cabin

The day after Thanksgiving we visited the cabin

of a relative. 

The river was beautiful.

Stephen, Carey, and I.

I really liked the dog. Her name was Dixie.

An interesting chandelier.

The fireplace was nice and cozy.

Stephen & I really liked the rack for all the pots and pans.