Welcome to Our World

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Tears are falling, hearts are breaking
How we need to hear from God
You've been promised, we've been waiting

Welcome Holy Child
Welcome Holy Child

Hope that you don't mind our manger
How I wish we would have known
But long-awaited Holy Stranger
Make Yourself at home
Please make Yourself at home
Bring Your peace into our violence
Bid our hungry souls be filled
Word now breaking Heaven's silence

Welcome to our world
Welcome to our world

Fragile fingers sent to heal us
Tender brow prepared for thorn
Tiny heart whose blood will save us
Unto us is born
Unto us is born
So wrap our injured flesh around You
Breathe our air and walk our sod
Rob our sin and make us holy

Perfect Son of God
Perfect Son of God
Welcome to our world

When I heard this song on Christmas Eve, I cried thinking about the tiny baby whose hands and heart would serve and save us.  And the part that says, "Rob our sin and make us holy" really made me think.  That's what Jesus did.  He robbed the sin and punishment that should have been mine.  And He's not giving it back, ever.  It's gone, and I get holiness instead.  What a Christmas present!

Brrrr!

This last week here we've had sub-freezing temperatures and I've gotten a taste of what the weather will be like during the winters where I am headed.  I am thankful for a good coat and scarves and gloves!  I know I will need them when I get there!

On the Road

Last month I shared at my home group, and also in Springfield, Gates, and Portland.  On my way home I visited Silver Falls with a friend.  We enjoyed hiking to all 10 waterfalls and standing behind them in awe.  The power of crashing water is my favorite display of God's power through nature!

I've a had a very full schedule, speaking at different groups each week.  I have 6 more places scheduled all over Oregon in the next 3 months.

I love my new computer and am so thankful to being going far away in a time when I can have a webcam conversation anytime (except that I will be 10 hours ahead of you all, which makes it kind of difficult).

My langauge study has slowed to almost a halt and I can't wait until I will be able to devote all my attention to that for a time.  But God has had other important things for me to be doing.  A good friend asked me to tell her about the peace I have in Christ, which is my favorite thing to do in the world!