Sometimes we don't see situations for the blessing they are intended to be. Often the biggest blessings come in the disguise of the biggest frustrations. I wonder if this is the way Mary felt when she heard of the census order?
How dare Caesar Augustus order a census the same time her baby was due. The logistics of this were all wrong. She was young, scared, and very pregnant. She would be away from all she knew. Away from her family. Traveling far...at the worst possible time. To a little town that would be very crowded.
Every new mother wants her baby to have their time. Their welcoming. Their own place. I wonder if Mary felt like all of that would be lost in the midst of their traveling. In the midst of everyone's distractions.
God knew differently. He knew His plan. His time. His welcoming. God knew that His place for Jesus was going to be in a manger with two ordinary people that were going to welcome and raise the Son of God. Talk about the ultimate way to disguise a blessing!! A blessing that would change eternity!
This blessing was "good news of a great joy that will be for ALL the people." This blessing was worthy of the appearance of a multitude of Heavenly Hosts...singing in the sky!
Even if it did not start out the way Mary had planned, she was able to treasure up all of these things in her heart. Her baby boy; they called Him Jesus.
This blessing that took place so long ago is still very much our blessing today. A great joy for ALL people. An opportunity for us to experience life forevermore.
Glory to God in the Highest...truly a merry Christmas to all.
Love,
The Kintigh Family
If you are looking for a Christmas story, read Luke 2:1-21!
Friday, December 24, 2010
Thursday, December 16, 2010
Merry Christmas 2010
Merry Christmas to You and Yours,
I remember when I was young, and the year seemed to progress so slowly until it was finally Christmastime. Now, I am always amazed when I find myself writing this letter again (sitting down to finish it for the 7th time!) with another year coming to a close, a year in which we have had many opportunities for growth and blessings. It has been a year for waiting and receiving perfectly, timed answers.
Many of you have participated in our year, praying us through the times of growth and sharing in the joy of our blessings. Last year, we found ourselves very uncertain of what direction we would be heading. Josh was looking for a new job and our house was on the market. While we knew that God was providing, it was a quite discouraging. We were so thankful for family and friends that continually prayed for us and reminded us of the truth we knew. God is forever faithful and He is in complete control.
Josh began working for my dad’s engineering firm in January. It was the provision we needed and it gave Josh very good experiences. It showed him another area that he was gifted in while taking care of our family’s needs. We are very grateful that there was work available and that Josh caught on to the software quickly. We decided that we would stop looking for ministry positions and wait to see what God was planning. We were told about an open position during the beginning of summer, at Skyline Baptist Church for a Children’s Pastor. While being at Berean, Josh had been in charge of the children’s ministry even though youth was his main responsibility. He had gained a good knowledge base there, but also had been developing a love for the ministry during our year of transition. God worked and showed everyone, very clearly, that this was what He had planned.
Josh is really enjoying his new position and we have been welcomed into the church like family. I am so thankful for our year of growth that was preparing us all along for this transition. The switch to children’s ministry has been wonderful for our family and we love having Josh home more in the evenings. Sophie loves seeing Daddy in her class and it will be nice to have him at events as she and AJ get older! He is staying very busy as he gets to know the volunteers, plans for Sundays, changes and decides the best format, teaches, etc. I love watching him do what he loves, thriving as he is walking in God’s will. He gets along very well with the other staff and I am so thankful for how these other godly men are encouraging him. We are very blessed to be in a church home where godly leadership is in charge. When he is not working at church, he still picks up the occasional engineering job and loves that Sophie is getting old enough to play disc golf with him!
Sophie is three years old! She is growing up so fast and we’re so excited about all she is learning. She attends preschool two times a week and her teacher says that she is learning to focus and participate very well. Since she turned 3 just in August, she is one of the younger kids in her class. She loves going and seeing all her friends. We’re very thankful that there is a Christian school so close to our home! Sophie loves doing things by herself, any art project she can find, puzzles and playing pretend. She loves getting herself dressed for the day and is quite pleased when she’s found the “perfect outfit!” Josh and I are very thankful for the love she is developing for God and everyone she knows. She loves to say her Bible verses and pray “all gether (together).” She gets excited when it’s time for church and she can bring her own Bible and offering. We hope this love for God continues her whole life as she learns to love and trust Him completely. Our prayer for her this year is for self-control in her choices and a listening ear.
AJ (Aaron Joshua) is 19 months old and ALL boy (who can also make a great meal in the pretend kitchen)! He is a very active, rough and tumble, stubborn character. It amazes us how one little body can hold so much energy. His laugh is infectious and his scream deafening! His hugs are frequent and so precious. We know God must have big plans for this child, with how many times Satan has tried to take him out with injuries! This momma is developing serious child proofing creativities and a lot of focused prayer time! We pray every day that his will would be submitted to God and he would learn early on to fall in love with the ways of God. We pray his stubborn streak would be transformed into fighting for truth, instead of focusing on his own way. AJ loves his big sister and is always excited to have her home from school. He loves throwing balls (he is getting a basketball hoop for Christmas) and discs. He is learning that real, big boys do not use pacifiers or diapers!
I keep busy with being mommy and running up and down the stairs all day long (usually holding my 28lb “little” boy)! The home we are renting is a two story and it’s making us rethink our dream house layout, although, it has been so fun to decorate a new, larger space. I am very thankful for the friends that are such an encouragement to me and the new relationships I am making in our new town! If you find yourself wanting to visit, our thrift stores are plentiful I enjoy being a part of Bible study on Tuesday mornings when Sophie is at school. It has been a wonderful time of encouraging fellowship with new friends! God keeps teaching me how to be calm and rest in His timing and plan. It has been a year full of this lesson and I’m so thankful that He does not give up on me! I try to keep our family blog current with family stories and pictures (www.kintighfam.blogspot.com)
As we prepare to celebrate Christmas this year with our family, we are excited to teach Sophie and AJ the true meaning of the season! We pray that you too would know and believe. Jesus left His throne in Heaven to come to earth as a baby. He came, fully God and fully man, to save us from our sins. He came that we may have abundant life forevermore! “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16
Hark the Herald Angels Sing (Excerpts):
Hark the herald angels sing
"Glory to the newborn King!
Peace on earth and mercy mild
God and sinners reconciled"
Born that man no more may die
Born to raise the sons of earth
Born to give them second birth
Hark! The herald angels sing
"Glory to the newborn King!"
Merry Christmas to each one of you and much love from our family to yours!! We pray this coming year is full of peace and mercy for you.
I remember when I was young, and the year seemed to progress so slowly until it was finally Christmastime. Now, I am always amazed when I find myself writing this letter again (sitting down to finish it for the 7th time!) with another year coming to a close, a year in which we have had many opportunities for growth and blessings. It has been a year for waiting and receiving perfectly, timed answers.
Many of you have participated in our year, praying us through the times of growth and sharing in the joy of our blessings. Last year, we found ourselves very uncertain of what direction we would be heading. Josh was looking for a new job and our house was on the market. While we knew that God was providing, it was a quite discouraging. We were so thankful for family and friends that continually prayed for us and reminded us of the truth we knew. God is forever faithful and He is in complete control.
Josh began working for my dad’s engineering firm in January. It was the provision we needed and it gave Josh very good experiences. It showed him another area that he was gifted in while taking care of our family’s needs. We are very grateful that there was work available and that Josh caught on to the software quickly. We decided that we would stop looking for ministry positions and wait to see what God was planning. We were told about an open position during the beginning of summer, at Skyline Baptist Church for a Children’s Pastor. While being at Berean, Josh had been in charge of the children’s ministry even though youth was his main responsibility. He had gained a good knowledge base there, but also had been developing a love for the ministry during our year of transition. God worked and showed everyone, very clearly, that this was what He had planned.
Josh is really enjoying his new position and we have been welcomed into the church like family. I am so thankful for our year of growth that was preparing us all along for this transition. The switch to children’s ministry has been wonderful for our family and we love having Josh home more in the evenings. Sophie loves seeing Daddy in her class and it will be nice to have him at events as she and AJ get older! He is staying very busy as he gets to know the volunteers, plans for Sundays, changes and decides the best format, teaches, etc. I love watching him do what he loves, thriving as he is walking in God’s will. He gets along very well with the other staff and I am so thankful for how these other godly men are encouraging him. We are very blessed to be in a church home where godly leadership is in charge. When he is not working at church, he still picks up the occasional engineering job and loves that Sophie is getting old enough to play disc golf with him!
Sophie is three years old! She is growing up so fast and we’re so excited about all she is learning. She attends preschool two times a week and her teacher says that she is learning to focus and participate very well. Since she turned 3 just in August, she is one of the younger kids in her class. She loves going and seeing all her friends. We’re very thankful that there is a Christian school so close to our home! Sophie loves doing things by herself, any art project she can find, puzzles and playing pretend. She loves getting herself dressed for the day and is quite pleased when she’s found the “perfect outfit!” Josh and I are very thankful for the love she is developing for God and everyone she knows. She loves to say her Bible verses and pray “all gether (together).” She gets excited when it’s time for church and she can bring her own Bible and offering. We hope this love for God continues her whole life as she learns to love and trust Him completely. Our prayer for her this year is for self-control in her choices and a listening ear.
AJ (Aaron Joshua) is 19 months old and ALL boy (who can also make a great meal in the pretend kitchen)! He is a very active, rough and tumble, stubborn character. It amazes us how one little body can hold so much energy. His laugh is infectious and his scream deafening! His hugs are frequent and so precious. We know God must have big plans for this child, with how many times Satan has tried to take him out with injuries! This momma is developing serious child proofing creativities and a lot of focused prayer time! We pray every day that his will would be submitted to God and he would learn early on to fall in love with the ways of God. We pray his stubborn streak would be transformed into fighting for truth, instead of focusing on his own way. AJ loves his big sister and is always excited to have her home from school. He loves throwing balls (he is getting a basketball hoop for Christmas) and discs. He is learning that real, big boys do not use pacifiers or diapers!
I keep busy with being mommy and running up and down the stairs all day long (usually holding my 28lb “little” boy)! The home we are renting is a two story and it’s making us rethink our dream house layout, although, it has been so fun to decorate a new, larger space. I am very thankful for the friends that are such an encouragement to me and the new relationships I am making in our new town! If you find yourself wanting to visit, our thrift stores are plentiful I enjoy being a part of Bible study on Tuesday mornings when Sophie is at school. It has been a wonderful time of encouraging fellowship with new friends! God keeps teaching me how to be calm and rest in His timing and plan. It has been a year full of this lesson and I’m so thankful that He does not give up on me! I try to keep our family blog current with family stories and pictures (www.kintighfam.blogspot.com)
As we prepare to celebrate Christmas this year with our family, we are excited to teach Sophie and AJ the true meaning of the season! We pray that you too would know and believe. Jesus left His throne in Heaven to come to earth as a baby. He came, fully God and fully man, to save us from our sins. He came that we may have abundant life forevermore! “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16
Hark the Herald Angels Sing (Excerpts):
Hark the herald angels sing
"Glory to the newborn King!
Peace on earth and mercy mild
God and sinners reconciled"
Born that man no more may die
Born to raise the sons of earth
Born to give them second birth
Hark! The herald angels sing
"Glory to the newborn King!"
Merry Christmas to each one of you and much love from our family to yours!! We pray this coming year is full of peace and mercy for you.
Thursday, December 02, 2010
A Wonderful Family and Home
The Anderson's, from church, are a wonderful family. They are a true example of what it looks like to love GOD and love your neighbor like yourself. Their family is constantly serving others, the church, the community, and they are doing it together. Mark and Angie are raising Godly children who are mature and wise.
Mark emailed Josh after we were first hired at Skyline to let us know about their rental home. They are the owners of the beautiful home often featured in my design blog. They are very giving and generous. They even let us stay in their personal home when Josh first started because the rental was not ready...after meeting us once! Their family was serving on a mission's trip to Kosovo!
As I witness their children being a part of our church family or as I've had the privilege to have them in our home, I hope that Sophie and AJ learn to love God and people like they display. In this world, it is so refreshing to see kids growing up in life, love, and purity.
I look forward to knowing their family more as we live here longer. They have already reached out and blessed us so much. Showing us such kindness and relieving so much of the stress that comes with moving. It is an honor to count them among our friends.
These fun pictures are from a Gingerbread Church that Mark made for us. They have a tradition each year that every family member makes their own individual Gingerbread House and then chooses someone to give it to. Such a fun tradition! We have a wonderful home and a Gingerbread Church...we're set!! Thanks Anderson family; we love you!!
Mark emailed Josh after we were first hired at Skyline to let us know about their rental home. They are the owners of the beautiful home often featured in my design blog. They are very giving and generous. They even let us stay in their personal home when Josh first started because the rental was not ready...after meeting us once! Their family was serving on a mission's trip to Kosovo!
As I witness their children being a part of our church family or as I've had the privilege to have them in our home, I hope that Sophie and AJ learn to love God and people like they display. In this world, it is so refreshing to see kids growing up in life, love, and purity.
I look forward to knowing their family more as we live here longer. They have already reached out and blessed us so much. Showing us such kindness and relieving so much of the stress that comes with moving. It is an honor to count them among our friends.
These fun pictures are from a Gingerbread Church that Mark made for us. They have a tradition each year that every family member makes their own individual Gingerbread House and then chooses someone to give it to. Such a fun tradition! We have a wonderful home and a Gingerbread Church...we're set!! Thanks Anderson family; we love you!!
A Sweet Goodbye
Sophie told AJ she was leaving for school this morning, but "she would come back to him super soon!" I love that they are learning to be friends; they love each other so much! AJ waved and then ran up and gave her big hugs. The kept hugging and giggling. I'm so thankful for our kids.
Wednesday, December 01, 2010
Time Away for Mommy
This is a picture of my group at a discussion table. At a women's retreat. That was out of town. For the whole weekend. It was amazing and I am so thankful for my husband loving me enough to know I really. needed. this.
Most of the women in this picture have been in my life for quite some time now. I met them when I was in college and Josh and I had just begun dating. It seems like a long time ago, but really it was only about 6 years. That just goes to show how a different season of life can feel like a different life all together. I had time then to really get to know people. To listen when they spoke, and to remember what they said. I really try to do that right now, but when friendships are play-dates, a lot can get lost in the blocks and baby dolls.
It's hard to find friends. Ones that we can allow in the walls. Ones that can know the gate code for our hide-away when we're not wanting to answer. That is where I was. I needed a weekend away with close friends who knew my heart and who would listen for what I didn't even know how to explain. The ones that would ask gentle questions to help me see the areas that needed work.
Jesus had his 12 disciples whom He was close to but the Bible also mentions different times that He was even closer to just a few. I think it's Biblical to have confidants. To have a few people who can understand and be trusted with the deep truths. To share life.
It will probably be a while until I can see these women again. But we'll talk. And we'll pray for each other. And when that day or weekend comes again, it will renew my soul.
Sophie
Dresses herself, about 3 times a day. This picture was one of her latest combinations.
When Josh picked her up from school the other day she asked to go disc golfing. A girl after daddy's own heart! When he told her it was too rainy and cold she responded, "Okay. How bout lunch?" Ha. She got a date with daddy for that one. I'm going to pray now she forgets that line before she meets any boys!
AJ
Aaron Joshua Kintigh is going to give his momma some gray hairs! This little boy can make me laugh and cry at the same time, can make my heart skip beats, can make me pray harder than ever before, all without even knowing there is a problem!
He is so strong-willed and has passion enough to cause a war. Yet he still gives the best hugs and the cutest slobbery kisses. He has a smile to melt your frustration quick enough to maybe even miss some discipline! With a combination like that I know God must have big things in store for this one.
Parenting him brings me to my knees quicker than I ever thought possible...which is exactly why God gave him to me. I pray that he will turn into a little boy, a big boy, a man who is kind to others and loves God above all else. I pray that he becomes strong-willed and passionate about the things of God and true justice. I pray that his smile and attractive personality will grant him favor one day to win new souls for the Kingdom. I pray that he secures his place in this Kingdom very soon and never turns away.
Okay...let's be really honest...I pray every night he makes it to 2!
The bandages are from a burn he received when he pulled a mug of hot tea down off the counter, onto himself. He's almost completely healed. We've invested in a helmet for him to wear on a daily basis :-)
He is so strong-willed and has passion enough to cause a war. Yet he still gives the best hugs and the cutest slobbery kisses. He has a smile to melt your frustration quick enough to maybe even miss some discipline! With a combination like that I know God must have big things in store for this one.
Parenting him brings me to my knees quicker than I ever thought possible...which is exactly why God gave him to me. I pray that he will turn into a little boy, a big boy, a man who is kind to others and loves God above all else. I pray that he becomes strong-willed and passionate about the things of God and true justice. I pray that his smile and attractive personality will grant him favor one day to win new souls for the Kingdom. I pray that he secures his place in this Kingdom very soon and never turns away.
Okay...let's be really honest...I pray every night he makes it to 2!
The bandages are from a burn he received when he pulled a mug of hot tea down off the counter, onto himself. He's almost completely healed. We've invested in a helmet for him to wear on a daily basis :-)
This is totally normal...righ?!
Brothers...you can't live with them and apparently you can't live without them because she just kept going back for more!
Side note: Even though I had the camera and was cracking up, Josh was being the responsible parent and monitoring this very closely to make sure no NEW injuries occurred!
Let's just pretend...
That it hasn't been a ridiculous amount of time since I've posted. I promise that we've done things! We've made memories, really! I've just been too busy washing them and bandaging them to record them!
Sophie is still loving preschool and doing very well. I love seeing her papers that come home with her traced letters/numbers. She loves doing projects and drawing. She has done very well with learning to sit at her desk and follow instruction...at school :-) They learn a Bible verse each month; I love listening to her learn the Word of God. She is learning early on to delight herself in Him! Right now her class is preparing for the Christmas program. She loves to sing the songs and dance around. Most of the songs have become Sophie written medleys. Haha...it's really quite funny when an Angel is coming to down on a donkey with Joseph :-) I'm looking forward to the program when we can find out what songs she is really learning!
This is a picture I took outside school the other day. It's Sophie and her friend Brittan, who's little brother Elias wishes so badly that he could go to school too!
Dave, Amy, and Callie came to visit us in October. Since it was so long ago, we still had enough sunshine to go to the beach! It was Callie's first time and she loved it...until she realized she was getting dirty :-)
We're settling into our home and the kids are growing up so fast. I feel like they're changing nonstop! One of their favorite things is to play in the bathtub...practically free and it is clean entertainment that I don't have to vacuum up! We'll go for it. One day this won't be cool anymore, but right now, I think it's adorable!
Sophie loves to do papers from school and AJ is always getting into things! Haha...these pictures pretty much sums up our day!
Sophie is still loving preschool and doing very well. I love seeing her papers that come home with her traced letters/numbers. She loves doing projects and drawing. She has done very well with learning to sit at her desk and follow instruction...at school :-) They learn a Bible verse each month; I love listening to her learn the Word of God. She is learning early on to delight herself in Him! Right now her class is preparing for the Christmas program. She loves to sing the songs and dance around. Most of the songs have become Sophie written medleys. Haha...it's really quite funny when an Angel is coming to down on a donkey with Joseph :-) I'm looking forward to the program when we can find out what songs she is really learning!
This is a picture I took outside school the other day. It's Sophie and her friend Brittan, who's little brother Elias wishes so badly that he could go to school too!
Dave, Amy, and Callie came to visit us in October. Since it was so long ago, we still had enough sunshine to go to the beach! It was Callie's first time and she loved it...until she realized she was getting dirty :-)
We're settling into our home and the kids are growing up so fast. I feel like they're changing nonstop! One of their favorite things is to play in the bathtub...practically free and it is clean entertainment that I don't have to vacuum up! We'll go for it. One day this won't be cool anymore, but right now, I think it's adorable!
Sophie loves to do papers from school and AJ is always getting into things! Haha...these pictures pretty much sums up our day!
Monday, November 22, 2010
Giveaway Alert
So, I have many a post in my head right now and I know it's kind of lame to just get on for a giveaway alert after 2 months. haha. But, that's what I'm doing!
The Stay at Home Missionary, whom I've shared about before, is giving away 2 books! They would be a perfect addition to any library and I personally would love to win. We're praying about the best schooling direction for our children, but even if we don't home school in the official sense...learning about life and about God is always the parents job to begin with!!
SO...go enjoy the blog and I'll be back later with a post about our life.
The Stay at Home Missionary, whom I've shared about before, is giving away 2 books! They would be a perfect addition to any library and I personally would love to win. We're praying about the best schooling direction for our children, but even if we don't home school in the official sense...learning about life and about God is always the parents job to begin with!!
SO...go enjoy the blog and I'll be back later with a post about our life.
Monday, September 27, 2010
In Training
When the ladies come (in a healthy amount of time...I love my little boy but I don't want him to still be my little boy when he's 35...I just won't have a basement for him to live in), he will be ready.
This Man
This is a good man:
(This is actually the same sweatshirt he was wearing when I fell in love with him for the first time)
A man who is a faithful husband, living with me in understanding
A man who is an attentive and loving daddy who watches over the physical, emotional, and spiritual well being of his children
A man who knows how to be super
A man who puts in the extra effort
A man who truly listens
A man who is careful with his words
A man who cares about our marriage and what his children are doing
A man who is a hard worker who invests not only his time but his whole person in whatever job he is doing
A man who loves family: his, mine, and the one we're raising
A man who is concerned for my happiness
A man who changes diapers, plays tea party, tells stories, tucks his children in at night
A man who will slow down, stop what he's doing to hold a baby or check on his kids to make sure they are sleeping soundly before he goes to bed
A man who is calm in the face of strife
A man who knows how to appologize
A man who is kind
A man who makes his time with the Lord a priority and shows his family, by example, how to live for the Lord
A man who is handsome
A man who still takes my breath away, gives me butterflies in my stomach, and makes me laugh instantaneously
I love THIS man.
Psalm 1:1-3
1 Blessed is the man
who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked
or stand in the way of sinners
or sit in the seat of mockers.
2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD,
and on his law he meditates day and night.
3 He is like a tree planted by streams of water,
which yields its fruit in season
and whose leaf does not wither.
Whatever he does prospers.
(This is actually the same sweatshirt he was wearing when I fell in love with him for the first time)
A man who is a faithful husband, living with me in understanding
A man who is an attentive and loving daddy who watches over the physical, emotional, and spiritual well being of his children
A man who knows how to be super
A man who puts in the extra effort
A man who truly listens
A man who is careful with his words
A man who cares about our marriage and what his children are doing
A man who is a hard worker who invests not only his time but his whole person in whatever job he is doing
A man who loves family: his, mine, and the one we're raising
A man who is concerned for my happiness
A man who changes diapers, plays tea party, tells stories, tucks his children in at night
A man who will slow down, stop what he's doing to hold a baby or check on his kids to make sure they are sleeping soundly before he goes to bed
A man who is calm in the face of strife
A man who knows how to appologize
A man who is kind
A man who makes his time with the Lord a priority and shows his family, by example, how to live for the Lord
A man who is handsome
A man who still takes my breath away, gives me butterflies in my stomach, and makes me laugh instantaneously
I love THIS man.
Psalm 1:1-3
1 Blessed is the man
who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked
or stand in the way of sinners
or sit in the seat of mockers.
2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD,
and on his law he meditates day and night.
3 He is like a tree planted by streams of water,
which yields its fruit in season
and whose leaf does not wither.
Whatever he does prospers.
The Beach
WOW...it's so different to take an evening trip to the beach rather than have to plan a whole day affair. We take the kids to Sunset Bay because it's so much calmer and has plenty of sand to play in!
The other night we had an early dinner and went out as a family. We had so much fun all together...a much needed time to catch our breath and enjoy the joy of being a family.
The other night we had an early dinner and went out as a family. We had so much fun all together...a much needed time to catch our breath and enjoy the joy of being a family.
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