The Year of the Rooster

Each year we buy our children a Christmas ornament. My hope is that when they have their first Christmas tree of their own, they'll have lots of ornaments to start with. I hope that each one is a reminder of God's faithfulness to them, and to our family throughout the years. My sweet Jack is celebrating his 4th Christmas in a different house. He was born in West Virginia so his first two week old Christmas was there, accompanied by a WVU ornament. And then at one, I bought a really fun very Chinese-looking ornament for him, not knowing that it would be our last Christmas in China. And last year, we bought him a flamingo, in honor of our move to Florida. I never intended for each ornament to represent the place we were living at the time, but it seems we have a theme here. I am hoping this year's ornament is a last of that theme. Lord willing there won't be anymore moves for us in the next few Christmases! But I couldn't resist this little guy...
The town we moved to is known for having roosters and chickens roaming down town. I'm not sure how long they've lived there, but long enough for the Rooster to be on all the signs for our town. It's sort of the town mascot. There's about 6 of them and they usually hang out behind the consignment shop, right in front of the town fire station. Our kids love seeing them. (There are actually two peacocks that live on a side road downtown and we see them from time to time as well)

So it just felt fitting to buy a rooster for our little ones this year. Jack and Emma Grace, we are praying that you would grow to deeply know and understand the love of Christ in this town. We are praying that your roots would grow deep here, both in our fun little town and in the Lord. We are praying for lots of happy days filled with peacock spottings, tree swings, and long bike rides in 70 degree December! Would this little town would be the place where God meets you and shows you himself in ways that cause you to marvel and worship at who he is. Merry Christmas Jack and Emma Grace!