Molly Piper

This morning at church, they played a video that really inspired me. It’s gonna sound so weird when I describe it, but here goes anyway: It’s the “cast” of the original Christmas story, but followed and recorded via a social media platform like Facebook.

And when I tell you that tears streamed down my face during it, you might really think I’m crazy. But watch it and see what you think:

A few things struck me as I watched it:

• Mary’s faith and reliance on God: I think whoever made this video honored what we see of her in the Bible–her faith, her character, her resolve to do the Lord’s will. I want to be more like that.
• A love story between Joseph & Mary: When he gets the news that Mary’s pregnant and he goes to type “hurting” but then backspaces and writes “confused.” Just thinking about the humanity of their emotions in the midst of the experience of bringing the Son of God into the world made me wreck.
• Their JOY: Just like you and me, they were overjoyed and awestruck with their child. And yet there was a whole crazy dimension to their experience that you and I never will experience, knowing that they are beholding God’s Son–the Mighty God, the Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace.

Also, I think it was especially moving to experience this video in a room with a few hundred others. There was laughter. There were tears (trust me, I looked around and I wasn’t the only one wiping my eyes). It really struck me that here were are, thousands of years later, gathered together to worship and celebrate the same thing the angels and shepherds celebrated that night…

Immanuel, God with us.

It’s still the most shocking and scandalous story ever told: God puts on human flesh and is born of a woman. (Think of how many religions would be offended by just that statement alone.)

And while some might scoff at a video like this, thinking it’s an attempt to make Jesus “relevant,” I would say that yes, Jesus is relevant. He’s the most relevant reality that’s ever been. And if people tell His story over and over in ways that’ll break into my cold, hard, media-soaked heart, then I say bring it on.

I need the Christmas message. I need Mary and her firm and child-like faith. I need Joseph, and his confusion and then his tender regard for his very pregnant wife. I need the shepherds and angels to be my examples of worship. I need Immanuel, the little baby God who turned heaven and earth upside down.

I need Christmas.

(HT: 22 Words)

For Thanksgiving we traveled Up North (in Minnesota that’s a proper name for all destinations north of the Twin Cities) for an awesome time with our dear friends, the Mathises.

Funny thing about those Mathises–we’ve known them for years and have been good friends, but last year, Megan & I were both pregnant with TWINS together! Her twin boys were born one month before ours. So on our trip, there were TONS of babies! I’m so thankful for Megan’s wonderful family, willing to have all of our craziness with them for 3 days.

I don’t have time for much more than this today, but thought I’d show you the twins on their first Thanksgiving.

Here’s Mr. Whitsun:

And Baby Cadence with her Mommy:

Finally, the double double trouble!

I know it’s late for Thanksgiving posts, but I’m on my own timetable this year! Can you believe all those babies??? Sometimes I just laugh out loud when I think about it!

As many of you know, last weekend I traveled to Birmingham, ALABAMA!!! (A couple times during the weekend I’d think to myself, “This is really surreal–I’m in Alabama….)

Did you know that the license plates say “Sweet Home”?

Growing up in the North and not traveling much as a child, it’s still weird to me that I get to go on trips and see new places (especially places that are so different than ones I’m used to). I love that! I was the navigator for my little duo (me & Shannon, formerly/presently of Rocks in My Dryer) and it was so delightful for me. And no GPS, I’ll have you know! I like the adventure of exploring a new place, and even getting a little bit lost.

There’s something about cell phones and GPS systems that makes us rely less and less on each other and more on satellites and Google. Now, I’m all for those tools, don’t get me wrong, but I like having to stop and ask a random gas station worker for directions. I like getting to have that conversation about where I’m from, what brought me to Alabama, etc. It keeps life interesting!

Anyway…

Your prayers were answered! My time in Birmingham was exhausting in a good way and refreshing in all the right ways. Spending time in the Word and being with new and old blogging friends was amazing. I was in awe most of the time, marveling at just how good God is, allowing all of us to be together and get to know each other better.

And some of the best news came on Saturday night at our little (awesome) Compassion get-together dinner. Through the blogging trips that Compassion has done, 5,000 children have been sponsored. That means that God has worked in 5,000 of you to change the life of a child in poverty, probably someone you’ll never meet. But you will change their life!!! It was such fantastic news.

Here’s a picture of our group (the ones who were able to make the trip to Birmingham):

You can pop over to Shaun’s site (the guy in at the top left of this picture) to get descriptions of everyone in this picture. But let me say this: I love these people. LOVE them.

And My Man (taking my cues from Beth Moore here) kept the home fires burning through the weekend like he (almost) didn’t even need me here. He hauled all four children to the Christmas tree lot and brought a beautiful tree home and set it up so that I’d be surprised when I got home on Sunday night! And making room for a Christmas tree required some furniture re-arranging in the living room, which he did beautifully! Seriously, my man…he’s incredible.

I wish I had more time to tell you about the weekend. But as I type there’s some people who need me.

This weekend I have the privilege of traveling to Birmingham, AL for a Beth Moore event called Deeper Still.

The main reason I’m going is because there’s a group of Compassion Bloggers doing a reunion during/after this event. Here’s what I’m looking forward to:

• Getting to meet one of my blogging mentors (seriously, she helped my blog so much) Shannon, along with TONS of other awesome people who’ve done Compassion Blogger trips.
• All of my blogging teammates from my El Salvador trip will be there!
• Meeting some of you??? If you’ll be there, come say hello. I’ll probably be lurking somewhere near the Dayspring booth at times.

But, as you all know, I have 4 children, 2 of them infant twins. So how am I making this trip happen? Well, it takes a village (or a small army sometimes). I’m very deeply thankful for:

• My amazing husband, who’s braving all four children alone. I have full confidence in him as I leave, and I’m so thankful for that. AND, the fact that he wants me to go and have fun. If the tables were turned I’d be whining and probably annoyed that he was leaving. He makes all kinds of joyful sacrifices on my behalf, and I’m so thankful. Love you, Abraham!
• My awesome in-laws, who donated their frequent flier miles to help me pay for an airline ticket. With twins arriving, times are kinda tough for us financially, and my in-laws are always so generous and gracious. Thank you, John & Noel.
• My mother-in-law and my sister-in-law taking care of all four children tomorrow while Abraham’s at work. You are so great with them, and I don’t have to feel nervous about their care at all.
• My friend Shannon in Minneapolis, who’s driving the car pool both ways tomorrow and taking care of Morrow during the morning kindergarten time. Shannon, you have such a gift of servanthood. You’ve made this transition to twins so much easier by loving and serving us. Thanks for helping me get this time away.

Also, I’m really looking forward to time in the Bible. Since the babies have come, my times there are brief and infrequent. In no way do I feel like my roots are deep, and I don’t feel very strong. I feel like I really need this time for the sake of my soul.

Please pray for my small army and for me as I travel. As much as I am excited, it’s hard to leave. I’ll miss my family!

And hopefully I’ll be seeing some of you in Alabama (which is a state I’ve never visited, so I’m getting to add a state to my list! YAY!)