Advent Begins December 2

With November being so fun filled with our Alphabet Animals, I wanted to do something similar for December. I immediately thought of an Advent calendar, but I'm not very familiar with the celebration of Advent, so, I did some research. Here is a great site that seems to explain it well:

Advent is the period preceding the Christmas season. It begins on the Sunday nearest November 30, the feast day of St. Andrew the Apostle, and covers four Sundays. Because the day it begins changes from year to year, so does the length of each Advent season. In 2007, Advent begins on December 2.

The word advent, from Latin, means “the coming.” For centuries, Advent has been a time of spiritual reflection as well as cheer and anticipation. Even as the Christmas season has become more secular-with advertisers urging holiday gift-givers to buy and buy some more-Advent still brings joy and the observance of ancient customs. Christian families find quiet moments lighting candles in the Advent wreath, and children use Advent calendars to count the days until Christmas.

Now, I know Samuel is only 16 months and won't have a clue what most of these things are, but I truly believe it's never too early to start teaching the true meaning of holidays. I have compiled the following list from two lists that I've found online. They were extremely similar, but I just made a few adjustments. I am so excited to dig into the Bible and read Samuel the story that has to do with each day. What a great way to prepare for the birth of our KING!

The sites are here and here.

ADVENT GIFTS

Dec. 1 Quarter
A quarter! That equals 25 cents. But 25 also stands for the number of days till Christmas, when God gave us his best present. Jesus told about one woman’s gift and the way she gave it.
Read Mark 12:41-44

Dec. 2 Grape juice, grape gum, or grape candy
Grapes make jelly, juice, raisins & wine. But Jesus didn’t need grapes to perform his first miracle.
Read John 2:1-10

Dec. 3 Smiley sticker
Here’s a smile! A smile usually expresses happiness. Jesus gave us many instructions to keep us happy.
Read Matthew 5:1-12

Dec. 4 Fish toy or fish ornament
Fish! Well if you were surprised to find this fish, wait until you read the story today! Others were surprised to find fish also! Read Luke 5:4-7

Dec. 5 Birthday candle
A birthday candle? As you know, we are getting ready to celebrate Jesus’ birthday. Remember he did not remain the babe in the manger but lived a full abundant life so that he might be our example in everything. However, Jesus talked about something else that is related to the candle. Light!
Read Matthew 5:14-16

Dec. 6 Jingle bell
You could make some noise with this. But it would not have bothered a certain man until he met Jesus.
Read Mark 7:31-37

Dec. 7 Goldfish crackers
This would not go very far if you were really hungry! But Jesus could make much out of little. Surely He knew how to multiply!
Read Matthew 14:13-21

Dec. 8 Cotton balls
These cotton balls would be helpful in a thunder storm, wouldn’t they? We could use them for ear plugs to muffle the loud noises that thunder makes. But we know someone who doesn’t need cotton. Jesus can control the weather.
Read Matthew 8:23-27

Dec. 9 Torn map
People needing to use the other parts of this map are in trouble! Don’t you get lost today!
Read John 14:1-6

Dec. 10 Soap bar
It’s soap! Do you like to wash your hands and face, behind your ears….? Washing turned out to be a happy time for a man who met Jesus.
Read John 9:1-7

Dec. 11 Hearts
Wordlessly, they speak of love, don’t they? Jesus spoke some commands about love.
Read Matthew 22:37-40

Dec. 12 Cross
We use the cross as a symbol representing Jesus. Do you know why?
Read Phillippians 2:1-11

Dec. 13 Salt
Ordinary salt. Yes, Jesus related salt to us and our behavior. He also gave us some advice.
Read Matthew 5:13 and Colossians 4:6 (Notice that he doesn’t recommend pepper!)

Dec. 14 Sand
Don’t try to eat this! It’s sand. It reminds us that Jesus knows something about architecture and about buildings…and building lives.
See his instructions: Matthew 7:24-29

Dec. 15 Flowers
Flowers are pretty, aren’t they? Jesus used flowers to teach us a reassuring lesson.
Read Matthew 6:28-34

Dec. 16 Raisins
Many children are given raisins instead of candy for a snack. That’s because they are a health-promoting and delicious fruit. Jesus told us how we can product good fruit.
Read John 15:1-5

Dec. 17 Package of seeds
Jesus told a story about seeds that a man planted. Then he explained it, revealing its deep meaning.
Read Matthew 13:3-8 and Matthew 13:18-23

Dec. 18 Christmas carol
Christmas is just about a week away! And here is an appropriate song. Sing it loudly!
Then read Psalm 100

Dec. 19 Rock
A hard stone! Can you change this stone into a piece of bread? Do you think Jesus could? Jesus was asked to do just that. Do you know how He handled it?
Read Matthew 4:1-4

Dec. 20 Aluminum foil
Try to smooth out this piece of aluminum foil and use it as a mirror. It’s hard to see your reflection plainly isn’t it? Many circumstances are hard to understand, but someday everything will be clear.
Read I Corinthians 13:12

Dec. 21 Angel sticker, ornament, etc
Angels have served as messengers for God to send news of coming events, past events, as our guardians and also for songs of praise.
Read Luke 2:13-14

Dec. 22 Dove ornament
We’ve learned that the cross represents Christ, but do you know what the dove stands for?
Read Matthew 3:13-17

Dec. 23 Wool fabric item
The threads that compose this fabric came from the wool of a sheep. Jesus called himself the Good Shepherd. So you know who his sheep are?
Read John 10:7-18

Dec. 24 Marble
A marble! Do you know what is sometimes called the “big Blue Marble”? The World. God made the world for us. What does God continue doing to the world? And who is the world?
Read John 3:16

Dec. 25 Baby Jesus in a cradle ornament
Isn’t this baby cute? When he was born, he made a whole family happy. Jesus was born a baby too! He came to make the whole world happy!
Read Luke 2:1-20

Does your family celebrate the Advent season? If so, what are your traditions?

100 Days Left

I am uploading all of the November pictures of Samuel to our shutterfly account today and found some cute ones of the past week so I thought I'd come on here and post them.

While I was at it, I thought I'd check on the countdown to baby Joseph's arrival. Much to my surprise, there are only 100 days left! I will be the first to admit, I am no longer a due date fanatic. Samuel's due date was set for July 9 and he didn't show up until July 17 and was no where near 'overdue.' He was 7lbs 1oz and neither of us had any signs of being too far along. But, I have to admit, that 100 days left is sure an exciting day to celebrate! Tomorrow I will be down to double digits!!!

With Samuel to take care of, the months have flown by. I can only imagine what the next 3 months have in store. We are so excited for the arrival of Joseph and for the chance to attempt a homebirth. There are a few reasons why we would have to transport to deliver in a hospital, but as of right now, I do not have any of those signs or symptoms. So, please pray for everything to continue to go smoothly. But, most importantly, please pray that we continue to seek the Lord in all of our decisions.

But, for now, enjoy our latest Eckert Escapades:

Samuel loves my headband. He tries so hard to get it to stay on. And with a little help from mommy he gets it 'just right.'


We surprised Daddy at work yesterday for lunch. We hadn't been to his office yet, and since he left his lunch at home, we thought it would be a great day to surprise him and bring it to him. Samuel had a great time exploring his office and stealing the hearts of all the women in the office.

To celebrate the 32 degree weather yesterday I thought it was only appropriate to make some baked potato soup. Winter = Soup, soup and more soup!!!

Giving Thanks

We have so much to be thankful for this year. It was our first year celebrating Thanksgiving as a family. Last year Andy was deployed and still had not meet Samuel. This year, we were all together and now we have our new addition, Joseph, to be thankful for.

We had a wonderful time in Colorado for Thanksgiving with Nana and Poppy. We celebrated Christmas also while we were there because we won't see them over the holidays. Samuel had a blast opening his presents. I have a great video of him, but I am having a hard time getting the video to work. I will hopefully get it posted soon.

Nana got a new cell phone, so she gave Samuel her old one. And of course, it's his favorite gift. But, it looks like it's going to have to end up being mommy's, since my cell phone went to Colorado with us, but did not return! Poor Samuel.

New Job - from Andy

I know Amy already posted about my new job, but here it is, from me. This is also my first blog in months. I got discouraged because I never learned how to write short posts. It has always taken me forever to write a post and I just couldn't justify spending so much time on it, so I quit. But now I am going to try to write one post each week, on whatever I think might be good to say.

Anyway, I got a job at the Indiana Employment office, as a Career Counselor. Amy described the basic purpose of my job perfectly. I am enjoying spending my work day helping people directly. I think that is what I like doing best. I've never been a big fan of "customer service", ever since my days as a waiter (only job I've ever been fired from) when drunk people would threaten me with physical abuse if I didn't get them their next beer in two seconds. I don't like dealing with people who whine and complain and think that everyone owes them something. But so far, I haven't seen too much of that in this job. For the most part, the people I have worked with genuinely need the services we offer, and are appreciative of what we can do to help them.

Much of the time, career problems are only the tip of the iceberg. I find myself daily wishing I could do more than just help them with their careers, but there are undoubtedly limits to the type of help that would be appropriate for me to give in my official capacity. Suffice it to say, people need the LORD to intervene in their lives BADLY.

For example, little babies need a mom and a dad who love them unconditionally and are willing to subordinate their material greed and selfish ambition to their child's wellbeing. Instead, I see more parents who view their children as hindrances that require babysitters so mom can "get out of the house and do something" (like a full time job). How about being a good mother to your children? I better not even get started down this road if I want to go to bed tonight.

Anyway, I see things like this on a daily basis that get me really fired up. You could help me by praying that I will channel my indignation into surrender and prayer. I am learning that God is the only one who can do His work in the world. All any of us can do is be willing vessels through which he can operate as he chooses.

More next week.

A Congrats To Dada

Andy started a new job last week. He is a career counselor at an unemployment office. It's a government subsidized program that helps place people in new jobs or to receive grants to get some further education so they can get better jobs. He has loved it so far. He is an excellent counselor and truly has a heart for those in need. I think he's going to excel at this job very much.

Samuel made Dada a very nice sign: