Our holiday plans include Sunday morning church, then having friends over for a traditional Polish Christmas Eve dinner (which I’m not cooking – hooray!), dinner on Christmas Day at a family’s house from the church, and then a three day trip north to an indoor water park! Meanwhile, we’ve been decorating our tree (everyone here dresses the tree on Christmas Eve, but we decided we’d finally waited long enough), drinking eggnog and Christmas caroling at every chance. What an amazing story – that the God of All willingly made Himself into a man, with all the helplessness and dependency that that included. And all so that one day He could die on a cross for me, for my sins. I keep thinking of things from Mary’s perspective. How strange it must have all been for her! Well, happy holidays to you all – may the story of the birth of Christ be as new and amazing to you as the first time you heard it! 
December 21, 2006
Merry Christmas!!!
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Sarah, you look so beautiful. I miss you! I hope you get your packages from John and me soon! There are two of them so keep your eyes peeled!
Mikaela, Maia, don’t you look cute in your matching outfits! I love you all, Merry Christmas!
PS. Great tree! I’m glad you didn’t wait–it makes Christmas last longer when you decorate early.
Comment by Ruth Valiante — December 21, 2006 @ 9:53 pm
I’m afraid our Christmas has been so harried that I haven’t given Jesus much reflection. What a HUGE downgrade it was for Jesus to become flesh and dwell among men. He who had a hand in creating humankind and existed before the world became a baby? Seems so humbling and strange a plan for our redemption – but the combination of a human/God sacrifice for our sins is so totally complete and perfect. I’m amazed by the wisdom and sovereignty of God this Christmas!
Love the matching nightgowns. Did you make those?
Comment by Alicia — December 22, 2006 @ 2:04 pm
Sarah, Merry Christmas. Good reminder. We just received the pictures of the girls. They are adorable. We sent a Christmas picture (I think). Love you all.
BTW You and Ben are invited to join my online book club at my blog. We are reading Religious Affections by Jon Edwards-so far, a really good book.
Matt
Comment by Matthew Johnson — December 22, 2006 @ 6:22 pm
Beautiful picture! Miss you guys – hope you have a wonderful holiday and enjoy your time away at the water park. That sounds like a lot of fun!
Comment by Sarah (Jordan) McDaniel — December 22, 2006 @ 6:25 pm
you guys are adorable. how true about Mary – I’ve thought of that several times, especially now that we have little Aaron. I can’t imagine what she had to think and feel – praise God that He loves us so much!!!
Comment by JDM — December 24, 2006 @ 10:20 pm
Merry Christmas Ben and Sarah- It’s good to see a family picture with all of you in it. Your girls like just like you guys!:)
Comment by matt & nicki tolosa — December 27, 2006 @ 7:36 pm
so cute…
Comment by Irwin — December 30, 2006 @ 2:00 am
Merry Christmas – a little after the fact. Happy New Year! I didn’t get a “Christmas publication” out this year – so don’t think you were taken off the list, nobody got one. Or maybe you were thinking you were finally removed from the database of junk mail! I hope your trip was a fun one. The pictures are cute! We would love to see you in person.
Comment by Esther — January 3, 2007 @ 12:17 am
Hey there, Cute Family,
I stumbled onto your blog through my friend Georgia Bryant’s blog that led to Mike Muth’s blog. Didn’t know Mike but saw a bunch of old Northlandia folk.
I’m so glad that this techie age we live in has made it possible for such easy communication. Hope you are having a fantastic new year.
In Him
Jodie Grotzke
Comment by Jodie Grotzke — January 8, 2007 @ 4:17 am
I saw the “thank you” you left on our blog. You are very, very welcome!!! Glad it got to you – I was a little nervous that it wouldn’t actually make it all the way to Poland! Did you ever get the birth announcement I sent in October?
)
Anyway, I do miss you guys, and it was great for the kids to think outside themselves especially at Christmas when, as ridiculous as it seems with it being Jesus’ Birthday, it is too easy for us to be self-centered. They really enjoyed picking out the gifts and wrapping them up. I was surprised at them, not actually knowing your girls, they were very specific about which gift went to who
)
Comment by Sarah (Jordan) McDaniel — January 11, 2007 @ 4:34 pm
Hey, Sarah. It’s been over a month. Do you think we could get an update?
Love you!
Comment by ruth — January 24, 2007 @ 4:41 pm
Hi, Sarah! your kids are so cute! Good to hear you all are doing so well!
Comment by stephanie taylor — February 5, 2007 @ 8:13 pm
Hi Layers! I agree with Ruth. We need a new picture please. Thank you. Love to you all.
Comment by Frani — February 16, 2007 @ 7:31 pm
Hi Ben,
Sarah Glupker gave me your info. You have a beautiful family.
Faith (Yansen) Boyle
Comment by Faith Boyle — February 17, 2007 @ 1:46 am
Hey, Bethany uses to have that same nightgown! Talk about flash backs! The girls are so cute! Love you site!
Comment by Mary Brewer — March 29, 2007 @ 5:01 pm