Pondering and Treasuring

So I know I'm late posting about Christmas, but life got a bit busy.  I do want to post a few things just to remind myself of everything that went on during the holidays.  It will come in bits and pieces. This picture was taken on December 28th after we went out to eat at our favorite steak house to celebrate Zach's birthday and Caitlin's birthday.

I have always loved Luke chapter 2:19.  Mary and Joseph were visited by the shepherds after the angels appeared to the shepherds announcing Jesus' birth.   After the shepherds leave, verse 19 states Mary treasured up all the things and pondered them in her heart.  I can totally relate to that.  After the birth of a baby, one can't help but stare down at the baby and wonder about all the hope and promise of it's new life.  Then the baby grows and before you turn around good, that child is preparing for his/her life.  Fast forward in Jesus' life about twelve years, Luke 2:41-52.  Mary, Joseph and the family traveled to Jerusalem to celebrate Passover.  On the way back, Mary and Joseph realize Jesus is not with them.  After three days, they found him in the temple listening and asking questions of the teachers.  You can read it for yourself, but after the family is reunited, and they head back to Nazareth, verse 51 tells how Jesus continues to be submissive to his family and again Mary "treasured all these things in her heart."

Because our family is separated by too many miles, it was wonderful having everybody under one roof.  The gift of time spent with family is the best gift we could have received.  Puddin' and I often sat back and just watched them all interacting.  We were writing these moments down in our hearts.  Pondering and treasuring.