Christmas in July?

When a friend announced that our community church service this morning was going to be "Christmas in July," I was confused until an Aussie friend explained that they do that sometimes Down Under, since July is the coldest month of the year, the time when the traditional carols most apply. Christmas is actually the hottest summer month for this side of the world. So I gamely picked out semi-Christmassy outfits. It was fun to wear a red sweater - I won't be able to in December! Because the kids were so cutely coordinated we got another photo. They are just about 2 years old, or 21 months adjusted age. (Sorry! I'm going to keep adjusting until they are 2 years old adjusted age, or November 3rd of this year! I'm just following what the developmental specialists do!)

David, Gracie, Seth, Marcie and Will, July 27th, 2014

Our sermon today pointed out that every time we remember our salvation in Christ, we "celebrate" Christmas, the baby born in the manger. He came to live a perfect life, die and rise again so that we can be made right with God for all eternity.

The Wycliffe Bible Encyclopedia summarizes the gospel message this way:

The central truth of the gospel is that God has provided a way of salvation for men through the gift of His son to the world. He suffered as a sacrifice for sin, overcame death, and now offers a share in His triumph to all who will accept it. The gospel is good news because it is a gift of God, not something that must be earned by penance or by self-improvement (Jn 3:16; Rom 5:8–11; II Cor 5:14–19; Tit 2:11–14).3

Some more pictures from the past week:

Marcie loves to pose for the camera. This was where she had decided to take her nap, so she brought her two most fluffy blankets and laid down. Typical Marcie, it's also the hub of the house, at the entrance to the kitchen, where she wouldn't have to miss any action while "napping." Mommy didn't succumb to her charm and actually let her nap here, of course. 

It's so cute how the babies like to cover themselves with blankets. (Marcie still)

Marcie again

Gracie

Grace and Will

Marcie and Will

Gracie

Marcie's arms in the air (previous photo) remind me that Gracie loves to raise and even sometimes wave her arms during praise music or hymns. She didn't learn it from watching us because Gavin and I don't usually do so. Our Praise Baby CD and the hymns or worship music at church both elicit this darling and touching response from our littlest girl. Music moves her greatly.

David with Amanda. David is getting very good at hugging his siblings with this same huge grin, and he also goes on pacifier hunts around the house so he can hand them out to any baby missing one.

Marcie under the "parachute" at the Weavers'. It's been sweet to see Marcie taking double-portions of a snack so she can give half to Gracie. The girls really love each other. They laugh and talk a lot in the mornings before we get them out of their cribs, and they play little games and laugh so cutely together. Tonight the game was "grab Marcie's feet," which both Gracie (the grabber) and Marcie found hilarious. The boys, however, focused on wrestling. (Poor Seth wasn't much in the mood as he's had bad diarrhea and terrible diaper rash as a result.)

Will and Seth. Will's grin is just priceless in this photo! Seth's expression is pretty darn cute, too. Will continues to be the alpha male of the quints and a princeling of this community, but Seth is probably the prince of even more hearts with his loving cuddles and winsome smile. Will is busier than Seth and much less easy to hold and cuddle. ;) David kind of keeps to himself and takes his play so seriously our cleaning lady jokes that he has a lot of work to focus on and accomplish each day. His impish grin and dancing, running feet still bring plenty of admirers! Each child is so different but equally precious and immensely enjoyable. This is my favorite age, but I've said that every month so far!