Our First Married Christmas

Merry Christmas

Our first Christmas was very lovely. We slept in until 10am and didn't rush into opening our gifts. We just had one a piece because we are going out of town on the 28th. I made a coffee cake and coffee for breakfast, and we sang Happy Birthday to Jesus. This is a tradition my mother started with us and my sister Jayna and I are continuing it with our families. God has blessed us so much this year and we are thankful that he kept us close to him, through the happy times and the difficult ones. He is good all the time. He has also blessed us with great friends in a place we thought we would have none, he blessed us with a great church, and a steady job and income. He truly has been so good.

Here are some pics of how I decorated our little apartment for Christmas. Patriot decided he wanted to have a Christmas pic so he sat and waited patiently until i took a shot of him with the dining room.

Marie and Elizabeth gave me this can of delicious loose leaf Ginger Peach Tea.

I have already had two of these little pots and BJ likes it too. My little pot has a loose leaf

filter in which I put a half teaspoon of tea leaves. It gives it the perfect potency.

Christmas Dinner prepared by my love!

I got this tree for free at the Airman's Attic in Germany it is a great little tree.

Happy Birthday Jesus!

Advent #3

Well I'm a bit late, but yesterday was the third sunday of Advent. Recently while BJ and I were riding in the car we heard a radio broadcast about Advent. The men were speaking of how Advent, though it is mainly presented as just a Christmas thing is really about the whole life of Christ. His birth, life, death and resurrection. The men encouraged everyone listening to not only practice the normal advent tradition, but to read a chapter of Luke each day up until Christmas Eve as there are 24 chapters in the Gospel of Luke. I was doing well, but have fallen behind I will try to catch up before my next advent post. I like the book of Luke.

Scripture for Last week's Advent candle: Luke 1: 68 - 79

Week Three's scriptures: Luke 3: 7 - 18

A Cup of Comfort

Psalm 68

³But let the righteous be glad; let them rejoice before God: yea, let them exceedingly rejoice.

⁴Sing unto God, sing praises to his name: extol him that rideth upon the heavens by his name JAH, and rejoice before him.

⁵A father of the fatherless...

This verse has brought me much comfort today. Although, I have a father, and he will be in my heart and memories forever... I found myself thinking of the things I wished my father would be here to see, like: me finish school, my children, my nephews grow and become young men. When I was thinking of these things and growing a bit sad this verse (the father to the fatherless part) popped into my mind. God is our father and was before our earthly fathers, he knows our every moments and wants to share them with us to discuss them with us and share our joy and pain just like our earthly fathers, but better. Better because they are made in HIS image. I am so glad God brought this very simple, but humbling thought to my mind. He said, "Jodi do not loose heart I AM the father of the fatherless". Thank you Lord for your comforting Holy Spirit.

In loving memory

In Loving Memory

of

Herbert Mark Jordan

July 12, 1950 - December 4, 2009

My father was a wonderful dad.

He worked hard to provide for our family

He did his best to make sure he showed up to cheer us on

at ball games, choir and band concerts, track meets

and anything else we were doing

even as we became adults.

He drove many miles to drop us off here and pic us up there

(twice across the country for me)

And even when his body was giving up he pushed hard

to make sure he could walk me down the isle and dance with me at my wedding

And he will always be with me... he whispered that over and over in my ear as we danced.

I love you Dad!

Herbert Mark Jordan July 12, 1950 ~ December 04, 2009 From: Mount Gilead, Ohio Visitation: Monday, December 07, 2009 from 4:00-7:00 P.M. at Snyder Funeral Home, Mount Gilead, OH Funeral: Tuesday, December 08, 2009 at 11:00 A.M. at Alum Creek Friends Evangelical Church Burial: Alum Creek Friends Church Cemetery, Ashley, Ohio

The choir of angels in heaven are enjoying the addition of the beautiful tenor voice of Herbert Mark Jordan, who went to be with the Lord on Friday afternoon, December 4, 2009, at his residence following a six year battle with cancer. On July 12, 1950, Herb was born the son of the late Bart and Audrey (Sheets) Jordan. He was a lifelong resident of Mount Gilead, and graduated in the Mount Gilead High School Class of 1968. For nearly 20 years, Herb worked as a warehouse manager at the Marion Correctional Facility.A man of deep faith, he attended the Alum Creek Friends Evangelical Church. Known for his beautiful tenor voice, Herb was honored to have sung with the Gracemen of Grove City, the Sontunes of Mount Gilead, and in his home church. Truly an avid Ohio State University football fan, he looked forward to every Saturday his beloved team would play. Herb will be missed by his wife, Sharon Jordan, whom he married on November 5, 1982; and by his adult children, eight grandchildren, two brothers and one sister.