Merry Christmas!
We had a fabulous day on Thursday, celebrating Christmas with many who we love so much. I’ve told Eric over and over again that this has been my favorite Christmas season. God has been really gracious to keep it really low-key and stress-free, thus enabling us to really step back from the hustle and bustle of ministry and marvel at the beauty of Jesus, Emanuel: God is with us! I think He used Noa to bring that about to. We talked a lot about this being her first Christmas that she may actually remember, and wanting so fiercely for her to connect this time of year with Jesus first and foremost. In His goodness, God used that in our own hearts, to refresh us and draw us close to our incarnate Savior. It has been a sweet time indeed!
Some of our memories from the last few days include:
A gingerbread house making party with our dear friends, The Dingle Family, and my Parents and siblings! What fun! Here is Noa’s first gingerbread creation (her creative touches are the already-been-tasted candies all over it. Needless to say, we haven’t offered the house to any guests to partake…)
Christmas morning was a precious time as a family, enjoying taking it relatively slow, getting to read the Bible and pray with our Noll family in America via ichat, as well as open gifts “with” them. Modern technology is wonderful, and, while it doesn’t even come close to the joy of being together in real life, does help to soothe the ache of being away from our loved ones during this special time.
We had a great time just the four of us, with the girls enjoying their new toys. Noa received a baby stroller for her doll and Martha received duplo blocks. Very very exciting for them both.
Noa and Daddy taking a play-break to enjoy a cinnamon roll:
And me trying for a photo with my girls. Please note Noa’s new “cheeeese” smile:
Continuing in tradition from last year, we had our fellow short-termers from our team – Tim, Isaac, Andrew, and Samantha - over for brunch, along with our dear friends Kumiko, Ai-chan, and Chizuka. It was a sweet time of fellowship and laughter, as usual with these friends, and I guess the fact that I don’t have any photos shows you how busy I was eating and having fun.
Mid afternoon we headed to my parents’ house and had a wonderful evening celebrating with 3 dear families from our church. It worked out great for Noa as 2 of her best friends, Minori and Mikuni, are in those families so she was quite busy all evening. Here are some of the photos:
Martha is sitting next to little Sara Dedachi. These two precious girls will be baptized together tomorrow. We are so thankful for other Christian parents with whom to share in the joys and struggles of raising up little ones. We had a wonderful time of lots of yummy food, tons of fun, and family worship.
And in keeping with Iverson family tradition, I had to get a photo of the girls on the stairs in order from youngest to oldest. 
Maybe God will one day bless us with a staircase full of smiling faces.
We pray that you and yours enjoyed a wonderful Christmas celebration. God bless you!
Noa’s cheese smile is adorable.