The Jimenez Family

Jason's Christmas present this year (from several people) was a trip to Washington DC.

My husband - who wrote a book about taking back our country, who loves American history and knows more facts than I could possibly ever remember, my husband - the red, white and blue patriot - had never been to this nation's capital!

Needless to say...he was very excited about this trip!!!

My parents were coming in from AZ for two weeks...so we left our precious kiddos in their (very much) capable care and headed off to DC!

First stop, the PENTAGON. I don't know if I'm allowed to actually write anything about this stop.

There were signs everywhere NO CAMERAS, NO PHONES, NO, NO NO...I was pretty nervous the entire time I was there that I would break some rule...accidentally!!!

(Jason might or might not have contributed to these anxieties!!! Ha!)

Next up...the city.

And it was COLD. Not just a little chilly...it was two layers of clothes, boots, scarves, mittens, hats...and I-still-can't-feel-my-toes cold!

But being surrounded by whispers of history invigorated some serious walking on our part!

We managed to hit all of memorials as well as the American History Museum.

Jason acted as my personal tour guide...not because he had been there before...but for every place we went he regaled me with story after story.

Washington, Jefferson, and Lincoln were revered with awe.

Abolitionists. Fighters of Freedom. Passionate truth seekers.

Jason and I spent quite a bit of time pondering the effects their lives had on the shaping of our country.

The EPA, Federal Reserve, etc...he had just as much to say...just definitely not as positive! :-)

The next day was absolutely BEAUTIFUL!!!

We had a quick tour of the White House...saw the President leaving in Marine One...and pet the Obama's dog.
Then we were off to the US Capital, Library of Congress and Supreme Court.

I was completely overwhelmed at the Supreme Court.
How is it that these justices - being only men and women - hold so much power in their hands?
What does that weight feel like? How will they answer for their choices? What effects do they see?
It burdened my heart to pray for them...for their salvation and their future.

Jason and I walked in awe in the Rotunda at the Capital.
Treading the same path of those great patriarchs of liberty.
Knowing that their lives changed the course of history.
It was both humbling and inspiring!

The last day was saved for Arlington Cemetery and the National Archives.

What a sobering sight....row upon row of lives sacrificed for the sake of freedom.

How much we take for granted...how much we forget...how easily we become complacent...

but these markers...each one representing a life - a brother, husband, father, son, - a daughter, sister, mother, wife, friend...do not lie.

Freedom is not free. It will never be free.

So while our independence was granted and slavery abolished...
we are still fighting off threats to this amazing country!

Families everyday send off a loved one...praying that he or she will return.

I was overwhelmed with gratitude...and burdened to pray that those lives were not given in vain.

That the freedoms we take for granted aren't sifted away in the darkest of nights.
Standing at the top of the hill...the best spot in all of DC to see "everything"...Jason and I prayed for God's blessing once again on this nation.

A wonderful trip...spent together...surrounded by history...reminded of God's blessings...and encouraged to stay front and center in the fight to hold fast to our freedoms!!!

Eight

I don't remember much about when I was eight...even less about seven!

But looking back over all that happened in this year...

I can't help but think you will vividly remember this past year of your life.

So many changes.

So many new things.

Several challenges.

SUCH GROWTH!!!!

Prayer Warrior...

You have been so very diligent in your prayers for your family and those whom you love.

Seeking God's favor on "the new ministry" and "daddy's book".

Praying for uncles to have jobs, grandmas to be healed, and cousins to move safely.

And we have seen prayer take on a new meaning for you...as you have watched the Lord answer!

Faith...

There were a couple of rough patches this year. A day that you announced that you weren't sure if God was real...His Word true...or our prayers significant.

Not an emotional time...or attention grabber...but more of an earnest seeking of truth.

We acknowledged those questions and prayed that God would show you His presence...all the while pointing you continually back to His Word.

You remained steadfast...daily reading your allotted "devotions"...each night praying for more faith.

And then multiple things happened at once...blessings from friends, a save at the abortion mill, a missionary captive set free, and several other "miracles".

And the God that parted the Red Sea and raised Lazarus from the dead...was the same God that answered our prayers for faith.

My sweet girl...I pray that you remember that when you move onto eight...that He is the same - yesterday, today and forever!!!

Sister...

Much of the year was spent the two of you together. Many times you asked if you could take Hailey...to play upstairs, to go outside, to read to...anything.

Through your eyes of imagination we have had dogs and lions and monkeys crawling around our house.

You have been a sweet big sister...learning that little eyes are always on you...wanting to be just like you!

That challenge will only grow as time goes on...but we pray that your love for Jesus and His Word will be the biggest impression you make on those looking up to you!

Ministry...

The first day at the abortion mill was tough. It was not your choice to be there...and quite honestly...you never wanted to go back. You struggled with the "why" and could not bear the "how come"...as car after car turned into that parking lot. You shuddered at each picture and had lots of tears on your pillow that night.

It was a hard first day for us as your parents...wondering if we had done the right thing.

Had we pushed you too far.

Amazingly enough...four months later...you are our little prophetess. Speaking truth to those that will listen.

Sharing your faith. Singing on the microphone. Praying fervently for salvation and rejoicing over a "save".

This was a part of your path of faith. And while it is still not a "pleasant" ministry...we have watched you see others beyond yourself. So much for one so young!

Sweet Amy girl...these are just a few of the things we celebrate that God has done in your life this past year.

Our precious little girl, we love you. We treasure you. We thank God for you.

We pray that the eternal truths...His Word...which you have so diligently memorized...has gone down deep into your heart as seedlings.

And as this year of eight unfolds...we pray that He will grow those seedlings in your heart to bear much fruit in Him.

That your life will be a reflection of His goodness. His faithfulness. His grace.

Just as this past year was not one without it's bumps and hiccups...

we know there might be mountains and valleys ahead.

But we commit you to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling

and able to present you before His glorious presence without fault and with great joy.

Happy Birthday, sweet Amy girl!!!

But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For His sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ and be found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith— that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and may share His sufferings, becoming like Him in His death, that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead.

Philippians 3:7-11

To be completely honest...I have sacrificed very little in my short lifetime.

I have been blessed with an incredible, godly family...

that showered me with love and blessings growing up.

I was surrounded by godly mentors and wise counsel at every crossroad of my life.

I have had pain and disappointment and suffering...but at a very minimum in comparison to others.

And sacrifice...at one point I would have easily pointed to this situation or that to show how much I had "sacrificed" for the Lord...but honestly...it is not much.

And truth be told...I am not sure that I counted it as rubbish...counted it as loss...counted the value of knowing Christ higher than that which I was sacrificing.

I probably prided myself on the very act of sacrifice...and in doing so...missed the true blessing of sacrifice.

This past year was different.

2012 was truly a year that I counted it all loss.

Not to say I lost everything...on the contrary...I gained everything.

And looking back over the year...I can not help but be overwhelmed...not with what was sacrificed...but with what was poured out to us in the midst of sacrifice.

And I think that is where the difference lies...not in what is sacrificed or how much...but the heart behind the sacrifice.

When what is at stake is the surpassing knowledge of Christ...the item on the altar does tend to look a bit like rubbish...unimportant...empty.

The beginning of 2012 found me desperately hanging on.

Hanging onto my position in ministry.

Hanging onto certain relationships and friendships.

Hanging onto financial stability.

Hanging onto the trappings of this world.

But as the year began to unfold...the desire to be "found in Christ...not having any righteousness of my own" began to overshadow any thought of sacrifice.

And instead of seeing it as a great loss...or disadvantage...or void...it became almost natural to lay it all down.

To count it all loss.

Big or small...whatever it may be...some things so silly you would laugh to hear them...but truly laying it all down.

And surprisingly, looking back over this past year...I am overwhelmed...not with what was sacrificed...but with how my God chose to pour out His blessings upon us.

Time after time God overflowed our cup...scattering our doubts and fears...steadying our unsteady faith.

And while it is true...I have not suffered the loss of ALL things...my heart is satisfied with the pearl of great price.

Knowing that whatever it is that needs to be laid down will only ever be repaid with an intimacy so sweet has righted my skewed thinking on sacrifice.

No longer do I attribute sacrifice as a measure of my own righteousness...but an acknowledgement of the lack thereof.

I cannot say what this new year will hold.

Thankfully, I cannot see what is beyond the bend...only what is right here in front of me.

But with confidence...humility...and gratitude...I will continue to count it all loss...for the sake of Christ.

As the sun was trying to rise Christmas Eve,

I was bustling in the kitchen preparing my annual

Cinnamon-Roll-Drop-Off.

This is the third year getting up early and making homemade cinnamon rolls for our close friends.

The kids and I bundled up and braved the rain as we drove around Charlotte...stopping by to hug friends and hand them a still-warm pan of gooey, yummy goodness!!!

We rushed home...ate lunch/dinner and headed off to church for our Christmas Eve service.

First up...the three year olds!!! And let me tell you...three year olds on Christmas Eve are pretty excited!!!

We had a great time serving in the class...playing games, making crafts...and of course, having a snack!!!

Next up...candlelight service.

The service was absolutely beautiful.

Definitely the perfect way to quietly prepare our hearts for worshiping and celebrating our Savior!

Once home, there was a present awaiting each one of the kids and a quick snack...and then off to bed they went...anticipating the coming morning!

Jason woke up early Christmas Day and asked if he could wake up the kids...:-)

He was so excited to get the day started...but I managed to hold him off for a little while longer...

and then the squeals and giggles and shouts and laughter rang throughout the house...

After opening her first present...Hailey soon tired of the whole ordeal.

She didn't want to OPEN any more presents she only wanted to PLAY with the one she had already opened.

and play we did...

ALL morning long!!!

Everyone had something to keep them busy!

And after playing...there was plenty of reading to do...everyone had a new book to read!

The excitement of the morning soon gave way to the quietness of the afternoon.

This lil one had very little energy left to spend...on anything!!!

Naps all around helped us get ready for our yummy Christmas dinner.

We had prepared the kids as best we could for how this Christmas would play out.

Having made a significant life change in the middle of the year...we had not planned on there being many presents under the tree.

But several close friends and family decided otherwise...and blessed us tremendously.

As a family, we spent the afternoon reflecting on all the blessings God had poured out to us throughout the year.

A new calling...with close friends to encourage and support us.

A new ministry...with sufficient provision.

A new book...with an impacting message.

But the same sweet Savior to carry us through it all!

We are truly humbled at the abundance of God's gifts given to us.

With the ultimate gift wrapped in a manger.
This was Christmas...because of Christ.

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