iSonto #18

Elnathan was interested and helpful when it was time to decorate the tree on the first day of Advent.

We decorate mainly with angels and stars. It has been fun to tell him about the different angels and what they are made of, as well as where we purchased them or who gave them to us. He is also learning about the ways angels and stars feature in the Bible story.

We have also started our Jesse tree devotions and decorations. This is great as Elnathan can begin to understand the stories.So far we have covered Bible history from creation through  to Abraham.

Mercy was happy playing with broad beans while I podded them.

From garden to tummies . . .

Did I mention broad beans?! You can eat them in soup, double podded for salad, steamed to have with spaghetti bolognese, and in risotto, to name just four ways we have tried in the past week.

A book we enjoyed together was Tasmania: Australia's Island State, a touristy publication I bought years ago because I liked the pictures. We have had lots of conversations with Nate about this book this week, as he has taken a great interest in the pictures and saying "I've seen" or " I haven't seen" about them!

Encouragement, ideas and inspiration came from Romans 5: 4- 5, a helpful reminder to persevere even when there are disappointments. Perseverance will result in a hope that will not disappoint.

And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope. Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.

We are thankful for the permanent work Dave has been offered at CSIRO, trusting God that this means he has a plan for us to be here for at least a couple more years. We are also grateful for Christmas lights, and for the many things that are more precious when there are little people about. It is great to be with them as they discover the world. A few times this week Nate has said "We made a Christmas tree, and it is a beautiful Christmas tree" as well as things like "there is a glass angel, and a bead angel, and a wood angel, and a paper angel".

Isonto is a Zulu word for both week and Sunday, so Dave suggested it as the title of this little update I plan (God willing) to put out each Sunday.