Christmas 2012 is here!

This Christmas we are on the road visiting family and friends.  Interesting time to watch the kids adjust and try some adventure in this.  We enjoyed a delightful dinner prepared by my sis Donna and her husband John.  Later in the evening we had a surprise visit by my brother in his uniform, taking a brief break from protecting and serving the community while they sleep.  Lots of fun had by all and the anticipation by the kids for the coming of gifts was precious as it always is.

After nearly a month of contemplating Gods word towards a build up of Christmas, and after accepting and gifting this morning, I was reminded of the greatest gift in an unexpected way this morning.  My son Sean reminded me of the Gospel of Jesus Christ in a new way.

After opening a few gifts this morning, which included a cash gift, he retracted to a different room of the house and was tearful.  I gave him a bit but then went to him and sat with him to see what was going on, thinking along the lines of disappointment towards the gifts he received.  I could not have been more wrong.  He explained to me sadly that he did not earn the money and that there are many that deserve it more.

I sat with him for a moment and realized he just gave me such a reminder of the Gospel of Jesus Christ from his own words. God gifted us all, with his most valuable possession in His Son, and we did not earn nor deserve it.  He freely gave to undeserving sinners, which is all of us.  It is only His Grace that we received such a gift, in Christ Jesus.

Rather than make this time with my son a theological experience and screw it up, I simply reminded him that his care and thought for others is a gift of Jesus, and his sharing this with his dad was my greatest reminder of Christmas this year.  We both smiles and hugged for while and I got to watch his joy rebuild...

Thank you God for your providence and the unexpected gift this morning.  My heart is full right now and wanted to share this with family and friends.  Merry Christmas to you all and let the light of Jesus shine in your lives!

Christmas Break 2011

As is the growing tradition, we take a vacation between Christmas and New Years dedicated to being together.  Unlike previous years which was a snow trip or a trip to SD and Dizzyland, we chose to hit the beach at Rincon Parkway in Ventura to enjoy the forecasted 70 degree and sunny weather.  The time did not disappoint...

Both Jenn and I planned to catch up and do some joint planning into the New Year.  Well that never happened...  But what did happen, just lots of fun and reflection on God work in our lives and His blessing in such profound ways.  We spent tons of time recreating, cooking, and sitting around the fire in addition to a few jaunts here and there.  Look at the photos and get a peek...

Camp site front yard - Ventura's Gold Coast

Camp evenings at fireside

The "Rustler" Camp Cook - Dutch Oven Style

Evening sun sets - Gods handiwork on display

Santa Barbara area riding with the kiddos

Hydration break with the wifey and some lunch for the kiddos!

Time to slay some perch!

The trip was full of activity.  The Martins could learn to rest more - note to self.  We enjoyed much and some of the highlights were:

• Surfing Campus Point with the kids at evening - both kids went for it and we said hello to local surfing pro Bobby Martinez!
• Fishing a ton - we slayed em out there...
• Lots of cooking together and eating outside.  We only prepared breakfast and lunch inside.  The rest was open fire cooking...
• Loved talking with the wifey and kids as we settled down in the evening.
• Enjoyed having no agenda to speak of...
• Visiting with Mike and Jenn Easter clan in Ventura and seeing their family grow.
• Looking at the stars and pondering on our creator God.
• Enjoyed a New Years eve visit with TT and Korey and spent the evening with a meal and some games.  Enjoyed having the praise song Glorious going through my head all evening long and then to bed by 10pm.  Boy we are real night owls...
• A little road ride along the coast and remembering how many times I've done this route before.
• Seeing my family do what they do...

At the time of writing this post I am really reflecting on the amazingly free life we live and wonderful experiences we have.  I am encouraged (and somewhat scared) of the reality that we are blessed so that we might bless others.  Our family speaks of this often, and living in real grace in this fact.  We are still in the throws as a family determining our short term "to-do's" in 2012 and ready to state our goals.  Look forward to prayerfully taking this new year on, and all that it brings.  Praise God for all years before, and this next year!

God bless you all, and thank you for reading...

Merry Christmas 2009

From the mouth of babes!

I have been lazing this morning. Partly because I caught a cold, and because we are prepping for Christmas Eve. You cannot help to begin to inventory your life on days like this. Trust you know what I mean...

I was looking for something in my top dresser when I stumbled on a note that my daughter and a young girl were passing back and forth during an airline flight a number of years ago. I kept it for many reasons but let me tell you what happened first.


This is the first page of the note:

Amber: What to do anything else? The replies -IDK. I believe this means I don't know.

Amber: You're the first friend I found at the airport! The girl replies A=Me2. I am getting the impression she must have been taught to text at a young age...

Amber: Your very nice!! The girl replies - Thanks


The next page of the note continues:

Amber: Do you know Jesus? The girl replies - Yes, I go 2 Church every Sunday.

Amber: This is my favorite Bible verse. For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only son that whoever believes in him shall not die but have eternal life! John 3:16.

The girl replies - thats soo cool.

I love this episode in life. I love the fact that my children are not terrified nor cautious in telling the world of our savior... I love this note and will read it on occasion for encouragement in my parenting of these great kids.

Praise God for these little precious gifts.

Christmas Vacation

I certainly realize this blog must be late but I cannot escape the desire to share the wonderful time away during the week after Christmas. As everyone already knows, our family loves company and we general spend all of our vacations and weekends saturated with family and friends. Over the past few years, we have learned a precious opportunity to just make this one trip of the years our own and get internal with one another. This trip did not disappoint and was a ton of fun!

Day 1 - Drove straight to the town of Oakhurst near south entrance to Yosemite to a lodge known as Tenaya Lodge. This day would be the first day of 3 nights and four days on the visit. We stopped in Fresno at the REI outlet to get the kids ready for the weather and outings we were about to experience. As we drove up the hill from Oakhurst, we knew we were in store for a winter storms treat of deep new snow throughout the area. When we arrived and unpacked, we jumped into our snow clothing and ran for the outside only to pummel each other with snow balls and sled on the Lodge provided slopes in a beautiful setting. The day was topped with a tasty dinner in diner right there on site. Woops, forgot to mention the indoor pool that the kids had to hit before shower time each night! They love the pools and swimming!

Day 2 - Drove into the Yosemite Valley with to enjoy a days event of snowshoeing. The valley was empty of tourist but completely full of strikingly beautiful layers of fresh snow and a frozen winter landscape. We walked for hours and really took in Gods amazing creation. You could not help but to find yourself conversing with God and giving praise for everything He made and created. We spent the entire day there and the drive back to Oakhurst on this day was a long one since all vehicles had to have tire chains. This fact, along with inexperienced drivers along the way, made for a long way home. However, the time was precious together and the views around every corner were fantastic.

Day 3 - Drove to Badger Pass Ski Area to cross country ski. This adventure was an amazing experience and quite kid friendly. For those who know how expensive skiing is, our whole day including rentals was $60 for all of us included! We really enjoyed the back country experience and the great exercise had by all. Both Amber and Sean did great and so did the wifey. Seany boy really impressed me with his climbing skills as he constantly went to the front to make it happen... We ended the afternoon with some pizza for the kids and a tasty beer for the parents. We packed up and got down the hill to enjoy some mexican food in Oakhurst. Since this was the last night, the kids went nutso in the pool.

Day 4 - Took a scenic drive in the heart of the Merced foothills to the north bay area. We really enjoyed the run in from the Oakland area and made the coastal loop to our first destination to stop for the day at the headlands at the Golden Gate Bridge. It was an amazing view and only the second time I have seen this wonderful landmark. It was both the kids and Jenns first time. Following this stop, we drove highway one south all the way to Monterey and passed along landscape and towns I have never witnessed before. It was a treat. We landed at a beautiful hotel along the cannery row in Monterey and treated ourselves to a seafood meal before hitting the pillow for the final day of adventure.

Day 5 - Enjoyed the morning and early afternoon at the Aquarium. It was a great time had by all and the kids really learned alot about the ocean creatures. We spent most of our time trying to spot the various California halibut a the bottom of the sandy tank and all of us were just totally ready for next summers fishing trips. This is like visiting a great restaurant and looking at wonderful entrees without being able to sample them! After this we hit the car and drive three hours home and ended our wonderful time away and family retreat.

A great time indeed. We are so grateful for the blessings of these special times and adventures. Sorry it took so long to share. Life is in the way sometimes...

Christmas 2008 is here!

Our celebration started mid day yesterday on Christmas Eve when I left the office bound to get home and dig in with the family. It was taking some time since I just came out of several days in bed with a vicious cold virus that seemed to go one after another in a chain of events ending with yours truly. I'm better, just with a nagging cough.

Enjoyed just coming home to the kids, the wifey, the parents, and John and Donna ready for some celebration over the next 24 hours. We started with some mid day movies and hanging out and got ready for some Christmas Eve Worship Celebrations at both my fathers parish St. Patricks Church and our beloved Grace Church. St. Patricks was slammed with worshippers in their 4pm mass and there were so many folks present that I stood in the aisle with my daughter, along with my Dad, and Jenn and Sean found a seat next to the Bachmanns. Sweet message, mass, and production put on by the children of the parish. Caught up with the Bachmann Clan briefly but all very sweet to tell my dear best friend Rudy Merry Christmas along with his whole family. We were then off (in a rush) to pick up my mom, John, and Donna to run to Grace Church for family Christmas Worship.

We arrived just before 6pm and the crowds were starting to motor in. Met many families I have not met before and enjoyed hymn singing and reflecting on the birth of our savior Jesus Christ! It was great and there was some interaction time with our Pastor and our children at the front. Ended with a candle lighting and prayer. Sweet time and my heart was finally just jumping into Christmas celebration and joy. We ran home for the next phase of the celebration - Mom prepared the Christmas meal...!

All of us went across the drive and stayed at the parents with sweet fellowship, some wine tasting, and a delightful rib eye roast. Delicious meal and great time. After dinner, it was time to get the kids tucked for bed and ready for the deliveries by St. Nick. Before bed, we prayed together as family in front of the tree and enjoyed praising the birth celebration of our Lord and Savior. We were continuing with the evenings call - Jesus is the light of the world! Kids we're stashed into bed by 10pm and then Jenn and I just enjoyed some time together before crashing for the early morning wake up.

I crawled out of bed before 6am and made some coffee just enjoying the peace of the morning and the true significance of our Christmas celebration. Just about the time I began to pour some fresh brew, my daughter Amber sprang down the stairs with the most genuine smile and joy ready asking to approach the tree where the gifts were waiting. We both agreed to wait until the balance of the family joined and it did not take long for Amber to make the rounds of wake up calls including walking to across the drive to wake the balance of the group. Presents were opened at will and the kids were delighted as well as some of adults. Jenn and I for the first year elected to gift the balance of the family but not ourselves and it did not change the joy of the morning celebration at all.

We generally lazed around all morning and just enjoyed the day. We finally made a road trip up the coast just to get out. We saw some beautiful coast line and some elephant seals. Just good times together. We are home as I write this making some burritos and again ready for some more rest.

God is faithful in our lives. We have so much to be thankful for. And the whole beginning of the Gospel in the birth of Jesus can actually be overwhelming if you let it... Overwhelming with joy and total appreciation!

Merry Christmas to all! Jesus is the light of the world!

God bless you all.