On our recent trip to the beach, I found this sand dollar (it was more intact when I originally found it and had just a small piece broken off).  While I hoped to come across a more complete and perfect one, there was something about this one that drew me to it.  Unfortunately, it got stepped on by a certain toddler and thus we have what's left of it in the above picture.  Something about the longing for perfection and instead finding brokenness connects with me.  

As we enter into this Advent season, I am reminded of the great longing the Israelites had for their Savior to come.  Their constant striving and their constant failing.  

Psalm 127:1-2  "Unless the Lord builds the house, its builders labors in vain.  Unless the Lord watches over the city, the guards stand watch in vain.  In vain you rise early and stay up late, toiling for food to eat--for he grants sleep to those he loves."

Do you feel the striving in these verses like I do?  Timothy Keller writes "If you are overworked and overstressed you are forgetting who God is.  Jesus said it most bluntly:  "Apart from me you can do nothing." (John 15:5)".  Ouch.  I am 100% guilty of feeling overstressed.  Stressed by the pressures I put on myself.

Honestly, this is the first time we've really tried to be intentional about advent season.  I felt added pressure having our niece and nephew living with us to put extra emphasis on what the true meaning of Christmas is (me striving as usual...).  It's been a great lesson for all of us.  A lesson in pausing.  A lesson in reflecting.  A lesson in expectation and hope.  What a wild idea for God to send His perfect Son into this broken world.  His perfection joins our brokenness and brings wholeness.  

Isaiah 9:6

"For unto us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace."

Beach time!

Flight from Quito to Guayaquil and back again! We did it!

Virtual school

Our garden! Rainy days meant lots of growth!