Merry Christmas & Happy New Year

Dear Friends & Family,

Isn’t it amazing how much can transpire within just one year!?! To think that last December we were living in Maryland, spending our free time sledding down the snowy slope in our back yard, riding in our laundry basket! Amber Sutter was living in our basement since she had moved up with us in order to help me with the daily joy of caring for 3 little boys, 2 years old and under. Aaron was soaking up a precious and unique season of being at the Pastor’s College…an experience which consisted of so much more than just studying! It was a rich time of growing in our marriage, our parenting and being equipped as a couple through the wisdom of those who were not just teaching the classes, but seeking to care for our souls through the context of relationships. We were enjoying diving in and building new friendships knowing that in just 6 months we would be saying goodbye to all our new friends and heading home again.

In the mean time, we have moved back to Orlando, FL where Aaron is now serving as a pastor in training for the church we love so dearly! I’m loving life just being at home with our boys. It’s definitely challenging at times but I wouldn’t trade this privilege for anything! They are growing up so fast as all children do. Joshua just turned 3 in September. Caleb & Tyler are almost 20 months old. The boys are growing to be best buddies with the common fights over food or toys in between. They love to eat and run and eat and play with blocks or cars and eat and play the piano or drum on anything they find and eat and laugh and have tickle time and eat and eventually sleep. Do you get the picture? It is quite humorous. I feel like most of my time is spent preparing food, cleaning up after preparing food and then cleaning up the boys and the floor after they eat the food.

What a joy it is to watch our little boys as they are beginning to grow into the men God has called them to be. They are all so different! Here’s a brief update on the developing of the Law boys:

Joshua: God has given him an amazing love for music. He loves to listen to music and then pretend he’s playing the instruments he hears. He loves to play our piano and guitar and insists on having a song book out in front of him even though he can’t read words or music yet. He also loves movies and would probably love to watch them all day long if not directed otherwise. He loves to play outside (especially anything that involves playing with water), to learn new things, to play with puzzles, etc. He’s also clearly the older brother as he loves to imitate Daddy & Mommy by instructing his brothers in saying, “no sir, you may not” and by comforting them when they get hurt and helping them.

Caleb: He’s probably the main cause of why I feel like I’m dealing with food all day. :) Caleb is a hungry, strong and active boy. He’s so tough and yet sensitive and cuddly all at the same time. He does well sharing with his brothers. He also loves to make a mess with all the blocks spreading them around as fast and furiously as he can and then loves to help clean up once he’s done. He also loves swimming and tub time.

Tyler: He’s the quiet and laid back one of the bunch. He’s also very sensitive and sweet. All the boys love tickle time but Tyler comes running when he hears the tickling beginning! Even though he’s laid back, he’s also very brave and has been the first of the 3 to stand on tables, etc. He also has a love for music and loves to sing, dance and march. He loves to wave and say, “hi,” with a big smile on his face to anyone and everyone…and even to me all throughout the day when we’re just at home.

What a year full of change and transition! We’re so grateful for how God has been stretching & teaching us in this new season of life … so grateful for the three precious boys He has given us … so grateful for how He continues to build, strengthen and sweeten our marriage even in the midst of the strains & joys of life.

One of the main truths that has continued to challenge and comfort me this year is found in Isaiah 55:8-9: “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.” What a comforting truth in the midst of trials and difficulties that I wouldn’t always choose for myself. What mercy to marvel at in the midst of joys & blessings in this life which I am amazed I am the recipient of. What is even more glorious is that His way was to send His own Son, Jesus Christ, to live a perfect life in my stead. It was His will that His Son may die a death which He did not deserve so that I could receive mercy instead of the wrath my sins deserve. And it was His power that raised Jesus to life again as a sign securing my hope that one day, when I breathe my final breath; I too will be raised to a new life again in Christ. What a glorious reason to celebrate Jesus not just this Christmas season but every day of the year!

“Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good,
For his steadfast love endures forever.” (Psalm 136:1)

Much Love,

Aaron, Crystal, Joshua, Caleb & Tyler Law

Family Pictures

Here are just a few of the family pictures that my sister took about a month ago. As you can tell by the last one, the boys had alot of fun! :) The apples weren't planned props, they were actually just an attempt to keep the boys happy as they were hot and tired...but it ended up working out great and I love the ones she got of them eating. So precious! We had alot of fun and marvel and the way God has gifted my sister. Thank you Cheryl!!!

Best Buds

The Meaning of Grace: But God . . .

I just finished a wonderful book by John Piper titled, Finally Alive. He spends the whole book unpacking, from Scripture, the glories of our new birth in Christ. I love this section describing the meaning of grace.

The Meaning of Grace: But God . . .

Then comes one of the most precious phrases in the Bible (verse 4): “But . . . God.” We were foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to sinful pleasures, malicious, envious, hated and hating. But . . . God . . . “But when the goodness and loving kindness of God appeared, he [God!] saved us.”

This is the same amazing sequence that we saw in Ephesians 2:3-5: “[We were] carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind. But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved.” We were dead, but God made us alive. This is the meaning of grace. The dead can do nothing to make themselves live. But God . . .

That’s what we have here in Titus 3:3-5. We were slaves to desires and pleasures that were so powerful we could not taste and see that the Lord was good. So far as our ability to know and trust and love God was concerned, we were dead. But . . . God. Verse 4-5: “But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit.” (Finally Alive, p. 90-91)

Only one life, twill soon be past...

Song by CT Studd — Missionary to China, India, and Africa, after hearing this quote by David Livingstone: "Only one life,’ twill soon be past, Only what’s done for Christ will last."

Two little lines I heard one day, Traveling along life’s busy way; Bringing conviction to my heart, And from my mind would not depart; Only one life, ’twill soon be past, Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Only one life, yes only one, Soon will its fleeting hours be done; Then, in ‘that day’ my Lord to meet, And stand before His Judgment seat; Only one life,’ twill soon be past, Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Only one life, the still small voice, Gently pleads for a better choice, Bidding me selfish aims to leave, And to God’s holy will to cleave; Only one life, ’twill soon be past, Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Only one life, a few brief years, Each with its burdens, hopes, and fears; Each with its days I must fulfill, living for self or in His will; Only one life, ’twill soon be past, Only what’s done for Christ will last.

When this bright world would tempt me sore, When satan would a victory score; When self would seek to have its way, Then help me Lord with joy to say; Only one life, ’twill soon be past, Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Give me Father, a purpose deep, In joy or sorrow Thy word to keep; Faithful and true what e’er the strife, Pleasing Thee in my daily life; Only one life, ’twill soon be past, Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Oh let my love with fervor burn, And from the world now let me turn; Living for Thee, and Thee alone, Bringing Thee pleasure on Thy throne; Only one life, "twill soon be past, Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Only one life, yes only one, Now let me say, "Thy will be done"; And when at last I’ll hear the call, I know I’ll say ’twas worth it all"; Only one life,’ twill soon be past, Only what’s done for Christ will last.