"N"

My cousin Amanda gave me the letter "N" to post 10 things that I like/favourite etc. N has been a TOUGH letter!! None of my absolute favs. start with N - no kids, no hubby- so it has taken A LOT of thought. So here it goes - in no particular order - oh, I only have 8 so far but I will keep thinking until I get all ten!

1. Nativity - I love the nativity and all that it represents. Christmas is such a fun time of year - love the family time, love the decorations, food, presents but my desire for my kids (and for me) is that they truly understand Christmas and the Nativity, of course, is the true meaning. I saw a clip from the movie "the nativity" and it was so moving as they showed Mary giving birth and baby Jesus - moving b/c I'm a mom and couldn't imagine having a baby that would one day carry the weight of the world - all of its sin on His shoulders - moving b/c it reinforced the humanness of Jesus and of Mary and of Joseph. Just as God used Mary and Joseph He can use us!

2. Nuts - gotta love nuts - especially almonds. Last year when I lost a lot of weight nuts were a great snack to stave off hunger and to fill me up!! I still eat them every day. I also love peanut butter, especially with chocolate! Also love them in salads and stir fries.

3. Nuptials - I love being married. Rich and I have been married for almost nine years (okay three more months) and it's been pretty great. As a little girl I always wanted to be married - it's not like the movies but in many ways it's even better. I couldn't imagine my life without Rich in it.

4. Naps - I couldn't get thru the days without my kids having naps. The baby naps 2-3 times a day, Christian naps a few times a week and Aiden naps the odd time too. They are the time I can either rush around like a crazy lady and get loads done without feeling like I"m neglecting my kids or they're a time I can laze around on the computer reading blogs etc. Usually it's a combination of both.

5. Nighttime - I love the evening when Rich and I are finally by ourselves. I love relaxing. I've always been a night owl - though now that I have kids that have to get up for school I have to get to bed at a pretty decent time. I also love sleeping - nothing better than my head hitting the pillow after a long day - usually it only takes me a second or two to drift off to lala land.

6. Nation - I love our nation of Canada - I love the freedom to worship God, to express our opinions - to work, shop, live how we want to. I love the beauty of the mountains, the smell of the ocean, the sun, the snow (for a day). I love that we are free to travel - to come and go as we want - that we are welcome in other countries (generally).

7. Nations- I also love other countries. Missions is so important to me. When looking for a church that had to be its focus. So many people need God - hey so many people in our own country need God too I know but there is just something about foreign countries. I've been to Estonia, Russia, New York and Uganda doing missions stuff and would love to continue to do things in the future with our family. I love hearing about other countries and whats going on. One day Rich and I want to take our kids to Africa on a combo missions/travel trip before that we would love to do more local things like the food bank or things in Vancouver. We think it would change all of us! We've always been open if we felt God calling - who knows!?!

8. Nissi- as in Jehovah Nissi - The Lord is My Banner! God is the most important person in my life. He is my all in all. God has many names and this one is used in Exodus 17:8-16 with Moses. He had just one a battle and he called God Jehovah Nissi - the Lord was his Banner, God was victorious. Just as God was victorious in many battles in the Bible He can be victorious in every situation in our own lives. God is my strength, my peace - when life seems crazy, when I don't know what is going on I just have to remember that HE is in control and it brings life into perspective and gives me a sense of peace.

9. ????? It'll come. It has come. NEW YEAR! Not necessarily New Years Eve but the start of a new year. For me this comes twice a year - once in September when the school year starts and then of course in January. I love both b/c it gives me a chance to organize our lives, to start new things and to have a beginning date to start different things such as goals to lose weight (ha), do better on devotions, be better mom, spouse etc. I'm not big into resolutions but sometimes when you know you have to improve on something having a September or Jan. helps you to begin that improvement.
10.?????? This one will show up too.

So there you have it 8 out of 10 n words that mean something to me!