Here's a short Christmas morning recap in photos from the Whipps' Christmas 2006. It was a very full house…17 people, if I counted right.

Christmas goodies for the kids

Grandpa Ken rocks Rebekah

Rebekah with her great grandparents….

"Love you Daddy!"

Shiloh admiring her gifts from Aunt Mary and Aunt Lizzie…horses are always a good deal.

Gabbie riding Grandpa Ken's present…

Grandpa Pat passes out the gifts…

More cool clothes for Paul!

"I wonder what it is…."

Okay…so here's a few of about 100 pictures from Christmas. I have more if anyone is interested….

…with Rebekah.

Michael Memorial Christmas program, Christmas 2006

The pictures didn't turn out too well…and I'm not so hot on Photoshop…maybe Paul can do something with them?

Rebekah at one month old…

Rebekah Luthien Whipps.

Born November 1, 2006.

I like to tell everyone that I greatly enjoyed everyone visiting. It was a great, great time, and Bethany and I were overjoyed to have our entire family, on both sides, here at once. It was amazing.

I'd like to share a thought I had, after a comment from Mom. She commented that she was proud of the great life I'd made for myself, and that I had a wonderful wife, and a great family.

Mom, thank you for that. You know I love you, and that meant a LOT. It almost made me tear up, notwithstanding the smoke from the barbeque grill that was doing a great job of that already!

I'd just like to share something that somewhat contradicts that, however.

I didn't make it for myselves, guys. God has been good to me. Vastly, immensely, and supernaturally beyond any capacity I have to understand it. He has blessed me, almost without me noticing, with everything I've ever wanted. A loving wife, beautiful children, a caring family, the time to indulge in my varied hobbies, and the support to do so from aforementioned loving wife. I can participate in music, in internet-philia, in my longstanding bibliomania, and in study of virtually anything I desire - within reason. A good job, a fulfilling home, and a rich opportunity for ministry within the body, and to be a spiritual leader at home.

But, I have to say, once again - it was God who did it. You know how far I've strayed, how poorly I've "managed my talents", and how sorely I've been pressed by my own multiplicitous failings in the arena of self-discipline.

Only God could have pulled me out of the hole I'd put myself in. He did so through a truly miraculous work - a work all His own. He used my family, my own failings which broke me, and the patient teaching I've received from all sorts of sources, which has served to teach me something very important.

It doesn't matter how talented you are - or think you are. Trust me, I know how talented I am. Just ask me. Right? It doesn't matter. God doesn't care, either - especially when you aren't using it for HIS glory. I'm not at the "arrival" stage, by any means. I've just figured out a few things. It isn't me. It never will be. God is the source of EVERY good thing. You, my wife, my children, my possessions, my ministries, or my talents, used in His service. I continue to struggle, and continue to "work out my salvation with fear and trembling". I continue to fall, continue to misue my talents… but I "strive, because [I] have fixed [my] hope on the living God, who is the Savior of all men, especially of believers."

God deserves the glory, like Glad's CD title says. I am a miracle, attested to by the change He has made in my life.

(Mom, don't think this is a criticism of your comment. It just made me think, think hard. I understand the spirit in which it was offered! I just felt I should direct the praise to Whom it should be offered. I don't deserve it. Thanks for loving me! God knows I don't deserve it. He does, however.)

Love ya.

~ Josh

Steve and Josh….all decked out! Quite remarkable!

Taken at a parking lot carnival - Landon, Joshua, and Darren riding the Cliffhanger….