Christmas Events and Thoughts

Writing a blog entry is probably the last thing I should be doing now, after all, there are cookies to be baked and gifts to be wrapped, but I wanted to to take a moment and reflect on how the Lord has met us in so many ways in the last several weeks.

Last night we attended a Messiah Sing Along. It's one of the highlights of the Christmas season for me even though I don't read music and have a hard time following my part. I sit in the alto section but more often than not I am surrounded by basses. No worries, it always sounds beautiful and always reminds me of what the heavenly choir might sound like. Attending this event reminds me of why we celebrate Christmas, it reorients my focus.

We were able to attend a Christmas celebration with extended family. This has turned into a yearly event and was more than a little challenging this year, but the siblings pulled it off and our extended family was able to reconnect including some face time with both of my sons and grandchildren during the party.

Sweet Lady continues to make progress in Rehab. We had hoped she would be out by Christmas but the healing has been slow. I'll admit this has been difficult for me on many levels, it's hard for me to see her have such difficulty getting around. I want to fix it, but I can't, I know God has this situation in his control and he is using it to grow my faith and trust in him.

We didn't think we would be doing much this Christmas in the way of decorating, in fact we weren't sure we would even put up a tree. It all seemed like a lot of trouble for just the two of us but in the end, we did, and I'm glad. I so dislike how commercialized Christmas has become and part of me wants to ignore it all together, but I enjoy the lights, and the tree, and the Candle Light Services and Christmas Carols. Ignoring it all together would be like throwing out the baby with the bath water. We are learning how to do Christmas differently, eliminating some things and adding others, a process that I think will continue with each year that passes and as we get older.

That's my update, life very busy here, with continued changes that challenge me. Lots of opportunity for growth...lol

Hope you and yours have a very M
erry Christmas

Thoughts on Mother's Day

Before you all get the wrong idea about what I am to write, let me assure you, I had a very nice Mother's Day. I heard from the one's that I love, I was treated to an afternoon at the Gardens and served a scrumptious meal of Soft Shell Crab by my husband. (complete with a small fire on the stove top, caused by splattering oil. I had to giggle a bit over the fire, it really was quite small, my husband is very competent in the kitchen, so this kind of thing just doesn't happen) In the end everything was delicious and he did an amazing job cleaning up the mess.

What came to mind yesterday morning when I was thinking about Mother's day was how difficult a day it was going to be for a lot of women.  I thought of those that wanted to be moms but couldn't. The moms with estranged children, or prodigals or those that have lost a child. What about those that have lost a mom or who's mom isn't like the one in the Hallmark commercial. My heart was heavy with the thought of it.

I am not anti Mother's Day, being a mom is one of the hardest jobs in the world, having a day to honor them is a good thing. What we need though is to be aware of is the pain that this day may magnify for so many others. (I know I'm a little late on this one) I know you know who these ladies are in your life, pray with them, encourage them, point them to the Savior who sticks closer than a brother.  Remind them of the truth of the Word. Be there for them, let the Lord direct you in how you can best serve and minister to them.

                          Photo below taken of my mom and I almost thirty years ago

December Gathering the Moments

One last Gathering the Moments for the year 2014. It was a memorable year to be sure and December was a month that had all kinds of gathering events.

It was a busy month and in a way that was a good thing. We visited family for an early Christmas gathering at my sister's place. Four of the five siblings were able to come, and as a bonus I was able to love on my sister's grandchildren.

We were able to do face time with our grandchildren a couple of times, it's always hard to say goodbye when we are on and their absence was felt this month in particular.

We kept busy with Care Group and Church activities, and got to sing the Messiah again this year.

Our young son was able to come home for a short visit but had to leave earlier than planned because of a job....so we decided instead of staying home we would make an impromptu visit to DC. Why DC you ask, well, we've got this deal with a certain musician. He's offered us a place to stay whenever we're in town. So since my son couldn't come home for very long we decided to stay with him a few days.

We are thankful to our son and his housemates for their hospitality, these guys were quite gracious to us more seasoned individuals and made us feel at home while we were there.

While our son was working during the day we were touring around the city, we didn't get to see him much but it was still the perfect way to spend the holiday for us this year.

Bonus...we were able to connect with an old friend for lunch while we were up there.

It was a different holiday this year, and we have some nice memories from it.

I've enjoyed doing these monthly "Gathering the Moments" with Cheryl, it's a way of counting our blessings and remembering all that God has done.

Christmas Thoughts

I didn't mean to be away from this space for so long but Christmas preparations and activities kept us occupied and when we weren't busy it was hard for me to put into words what was going on in my heart.

Our "white space" in December tends to fill up pretty quickly and this year it seemed like it was busier than usual. I didn't realize till Christmas was almost upon us that our busyness was our way of filling up the void left by the absence of the grandchildren.

The busyness wasn't all bad. Getting together with friends for meals, Cookie Exchange and Care Group Party were all enjoyable activities. We sang Christmas carols at a retirement facility, participated in the Messiah sing along, and got together with extended family, we never seemed to say no to an opportunity.

I didn't realize what we were doing until a few days before Christmas. Some friends had declined a dinner invitation and I actually felt a little relieved. It was at that point that I realized what we had been doing for the last several weeks. By staying busy we didn't have to think about how much we missed the grands. I knew it was time to stop and enjoy the quietness of this new season we are in and reflect on what we, as Christians were celebrating. Actually one activity that we participated in helped my focus...it was the Messiah sing along. All those voices singing scripture based songs always bring a little chill when I hear it. I always feel like it's a little glimpse of what it may sound like in heaven as we sing before his throne (this will pale in comparison I am sure)

So it's been quiet the last couple of days and it's been okay. We celebrated with our young son and Sweet Lady and it was all good.

Is Jesus enough, if i everything was  gone tomorrow would Jesus be enough. He is the most precious gift we have been given

For unto us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be upon his shoulders, and he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David's throne and his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this. Isaiah 9: 6-7

Hope you all had a blessed Christmas.

Monday's Musings

Some random Monday thoughts, Thanksgiving is just a few short days away. It is by far my favorite holiday. I love all the food and all the gathering of family and friends,  I love a full house. We have that when our Care Group gathers and it has made not having a full house for Thanksgiving easier. What has also made it easier is that I have been sick for the last couple of days. I'm actually relieved I don't have to get ready for a house full of people.

I have been battling some type of upper respiratory bug. My voice started to go Friday night and by Saturday it had progressed to a whispery squeak. Try having a conversation when you are like that, it's better not to even go there. (I couldn't say it the first time, how can I repeat what I just said....my poor sweet husband) Spent most of the weekend on the couch.

I am better today, voice is more of a deep gravel and I am feeling more like myself. I actually headed out today, to look for  something that would help a cough, clear a stuffy head, and not be contraindicated for someone that has problems with blood pressure. I wasn't alone, the cold remedy aisle had several sniffly, coughing people milling about. I'm not really a germaphobe but my thoughts did go to how contaminated the boxes and bottles of these medications must be. (I can't be the only one who picks up boxes and bottles and reads the labels) Must remember this for future shopping trips. (Another mental note, wash hands more frequently)

Nothing better when you are sick than some homemade Chicken Noodle Soup, I've eaten a lot of it the last couple of days.

Feeling blessed that we will be celebrating  Thanksgiving, with some friends. We were asked to bring a traditional dish, so we will be bringing  Cranberry Salad  and since I still have a ton of apples from our picking excursion I will probably bring something that requires apples as well. 

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving, enjoy the gathering of family and friends and be mindful of all we have to be thankful for (even in the midst of difficulties there is always much to be thankful for)

It's That Time Of Year

Now that Thanksgiving is over I am having a hard time proceeding with business as usual when it comes to Christmas. I have always been a bit of a Christmas curmudgeon, but this year I have felt the "Ebenezer" in me coming on even earlier. Perhaps it's because we went from being bombarded with political ads till election day to being inundated with "He went to Jared" type ads that started the day after or maybe it's because the stores here have been in full Christmas mode since before Halloween. Okay it's not Christmas that I dislike it's all the commercialism that goes along with it, and the frenzied pace our lives seem to take during this time of year... with so much is going on in our world, it all seems a little out of place.

Christmas has to be different for us this year, we have to sort through what is important and what can/should be let go. What can we add to our traditions to make it more about celebrating the birth of our Savior. What can we do to make the season more meaningful

These are some of the things I have considered... being more intentional about the music we listen to, instead of the usual secular Christmas music choose music that is more Christ centered, a great example is Chris Tomlin's  album "Glory in The Highest"...maybe doing a Christmas devotional, something that would help prepare my heart for the season....perhaps even observe Advent....something we haven't done in years. Spend less time in stores!!!

We will continue to do certain things, I want to bake with the grandchildren, attend Candle Light service at church, and care group Christmas party. We enjoy going out and looking at lights and Christmas decorations (although I will enjoy YOUR decorations more than I will enjoy dragging mine out of the attic...did I just say that?) Not to worry, we will decorate, the tree will be put up and I will enjoy it, really, I will. I just don't want to lose focus about what the season is really about....praying for a more Christ focused Christmas.

                                                       How do you keep Christ In Christmas?

Thanksgiving

When we were first married we never had Thanksgiving at our house. We would travel to my parents home or my in-laws. We would alternate when we could, family's were in different states, it was always a bit of a challenge

As the years went by we were not able to travel as frequently to see family during Thanksgiving, husbands work schedule often did not allow the time we needed to travel and as a nurse I would generally have to work every other Thanksgiving. The visits to family for Thanksgiving became more infrequent and we began to establish our own traditions.

I enjoy Thanksgiving the most when we can share it with others. There had been years that it was just the four of us at home, and other years when friends would invite us to spend it with their family. For me it's never about the location of the meal, but the people you share it with.

The last several years we have had Thanksgiving at our home and as family changes and grows the guest list has changed. This year we will celebrate it with friends, young son who will be traveling from school, Sweet Lady who will help in the preparation. Older son and his family will come for dessert.

Husband will do the turkey and oyster dressing...dressing recipe is something that came from my  family. I will do the cranberry salad...a recipe that came from his family. Young son will be making his pumpkin pie with ginger snap crust...super yum and my friend will be making her pumpkin bread and roasted vegetable mash. Its a collaboration traditions new and old...and I just love it.

Thanksgiving is not just about the food, or the people you share it with though, it's a time for giving thanks, for counting our blessings, for giving thanks to God for his care.

Did I mention Thanksgiving was my very favorite holiday...Hope you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving

Don't Miss It

My family and friends all know Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday of the year. I enjoy everything about Thanksgiving, the planning, the preparations, the smells, the house that is full of noise and activity and of course the food.

Thanksgiving kind of snuck up on me this year, I think I just realized about a week ago that I needed to get with the program. It's not like I haven't been reading all the wonderful thankful posts for the last two weeks, but somehow I thought I had more time.

This is my favorite holiday of the year, but I have been so preoccupied with other things that I almost missed the simple pleasures of preparing for the holiday that I enjoy so much. The Lord showed me that I have been spending so much time in the worries of tomorrow that I was forgetting to live today. I still have a week, I didn't miss out, still lots of simple pleasures to enjoy in preparation for next week.

One other note, I love all your comments, they are so encouraging and appreciated. Many times a comment will be just what I need to hear. The Lord used a particular comment the other day to show me my heart, (and todays blog post resulted) thankful to that friend who was willing to share what was on her heart, God used it to change mine. I am thankful for all of you, those I know and those I don't (but I feel like I do) what a blessing you all are.

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God which transcends all understanding will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus  Philippians 4:6-7

Veterans Day

Today is Veterans Day, a day that has special meaning to us because we live in a community where you either are a vet or you know one. We are familiar with the sacrifices they make to help keep us free.  Today is not about shopping or great Veterans Day sales, its about honoring the men and women who have served this country. To them I say thank you.

This would include my sweet husband, my DIL mother and my husbands "brother" (you know who you are) who all spent over twenty years in the United Sates Navy.