Christmas 2017 and a long ago memory...

Yes, it was a festive and wonderful fun filled day of celebration for our family.  We decided to celebrate on the 23rd this year, and it was a great decision.  The day was calm and free flowing since we had no other obligations (sometimes we have celebrated on Christmas Eve and there is a bit of a rush to make it to church).  Since it was Grace's first Christmas it was fun to watch her during all of the crazy present opening.  Near the end of the day we took some family pictures. I managed to snap these two of the kids families.... 

but didn't get any of Ken and I with the grand kids or the entire family.  Those were taken by Gwen and Susie and I will get them in the future.  For now, these will have to do! 

As usual, we laughed so much that my stomach hurt!  Ken and I gave Lia the game "Watch Ya Mouth" which was just hilarious.   Most of us took turns at being really silly looking and trying to spit out some really ridiculous phrases with that plastic contraption in your mouth. 
                                   

Gwen actually took some videos, that are sure to be archived for the future.  Let me just say that I discovered that it is impossible to say "Pompous" with that crazy thing in your mouth.   Lia and Tim were the clear winners at this game.  Win or lose, it was just so much fun!

Zeke received an old pair of binoculars from us that had once been destined for donation.  I was correct that these would entertain a 6 year old boy!  So glad I thought to save these! 

We ate lots of great food, we snacked on so much wonderful goodies, we talked and played with the kids.  It was an exceptional day for our family.  

Christmas Eve and Christmas Day were very quiet and calm for Ken and I.  It started to gently snow on Christmas Eve and progressed to a measurable amount of snow.  It was so nasty that we decided to forgo the Christmas Eve church service.   I was very grateful that Gwen and Tim's church does a "live stream", so I was able to attend a wonderful Christmas Eve Worship while tucked warmly in my bed!  It was extra special since Gwen was leading worship.  Christmas Day was FREEZING cold, so Ken and I never ventured out of the house.  We watched a couple of Christmas movies and just had a lazy day.  I made a couple batches of cookies and we snacked our way through the day.  No big dinner for us!  

Yes, this has been a transitional year for us in so many ways.  Ken is still "on vacation" technically - since his retirement doesn't officially begin until January 1.  There was one point last week when neither Ken nor I could remember what day of the week it was!  I actually had to stop and check!  Both Susie and Gwen are off of work for the holidays so even my "routine" is off.  Susie took advantage of her time off, to have Ken show her some photo editing software that he uses.  So I got to spend a bit of time with Grace at OUR house!  

We had so much fun playing while Susie and Ken talked all things camera!  So glad that I got a bit of Grace time in during this holiday time!  

I can't help be feel so thankful, looking back at this last week.  Our family was able to have a wonderful day together - with no one sick!  This is really something to be thankful for since so many families had virus' and colds and other ickiness.  I got to thinking about my own family and the many Christmas memories I have.  Interestingly, I realized that it has been 40 years since I had Christmas with any of my siblings or my mom and dad.  After my folks retired to Minnesota in 1977, I never had another "family" Christmas.  I think that is why it is so important for me to make the time and make sure that I am spending time with my children and grandchildren.  

The first Christmas that Ken and I spent with no family was Christmas 1978.  I was pregnant with Gwen and we had just moved into this house the previous February.  Our neighbors Roger and Carol, felt really bad that we had no family plans for the holiday.  So they invited us over for Christmas Eve.  They had several family parties on Christmas Day, but made the time for us on Christmas Eve. Their little boy was just a few months old.  Carol decided to make a duck dinner when she heard that we had never had duck.  We enjoyed the dinner and returned home shortly after, since the next day would be busy for them.  Around midnight we received a phone call that both of them were really sick with stomach troubles and they feared it might be food poisoning.  Thankfully, both Ken and I were feeling fine.  I offered to come and get the baby since they were both so sick.  So that Christmas morning, I was caring for a sweet little two month old boy while wondering what the next Christmas would be like with our own expected baby.  That was a most welcome diversion for me, since it would have been a really sad holiday for me.  I often think back to that day and marvel at God's provisions for us, even through a sick neighbor and a baby that needed someone to care for them.  Jesus knew just what I needed.  And he also knew that Roger and Carol would need someone to help with the baby.  Thankfully, neither Ken nor I ever got sick!  Quite the memory from so many years ago.  

We are entering into a new season in 2018.  I imagine that next Christmas will seem very different than now.  After Lucas died in 2014, it seemed that Christmas would never be the same.   But the truth is, every season is different!  Each year holds memories and laughter and joy all their own.  Even if you hold fast to "traditions", everyone is a year older next year!  Time marches on.   

2017 Christmas was the wonder of a "first" Christmas for our family.  It was laughter and fun.  It was calm and peaceful.  A perfect holiday and a wonderful way to celebrate the birth of our Savior.  

Jesus, thank you for families and your plan for us to be together.  Holy Spirit, remind us all that Christmas is about peace and love and how much the Father cares for us.  Thank you for lights and glistening stars and yes, thank you for snow on Christmas!  Amen

What a week....leading up to Christmas.

My week began at my favorite place to be - Chicago HUB on Sunday evening. The worship at HUB was wonderful - led by one of my favorite worship leaders, Steve Mitchell.  It was a free flowing time of worship, truly led by the Holy Spirit.  The interesting thing for me was,  I felt as if the particular songs and the direction of the worship were just for me.  I imagine that I am not the only person who felt that way, but there was a very personal message as one song flowed into the next.  I had walked in the doors that night feeling distant from Jesus, distracted by all the stuff of the season and alone.   I left that night feeling a close, intimate hug from Jesus, focused on the King of Kings and Lord of Lords and knowing that I was connected to a very large "family".  What an amazing Christmas blessing.

On Wednesday there was another Christmas treat!  I got to watch Anna perform in her first ever Christmas Program.. 

There is nothing better than seeing these preschoolers up on the stage, singing and sharing about the baby Jesus.  Anna is only 3 years old, but her personality showed through in her performance. Anna was the line leader for her class and she knew just where to go on the stage.   She was singing and dancing and knew all of the words and motions to the songs.  She was not one bit afraid - even though the church was packed with family members.  I stopped and picked up Lia, Ellie and Zeke so they could see the program.  Because Gwen is a teacher at this preschool, she was already there - directing the program!  

Most of the kids in Anna's class did more standing and staring rather than singing and motioning.  Anna told me that she was especially excited because she got to be on the "stage". She is a determined little girl who makes very clear decisions.   I am sure we will be seeing much more of her, front and center, and leading the way for her peers.   I have no doubt that she will be a "mover and shaker" later in life.  I truly believe that everyone would have a much calmer and sweeter Christmas if they attended a children's Christmas program.  You can't help but feel wonderful after watching these sweet little faces share the Christmas message.  

So, here on this Friday, December 22, our family is anticipating our Christmas gathering tomorrow.  

Our time together is never about the gifts that we exchange.  It is about the fun and the laughing.  We always share memories and stories from past years.  There is always food and time for silly games.  As I was talking with Lia, Ellie and Zeke in the car on the way to Anna's program, I was shocked to realize that Zeke never knew my mom.  Lia and Ellie always talk about her, but Great Grandma Nona died a month before Zeke was born.  It was one of those times when I really was missing my mom! Somehow the time just gets away from you and suddenly, years have passed without your loved ones.  Our Lucas would be three years old now and he is missed every day.    I loved that Zeke's final thought about Great Grandma Nona and Lucas was simply, "I know I'll get to meet her in heaven!  And baby Lucas also!"  

Yes, heaven is possible for us all because of that little baby, wrapped in strips of cloth and sleeping in a feeding box.  Jesus started life among us as a child and the message of his coming is simple enough to be shared by children.  The Father knew that the message of love and joy and peace on earth would be best carried to the world by the voices of sweet, innocent children.  

Anna's program ended with the children singing "Joy to the World".  Which is a fitting end to this blog.

Joy to the world, the Lord is come!

Let earth receive her King!

Let every heart prepare Him room.

And heaven and nature sing!

And heaven and nature sing!

And heaven and heaven and nature sing!

Jesus, thank you so much for the voices and the smiles of little children.  Holy Spirit, help us all to slow down, relax and remember the best gift that was ever given - Jesus.  Holy Spirit, show us how to prepare our hearts to be open to the joy and peace that Jesus brings.  Give us ears to hear the voices of the angels saying "Peace to the people of earth".  Thank you for this amazing season.  Amen

We all need somebody to lean on....

This week my small group gathered for our annual Christmas luncheon.  It was a wonderful time of sharing, as usual.  Most of our group has been together for more than two years, but we have added a few more friends along the way.  We were missing a couple of gals on Wednesday, but here is a picture of us after our celebration...

As I was preparing to write this blog, all I could think about was a very old song from 1972  - Lean On Me by Bill Withers.   Here are the lyrics to that song.  I think I should recommend that my group makes this our theme song..... (But instead of CALL ME it should say TEXT ME)!

Sometimes in our lives, We all have pain, we all have sorrow,

But if we are wise, we know that there is always tomorrow.

Lean on me when you're not strong, I'll be your friend, I'll help you carry on.

For it won't be long, Til I'm gonna need somebody to lean on.

Please swallow your pride, If I have things you need to borrow

For no one can fill those of your needs, that you won't let show.

Just call on my brother, when you need a hand. We all need somebody to lean on.

I just might have a problem that you'll understand, We all need somebody to lean on.

If there is a load you have to bear. That you can't carry.

I'm right up the road, I'll share your load. If you just call me.

I can't express just how true the words of this song are for our group, how much they apply.  Each one of us has our ups and downs - our pain and sorrow and our joys.  But in that, we all know that we can lean on each other.  Because we are such a diverse group of women, we understand so many different problems and situations.  It is an amazing thing to see how the Lord put our group together, because he knew that we would all need each other in different ways and at different times. Each bringing something so valuable and unique to the group.  

In Ephesians 6, Paul details the Armor of God.  in verse 13 it says....

Therefore, put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.

Part of that armor is the shield of faith,  described in verse 16  - with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.  

My friends and I have discovered that sometimes that shield of faith is really heavy.  When you are in midst of tough circumstances, when you have grown weary and been struggling on for so very long, when things seem hopeless - it is really hard to have enough faith to be protected from the attacks of the enemy.  So, we have decided that, just like the Roman soldiers did, we would "Lock our shields" together.  Together we are much stronger and we can all "lean on each other" when times get tough.  

Earlier I said that the song should say "text" instead of "call" - and that is just so true.  Our group has a group text that carries prayer requests, urgent cries for help (which we simply have to text 911 to our group and prayers will immediately begin) wonderful good news, answered prayers, and often you see the phrase "Shields locked" show up!  Simply put, that phrase says that we are standing with each other - we are helping carry that hard load - whatever it is.  To us, it means that when you have a deep need, all the rest of the group will encircle you with their shields of faith raised to help protect you. This year, we were so blessed by one gal with this physical reminder of that phrase.  

I am convinced that everyone needs somebody to lean on.  If you don't have a small group or even just one or two close friends, I encourage you to seek it out.    Being isolated is one of the ways that satan has to knock us down.  It is so worth it to find people with whom you can be open and honest.  Jesus never intended for us to be lone warriors.  We are all so much better when we are surrounded by those locked shields.  Yep, I am going to be humming "Lean on me" in the days ahead!

Jesus, thank you so much for the blessing of close friends.  Thank you for drawing us all together and being the creator of our small group.  Holy Spirit, reach out to those that feeling lonely and those that don't have a support group.  Lead them to exactly the right place for them to meet others who they can lean on.  Jesus thank you for caring for us and knowing that we need friends.  Amen  

An amazing night...

Yesterday I did a whole lot of driving, but it was so worth it!  I was at Doug and Susie's house with Grace yesterday during the day.  Last evening was Gwen's kids Co-op Christmas Program.  So I drove from the far west side of the Chicago area to the far north side - even beyond Gwen's house!  It was an interesting two hour plus drive on roads that I seldom drive.  Thankfully, I made it to the church in time to see the entire performance.  These two sweet girls did a wonderful job! 

Lia was in a Musical Theater production called "My King and Me".  She was incredibly nervous about this performance because she had a lead role that included singing solos.  I had helped her practice on Monday, so I knew that she had done a good job memorizing all of her lines.  The play was a cute adaptation of the Christmas story, centered on the people of Bethlehem building an amusement park for the expected crowd of people coming for the census.  The songs in this production were great.  Some were tradition carols modified a bit.  But the main song was amazing.  The director had taught the kids hand motions to this song that was basically telling the Gospel message.  This grandma has to confess that I got very teary during that song.  It is really powerful to see these kids sharing Jesus.  I couldn't help but think of the promise for Lia's destiny.... that she would be a voice to her generation to share the love of Jesus.  

Ellie and Lia were both in their Spanish classes performance of some modern Christmas songs in Spanish.  This is a beginning  class but both girls knew these songs well.  Such a fun way for the kids to express some of their new Spanish while singing meaningful songs about the birth of Jesus.  So proud of Ellie for not only walking onto the stage, but also for singing!  Quite an accomplishment for this sweet girl who would rather not be in the spotlight!

It's a grandmother's role to pray for her grandchildren.  Seeing the children that Lia, Ellie, Zeke and Anna have in their "school" (they are home schooled - so this Co-op is their school) gives me reason to be incredibly thankful.  I could not imagine a better place for them to meet new people and make friends, than this Co-op.  There are no clear "age" divisions, since most classes are multi- age.  As a matter of fact, this Spanish class that Lia and Ellie attend is mostly junior high age kids.  The Musical included kids from 1st through 6th Grade.   There is a "one room school house" feel to the co-op.  Actually one of Ellie's other classroom teachers is in the High School Spanish class (that performed with them). Some high school students are actually teachers!  Talk about great mentors.  It was wonderful to see some special needs children included in the performances.  How could you ask for anything more for these kids?  Home schooling and this co-op are certainly an answer to my prayers.

Even though the program was quite long (and I was pretty tired from my long day - and I knew I had an hour and a half drive home) I was thankful that they did a short Christmas Carol sing along.  I really don't have any place to sing these familiar songs, so it was quite a treat.  The very last song that we sang was "Happy Birthday" to Jesus.  Really a nice end to the day.  

I know that I often say this, but I am so, so thankful for the chance to spend time seeing my grandchildren.  It is great to see them on just a regular day, but it is also wonderful to be able to attend these special events.  I love this verse from The Passion Translation, Proverbs 17:6a

Grandparents have the crowning glory of life: Grandchildren!

Today was certainly one of those "crowning glory" moments for me!

Jesus, thank you for being able to experience Christmas through the songs of children.  Holy Spirit, help us all to be aware of the children that we encounter on daily basis - in our neighborhood, our communities, our churches - as well as in our families.  Remind us to enter into this busy holiday season with the awe and wonder of children. Jesus, thank you for answered prayers.  

Let's go fly a kite - even if it is December!

 Monday was December 4.  But because this is Chicago and you just never know what the weather will be, it was a really wild weather day!  It had been very unseasonably warm during the week before.  Like weather in the 50's - where you didn't even need a jacket.  But then on Sunday night we had a really odd weather shift.  The winter weather literally BLEW in!  The wind was just ridiculous!
Ken texted me very early on Monday morning (like 5:35am) to warn me to be careful driving up to Gwen's house because of the high winds.

But when you are a six year year old boy and you hear the wind blowing, what is the first thing on your mind?  Flying a kite!  So, even though it was December, we dragged out the kites from the garage and did some assembly.  Zeke's tractor kite did not come with a tail, and my years of (attempting) kite flying, I knew we had to find some way to add a tail.  So we tied two winter scarfs together and tied them to the kite and stepped out into the wind tunnel (back yard)!  Now when I say wind tunnel, I am not really exaggerating very much.  There were 50 mile an hour winds with even higher gusts.  I warned Zeke that it just might be too much wind.  He was determined to see that kite fly!

I just had to include this cropped close up of Zeke's face in this picture.  What a look of shear joy and wonder at that kite actually flying!   And boy did it ever fly!  Ellie found a much smaller plastic kite that came with very long tails attached.  This kite also managed to fly - at least for a little while!

By the end of two hours of mostly watching the kites dive bomb into the grass, the kids and the kites were pretty well done in.  And so was this grandma! We retreated into the house with somewhat crumpled kites, plastic pieces that were bent and frayed from the wind and lots of tangled kite string.  But also three very happy, smiling kids and one grandma (who looked like she had been standing in a wind tunnel for a couple of hours)!

It was a wonderful way to spend two hours on a Monday morning - when you are blessed enough to be home schooled so you are not sitting in a classroom, stuck in a desk.  This is especially true given the fact that by Tuesday morning, snow was blanketing the ground.  There will not be another chance to fly kites for several months.

You can sure learn a lot from a determined six year old boy (and equally determined 8 and 11 year old girls).  The rational adult in me said "It is too windy to fly a kite." and "It is December so we should not be flying kites."  These determined kids found the kites, got them assembled, figured out a tail for Zeke's kite, untangled some kite string, and then worked together to get these kites up in the air and flying.  What an accomplishment!

I have to confess that it is not only the adult thing that would have kept me from flying those kites.  I would have been very sure that it just would not work.  I like to think of myself as a realist, but actually I am more of a pessimist.  Thinking that things will never work.  And I am often so fearful, that I would not even try something.  What a blessing it is that I have been given the opportunity to be with my grandchildren.  They push me into situations that bring me so much joy and wonder.  Things that I would have missed out on, if I wasn't around them.

To recap some lessons that I learned from this....
*It is never too windy to fly kites!
*It is good to fly kites when you also have winter scarfs (for kite tails) and winter gloves (to keep that kite string from burning your hands) readily available!
*Never pass up an opportunity to do something slightly "out of season".  (That may mean running through the sprinkler when it is 70 in October OR flying kites when it is December)
*Don't be afraid to take chances.  You just might actually succeed!

Looking at Zeke's face in that picture gives me a little insight into why God so often used children to accomplish his plans.  When David was facing Goliath, he didn't think about the difference in their size.  He just knew that if God had told him to do it, he could do it.  The little boy with the loaves and fish didn't look at his lunch and think it was worthless.  He took a chance and brought it to Jesus.  I want to approach life with that same attitude - no matter how windy or stormy it is - no matter how impossible the situation might seem. I want that "Can Do" attitude! Yes, I will be remembering this kite-flying day in the future.

Jesus, thank you for giving us the chance to learn from children.  Keep our eyes and ears and hearts open to all that you have to teach us.  Holy Spirit, help us all to move when you give us that prompting to go and give us more courage to step outside of "normal" into your perfect plan for us.  Thank you for kids and kites and very windy days in December.  Amen

Shoes that make a difference...

Last week both Ken and I got new shoes.  I was especially thankful for these new shoes since I had been having trouble with both my feet and my knee recently.  Let me tell you these new shoes  feel a bit like walking on pillows.  I just did not realize how bad my old shoes had gotten.  Which brings me to the point of this blog.  We are so blessed to have multiple shoe stores that are close to our home, we have the funds to purchase shoes, and we actually have more than one pair of shoes! 

Gwen happened to mention to me that someone she knows had sent her a link to a fundraising page for "Shoes that Grow" to be given to children in Mumbai, India.  I have actually heard of these shoes that will expand up to 4 or 5 sizes to continue to fit a child as they grow. 

I have been on several mission trips  outside of the United States. On each trip I was shocked at just how many of the children were bare footed.  In both Kenya and Uganda  I would estimate that 75% of the children that I met did not have shoes.  Seeing the dirt, the rocks and the general garbage laying around, it seemed impossible to imagine having to go bare footed.  While I have never been to India, I can imagine that this problem is just as serious there.  

I have decided to donate to this fundraiser in honor of my four adult children - Gwen, Tim, Doug and Susie.  Each of them have always had shoes and all of them are now buying shoes for their own children.   It really seems like such a small thing, yet I believe that this will make a difference to some boy or girl who may not have anyone to buy them shoes!

The link that Gwen got from her friend is Erica Roane - fundraising page.  While I don't know this person directly, I trust that these shoes will be purchased and brought to India.  And the cost of $15 per pair makes these even more amazing.   Please take a moment and click on this link to read more about these shoes. 

I don't often promote fund raisers on this blog, but this has just been on my mind since Gwen mentioned it.  The new shoes on my feet have also been a reminder of the blessing of having shoes.  

Thinking about this verse  Psalm 119:105

     Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path

it is my prayer that these shoes will come with the Good News of Jesus that will guide these little ones into the path of their destiny.  

Jesus, thank you for the opportunity to help children who are so far removed from me.  Thank you for Erica Roane and her heart to help this children.  Holy Spirit, remind us all to look outside of ourselves and our immediate families to see those in need.  Guide our steps as we each do as you direct.   Thank you for comfortable shoes!  Amen  

When your tower falls...........

I am so grateful for the time that I get to spend with my grandchildren.  Some Mondays (when Gwen is teaching preschool and Anna is attending preschool), I get to just be a kid with Lia, Ellie and Zeke.  On this day Zeke and I had been playing dominos - actually just matching the patterns.  But it was a fun time just talking with Zeke.  When we had played several rounds of matching, Zeke decided to build a tower.  I watched his careful thought process as he began the stack...

and his concentration as it got higher and higher and more unstable.  Until finally....

it all came tumbling down.    

I have been thinking about all the changes that are happening in my world right now.  Ken has only a few short weeks of work until he retires.  And these last weeks have been really difficult for him, as his entire work space has been packed up and shipped across the country.    

So for him, all those years of working seem quite a bit like Zeke's tower.  Built up, year after year.  One company leading to the next company.  Thinking he had a few more years to add to that tower.  When suddenly,  it all came crashing down due to a decision made by his employer to move the company out of Illinois.

I am extremely proud of Ken and thankful for his decision to just move up his retirement date (by a couple of years).  Right now we don't know exactly what things will look like after January 1, but I am confident that we will just start building a brand new tower!   We are looking forward to more time to travel.  Ken is certainly looking forward to more time for photography. It is amazing how adjusting your perspective can change everything!  Instead of being a really negative thing, this new phase of our life has the potential to be really exciting.  We are very blessed to have adequate resources to allow us some freedom in making plans.  I am grateful that we will have even more time and opportunity to spend with our family.  

Zeke had the right idea.  As soon as that tower came crashing down, he set to work building an entirely different kind of structure.  Sadly I did not capture a photo of this new building.  But it looked nothing like his first tower - yet it was wonderful.  I left Zeke happily building to go and make lunch.  I have spent many minutes thinking about this day and those domino buildings.  Isn't this a great reminder for us all.  

If you feel like your life has been knocked over and all you see are pieces laying on the ground, take a cue from Zeke.  Just stop and imagine all the wonderful things that you can now build.  Your new life might not look anything like was it was.  But just think about all the amazing things that you can create out of the pieces that are there.  With the help of Jesus, we can do wondrous things!

I love these verses from The Passion Translation -  Psalm 55:16-17

But as for me, I will call upon the Lord to save me, and I know he will!  Every evening I will explain my need to him.  Every morning I will move my soul toward him.  Every waking hour I will worship only him, and he will hear and respond to my cry.

So with God's help, I am looking forward to new and wonderful things in 2018!

Jesus, thank you for reminding me that something great can come out of what seems like destruction.    Help us all to keep our eyes on your purposes and to see beyond our current circumstances.  Holy Spirit, give us all creative ideas as we look at those broken pieces and give us peace as we begin to build something new.  Thank you for always hearing AND responding to us, Jesus.  Amen