Thinking about the 2018 Christmas season...

This morning, I was drinking my coffee out of my brand new "photo mug" that I received from the kids for Christmas, and reflecting back on the last few weeks.  I love that this new mug has all 6 of our grandchildren pictured.  It is such a good way to begin each day, looking at these sweet faces!

Needless to say, it was not exactly the holiday that Ken and I had expected.  We had arranged to celebrate our "family" Christmas on the Saturday before Christmas.  We have found that having the day away from the holiday actually makes for a more restful and fun celebration.  Unfortunately, Ken was not feeling well on the Friday before that and ended up in the ER after some serious stomach pain.  After a series of tests, it was determined that he has some stomach ulcers and inflammation most likely caused by a course of antibiotics he had been taking over the last few weeks.  After an overnight in the hospital and a slightly uncomfortable test, we begged to be released to still make it to Gwen and Tim's in time for our Christmas.  Thankfully he was quickly released and we got to our celebration by early afternoon. We are also thankful that the new medicine to reduce his stomach acid has given him total freedom from any stomach pain.    The thought of missing being with our family made both Ken and I especially grateful for the time spent together. 

It was a wonderful, crazy and fun day.  Tim made a wonderful ham dinner (which Ken ate with no problems!)   The kids had so much fun opening presents and as usual, there was lots of laughing and just being silly. 

I love this picture of the kids together!  Grace had a wonderful time with the older kids. She pushed her shopping cart around and around the room.  It is hard to believe that soon she will be two years old.  Lia has made the move away from the "toys" to much more grown up things.  Her gifts included clothes and slippers and tickets to see "Hamilton"!  She had to immediately text her friends with the exciting news.  Yes, it is clear that she will be 13 in a few months, as we have moved into the "teenage" years.  Ellie got her long awaited "Calico Critters" (which included a zillion little tiny pieces of "stuff").  Anna loved all of her Shoppie dolls and especially liked the Backpack set (that included a water bottle, lunch box and pencil case).  Zeke was all about Pokemon (no surprise there) but also loved a roller coaster game that is really quite amazing.  We all had so much fun doing a science experiment taken from a book given to the older kids by Doug and Susie.  Lets just say that balloons, string, tape and lots of very odd noises accompanied this.  Doug managed to find a way to make really loud noises during the experiment.  Needless to say, Ken was able to catch a nap (after a sleepless couple of nights) and the noise didn't bother him (or Chandler) at all!  

The kids were running around, the adults were laughing like crazy and these two slept on!  I guess when you finally relax pain free, you can sleep through anything!  What a wonderful family time together.  One that we will remember always.  

The rest of our Christmas was really low key.  Ken and I mostly just stayed home and watched some movies.  We did go to Gwen and Tim's church for Christmas Eve candlelight service.  Gwen sang and played flute, so we joined Tim and the kids for this late night service.  We ended up getting home around midnight.  For a change the weather cooperated and the night was clear and relatively warm for Chicago (30 degrees).   A wonderful way to remember the reason for the season!

Christmas Day was another quiet day for us.  We did decide to go to see a movie in the afternoon and really enjoyed "Mary Poppins Returns".  So nice to go the movies and come away with a smile and feeling good.  

On the day after Christmas, Ken and I were shopping for a few sale items for next year.  I found really nice stuffed animals for our Operation Christmas Child boxes, reduced to $1.50 each.  I got to talking to a lady behind us in the checkout line about this great sale.  She had never heard of the Operation Christmas Child boxes and was greatly interested.  I gave her all the information and she  said that she would be doing this next year with her Girl Scout troop and her own children.  Passing on information about this ministry was one of the highlights of my holiday.  I love that our participation in honor of Lucas, may bring others into the joy of touching children around the world.  This year my boxes went to Rwanda, Africa, and I pray for those little boys who will soon receive our boxes.  

Christmas is about receiving and giving.  It all started when God gave us an incredible gift through the birth of Jesus.  And it is all about our receiving that wonderful gift when we grow to know and love Jesus as our Savior.  I love that our family finds so much joy in being together - in sharing love and laughter. That is what the season is really all about.  Giving and receiving warm hugs.

Yesterday I took down all of our Christmas decorations.  They are still sitting in the garage, awaiting a time to return them to the attic.  We had a light dusting of snow the other night, which made it a little bitter sweet to see the decorations go away.  It actually looked a bit more "Christmasy" than it has for the last month.  But no complaints for me about the lack of shovelable snow!   Today it is pouring rain.  I was thinking about how much snow we would have if the temperature was just a few degrees colder.  So I am feeling very thankful that we are starting the New Year on the warm side.

I am ending this year feeling so thankful and happy, content and ready to contemplate the new year ahead.  Yes, 2018 has been a good year filled with family, friends and fun.  Looking forward to all that Jesus has in store for us in 2019.  

Jesus, thank you for giving us reminders to appreciate each day together.  Holy Spirit, help us all to reflect on the year just past while also nudging us to keep our eyes on Jesus.  Give us courage and boldness to continue to share the kindness and generosity of Christmas all year long.  Give us eyes to see needs around us, and hands willing to do the service.  Keep our feet moving forward into your plans for us. Thank you for love, laughter and fun.  Amen

Christmas lessons from an almost two year old...

Yesterday was one of those "almost" warm days with the temperatures in the high 30's.  So Grace and I went outside for some much needed fresh air and sunshine.  We took a long walk around their subdivision (about a mile).  Grace happily riding in the stroller and commenting on every bird that we saw.  When we got back to their house, I let Grace "play" in the front yard.  She did not want to go inside, even though her cheeks were quite rosy and I knew that she had to be getting cold.  No matter the weather, Grace loves it outside. This is a good thing since both her mom and dad spend hours outdoors!

Grace and I had played inside for most of the day.  She has her own Nativity set and we spent some time looking at each figure and talking about the Christmas story. 

Every time I tried to remove the "unusual" figure from the scene, Grace would protest and immediately return the ducky back right in front of baby Jesus.  I found it interesting that she always used the baby sign for bird when we were talking about the angel!  It took this grandma several minutes to figure out that she was thinking that if it has wings, it must be a bird!  Really not such a bad thought.  After I realized what she was saying, I told her it was not a bird, it was an angel!  Poor Grace then decided I would be happier if she called the angel a butterfly and she switched to that sign! Gotta love baby sign.  At least she quit saying "cheep, cheep" for the angel!

 Later, we were looking at their Christmas tree.  Doug and Susie have thoughtfully put many unbreakable ornaments near the bottom of the tree so that Grace can look at them.  She is very gentle and will spend a long time looking at each ornament and also the lights which "twinkle" on and off.  I didn't notice the picture of Lucas in the background when I took this picture.  I so love that Lucas is part of our family Christmas.

Watching Grace with the Christmas tree and thinking back on our day together gave me time to reflect on what I had learned that day from Grace.  Almost any parent will tell you that they are always learning things from their children.  This Grandma is no exception to that!

First - I learned that everyone needs some fresh air and sunshine.  Even if it seems cold, it is good to get out and breathe in the crisp air.  You don't need to rush inside either!  There just might be a birdy flying by or a car passing that you need to see.  It is good to slow down.

Second -  I learned that sometimes you have to actually touch something to know what it is.  Grace needed to touch those ornaments - to feel the beard on the nutcracker ornament - to feel the glitter around the ball - to pretend to blow into the saxophone.   Yes, sometimes looking without touching just doesn't cut it!

Third - And most importantly, I was reminded that EVERYONE has a place at the manger.  Jesus welcomes ALL to come and adore him.  That little rubber ducky that Grace insisted belonged with her Nativity was a great reminder for me.  It doesn't matter who you are, what you look like, what your family is like, you are always invited into the Christmas story.  That is one of the greatest wonders of Christmas.  Jesus came as a baby for ALL humanity.  Not just for the Jews, and not just for those of us already kneeling before him.  What a tremendous gift.  The best gift ever!

Jesus, thank you so much for giving up your place in heaven to walk with us here on earth. Help us to all approach Christmas with the wonder of a toddler.  Help us slow down and breathe in your love.  Give us the grace to use all of our senses - to look, touch, listen, to taste each part of the holiday.  Remind us to be thoughtful in our responses to others, who might be seeing in ways that are different than ours.  Holy Spirit, provide those open doors for everyone to enter into the gift of Christmas.  Jesus, keep our hearts open to every little ducky that might want a place at your manger.  Amen

When a scent brings back memories.... and Operation Christmas Child boxes fulfilling a destiny

This is not the exact picture I was looking for, but it will do.  I think this was taken in the fall of 1994 (Gwen would probably know).  When I stated writing this blog I was actually looking for a different picture of my mom and me, but this one will serve the purpose.  I had one of those really strange experiences this past week.  I put a new "Shower Gel" in the shower and it was one of those seasonal scents that are not really a specific fragrance.  As soon as the hot water hit that shower gel, I was "smelling" my mom!  I can't tell you exactly what about this fragrance it is, but standing there in the shower, I was suddenly missing my mom.  I am always thinking about her around this time of year, since for almost 20 years she would come and stay with us over the Thanksgiving holiday.  We had so much fun and I have so many great memories of being with her during those visits.  As a matter of fact, every time I put up my Christmas tree I think about her.  We always put our tree up while she was visiting so that she had a small part of our Christmas celebrations.  I was just NOT expecting to suddenly be hit with this.

It is funny how these waves of missing just seem to hit at unexpected times.  And it is the littlest things that can trigger the sadness and grief.  Our family is always missing Lucas especially during November.  I am so thankful that we have found a way to not only remember Lucas but also to celebrate his life through Operation Christmas Child shoebox gifts.   

Each year we fill boxes with toys and goodies for children around the world.  I always do my boxes for boys around the same age as Lucas would be.  It is easy to think about the little ones who will find joy and hope in these simple gifts.  The best part of these boxes is that the children also hear about Jesus.  As I am filling each box,  it feels like I am helping to fulfill a bit of the destiny that Jesus had planned for Lucas.  In this small thing, children far away are hearing the Gospel message.  Even before Lucas was born, I felt that his destiny was as an evangelist who would carry the Gospel to the world in unusual ways.  So even though his life was only 10 days here on earth, Jesus has given us a way to see Lucas' destiny and his legacy to be carried out.  So many of the Operation Christmas Child stories show that in many cases, whole areas are transformed through these boxes.  Churches are built and lives are changed.  I am so thankful for this meaningful way to honor Lucas.  If you haven't heard of this great ministry of Samaritan's Purse, check out Operation Christmas Child.  Even though this years collection has ended, it is not too late!  You can pack a box "on line"! 

Yes, the missing is hard.  But when you can celebrate the memories and also honor your loved ones through helping others, the pain is lessened.  I am so thankful that our hope is found in Jesus.  The Christmas season is a wonderful time to reflect on God's great rescue plan to bring us all back into fellowship with him.  The season of Advent in the church is a time of waiting and preparing.  It's a great time to stop and reflect on the miracle of Christmas.  I recently saw this idea posted on line and I think it is a great one.  The Gospel of Luke has 24 chapters.  Just enough to read one chapter a day.  When you complete this during Advent, you will have read the story of Jesus' life.  I challenge you to join me and read one chapter of Luke each day.  You can read two today to catch up!  It will surely be a Christmas blessing for you.

Jesus, thank you for speaking your destiny for each of us.  Holy Spirit reach out to those who are having a hard time during this season.  Bring your comfort and peace to them.  Give us all insight into ways that we can honor and remember those who have died.  Jesus, bless all of those millions of Operation Christmas Child boxes and bring each one to exactly the right little boy or girl.  Thank you for your great rescue plan.  Amen