Remember

It seems everyone is blogging about the highlights of 2008. And perhaps in my old(er) age I myself am becoming more reminiscent because thinking back over the last year seems like a good idea for the first time in my life.

I don't really make New Year resolutions, nor have I ever contemplated my life over the previous 364 days when December 31 comes around.

And while I still have no intention of making New Year resolutions (mostly because I have learned quickly over the past few years that life is so ridiculously uncertain as to make long-term concrete goals completely useless), I figure looking back over 2008 could be a good reminder.

God works miracles.

My nephew weighed less than two pounds, could not breathe or eat on his own, and his life hung in the balance in 2007. This year, he is the cutest little boy in the state if not the entire universe, he crawls around, babbles constantly (including what my sister refers to as his daily "speech to the bathroom" whereby he finishes getting washed, insists on standing up, beats on the side of the tub, and proceeds to give the bathroom his two cents), and eats solid foods. Although the pain, uncertainty, and fear can still seem fresh when I think back to his days in the NICU, it is important to hold onto those painful memories; it makes my nephew's life seem all that much more miraculous.

God also has a plan and purpose for my life (and your life, although I don't really know the details of how He works it out in your life, so you'll just have to hear about mine...or skip down to the next point).

After searching, and searching, and searching for a job, after wondering until my head hurt what the next steps would be for me in a career, after working a short stint for a practice that literally made me feel constantly nauseous and as if my heart were going to beat out of my chest at any moment, after going through the depression that most job-hunters can relate to, God finally put the pieces together. I now work in a ministry that is a passion of mine, with people whom I like and love, on a schedule that allows me to also minister in other ways, see my husband, and cultivate other non-work-related skills.

In October, Africa made me hopeful, joyful, heart-broken, and physically ill all at the same time.

I talked to, saw, touched, and heard the 11-year-old boy to whom we have written letters and sent money for the past four years. He has a big smile like me and wide, joyful eyes like my husband. He is perhaps a little more unfocused and hyper than most of the other kids he goes to school with, but he loves Jesus and wants so much to make something beautiful of his life.

I witnessed, in flesh and blood, the Compassion projects and people that spring out of our measly $32 a month. I saw the faces and living conditions of countless children in Uganda whom Compassion hopes to reach.

I felt the heat of Africa on my white skin and sent up a grateful prayer that I do not live continually in such high temperatures and humidity (yep, not even south Louisiana compares, and I am way too accustomed to climate control).

I was reminded through countless phone calls and visits with friends that a common faith is the strongest bond there is.

Sometimes I look forward to heaven partly because I will get to be in close proximity with some of those friends forever, instead of being separated right now by miles and miles of highway and vast oceans.

In writing blog posts, I have become more determined to find the humorous in the everyday.

I would like to think I'm getting better at seeing the positive. Of course, my husband, who lives with me day in and day out, is probably best suited to tell every one of you that I still worry way too much and insist on creating every possible disastrous scenario for each decision and circumstance.

And if I were one to make New Year resolutions perhaps that would be something I could work on.

But I'm not.

All the lessons of 2008 are rooted in my heart. I doubt I will dwell on them too much, and hopefully I will also not borrow trouble from 2009...at least not too much trouble...at least not after my husband reminds me for the two billionth time to stop worrying.

I pray that 2009 will bring some good surprises. Here's to enjoying every single day!

Cheers!

Happy Christmas to All

The gifts got wrapped. The work got finished. The laundry got done (albeit at my parents house the day we arrived).

So far in our two days at my parents' house I have caught up on sleep because (oh, thank you!) the blinds in our bedroom are so great at keeping out the pesky morning light, I have eaten delightful peppermint-chocolate candies from my aunt (and am still figuring out how, how, one would make these), I have taken a nap, I have watched The Christmas Story and A Child's Christmas in Wales, I have taken a walk with my husband, I have visited HEB, and I have attended the Christmas Eve service where my favorite part will always and forever be lighting the candles and singing Silent Night before we file out.

There are still a few things on the "to-do" list while we're out here in West Texas: driving around to see Christmas lights, playing some board games, taking a few more naps, reading. It is perfectly fine by me that there is not abounding activity and entertainment available out here. Sometimes it's nice to slow down.

With some extra space to thing, last Sunday's sermon keeps echoing in my mind.

"Today in the town of David a Savior has been born for you; He is Christ the Lord." (Luke 2:11)

The best gifts are those that meet a need. Sure, it's fun getting little things that I want and would never buy for myself, but having a need met just can't be beat.

As I sit here in a warm home that is beautifully decorated for Christmas (thanks to my parents; I had absolutely nothing to do with that), getting ready to eat a gourmet meal, surrounded by family who are all healthy and happy, I cannot think of too many needs that I lack.

Our pastor pointed out that a gift of a Savior would only be truly great if we needed a Savior.

And for a long time I probably didn't truly comprehend my need for a Savior because, well, I've never really "needed" for anything.

Until I realized that all the "stuff" doesn't satisfy yet it sure does tempt me to keep focusing on it. And I can never escape from myself...my selfishness, my mistakes, my not so savory personality qualities. Oh, and then there's sin...it seems I can never quite be perfect.

So, then I realized one day that I definitely need a Savior. I need someone to love me so unconditionally that He will forgive me for anything and everything. I need someone to accept me and be with me always, no matter what. I need someone to help me out when I just can't beat those flawed personality qualities on my own.

While I like my fuzzy new Christmas socks and my new stick blender makes me pretty happy, I am most grateful for the gift a Savior...who meets my need...and your need.

Happy Christmas!

Winter Weather Occurence

It's not officially winter yet, but after a balmy 75-degree day on Sunday, the last two days have felt decidedly more like Christmas.

We've enjoyed (or should I say I've enjoyed, because I know quite a few Southerners down here who could do without the cold weather, thank you very much) temperatures in the 20's and even a some snow flurries yesterday and today.

On my way to the dentist this morning, I was oh so thankful that I was not having to ride my bike to the appointment, as I was sure to have done in Amsterdam on days like today. How did I ever drag myself out onto my bike in the cold, wet, windy, wintery weather? I guess if you need food at the grocery store bad enough...

Watching the snow flurries with the Christmas tree lit made me want to curl up in front of the window with a blanket, a book, and something hot to drink.

So instead I scurried around in the cold weather running errands and finding last minute Christmas presents. I followed that up with a nice long call to our cell phone (now also our home phone) service provider to try to get home phone service working again.

Ah well.

And in case you're wondering - no matter how much the weather put me in the Christmas spirit, it was obviously still not enough to get me to wrap the Christmas gifts.

Maybe tomorrow....when it's 70 degrees again.

Gift-wrapping not included

I love being able to give people gifts. (I guess really I should say I love being able to make people happy, because that doesn't always involve an actual gift. And, truth be told, I am not all that genius at buying the "perfect gift" for people. I do believe the "shopping gene" skipped me.)

In the case of some people, like my parents for instance, I know the best gift I can give won't come in a box. This year, their favorite Christmas gift will be having us at their house for the Christmas holiday. (I almost hesitate to give them anything else because it will pale in comparison and definitely not be as exciting for them as a visit from their kids.)

And at this point in the holiday hubbub, I almost wish that none of the gifts this year needed to come in a box.

Because they're not in boxes. Yet.

They're all in bags in various drawers and closets around the house.

The boxes are (I hope) in the attic somewhere. The gift bags and ribbons are (I hope) out in the garage. The wrapping paper is in the front bedroom closet (this I'm sure of since I knocked all the rolls down and all over the place while trying to retrieve something else from that closet). The tape (as far as I can tell) is mysteriously missing, which will require a trip to the Walmart.

And so, understandably, I have not begun the boxing/bagging/wrapping of the Christmas gifts.

(Don't you like how I have decided to procrastinate the package wrapping even further by sitting down to write an entire blog post on the subject instead of actually getting started?)

It's just so much work to gather all the supplies in one place, then find the right size boxes and bags. Then one family will have to have their gifts actually mailed to them, which means finding yet another box and packing tape, and a wait in line at the post office.

So, while I will love knowing that some people will be at least a little bit happy when they open their Christmas gifts from us, I also wish it was completely appropriate to just slap a sticker on all these gifts that announces "gift-wrapping not included".

I mean, the only gift I'm giving where the wrapping is essential will be the gift for my one-year-old nephew. (In his case, the wrapping paper is the BEST part. I might as well not even give him a gift if he can't have wrapping paper to rip, shred, throw around and chew up.)

I will, undoubtedly, succumb to the cultural norm and wrap all the gifts. I only ask that you take a moment to cherish the carefully selected wrappings that cover your Christmas gift from us. It will be a labor of love.

The Ever-Growing Christmas Light Obsession

My mother-in-law assures me that John's affinity for outdoor Christmas light displays has been developing since his early boyhood years.

Now that we are a.) not living in a foreign country and b.) not completely remodeling the entire house during the holiday season, John has taken this season of "normalcy" to further enhance our home's outdoor light display.

I grew up in a household that never put lights outside. (OK, I take that back. One year in Louisiana my mom, my sister and I got unusually ambitious and put lights out in the flower beds. A week later, in another unexpected turn of events, it froze. The begonias were melted into the earth and we ended up with a Christmas light display consisting of strands of lights piled on the ground in front of our house.)

It's just a good thing we never lived on a street that wanted everyone to participate in some type of Christmas light display unity. All the neighbors would probably have had to assume we were Jehovah's Witnesses.

So, after searching high and low for yet more blue C9 Christmas lights, taking a couple trips to gather Craig's List finds, visiting the Builder Supply Superstore for some wooden posts, spray painting aforementioned posts with green spray paint, and strategically wiring the multitude of lights now adorning our house and sidewalk, John has enhanced our outdoor display.

He claims the extra six or seven sets of lights all along the sidewalk, driveway, and fence add "that extra dimension to the display" that we were apparently missing all these years.

I just can't vacuum or use the hairdryer while the Christmas lights are doing their duty at night.

My husband is content. No, he is more than content; he's downright excited, so I, in turn, am ecstatic. The lights look awesome to me, and we all know I would never spend all that time putting them out, so more power to John!

One More Thought for Today

Read more about it here:

"Joy to the World"

I read a devotional yesterday that included this Christmas hymn. It reminded me to focus on Christ and accept His joy in my busy, stressful, scary circumstances.

This morning (waaaaaaay too early, I might add) I had a little day surgery. It was short and sweet...and it seemed even shorter since I was asleep for almost all of it. Everything went fine, and I have to take this opportunity to brag on John. He is really the greatest husband in the world. That is not up for debate, so no comments. :-)

He went with me this morning and stayed at home today to take care of me (ya know, just to make sure I don't go to sleep and slip into a coma, operate a chain saw, or suffer any other such serious after-effects from anesthesia).

After eating some breakfast (finally!) I went back to our bed to take a nap. John left a funny get-well card on my pillow (because laughter is the best medicine, right?), and when I turned back the covers I found a bag of Dove dark chocolate (OK, maybe chocolate, the dark variety of course, is really the best medicine)!

I guess maybe all this doctor stuff could have taken place at a better time of year, like maybe not during the weeks leading up to Christmas, but I got some emails today just in time to remind me of how blessed I really am and how so many of the trappings of the season are just not important.

(And is that not THE longest sentence in the history of the world?!?)

If, for instance, you can't think of the perfect gift to get that hard-to-buy-for family member, why not buy them a concrete block? Mission Waco and World Hunger Relief, Haiti are working together to rebuild a damaged elementary school in Ferrier, Haiti for children whose families live on less than $1/day. One concrete block for the school is only $2. Here's a break-down of other needed materials:

1000 cement blocks @ $2/block= $2000
7 loads of sand @ $100/load= $700
300 bags of cement @ $7.50/bag= $2250
10 men for work per day for 20 days @ $200/man= $2000
600 steel rods (3/8 + ½) @ $4/rod= $2400
25 buckets of paint (5 gal.) @ $50/bucket= $1250

You can send donations in someone's name to:
Mission Waco
Haiti School Repair Project
1315 N. 15th St.
Waco, TX 76707

Or donate ONLINE.

Another option is to donate in someone's name to one of Compassion International's many successful, far-reaching projects.

Maybe you care about low-income pregnant mothers and unborn babies. Why not make a donation to your local crisis pregnancy center? Don't know if there's one near you? Just enter a zip code here and you'll get a list of names and addresses closest to you or your loved one.

With regular charitable donations sure to be down this year and next, giving a donation rather than the chotchky that ends up in a closet is sure to make a huge difference to any of the organizations you or your family members care about and support.

(I've even tried to make it super easy by giving you links that go directly to some donation pages.)

Anyway, it's nice to have my thoughts taken off myself today. Sometimes we need a reminder that our frustrations, fears, hurts, and issues - while totally real and important to us - belong in the big picture. And there's a loving God who has that big picture all in his hands.
I even got a Christmas reminder from a ministry we support in my email today. It was well-timed.

Work of Christmas Begins

When the song of the angels is stilled,
when the star in the sky is gone,
when the kings and princes are home,
when the shepherds are back with the flocks,
then the work of Christmas begins:
to find the lost,
to heal those broken in spirit,
to feed the hungry,
to release the oppressed,
to rebuild the nations,
to bring peace among all peoples,
to make a little music with the heart...
And to radiate the Light of Christ,
every day, in every way, in all that we do and in all that we say.
Then the work of Christmas begins.
-- Howard Thurman, adapted