Honorable Mention

One last pre-break post since it's not tomorrow yet... My 12-day 'treasuring up' will still very much include listening to Bill Giovannetti sermons (www.maxgrace.com) as I process internally. Bill pastors a large church in CA, and recently requested that readers of his blog submit Christmas-themed sermon ideas. Just discovered that the idea I submitted received honorable mention within the first 3 minutes of his Dec. 2nd sermon. I'm red-cheeked and smiling. :-)

Thanks for the mention, Bill! Abba has used your teaching of His Word to crack open stubborn walls in my life in 2007. By His Grace, I look forward to seeing them crumble further in 2008. I'm thankful for your commitment to His Truth, and hope that you and your family have a wonder-filled celebration of Jesus b-day, and all that His coming means for us... Merry Christmas!

Treasuring Up

"But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart."

-Luke 2:19-

This is one of my very favorite verses from the Christmas story - always has been. The focus throughout Luke to that point had been Jesus birth - as it should be. But I love that the author, a male, pauses for a sentence to consider a new mother's thoughts... she had gone through so much in this story and it seems such an appropriate glimpse. In particular, love the phrase, "treasured up"; I picture, not just fleeting thoughts, but real processing. Heart level stuff.

I have 12 days off of work starting tomorrow and, since earlier this month, I have planned to follow Mary's lead. I too long to 'treasure up' the birth of my Savior. And, as a new mom with a daughter across the world, I find I have some heart-level processing to do as well.

I have no questions about why I need to write, or the fact that I will continue; I will be back on January 2nd. And hope that you will join me again then! So no embarrassing gushy or flattery weirdness, k? If you feel like it, a simple 'Merry Christmas' will do.

And I too, simply, wish you all the most blessed of Christmases. May His Joy fall on you... and if you haven't met Him yet, I pray you are able to hear His gentle, welcoming voice above the noise of the season. Your night may be far from silent, but He's come to be where you are in the midst of it all. Be blessed and uplifted all friends; His coming is the reason for true HOPE... So let's 'TREASURE UP!' - in whatever ways rest and beautify your heart the most this season.

Looks Like Love

We love having Windsor and Wildfire as neighbors. Their pasture begins just behind our bedroom window, and we have the pleasure of enjoying them as they enjoy one another's companionship. Wildfire is younger and stronger than Windsor; he leads their way to the freshest parts of the pasture, never straying more than 20 feet or so from his dear friend. They nuzzle one another, help each other keep flies off during the summer. And they play... One of my favorite moments from last winter was during a heavy snowfall with large, wet flakes. As I played the piano, I looked out the window to see the two of them on their backs, covered in snow and kicking all fours into the air, wiggling like big puppies wanting a belly scratch.

The next house down, a baby pony runs circles around the older, wiser mares, jubilantly (and not entirely gracefully) kicking up his back heels, testing his height and speed.

Then, speaking of big puppies... can you believe these two? Ed and I stole a glance into the sunroom to find them cuddling the other day. Don't tell anyone though; they'd much prefer everyone to think they're constantly biting and torturing one another. Busted!

I'm always interested to hear the 'natural' explanation for animal behaviors; they say everything has it's purpose, and every purpose is somehow rooted in instinct and survival. But what is it that gets a horse on his back in a blizzard, hooves greeting snowflakes? What kind of instinct has a dog rest his chin sweetly on the shoulder of a reclining friend? Forget the natural explanations this time; I don't want to know. It's Christmas - and it looks like joy and love to me.

On the Road Again...

My soul grows an extra pair of legs this time of year; I start to long for the road. Not in a sad, escapist kind of way; just a road trip. Still - what's up with that? Everyone else is 'home for the holidays'; I'm ready to gas up and fly. Here are a few creative ways I've satisfied this urge through the years:



WTRL Trips:

WTRL = "Where the Road Leads". You give yourself 5 and 1/2 hours, $200, and get behind the wheel. Choose a direction: right or left. And that's the ONLY way you turn. And you only turn when you absolutely have to ('T' intersection or 'exit only'). You don't change lanes. The point is to find the exact destination to which the lane leading out of your driveway leads - in 5.5 hours. Then find the nearest hotel, crash there, and explore a new neighborhood for the first time. Or a familiar one in a new way. I have yet to find my WTRL location from our Hudson house and am itching to do so.

Ocean Emergency Trips:

I've had a number of these via airplane. But the most desperate was the day after Christmas, 1998: a flight straight down I35 all the way to Galveston, TX arriving at 3:30 in the morning Dec. 27th. The beach was the only thing open, and my sleeping bag molded sweetly to its shape. 3 days exploring Galveston, its history and shops, feeling the sun on my face, running ecstatically beside the waves... I was refueled and ready to drive home again.

Drive Down Memory Lane Trips:

This is a trip with someone you know and trust. I did one with my sister this past summer. We drove through the valley where we used to play as children, which is now a housing development; the church we grew up in, now under construction - I got in mud up to my knees, insistent on glimpsing the parking lot. Then, we settled some old scores at our childhood camp near St. Cloud, reminiscing about how stuff used to be - and what things will never change. Afterward, I found my thoughts returning to that day, wishing I could re-live it in every detail.

What about you - any creative road trip ideas to share? If I like yours, I might put it to use soon...

Elved

Did you know you can elf yourself?






Mark, my silly co-worker, should have his own blog. (He sometimes reads mine though - Hi, Mark!) Nevertheless, he refuses to start one - which, I have to admit, sometimes makes for better entertainment at work. Thanks to his unmet need to express silliness more publicly, my immediate colleagues and I have spent hours attempting to twirl our feet while drawing sixes in the air... and have now 'elved ourselves'. (For Mark's sake, I will add that, somewhat humorously, one can 'elf' oneself, yet is simultaneously rendered incapable of choosing the appropriate gender in which to do so).

Bet you never knew I could dance, huh?

Alignment

"The way to gain a good reputation is to endeavor to be what you desire to appear."

-Socrates-

"When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. What I became a man, I put childish ways behind me. Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known."

-1 Corinthians 13:11 & 12-

Favorite Toys & Trends

As a continuation on yesterday's theme, here's the list of toys and trends I really 'got'; maybe you did too...



-Lite Brite
-Scratch 'n' Sniffs
-Legos
-Smurfs
-Caboodles







-Atari
-Hotwheels
-Viewmaster
-Koosh Balls
-Mr. Potato Head









-Pound Puppies
-Cat's Eye
-Etch-a-Sketch
-Spirograph
-Family Tree House









-Dukes of Hazzard
-Glo Worms
-Huffy Bikes
-Rubiks Cube
-Operation









-Pound Puppies
-Cabbage Patch Kids
-Karate Kid
-Matchbox Cars
-Knight Rider






What should we add to the list?

Toys & Trends I Never 'Got'

So, lately, I'm thinking about Eva being home next Christmas and the difference that will make in the number - and type - of gifts under our tree. That got me thinking about the toys and trend items that I might have gotten through the years... but just didn't 'get'. KnowwhatImean?


-Gumby
-Michael Jackson
-Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
-ALF
-Monchichis








-Santa Bears
-Boy George
-Weebles
-Garbage Pail Kids
-Max Headroom








-Teddy Ruxpin
-Inspector Gadget
-Garbage Pail Kids
-Hans & Franz
-Hello Kitty








-Easy Bake Ovens
-Mullets
-Trolls
-Madonna
-He-Man









-Punky Brewster
-Barney
-Q-Bert
-Rainbow Brite
-Pee Wee's Playhouse







Tomorrow's list? Toys I DID get - and loved. How about you? What toys did you hope Santa would keep to himself?

T vs. F: How You Decide

People joke lightheartedly about Introvert and Extravert traits; they lovingly heckle one another about Perceiving vs. Judging. But Thinker vs. Feeler? That's another story; we tend to get VERY serious about T vs. F.

What do T and F stand for? My MB 'Expanded Interpretive Report' says the T/F dynamic is our way of making decisions. If you're a T, "you [tend to] make decisions using logical, objective analysis." If you're an F, "You [tend to] make decisions to create harmony by applying person-centered values."

So what's the rub? The issue is what T vs. F is NOT, but we tend to make it into: smart vs. emotional; insensitive vs. cowardly; brain vs. heart. The reason it's so hard to discuss T vs. F is that both decision paths have highly valuable components; if your understanding of this dynamic is brain vs. heart, being 'pegged' as one or the other means you're either heartless or stupid. No one wants to be stuck in either camp.

On the other side of that, Ts who think Fs are stupid and emotional are in danger of being prideful of their own intelligence. Fs who think Ts are heartless and rigid are in great danger of looking down long, supposed 'diplomatic' noses at their T friends.

So... let's get past that right up front. Ts have hearts - often very kind and sensitive ones. Fs have brains - often brilliant and ingenious ones. Everyone's in the middle. Plus, it's your decision path; not your identity. We're humans; all of us were created with brains AND hearts.

That said, let's look at the differences. It's not a matter of existence but of priority: a T doesn't lack feelings, but puts emphasis on facts and logic. An F doesn't lack the ability to process facts, but puts emphasis on personal issues. Problems occur as each likes to claim their methods AND conclusions as TRUTH, not fully grasping that Truth goes beyond fact or feeling. It goes beyond my being factually 'right' intellectually or academically; beyond my 'feeling' right emotionally or spiritually.

Some of you have red flags up. Don't worry; I'm not a relativist. (Not even a post-modernist, really). I absolutely believe in absolute Truth. I just don't think Truth can or should be defined or doggedly claimed SOLELY by preferential decision-making, methods, or interpretive conclusions. We still see through a glass darkly. Do I believe we can 'know' some important things for sure? Absolutely - I'm no agnostic. Do I believe we can know all things completely? No - we don't YET fully know as we are fully known. I believe we know what we CAN know, and continue to learn - and that there's great value in doing so. I believe that humility is called for, from all sides.

Down from the soapbox I come. I try not to ascend them often - thanks for humoring me. For those who think it would be ideal to be right in dead center of the T and F spectrum... think again. That's me (with slight 'F' preference), and I'm able to wax over-sensitive WHILE offending people - simultaneously; great super-power yes? :-) J/K - there are great benefits too. One last word - a tool to help us think more positively of one another's strengths (adapted from Myers, 1962):

T SUPER POWERS:

-Analyzing the situation
-Finding flaws in advance
-Holding consistently to a principle
-Weighing "the law and the evidence"
-Standing firm against opposition

F SUPER POWERS:

-Empathizing with people
-Concern for how others will feel
-Allowing for extenuating circumstances
-Knowing what is really important
-Appreciating each person's contributions

Spontaneous Crackage

So today, I'm working quietly in my cubicle when, very suddenly, just behind me, there's this LOUD crash somewhere in the decibel range between a BIG balloon popping, and a gun going off.

Still recovering standard pulse rates, my fellow cube-dwellers and I rushed to the scene: the full-door emergency exit had completely cracked from floor to ceiling. Too bad I never learned how to use my cell phone camera; by the time someone else tried to figure it out, the whole thing had caved in.

No one had thrown anything; there was no glass on the carpet. In fact, the pane bowed outward. When the glass guy came to fix it, he's like, "Yeah, sometimes they do that." No big deal...

They do?? Yikes! Kind of makes you wonder what other 'no big deals' spontaneously, mysteriously, (and noisily!) self-destruct, for no apparent reason, in winter temps. Powerful forces we can't see and can't predict. Fascinating...

Too bad Dwight wasn't there to do a more thorough investigation... We're pretty sure no wildlife got in the building - but lots of cold air did. Moral of the story? Walk softly and carry a warm scarf, I guess.

Our Favorite Power Tool

I distinctly remember overhearing a conversation 6+ years ago where a number of guys from a core friend group were sitting around discussing their favorite power tools. At one point, someone (I think it was Brian) chimed in wittily with: "My favorite power tool? Wade Prestrud!"


Now, my husband, Edward, is THE most intelligent person I know, and he takes care of me better than the better best. Neither of us are highly mechanical though, and when it comes to vehicles well... let's just say we "need a little help from our friends." Most people do, right? That being said, we have a few favorite human power tools (future post on my dad to come) - and Wade is definitely on that list.

Today's help came in the form of getting me unstuck from a local gas station via jumper cables. (At 156,000+ miles, Ed's car battery was on its death bed and, though Ed had taken great care to juice it for me before lovingly taking my Tribute in for a check-up, the battery finally 'lost its spark'). Wade then went out, purchased a new battery and came to our home to install it. In like 5 minutes. Looking for grease in the garage took him 10. His response to our accolades? "That's what friends are for, right?"

Yes, Wade - but it's not every friend who'd give up their sleeping in on a day off to go beyond 'putting the fire out' and rebuild the house. You're a treasure - thanks again.

How 'bout y'all? Any good Wade stories? OR - when have you swelled with gratitude recently in receiving "a little help from your friends"?

Working From Home

The list of delights in working from home periodically is nearly endless: blue fuzzy robe, snowmobile slipper socks, safety from cubicle-lurkers, etc. One of the more prominent benefits, however, is easy access to the 7 large canisters of Christmas treats sitting on the kitchen counter. I have written a song in praise of this particular boon:

Ten Little Christmasy Treats

One little, two little, three chocolate 'tater chips,
Four little, five little, six Oreos chocolate-dipped,
Seven little, eight little, nine chocolate pretzel sticks,
Ten Christmas treats for Vonda.

One little, two little, three little bobbles there,
Four little, five little, six 'cuz I wouldn't share,
Seven little, eight little, nine dimples, I don't care;
Exercise plan starts Monday...

Seriously, 'Butt and Thigh Sculpting' Pilates video, here I come. (Sorry, TMI guys). I didn't say WHICH Monday though. Is 1/1/09 on a Monday? Which Christmas treats make YOU not care about bobbles?

Foot Notes

This is completely silly, and I apologize if it's already made the rounds as one of those annoying chain emails... but a friend forwarded this the other day and it provided some entertainment, so thought I'd share:



Who's smarter, you or your foot? Here's how you find out:

1. Rotate your right foot in a clockwise circle repeatedly until you are comfortable with it.
2. Now, with your foot still rotating, try to draw a '6' in the air with your right index finger, just in front of you.
3. If you're like me, you can't draw the '6' without your foot totally changing direction.

In fact, I could not even THINK about drawing the '6' without my foot stopping, or changing direction. Hmmm... Can you do it? If so, you've gotta be some kind of genius - do tell!

Forgive me, nothing profound tonight. Still drying off from my latest rendezvous with the hot-tub - my brain is mush. Tomorrow is the beginning of a fresh new week. Thanks, God, for fresh new weeks.

Time For a Dip

What would we do without dear friends to help us remember how to play? The highlight of my day yesterday was 20 minutes in the hot tub with my girls, who faithfully pulled me away from the list for some much-needed FUN!

Time For a Dip

Like chickadees, we
bouncing snow-toed to steam-bath
child-like, ditch our lists.

"Ignore my balloons
and I'm blind to your bobbles."
Together, hope grows.

Change of Path

Dear friends and loved ones,

This has been a great way for us to keep in touch on updates about our daughter and thoughts on adoption. However, going forward, we will no longer post new pictures or specific adoption updates here. Pictures and specifics have been removed from previous posts (which may end up being deleted all together). We'll send Christmas letters to many of you and will include ways to get in touch with us if you'd like to be on an ongoing email distribution. If you're not on the Christmas letter list, email us (if you don't know our email, most of you can find someone who does) to let us know you'd like to receive updates.

The key things we've wanted you all to know about adoption prep have been posted recently. If we get a bunch of enthusiastic bites on the email distribution, perhaps we will share more resources there.

I'll still use this blog. I love writing and there are lots of areas beyond adoption I'd still like to write about. I hope you'll still come out to check what's top of mind in other areas.

For those who desire to hurt and discourage us... We had heard of you, but didn't understand the scope or intensity of your goals against us until today. Again, we are sorry for the losses that would lead to the amount of anger it must take to fuel this type of passion and energy expenditure against people who simply want to love and care for children via legal routes. However, as a community, we too have a powerful Ally; one who contends on our behalf and whose motive is LOVE. We believe He is on the move here - and you would be wise never to underestimate the power of His true Love.

May you have success with your goals in advocating for mothers and children. In that, we support you. And we pray that the beauty and joy of this coming season will touch your hearts in powerful ways that might surprise even you. Merry Christmas.

Response to PPFFPP

In response to yesterday's post, I received a comment from a representative of PPFFPP - an organization seeking to protect and advocate for mothers and children devastated by the horrible injustices of child trafficking, illegal adoption. Here is my response to that comment:

PPFFPP - Thanks for sharing your perspective. As my husband has replied, we agree that it's good to be aware of organizations and viewpoints such as yours, and your valid objective to be an advocate for mothers and children who experience devastating loss via trafficking. I also agree with this quote from your 11/29 post in which you speak of compassion:

“It never ceases to sadden me when our anger gets let loose on one another - on our sisters and brothers who have suffered the same or similar loss as we have and instead of being able to get in touch with our compassion - we lash out with anger instead.”

That being said, I am sorry for deep losses you may have experienced either through adoption or trafficking which have led to your criticizing legal adoption – (a beautiful and effective way of making families) – even as you advocate justly for the rights of those who are hurt by illegal adoptions. You shared in your blog that you struggle with anger; I can only imagine the scope of the anger that wells up in the face of such losses, and encountering them day after day.

I wonder though… is being an advocate for victims of trafficking mutually exclusive to being supportive of families made by legal adoption? I don’t see how those two ‘sides’ of things have become enemies. As you know, many birthparents make the choice, either intentionally or by abandonment, for their children to be adopted into other loving homes. I wonder – does it make sense to you for those children to either (A) die or (B) stay in institutions where, even if they are well cared-for, they can never experience the love of parents? To me, this seems an extreme unmerited by your current path. I wonder if your objective to protect could be met in even more powerful ways by reaching out to partner with adoptive families who share your passion, rather than alienating them by (directly or indirectly) accusing those you don't know of being party to illegal trafficking.

As for your viewpoints on positive adoption language – though your comments seem more aimed simply to promote the previously-stated objective, they are also valid comments and I’d like to take them seriously. Frankly, in your support of birthmothers, I was surprised to hear you discouraging attempts to train others to speak positively of them.

As for the ‘birthmother’/’real mother’ and ‘adopted child’/’adoptive parents’ issue, you’re right; it does appear inconsistent at first glance. I think it’s mainly a matter of context. I don’t feel it inappropriate when writing about adoption in general to use terms like ‘adoptive parents’ or ‘adopted children’ where the process defining the general role is required for the sake of clarity. However, when speaking TO our daughter (who will be legally adopted – after 3 years of checks and re-checks and processing and approvals from multiple governments, we are certain of this), wouldn’t you agree that, since she is unable to know her birthmother, it is right and good for her to be able to call someone ‘Mother’ (not just ‘Adoptive Mother’), and be called by someone, ‘My daughter’? Either way, I pray for you today. For success in protecting what you rightfully protect. And for grace to soften to (and perhaps build bridges with) perspectives of those who also seek to protect in similar ways – and to love.

"If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing..."

-1 Corinthians 13:1-3-

Positive Adoption Language

Vernell Klassen Miller has published a helpful devotional for parents who are adopting; I'll be sharing their wisdom (nearly verbatim) throughout this post tonight.

In general, I'm not a person who values 'PC'ness (yes, Erin, there's a 'C' there) ;-); buzz words and trendy phrases definitely made my peeves list and I am no fan of putting unnecessary obstacles in the way of people simply saying what they mean. That's why when others (and sometimes myself) don't use the suggested phrases below regarding adoption, we will all find there's plenty of grace, understanding and good-intent to cover it all. Still, when my daughter comes home, I want her to hear us talking about our family in ways that validate her, and affirm our bonds together as a family. This is for her sake as she learns what a family is; not to spare our feelings as parents (which is nice but WAY secondary). So... I put this out there, not as a 'be PC, or we'll be offended'; certainly not to stifle conversation about adoption... but to do my best to prepare the way. I'm the mom and that's my job (and my joy):

FIRST TRY: "Yes, they have one daughter, but she was adopted."
BETTER: "Yes, they have a daughter whom they adopted."
BEST: "Yes, they have a daughter."

FIRST TRY: "Do you know her real mother?"
BETTER: "Do you know her birthmother?"

FIRST TRY: "She is an adopted child."
BETTER: "She was adopted."
EXPLANATION: Adoption is a process. It describes an action - not a person - and should not be used as a label.

FIRST TRY: "Do they have any children of their own?"
BETTER: "Do they have any children by birth?"

FIRST TRY: "Are your children related?"
BETTER: "Are your children genetically related?"
BEST: Call attention to some similarity and say, "It's easy to see you come from the same family!"

FIRST TRY: "How good of you to adopt!"
BETTER: "You're a happy family." - Or say something general about the blessings of having children.
EXPLANATION: How would you respond to someone who said, "How good of you to conceive!" or "How generous of you to bear more children!" Adoption is just another way of making a family; it (as with birthing children) is its own reward.

FIRST TRY: "How could any woman relinquish [or 'give up'] a child?"
BETTER: "I'm sure it took a lot of thought for the birthmother to choose adoption for her child."
EXPLANATION: Even in cases where a child's birth story is unknown, it is unwise to ever speak negatively about a child's birth parents. We cannot judge situations we know nothing of, and it's important for a child to know there's beauty and worth in ALL of her roots and history - it is where she's come from. Adoptive parents are not saviors; simply parents.

FIRST TRY: "Now that you've adopted, you'll probably conceive."
BETTER: "Are you hoping for more children?"

For those of you who read through this stuff and chew on it, it means more than you know. Thanks for taking time to learn to love our daughter with us, in advance...

Part of the Problem

DISCLAIMER: Outright snottiness exaggerated for entertainment value.

1994

It was a cold, blustery day at Taylor U, (Indiana winters will blow right through you if you let them), and I was delighted to squeeze Tallulah (the '83 monster station wagon) into a spot between two other cars in the small, snow-encrusted, library parking lot. Imagine my dismay in returning to find a $40 parking citation posted to my windshield, convulsing in the knife-like gale. My crime? Parking outside the lines.

Now, in general, I'll confess I can be self-righteous. My dear, loving mother has admitted I was nearly impossible to discipline as I would NEVER take ownership for wrongdoing. No... my intentions were ever pure as the gale-driven snow; anyone with the insensitivity to point out some flaw was surely making a gross error or had ignorantly misinterpreted my flawless motives. In euphemism, they called me, 'conscientious'. Multiply this tendency by 10 when I was in college.

Bottom line: that TU patrol had no chance whatsoever. Forget warmth; I was on a mission. Stubbornly indignant, I marched back to my dorm and snatched a camera, defeating the entire purpose of having driven in the first place. Marched back to the lot where I documented the crushing injustice of this ruse! (In my defense, $40 was no small change to a broke college kid; for a living, I served potato chips in the dining hall).

The TU patrolman must have known what he was in for the second I crashed into his office white-lipped and twitching. But, apparently, this gave him no advantage in forming his argument. When faced with my picture of the 1 SQUARE INCH of visible yellow parking line, followed by my pristine, articulate explanation that cars had been packed in on either side of me, his only response (which he stuttered out verbatim at least 6 times) was, "Do you want to be part of the problem, or part of the solution?" Immediately, I knew I had him. His argument was, sadly, (for him) weak - and I did not back down. This was injustice and I would NOT be served it.

Who won? Hm. Who shoveled the driveway last night? :-)

2007

I drive confidently into the parking lot of the business complex, towers of plowed snow piled at every corner. With each gap between vehicles, a new hope rises in my chest... My wish is simple: a space big enough to fit my SUV. As I'm forced further and further away from the building entrance, I keenly notice the cars which have parked a full 5 feet from the ones beside them. Perfectly spaced for lot-perusers to question whether they could just about nearly possibly squeeze in... but landing on the inevitable disappointing reality: "almost".

It's okay though. I feel no bitterness; I understand how it happened. They are part of the problem. We all are. And (with an ever so slight twinge of "SO THERE!" in remembering that stickler patrolman), I very happily join them.

Driveway, Submit!

This is the driveway. Now imagine it with 6 inches of virgin snow atop it. Pretty, right? HA! Not anymore... It's Ed's late night tonight - especially late since there's a blizzard (he's not home yet). And... the snow-blower's broken. So guess who conquered the driveway WITH A SHOVEL?? Yes, that's right - yours truly! In dress pants and fuzzy scarf. Nothing's making any husband of mine park on the street... The driveway: a conquered foe! I'm pumped with something (hopefully not testosterone) that makes me wish I could do a 'Tim the Tool Man' impression...

Proverbs 31 woman, you may have me beat in the kitchen, but you'd better look out when it comes to the driveway! ;-)

True

Ever read C.S. Lewis' 'Chronicles of Narnia'? Great family reading around Christmas time (or any time)...





"Welcome, child," he said.
"Aslan," said Lucy, "you're bigger."

"That is because you are older, little one," answered he.
"Not because you are?"

"I am not. But every year you grow, you will find me bigger."

-C.S. Lewis, 'Prince Caspian'-

May it be so...

Silent Night?

Went to a concert tonight and we all sang (lit by surrounding Christmas lights, cut-out snowflakes, etc.) the old Christmas hymn, 'Silent Night'. The artist said it was her favorite Christmas song... and, I was with her on that. It's been mine too.

Then, on the way home, I took some time to really think through the lyrics (at least the first verse):

"Silent Night, Holy night; all is calm, all is bright.
Round yon' virgin, mother and Child,
Holy Infant, so tender and mild.
Sleep in Heavenly peace. Sleep in Heavenly peace."

I asked myself, "Self, why is this your favorite Christmas song?" And I got answers having to do with how it sounds like a lullaby, creates a peaceful mood, invites a sweet vision of the night of Jesus' birth... Then the committee went to work. It didn't really sound like Bruce and Umbridge's type of dialogue, so not sure who was spouting off up there, but here's how it went:

SELF 1: "Wait a second... SILENT night? What about the cows and sheep and maybe gross pigs, and all the rowdy folk in town for the census that night? What about the fact that labor (for most) is far from a silent process, and babies aren't born calm? What about chiming angels and fumbling shepherds?"

SELF 2: 'Hm - good points. But it was a HOLY birth; He sent a star - and witnesses. Maybe He also made everything really calm and peaceful so Baby Jesus was born in a sweet little nativity scene like what we commemorate... (And I REALLY like that picture, by the way)."

SELF 1: "Doubt it. Joseph was probably at his wits end with trying to find a decent place for him and Mary. Wouldn't doubt if he came close to letting that inn-keeper have it. Their donkey was probably hawing for water after the long trip, and granted, Mary had a virgin birth, but she was still human. No way she would have been calm after riding hundreds of miles on a DONKEY, having contractions, and not even being able to take a warm bath. No way."

SELF 2: "Well - Joseph and Mary were really sweet, humble and gentle people. Maybe they were just able to hold it together really well. Plus - stop it! You're wrecking the cozy image of Jesus' birthday."

SELF 1: "Maybe it's time to picture something new about His birth. Maybe it's time to embrace a new kind of beauty: the kind where Jesus comes down to a REAL earth with REAL pain and REAL people and REAL, authentic, imperfect circumstances. The kind where joy and grief exist, not separately side by side, but intermingled with one another; a tangle of light and dark, so you can't tell where one starts and the other ends. Maybe that was the point. God with US - not hovering above us in a fluffy net of safety and pampered ideals. Personally, I bet the manger smelled - and the cow in the corner? Bet he took a crap sometime during the night. And I bet at least one of those shepherds had halitosis, and another - poor social etiquette. My bet is that everyone was WAY too wound up to get any kind of shut-eye that night."

SELF 2: "Hm. I think I see where you're going with this. The picture is less sentimental and ideal that way. Less emotional on one level. But more powerful, more poignant. And, in fact, it doesn't lack emotion. Not at all. Still... we won't know for sure how it really happened until we meet Him. The Bible doesn't talk about crapping cows."

SELF 1: "Yeah, but the point goes beyond that. How about your life? Are you ready to proclaim the beauty in joy and grief intertwined - even if the meshing gets more intense? Are you ready to look for the mark of Christ amongst noise and discomfort; not just when 'the hay smells sweet'? I'm not trying to scare you or anything, but finding the beauty of Christ in present, imperfect REALITY might not always be as easy as it is now. It might help you to expand your picture of His coming to include His presence and Hand on the really tough stuff too. I mean - right in the process of going through them; not just looking back."

SELF 2: "I think you're right. And I know about birthdays that mesh joy and grief. Thanks for completely wrecking my favorite Christmas song."

SELF 1: "No problem. A small sacrifice in light of a greater knowing. Sleep in Heavenly peace (while you still can)."

SELF 2: "Hmph. :-) You too."

Snow Treasures

After a warm, couchy night of alternately watching a movie and new falling snow, Ed and I decided to venture out into the calming blizzard to walk the stir-crazy fuzzy ones. As we walked, we mentioned the difficulty of stepping in the tire-rutted (unplowed) snow, and one of us said, "It's like walking on the beach - just without the treasures (meaning shells)." The other responded: "Yeah, wish it was the beach. There's still treasures though - just not at our feet."

Truth is - I really don't wish I were on the beach tonight (shh - don't tell anyone!). ;-) There's something magic about the first accumulating snowfall; everything comes alive. Ask me in February, you'll hear a different story... but for now, it's all good. SO good. Thanks, God. I see your treasures.