Christmas: Surprised by Joy and Total Forgiveness

There was probably some initial fear (and in Zachariah's case a temporary case of muteness) when announcements were being made about the Messiah's entrance into our human world. Mary was dumbfounded but happy and joyful to be picked for the most precious child to be hers.Anna and Simeon prophesied and knew that their lives were complete when they heard the news. Joseph was probably baffled, and definitely questioning until an angel assured him that this was in fact a virgin birth. Mary also had the joy of being told that her cousin Elisabeth would also bear a child even in her old age. John would leap in her womb when the two ladies met. The wise men, angels rejoicing and shepherds being summoned to visit were all quite joyful occasions I'm sure.
We know they expected a king and not this little lamb of a baby laying in a manger, but it is doubtful they realized that this little one would give us the possibility of total forgiveness. In the Old Testament, animals were sacrificed to cover the sins and shame of the people. But it didn't last indefinitely.
Even though Mary knew she had an exceptional child - since she nudged Him to change the water into wine a little earlier in his life that expected - it's hard to know whether she had any full idea of what His death would mean for us. Did she know that we would never have to lift our heads in shame because He died completely and totally for our sin? We know she had real grief at the cross but how much did she understand? These are all speculations of course. We aren't told about all of the emotions and questions that these eyewitnesses were asking.
I do know that He said "It is finished". 40 some years ago as I was asking questions about His very existence and what that meant to me personally, He answered. He showed me that He loved me unconditionally and would come in to dwell with me if I asked Him. I still consider that the most important decision of my life. "Though my sins were as scarlet, I am now as white as snow". Because I am a good person - or maybe better than some? Absolutely not.
Because my Saviour and Messiah surprised me with joy and total forgiveness. I am still eternally grateful and thankful that He lifts my head every day.

Under Construction: Hectic at Times

When my sister and her husband offered to let us "camp out" at their 4 bedroom, 2 bath cottage on Silver Lake,she told us that it might get hectic at times. She was right.
Today and yesterday, members of the crew came upstairs to rearrange pipes, heating and to do some insulation. Yesterday, they arrived at 7;58 and needed to work in the closet in our room. Dragging as I do in the morning when I don't have to be anywhere, I was barely awake. I grabbed my clothes to escape to my sister's room, hoping to shower and dress quickly before the plumbers got back with the parts. Not to my complete amazement, a ladder was up against the window of Linda's and Mike's room and Chuck was walking back and forth on the roof doing something. I grabbed my things, headed to the downstairs bathroom (no windows) and locked it. Hammering was going on right above me (It also was where they happened to be working today when I showered in the other bathroom). I don't consider myself paranoid but the timing is a little strange. The need for privacy is going to the top of my psychological needs' list:).
They are getting a lot done and are an interesting crew. Chuck, an "older man" (close to our age that means) never stops for a break. He smokes constantly and coughs in between. He calls out in frustration- GRRR_-a lot as he works, though has cut down his swearing considerably since he found out Tom has been a pastor and chaplain. Even though he likes to appear gruff, Tom sees him walk out on the dock int the early mornings and take in the beauty of the lake.
Jed, the leader of the crew, is always polite. He is our son's age (28) and has a lot of skills and maturity for a young man. He shared venison stew with his crew the other day (from the 13 point buck he got when hunting). He saved a bowl to share with us. I heard him talking about Christmas the other day. He said the tree is up at his home, but that he hates Christmas, except maybe for Christmas Eve. Jed said the rest of the season was like "nailing post-it notes to your forehead". I thought it was a good analogy for a lot of people who get stressed with all of the busyness of the holiday.
So..it is kind of interesting seeing all that they accomplish and the amazing results. I have a lot more respect for the hard work and intelligence it takes to get the final product. We never know for sure when they will be coming or going or what they will be working on next. but we always look forward to 4:30 when peace and quiet reigns once more.

Our Home for the Holiday and Other Gatherings

I know some families out there have seamless, flawless times with their families. Some just joke around; Others avoid any problems and skim over the top. We are not like that.
All four of us look forward to getting together - and are always glad that we did. We have priceless times together. Just this year, we went to a ball game, took a ride on the Mississippi, played scrabble, ate at a fun Italian restaurant...and enjoyed a great Thanksgiving dinner together (if I do say so myself).
But in our family, each of us four shows up with their issues and they usually surface somewhere along the way. We get irritated, controlling, a bit grumpy..and we are a family that gets a bit intense as well. We do deal with our momentary flare ups, take a little break if we need to, and once again come together for some good laughs and quality time together.
Sometimes I think we should be like other families..
And I often say that I am glad that we are not.
We were so thankful this year that Katie's biopsy was benign - and that Daniel grew a beard (turned out to be an afterthought of his Boundary Waters' trip with good friends). We aren't too happy that Tom is still working for work, but are thankful that Tom and I have weathered many joys and sorrows through the years - and will look forward to an uncertain future together. We know may people can't do that. We also have our fluffy little dog Sasha to keep us perked up and delighted.
So all in all, I will conclude as my new favorite author, Alexander McCall Smith, did (in the latest book I just finished):"But one had to be careful, (she) reminded herself: One should not ask for too many things in this life, especially when one already had so much."

What I Learned Through My Seminar

Recently, I led two seminars on "Discovering the Song Written in Your Heart" in Chilton, Wisconsin at the annual Ladies' Breakaway. Speaking there is always a highlight of the year for me. I try to do it on what is close to my heart that particular year.
The book, The Grand Weaver by Ravi Zacharias, given to me by my friend and mentor Kay Dickey, was pivotal in helping Tom and me and in inspiring this message. He is an outstanding communicator and clearly helps people see how God is weaving every intricate part of their lives into a beautiful tapestry. Accepting your DNA, circumstances, gifts abilities and even limitations and difficulties and yielding them to our awesome Creator is the starting and restarting point of developing into these special masterpieces. The book helped us see how Tom has special aptitudes, personality traits and gifting to do chaplaincy work. I felt he was a great shepherd/pastor too, but circumstances have seemed to direct us this way. I once again saw how my life is being spun in a special way (in more ways than one:)) and that I continue to love to teach and encourage.
Tapestry - picture one. Picture two: a daisy. All the gifting, talents, abilities, passions..can be used in many special ways to express ourselves and help others. They can be used directly and indirectly to "surround" Christ, who has given or bestowed us with them. When I moved here, I chose to find places to use what I believe mine are. Encouragement at the food pantry, sometimes prayer with the clients if they want it and and teaching at a little after school Bible club were my first opportunities. I had success using the Weight Watchers' program and eventually was retrained as a leader and receptionist. It helps with the bills and once again, I do the things I enjoy - helping others succeed as well and being up in front as a coach. I have also been able to meet with a couple of younger girls at my church a couple of times and we just formed a small ladies' Bible study group. Expressing myself through these blogs, thanks to the persistence of our daughter Katie, has also been a song in my heart that I can now voice.
Bouquet of Praise - picture 3. Corrie Ten Boom, known as a survivor of Nazi concentration camps where she witnessed her sister being killed, used to speak on forgiveness all around the world. She actually met the man who had murdered her sister. His life had changed and he was truly sorry and she was able to greet him. She would go home after her speeches, get on her knees and offer a bouquet of praise in thanks to the Lord. I do praise God for opportunities that are opened to me - even that I am trusted with a key to the Weight Watchers' meeting places:). In the Bible, we are called the "aroma of Christ" as well. That is what I want my life to be! I am stressed as I sometimes have to pull up by boot straps in new situations and find where I fit. When I choose to find those places, I am blessed.

Criticism: Take it with a Grain of Salt?

If you are able to take criticism with a grain of salt, you are definitely a more mature person than me.
Recently, I had some criticism directed at me and it was given anonymously, which I consider low and somewhat cowardly. Anyway, my first response was to be tearful, defensive and just basically upset. I wanted to give up on the venture though I am not a quitter by nature. I hardly even wanted to talk about it. People who know me know that things are serious when I am too quiet:). I also basically feel I am getting a little too old to be in training of any sort - or to spend my life trying to please everyone. I vented to Tom and a couple of people and asked for prayer.
The Bible says a wise person is willing to learn. A fool is not.
So...I sifted through the comments and realized there was some truth in parts of it. I didn't think it was characteristic of me for the most part but saw how it could be perceived that way based on the situation in which the person viewed me. So I resolved to do better. I purposely made some changes and think I am improving.
So I have not totally grown up yet. Who has?
It would be so much better if as a rule, people would come to each other once they calm down and say things in a helpful, loving way. I am not always capable of doing that either. So in the meantime: Take the criticism. Process. Learn and hopefully forgive and move on. Not quite a grain of salt but progress anyway.

Surviving the Storms: Real Ones

We were watching "Storm Stories" tonight and pictures were shown of the mobile home park in Andover, Kansas in the 90's when we lived in the area. We didn't live in the park but two ladies, Betty and ?, walked out of their homes with the clothes on their backs. That was the last they would see of their homes and their possessions. It was especially sad for Betty because she was a great seamstress and made all of her own things so they were really irreplaceable. They were from our church and walked over to other friends from the church. While they all sat in the basement of that home, the Mendoza's home above the basement was also carried away.
They were all thankful to be safe but 19 people did lose their lives.
Even though the tornado touched down within a mile or two of us, our main remembrance of it is crouching down under the couch in the basement of our tri-level house with our young kids at the time, wondering if we were better off there or under the shelf in the toy closet of the basement.
We weren't quite as fortunate when the hailstorm hit the Chilton to Manitowac area. Katie was returning from her Spring semester from college. She came home to see a home that looked like it had been fired upon by a BB gun all across the front. Our bay window and roof were destroyed and glass shattered throughout the house from all of our front windows. The roof was also shot (but we were going to need one soon anyway).
I was working at school about a half hour away when the sky got very dark and the storm hit. Tom and our little black Cocker, Sadie, headed to the basement. Sadie ran back up but Tom knew not to go up after her (She was fine.). I happened to be subbing for another teacher that afternoon when Tom called. I headed home as soon as possible but it took more than an hour as the police were keeping traffic to a minimum in the area.
A lot of people needed repairs but no one was hurt. Tom called Bob Berres, our friend in construction, right away which put us to the front of the list for repairs. Our insurance company was great, covering our damages well, even replacing the dining room floor, which had hidden glass that came to the surface and ruined it months later. Our friends from Kansas had given us a special clock when we moved to Wisconsin, and it hung without breaking in our living room where everything else had shattered, so we all thought that was great.
So we survived just fine. I think those were a lot easier than some of the emotional ones we have somehow endured:).