Advent Expectancy

"Blessed are those servants whom the master finds awake when he comes."

It is a delight to observe some of our grandchildren when they are here, expecting their cousins to come next. They keep checking the door and may even sit on the outside steps for a while or ask if they can go up to our bedroom to watch from an upstairs window. Their wait is active. 

So how does our waiting for Christ's coming compare? C.F. Blumhardt, tells us that for those who listen for His coming, a knock sounds over and over again. I understand it to come in different ways. It may come as an encouragement or an exhortation, but I can appreciate how he goes on to say that those who look for the truth in small matters will not go astray in big ones. In the end, we do not have to wait for something extra ordinary to do or to happen, but if we keep being faithful in the day to day small and practical things, we will be found by Him, faithful and ready, when He returns.

Then the righteous will answer him, "Lord, when did we see you  hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink: When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and to to visit you?" The king will reply, "Truly I tell you, whatever you did for  one of the least of these by brothers and sisters of mine you did for me." Matthew 25: 37-40

The Progressive Dinner

Generally I will not post about things we do with friends. 

In thinking about this now, 

I realize that we do not even take pictures of the some of the best times . . . 

times that re-charge and encourage us in the day to day things we call life.

So, it was with a bit of hesitation that I grabbed my camera 

as we left our house on Tuesday night.

Twice a month we meet up with a small church group called a pastorate (or Care Group)

 in one of our homes.

For this night we had planned a progressive dinner, 

for which four of us would be taking turns hosting at different times of the evening.

I'm sharing this because it really is such a fun way to divide up the meal and have a peek into each other's houses at this time of the year.

Why not get together a group of friends and try it?

Our first host and hostess had hot apple cider and a spread of appetizers 

ready for us on the kitchen island as we came in from the cold. 

We took a plate of tiny "yummies" and spread out in two different sitting rooms. 

The lights and candles flickering called for a comfort that made you want to stay, 

but before long we realized we'd have to move on in order to get more "meal".

At the next house, we helped ourselves to a delicious salad with bacon and mandarins, 

chatting it up in different groups around the living spaces all decked out for the season. 

So much fun, but my H and I had to rush off

 so we'd be at our place before everyone else got there.

Dinner was taken out of the oven and crockpots and served quite promptly . . . 

and I did not take any pictures of the German meal we had.

Our fourth and final stop welcomed us with a couple of beautiful trifles. 

Of course, they were not just beautiful but delicious!

We helped ourselves to coffee or tea and dessert

and enjoyed the one open living space together

wherever we could find a place to sit.

It seemed like no one wanted to leave . . .

but the reminder that this was the middle of the week

finally got us on our feet again.

All I can say it that it is such a privilege to be part of a group

in which we can look into God's Word and pray for each other.

This is just one of the blessings of the meaning of Christmas.

MCC Ribbon Cutting Ceremony

On Saturday our community was invited to the the grand opening and ribbon cutting of the new MCC Center with services that include a Thrift Shop, a Material Resource Center, a Ten Thousand Villages store and a Cafe.

The December rain did not seem to dampen the spirit of this long anticipated ceremony too much
 . . . as musicians tuned their instruments, dignitaries gave speeches

and guests huddled under tents.

After the dedication prayer and doxology, many people dispersed throughout the building 

to eat and to check out the new space.

As cookbooks authors, of which all royalties go to MCC projects, 

we were invited to sign books at the new Ten Thousand Villages.

TTV stores works as a non-profit arm of MCC in developing countries  

by promoting self reliance and dignity to workers in bringing their products to our markets. 

TTV is the oldest Fair Trade organization in North America. 

At this time of year it is beautifully set up for Christmas. 

Nativity scenes from around the world speak a beautiful global language.

as do artisan crafted accessories, jewelry, home decor and many other gift items.

It's always an honor to be part of something bigger than us 

and to realize that every person can give in some way.

Since its beginning in 1920, when the Mennonites needed help in the Ukraine,

MCC has sought to follow Christ's call to reach out to those 

who are hungry, ill, in prison or needing a country to call home.

Today MCC works in over 60 countries

providing basic human needs through the profits of thrift stores, free will donations

and the work of many volunteers.

The Season of Advent

In our home, growing up, Advent was mentioned with a sense of joyful anticipation of counting down the weeks before Christmas. The four Sundays before Christmas involved a candle being lit during the church service as a symbol of this waiting period.

The celebration of Advent is two fold in that we remember when the world was about to receive the Son of God as a baby just as today we await His return as Lord of Lords. The comparisons may be quite similar, as we realize that now, just as then, everything continues to go on as though nothing is happening. Not everyone is waiting. But for those who would behold, life is and never will be the same.

I was driving past a church when I caught the words on their reader board, "God is still waiting for an in." In a way that truth made me think  along the lines of something else I'd been reading, a reminder that when the inn had no room for Jesus, a humble stable became his home.

Last Christmas a friend gave me a little book on Advent readings put together by a number of Christian writers. In the first pages, J.B. Philips points out how few were aware of this miraculous birth into an apparently invincible Empire, one that ended up utterly collapsing into ruins.Yet, the baby born in obscurity and crucified on a cross has won the allegiance of millions all over the world.

His chapter concludes with the words, "God has been here once historically but . . . he will come again with the same silence and the same devastating humility into any human heart ready to receive him.

This to me is Advent. Preparing my heart. Thankful that He is willing to make His home in a not so perfect place today just as on that night long ago. . . bringing hope and life anew.

Perishky Class with Birthday Oma

Later this month my mom will be turning 80 years old.

 I can hardly believe it myself!

In honor of her special day, her grandchildren planned an early party -

a taco dinner at the lakehouse.

Upon arrival they found out the well pump was broken 

so they all ended up at Abe's house next door, 

where mom probably feels more at home now anyways.

I visited the party via pictures that Shaun took and saw how pretty the table was prepared.

It looks wonderful! 

And just as they had to show their Oma how to eat tacos,

she was told that the after dinner activity would entail 

a surprise Perishky-making class taught by her.

From my guess this picture shows her reaction.

All the supplies were brought along.
I sent along five batches of ready made pastry to help speed the process.

The lesson began with how to cut up the fruit and how to mix a batch of dough.

Next, everyone got a piece of pre-made pastry to roll out.

Looking through the photos I had to smile at how I could reiterate her words.

I'm sure she is explaining how the dough has to be shaped into a square 

in order to roll it into a square.

And the rolling began.

Here she is correcting/helping someone get it square.

 Next, the rolled out pastry got cut into smaller squares 

and she demonstrated the filling and pinching.

Love this!

Adding the sugar/cornstarch/flour mix.

And pinching them closed.

I was surprised they opted for these finicky small pockets,

as opposed to the long ones that we call pie-by-the-yard.

But they did well.

This photo, and others like it, also made me laugh. 

For one whose vision is poor, she could see quite well

when she saw a Perishky that was not pinched correctly.

The sheets were filled

and ovens in both houses were used

to keep up.

It was a night that I'm sure everyone, who was there, will remember for a long time.

And those who could not be there were missed!

Thank you, Kristal, for taking on the role of "eldest granddaughter"

(in the absence of Julene) and planning this memorable evening!

The first glimpses I saw, for some reason, brought tears to my eyes,

Thank you, Shaun for the photos -

too bad you did not get into any of them.

Thank you to my nieces and nephews for honoring Oma in this way.

My guess is that  this family recipe will not die off too soon.

House for Sale

The for sale sign beckoned you to look

at this family home 

obviously cared for over the years.

Curb appeal was good,

you'd never guess why the sign was put up.

Treading respectfully in rooms, 

with evidence of stored up memories, 

one could not help but notice 

a long time ago cupboards were painted fresh

cute family mottoes were hung on walls

with photos of happy times.

But on this day the signs of this family life

to a certain observer

somehow faded into a new reality,

seeing what was left untouched.

Maybe it was more of a feeling,

a sense of  emptiness and neglect

as tough the spirit had given up.

The heart of the home was gone.

The house might be for sale and be redeemed

but the broken up family

what will their future hold?

How does one decide the "better" 

when the "worse" has come about?

The question touched a spot way deep within

from a memory of long ago.

The years will go by,

the children may grab the memories 

or maybe they won't.

Life will have its twists and turns with

new opportunities and new resolutions, but
the question that lingers wonders about the price
 that was paid to sell this home.