And so this was Christmas

I'm sitting here reminiscing about the strange Christmas we had, dropping off gifts and Christmas dinner at our kids' doors. 

Jack was wondering when they would be coming to our house and daddy reminded him that they couldn't because ... remember? The sickness. 

That is something that will stay with me. He's turning four this coming week and it makes me sad that in his wonderful innocent three-year stage he's had to deal with this.

We got to see the Sawyers with Shaun's mom staying there.

She lost her dear husband three months ago and came up from CA to be with her only immediate family.

We, of course, had Tehya with us! 

About mid afternoon we all logged into zoom, for which

our Indonesia family joined us as well,

bringing in some familiar aspect to this gathering.

The kids did a bit of show and tell for us,

as well as some recitings

and something to make us laugh.

We set out on the routine we have ... opening gifts from youngest to oldest.

Then we took  a break to have our dinner and came back for the adults to open gifts,

of which Kari won the prize for being the most enthusiastic!

It is always a joy to watch her open a gift!

She could give lessons on how to show appreciation for every small detail.

It was good to see each family comfortable in their homes,

making the best of this time.

We lack nothing and we are well.

If nothing else, this Christmas has shown us that the very reason we celebrate 

cannot be taken away. 

The world Jesus was born into was dark, 

waiting for salvation from fractions and oppression.

Mary and Joseph were alone because of a Census,

no family to be with ...

yet God chose these events to bring about 

"good tidings of great joy,

which shall be for all people."

Christmas is still good news! 

First Christmas in this House

Although our first Christmas in this house is not at all what I had imagined,

I have been surprised by how I've still enjoyed preparing our home,

even if just for ourselves.

However, if I share some here, I guess it's not just for ourselves anymore.

And if this looks confusing,  we did put up two trees!

When we put up this tall artificial one in November 

I did not expect that the dining room would not be used this Christmas.

Something that has given me cause for some sadness,

while at the same time, having to remind myself that

we had Thanksgiving,

and to be extra thankful for that! 

I have loved working in my kitchen,

and have had many opportunities to touch base with loved ones

through drop off treats ...

whether is was games, puzzles, cookies,

cookie dough or crafts to make. 

And, since last Thursday,

Tehya has moved in to spend her Christmas break with us! 

This girl, who has brought so much joy into our lives,

is a constant reminder to me of how quickly time passes

and not to take the moments for granted.

Eighteen years ago I was so happy and content to hold her in my arms

and, in what seems like almost no time,

Papa's teaching her to drive,

I'm teaching her how to glaze cookies

and she's teaching us how to make use of our smart house

and Siri functions. 

I'm realizing that things are different in many ways,

but not in the ways that really matter.

We are learning that Christmas is not just about getting together,

it is not just about traditions -

it is about entrusting our lives to the One who 

knew we needed a Savior to save us from certain death,

One who showed us grace, mercy, and love ...

which is what Christmas is about. 

How much more than at this time

do we realize we need help,

we need good news,

and we have it in a long ago story -

still relevant for today.

Wishing you that joy and peace.

♥️♥️♥️

December Days

I find it hard to believe that we've come to the last month of the year

and still we are dealing with "the sickness" as Jack calls it.

I asked him on this walk if he had seen his cousins' new puppies,

and he said, "I saw a picture, but not the puppies ... 'cause, you know... the sickness." 

He did not realize how special it was to me that we could spend some time together

and that I got to hear him talk. 

 We all know that these kind of sights are few and far between these days, 

so we enjoy the moments, not knowing when the next will be.

We took the kids along to choose and cut down a tree. 

It turned into somewhat of a hike, but wonderful ...

skirting around puddles on the path, sloshing through tall grasses,

the carrying of the saw and the tree, and the view coming down.

In these days, where this kind of contact is not normal,

I am so grateful for windows of time that appear normal.

Times when we can remember what life should be like.

Our kids gave us this.  A gift. 

Our first Christmas in this house may not be as we envisioned, 

but I'm so thankful that we can still make new memories

built around more quiet times and less rushing about.

Maybe this will be the year where everything is not just a blur

trying to get in on so much! 

So, in the midst of being forced to slow down, 

rather than stewing about the inconveniences,

I wish to know  and share the peace 

that comes from knowing that nothing can separate us

from the love of God, in the baby born in a manger. 

🤍🤍🤍

 

Tea Party in a Box

 I'm going back now to the week that our kids left for Indonesia.

With new restrictions, plans for that week got changed again and again,

as we tried to figure out how to say our family goodbyes.

One of them, being a surprise cousin tea party for Makenna.

I decided to put together the ingredients needed

and send them along for a party with her friends overseas.

It was actually a lot of fun, given the initial disappointment, especially when I realized that her friends there had never had such a party. I had a large tin box. Inside I put three teacups with wrapped cookies tucked into the inverted cups, tea and sugar cubes.

For a craft, I bagged dried flowers and pine cones etc. from our garden.

Two different combinations, one woodsy and one floral.

Also, essential oils to enhance the scent and small organza sacs.

I did a practice run of what they could create.

It all fit into the tin like it was made for exactly that. 

The note included a recipe for scones and ideas for tiny sandwiches.

We both teared up when I handed it to her,

realizing that out of an initial disappointment,

something maybe even better had come about. 

Coming Full Circle

Looking at them as we made our way to the gate and last farewell,

it looked like they were ready to go once more as a family of five,

Tehya carrying someone's carry-on on her back,

willing herself to let her family go.

I felt a subtle shift I can't quite put into words,

my daughter being the mother -

in the goodbye that spans the ocean.

Of course a mother can't forget

the feeling that seems like it will be forever,

so it came as a surprise to me that 

life has truly come full circle.

Tehya came home with us.

She and Papa cleaned up leaves and then put up lights.

On Sunday we went for a hike in the rain.

It's so surreal to me that the toddler we left at the gate in 2004

is now a young lady,

adventurous, confident, thoughtful, beautiful

and she's happy to spend time with us.

I keep saying it, like I'm surprised,

She knows us!

Even with the passing of time,

this college girl will keep us young

as much as she loves that we are old,

a paradox of sorts.

We love this girl who made us Papa and Grammy.

 

Wrapping up our Family Time

The corona virus has thrown us all into an ocean of oncoming waves, paralleling our emotions. Earlier this year it called for people to return to their home country. This is what brought our Indonesia family home at the end of March,  We prepared a place for them to quarantine and waved to them as they drove up with a truck that had been left at the airport for their use. A strange welcome home.

Spring time had us learning new ways to communicate. There was the first zoom meeting, the delivery of Easter baskets to each home, gathering around the fire pit in family units. Mother's Day came around and we thought we may be almost through this time. My best gifts were hugs from my family in just another outdoor setting.

As time moved on we had one of the best summers!  With several family members working together, we had a lot of contact with each other anyways, so our home was a good meeting place - I can say it has been well initiated! Chris and Paeton had numerous projects going here, including a pickle ball court, a skateboard ramp and a tree house. Never before have all of our families lived so close to us for such an extended time and we made the most of it. I truly have many times felt like I was surfing the crest of a beautiful wave, enjoying one day at a time.

The highlight was that we could end our time together with a Thanksgiving meal, all at one table. We did not know at the time that the visas were on their way and that rules for getting together would also be changing. Yes, this farewell week is reminiscent of early spring, yet with hearts full of so many memories. By now we all understand that the call for our missionary family to return is embedded in their being and it's only right to keep doing what we can, some of us giving, some of us going.

I'd like to think that one day we will think of this year as standing out in a unique way, one of being creative and intentional even in our masks, awkward waves and bubbles. I want my grandchildren to remember that special days were not forgotten. A drive by birthday parade, cookies or meals at the door, backyard parties or tea party ingredients packaged in a box ... for all the ways we found replacements for plans that had to be changed and for all the ways that love found a way, I am most thankful and blessed!