My Little Builder Man

Christmas break was a beautiful new experience for us to have Tehya stay with us,

observing on a day to day basis what a special young lady she has become. 

A couple of days after she moved back to her dorm,

I picked Jack up at pre-school and we had a few hours alone.

The feelings in the switch from oldest to youngest 

fill my heart yet again

with poignant awareness to seize the moments we have. 

Conversations are precious.

I love seeing how he organizes his thoughts and

how practical he is in his talk and play.

He seems to be okay with predictability.

Just as I am. ...

because that is how he will remember. 

We baked buns, read, made pancakes and played.

I see sweet glimpses of a mom whom he adores,

one who makes him feel special and free to make others laugh,

with obvious tendencies to want to be just like his dad.

I see both building into his life,

daily small things, time spent talking, playing and teaching -

qualities to define

the true measure of the man he will become.

For the New Year

Look at the birds of the air; 

they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, 

and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. 

Are you not much more valuable than they?

 Matthew 6:25,26

Perfect Snow Days

Much to all of our delight, snow fell on December 21.

We had one very excited girl here, sitting by the window and watching ...

asking how deep the snow has to be to build a snowman.

And the girl from Indonesia built her snowman.

A week later we headed to Manning Provincial Park to try some snow shoeing.

Last year's Christmas gifts, still new. 

One cannot help but feel awestruck 

by the beautiful trails meandering underneath tall, snow laden evergreens.

My feet and hands kept warm with disposable heat packs,

and that made me very happy.

Snow shoeing is actually very easy. You just walk like a duck. 

We loved all of it ... snow flakes softly falling, walking, hiking, sliding and a picnic in the snow.

It is so much fun to be the ones to see Tehya's joy in these new experiences. 

Time and again, she mentions how much she loves the different seasons here. 

Of course, unbeknownst to her, 

in my mind's eye I still see the little girl in my arms

18 years ago ... holding on to that moment then,

but holding on now with the knowledge that seasons of life are beautiful as well! 

 

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. 

🤍🤍🤍