Perceptions

One of the most satisfying elements of blogging has been to find a way to express my feelings about things I see around me. It has given me more reason to make the moments count, to find good in the mundane average day to day things and to appreciate the blessings that have been poured out on me.

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I love the fact that someday my grandchildren may look at the things we did and see my perspective on them as they were growing up. In these pages they will find some history, some things to laugh at, things I enjoy and more about my faith.
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For the reasons above, I could make it a private blog. However, I also have had reasons to keep it public. When I meet readers who tell me that they are encouraged by my posts, I feel blessed to be able to do that. I also feel a sense of unworthiness to be paid such a compliment, because I’m just a normal person who happens to have time to write.

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This brings me to that nagging question brought on by a recent comment. I feel somewhat like Anne of Green Gables in the scene where she has to apologize to Marilla after Marilla has said some nasty things to her. I wonder . . . how does a person judge someone by having seen them somewhere and then, on that basis, disclaim everything she has written for the past two years? I guess it can happen.

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I’ve looked in the mirror. What do I look like? It's just plain old me . . . getting older. My eyelids are starting to give me a serene look. I have a long nose - always wished for a cute one. Does my haircut make me look snobby? Would I look more approachable if I wore a messy ponytail? What is it that makes a person look like a “Yes” person or a “No” person . . . someone you can easily approach and work with . . . or someone who is difficult to know or get along with. How do I look to people who only see me and never interact with me?
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Maybe blogging has been a way for me to seem more outgoing. It’s a place where it does not matter if I can’t immediately find the right words, a place where I can delete and restate what I really want to say, without stumbling over my words. It’s a way of public speaking without having to get up in front.
Having said that, I easily forget that is exactly what I am doing and people are watching me. They may pass me in the grocery isle or in a church and see a woman who is oblivious to them, because I don’t even know that they know something about me.
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And so I have set myself up. I have a choice to make and I will choose to grow by it. I’m not a tough duck - letting the water slide over my wings type of gal, who will shove this kind of comment under the rug. I want to learn to put on a “yes” face for people I do not know and not allow my insecurities to come across as not having the time of day for them.

I will continue to be real in my posts without dwelling on the negative and bringing up trash. My wish is to speak of things that edify and shine a light on the path before us. May God help us to be quick to listen, slow to speak and especially slow to judge.

Prayer for the New Year

I was reading in the Old Testament how God led His people through the desert by a cloud.
“Whether the cloud stayed over the tabernacle for two days or a month or a year, the Israelites would remain in camp and not set out, but when it lifted, they would set out. At the Lords’ command they encamped and at the Lord’s command they set out.” Numbers 9: 22,23

Today we do not have a lit up cloud to guide our path . . . in fact, sometimes it may seem like clouds dim our view . . . but we have God’s written Word to light our way . . . and we have access to His leading through prayer.

It is my prayer that I will listen and hear God’s voice . . . as expressed in Psalm 25:4,5

“Show me your ways, O Lord,
teach me your paths:
guide me in your truth and teach me,
for you are God my Savior
and my hope is in you all day long.

Remind me, dear Lord, that I can ask more often. I can ask before worrying or fretting . . . because you delight in giving to those who ask. And when you ask me to sit a while and wait . . . whether it be day a or two or a year or two, remind me that You see way ahead of me. I can trust your faithfulness.

The Year in Review

My little helpers left this morning . . . leaving the house feeling cold and empty. I think we’ll have to light a log in the fireplace today. The past few days I’ve seen again how children wake up to face each day like it’s a new adventure . . . joining Papa at his exercise bench first thing in the morning . . . excited about waffles with yummy sauce and later Grammy squished into the playhouse, pretending to drink coffee.

Just as they were heading out the door, Natalie suddenly had to run downstairs to find a little something . . . like a souvenir from amongst the toys strewn about. A small leather box with a lid and then a few treasures tucked inside . . . that’s what she took.

I understood. It’s what I feel like at the end of this year . . I don’t want to leave it all behind just yet, Maybe I can find a box and tuck in some special memories to take into the new year.

It has been a very good year! A year full of blessings I can’t take for granted. Going through my photos in my Picasa . . . my mind went back to the highs of the year, sometimes almost tumbling over each other. I remember now . . . one thing I was going to do this year was to count the number of airport visits . . . to pick up, drop off, leave from or come home to. I forgot to do that.

The year began with the anticipation of our first “local” grandchild to be born. Lacey Danielle was born on January 14. What fun it has been to watch her grow this past year.

In February . . . how can we forget the long awaited Winter 2010 Olympics finally upon us? My H had the privilege to be involved in some of the set up for the opening and closing ceremonies. We enjoyed a visit downtown with Shaun and Kristal as they had come home to see their new niece.

At the end of February and into March, we visited Chris and Julene in Indonesia.

One highlight of the trip was the River Boat ride to see the orangutans.

In April we spent some time in Palm Springs. A highlight was the hike in the Indian Canyon.

In May we began decisions on what the Mennonite Girls Can Cook cookbook would look like.

In May we also visited Shaun and Kristal in their new home and place of employment in Colorado.

In June . . . Chris and Julene came home via Los Angeles . . . so we all met in Disneyland for one weekend. This was the only time we had the whole family together this year and we made every moment count.

Chris and Julene spent the summer months in the valley and on the island. We had lots of time together around the patio table, picnics, celebrating birthdays, a gondola ride at Whistler, and playing at the park.

At the end of August the Mennonite Girls Can Cook met for our first retreat ever. All summer long we were busy cooking, practicing food presentation to photograph and editing recipes.

In September we flew down to CO again and welcomed baby Koen to the family!

In October we celebrated our 35th Wedding Anniversary.

In November I was happy to stay home, watch the falling snow and prepare for Christmas.

December came along, almost too quickly. It’s been a month of giving and taking . . . ending with a wonderful time at home with kids and grands. As always . . . I cherish the times we could spend around the table. In this photo Lacey and her uncle Shaun are checking each other out instead of looking at the camera . . . and that's how it goes.

My box is filled with wonderful treasures!

Simple Pleasures of the Day

Buns with strawberry jam for breakfast . . .
Forklift rides at Papa's place of work . . . and drawing pictures at his desk.
Lunch at Lacey's house . . .

Reading stories while the nail polish dried . . .

Playing pool (a.k.a. bowling)

Playing in the basement playhouse . . .

Eating apple slices while making apple pie . . .

Setting the table with "Chrismus" Napkins . . .

A breathtaking early evening skyline . . .

Sitting in the hot tub in the dark with twinkly lights on . . .

Telling stories about when Grammy was a little girl.

Still Wonderful!

These days don't lend themselves to spending time blogging . . . so I will just show proof that they are really here. The gifts are opened . . . little cars and doll shoes may be found tucked in between sofa cushions . . . the pool table has become a bowling alley . . . the playhouse is turned upside down . . . old story books are littered over the floor . . . food is disappearing faster than it's being made . . . and we are getting some almost uninterrupted time to watch a movie. It's all like it's supposed to be! We are making memories.

Christmas Eve

It’s Christmas Eve. The night when all things are possible. There’s a sigh of relief, as the shopping is finished. People leave their work wishing each other well. Dad comes home with treats from the office. The house is clean. The tree has never looked so pretty. Carefully wrapped gifts hold all that the kids imagine and only things that fit perfectly.

Christmas music befits the night. Joy to the world! Silent Night, Holy night. Candles are lit. Hearts are open to receive and believe the best. It’s a night of good news . . . a temporary truce upheld . . . in the fields and in our homes.

For a precious little moment on the calendar we see glimpses of another world. Neighbors take time to greet each other, the newspaper publishes good news, sons call from far away, a meal is served to the homeless, there’s time to burst forth in carols and Jesus gets the glory.

It’s a night I wish could go on forever. And then I remember . . . something He said.
“The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight to the blind, to release the oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.” Luke 4:18.19

So, on this Holy Night, I wish you the joy and peace that the angles proclaimed and Lord’s favor as you seek Him just like the wise men did.