A Christmas Eve Visit From An Old Friend

Today, of all days, I was surprised by a visit from an old friend. I don't see her very often in a year's time. July was when we last got together. A visit was way overdue. So overdue that I was almost embarrassed to show my face. I wanted to see her , but I certainly didn't expect to on Christmas Eve, as hectic as things are. She knew, though, that we are leaving tomorrow night for our trip and needed to touch base before I left- she had a special little something for me.
Normally, she doesn't give what I would call a gift. She always drops by just to make me feel a little better about myself. I admire how she is always thinking of others. She is one of those treasured kinds of friends that you don't have to be in contact with often, but when you meet, you can pick up right where you left off. Thank goodness she is not one of those high maintenence types. I'm too busy for one of those. Obviously she is not demanding of a friend's time. She is so patient that she even waited thirty minutes for me to play a game of Tri-Ominos with Alex after she arrived.
I was glad when she stayed a little longer today, because we had a lot to cover since we've been apart so long. She doesn't complain about her husband, children, or job. In fact, she gives to others all the time and never receives a thing in return. I could learn a lesson from her.
Jeff doesn't even mind to see her coming because he knows she won't take much of my limited time and I'll shine a little more than before she arrived. He knows she does something for my countenance. I think he secretly appreciates her, too.
By now, some of you may wondering who this unbelievably giving, loyal and perfect friend is. You may know her, or least have a friend just like her. I'll tell you her name . . .Miss Clairol. The special little something she had for me . . . a rich, dark Truffle. Most appropriate for the holidays- don't you agree?

"It's that time of year when the world falls in love . . . "
These words from the Christmas Waltz make for a nice gesture in a song sung for one month during the year, but whoever wrote that song was not in my house tonight. We are just four days into the "official" Christmas break, however, we had the pleasure of three snow days last week, followed by only a half-day of school on Friday to end the semester. So even though it's day four, it's more like day eight and there's a line from It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas which is more appropriate for our family.
" . . .and Mom and Dad can hardly wait for school to start again." My children normally get along very well, but they are on each other's last nerves. Alex has done nothing (and I do mean nothing- not even played a video game) but follow his sister around pestering her. Right now he is nursing a loose, permanent tooth from the latest wrestling match held in her room, which he locked her out of so that he could watch a movie that he is not the least bit interested in. Needless to say, there is no falling in love in the Wheeler world tonight.
In his defense, Alex was supposed to have two basketball games tonight, which were canceled due to the weather. He is pretty bummed about it. On top of that he is beside himself about opening gifts tomorrow night and Christmas morning. Even beyond that, he is becoming quite excited about our upcoming trip to Colorado. He isn't old enough to be in our church youth group, but we are stowing him away. He will get to be with a lot of kids from church that he really admires and enjoys. Who could blame the kid for being pumped?
I can't say that I can blame him for being worked up. Jeff and I have gone on this Colorado trip with our church youth group, but it has been a while. The last time we helped sponsor, Rachel was one and a half. It was a great time (especially for Rachel), but we told the youth minister we would wait until Rachel was in youth before we would go again. Now it is twelve years later (How did that happen?) and Steve is holding us to our word. I am excited and yet a bit nervous. The last time we went, we were still clinging to our twenties and I didn't have a teenage daughter. My perspective on what is fun may be slightly different on this trip. I am praying for the energy and patience I will need on this trip as well as the ability to let loose and have fun. Please feel free to pray for me (and all those involved) as well.
We will be giving a full report when we return. Hopefully a good dose of fresh mountain air and activity is all we need to feel the love in our home again! Obviously Rachel will be experiencing some serious blogging withdrawal as she will not have access to the Internet for five whole days. Look out when she returns because she will have some pictures to download and tons of information to relay!
Thank you for praying for us and I hope there is some love in your household during the Christmas break!

God Bless Them, Every One

What is your favorite part of Christmas? Is it the decorating, food, music, family and friend get-togethers or surprising your favorite children with something you know they have been dreaming of? I love all of these special traditions, but feel guilty when I begin to stress over any of these things that are so temporary in the scheme of life. As Rachel and I were ringing the bell Saturday for the Salvation Army, I began to understand what my favorite part of Christmas is.

The wind was blowing and a few snowflakes falling, Saturday afternoon, as the temperature made its way below freezing. Some of the people coming in and out of the store were people we knew, but many were strangers. There were so many smiles and greetings. There were even people thanking us for being willing to stand for an hour. I don't know if it was because it was cold, or because I had my little girl, whose smile brings dimples, with me or because they were simply giving, but there were few who passed by us without filling the bucket. I prefer to think they were just generous. This brings me to what I realize is my favorite part of Christmas. I love what it does to people. Somehow it changes most people. We like to give. We like to show appreciation. We like to show those who are closest to us how much we love them. Despite the fact that all too often we are caught up in the "trappings" of Christmas, deep down we all know that the best gifts we give and receive have eternal meaning. Spending time with loved ones, saying a word of encouragement or thanks, praying for each other or sharing an act of kindness are always the most meaningful gifts. Christmas seems to be a natural time to do these things because we are reminded that Jesus specifically came to give us an eternal gift. He came to save us from our sin, but also to change us to be like Him. He came to be with us, to encourage us, pray for us, and to provide for us. When I see people carrying out these same actions, it makes me warm inside even if it is freezing outside.

Procrastination, It's Making Me Wait

Jeff and I are at home alone. The kids went to dinner and a high school basketball game with their grandfather. We had frozen pizza. Does this somehow seem wrong? Being at home alone is great- it doesn't happen very often. Frozen pizza isn't even all that bad- I didn't have to make a mess in the kitchen and I could have the toppings I like. I guess what is wrong is that it's one week until Christmas. I could be finishing the gifts I need to take to school tomorrow. I could be wrapping the kids' gifts while they are gone. I could do the annual baking for our friends' gift baskets. After all, I have had three days to work on all of this while we were out of school. (By the way, Alex did receive his wish and we were out today, also.) I could even be preparing for our trip to Colorado which is after Christmas. But sadly, I am not. I am here blogging and once again putting off what I know that I should be doing. Anyone who knows me, knows that I am a terrible procrastinator. I've been a dawdler for at least three decades now. I have been seriously honing my craft for the past twenty. I have learned that I can postpone my work, but make it look as if I am actually doing something meaningful and productive. Let me share a couple of my favorite ways of procrastinating with you. (All of these tactics have even been used in the past 72 hours. I must continually use these skills at the risk of losing my touch.)

Technique # 1: Making lists.
This may actually be my all time favorite way of putting off some vital task. It does look like I am doing something, I am doing something constructive, and I don't need to physically exert myself. List making is a guilt free way of dilly-dallying.
Technique #2: Looking through cookbooks for a recipe.
This one is great when you have a big block of time. If you have enough cookbooks, this could actually kill a couple of hours. You can receive double the pleasure (and time wasted) if you are actually going to prepare any of the recipes, because you can then also make a list of necessary ingredients!
Technique #3: Blogging.
Obviously I have only just begun using this approach - actually only in the past three days while we have been out of school and I could have been accomplishing the many tasks on my to do list. Now, isn't that a coincidence? Maybe this blogging thing really is for me. Rachel and Mom have been trying to convince me to do this for months . . . but I've been putting it off. If I had only known!

Well, I think I can hear a car pulling up in the drive. I've got to go . . . Alex's teacher's gift needs to be wrapped, I have some brownies to bake and bows to make. There are caramel apples to drizzle with chocolate and dipped pretzel rods to wrap in cellophane and a kitchen to clean. But first, I am going to make a list of all the last minute gifts I need to pick up in Springfield tomorrow. Have a great evening everyone!

The following is a newsletter that we received from www.familylife.com . I enjoyed it so much that I wanted to share it with all of you. I wanted to to have a link for you in the sidebar, but I could never figure out a way to make that work, so Jeff just copied it for you.

December 15, 2008
"O Come, O Come Immanuel"
By Dave Boehi
The music of Christmas is one of my favorite parts of the season. I listen to CDs with Christmas music in all kinds of styles—jazz, piano, harp, bluegrass, big band, classical. I’ve got everything from “Christmas In the Mood” to “A Music Box Christmas” to “White Christmas” with Martina McBride.
While driving to work today, I found myself absorbed in the old hymn, “O Come, O Come Immanuel.” For some reason I thought, These are words that people need to hear today.
At a time of economic uncertainty and rising religious tension—and a time when many marriages and families are feeling the impact of these events—the words of this song speak of hope and joy:
O come, O come Immanuel and ransom captive Israel who mourns in lonely exile here until the Son of God appear
Rejoice, rejoice, Immanuel shall come to thee, O Israel
I’ve been thinking about the phrase, “…and ransom captive Israel, who mourns in lonely exile here …” When Jesus was born, God’s people literally lived in captivity—they were ruled by the Romans, and they were hoping for a Savior to free them. They wanted relief from their physical suffering.
And yet their captivity and exile was spiritual as well, for they had gone 400 years without hearing from God through prophets or through inspired Scripture. They were not experiencing the blessings of God’s guidance, provision, and presence.
So I find it interesting that, when Immanuel (which means “God with us”) finally did appear, He came as a baby born in lowly circumstances to a poor family. Jesus lived His entire life under the rule of an ungodly and despotic foreign power. And during His public ministry He focused on setting the people of Israel free from spiritual exile rather than physical captivity.
We are like Israel, in that we think our biggest problems are in the physical realm. On a big level, we want relief from economic hardship and terrorism. In our daily lives, we want relief from conflict with a spouse … from problems in raising children … from relational difficulties with parents or siblings or cousins … from an oppressive employer, or a hostile co-worker.
Yet our biggest problems are actually spiritual in nature. In a sense, we all mourn “in lonely exile” when we are not connected to God, when He is not “with us.”
Jesus did not come to liberate us from suffering, but to free our spirits as we go through the suffering that is part of life. He makes it possible for us to connect with God—to know Him personally. For those who have received Christ as Lord and Savior, the Holy Spirit lives within them to guide, comfort, and strengthen them, no matter what their circumstances.
Think of the people you know who have experienced trials and suffering over the last year. People who have lost loved ones, or felt betrayed by a spouse or someone they trusted, or experienced significant sickness or injury. Think of the suffering or heartache you’ve faced.
Aren’t you glad you have a Savior who experienced the same hardships, and suffered so that we could know God?
That’s why we should rejoice at Christmas time. It reminds us of Immanuel, the God who is with us.
Rejoice, rejoice, Immanuelshall come to thee, O Israel.
© Copyright 2008 by FamilyLife. All rights reserved.

At the Starting Line

"The Race is On".
"Between whom?"
"That's your life."
"Isn't that the truth."
This was the conversation between my husband and me when we were trying to select a name for our blog. It is a perfect title for people with an active teenager, an active tween, family living nearby, many good friends, a business, a teaching job, and responsibilities in our beloved church. With all of the craziness that comes with our race, we feel we are the most blessed of all.
This title seems even more appropriate because of the impression II Timothy 4:7 has recently made on my heart. The scripture reads, "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith." I hope and pray that I am living my life in a way that it will be said that I started, ran, and finished my race in faith. If you have ever run in a physical race, you know how important the beginning of the race is, but if you have a great start and don't finish, what good is it? A person's Christian walk is the same. Sometimes we would like to have the prize without all of the training, work and difficulties. Isn't there something special, though, in the feeling you get when you have endured and finished--whether a race, a project around the house, or even washing ten loads of laundry in a day? How much greater the joy when we endure trials in our lives and still know that God loves us and is faithfully following through on the plans He has for each of us. During this Christmas season my prayer is that we will each run our races with perseverance during the next year.
We will be sharing parts of our race with you on this spot. We have enjoyed keeping up with our family through blogging and have Jennie and Rachel to thank for that! I can't promise that I will be as faithful at writing as Rachel, but I am looking forward to sharing with you.
May God bless your Christmastime with family and friends!