Christmas 2020

 Here it is, the day after Christmas and I'm scrolling through all my friends and family's Christmas photos and holiday wishes. I'm noticing all the beautifully decorated homes and living rooms full of presents. I begin to think about our Christmas, our year, our life...

We have an unusual Christmas tradition of going to the movie theater on Christmas day. It began many years back when our middle child, Tiffany, was spending some time in a State Hospital. Tiffany dealt with a rare disease (San Filippo Syndrome, Type-A). She went through several stages which ranged from extreme hyper-activity, ability to survive on 2 hours of sleep each night, Pica (a compulsive eating disorder in which one eats nonfood items... plants, paper, nails...), all the way down to eventual immobility and loss of major organ functions. It was during the "Non-sleeping" period of her life that we required extra assistance with her. On Christmas day, our little family would drive to Porterville and pick Tiffers up for the day. The only thing open was the movie theater and McDonalds. Since both of those were two of her most favorite places to go, that would be our family Christmas. Tiffany has been gone for 6 years now, but the tradition continues (minus McDonalds, lol).

I noticed our decorations were sparse. Jeff and I moved right before the holidays, so our focus was on "fixing" rather than "decorating" our new accommodations. We are fortunate enough to live in a community which is very festive, so we enjoyed our neighbor's decorations and the holiday golf-cart parade that puttered past our home just before Christmas Eve.

Another thing that has changed over the years is the pile of presents under our tree. As our Christmas tree grew smaller, so did the number of gifts under it. Jeff and I only exchange a few items. We find it more fun to spend our money on adventure. It seems our kids have similar lifestyles, so often times we "adventure" together instead of exchanging a bunch of gifts. It was fun to look back on the entire year and see how "gift giving" has been an ongoing practice. It usually appears as meeting the need of a friend, encouraging those around us, and simply "cheer-leading" those we love. Life has definitely become much simpler and a lot less commercial.

This was a strange year for everyone, given the current COVID-19 epidemic. Last Christmas season, a strange sickness (we didn't know about COVID yet) ran through the church I worked at, infecting most of us who did life together. We were all sicker than we'd ever been, but still we moved forward. My father-in-law was down with pneumonia recently, but tested "clean" for COVID. Other than that, we've been most fortunate in the health category. Our prayers have been with those less fortunate. 

We live in Florida, so our living situation has faired so much better than most states. Most everything here is open with very few restrictions. We've become accustomed to masks and social distancing, but we've managed to avoid the "lock-down" many of those we love are experiencing. We even managed to enjoy the beautiful California wedding of our daughter to our housemate, Jimmy. We had to get very creative to accomplish this, but it was one of the more beautiful events I have ever had the pleasure to attend.

All in all this has been a different kind of year. As I get older, my life changes. I think I like the way it's morphing. I'm glad we celebrate tradition, but we are always open to new adventures. I love getting gifts, but I'm certainly enjoying helping others more. I take way more time to laugh than I do getting stuck in a puddle of tears. I am truly blessed, but I also make sure it's the blessings I focus on and not the short-comings. 

This week, my husband and I will set aside some time to come up with a few dreams and goals for next year. We set them loosely. One thing we have learned from our life is that everything can change at any moment, however, if you have nothing to look forward to, you never know if you're accomplishing anything. One thing we will always do, as individuals and as a family, is to "celebrate everything." So from our house to yours... Happy Adventures to you and plan to enjoy this coming new year!

Enjoy the Journey

This is a very special week for our family. My youngest daughter will marry her best friend on Saturday. We’ve spent months planning and preparing. The big event is days away. Every young bride has hopes and dreams she invests into this moment of her life. My constant prayer for my daughter is that she will enjoy the journey, before and after the wedding, so that her joy may be full. 

I heard the word “ecclesia” yesterday. I had never heard it used before, with the exception of the elongated version in the Bible, Ecclesiastes. What does it mean? It can mean one of two things: 1) A political assembly of citizens. 2) The members of a church. Now that I know the meaning of this strange word, I wanted to re-read Solomon’s opening thoughts as his mind and emotions collided with the following realization… What’s the point of getting everything you want?  Where does that leave you?

So as not to derail you from your journey-to-the-goal track, let me expand on my epiphany. Creating a dream destination isn’t the problem. The problem presents itself as you near the “end game” and you realize that it’s all about to be over. It’s like coming to the end of a very good book. What now? What’s next? I see it like a hamster on a wheel that suddenly stops. No one likes the jolt of a dead end.

We’re nearing a national election in which both definitions of ecclesia will be participating. The tight-rope between politics and church will be stretched to the point that no one can let go without causing everyone to crash in the mud. Our focus has been distorted by the “end game.” We have lost sight of the journey before and after the vote. We have lost sight of the fact that we’re all on the same team… as American citizens.

Many years ago, I remember an election in which the man I voted for lost. I had been sure he was the right person to lead because he lined up with my spiritual and moral plumb line. I was devastated by the results of the election. The next morning the sun came up and shown as it always did. The people got up and went to work as they had before. America survived and life went on. This year, rather than praying for a particular candidate to win, I’ve been asking God how to pray for each candidate. What does each man need during this stressful journey he is on? How can I intercede so that the tension of the tugging and pulling, as seen in ads and debates, can give way to using the rope for more constructive purposes? What is God doing in America and who is the right person for this time in His plan? If God can use Pharaoh to bring about liberty for the Israelites, what other kinds of secret plans does He have in mind for us? How can I participate in America’s journey before and after the election? How can I side with unity rather than division? The questions go on and on.

For today, I will look forward to the exciting week set before me. I will celebrate the moment I am in and rise higher to see what lies after each event. I will remember who I put my trust in and I will look for new and creative ways to love those around me in this journey we call, "Life."

COVID-19 Communion

This is a very strange and fascinating time in the history of the world. People have been forcibly isolated due to COVID-19. Social distancing has become a household phrase. Churches are losing contributions as well as membership. Sometimes it's hard to see the secret treasure hidden beneath all this darkness, but it's there.

Last night, while delivering a few face masks to a couple of dear friends, we were asked to participate in something very special. This was Maundy Thursday and families all over the world were taking a moment to celebrate communion, privately in their own homes, to remember the Passover feast Jesus had with his friends before he was led away to be crucified. Our friends had been preparing for this world-wide event as well. They would be connecting with a family in another state, via video chat, to have communion together. They invited us to join them.

What a precious time we had. The family we connected with had two young boys. The father was taking time to explain to them the story from Exodus of the very first Passover. I'll never forget the wide eyes of one son as he listened carefully and the sheer hilarious boredom of the other. The father patiently finished his teaching and my husband was handed the baton to continue.

Jeff painted a picture, for those of us listening, of Jesus in a room with all his best friends. He reminded us that Jesus gave thanks for the privilege of being the One, the final sacrificial lamb, choosing to move forward in all that was about to happen. He told the boys that Jesus' best friends didn't understand what was about to happen and would eventually all leave him. One would run away so fast that his clothes would fall off (I later asked where that was in the Bible because I had never noticed it before ~Mark 14:51-52). Jeff went on to share that when Jesus hung on the cross the next day, he asked his father, "Forgive them, for they know not what they do." Jeff shared that one school of thought was that Jesus was asking his father to forgive us all the way back to Adam and Eve. They did not know what they would set into action with their disobedience. Forgiving "them" would wipe out that sinful nature once and FOR ALL. It would set us all free, not by who or what we are, but by who and what He did. Everyone became quietly entranced. Jeff continued on by giving thanks and breaking the bread. What a special night communing together, It will be forever etched into my mind.

This night would never have happened if COVID-19 didn't strike. Satan was rendered powerless with the final sacrifice of the lamb over 2000 years ago. The only weapon the enemy now has are the lies he can talk us into believing. God is showing us how to walk in the power of all he conquered so long ago. Pick up the COVID-19 sword and use it against the enemy yourself. Jesus wants to come back to a beautiful and strong bride. His kingdom will have no end.

As you maneuver the waters of this historical moment in time, find places to be thankful. Share with others the testimony of what God is doing through your life and family during this time. Remember how to stay connected. This is the time to reclaim the territory promised to us.