ANNUAL CHRISTMAS LETTER

Another year has rolled around and I have received many of your Christmas letters and cards--though I must admit with moving I seem to have dropped off many of your Christmas card lists.  Perhaps you are like me and just could not seem to get it together and get those cards out the door or also like me  are still trying to figure out where the heck I am.  I am always amazed at how well you seem to be doing and wonder at what point my life will look perfect so I can also send out a glowing letter .  You seem to live in Lake Wobegon--where all the women are good looking and all the children are well above average.  I still live in "Real World", but am slowly becoming accustomed to the place I seem to stay.

Many of you have reported your many athletic accomplishments--marathons, triathlons, cross-fit goals met, and bicycle races finished.  I seem to have slipped into the Land of Sloth when it comes to cardio fitness.  I stopped running last December with the birth of the fifth grand and a few weeks of helping his Mom.  I continued walking until July--and then fell off that wagon also with the climb up the stairs to my apartment being the totality of my cardio workouts .  I do give a brief nod at fitness while taking a weight lifting class--  Strong & Slow--that is my new mantra!

The annual hiking trip was quite the adventure.  Hauling 40 pounds on my back at 13,000 feet proved to be bit much.  The only thing that probably got me off that mountain was the leaky tent--being wet and cold all night sent me scurrying back down to a warm shower and soft bed.  It was still a wonderful adventure AND I learned that men that wear skirts can be quite manly!

The move to Fort Worth was reminiscent of the covered wagons of long ago---things hanging from the sides and dragging along behind as we rolled down the highway.  Paring down all the stuff accumulated over a life time has been quite freeing.  Most things I never think of or miss---it would be nice if I knew what I did with my coats though!  

Moving into a college neighborhood has been quite enlightening and educational.  My vocabulary has expanded--usually in the middle of the night--who knew the suffix    -ing-   should always be placed at the end of profanity!  My efforts to keep the world green have centered around picking up the beverage bottles up and down the street the morning after parties.  In an effort to expand my love of art, I viewed the neighbor's pumpkin carving contest--only to find the display centered on eroticism in the pumpkin medium.  The realization, through watching the coeds, that the world of fashion now centers on tights and big shirts has found my wardrobe woefully inadequate!

Officially becoming a citizen of the great state of Texas was quite the experience.  Who knew proving you were born and where you stay could be so difficult.  After proving that I knew the Texas Pledge, could sing the Texas song, and owned a pair of cowgirl boots, they finally gave me a Texas drivers license AND taught me the secret handshake.  They are quite proud of their state over here.  No laughing when you mention the Great State of Texas--unlike Louisiana, you are expected to stand up and salute anytime the Lone Star flag is in sight.  The fact that I have a relative that fought in the Texas Revolution is MUCH more important here than the American Revolution Fighting Relative OR the one that came over on the Mayflower.  Life began with the formation of the GREAT STATE of TEXAS!
  
The new climate I am enjoying here in the Great West has been quite the change.  No more worries about high humidity---it is the super high temperatures that cause distress.  With no moisture in the air, it is similar to living in a de-humidifier and slowly becoming a piece of jerky.  NOT TO WORRY--though the weather took a drastic turn to ICE this winter.  This led to the discovery that I am not talented in ice skating AND FIVE days of chili will push anyone over the culinary edge.

My move and new adventure of living in Texas has led to a different Christmas, but as in the past three things remain constant:

Joy--the constant joy that fills my life--the joy of my great love for all of you, the joy of a good laugh, and the joy of Him walking by my side.

Peace--the peace of knowing that He has a plan for me--a plan to bring Him good pleasure and great glory--the path has all been marked out and as I seek Him, He will reveal it to me.

Hope--the hope based upon the knowledge of Who He is and the birth of a baby long ago--that today and tomorrow are no surprise to Him-and He will continue to use me as I look to Him for direction--hope based upon knowing how my story ends.

I wish you a Merry Christmas, Dear Friends, whether your life is abundantly blessed and filled with accomplishments and joy, or you, like me, struggle with the reality of today while pulling Him close for comfort as you trek down the path.  May the Joy, Peace, and Hope that was born long ago--fill your life and permeate your very being--ensuring you of His great Love for us all. With great fondness I wish you all a 

BLESSED CHRISTMAS!

"And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people."

Luke 2:10

HOW COULD SHE KNOW

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SHE COULD NOT HAVE KNOW THAT STARRY NIGHT LONG AGO-

A CHRISTMAS STORY-CONCLUSION

The first 3 installments of this story were published: Nov. 30; Dec 7; Dec 14.  Today is the conclusion.

The days slowly drug by in a flurry of assignments and tests as teachers purposefully piled on the work the three weeks between Thanksgiving and Christmas breaks.  The teachers all insisted they were on a time schedule for completing assignments, but everyone knew it was a thinly disguised attempt at keeping the level of excitement down.  Holidays brought exuberant spirits and rowdy students and teachers with short tempers.  It was a fine line between excitement and out of control, but with years of experience, the teachers rallied to snap the students back into line.

        All of Emma’s friends spent all of their recess time talking over the coming Christmas holidays and the wonderful plans their families had.  Many of her friends had huge families, all in the local area, and their stories of everyone gathering to feast and celebrate sounded like heaven.  Farm families were often huge families, which led to more aunts and uncles and cousins than she could even imagine.  You had to be very careful what you said about anyone, there was always a a good chance they might be related.  Emma’s family was small.  The few local cousins were grown and gone from home and the cousins from her Mama’s side lived far away.

        School was out for two weeks starting just a little less than a week before Christmas.  With the last day of school came the annual school party.  Emma had drawn the name of a friend and kept her drawing a secret.  She had the perfect gift selected at the local five and dime and could not wait for her friend to discover what Emma had picked out.  Christmas cookies, drinks, candy, singing and fun Christmas games filled the day with very little school work happening. Mr. Bill, her bus driver gave each rider an orange or apple, you got to pick which you preferred.  Her teacher gave each student a candy cane.  The celebration day passed quickly and it was time to ride the bus home and start the two weeks of Christmas vacation.

        Emma and her brothers went home to a quiet, still house with only the tree that Emma had put up.  No wonderful smells from the kitchen in preparation for a huge feast and no gifts under the tree.  The twinkle of the lights as she plugged in the tree was the only brief nod to the magical day.  The days passed slowly as her mother left early for work with a long list on the table of chores to be done.  Emma’s mama believed in keeping everyone busy and out of trouble.  With a long face, Emma tackled the long list and wondered where the was magic?

        The days continued to be cloudy and dreary with a cold wind from the north and an occasional drizzle.  It was too cold to play outside and Emma’s neighborhood friends were all too busy with family celebrations to play.  Curled by the blazing hot fire, Emma read yet another book to pass the time.  Everyday seemed the same as the day before; it could have been June except for the cold of the day.

        Christmas Eve finally arrived and Emma’s thoughts replayed the Christmas memories from years before.  All good memories to be sure, but still left with a hole with the sad realization of what this Christmas without her daddy had ended up being.  There was no going back and the memories would have to fill the void that was huge.  Silent tears fell that bleak Christmas Eve day as Emma prayed for a glimpse of the Christmas miracle of long ago.  The house was silent as they went to bed that Christmas Eve-no chatter, no laughter, and no smells from the kitchen.  It was a Christmas with no magic, only the stillness of the deep dark night surrounded them as their eyes closed in sleep.

        Emma’s eyes slowly opened as Christmas dawned dark and silent.  She pulled on her slippers and robe to run build a fire to ward off the cold.  As she stepped out the door in the frigid of the morn, a miracle---snow covered the ground.  Snow as white as the robes of the angels several inches deep  filled the trees, and blanketed the road.  A beautiful white wonderland of Christmas shown all around with bushes of holly berries adding bright red in the midst of the world in white and the sweet song of birds of many colors flying all around were as sweet as carols sung by angels.   The snow was still falling and as it slowly –silently fell there was a hush of wonder in the early Christmas day.

        As she brought the wood, all covered with snow, back into the house, she looked at the pond down the hill next to the house.  It was frozen with a thick coat of ice.  It was pure white as far as the eye could see—a glorious white Christmas had happened that night.  Running back into the house heading to change into warm clothes, Emma was filled with joyful anticipation of the day  playing in the snow.

        As she rounded the corner and peered at the tree, there were gifts rounding the bottom, under the lights.  What a surprise!  It seems someone mysteriously had dropped off gifts for her family late last night without a word.  Her Mama had heard a knock on the door and opened it to find no one there—only boxes of gifts to place under the tree.  Excited to open any present at all, Emma and her brothers tore into them all.  Games, books and gloves for them all and even a scarf for Mama appeared that day.

        They played in the snow the entire day, running in and out to get warm.  It was a wonderful day filled with fun as they slid down the hill on their improvised sled of cardboard and made a huge snowman –carrot, hat and all.  How strange and unusual to have snow in Louisiana at Christmas, but no one would question how this could be—instead just enjoyed the blessing of the day.

        A warm supper of chili waited as they finally came in at dark.  The aroma from the kitchen reminding them of their hunger as they traipsed in at the end of the day.  A warm fire blazing and hot chocolate before bed after a long exhausting-fun filled day, ended that first Christmas without their sweet Daddy.

        As Emma snuggled under the covers that night and began to say her prayers, it finally occurred to her what had happened.  God had heard her prayers and knew her sorrow.  He gave them the magic of Christmas as only He could.  He reminded her of His great gift long ago of a small sweet baby, while giving her one of the best Christmases ever.  Christmas magic had once again appeared as He answered her prayers and loved her so well while reminding her of His great and deep love for her—with a perfect Christmas day.

FINISHING WELL!

I made a flying trip to Haughton, Louisiana to say goodbye to my sweet--rascally cousin, James Ramsey.  The day was also my sweet youngest grand's first birthday--so I had to make a one day trip---could NOT miss this important milestone for him.  I had a great deal of time for thinking while driving those 500 miles alone.  A day filled with celebrating the beginning of a life with only one year behind Collin and the celebration of the end of James's life of 78 years.  

I always love to hear those stories from friends of my loved ones.  Stories of a very intelligent engineer---who chose to wear blue Dickie overalls everyday once he retired.  What a contrast to the red late model Corvette convertible he drove while tooling around.  A man who knew what he liked and lived without concern for the opinions of others--but was true to who he was.  A man comfortable in the board room of the bank where he served as a board member---who was the parish engineer for his entire career--hob-nobbing with politicians and parish citizens of all descriptions without discrimination--a man of no bias and a heart of gold.  A man well thought of in the community for his entire life--well perhaps with the exception of the time he cut the beloved tree in the middle of the road in the downtown.  A man who loved his wife, children, and grandchildren fully--deeply--faithfully for his entire life.  A man who put his pastor at ease during one of his final visits by telling him I know why you are here--and don't worry Jesus is my Savior.  A man who finished well and who we all celebrated in this final good bye.

In typical James Fashion, he requested one final ride in his beautiful totally restored gold Chevrolet pickup--the ride to be put to rest beside his beloved wife, Gloria.  What a way to leave us!  He always called me "Sis"--and I can hear him now, "Well, Sis, why not take one more ride in style?"  Why not, indeed, James.

 You might ask, "What legacy did James leave his children and grandchildren?"  The wonderful legacy of a red Corvette convertible, a rebuilt gold Chevrolet truck, and most important the knowledge that he had lived life well and with the great respect of a multitude of friends and the community he lived in his entire life.

 Well Done---Good and Faithful Servant!

 

"His master replied, 'Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master's happiness!' 

Matthew 25:23

WHY NOT ME?

As I was praying recently, asking God "Why is there so much suffering, pain, sorrow, and trouble in this world."  Praying for all those that I know deeply need to be lifted before His throne, I thought of how many God has placed in my life--who need prayer.

I told my "Small Group" this week, that I never understood the great privilege and sacred responsibility of intercessory prayer until the last few years.  I began to understand how important praying for others was when I could not pray for myself and my Brothers & Sisters in Christ stood in the gap and prayed for me.  I felt each and every prayer as God would reveal through His grace during my suffering the chorus of prayers being lifted on my behalf.  Since I was unable to pray for myself, the oasis of relief and the balm from the pain  came after others intervened and prayed for me.

When I have asked myself the question, "Why me?".  Why am I going through this valley of grief?  Why, Lord, Why?  Would I have ever drawn to the level of intimacy with Him that I now know if not walked this path?  Would I have ever understood the importance of praying for others if I had not experienced the benefits of being prayed for?  Would He ever have gotten my full attention without the experience of the past few years?  

I have changed the question from "Why me?"  to  "Why NOT me?"  Thank you, Lord that you love me enough to pick me!

"More than that, we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us."

Romans 5:3-5

THE CAST

Do you ever stop and ponder the cast of characters on that long ago night when our King was born?  It is quite a hodge-podge --all walks of life--all social standings--all ages--a unique representation from the world of that day.

A "Blue Collar" carpenter and his young bride to be traveled via donkey to be put on the census--a thinly disguised excuse to make sure everyone was on the tax roll.  They arrive in the small town of Bethlehem late---since they were slowed by the mother to be--perhaps they even hesitated leaving since she was so near her due date.  Due to their late arrival and the  mass of people congregating to be counted--lest the Roman rulers notice their willful disobedience--there was no place to stay.

Knocking on door after door---they finally find an inn-keeper "Business Man" who takes pity or perhaps to just get rid of them--offers them a barn---the building where his animals were housed.  Desperate times call for desperate actions--the barn would have to do.  When you have a wife who is experiencing the pain of childbirth--you best find a place to lite.

A baby is born while the animals looked on.  Was there only young Mary and Carpenter Joseph to greet their new born son?  The scriptures do not give us specifics, so that must not matter.

Angels overcome with joy--sang in the deep night sky with a bright star nearby.  Most were asleep, but the shepherds "Farmers" who were charged with protecting the sheep from the predators who liked to attack in the night heard the heavenly choir. Shepherds were all ages--from very young boys to old men, but they all were invited.   They followed the instructions and arrived to find a small baby and his parents in a lowly barn.

Then from afar--led by a star---came three wise men "Royalty" bearing gifts to bring to the new king--a small baby boy.  Who would imagine such great and wise men as these would appear to see the small baby king disguised as the lowly son of a carpenter?

A strange and diverse group who all witnessed and told the story--all in God's perfect plan.  Surely there were others who knew of that day---but God chose these to eternally live in His Word.  Rich and poor---young and old--laborers and privileged---all fell and worshiped and then spread the word of the arrival of the Messiah as foretold long before.  

Read the Story:  Luke 2: 1-20

CELEBRATING YOU!

Today is the anniversary of the celebration that occurred 65 years ago.  I still have the telegram that my Daddy sent my Aunt announcing their new arrival and I can read the words on the page and feel his happiness.  What a treasure!

As I celebrate the day that God selected to begin my trek down the path He had already laid out for me, I am thinking of all of you and I am thankful.

For each and everyone of you who takes the time in your jam packed days to stop and read my thoughts, Thank You.  For every comment, mostly on Facebook but also on the blog, in response--thank you for your encouragement, love, and support.  Thank you for allowing God to use you to remind me of His great love for me.

For those of you who have become followers and were willing to openly state you read my posts, knowing you are waiting has often kept me writing.  I have a great deal of information about how many and who is looking, but your willingness to publicly state you are reading is humbling at the very least.  Thank you.

To all those that read and understood the intent of my book, Thank You for your willingness to support my love for writing.   Thank you for those who were willing to post a review.  Thank you for those who sent private messages telling me how it helped you.  Thank you to those that contributed and labored along side me.  Thank you to those that believe in me, because of your good response, my next book has been begun.

Thank you to my friends and family who have faithfully walked by my side--and not only supported me, but even held me up when I could not stand.  Thank you for listening--Thank you for sitting in silence--Thank you for wisdom.  Thank you for loving me well.

So today--I stop and pause --to celebrate the great blessing of you. WHAT A GIFT AND HUGE BLESSING!   With great fondness and love for each of you---I celebrate the day.

"Every time I think of you, I give thanks to my God."

Phillipians 1:3