Closing the wardrobe doors

Finally we are coming to the end, closing the wardrobe doors on The Chronicles of Narnia. This was our Christmas present to our boys last year, we have done a lot of reading to ourselves and each other. Judging from postings on Facebook and Twitter, and the constant texting I see going on around, I am judging that most of America is reading these days. And so in this age of cell phones and Google, I hope a Christmas letter is still a welcome addition to the mailbox. Along with the wardrobe doors, another year is fast coming to a close, and I have to say I look forward to 2012 with some mixed feelings. Elijah is now in first grade (LOVING it), but now his growth is more exaggerated by grades, and 2012 means second grade, and Gabriel entering kindergarten (I am not sure my heart can handle it)

2012 also means I will be “40”, not too sure how I feel about that either. 2011 has been good to us, and we to it. John donated his appendix in May after suffering from what I thought was “constipation” pains. My husband sold his Frankenstein vehicle, the VW wagon, that he spent most of the winter reconstructing, and then shouted in the spring, “It is alivvvveee”. I will say John has given a lot this year.

We have added 2 more mouths to feed to our monthly budget. Two laying hens, Reba our dominant orange, yellowish Americauna, and her counterpart Taylor Swift, a black and white accomplice. We are now seeing the fruits of their labor.

John spent the summer painting, and putting the finishing touches on our house. It has gone from a dirty white aluminum to a sagey green, with orange accents. We love it!

Our 10^th anniversary (say it isn't so), came and went in June, with a getaway trip to Mackinaw Island near the upper peninsula in Michigan (thank you Grandma Cindy, and Grandpa Gary). We had a great time reconnecting, and seeing a new part of the country.

We have had the privilege to attend two great concerts of our favorite artists JJ Heller and Leeland, both of which encouraged, and convicted.

I was given a great book by Ann Voskamp, titled One Thousand Simple Gifts (thank you Lisa). The book is written around the definition of eucharisteo, embracing those things we are thankful for. This book has been on my mental radar this year, challenging me to be thankful in spite of circumstances. I love Christmas, and all that it entails, and yet I let frivolous details, and burdens take on a life of their own. Ann Voskamp says, that “Whenever Christmas begins to burden, it's a sign that I've taken on something of the world and not of Christ...Christmas cannot be bought, Christmas cannot be created. Christmas cannot be made by hand, it can only be found.” This holiday originated in a simple dirty manure filled stall, on a cold night, “the hinge of history swung on the door of a stable.” “Jesus did not enter to vaulted domes, or marbled floors, He isn't antiseptic, carefully avoiding dirt, grime and stink. He intentionally decided to clothe himself as a naked baby and birth his virgin skin onto a mucking bed for animals...God chose a barn as His entry point. “ I want to rediscover for myself and my family what is simple and magnificent about the Saviour of the World coming to earth, putting on flesh and saving my life. My intent in this age of Google and Facebook, is to send a Christmas letter to remind us that we must marvel that Jesus came, just like God said he would, and He split history in two, forever transforming the concepts of hope and peace and salvation. I need this reminder, that Christmas is more than frenzied lists, tree lights, and gingerbread cookies. “Christmas is not a date, it is a state of mind, and heart” Where is your heart this season? For Jesus did not come to be served, but to serve and give His life as a ransom for many. We are thankful for you this year, for each other, and for our faith in an unseen God. We know that God has great purposes and meaning for your life...............and we know that wise men still seek Him!

Merry Christmas

John, Jenni, Elijah, Gabe, Chubby, Greta, Reba

and Taylor

Fascinated, and saddened

The Sovereignty of God is the biblical teaching that all things are under God's rule and control, and that nothing happens without His direction or permission. It is a mysterious, wonderful quality.  This weekend, the 10th anniversary of 9/11/01, was a time of remembrance for me.  I sat glued in the evenings, watching every special I could about the tragedy that unfolded on television.  I listened to endless testimonies by loved ones, and friends.  The History channel, ran a program dedicated to the phone messages that were left, heartbreaking is the only word I can find to describe what I heard.  I didn't hear many messages left with regards to seeing loved ones again in the next life, and this saddened me more.  I want to leave that hope when I die, that I will see my friends and family again.  I have spent much time in reflection, about how God chooses us, you and me to carry out His plan.  I came across this video on Facebook yesterday.  It demonstrates to me what Psalm 90:12 says, "Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain a heart of wisdom." 

Many times

I have heard this song a gazillion times over the years, I love Tracy Chapman.  I remember when the video for Fast Cars began playing out on everyone's television, thanks to MTV.  Prior to kids, when John and I were able to come and go as we please, we sat in a field in Shelburne, Vermont waiting in the rain for you guessed it...Tracy Chapman.  She was amazing, opening the concert by walking out with only a guitar, singing Say Hallelujah.  Her songs are captivating, and meaningful, especially now.  A sister of an old friend from high school recently passed, bringing close to my mind thoughts of mortality, and youth.  She was young, 41 when she passed, the cause unknown to me.  She was a senior when I was a lowly freshman starting in band.  The news of her death brought memories back from that particular time in my history.  Memories of jelly shoes, and shoulder pads, Men at Work, and hot summers practicing at band camp.  Those days were laiden with ambivalence, and timelessness, and few worries.

My small family of 4 sat the other night listening to Pandora while we ate dinner, and on came Tracy Chapman.  This song, quiet and meaningful began to play, and I as listened to the words, really listened, I fell in love with the lyrics.  It resonanted with me, in light of the news of my friend's loss, losing her only sibling, her sister.  I prayed for her, and will continue to do so.  Having only one sibling myself, a sister, I would want and need those prayers.  Thank you MTV for introducing me to the girl with dreadlocks, and a daschund..........

Blister free

I highly recommend this book for anyone wanting to hike the Appalachian trail without the blisters, sweat and tears.  This book will transport you to the journey through trees, brooks, over mountains and through storms, each time you pick it up.  Along the way, you will heal, be challenged, cry, and feel refreshed.  I feel changed after reading this book, not only in my knowledge of the culture of hiking the Appalachian trail, but in where my faith lies, and how God chooses to reveal His character.  So lace up those boots, plant them on a footstool, and travel the Appalachian trail blister free!

My latest controversy.......

Where my heart is today