THE LOOKS OF CHRISTMAS

 Lately it seems I have been only posting family things.  My inspirational mind has suffered from physical and mental fatigue, serious fatigue.  Hopefully, that excuse will exhaust soon and I can be more inspirational.

I do realize, though, that I have a few blog readers who enjoy hearing of my simple everyday life.  To accommodate their enjoyment I will give a report on Christmas at my house.   Yes, 2020 held some changes but all in all much was the same.    Our house still had the presence of our many nativity scenes...a dusty "stable" floor makes it more authentic....

...the macaroni Christmas tree crafted by the girl in preschool 37 years ago was still on display along with a gourd handpainted Santa gifted to me by our church choir group many years ago ...

and my Bible still told the wonderful story of the birth of our Lord.

My kitchen refrigerator held so many reminders of family and friends who love so well...a true blessing of a reminder....

The Son-In-Law, The Girl, and The Grandbaby joined us for Christmas Day lunch.  The Husband prepared a non-traditional lunch of Shrimp Boil.  It was delicious!

I found The Grandbaby has matured since last year.  Sadly and gladly, I assume that will be the case from year to year.  She was patiently waiting for the gift giving portion of the day.  Before that could happen, though, the kitchen had to be cleared and the Christmas story read by The Poppa, of course.  The Grandbaby chose one of her nativity books for the reading this year.  I love Luke 2 but I can read that myself--or even recite--so I listened to the reading of the book, The Christmas Baby.  Poppa's feelings were pretty happy, too, with the snuggles during the book.

Then it was time for the gift giving.  My gift giving this year was not expensive and done mostly online with the exception of a two hour shopping trip alone a week before the big day.  I might have decided I actually see the good of online shopping....except I'm still waiting for the arrival of one gift.  Could it be that Christmas will extend this year?

There were warm matching hats and socks for the girls.

There were wonderful stocking gifts....hairnets for the girls and chapstick for e'rbody.

The Son-In-Law got a spiffy t-shirt....

...and I got a nice step stool.  The problem is all three adults in the room told me I could climb no higher than I am in this photo.  "Older" folks tend to fall easily.

The Girl was gifted with my "vintage" charm bracelet with my various charms as her traditional "vintage" gift from me to her.  I received, added to, and wore the charm bracelet during my high school years and the bracelet reflects many of my high school memories.

The Poppa got a beautiful framed photograph of The Grandbaby and him after she had caught her first fish.  Do you doubt his pleasure at the fishing and the gift?  Smiles say a lot...

...as shown by the pleasure of The Grandbaby at the gift of stylish light-up "sneakers.

The Grandbaby was excited to gift her parents with a handmade calendar made with her handprints.  She and I worked a couple of different days on the project.  I had done this same project when I taught 2 and 3 year old Sunday School several years ago.  I was amazed that I had actually done this project a few Sundays during a short Sunday School time with five or six children and this year I seemed to be a lot slower.   The Husband assures me it is the result of aging.  I think he is correct.  But, alas, the joy was complete when The Girl and The Son-In-Law showed The Grandbaby their pleasure at such a treasured gift.

There were the group photos, of course...

....and food to celebrate "Happy Birthday, Jesus!"

Our day ended with a game that was enjoyed by all....

...or mostly all.  The Girl had some problem identifying Anna.  Imagine.  Couldn't identify Anna.  

Yes, maybe a bit different in some areas was this Christmas 2020 but in the areas that mattered, it was still the same.  It's as The Grandbaby said to me last week after we had read a few of her Christmas books, "Neema, I wish e'rbody in the whole wide world knew about baby Jesus."  

And that, friends, is what Christmas is all about!

Consider....

ACTUALLY...

 One of The Grandbaby's favorite usage of an adverb is the word "actually".  "Actually" is defined as "the truth or facts of a situation; really".  

Actually, my life lately has been tremendously busy working at my office--so busy in fact that I struggle to get everything done in this season of Christmas.  That, along with the change in our world due to Covid-19, has caused a lot of changes in what I usually do.  Of course this year church life is different with no Christmas caroling or program.  There will be no deacons' gathering for a meal that The Husband and I would have supplied.  It fell The Husband's chairmanship's responsibility to do that.  There will be no neighborhood widows' lunch at my house this year.  That's really about the extent of my entertaining as The Husband and I live a quiet life.  I can sit around, be tired from work, and mope but maybe I won't.

Actually, the season of Christmas is so much more than these things.  Granted I will say that having The Grandbaby puts a big happy scope on things.  She helped me decorate the tree this year.  "Oh, Neema, this ornament is beeaauuutttiful".  She also helped me decorate the rest of the house, even choosing at my prompting some ornaments from my stash to decorate her little bedroom tree.  

There's the ornaments The Husband and I painted our first Christmas together and our store bought Hallmark ornament from that 1979 year.

There are many handmade by The Girl with the oldest ones of the popcorn wreath and sandpaper Rudolph at the top of that list of treasures.

There are ornaments that serve as reminders of the blessings of old friendships that remain today....

and reminders of children who gifted ornaments through the years...

Of course there are many treasures reminding us of the real reason for the season and that hallelujah, WE BELIEVE!

The new ornament is the star at the bottom of the photo that The Grandbaby crafted for my tree..

There are a couple of antique ornaments that decorated the tree of The Mother-In-Law for many years and came to me after she moved to heaven and there is a new ornament for this year as well.

Actually, that whole post segment turned out longer than I anticipated.  As I grow older, I find myself a person of many words.  :)  So I will carry on from here.  My apologies for such a long post.

With the changes and such this year, we have found time to cook and do it in style as my Lunch Bunch girls gifted me with two aprons and some cooking supplies for my birthday this year.

The Poppa, The Grandbaby, and I also did our traditional gingerbread house at our sleepover this weekend.  I was reminded of the reason I love the ones that are already put together ready to decorate.  This one was not.   Actually, though, I didn't let that fact steal my joy of the moment.

My photos are out of order as my blog has been revamped and I haven't mastered the photo in order technique yet.  This photo shows the problem with a non-pre-constructed house.  Oops.  Photo above shows improvement.

Actually also this weekend, The Poppa and I were invited to go to a parade with The Son-in-Law, The Girl, The Grandbaby, and some close friends.  The Poppa and I, while not anti-social, just don't have much of a social life.  We do go to bed early lately.  But actually, with that said, we had a great time and got home in time to go to bed almost early!

The Grandbaby wanted her coat open so folks could see her shirt and the baby Jesus.

Actually, the times may be different and may be hard some days but the bottom line is that the feeling in our hearts always remains the same.  As the sermon yesterday was about the light of Jesus, there is nothing in this world that can change the light of Jesus in our hearts.  Actually, while things may seem different, we have the assurance that Jesus will never change nor will the promises his birth brought to us.  So actually, let's rejoice in the season!

And all you faithful blog readers just got an added lengthy post for me to get to that point!  

Consider.....

 

SEASONS OF THANKS

An organized day of giving thanks--Thanksgiving--is tomorrow.  And no, I didn't add an "s" to my title word "Seasons" by mistake.  Yes, tomorrow officially marks an organized day of thanks that has since it's inception happened in the fall season.  With 2020 almost behind me, I realize yet again as I have realized before that tomorrow is not the only day of thanks nor is fall the only season of thanks.

2020, as we all will agree, has been a year as many of us have never experienced in our lifetimes.  I know I haven't.  Sure, I've experienced sadness, fear, uncertainty, and all those things that 2020 has brought in other years of life but this year has been a booger as we would say here in redneck country.

As tradition would have, however, I want to share a few thanks in this blog.  Even though 2020 has been a "booger", there's many reasons for thanks.

Always at the top of my list is my relationship, love for, and salvation from my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  Nothing should or could top that one, even in a booger of a year for without HIM, I am sunk.

Secondly, close behind comes thankfulness for my people.  A husband who endures and loves, a daughter who continues to bring joy to life and shows the example of courage, a son-in-law who loves us and shows it daily, and a sweet four year old who lights up our lives every minute.  Joy, such joy.

I'm thankful for extended family and if you are reading this, you know who you are.

I'm thankful for a church to worship and a church family who loves.  That sounds familiar as though I've written it before and if it have, that means it remains true and a great source of thanks.  I could say I've missed having an organized Sunday School for the past almost nine months and that would be the truth but I can also say in that same area that I'm grateful for a board of deacons who prayerfully weigh out options for health safety while remaining in a world we can worship our Lord and Savior.  I think my Lord is pleased with those efforts.

I'm thankful that Covid-19 hasn't won in our world.  Yes, all in my family except me has had it, but I"m thankful for their recovery.  I am sad at the several friends in my world who have succumbed to the dreaded virus but I'm thankful that all those friends touched my life and more importantly, they had a better place to go.

I'm thankful for so many friends who love and show it and I'm thankful for new friends I've met along the way who love also.

I'm thankful for a recliner that allows me to fall asleep five minutes after my behind hits it.  Every time.

I'm thankful for medical personnel who really do care and the technology they know and share.  I'm thankful for health insurance and now am thankful for Medicare.  Uh huh.

I'm thankful for controlled blood sugars, at least for the past few weeks.  I guess, even though it's unexplainable right now, I'm thankful that I've lost a bit of weight and some of my clothes are looser.

I'm thankful for a large Frisbee that allows The Poppa, The Grandbaby, and me to play in the yard together.  It's a cheap way of fun that causes more joy.  It's good to throw in the art of collecting leaves and acorns to that fun, too!

My list could include so much more as when one counts blessings, the counting tends to go to the very high numbers.  There's rainbows, sunshine, and warm slippers.  Too, there's clouds, rain, and uncomfortable shoes to make you appreciate those that are comfortable....and then there's those new polka dotted rain boots that The Girl and her family gifted me for my birthday last week.  :)  

A great source of thanks is the Lord's mercy and grace toward all of us.

Thankfulness is present for big things but I think when one can appreciate the little simple things, thanks multiply.  So, I will end with the words to my all time favorite song of thanks--it's a children's song but speaks to my heart and emotions every single time I hear it....

"Dear Lord we vow to thank you for all the good you give....for birds and trees, for skies and seas, the world in which we live.  Dear Lord we vow to thank you for family and friends....for food and for your faithfulness, your love which never ends."

And all God's people said, "Amen!"

Consider....

A SPECIAL NOVEMBER DAY

This day marks the celebration of the birth of The Son-In-Law.  As I have often said, probably even in this blog, he is a wonderful man.  He loves Jesus first, his family right next to that, and is a friend to all he meets.   The Son-in-law is a well respected and much loved youth leader and faithful Sunday School teacher, continuing to teach online even the past months when there has been no physical Sunday School.  I love that he loves his girls.  I could list more and more things about him but I won't.   Is he perfect?  Nah, none of us are, but he's a keeper and a source of great joy to our family!

I won't tell his age but The Grandbaby told me the other day he was having a b'thday and would be 26.  We'll leave it at that.  Happy birthday to The Son-in-Law!  

FOLLOW

On this election day, I purpose in my heart....

though elephants and donkeys abound, I will follow THE LAMB.

 

SPARKLES

 Various references of definitions define "sparkle" as a noun in various ways...."a glittering flash of light, little sparks, brilliance, a glittering quality"....you get the idea.  

Halloween 2020 has come and gone.  Our household had a sleepover on Halloween Eve with a sweet four year old.  It was a wonderfully fun time.  There were many card games, some bingo, favorite foods (cue in macaroni/cheese, peanut butter biscuit, brownie...), sidewalk art and much outdoor fun.  The Girl send some pages of scavenger hunts for little people and a lot of time was spent with those.

The Grandbaby was very enamored with her "spowkle" nail polish.  She is ALWAYS enamored with anything with "spowkles".

Science and art are two of her favorite "subjects"....art I understand, science not so much.  I do understand from this particular photo that The Grandbaby has a poppa who can learn to enjoy art.

Mid afternoon e'erbody returned to their own house to prepare for the Halloween main event.  A while later, Poppy arrived!  It was a Trolloween....

Poppy's dress had many many "spowkles".  Poppy loved it as did we.  The five of us concentrated our visit to the kitchen as "spowkles" were all over the furniture, the floor, everywhere!  And you know what?  This Neema didn't care a bit!

This morning, the morning after, I noticed the sparkles on the chairs in the kitchen.  I suggested to The Poppa that since he was wearing black to church, he might not want to sit there unless he wanted to wear "spowkles".  I swept in the kitchen and the sparkles remained. It will take a bit of time to be rid of them all and maybe we won't ever be rid of them all.   I love it!  A few sparkles never hurt anybody.

Imagine if we let our lives sparkle with love and kindness.  It would spread joy, joy, and more joy!

I wish for you many sparkles in your own life!

Consider...

TIGHTENING SCREWS AND CHANGING LIGHT BULBS

Years ago I got my own tool box.  It happily has screwdrivers, a measuring tape, wrenches, cutters, and other such fine tools in it.  Granted, I say I grew up in sawdust since workshop business was the family business so I should be good with tools.  I am.  With some tools.  However, I still can't draw a straight line with a ruler nor can I write straight across a page of unlined paper.  Such is my life and I'm okay with it.

One thing I really enjoy is tightening loose screws.  Somehow I find great satisfaction with that task.  Often I have to tighten the screws on my pancake griddle and electric frying pan.  I love finding the right size screwdriver in my tool box, tightening the screw, and seeing the steadiness of the object since the screw is tight.  I am about to tighten my towel rod in the bathroom.  It's been shaky lately.

The other thing that's important to me in a household is plenty of light.  I like to flip the switch and have a bright light to see.  First of all, as I age I find that my eyesight is not as good as before.  Especially as I now have cataracts as The Eye Doctor said the other day.  That's another post for another day.  I tell The Husband I like to the flip the switch and as I do my mind says, "Let there be light" and for the most part there always is.  Lately, though, there's been a world of bulbs out in my house.  Two in the den, one on the carport, and the light over the kitchen sink.  Ugh, that's a bad one.  It continues to give trouble, giving light sometimes and giving none the other.  If it continues that way, The Husband has a plan to repair it more as he KNOWS my light obsession.   I get a lot of pleasure in seeing a bright light when one has been out of commission.

As I pondered my little concerns about these things, I likened that to myself emotionally, mentally, and spiritually.  Often things come along in my life that make me feel a bit shaky in these areas.   Worries, fears, and concerns come along and I often get in a tizzy trying to get them firmed up some.  They need their screws tightened.  The "screwdriver" I've found that works the best is a little talk with Jesus.  Okay, sometimes I need a BIG talk with Jesus.  I've found that once that happens, the screw is tightened and the shakiness is gone.  Jesus is the best screwdriver ever to tighten these "screws".

As for light, I just need light in my life rather than darkness and the remedy for the light is the same.  Jesus.  He says, "I am the light of the world:  he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life".  (John 8:12)  The uncertainties of walking in the darkness is kind of scary to me.  You never know what might be on the path, even if it's a familiar path.  Predators and unwanted creatures can lie in wait on such dark paths.  It's that way with life.  The enemy brings things to try to trip us up but if we always remember to follow Jesus, we don't have to walk in darkness and be afraid.  After all, it's said (and I haven't counted) that the Bible says 365 times to not fear.  That's one a day and more than enough.

So those are my thoughts this day.  Hopefully your thoughts can be triggered even further from my thoughts.  That's really an intent of this blog....to encourage you and give you thoughts.  While I go to tighten this towel rod screw, you just consider....

DARKNESS

 I have to say I have been tossing around a new blog post.  I also have to say that this particular post is not it.  I'm writing this without much thought after reading my devotion this morning.

Anybody that reads my blog at all knows two things.  One, I so love Jesus.  Two, I tend to be a worrier.  Really, you say?  Uh huh.  Guilty.  I try to not be anxious and I am learning and getting better with that trait. 

After reading my devotion this morning, I want to share a few things from it that are so share worthy.   It starts by saying "what is a believer to do in times of darkness--a darkness of perplexities and confusion--a darkness not of the heart but of the mind?"   Well honestly--is that me or not?  Honestly, does it hit you at all?  The words go on to speak of these times coming to a believer who is obedient and walking in the will of God.  Really?  Of course.  It describes these times as times of groping in COMPLETE darkness.  

What does one do in these times of darkness and confusion?  Imagine my surprise when I read the answer.  Nothing.  Do nothing.  Well nothing except slow down and keep life's ship anchored to the dock.  In doing this, we simply trust God.  BINGO!  Simple.  Trust.  In. God.  Duh, who knew?  Well, I should have known this important thing.  The devotion speaks of how worrying prevents God from doing anything for us.  If God has placed us in a trial, there's a reason and he will work through it WITH us.  

As I read on, it talked of putting your hand in his as a little child as he knows the way out of the dark place.  It talks about climbing into his arms and trusting him.  This reminds me of all the times I'm out with The Grandbaby and she puts out her hand to hold on to mine and we clasp and walk along.  I'm also reminded of many times in my life that I just laid my head in the lap of my heavenly Father and found peace.  

The devotion ends with "when you don't know which way to steer, remember you have a pilot."

Now after that dissertation, I'm thinking you all might wonder what I'm going through now.  I will say I have another health issue that has made itself known and getting a test next week.  Honestly, the purpose of the test is to rule out cancer.  And of course, the dermatologist biopsied a spot on my leg this week so I'm waiting to hear from it also but the upcoming test is the one I really want to hear from.  With all that said, though, I'm really not worrying about this.  Imagine.  Me.  Not worrying.  And then I get this devotion that is so fitting for that and it reinforces my faith.  I hope it has reinforced yours also.

I will end with the scripture in the devotion, one I haven't read much (wasn't highlighted in my Bible, but is now).   I like it.

"Who is among you that feareth the the Lord, that obeyeth the voice of his servant, that walketh in darkness, and hath no light?  let him trust in the name of the Lord, and stay upon his God."             Isaiah 50:10

Consider......

(Reference..."Streams in the Desert", October 7 writing)