Here we are on Christmas Eve–my plans are all kerpluey. I can’t go to church–one of my favorite services of the year. I do love a packed church with everyone dressed up and singing, the college kids home. And the boy is a lector! But I’m a big girl. My whole month has been off-track. And let’s admit, it hasn’t been a great year. Although we have been greatly blessed as well.
Daughter #1, Mr. Smith and I had planned to drive up to the prairie on Christmas afternoon, but we will delay that so as not to spread germs etc. C’est la vie.
So let us not forget that the Lord came—himself—to save you from your sins. As Ann says, what a reason to celebrate! What a glorious excuse to have a feast, to break out the champagne, the cheese, the cake, the party games and garlands.
Today is my sister/dual personality’s birthday! We wish her many happy returns of the day!
It was interesting spending 10 days with my prairie granddaughters and watching the interplay between them. Like my sister and me, they are about two and half years apart. It made me a little sad seeing how the older sometimes treats/manipulates the younger, knowing that I’m pretty sure I did the same thing. The younger is so sweet and is always trying to please her sister and mimic her. It is no surprise that she sometimes gets very frustrated. Well, siblings are one of our greatest blessings, but they also teach us the ways of the sin-sick world. We learn to cope. My older brother said plenty of mean things to me and it helped me develop a thick skin. Our siblings keep our pride in check.
I’m grateful my sister and I grew up to be close. I wish we could celebrate together! But I will be with her in spirit. And the spirit is always:
(Not a bad likeness of the new baby by his older sister)
I made it home on Friday afternoon between two snow events on the prairie. Phew. I had a lot to do over the weekend–the Kirkwood Historical Society annual meeting and Christmas tea…checking in with Mr. Smith…
…catching up at church on Sunday (twice!), making Episcopal Calvinist souffle and celebrating the twin’s 9th birthday at my house!
Now I am on Jury Duty of all things! What a December. I don’t know when I’m going to mail my packages or wrap presents, much less send Christmas cards, but I’m not going to worry about it.
P.S. I hear the prairie girls watched Seven Brides for Seven Brothers again–seems they can’t get enough of those wild boys!
Well, Baby Wes is finally here! 9 lb 3 oz, 22.5 inches long at around 8:45 pm yesterday. (The twins may be a little disappointed that they won’t get to share a birthday…BTW Happy 9th Birthday, WRC and Lottie!) We are all very happy and relieved. Precious daughter #2 is okay too!
Let me just say, however, that I am about crafted out. I have made so many Santas and elves and gingerbread men and reindeer, not to mention reindeer headbands, that I am becoming cross-eyed. But all in a good cause.
Filling time, we also watched Little Miss Broadway (1938) starring Shirley Temple and George Murphy and a cast of stellar supporting character actors…
…and also Seven Brides for Seven Brothers (1954)–they watched the whole thing!
We enjoyed both movies and I recommend them for younger viewers!
The girls and I are going to the hospital this morning to see Mommy and the new baby. Thanks be to God.
God our Father, maker of all that is living, we praise you for the wonder and joy of creation. We thank you for the life of this child, for a safe delivery, and for the privilege of parenthood. Accept our thanks and praise through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Well, I certainly underestimated the weather gurus and their forecasts of snow on Saturday. We got 5 inches more or less and I was stuck at home. I’m not complaining–I like a snowy day in my cozy home. Luckily daughter #1 helped me on Friday to bring up my Christmas ornaments from the basement. She also helped me put together my new King of Christmas artificial tree. It popped right into place and since the tree is equipped with all the latest technology, the lights automatically connect through the pole, easy peasy. I love a real tree, but in my dotage I feel no guilt about this newest acquisition. The boy had to come over like three times last year to help me, so now I can be reasonably self-sufficient as per my decorating. The tree even came with special gloves to wear for fluffing.
Pre-fluffed…not bad!
Daughter #1 also helped me get the mantel set up…
Friday night I had unwrapped all my tree ornaments, so on Saturday I put them on the tree (post fluffing).
I am pleased.
Since I finished reading Shane, I watched the movie. It is one of those rare examples of a movie that is far better than the book. The book is good, but the movie is great, a classic, the original that everyone copies. The screenplay by A.B. Guthrie is sophisticated and complex, although telling a seemingly simple story; the direction by George Stevens is brilliant. The actors are all at the top of their game, and in the case of Alan Ladd, he was never better. By the climactic fight between Shane and Joe Starrett where the horses are going crazy and Marian is screaming, I was in tears. And then, the build-up to the final shoot-out–wow. You could certainly write a thesis on this movie and the way it builds tension etc. The best scenes are not even in the book. And when I was writing the blogpost about film scenes in the rain–how did I forget Shane?
(There are so many spoilers in this trailer!)
Sunday was the first Sunday in Advent! We started a new sermon series on the first chapters of Luke. We also had a baptism, our pastor’s (adorable) baby son. Our adult ed class was on the beginning of Matthew–led by a seminary professor and excellent. Did I mention that we sang good Advent hymns?
After church we went back to my house where daughters #1 and #3 met us to celebrate the boy’s birthday. I made his favorite meal–tortellini, French bread and salad and we had cake.
Good, good times. An eventful 4-day weekend!
Have a good week! Take some time to pause and reflect, to remember how gracious our God has been, His unexpected provision and answered prayers, and His steady faithfulness woven through every ordinary day.
*Charles Wesley, 1744
Come, thou long expected Jesus, born to set thy people free; from our fears and sins release us, let us find our rest in thee. Israel’s strength and consolation, hope of all the earth thou art; dear desire of every nation, joy of every longing heart.
Today is the boy’s birthday! He was born on the day after Thanksgiving 39 years ago. Since it is Black Friday, he will be working all day on his birthday, but we will celebrate on Sunday. He deserves a party!
I hope your Thanksgiving was a good day. We had a lovely feast at the boy’s house with all the fixins.
And we watched Planes, Trains and Automobiles (1987) for, like, the 38th time.
How was your weekend? Mine was pleasantly uneventful. Daughter #1 and I were moderately successful at an estate sale run by our favorite company–and by that I mean we got quite a few books and DVDs for an amazing Lamar discount.
The highlight of the weekend was going to church and seeing the boy and his family stand up in front of the congregation and be welcomed as new members. When the wee bud returned to our pew he said, “That was the best moment I’ve ever had!” They have been attending for four years, so I don’t think the twins really understood what was happening, but something clicked. We sang good hymns and, I must say, it melts my heart to hear little Lottie singing in her sweet falsetto “Jesus paid it all, all to him I owe; sin had left a crimson stain, he washed it white as snow” from memory beside me.
We also had a great sermon on the final verses of Philippians–4:10-23–and an in-context explanation of I can do all things through him who strengthens me. Ah, the secret of Christian contentment: you may not get what you want, but you will get what you need.
My adult ed class was a panel of elders talking about various topics, including stewardship, and it was very instructive and so incredibly different from my experience in the various Episcopal churches I have attended over the years. At Covenant the session sets a budget and trusts the Lord will provide. There is no lengthy Every Member Canvas, no fund-raising, no talk of gross vs. net pay. This continues to blow my mind. When there is an opportunity to preach about giving from the Gospel lesson, as there was on Sunday, the pastor talks about giving: And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.
We went to the Sunny Street Cafe after church to celebrate and daughter #1 met us there. We gobbled down our food and talked about her business trip to Wyoming and Devil’s Tower and giant coal-mining equipment much to the twins’ amazement. The bud already knew all about Devil’s Tower and the legend of the two Indian sisters and the bear, because he is a whiz on landmarks. Speaking of bears, did you know they are wrecking havoc in Japan? Neither twin knew there were bears in Japan and were skeptical when I told them.
I am re-reading Shane by Jack Schaefer and enjoying it. It is interesting to see how it is different from the movie and how the screenplay (in the hands of the great A.B. Guthrie) changes some things and emphasizes others to make a truly great film. I can’t wait to watch it again soon.
Have a great week–be thankful for your many blessings! Be content, give generously, rejoice. Greet every saint in Christ Jesus.
(And pet a nice dog.)
Praise, my soul, the King of heaven; to his feet your tribute bring. Ransomed, healed, restored, forgiven, evermore his praises sing. Alleluia, alleluia! Praise the everlasting King!
But we urge you, brothers…to aspire to live quietly, and to mind your own affairs, and to work with your hands, as we instructed you, so that you may walk properly before outsiders and be dependent on no one. (I Thessalonians 4: 10-12)
It’s finally Friday! I picked up Mr. Smith yesterday without any drama and he slept the afternoon away after his busy stay at the kennel. We had some lap time and watched Fox News for awhile before dinner. (He loves Tyrus.)
I went to my community group in the evening where we started a new study on Matthew, so he had a quiet night.
Daughter #1 made it home and I will leave it to her to tell you about her latest foray out West, but she did send this picture:
FYI Devils Tower National Monument was the first U.S. national monument, established on September 24, 1906, by President Theodore Roosevelt. She and one of her co-workers hiked around it and luckily did not encounter any bears on the trail.
This Sunday the boy and the twins are formally joining our church during the morning service, so I am excited about that. We will probably celebrate afterwards at the Sunny Street Cafe. Now all three of my “kids” will be members of PCA churches. (Daughter #1’s church is actually OPC, but I won’t quibble.) Praise the Lord.
dual personalities 