We had a fun time last night on Christmas Eve despite my fretful, freaking out kind of nature. The only glitch wasn't too big, but it did get to me. My nephew and his family came to our house and in my efforts to see that everyone had everything they needed or wanted, I forgot to give the baby his present before they went home, so at 11:30 pm last night, after everyone had gone home, I was stressing over it. I called him this morning and apologized for my error and of course my nephew was understanding about the mix up. We couldn't meet up today but I will see to it that little Kieran gets his gift tomorrow. That's the plan.
The meal turned out well and I knew I'd fix way too much food. The ones with prior commitments ate their fill and left early to meet their other obligations. The kids played outside running around all willy nilly in the dark as kids do when allowed an extra measure of freedom because of a special event. They ran amuck and had a blast doing so. There were a few little girl shrieks and lots of laughing. Meanwhile, there was an enthusiastic Euchre match between Amy and Lane and Holly and Tony in the living room, hunting talk in the family room and girl talk at the dining room table.
When the evening drew to a close, we cleaned up the mess, put away the food and said our good nights. We lingered in the kitchen and told just one more story, said one more goodbye. Our farewells carried out to the driveway where we hugged once more, trying to stall the end of a really nice gathering. Then the cars backed out of the yard and onto the street for parts home.
I know that not everyone has smooth, drama-less, holiday parties. Emotions are often on the surface at Christmas and sometimes hearts are bruised by careless words and actions but without sounding saccharine, that didn't happen at our home last night. Family and friends came together, had fun together in ways that our unique to our circle, and went home happy. It was an uncomplicated and fun night. How I love the simplicity of it all.
Christmas day was beautiful with just our immediate family together to celebrate Christ's birthday. We have a late, big breakfast of bacon, sausage, biscuits, gravy, grits, eggs and orange sweet rolls. After we eat, and without cleaning up anything, we all go to the family room and my husband leads us in a prayer of thanksgiving to the Lord for all His gifts to us. It is my most favorite few moments of the entire holiday season. There is no commotion and frantic opening of gifts until we first thank Jesus for his blessings to us. This has been our Christmas morning tradition since our daughters were just little things. After we thank the Lord, then all gift-giving chaos breaks loose. I love that part, too.
Following present-time, the little ones and the dads play with their gifts and the girls and I clean up from breakfast. Amy pitches in to help the kids enjoy their presents while Holly and I put together our traditional Christmas day lasagna for later on in the afternoon. This year we tried out a new pan made just for lasagna. It's quite large and while Holly put together all the delicious parts of the dish, I directed from right beside her. She said I was a 'back seat cooker.' We fussed about the details and had loads of fun doing so. While it's baking, we all pile into our cars to visit Byron's mom for a little bit. We head home, eat our early dinner, which turned out delicious, and then part company for the rest of the day. After a full couple of days, I crash, satisfied.
Our ways of celebrating Christmas may be lots different, or not so different, from yours, and that's OK. What we do, our traditions, work for us, as yours do for you. Sometimes they stay the same for a long time, sometimes parts of our routine ebb and flow in change, but the truth remains that they are unique to our family.
I cherish our Christmas traditions and eccentricities. It's what makes the Adams' family, the Adams' family. These are the routines that my grandchildren will remember, and, should the Lord tarry, will pass along or at least tell their children about. Family stories. Family ways. Precious memories. I thank the Lord for them.
Father, Thank you for my dear friends and family. Thank you for time to spend with them all. Thank you for a peaceful heart. Thank you for an absolutely beautiful Christmas.
I love you, Lord.
Suz
Thursday, December 25, 2008
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
freaking out and fun
Did you ever bite off more bubblegum than you could chew? I've done it both ways, in fact, and in essence. Neither way is pleasant. That's the way I feel right now. Like my necessary requirements loom too large over my emotional resources. It's a common feeling for me when I'm having friends and family over to my house for dinner, etc.
You see, the other night, on the spur of the moment, I added several families to my dinner on Christmas Eve. Please understand, these are our dearest friends and I am looking so forward to spending this special evening with them all, but anytime I invite guests to our home, I tend to stress about the niggly details of their comfort. Where will everyone sit? Will the house be too crowded for comfort? What will the children do for fun? I don't worry about having too little food. I tend to overcompensate with the amount of it. I would simply croak over if I had to worry about having enough food AND places to sit, but I will think about the glitches and the challenges of many people in a small house and will plan and fret over how it will all work out.
I will call on my husband and daughters for help, and they will gladly assist me--but I will still stress about the final outcome. The time for the event will arrive and I will freak just one more time and then I'll be fine and will have a great time with all those at our home.
That's just the way I am. I don't like it very much, but that's how I seem to function. Freak, then fun. You know, my life would be much more relaxed and enjoyable if I could skip the freaking part. Maybe when I'm older...
So, this morning, I called out to the Lord to help me pull this all together for tomorrow night. He reminded me of a get together with Jesus at the home of Lazarus', Martha and Mary. Martha was freaking out in the kitchen about all the work to do while her sister, Mary, was focusing on the more important part of the gathering--listening to Jesus--enjoying their guests. I doubt that there were planned activities for the kids and I'll bet the kitchen was a mess. I can almost guarantee there weren't enough seats at the table for each one to have their own perfect place setting--and that's pretty much how it will be at my house on Christmas Eve. And while, I will strive to make our friends and family comfortable, I'm no Martha Stewart or Sandra Lee with gorgeous tablescapes, I can guarantee this.
What we will have here at our house, Lord willing, are tons of good food, and oceans of love for one another as we come together to celebrate our friendship and ultimately the birth of Jesus, our Savior.
I feel much better now after venting about my home entertaining insecurities. I am going to get up from here and clean out that refrigerator so I can fill it up with new food for the next couple of celebration days.
Father, thank you for helping me put this family event into perspective. Help me keep the main thing, the main thing. I love our family and friends so very much and only want them to feel comfortable and loved in our home. You are the perfect one to make this happen. Thank you for sending your perfect Son for us. Thank you for Jesus. I love you so very much.
Suz
I hope you all keep the main thing, the main thing, this Christmas. Merry Christmas to you all. It's going to be a great time. I just know it.
You see, the other night, on the spur of the moment, I added several families to my dinner on Christmas Eve. Please understand, these are our dearest friends and I am looking so forward to spending this special evening with them all, but anytime I invite guests to our home, I tend to stress about the niggly details of their comfort. Where will everyone sit? Will the house be too crowded for comfort? What will the children do for fun? I don't worry about having too little food. I tend to overcompensate with the amount of it. I would simply croak over if I had to worry about having enough food AND places to sit, but I will think about the glitches and the challenges of many people in a small house and will plan and fret over how it will all work out.
I will call on my husband and daughters for help, and they will gladly assist me--but I will still stress about the final outcome. The time for the event will arrive and I will freak just one more time and then I'll be fine and will have a great time with all those at our home.
That's just the way I am. I don't like it very much, but that's how I seem to function. Freak, then fun. You know, my life would be much more relaxed and enjoyable if I could skip the freaking part. Maybe when I'm older...
So, this morning, I called out to the Lord to help me pull this all together for tomorrow night. He reminded me of a get together with Jesus at the home of Lazarus', Martha and Mary. Martha was freaking out in the kitchen about all the work to do while her sister, Mary, was focusing on the more important part of the gathering--listening to Jesus--enjoying their guests. I doubt that there were planned activities for the kids and I'll bet the kitchen was a mess. I can almost guarantee there weren't enough seats at the table for each one to have their own perfect place setting--and that's pretty much how it will be at my house on Christmas Eve. And while, I will strive to make our friends and family comfortable, I'm no Martha Stewart or Sandra Lee with gorgeous tablescapes, I can guarantee this.
What we will have here at our house, Lord willing, are tons of good food, and oceans of love for one another as we come together to celebrate our friendship and ultimately the birth of Jesus, our Savior.
I feel much better now after venting about my home entertaining insecurities. I am going to get up from here and clean out that refrigerator so I can fill it up with new food for the next couple of celebration days.
Father, thank you for helping me put this family event into perspective. Help me keep the main thing, the main thing. I love our family and friends so very much and only want them to feel comfortable and loved in our home. You are the perfect one to make this happen. Thank you for sending your perfect Son for us. Thank you for Jesus. I love you so very much.
Suz
I hope you all keep the main thing, the main thing, this Christmas. Merry Christmas to you all. It's going to be a great time. I just know it.
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
the season
Our church Christmas production was Sunday night and it turned out well. I was excited to be asked to be the narrator. It wasn't a difficult thing, but it was trickier than I had initially thought it would be. Who knew that reading a script with genuine emotion, in time to the music, with a spotlight in your eyes would be a challenge? Duh. I have new found respect for narrators everywhere. Thank the Lord that even with the few stumbles I had I was able to skirt the disaster of losing my place or some other public speaking train wreck.
The choir worshipped the Lord in their music and I think its the most important thing about any church program. If it's just a 'show' at church, then I'm underwhelmed, but if hearts are truly lifted in praise and in worship with the holiday music or whatever is done, it makes all the difference in the lives of those listening. Our choir worshipped and led us all in worship. It was beautiful.
Holiday programs, special events, gatherings of friends and family, special lunches with girlfriends, unharried solo shopping trips or with children, foods unique to the season, giving a little money in the Salvation Army pot at Walmart, are what make the Christmas season unique. It's a time of celebrating our Savior's birth by opening up our hearts to one another and the world. Wide open hearts full of generosity with love and giving whatever we have--a present, a little money for a good cause--open kindness--freely given--one to another.
Pastor Gary gave us a visual on Sunday morning that struck home with me. When the man with leprosy came to Jesus, he said, "If you will, I will be healed." In compassion, in generosity, Jesus said, "I will," and the man was healed.
Matthew 8:1 When Jesus came down from the hill, great crowds followed him.2 Then a man with a skin disease came to Jesus. The man bowed down before him and said, "Lord, you can heal me if you will." 3 Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man and said, "I will. Be healed!" And immediately the man was healed from his disease.
Our world needed a Savior. The world cried out and said, "Lord, if you will..." And the Son of God, with generosity of heart and great love and compassion, put on humanity as the baby in Mary's arms and said, "I will."
I don't know why Christmas seems different for me this year, but it does. The lights on homes and trees shine a little brighter. The poinsettias are fuller and richer red. Children are more adorable. Smiles are quicker to shine. Patience seems to be longer. People are friendlier to one another. I feel more relaxed--I feel peaceful--about it all. Maybe some of the grief of the season has eased up for me a little. Maybe it's because I'm a little older. You know, time passes, wounds become less fresh, less sharp. Or, perhaps the Lord is simply healing my poor, battered Christmastime heart. I'm not too concerned with why it's different this year, I'm just glad it is.
Father, our Savior came us us willingly, generously, freely. Thank you for sending just who we needed, at just the perfect time. You give us the best gifts of all. Help me to revel in your generosity and also give of myself in the same liberal way. I love you, Lord.
Enjoy the season, all :)
Suz
The choir worshipped the Lord in their music and I think its the most important thing about any church program. If it's just a 'show' at church, then I'm underwhelmed, but if hearts are truly lifted in praise and in worship with the holiday music or whatever is done, it makes all the difference in the lives of those listening. Our choir worshipped and led us all in worship. It was beautiful.
Holiday programs, special events, gatherings of friends and family, special lunches with girlfriends, unharried solo shopping trips or with children, foods unique to the season, giving a little money in the Salvation Army pot at Walmart, are what make the Christmas season unique. It's a time of celebrating our Savior's birth by opening up our hearts to one another and the world. Wide open hearts full of generosity with love and giving whatever we have--a present, a little money for a good cause--open kindness--freely given--one to another.
Pastor Gary gave us a visual on Sunday morning that struck home with me. When the man with leprosy came to Jesus, he said, "If you will, I will be healed." In compassion, in generosity, Jesus said, "I will," and the man was healed.
Matthew 8:1 When Jesus came down from the hill, great crowds followed him.2 Then a man with a skin disease came to Jesus. The man bowed down before him and said, "Lord, you can heal me if you will." 3 Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man and said, "I will. Be healed!" And immediately the man was healed from his disease.
Our world needed a Savior. The world cried out and said, "Lord, if you will..." And the Son of God, with generosity of heart and great love and compassion, put on humanity as the baby in Mary's arms and said, "I will."
I don't know why Christmas seems different for me this year, but it does. The lights on homes and trees shine a little brighter. The poinsettias are fuller and richer red. Children are more adorable. Smiles are quicker to shine. Patience seems to be longer. People are friendlier to one another. I feel more relaxed--I feel peaceful--about it all. Maybe some of the grief of the season has eased up for me a little. Maybe it's because I'm a little older. You know, time passes, wounds become less fresh, less sharp. Or, perhaps the Lord is simply healing my poor, battered Christmastime heart. I'm not too concerned with why it's different this year, I'm just glad it is.
Father, our Savior came us us willingly, generously, freely. Thank you for sending just who we needed, at just the perfect time. You give us the best gifts of all. Help me to revel in your generosity and also give of myself in the same liberal way. I love you, Lord.
Enjoy the season, all :)
Suz
Monday, December 8, 2008
good and faithful teachers
Mrs Ruby Pribble was my Sunday School teacher at Calvary Baptist Church in Michigan when I was about ten years old. Mrs Pribble is now 81 years old. I have never forgotten my time in her class or her. A couple of years ago when we were preparing to go on a missions trip to Macedonia, I thought about her and I decided to try to find her. Through a series of mouse clicks and an email, I was soon speaking with her on the phone. My search took about an hour. Although she does not remember me from her class, it has not made any difference to either of us. We have reconnected and written several letters back and forth. I received a letter from her this morning. I will share her letter in part.
Dear Suzanne,
...Thank you for your little peek at the mission trips you have been privileged to make. What wonderful opportunities to serve the Lord. Mission trips were never heard of a few years ago. Our world has shrunk and modern technology has sped up missions goals. I wonder if God has allowed this to speed up the gospel and hasten the return of Christ. "Even so, come Lord Jesus."
We just celebrated Thanksgiving. How good the Lord has been to us. How blessed we have been as a nation, Suzanne. We may be entering a new phase of life here in our nation. The title, "Christian nation" is not deserved any longer. The killing of millions of babies and the acceptance of homosexuality have taken down great countries before our own. God never ignores sin.
Sorry. I shouldn't pursue such a sad topic, but Suzanne I'm an old lady, but you could face persecution in the next few years. Study the Bible and memorize as much as you can. It's the Word that will sustain us, come what may.
May God abundantly bless you and yours.
Lovingly,
Ruby Pribble
The Apostle Paul helped his children in the Lord with his words and wisdom in his letters to the churches. Similarly, Mrs Pribble does the same thing for me. Within only a few sentences, she encourages, she admonishes, and she instructs me wisely. She helps her daughter in the Lord with her wisdom and encouragement. What an example of our words as powerful tools and a strong help when given with much wisdom and love.
Lord Jesus, Some 46 years later, Mrs Pribble is still my teacher. Thank you for giving me a good and faithful teacher as she is. Help me to also be a good and faithful friend to those you put in my life. You give good gifts, Lord. Thank you so much. I love you.
Suz
Dear Suzanne,
...Thank you for your little peek at the mission trips you have been privileged to make. What wonderful opportunities to serve the Lord. Mission trips were never heard of a few years ago. Our world has shrunk and modern technology has sped up missions goals. I wonder if God has allowed this to speed up the gospel and hasten the return of Christ. "Even so, come Lord Jesus."
We just celebrated Thanksgiving. How good the Lord has been to us. How blessed we have been as a nation, Suzanne. We may be entering a new phase of life here in our nation. The title, "Christian nation" is not deserved any longer. The killing of millions of babies and the acceptance of homosexuality have taken down great countries before our own. God never ignores sin.
Sorry. I shouldn't pursue such a sad topic, but Suzanne I'm an old lady, but you could face persecution in the next few years. Study the Bible and memorize as much as you can. It's the Word that will sustain us, come what may.
May God abundantly bless you and yours.
Lovingly,
Ruby Pribble
The Apostle Paul helped his children in the Lord with his words and wisdom in his letters to the churches. Similarly, Mrs Pribble does the same thing for me. Within only a few sentences, she encourages, she admonishes, and she instructs me wisely. She helps her daughter in the Lord with her wisdom and encouragement. What an example of our words as powerful tools and a strong help when given with much wisdom and love.
Lord Jesus, Some 46 years later, Mrs Pribble is still my teacher. Thank you for giving me a good and faithful teacher as she is. Help me to also be a good and faithful friend to those you put in my life. You give good gifts, Lord. Thank you so much. I love you.
Suz
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