December 19, 2009

• The most vivid memories of Christmases past are usually not of gifts given or received, but of the spirit of love, the special warmth of Christmas worship, the cherished little habits of the home.
  Lois Rand
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  Today is the day I can jubilantly announce to all the world, "The Holiday Village wrapping center is officially closed!"

           
                The dining room is conspicuously absent of all the former boxes of wrapping paper and ribbons!
                                                 And, it looks like a dining room, again!

  The baked goods are baked.  The candy is made.  Even the pumpkin bars are done, only awaiting the time I cut them into bars and wrap them in clear wrap. 

  An easy job!

    
  My boxes are ready for Jesse (or me, if he isn't quick enough!!!) to move to the garage.

  He got down some empty Rubbermaid plastic tubs for me to fill by redistributing the Christmas things we've decided to keep.  I'll label the bins and then move them back to the attic.  It feels refreshing to have order to my attic!  No more mystery boxes!!! LOL

  Every single Christmas decoration I ever owned has been stored up in the attic of our 3 different homes!  That's a pretty good gauge when wondering if I think I'll ever use something again. 

  If it's been in an attic for our almost 13 years of marriage, it, most likely, needs to move on to the trash or a new owner!

                          
                             There is still room in these, but I may transfer them ALL to plastic bins.

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  There is a slight wistfulness in my mood today, as I remember a baby I miscarried on this day many years ago.  It's not so much a sense of grief I feel, but more of a question of "what might have been" and a curious feeling.  I wonder how my life would be different.  I wonder, "Was it the one boy I might have had?"  I wonder about his/her temperament, etc.

  But, we heal because of God's tenderness and mercy, and our life moves forward, replaced with other *good* things.

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  The girls have wrapped their gifts and are finished with the paper and gift bags, as well.  Those bins (paper, ribbon, and bags) will be left downstairs for emergency last minute wrapping - but, hopefully, there will be no such thing!

          
                                 The girls are still children, so this last week feels like a month to them!

  They were so excited last night when they (and their dad) called me to my bedroom to help wrap one last "really difficult gift" for them.  When I got to the bedroom, a new camera and case were sitting in the middle of our bed FOR ME!!!!! 

  A new Canon with more options and high tech stuff than my current Canon PowerShot. 

  Talk about excited!  I honestly stood in disbelief for a while!  All I said, over and over again, was, "I can't believe you bought this!"

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  My PET scan went fine yesterday.  I had a long while to sit after they injected the dye, so I read my Bible and the "healing passages" I have highlighted in pink, as I have walked through my cancer treatment this year.  It brought me much comfort (my reading) and I prayed out loud while I was "in" the PET machine during the scan. 

  I told Jesse, they had a live microphone in there (I guess for people who need out quickly, for some reason) and the techs heard every word I spoke of God and my faith.  I thanked Him for all He's done for me and thanked Him for things He is doing that are not yet visible to us as mortal beings.

  Monday evening is my last scan.  A full body MRI.  I'll have lots of time to read with that one.  They let the patients bring a CD and they'll play it for you while the test is going on.  I"ll probably choose one I have of a pastor simply reading Bible verses that pertain to healing and God's faithfulness to perform that which He has promised!

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  So, for now, it's my job to *SIT* and read about how to make the new camera work by next week!

  In fact, my goal is to do nothing.  The girls and I cleaned the house this morning.  The carpets are vacuumed, furniture dusted, bathrooms clean, and I even treated the mildew trying to grow in the girls bathroom tile corners.

  I was telling another friend, Amber, that I tend to fill the restful gaps with busyness and it is hard for me to rest.  But, I'm going to try really hard to just enjoy the candle scents, the twinkling lights, the beautiful carols and hymns of this season, and remember to B-R-E-A-T-H-E!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

          
                                                  Sushi can be my source of inspiration!

  I probably won't write again until Monday morning, and maybe not until Tuesday, AFTER I have my Monday night MRI done.

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  Please spend time smiling and taking in the beauty around you.  The beautiful snow that much of the country is receiving.  The thrill of keeping warm with blankets and using candles instead of electrical lights.  Watch your family and love each one of them.  Thank God for the blessings that He has given you! 

  Sometimes it's hard when the children peak at a dull roar or a high pitched shriek, but somewhere in all of that energy is a human being - a life - a child that God gave you!

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  Be Blessed ~
  

  • 5:42 pm
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