Love Came Down

It's almost here.
The gifts are wrapped and under the tree.
The baking is done.
From in here, it looks a lot like Christmas. But if you look out the window, you might not ever guess it. The only snow around here looks something like this:

It's hard to fathom a Christmas without snow in Minnesota. It does make for conversation and memories. And easier travel!

But regardless of what it looks like outside, it is Christmas.

And I feel it on the inside.

Really, I've heard it said, how "Love came down", and I know it's true. Left heaven where all is joy and peace and laughter and all the angels singing to Him, to come here. To a world He breathed into existance, crafted of beauty for His creation, those created in His image. And I wonder if that is why we love to give, because we are created in our Maker's image-- and isn't He the one who gave it all? This gift of Himself. A baby king, humbly and  lovingly wrapped and placed to rest in a manger made of wood and nails in a barn where animals came to get their daily food. Born because of love. And then, a man, scornfully and cruelly stripped and made to wear a crown of thorns on his head and to carry the wood and be pierced with the nails that we might have the Bread of Life. It's a crazy- beautiful true story.

In  Leaves of Gold:  An Anthology of Prayers, Memorable Phrases, Inspirational Verse and Prose,  I found this:

John 3:16

1. God ~ the greatest lover.

2.  So loved ~ the greatest degree.

3.  The World ~ the greatest company.

4.  That He gave ~ the greatest act.

5.  His only begotten Son ~ the greatest gift.

6.  That whosoever ~ the greatest opportunity.

7.  Believeth ~ the greatest simplicity.

8.  In Him ~ the greatest attraction.

9.  Should not perish ~ the greatest promise.

10.  But ~ the greatest difference.

11.  Have ~ the greatest certainty.

12.  Eternal life ~ the greatest possession.

                        ~Davies

Jesus is Love, the greatest gift of all at Christmas and every minute of every day throughout the whole year.

I hope you will enjoy the music. The song is one of my favorites called  The Miracle of Christmas, by Steven Curtis Chapman.

Have a blessed and Merry Christmas!

I will be back sometime shortly (I hope) after the new year. I'd like to take some time to finish "building" this blog and I need to get some school planning done. :o)

I saw the Whole Thing and it Got Me to Thinkin'

This morning I was standing in the kitchen, measuring out flour to dump in the pan for the bread that will be traveling to Ivy's house, and there I watched, saw the whole thing.



There's been a hairy woodpecker visiting the birdfeeder near the kitchen window regularly for several weeks now, and he was making his routine visit there this morning. While I was measuring and watching, a little downy woodpecker flew over, but Mr. Hairy wouldn't let him land. This went on for about a minute I suppose. Mr. Downy would fly in, about to land, and Mr. Hairy would chase him off. I was thinking that maybe Mr. Downy should just fly around the corner to the other feeder where he could easily have some breakfast without all the hassle. But no. This was a battle of the wills. Mr. Downy certainly was a persistant little thing, give him credit for that! But Mr. Hairy soon got tired of the chase and decided enough was enough. He would just sit ON the food rather than NEAR the food. Take that Mr. Downy, you little pest.

Mr. Downy didn't get his breakfast. At least not at this feeder. And Mr. Hairy?

He was quite satisfied. He didn't eat. Didn't peck. Just clung to his little treasure, daring any other hungry little feathered foe to try him. No one did. So he flew away.

And this is what it got me to thinkin':  Some of the best gifts I've ever gotten are right here in my kitchen. (I know. My brain just tracks that way sometimes. Seems to take a hard left to something seemingly unrelated. ) It's a short list, and I'm sure if I spent some serious time thinking it over, the list would be quite a bit longer. Each one has memories and a story that could rightfully be a post all by itself.  But I have cookies to bake, so I'll try to be quick.

It was a Mother's Day in the school house when Hubby and the girls got me these. I had just begun to take an interest in all the little chirpies that flitted about the yard there.

They've held a prominent place near a window in the three houses since then. Here, they hang on a nail near a kitchen window and I ( we) use them often.  To go along with the binoculars, my family got me these:

Hmmm. Normally the book on the right sits on an open shelf in the kitchen, near the binoculars and my camera. I had to go looking, and found it in the school room. I'll have to take it back to its rightful perch!

Also in the kitchen is this:

My mom and dad got this for me at Christmas the first year we were married. I still love it. The cover is not the original, and is a gift in itself. Years ago I ran a daycare. I had taken the plunger out then and put it away because the kids were always messing with it. One day, a child stood on the churn to reach the light switch, the cover slipped and the whole thing, child and all, crashed to the floor and the lid was broken into many pieces. It was lidless all these years until 5 years ago when we lived in Underwood. Hubby's uncle Craig was doing some construction work for us, and without mentioning to me that he had taken notice of the poor thing, showed up one morning with a lid for it!  How wonderful is that? 

The whole-again churn sits right next to this:

A pine hutch, built with his own hands, as a gift for me from my dad  while we were living in our first house in Wadena. It is well loved. This piece has been in every kitchen we've lived in since, and I'm sure would have quite the stories to tell if it could speak! 

Behind the glass doors of the  hutch are these:

Dishes that belonged to my Great- Grandma, Inga Augustson, given to me years ago from my mom. I remember the tiny apartment above an eye doctor's office in Fergus Falls where she and my (step) Great- Grandpa, Hjalmer, lived. She served us coffee in saucers so that it would cool, and sugar cookies. She wore dresses, hose, and thick-heeled black shoes and had the softest hands. We use these dishes every year at Thanksgiving.

And in the drawer, in a box, are these:

A beautiful, heart-shaped opal (my birthstone) given to me on my 4oth birthday from my Hubby. The gold band was broken in half by the weight of a heavy box I was trying to carry out of the house to be moved from Bertha to Underwood. And my Mother's ring with a stone missing, given to me the year that Joshua turned one.

Also in the kitchen, you would find this:

A glimpse of who we are, the Hubby and me, 25 years after saying "I do"! A gift of photos taken and given to us for our 25th anniversary from Hannah. She captures life in frames, too.

And last, but not the least in my kitchen, are these:

Christmas came a little early this year. (Smile)  Although I had no way to take a full picture of my camera, which is always right here in the kitchen, I have this. Hubby, my good man, knows the way to this woman's heart!! This year, a zoom lens, because he knows I like to see the stuff life is made of up close. And music, always in the kitchen because when we bought this house he put a speaker right here where we always are. So we can sing!

 And already I have zoomed in on the beauty around me and sung loud to every song on this cd. These are a few of my favorite gifts from the kitchen.

What are some of your favorite gifts?

Writer's Block

I knew it when I went to get my computer. My brain was full. And I had nothing to write about.

I always have a million thoughts going on and a song or three playing interruption to all of them. It goes something like this: (songs in italics)

If I make bread in my breadmaker for our family and for Ivy's  family Christmas, how many loaves would I need to make tomorrow and the day after that? I need to get more flour. And yeast.

And paper.
 Leave it all behind. Leave it all behind. Leave it all behind. Come to the well.

Jesus and my sins and my flesh on the cross. Still pondering. The cross and the manger both made of wood and nails. And the letter from Ransomed Heart?

Did I ever email Ginny back to tell her yes, I'll bring veggies and dip?
I've got what you need. But you keep on searching. I've done all the work. But you keep on working.

I wonder if Mrs. Bohne (my fourth grade teacher) is still alive. And Pastor Ron.
Morning has broken like the first morning. Song bird has spoken like the first bird.

Oh yeah. I was gonna wrap Hubbies gift while he was gone today and I forgot! That was a perfect opportunity missed!
Praise for them springing fresh from the world.

I have to remember to get Josh's last belt testing certificate from Master Nick on Thursday. And Gilbert to the groomer. He stinks.
And all who search will find what their souls long for.

I better get the bread out of the pan before I go to bed. And clip Sam's fingernails tomorrow.

Was Charlotte Mason still alive in 1955?!

Warrior Poets. Like William Wallace and Joshua.
Sing, sing a song. Sing out loud. Sing out strong. Don't worry that it's not good enough for anyone else to hear. Just sing. Sing a song.

Stocking stuffers.

Jesus left heaven to come and be born where they said there was no room for Him. He sure didn't look like a king. I wonder, if I were a Jewish person (or not) in Bethlehem or Jerusalem, if I would have been among the mockers. Scares me.
Oh Bethlehem, you will go down in history as the city with no room for a King. While you were sleeping. While you were sleeping.

The tree looks so pretty in the dark. My contacts are so dry tonight.

I guess I'll just go to bed now.
Good night. Sleep tight. Pleasant dreams come true. Here's a kiss. And a hug. Remember I love you. (We call it the Good-Night Song and sing it to the tune of the similar song that ended the Lawrence Welk show how many years ago???)

Just too much to think about!!

Paper is a Staple

At least it is around here. The kind of staple that is always to be checked on the way you would check the pantry for flour or the fridge for eggs when you make a grocery list or a run to town. It is essential. It can be used in as many different ways as flour and eggs. For instance:  Click here to read more!

Smiles on Ice

A Prologue:
I am getting comfy in my favorite chair by the window and the Christmas tree all lit up, a fresh, hot cup of coffee. I thought this would be the perfect time to grab a few quiet minutes, write something warm and fuzzy about brotherly love, about fun on a Sunday afternoon in Minnesota-the Hubby and Josh downstairs and Sam slurping a cup of hot chocolate at the counter.

I guess the hot chocolate wasn't hot enough to require slow savoring. In the time it has taken me to get my computer, plug it in, plump the pillow under my arm and tuck my feet up under myself, Samuel has descended from his swiveling stool and is now bouncing around the room, all chocolate mustache and smiles and it starts with a string of endless four-year-old riddles. He's been blowing across his cup. I can hear what he's been thinking:  "Mom, how do dogs talk to dogs?" "They bark." "Nope. They blow on them. How do birds talk to birds?" He's skipping about the furniture, hopping over the dog who also was mistaken when he thought this would be a quiet place to rest. "They chirp?" "Nope. They blow on them. How do cows talk to cows?" "I think cows say 'moo'." "Mom, No! They blow on them! And sometimes dogs say 'bark bark' and sometimes birds say 'chirp chirp' and sometimes cows say 'moo moo'.  And dads talk to dads. And moms talk to moms. And girls talk to girls. And Remoah is my friend at church but sometimes she talks to me. She's my friend. And Savannah is my friend. And so is Anthony and Parker. But they're boys. And boys talk to boys. I love everyone in our house. And I love my sisters, too, but they're girls. Right? And you're a girl." I get just a split second to answer "Yep" and no more. It continues on for a bit longer before he decides to take his bouncy self downstairs.  All the words that were waiting ready in my head to be plucked out into a story to go with these pictures, have disappeared as quickly as Sam's hot chocolate.

So, on a Sunday afternoon in west central Minnesota, two brothers went out on the ice.

They skated some.

Fell down some.

But...

got back up. And had some fun.
So the story is more cold and slippery than warm and fuzzy, but it's definitely on track for some fun in a Minnesota winter and some brotherly love.

The Epilogue:
Sam has bounced himself into the chair and wrapped himself around me. "I love you, Mom. And I love Josh and Dad. And I love Gilbert. And I love myself and everybody in our house. Cuz we're all friends aren't we Mom? Wanna hear what a Mustang sounds like?"

Yep.

All That Sparkles

I wasn't sure we were entering the right room. The text message said "Room 107" and yes, that was the number above the door.

So we made our way to the back, past three crowded rows of folding chairs filled with parents and grandparents. I stood behind while the boys slid into two of the last three open chairs. I was glad we hadn't arrived any later. Those parents and grandparents still arriving were coming to standing room only.

And then I saw her. All that sparkles and shines.

She and her little classmates entered the room all dressed in their holiday clothes and nervous smiles, searching the room for their special audience, the ones who came just for them. She caught my eye and I waved to her and she came quickly over and filled that last empty chair next to Josh and Sam. She asked with a smile if she was coming to our house, and I explained that no, we were coming to her school to watch her sing today. One of her teachers came over and we introduced ourselves. She told me how much she enjoyed having Savannah in her class, how bright she was. Then it was time for Savannah to go back to the front of the room and take her place. A few more parents yet to arrive and then the program would begin. The boys took off their jackets.

Papa and Mimi Kukowski came, and then with a toddler on her hip and a baby sleeping in a seat came the most important one of all, Savannah's mama. A teacher closed the door. And the children sang.

And Savannah, she sparkled.

When It's Hard to See: A Lamp

Sometimes, the road you are traveling becomes unclear.

For any number of various reasons, the road suddenly no longer lies clearly before you. It may have started smooth and straight under sunny skies. You began the journey with a light backpack, new white tennis shoes, a confident smile, and your future steps seemed clearly before you. Or maybe the road on which you started your journey was rugged and uphill under skies that were overcast, but you set your jaw and lifted your load and saw clearly the steps your muddy hiking boots would be treading. But whatever the beginning, somewhere now down the road, what was once so certain is now no longer so. Maybe somewhere along the way you misread the signs. Or miscalculated the miles. Or maybe you took a shortcut. Or the scenic route. Maybe you tarried too long in a place you should have been moving quickly through. Maybe you jogged on by when you should have slowed and appreciated the view. And now you're here, wherever that is, and you feel you need to be well on your way to somewhere else. But where? And even if you new for certain where "where" was, the way to your destination is foggy and uncertain.

I know that place. In the 40+ years I've been traveling on planet earth, I've been on many roads. Parts of the journey were planned and well prepared for and there was much happiness on the way. Other times there have been unforseen hard turns to the left that sent me falling down a sharp cliff and left me bruised and hurting.  I have known both joy and heartache. Times of confidence and seasons of doubt. It would also be true to say that these moments on the road are not always synonymous with preparation or negligence.  I have known love and grace when I have made wrong turns. And I have known pain on journeys I thought I was well prepared to take.

I'm still traveling. I am certain to have moments, days, even seasons ahead where the way may be unclear.

But this I know: "Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path." Psalm 119:105

Whichever road your next steps find you on, the lamp of His word shines forth these for sure-footing:

God knows where you are:

Psalm 139:1-4, 7   "O Lord, you have searched me and you know me. You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar. You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways. Before a word is on my tongue you know it completely, O Lord...Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence?"

You are not alone:

Hebrews 13:5   "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you."

You are loved regardless of where you are:

Psalm 130: 7  "...for with the Lord is unfailing love..."



You are heard:

Psalm 34:17   "The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them;"

And when you are trusting in Him, you can know this:

Romans 8:28  "And we know that in all things God works to the good of those who love him "

May you find in these words a peace and confidence,  even on a road that is uncertain. 

J.B and J.C. Really?!

           Today, a guest post from my lovely daughter, Hannah!

     I was watching a sitcom the other night, in which the youngest son had questions about this ‘intriguing book’ he was reading called the Bible. He was constantly put off by his parents, and his father told him that the best time to worry about the Bible was between 9 and 10 on Sunday mornings.

                This boy’s older sister had a different take. Disgruntled at her brother’s apparent disbelief, she told him that if he didn’t believe, she didn’t even think he was allowed to celebrate Christmas. She then went to the reverend, in hopes that he could save him.

                Already, I was put off by the casual way that something as Holy and life-altering as the Word of God  was being expressed through this show in a comedic, not-really-necessary-to-life commodity. BUT, then the reverend compared ‘J.C.’ to ‘J.B.’—none other than Justin Bieber!! Really?! He went on to say that just as Justin lives his life, sings, and expresses himself in hopes that people will  follow him, Christ did the same, in hopes that people would see what they liked and decide to follow Him.

                Okay, for one thing, a 5 year old is not going to stand back to back with his father to see how close they are in height, because there is nothing to compare. Just as the life and walk of these two men, and the choice that people make to follow them, should not be compared.

                Let’s ponder the differences here. Justin Bieber has an effect on 12 year old girls  that makes them weak in the knees. They swoon, and call themselves ‘Beliebers’—yes, I know. He was discovered on YouTube for his musical abilities, has a talent that was recognized immediately, and that hair—that hair that everyone loves, the hair that accentuates his handsome features, and that boys and young men alike want to emulate when they get their haircut at the local barber—after all, the girls absolutely adore Justin. He is not even 20, and he is set for life. Who wouldn’t want to follow him?

                Now let’s talk about my Savior—they call this man Jesus Christ. He was not discovered on YouTube, he was discovered in a manger. He does not make me weak in the knees, but makes me fall on my knees in worship, as I know of no other way to be before the King. He was recognized by His love for the unlikely, the lost, the taxpayers…for me. He was not always accepted, but recognized. He was not lovely to look at; in Isaiah 53 it says, “He has no form or comeliness; and when we see Him, there is no beauty that we should desire Him.” Justin Bieber was not sent here to be bear the weight and sin of the world. Jesus was. He became a man of sorrows, in order that you and I could have the hope of eternal life. My king was scoffed at, spit upon, was made a crown of thorns in mockery, before being hung by nails on the cross. He loved us before He knew us. He suffered that we wouldn’t have to. He is the Son of God, the Redeemer of this world. Justin Bieber sings songs that we can feel good about and sing along to. Jesus gave you and I life. Who wouldn’t want to follow Him?

Some Good Reads for This Season

If you've been hustling about, baking, shopping, making a list and checking it twice, might I make a suggestion??  How about taking a time-out, making up some hot chocolate with a big dollup of whipped cream (or even better--a scoop of ice cream!) for the whole family and curling up in your favorite chair? How about a good book? Or three?

The first: A beautiful way to start your day during this holiday season. We first read through this last year, taking this Jesse Tree Journey. It's a daily devotional reading, a journey really, through history and all the roads that lead to Jesus, for the Advent season.

Each day's reading begins with a portion of scripture. Joshua sees this as a time to sharpen his skills for the "sword drill" in his Sunday school class. I tell him what the scripture reference is and say "GO!". He flips through pages to find it in less than ten seconds.

Then he reads. I follow along in the devotional. Following the scripure reading are some thoughts to consider, which I read aloud. Deep thoughts. Thoughts you may not have ever considered, beautifully written in such a way that you really do take it with you throughout the day.  Then, it closes with a short prayer, and an idea for an activity you might do that day in response to the reading. Included with the devotional are images to cut out and use for ornaments should you decide to make a "Jesse Tree". Each day, the boys take turns putting on the ornament.

An excerpt from Day 13: And in Bethlehem, the elders trembled fear and wondered if this Samuel looking for a king had come in peace? "Yes, peace," he said, "for I bring a sacrifice." And on the night when the King of Kings and Lord of Lords came to Bethlehem, the shepherds shook sore afraid and wondered if the angels came to bring peace and they said, "Do not be afraid, yes, we bring you good news." The Prince of Peace had come! No need to knee-knock in fear for this Appointed King, Jesus, comes as Peace for He brings His own offering along with Him: Himself as the sacrifice.

It's short. It's beautifully written. It's for the whole family. And it's a  free ebook, written by Ann Voskamp.  Find it at A Holy Experience. 
While you are waiting for the book to finish printing, you may just want to stay and visit there as you will find it refreshing to your soul!

Second:  This book is how we've been closing out our days. I'd heard it mentioned several years ago and made a mental note to find it for our family. Well, as often is the case with my mental notes, it was forgotten, until last year a friend highly recommended it to me. So now this year we are finally reading it, and it is the perfect read for this season. The title of the book is Jotham's Journey, written by Arnold Ytreeide.

  The story is that of a ten year-old boy in search of his family. He faces many dangers: wild animals, thieves and kidnappers.  (I might suggest that this story be better suited to those age ten and up? Some of it may be frightening to younger ones!) But he also encounters new friends who help him on his way. Again, this is a story to be read throughout the Advent season. Each day has a chapter to read. And each night Joshua asks, "Can't we just read one more chapter?"

An excerpt: Nathan sat perfectly still, his eyes and ears searching the air for a hint of who was outside the cave. Jotham's heart jumped as the clatter of falling rocks pierced the silence once more. Nathan stood carefully so as to not make a sound, and crept silently over to the mouth of the cave.  Staying in the shadows he peeked outside.  Once again broken bits of rock fell, and this time Nathan saw that they fell right in front of the cave entrance. Decha's men were surrounding the cave, he realized.

Third: Last but not least, Two From Galilee by Marjorie Holmes. This is the greatest love story ever told, and I've put it on hold for a year!! Last year at this time my good friend loaned it to me. For some reason I put it aside for my "next read", and now, many "next read's" later, I am turning its pages.

Although I am not very many pages into this one, each time I've put it aside it's been because I've had to and not because I've wanted to. So far, very good.
From the jacket: Mary, a devout and beautiful young Jewess; Joseph, a strong, hard-working carpenter schooled in the traditions of the synagogue--young, in love, betrothed, joyously planning for their wedding and new home.
     Then comes the totally unexpected announcement to Mary, "You shall conceive and bear a son and he will be the Son of God." How could it happen? Believing but bewildered, the teen-age girl is faced with the practical problem of telling her parents and her beloved Joseph that she is to bear a child...the tender, moving love story of two young people whose love was strained almost beyond endurance, but whose faith in each other and in God always sustained and strengthened.

Have a Christmas cookie and enjoy!

Tuesday, a guest post!