Advent Musings

This is the darkest week of the year. I find it some what depressing. I do not really want to get out of bed in the morning. It’s cold and dark. I hear about family members who lose a loved one this time of year, a pregnancy that may not last, strife between friends and family, the forced prostitution of young girls. Then I remember the end of the week. I am so thankful for Christmas. Not just the gifts though it is fun to receive and to give. Not just the food, though it is yummy and filling. Not just the family though it is good to work on and enjoy those relationships but, more so because our God sent His Son. The Great Light has come! There is hope! We no longer have to be in darkness. Whether that means our own sin and short comings or how others hurt us or the injustices in the world. I love Christmas lights as a reminder of the Light that has come. Christ who was perfectly human and divine entered our world. Not only has He entered, but He continues to be at work.

Can you see the flickering light breaking through the darkness? Sometimes it is small and hard to see, but it is there. It is in organizations who fight for those who are oppressed like IJM, it is in shelters who house women and children who must flee the violence of their homes, it is in a group of students who care what happens to the employees of their school, it is in those who visit nursing homes and soup kitchens all year long.

Our pastor recently talked about miracles and how they are not really these extra-ordinary events outside the natural order. Miracles are really a glimpse of the restoration of things to come. So, when Jesus restores sight to the blind man it is a glimpse of how things should really be. Jesus’ miracles are not suspensions of the current order, but restorations of the created order. God is working out His kingdom here and now. Glimpses of the Light are there. I love this passage in Isaiah not just for the often quoted part, but for all of it and the peek it gives us of how things will be-justice, peace, rejoicing. “I have seen a great light. . .”

“The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of shadow of death a light has dawned. You have enlarged the nation and increased the joy; they rejoice before you as people rejoice at the harvest, as men rejoice when dividing the plunder. For as in the day of Midian’s defeat, you have shattered the yoke that burdens them, the bar across their shoulders, the rod of their oppressor. Every warrior’s boot used in battle and every garment rolled in blood will be destined for the fire. For to us a child is born to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this.” Isaish 9:2-7

Maine trip

We got to visit Jeff's grandparents, aunt, mom, and two sisters in Maine for a long weekend. It was perfect weather. We had fun just spending time together, cooking meals, walking, and enjoying the views. We took a ton of pictures if you feel strong enough to look at them all I will email them to you, just let me know:) Here are just a sample. Jeff's grandparent's cottage was right on the ocean.

A wedding

Jeff, Ana, and I just got back from a family wedding. It really was a family event. My grandparents got married. It's such a great story I wanted to share it. My biological grandparents got divorced over 30 years ago.
My grandmother remarried -- he's the man I knew as my grandfather. He passed away a couple of years ago. My biological grandfather moved in with my parents and got re-acquainted with my grandmother. They started dating and now are married. . .again. It is a beautiful story of redemption. We are all broken people, but this a wonderful example to me of how we can be restored in relationships. Jeff and my aunt sang the song "Your Grace Still Amazes Me" by Phillips, Craig and Dean. It was highly appropriate as these two people who left relationship with one another in a hurtful way have grown in Christ who then restored their relationship with one another. The wedding was officiated by my cousin, my uncles were ushers, my mom played piano, my sister flute, my husband and aunt sang, and my uncle did the photography. All the "kids" of my grandparents played a part and where thrilled with this coming together. I found myself getting misty eyes during the ceremony. After the reception we all went and hung out and my grandparents' house. Someone commented that not to many people bring their grandchildren and great-grandchildren on their honeymoon:)

Summer Time

I feel as though I am an ostrich pulling my head out of the sand, I have lost contact with folks this summer. Some days I just wonder what happened. The past few weeks in particular. Do not get me wrong the weeks have been lots of fun. We had guests of Fred stay with us for a night. Then our friends the Whites came and stayed with us a few days later. Above is a picture of Jessika being attacked in a loving embrace by Mick and Liam.
Then the same day they left my family came to visit for the 4th of July. Here is Ana with her cousins, Emma and Zoey as well as Aunt Chris. After the fam left we headed to Chicago to visit with Jeff's sister and a recent grad from Kenyon. As soon as we returned it became busy with summer conferences. It was wonderful to spend time with all these folks. I am blessed to have all these people in my life.

Ana is learning some new things. She enjoys pulling hair, sitting up, rolling from a sitting position, peek-a-boo, patty cake, and vocalizing, especially with the "ddd" sound.

Beantown

The last week of May beginning of June we got to visit with Jeff's family in Boston. It was great to be back in the city since we left exactly one year ago! Ana got to go to the ocean for the first time. Even though the water was freezing she enjoyed kicking her feet in the water. Check out her Red Sox outfit in that photo:) There is also a picture of Jeff, Ana, and I in Copley square with to tortoise and the hare. We had a great time visiting with folks, riding the "T", and being in the city. This was also Ana's first plane ride. She slept through most of it. Now we head back to the village for a summer working with the conferences. As a note no one who lives in Boston calls it "Beantown".