Christmas Is Here!

Every Thanksgiving we roll out the Christmas music (and play it really loud). My favorites are Manheim Steamroller and the Trans-Siberian Orchestra (I especially like the chaotic Wizards in Winter).

It was so fun to play orchestra director to such fabulous music, looking out over a snow covered scene (I look down over a valley and then across to Mt. Spokane). Christmas has arrived and in our family sticks around for quite awhile.  We have a hard time putting the Christmas music away.

In the next week we’ll put up a tree and Paul & John will go a little crazy with lights.    Gift giving has changed for us over the years.  We send out a few packages to loved ones far away and we usually get a couple of new games and a few gifts to exchange (the more “use-up-able” the better).  We’ll probably go to the beach (a much further drive this year) and visit with friends.  I hope to do some baking as well.  I haven’t made decorated sugar cookies in years and I have a whole collection of cookie cutters.  My favorite shape is a jalapeno pepper, just make them up, toss on a bit of green and red icing and you have something very Christmassy and Texan at the same time (can’t seem to get away from our Texan roots).  Mostly we just love to relax, love on each other and love on our friends.  No serious hustle and bustle for us.

Back to my music …

Lori <><

Sticky Note – Stay the Course

I went to a ladies’ group this morning (very sweet gals). I think the thing that stood out to me the most was something said like, “we just need to stick to it, to have passion, to not give up, to keep trying” (said about our walk with God). So much of the (really) bad stuff happens when we give up and stop trying. Sticking to it just gives God lots of opportunities to continue working in our lives, growing us up to look like Him.

I hope to keep going to that little group. I need some folk to remind me to keep on keepin’ on.

Lori <><

Ain’t Necessarily So

Last night I was out with friends and heard their perspective about an event that happened.  Each time I’ve heard about the event I’ve heard something different (four times now).  All of the folks that have shared with me are good, decent folk who love the Lord and, honestly, I respect them and their walks with the Lord.  How in the world do I now have four really quite different versions of the same event?  <sigh>

I guess it just goes back to something I tell myself often, “just because someone says it, doesn’t make it so.”  I do try to give people the benefit of the doubt (understanding that it’s their perspective), but I am slower to respond to things based on people’s words these days.  I much prefer to listen and then just do what God says.  A few hugs.  A prayer or two.  It works.

Lori <><

Forgiveness … again

This guy just ripped off some stuff that belonged to friends of mine. It was clearly not his stuff and he took it just to be spiteful and selfish.

It seems like a season of that right now. Personally and toward my friends there has just been a rash of hurtful and rude words and actions. I get torn between a sense of justice and wanting to make things “right” and knowing that, in most of the situations, forgiveness and turning the other cheek is the best route.

If I can just do that, the hurt and mess falls away and God helps me pick up the pieces and move on, sometimes in the most fun and miraculous of ways.

Lori <><

Relationships

The pellet stove and I are best friends now.  There is snow on the ground.   It is absolutely gorgeous, but it may take awhile for me to consider the snow more than just a beautiful acquaintance.

Lori <><