Silver Bells

Another autumn has come and gone, another Thanksgiving, another birthday…. Time keeps moving along whether I am ready or not; the Potter’s wheel continues to spin and I continue to feel the hands of the Potter re-shaping me yet again. There was a time in my life when this molding and shaping was painful, but no longer. Now there is only the reassurance that He loves me too much to allow me to remain as I am. So I have learned to give Him free reign with my life, as He smooths off some unkindness here and repairs a crack of thoughtlessness over there. Whatever it takes, I think to myself. Whatever it takes to make me into a vessel that is more pleasing to the Potter. That is the desire of my heart.

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I love this time of year, when the air is cold and clear and the stars as sharp as glass in the night sky. I love the candles burning against the gloom of the day, the smell of snow in the air and the logs crackling in the woodstove. I stepped outside the back door today, and watched a great horned owl spread his magnificent wings and fly from his perch on my back fence. The magic of these days takes my breath away sometimes.

Christmas here was a wonderful time. Several years ago our family made the quality decision to stop exchanging gifts; this was one of the best decisions we have made.  Honestly, I don’t need one more picture for my walls, or one more bottle of shower gel. None of us do. This decision has freed us up to be a blessing to many other people who are truly in need this time of year.

In this same spirit, I suggested to my Ladies Class that instead of a Christmas party this year, we find someone to "adopt" for this holiday, and pour our resources into them. The response was overwhelming. We adopted a single mom named Hope, and thus named this endeavor "Project Hope." We all worked together, and by the time Christmas rolled around and all the gifts and food and household items were gathered and wrapped and piled into our classroom, they filled up two cars, top to bottom. And best of all, we did it all without the rest of the church body knowing, and without asking for assistance from anyone else; just ten ladies being obedient to what we are called to do. I am blessed to know them.

{Left to right, front row: Meredith- two time cancer survivor with a singing voice like an angel and the gentle spirit of a dove. Carol- jewelry designer and crafter who is just as beautiful inside as she is outside. Sissy- my closest friend who loves me no matter what. Kathy- our Canadian transplant, also a nurse, whose sparkling personality always makes me smile. Second row, from left: Toni- Girl Scout leader and long time friend whom I have mentored for many years. Diane- my dear friend and prayer partner for the past several years. She is every bit as spiritually radical as I am. Next is me. Then Paulette- gifted artist and poet who came to us after her beloved 19 year old grandson had been killed. This group has helped her heal. Julie- our practical and down to earth friend who is one of the most thoughtful and generous people I have ever known. Back row, taller than anyone else, is Vicki- educator and lover of children, my treasured and gentle friend of many years. We plan to sing in the choir together in heaven some day.}

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Emmi at 8 months

 

Emmi at 9 months

 

Christmas Emmi at 10 months

Emmi has been such a delight this Christmas. She is too young to understand what is happening, but she has loved the colored lights and the tinsel. She is 10 months old now, and is talking up a storm. She is like a little sponge, soaking up everything around her; she is learning her colors and animal sounds, and is beginning to put words together into simple sentences. She is pulling up and can stand alone, but hasn’t taken any steps yet. She loves books, and will sit so still and listen so intently while being read to. She is the sunshine that is poured over all my days, and I thank God for her daily.

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Summer loves her new job in Labor and Delivery, and she is thriving there. Tay loves his new job too, and they are both doing well. I am so blessed to be a small part of helping raise Emmi in the way that she should go. These days pass by at the speed of light.

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And that is where I find myself on this cold, late December night; on the end of one wondrous year and on the brink of another. I look forward to what awaits me there, and where my feet will travel. My prayer is that He will take me deeper than I have ever yet been, and place my feet  firmly in the steps that He desires. I can hardly wait.