"Winter Wonderland"

More often than not, in Kansas City, we have snow on Christmas. Most years there is just a dusting. But, on December the 25th, the dormant grass is generally sprinkled with the white stuff. It's a beautiful time of the year. And, in spite of the snow, it is rarely too cold to go for a holiday-afternoon walk or to play a game of touch football.
 Almost every year, we have a white Christmas. The lights on the Country Club Plaza, when they are surrounded by snow flakes, are about the "prettiest sight to see".
I have never lived in a place that doesn't have some snow in the winter months. I'm not so sure I would like a warm December or January. Oh, I know that millions of folks celebrate Christmas without cold weather, but it to me, it just isn't Christmas and the holidays without snow.
Irving Berlin, who wrote "White Christmas" spent most of his life in New York. He knew about winter weather. But, did you know that he wrote one of his most famous songs, "White Christmas", in California? The opening verse is all about warm weather winters.

"The sun is shining, the grass is green,
The orange and palm trees sway.
There's never been such a day
in Beverly Hills, L.A.
But it's December the twenty-fourth,—
And I am longing to be up North—"

 

Christmas is just one week away and once again we have snow everywhere. Hooray. Another  "White Christmas".

 

 

Dear Lord. We are so blessed. Rain or shine, snow, sleet or sunshine, you are always here for us. We can depend on you. Show us how to put our worries aside and trust in your steadfast love.

We are thankful for the arrival of Jesus.

 

 

 

 

 





Addicted

I have a confession to make.
I believe I have developed an addiction to Christmas movies. So much so, that I have been staying up, way past my bedtime, just to watch them on the Hallmark Channel.
The Christmas movies on the Hallmark Channel all feature pretty much the same story. Beautiful young girl meets handsome young man. They fall for each other. Problems develop, but everything is always resolved by the end of the movie. Very predictable, easy to watch and non-thought provoking.
But, it's just not the Hallmark movies that I must watch, at this time of year. I have to see "The Grinch", Frosty the Snowman", "Christmas Story", at least one "Home Alone", "Miracle on 34th Street" (I prefer the Natalie Wood version), and even "Meet Me In St. Louis" (only because I love to hear Judy Garland sing "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas".....(it makes me tear up every single time I see it). I've seen every possible version of  Dickens'  A Christmas Carol", and I have loved every one. The story is timeless.
My favorite Christmas Movie is probably "Holiday Inn", which features Bing Crosby, introducing the song, "White Christmas." It's terrible un-PC, but I enjoy seeing it every year. In order to see it, I have had to purchase my own copy.  The networks would probably get fined for showing it. Sometimes, they will show "White Christmas", but, in my humble-sort-of-expert opinion, it's just a showcase to have Crosby sing the song again. "Holiday Inn" is the masterpiece!
As far as addictions go, I'm not looking to cure myself. By January 1st, I'll have had my fill.......until next year.

Good and gracious Lord. Thank you for Christmas and all that it brings to us. As we go about doing all of the things that make this a special season, let us always keep the reason for this season in our hearts and on our minds.

Not a clue.

Funny how relationships develop. Friendships usually develop between folks who have lots of things in common. But, I have only one thing in common with my friend, Forrest. Our ages are different and our genders are different. He lives in an apartment and I live in a house. I work and he is retired. He is very tall and slender, and I am, well, let's say we are different in stature.
Our common interest is the New York Time Daily Crossword Puzzle.
The NY Times Crossword is unique. Each day, from Monday thru Saturday, it gets increasingly difficult. Over the years, I have encountered very few folks who share my enthusiasm for the challenge of the NY Times puzzle. A person who loves doing the NY Times puzzle must be patient and realize that skill increases with practice and that it is nearly impossible to complete the puzzle every day. It is the rare individual who can accept that challenge.
My pal, Forrest, visits my desk nearly every day and because he is a man of few words, he often just says things like, "25 down.......Jedi." I will concur or offer another suggestion.
Other times, I will say things like, "I didn't get very far today. I think today's puzzle has some missing letters."
Then, we both smile, I return to my work and he continues his walk.
Our relationship is truly unique and special.

I am so blessed. My life has been touched by so many wonderful people. God has placed me in a special place to do his work. I am truly thankful.

Venting

I'm venting about vents today.
At work, we have two rooms that don't have good ventilation. In the summer they are too cold and in the winter, they are way too hot. The problem is very simple. They have vents that push the air out to heat or cool the room, but no vents to let the air out of the room.
Vents are important. Vents are essential openings that lead to various kinds of tubing and duct work in a home or a place of work. Central air and hearing systems rely on vents to carry air into rooms and another set of vents allow the outtake of air from a room. In order to work efficiently a system needs both types of vents.
Our lives, I believe, are like modern HVAC Systems. Our Faith in God, love from family and friends, and encouragement from our co-workers, comes into our lives, like the air from a intake vent and then, when we do our best and work for the the good of others and ourselves that effort comes out, like the hot air from a furnace or the cold air from an air conditioner.
We need both kinds of vents.

Lord God. You keep us working. Show us how to live our lives in the best way possible. You are our strength and our salvation. Through you all things are possible.

HO HO HO Holiday!

Every family has a funny holiday story to tell. Sometimes it involves the mispronunciation of Christmas Carol Lyrics, like a 3 year old belting out "round John virgin". Or perhaps it's the tale of the little brother asking Santa to bring "pickles and dirt" for his older sister. Well, funny things happen during the holiday season. And, we all enjoy the retelling of these family stories.
Just yesterday, our seven year old granddaughter waltzed into the living room and peered at the Nativity Set, which had appeared since her last visit. You could tell she was taking her time and studying each figure. She finally asked, "Where are the Kings?"
I walked over to the table and showed her the three figures, representing the Kings. I pointed out that they were each carrying gifts to the Christ Child. Then, I pointed out the figures representing Mary, Joseph and the baby.
I could tell that she was taking it all in.
"So", she said, very seriously, looking at the remaining figures, " these guys must be the walk-ins."
Shepherds to you and me, but "walk-ins" is a pretty descriptive explanation of their presence.
What a gift. Now, we have a brand new family Christmas Story.

We are grateful for Christmas. We need reminding that You came to Earth to save us all. We appreciate the wonder of children and the joy of making our loved ones happy. We are blessed.

"Be Prepared"

Did your mother caution you to "always wear nice underwear (without holes), because you never know when you might end up in the hospital and someone would see the holes"?
Well, to this day, my underwear is never holey. I am prepared. I will forever be ready for that surprise hospital visit.
This old adage came to mind, just last Saturday night. Scott and I were invited to a Dance Troupe fund raiser. The event was held in a private home, in a nice area of town, and we were excited to attend.
Upon entering the home, we were greeted by two nice young women, one of whom told us to put our coats and shoes downstairs. I was dumb-founded. "Shoes?" I asked. She replied that the host had requested that all guest remove their shoes.
Now, this was a nice house, but really? I've had lunch in the Missouri Governor's Mansion. I've toured Monticello, Mount Vernon, a couple of Lincoln's homes. I've walked through the White House and Versailles, for Pete's sake, and I wore my shoes in all of them.
But, I weakly complied with the request and went downstairs to take off my boots. They were my best boots. Off came the boots. Now, everyone knows that no one sees your socks in a pair of knee-high boots. But, uh-oh, I had a tiny toe hole in one of my stockings. So, off came my socks.
I came upstairs in my bare feet.
I need not have worried. There were plenty of bare-foot folks at the event. Apparently, lots of folks wear socks with holes!
I briefly ☺ wondered about their underwear.

Dear all-knowing and all-powerful God. You really know us. You know what we do and how we think. Help us to remember that in every circumstance, you will be there for us. We don't surprise you. We trust your love and guidance.

"......drift by my window"..

There is a distinct nip in the air this morning. It is nearly Thanksgiving and we are finally experiencing some Autumn weather. It was coming. It always does. But because we are well into the eleventh month of the year, and we are still wearing short sleeves and sandals, many of us were beginning to doubt the arrival of chilly weather.
Winter will also visit us, in the near future. Then a couple of months later, Spring will come bursting in. Changes in weather are inevitable, and we can do nothing about it.
There are many things that we cannot alter to suit ourselves and one of them is the weather.
In Scripture we are told, "Do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will take care of itself."
Live today. In fact, live today like there will be no tomorrow.
We have no guarantee we will see the sun come up.
God has given us this moment, let us enjoy it.

Dear Lord. Life is a very uncertain thing. We have so many blessings, and yet we constantly worry about what is going to happen next. Show us how to live in the moment. Remind us, however you can, that we are but momentary creatures put on this Earth for a mere lifetime. Remind us of your glory and steadfast, enduring love and care. We praise your name.