Mourning Christmas

People mourn changing of seasons all the time. When a son or daughter leaves for college, much sadness is spent because of their departure. I know more than one tear has been shed the first day of school, marking the end of Summer and the beginning of yet another year of education.

These are many of the reasons which I feel rationalized in the current mourning I am undertaking for the end of yet another Holiday season. I had an amazing Christmas this year, and as you can see from previous posts, I am somewhat of a fanatic! However, why is it that every day in January feels like a Monday, slowly strolling through the bitter cold of each day? And that brings me to another point: why is it that snow during the Holidays feels so.... MAGICAL.... but when January hits, it's a bitter blast of ice cutting to your core?

Call me cynical, but I'm just not a fan. Going through the Charlotte airport yesterdat, I almost tackled the salesman who was blasting 'It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year' from his stereo speakers and scream 'It's NOT the most wonderful time of the year!!!!!!!!! It's JANUARY!!!!!!!!!!!' and let me tell you what... I did share a few of my thoughts with those around me, as the disdain was somewhat overwhelming.

I just can't help but wonder, perhaps after the fun of the Holidays, January is a month to test our contentment, whatever the circumstances. Paul found this secret, and perhaps this month I will discover it as well!

Gorgeous...

Look at my view every single day! I mean, I freeze most of the time... but look how beautiful this is. Makes me feel like I live in a picture.

Time to Get the Coffee

‘Everybody has a day when they have to get the coffee. Today’s your day.”

The line from a movie I recently watched on the airplane is still running through my head. In the plot, this young man is working for a political group, and moves to Washington DC to begin his ‘glamorous job.’ He begins his first meeting with his boss by submitting some ideas he has for the group, and after laughing, his superior gives him his first task: to run out and get coffee for everyone. As I sat there, trying to pass the time on my flight from Washington DC to Denver, I stopped as I heard those words. There have been many ‘coffee fetching’ moments in my life. Times when I was the one running around, trying to get the little administrative details finished, times when I truly lived the meaning of laying my life down in service to others.

However, as I ponder this more, and look back on my many times of ‘getting coffee’ (literal and otherwise) I think about the motives behind the actions. In the instance of this young man, he clearly did not fulfill the wishes of his superior because he had a heart to serve him. On the contrary, it was very obvious he didn’t like the task he was given one bit! The reason this young man put up with the ‘coffee fetching days’ is because he saw greater days on the horizon. He was climbing a ladder of success, and this was but one rung he must pass to reach the top.

“If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me and for the gospel will save it.” – Mark 8:34-35 (NIV)

The Message Bible sums it up this way:
"Anyone who intends to come with me has to let me lead. You're not in the driver's seat; I am. Don't run from suffering; embrace it. Follow me and I'll show you how. Self-help is no help at all. Self-sacrifice is the way, my way, to saving yourself, your true self. What good would it do to get everything you want and lose you, the real you? What could you ever trade your soul for? “

I remember laying in bed at night as a little girl, dreaming of who I would become. During the Winter Olympic games, it was always a professional ice skater. After attending a fun summer camp, it was always one of the members of the cafeteria staff. Sometimes, it was even a teacher, after I had been profoundly impacted by one.

As I got older, I began to start catching the heart of God and passion for what HE had called me to do. I began to pursue those things, and in my mind, had mapped out how my life would go. When high school graduation day came, I had a rude awakening, for the path I had envisioned did not exactly go as planned. Instead of a life full of fame and glamour, His voice was urging me towards one of training and service.

I am now 25, and can confidently say the greatest honor I have ever had is the honor of coming alongside someone, and truly serving them. To lay down your life may seem mundane, difficult, and uncomfortable (and it is all of these at times!) however, the reward far outweighs the cost.

So what is the motive of service to us as as young men and women who want to change the world? Is it to climb another rung on the proverbial ladder? Is it to puff ourselves up so the world can reward our service? Absolutely not. I know we all have a passion to change the world. Great! Instead of striving to be in the limelight, find someone you can serve. From the oldest to the youngest, EVERYONE has someone they can lay their life down for.

I encourage you today to take some time. Think about your life. Who has God called you to serve? What are you doing to make your mark on your world? The greatest tasks in life are the ones unseen – do not despise what God is calling you, no matter how big or how small.

Bending... Breaking... and Stretching the Rules!

Today I did one of my favorite things… I tested the rules. I like the term ‘tested’ much more than ‘stretched’ or even ‘broke’ because it makes the alleged rule breaking much less serious sounding! Loosely living by the motto ‘All rules are made to be broken’ I often test different systems, wondering the real reason for their existence.

Over the Christmas holiday, my bags seem to expand and gain weight far more than my physical body does. Perhaps that’s a blessing – it takes all the extra caloric intake and stuffs it inside the walls of my suitcase instead of my inner thighs. However, I always have issues with bringing stuff BACK after a Holiday in Idaho! Having an extremely early flight this morning, I spent my last evening in Potato Land rolling, cramming, stuffing… ANYTHING to try to make everything fit in my carry-on. Because of the rise in gas prices (and yes, this has stayed in effect even now as they have fallen), the airlines charge for each suitcase checked. I was determined not to have to pay the $15 it took to check a bag… or a box… or anything else for that matter. The only problem is that I ended up with a VERY pregnant carry-on roll bag, laptop case, purse, nice pea coat (which I planned on wearing), huge snowboarding coat, and a few misc items like 2 huge hardback coffee table books, a bible, and a large mug. Watching me struggle, my mom kindly offered to pay the stupid fee but… no. This had become more than a way to save a few bucks. It had become a challenge.

I woke up this morning with a HUGE birthday bag (big enough to fit a small child) outside my door. My mom had the brilliant plan for me to put my coat, laptop bag, purse, and misc items all together, thus only bringing on the allocated 2 items (one roller bag… and a ‘small personal item’… hmmmm…). After successfully fitting everything in these 2 ‘items’ I began to laugh, as the birthday bag far exceeded the roller bag both in size and in weight. Furthermore, my hopes to be inconspicuous and sneak this on the airplane flew out the window, for the bag was covered from top to bottom with brightly colored hippopotamuses covered in birthday hats, blowing party poppers.

I was a bit nervous walking through the airport, but other than the security guard asking me if I was MOVING somewhere (my response was to nervously laugh and quickly say ‘no!’), it seemed to be working just fine. Maybe I WAS inconspicuous. An amazon girl, wearing a bright pink coat with a roller suitcase and birthday bag big enough to fit a real baby hippo in perhaps wasn’t as bad as I thought. Then I noticed everyone in the gate whispering and staring. My face began to heat as I imagined what they were saying ‘look at all that stuff… why did we have to check the bag??’

As the gate agent explained the rules to us before boarding (one SMALL personal item and a roller bag) I pretended like I didn’t hear. However, as they called us to board, I took out my boarding pass and my heart fell as I realized… I didn’t have a seat assignment! Looking like a poor puppy who is about to get caught for something horrible, I treaded (with my giant hippo bag and carry on in tow!) to the counter… expecting to get a major rebuke. However, a rebuke didn’t come… instead, the woman smiled at me and said ‘wow… you’re tall! Today’s your lucky day!”

Thinking my ‘lucky day’ included an exit row seat, which made me ecstatic with excitement, I looked at the ticket… first class. I ran on the plane as quickly as possible, piling all my stuff around my feet, covering it up with a blanket, and sighed with relief – I had made it!

The good news is… The bag didn’t break open and contents didn’t spill out of our fearless friend Hippo until AFTER I was already on the tram headed to the main terminal. The bad news is… I had to walk holding him together while still rolling the pull bag, looking much like a very tall old woman bent over because of a torn lower back muscle.

I definitely fulfilled the challenge and broke a few rules in the process. However, next time, to save the wear and tear on my muscles and nerves, maybe I’ll just pay the $15.

The Miracle of Christmas... true Scrooge Conversions

Life just doesn't get any better than this. I'm sitting here, watching Elf, the snow is blowing in like mad outside, the Christmas tree is lit, the coffee is warm, my family and friends are close by, and the big breakfast dad is slaving over is wafting from the kitchen. But I have enough blogs about my passion for all things Christmasey. No, the point of this post is not to highlight me and Christmas's love affair.

This is to honor a friend of mine - a 'converted Scrooge' of sorts - who is trying desperately to neglect her former ways and embrace the spirit of the season.

The first thing I noticed was the Christmas ornaments decorating her blog. Then, as she catapulted herself at me this morning, my eyes caught her Christmas sweater. Yes, Christmas. There was the seat by the fire she chose, which also happened to be almost hugging the Christmas tree.

I am now convinced, even the biggest Christmas scrooge can have a true conversion. You just have to add enough snow, Christmas cheer, and singing loud for all to hear. Kaatje... my hat goes off to you (even though it IS the coolest pinkest snow hat in all the world).

Traditions!

I am part of a family who LOVES Christmas. After the traditional weekend-after-Thanksgiving decorating, I walked around my house in awe, and counted 6 Christmas trees (and rumor has it, my mom has buckled and added a seventh ‘Music Tree’ in her bedroom!). I used to think all our traditions and celebrations were normal…. That is, until I expressed details to my co-workers recently.

I HATE commercial Christmas, even though I find myself going to the Christmas-music-only radio stations, singing ‘Rudolf’ just as loud as the next guy. This year I have actually tried to make most of my gifts… starting in October enables more thought into each one (not to mention the discovery of a buried sewing ability!!). The traditions my family embraces are for the sole purpose of celebration, of taking time once a year to grow closer in our relationships with each other, and mostly, to celebrate, with unhindered passion, the reason we are alive – to adore Jesus, who came for each of us personally and sacrificed everything!

So, blogging world, I am going to share with you just a few of our traditions, starting with the day after Thanksgiving (because of course that’s when the Christmas season officially starts!) in hopes you will adapt, or maybe just smile and appreciate, a few of the following:

1. The night of Thanksgiving, we watch the cheesy family Christmas movie ‘All I Want for Christmas” as a teaser for the next days’ activities

2. The morning of that ‘black Friday’ we wake up super early to join the other million crazy people in the mall taking advantage of ‘door busters’ and free things…REALLY valuable items like mini-Mickey Mouse snow globes…

3. After taking a nap to make up for the lost sleep the night before, we blare Christmas music, drink peppermint mochas, and help my dad prepare for the evening – his famous TURKEY SOUP!

4. We have people over to eat the turkey yumminess, bundle up and…

5. Go to ‘Christmas in the Nighttime Sky’ the charity event our small town puts on which celebrates the first day of the Christmas season with fireworks choreographed to Christmas music, famous Idaho baked potatoes, a HUGE bonfire, and hot chocolate stands. The cost of admission is one unwrapped toy, donated to these kids.

6. Tons of Christmas baking (our last name isn’t SWEET for nothing)

7. Christmas caroling to neighbors – with plates of goodies as love offerings

8. Intensive searches for new, fun Christmas music

9. Starting on December 13, we begin the ’12 days of Christmas’ with a needy family, or simply a family we want to reach out to. Each day, we anonymously leave a gift on their front doorstep with a poem. (‘on the first day of Christmas… etc…). On Christmas Eve, we show up on their front door, sing to them, and present them with the big final gift.

10. ZILLIONS of Christmas productions (this used to be worse when we were little)

11. Christmas Eve is taco soup night (with my dad being the ultimate chef). Christmas eve service is followed by lots of laughter and fun with friends around the candle-lit table, Kenny G serenading us in the background with his Holiday album (if you haven’t heard it, you NEED to… it’s amazing)

12. While my parents pull together last-minute things, and my dad begins the cooking frenzy, me and the brothers cuddle up by the tree and put on ‘Preacher’s Wife”… our Christmas eve traditional movie!

13. After “Preacher’s Wife” we fall asleep under/by the Christmas tree, where we wait all night for Santa to come… (Jeff usually ends up on the couch… SHOCKER!)

14. The next morning, we have a strict 7am rule with the parentals. Before then, we can wake up and open our stockings, which usually includes small items from the dollar store, and cards from our grandparents and uncles and aunts.

15. Right at 7, we jump on our parents, excited for Christmas morning! It usually takes several minutes, but they eventually roll out of bed, start the coffee, then… it’s present time!!!!!!!!

16. We open gifts slowly, really relishing the moment. One at a time, taking turns… making it last as long as possible

17. After presents and clean up, my dad immediately heads to the kitchen (do I see a pattern here???) to finish up breakfast

18. We eat a huge and yummy breakfast, then spend the rest of the day eating, laughing, playing games, sleeping, and watching movies. If it’s snowing (which I’m earnestly hoping/praying for THIS year!) we make snowmen or go sledding.

I hope you have enjoyed our Christmas traditions. I know most sound quite childish, but they really are great, and provide stable moments in our year. I always have a good case of nostalgia, which makes me excited for the years to come… when we add spouses and eventually kids to the mix. How great is it to be part of FAMILY!

Oh Christmas...........

Right now my heart is thumping faster than my fingers can fly across the keys. It may have something to do with the fact I’m OBSESSED with ‘Christmas in a Cup’ (peppermint white mochas) and have more than my share of caffeine every day, or perhaps it’s just making my issues worse. The problem? The fact I’m in love with Christmas – yet why is there SO MUCH TO DO!

In my mind, this truly is the most wonderful time of the year. I enjoy everything about it! Shopping, crowds, caroling, peppermint, family… the list could go on and on! However, in this moment I want to stop, take a breath, and focus on ENJOYING the actual season, instead of making the wonder a theoretical idea or something merely witnessed in movies.

When I was home in Idaho for Thanksgiving, I enjoyed the days AFTER this holiday the best, for the celebrations of Christmas had finally begun! During that period of time, I was rushing through the mall in order to meet my mom, and saw an old woman in the lobby of a store, completely enamored by a snow globe. Then I began to think… when was the last time I really stopped to watch the ‘snow’ fall through the glass? Reaching center court, I then saw a very young boy, probably about 2 years old, standing under a snow machine holding out his hand, hoping to catch the pieces of small ‘snow,’ completely caught up in that moment, forgetting anything else in the world existed.

So here I am, enjoying the IDEA of Christmas, but more aware of the knots in my shoulders than the actual joy of a cup of peppermint hot chocolate, soft blanket, and doing nothing but watching the fire crackle. As I rush down the streets, I try and sing the Christmas carols, but fear I am chasing something I end up running right past. The fact is, I wouldn’t even be where I am today if the miracle of Christmas had not taken place. It is the foundation for all I am, for all I believe in.

There’s something about the beginning of life and the end of life which so inspires me. The look of that little boy, and the expression on the face of that old woman tells me they realize something I don’t – that sometimes the most important thing we can do is to take a deep breath to stop and watch the snow fall.