Coming Again

The Christmas season is drawing to a close, wrapping itself back up for us to open again next year. For the past few days I've felt quiet, introspective, withdrawn. Taking a break from the routine of life and our busy schedule I've just rested and relaxed. I've read a novel, something I rarely do, and have put aside my regular study of the word (I've been reading Piper's Seeing and Savoring Jesus, the book of Revelation, Simpson's commentary on Revelation and a devotional by Tozer, all wonderful food for my soul). Why did I do that? I told myself I was taking a break, my bible studies and responsibilities temporarily suspended. My heart knows the truth, you can't take a break from God. If I do I pay the price and must come again on bended knee, sorry I've been away; he never left, thank goodness.

The novel set in the south with themes of home, family, roots, need for belonging have re-reminded me of my old longing for home, The Home. In a way it echoed the deeper truths I've been reading in Revelation, this world cannot satisfy completely, we were made for something more. Happy truth!

I find myself hungry for anything southern; books, poems, pictures, stories, memories, music. I read the southern novel with relish and when it was over I was still hungry. Why do I not turn to scriptural promises of my eternal home with such vigor? How does my heart forget the happy shadows of earth point to true fulfillment? The Word made flesh for me, revealed to me everyday, for every need, every sorrow, every question; united in love, joy, pain.

I think back over Christmas and remember a conversation with Max. As I was busily preparing the church for Christmas Eve he asked what I was doing. My answer prompted his response "Yes, we're getting ready for Jesus to come." I smiled and responded that that was exactly what we were doing.

Oh, that everyday my life would include preparations for Jesus to come, come to me now. A quiet moment seeking his presence. A prayer connecting me with his heart and will. Moments reflecting on the Word, guiding my actions and thoughts. Preparations for that final coming. The second coming made possible by the first. The day when I go home.

Christmas Maggie

Maggie playing with gifts from Grandma and Poppy on Christmas morning.

Christmas morning

Here are a few pictures of Christmas morning. It was fun to see Maggie's response to her first Christmas morning! She loved the bows and wrapping paper, she liked the gifts too! It's been a busy, crazy few days so we've enjoyed quiet time together as a family. I hope everyone enjoyed time with loved ones and remember our precious gift given so long ago.

Pink Christmas girl

Here's Miss Maggie with one of her new bows from my cousin Melissa. I think she looks adorable and is definitely a bow girl! She love the Christmas mouse we have from Nana sitting under the tree. She gets a hold of it every chance she gets.

Live oaks

Dogwood, magnolia, crab apple, sycamore, poplar, sweetgum, cedar, cherry, pecan... they're all lovely trees. But to me nothing says south like the stately live oak. I love trees and I really love live oak trees, they've been my favorites for a long time. I've been reading a novel set in the civil war era south, which may or may not be a good idea, and I decided to look up pictures of homes from the town it's set in. They are lovely reminders of a gracious, wealthy time in the south. Many of them have avenues of live oak trees leading up to the home, like the one pictured above. Looking upon an image so lovely does my heart good. Even flat images like these come alive to me as I remember the sounds and smells of their setting. Ahhhh, as refreshing as a cool drink of lemonade on a hot Georgia day!

Friends

Maggie, "Hey that's my toy!"

I'm not sure how they got into this possitionMaggie, "I like your pigtails Adaya!"

One of my friends and I have been swapping baby sitting. Her little girl, Adaya, is about three months older than Maggie, but they're almost exactly the same size. Adaya, just turned 10 months, is a walker already. Maggie is amazed and loves to watch her. They're really cute to watch interact and seem to like each others company.

Snow baby

Maggie in her bunting, ready to check out our most recent snowfall early this week. Watching Max play in the snowMax gets excited every time it snows
She's had enough, it was cold

Worship

“In the center and around the throne were four living beings, each covered with eyes, front and back…Day after day and night after night they keep on saying, “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty – the one who always was, who is, and who is still to come.” Whenever the living beings give glory and honor and thanks to the one sitting on the throne, the one who lives forever and ever, the twenty-four elders fall down and worship the one who lives forever and ever. And they lay their crowns before the throne and say, “You are worthy, O Lord our God, to receive glory and honor and power. For you created everything, and it is for your pleasure that they exist and were created.”” Revelation 4:6b, 8b-11.

As special as this season is to us, in heaven Christmas is not a special holiday. Everyone in heaven does that day what they did the day before and what they will do the day after, they completely and wholly worship The Father, the perfect, sevenfold Spirit and the Lamb that was born to die. God is worshiped perfectly by his servants in heaven; he can’t be worshiped more or less.

Christmas is a wonderful, beautiful time to remember and focus on the gracious gift the Father sent to this world, his beloved Son. However, as we engage in the Christmas season may we remember that everyday should be a day of worship and gratitude to the Father for his gift of love. May we strive to daily worship the Lamb for his sacrifice and offer our praise with our whole selves. Even on earth God is not deserving of praise on one day more than another. So, let’s not save our times of special reflection or thanks just for Thanksgiving or Christmas or Easter. Let us strive to be mindful that we were created for God’s pleasure and we can live in the joy and expression of that everyday of the year. We are most satisfied when God is glorified in our lives.

Maggie's first Christmas

I've delighted in watching Maggie blossom this Christmas season. She's full of curiosity. I thought since she's not crawling yet that the tree wouldn't be an issue this Christmas. Not so, Maggie has rolled and scooted her way over so that she can wiggle those little fingers in the branches. She hasn't caused any damage yet but I'm going to have to keep my eye on her. She's sitting unsupported now which is really convenient for me and makes her happy. She also has recently started lifting her arms to be picked up when she wants me, so sweet. And she pats me with that sweet, chubby hand. She absolutely adores her brother and he is wonderful with her. I know Christmas is going to be a lot of fun with them both.

More L.A. pictures

Clark Gable's hand prints


Chris and Max at the Queen Mary
Going to the Zoo

Point Fermin Lighthouse, in the park where we stayedThree generations

Nana and Max at the beach

Cousins

California Christmas tree!

Lunch at Woodie's all together

L.A. visit

Well we're back from our trek to the west coast. It was a long drive and a big undertaking but worth every mile. Willow is delicious. I'm so glad to have met her and look forward to watching her grow. Seeing family was priceless and necessary for my heart. I am trully thankful to have celebrated Thanksgiving with them. I know Max was thrilled to see everyone too.

While we were there we were able to do all sorts of fun things. Chris and I had a date together, we window shopped and went to a crepe restaurant, yum. We also went to the L.A. farmers market, the zoo, downtown Hollywood, toured the old ocean liner Queen Mary, went to the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and ate all kinds of delicious food.

Overall it was a wonderful time. Now it's time to jump into Christmas, hard to believe! I left 70 degree weather and came home to snow and temperatures in the teens. The season is upon us and now I must go and decorate! I'll post more pictures later, I seem to be having uploading problems.