It's Time to Catch Up!

It has been a little over a week since I updated you.
Miss me? :o)

Our Christmas was kept low key, as is our preference each year. Years ago we switched the majority of our gift giving to Thanksgiving. However, we do have a precious tradition for Christmas I would love to share with you.

About two weeks before Christmas, we put our five names into a hat and draw them. The week of Christmas - give or take -- we split up teams between "Mom" and "Dad" (aka: the two drivers in the family ;o) ). Nobody reveals who drew who -- but we divide up accordingly so as to accomplish the task yet remain in secret for who it is we are shopping for. Then "Mom" and "Dad" ask our co-shoppers various questions such as "Will Target do or do we need to go to a special store?" We set a small limit on the price of the gift so as to honor our eldest children's desire to use their own funds for the gift they will choose. On Christmas morning, we reveal who drew who and then gift them with the chosen gift. It is a precious way to ensure each knows they are truly valued without allowing gifts to dominant. My eldest son said this year, "Mom, you know I really like that we only do the one gift. It's funny how the smaller the (wooha), the more special it is." (Did a mom's heart proud!)

So, we richly enjoyed a very quiet Christmas. My parents visited us Christmas morning, and stayed for lunch. And then there was the snow that visited us late Christmas afternoon; first time since 1947! Totally wonderful! Talk about giving place and reason to slow down and enjoy the rich gifts of family, fires in fireplaces, hot cocoa, etc.! But I must confess my thoughts did turn to those without such treasures. Snow only represents beauty and warmth in the presence of relational treasures. In the absence of "connectedness" -- it represents a sad loneliness. Even as such awareness came upon me, my heart did rejoice that God is able to reach the loneliest of the lonely. Aren't you glad for Him? Sure hope you know Him!

Over the course of the quiet week leading up to Christmas, we introduced the children to "Charlie Brown Christmas" for the first time ever, as well as "It's a Wonderful Life." That was truly a sweet treat to share them with the kids. Some times there are richer blessings than I even comprehend at the time by not having TV because "firsts" are truly "firsts" -- and to have waited until our youngest child quickly approaches ten was fabulous because they all saw the richness of the stories.

On Christmas Eve, we delighted in a beautiful rich Christmas Eve service at our new fellowship. There is something very surreal about moving on. While I cherish past Christmas Eves at our previous fellowship, the fellowship must fit the season in one's life. To go to a fellowship simply because one has gone there for years is not prudent. If God is nudging your heart to move, I encourage you to follow His leading. Often the obedient step of leaving must come before He reveals where He is directing you to go next. For us, He called us to leave our previous fellowship exactly one year ago this week.

Approximately five months ago, He directed us to a precious oasis. There is an undeniable richness and realness at this present "well." It is without pomp and circumstance; nothing is "worked up" or covered up. It is peaceful, yet its vitality is evident... tangible. The air is rich and clean; it is a place of deep beauty for me as we prepare to embark on the great journeys that lay out before us this coming year. A year ago I was grieving the loss of a fellowship I had called home for eight years. But life has taught me to embrace the hard, confusing things of life because with God, only richness and good things will follow if we are obedient to truly follow Him in the Land of Unknown!

Speaking of oases, as mentioned earlier, I have another one I am enjoying for the next two weeks called "winter break." I celebrated the start of winter break yesterday by staying in my pj's until lunch. Sheer delight, I tell you! I also enjoyed running three miles "at my leisure." I may never have 100% vacation as there are always meals to fix, laundry to do, etc -- but to stop many of the to-dos for two weeks gives the feel of a HUGE break. It is a wonderful "finale" to God's word over me to rest this last quarter of 2010.

Well -- I pray as these last few days of 2010 are before us that you will take time to reflect over your year. I keep a journal; I have done so for years. It is a most amazing gift to be able to go back and re-read my take on previous years. For example, I can go to the last week of December 2007, and read my entry as I looked back at 2007 and as I looked ahead to 2008. Journals are a precious "stake" in time. They are an ongoing record of the movement of God in one's life. I marvel at what God has done in the past decades of my life, and I look forward to recording the decades to come. If you have never journaled, I encourage you to start. They are priceless reminders of God's active presence!

Perhaps I'll be back before the New Year... certainly I know I'll have a little something to say on the New Year.... but until then, do some reflecting on your own. Cherish the days you have here on earth with the Holy Spirit as your escort... ponder what He will show you this upcoming year... dedicate yourself to obedience.... and if you dare, ask Him to rescue you from mediocrity and rapture you into living in the Land of Unknown.... It's prerequisite is obedience, but it really isn't anything to fear. I have come to understand it is where life worth living takes place ....

“For My thoughts are not your thoughts,
neither are your ways My ways,”
declares the LORD.
Isaiah 55:8

While planning is highly overrated, a life of Godly obedience is profoundly underrated in our culture. What you were meant to do will never be discovered living comfortably with "the pack"....

I implore you:

Don't sacrifice what could be on the altar of 'what if' & fear.

Hold nothing back

Resolve deep within:
"Though none go with me, still I will follow."

And then stop at nothing less than "Well done!"

Love you!
Deborah