a white Christmas - 9 years ago

(Reposted from December 25, 2003)
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“Merry Christmas, darling.”
That’s what I heard from Bob as he rolled over & stretched lazily.

My response almost surprised me. Totally unbidden, the words pushed through my lips. “For I know the plans I have for you (says the LORD) - plans to prosper you & not to harm you, plans to give you a hope & a future.”

Continuing to surprise me, those words just kept rolling around in my partially awake mind. Like a stuck record? No; more like prayerfully repeating a favorite worship chorus…

God knows the plans for me - even if I don’t know what those plans are.

They are the plans HE has for me. Not just that He knows about them, but they are HIS plans. So cool.
His plans are to prosper me - though not necessarily financially.
His plans will not harm me - what a comfort.
He has hope and a future waiting for me.

Luxuriating in the relaxed Christmas morning mood (the kids who arrived last night & are sleeping in the other bedrooms are all grown up now so they are not pounding on our door reminding us it’s time to get up!!!)…
…letting myself wake up lazily, gazing out the window…

What an awesome sight!!!! The woods have been transformed to a winter wonderland - a white Christmas to be dreamed of and sung about. A white Christmas, by the way, that was a last-minute surprise to the meteorologists. Gotta’ love it when God surprises the experts.

I seem to hear Barbra Streisand’s voice… “snow flutt’ring down & the world is new….” Yes, a fresh snow makes the world look brand new. Sorta’ like every morning brings a fresh start. And like God’s mercies - new every morning. So great is His faithfulness.

Snowflakes lazily drifting through the air. Not in a hurry, but enticing me to slow down & take some time. They dare me to just gaze at them. To do nothing. To meditate - that sounds more spiritual, doesn’t it?

Peace. Hmm… so peaceful. This idyllic scene epitomizes peace.
Peace amid headlines of war & increased terror threats.
Peace amid personal & financial losses.
Peace despite receiving “bad news.”
Peace that passes understanding - that can’t be explained.

Wait; that’s EXACTLY what my friend prayed for me a couple days ago. Peace that can’t be explained. And yet, somehow it makes perfect sense. After all, the prince of peace Himself lives inside me. Whoa. What an awesome thing.

The same LORD who whispered into my wakening thoughts: For I know the plans I have for you…
The same God who surprised the experts by giving us this gorgeous white Christmas morning…
This same Jesus whispers peace to my mind and my shaky emotions.
Thank you, Jesus.

... ... ...

I’m not the only one who received bad news this week.

I’m not the only one tired of medical procedures.

Ours isn’t the only house where things didn’t go perfectly yesterday or the day before.

We’re not the only ones missing a loved one.

There are other families facing financial woes.

Others are separated from loved ones; some are FAR AWAY from home & family.

There are others concerned about job security & health issues.

Some have lost loved ones recently or experienced major life-changes.

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And so, dear friends, if you’re still with me…

Have you had a rough week? A rough year?

Are you carrying an unusually heavy load?

Maybe you’re lonely
Maybe you’ve received bad news
Maybe you’re struggling financially or relationally
Maybe you’re concerned about job security
Maybe you’re feeling worn out and vulnerable
Maybe the future seems uncertain

Whatever your concern, God knows the plans that HE has for you, plans to prosper you & not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

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My wish for you… Yes, my prayer for you is this:

Peace in the midst of trouble.
Hope to combat fear.
The joy of the LORD to give you strength.

May the prince of peace be the LORD of your tomorrows.

Bad news on the eve of Christmas Eve

"How are you feeling, Kaye?"
So asks Facebook, "What's happening, Kaye?"
"How's it going, Kaye?"

Well, Facebook, let me tell you!
Ready?

...

It was nine years ago today that I got the phone call.
"I'm afraid it is bad news. Yes, it is cancer."
*gulp*
Yep, two days before Christmas!

So the journey continued with even more medical appointments, more testing, more poking and prodding, more surgeries, more decisions, then on to chemotherapy and radiation. Eventually we settled into the semi-annual and then the annual check-up routine, only to discover a recurrence. More consultations, more decisions, more surgeries, more tears...
And then eventually back to the annual check-up pattern.

...

Well, now that has been six and a half years now - since last treatment.
Six and half years cancer-free.
Yippee!!!

So, Facebook, how do I feel?
I feel great, thank you.
Not only that, but I feel pretty good about feeling good.
Thanks for asking!

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How are YOU feeling, my friend?
What's happening?
How is it going?
Does the holiday season feel less than perfect?
I hope you can someday look back on this day and be thankful for all you have made it through.

Life on the road: seven months

Date: Tuesday, December 18, 2012

Location: at home in the Christmas cabin at Hidden Hollows
Two months here
Seven months since moving out of the big house

Outside: just getting light

Miles traveled: none lately

Walked: 2 miles yesterday

Hubby is: still sleeping

Recent happenings:
Purchase of new computer and getting used to it
Horrific school shooting in Connecticut
Murder/suicide across the street from our daughter
Dear friends cooked Chinese food for us
House church here last night

Unexpected: I just enrolled in a writing course.
Excited & a bit nervous

Discoveries: Pomegranates

Made me laugh: Epic Santa YouTube video

Made me sad: Polarizing and simplistic reactions to the recent violence

Made me drool: Cheese dogs, rice pudding, leftovers from the Chinese feast

Blessings: Time with wonderful friends in a safe setting

Reading: Torn - by Justin Lee

Watching tonight: Christmas caper

Considering: whether to write a year-end letter

Working on: setting up my computer for our travels this winter

Accomplishments: I learned how to make rice pudding!

Lessons: Reminded to sit shiva rather than rush to give answers

Looking forward to: seeing my kids & grandkids soon

Time to get serious

I feel like I am at a corner, a turning point.
I am becoming more intentional about writing these days and I want to kick it up another notch yet.

I recently completed my third "novel" for National Novel Writing Month.
I am ready to start writing book reviews.
I have several ideas that I want to feature on my blog.
I am setting time aside in the next three months for lots more writing - as well as more learning about writing.
I want to sign up for a writing course during this time and have found one that I think would be very helpful - oh, and he's giving one away today - FREE.
I am beginning to believe that I am a writer and excited about the chance to prove it.

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So there are my thoughts and intentions. You are welcome to hold me to this.
For that matter, do you want to join me on this writing journey?
Is there something that you might like to write about?
There's still time to jump in for tonight's drawing!