Doing Life Together

Longing for a Fashionable Lunch . . . by Andrea R Huelsenbeck

Posted on January 23, 2015 by Andrea R Huelsenbeck

When I was a girl (in the late 50s, early 60s), my school lunch didn’t look like the other girls’ lunches.

I brought my lunch to school in a hand-me-down boy’s metal Roy Rogers lunch box. The other girls had pretty red plaid metal lunchboxes.

The clasp on my lunch box was worn out. It had the annoying habit of popping open, releasing its contents to the floor. In those days, insulated bottles had glass liners. If you dropped your thermos, you needed to test it by shaking it. If it sounded like a maraca, your bottle was full of shattered glass and you could not drink from it. I broke mine on multiple occasions, sending my mother scrambling for a replacement.

I had my first peanut butter sandwich in first grade. My parents were German immigrants and not familiar with peanut butter, but the other moms assured my mother it was what all American kids ate for lunch.

My parents were also unfamiliar with the concept of eating a sandwich for lunch. In Germany, schools and businesses closed for an hour or more in the middle of the day, and everyone walked home for their main meal. Bread and cold cuts were for Abendessen, a light evening meal.

When the peanut butter ran out, Mom made me jelly sandwiches. But they didn’t look like the other girls’ jelly sandwiches. They had grape jelly on white bread. I had strawberry preserves or pineapple marmalade on rye. My dad was a baker. We didn’t have a lot, but we had plenty of bread. Not “real” bread, but rye bread and hard rolls. The loaves of rye bread tapered to an inch high and two inches wide at the ends. My mother usually made my sandwiches from the ends. How embarrassing.

My sandwiches were wrapped in waxed paper. The other girls’ sandwiches were slipped into waxed paper sandwich bags. Mom refused to buy them—too expensive.

One summer my mother bought me a new school box at a sidewalk sale. It was just like the one the most popular girls in my class had the previous year—red vinyl, with six clear pockets on the front to hold cut-out letters to spell your name—and my name had exactly six letters! It couldn’t have been more perfect.

But that was the year my school adopted a new lunch box policy—you couldn’t bring one. Everyone was to bring lunch in a paper bag which would be thrown away. My dream of being like the other girls was shattered.

Now the other girls brought their lunches in crisp brown paper bags. I brought mine in wrinkly blue and white waxed paper bags that said Quality Baked Goods. They were the bags my dad’s bakery rye bread came home in. How humiliating.

The other girls’ sandwiches were now wrapped in Saran Wrap or fancy plastic fold-over top sandwich bags. Mine were slipped inside waxed bags that said Burry’s Scooter Pie on it, saved when the original contents were consumed. My mother recycled way before it was popular.

Bringing a lunch from home was the usual practice at the Catholic elementary school I attended, but one day a week the PTA offered a hot lunch for 40 cents. On hot lunch days, the most exotic smells wafted from the school kitchen, aromas that made my mouth water. All the cool kids ate hot lunch. I was never allowed to buy it. It was too expensive for my family.

One day I missed the bus and had to ride my bike to school. When I walked into the classroom several minutes late, the substitute teacher sweetly asked me, “Would you like to have hot lunch today?” To me, it sounded like an invitation, so I said, “Yes.” Of course I would like to have hot lunch.

When it was time to go to the cafeteria for lunch, the sub reminded the hot lunch students to bring their lunch money. My heart stopped. I didn’t have lunch money. I stayed behind to explain to the teacher that I thought I was being treated to hot lunch. But before I could say a word, she said, “I know—you forgot your lunch money. I’ll lend it to you, and you can pay me back tomorrow.” Even though my bag lunch was still in my book bag, I nodded my head, thanked her, and had my only hot lunch in elementary school. It was ravioli, the first time I ever ate ravioli, and it was delicious. But it was very difficult to explain to my mother why I had to bring 40 cents to school the next day.

Decades later, I took a job in downtown Phoenix. I realized I could have anything I wanted for lunch, even eat out every day. I tried that for a couple of weeks, and then I settled into a comfortable routine. My favorite workday lunch? Leftovers from home. Who would have thought it? But I wish I had some of Dad’s delicious bakery rye bread. And white bread? Never.

When you were a kid, what was your favorite school day lunch? Click the comment link to join the conversation.

Posted in Lunch, Memoir, Nostalgia | Tagged children, family stories, Lunch, memoir, Nostalgia | 6 Comments

Catch the Tears…Live Life With Compassion by Betty L. Arthurs

Posted on January 20, 2015 by Betty Mason Arthurs

For years cyberspace has given us a vivid glimpse into the pain-filled lives of others and in return given us opportunities to share our own laughter and tears with our world. While some may think Facebook, Twitter, e-mail, Texting are cold ways to communicate, I love it. At my fingertips is an instant worldwide prayer network to offer comfort and soul-touching compassion to others and they in turn encourage me.

I recently read “Unbroken” by Laura Hillenbrand. You’ll find my tear blots on almost every page. The true story of Louie Zamperini and his survival in the prisoner of war camps in Japan during World War II tore at my heart. He and his fellow soldiers survived , though many died or were killed, the most horrific conditions, with multiple beatings every day, starvation, disease, hard labor…it’s hard to believe anyone would come home. I’m not sure if I can go see the movie…I’ll have to carry a gigantic box of tissues and walk out when I start sobbing.

There’s a time in the 1990s, just before Mother’s Day, I’ll never forget. My husband and I had moved and I quickly made friends with my neighbor, Candice, across the street. One afternoon, Candice came running to us with the news that her daughter and two children had been in a tragic car accident just two miles from home. Her daughter was killed and the children hospitalized. Stunned, John and I gathered Candice into our arms and prayed as she sobbed. The weeks passed in a blur as her husband and she coped with their loss while taking in the two children, Jason, age six, and Allyson, age three, as well as their daddy.

Allyson, released from the hospital after a month, woke up every night crying for her mother. “Hold me, Grandma, hold me,” she cried. Candice rocked her until she fell back asleep. This delicate little blonde soon became my friend and she loved to come over and play with Play-doh.

One scorching afternoon in August, Allyson ran to greet me as I opened my mailbox. She hugged me and pleaded, “Can I come over and play?” Candice hurried over and scooped her up, “Sweetie, we’ve got pizza coming for supper so you can’t go to Grandma Betty’s right now.”

Big tears ran down Allyson’s face. She wiped away a tear with a finger and reached for her grandmother’s hand. “Yes, we save those precious tears, don’t we?” Candice held her hand open as Allyson patted each of her tears into the palm of her grandmother’s loving hand.

“Candice,” I stammered. “Do you know there’s a scripture verse in the Bible about God saving our tears?” She replied in surprise, “No, I’ve never heard of it.”

Later I wrote it down for her: “You number and record my wanderings; put my tears into Your bottle–are they not in Your book?” Psalm 56:8 (Amplified). I tear-up when I remember the compassion and love of Candice and how divine comfort came to a heartbroken grandchild and family with a simple act of saving those precious tears.

Today I wonder, do I touch the wounded around me and try to understand their pain? Through the busyness of life, do I take time for compassionate communication on Facebook, with a phone call, or by sending a card? Will I point people to the Lord, the divine source of comfort and hope…the One who keeps their tears in His bottle? Perhaps I can push back from my keyboard, hold out my hands, palms up, to catch their tears.

“Those who sow in tears shall reap in joy and singing.” Psalm 126:5 (Amplified)

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged caring for others, compassion, grief, hurting children, love | 6 Comments

10 Tips for Grandparenting When Your Child Has a Large Family…by Linda Carlblom

Posted on January 16, 2015 by Linda Carlblom

I am Grammy to seven beautiful children, ages thirteen years to three months. I know many of our readers are grandparents, too, and have that many or more grandchildren. But all seven of my grands are siblings who belong to my daughter. That means, when we babysit, we have all seven kids at the same time. How do we manage? Very well, actually.

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My seven grandchildren. Six boys and one girl. All siblings!

Most of the credit has to go to our daughter and son-in-law, who have raised well-behaved, respectful children. But kids are kids. They can be noisy, irresponsible, and whiny, at least sometimes. And having a lot of kids in a house that is normally quiet and calm brings about quite a change and takes a lot of energy that we’re not used to expending! So here are some tips on grandparenting when your child has a large family.

Have plenty of healthy snacks on hand. With a lot of kids, someone is always hungry.
Plan some special activities ahead of time. A new puzzle. Making cookies. A trip to the park to feed the ducks. A walk around the block. It doesn’t have to be flashy. Just something to do.
Child-proof your home before they arrive to keep stress at a minimum. Put breakables away, use baby gates at stairs, put cleaning supplies and medications out of reach.
Interact, converse, and play games with them. Actively listen when they talk. Keep it simple. You don’t have to entertain them. Let them entertain themselves, even if it means watching TV, playing video games, or playing outside.
Let them do for themselves. At home, they pour their own drinks, help each other, clean up after themselves. It’s how large families operate because Mom can’t do it all with that many children. You don’t have to do it all for them either.
Request their help. Let them unload the dishwasher, fold laundry, sweep the patio, or dust. Our grands love to pick fruit from our trees.
Tell them they’ll need to wait. Sometimes you’re unavailable to one child because you’re rocking another one to sleep or fixing dinner. Assure them you’ll be with them in a few minutes as soon as you finish what you’re doing. Then be sure you do it.
Lean into the chaos and laugh. Spills happen. Messes happen. Noise happens. Hand the cleaning towel to whoever made the mess, or better yet, work together to clean up. Start this training of cleaning up after themselves as soon as they can hold a rag and rub it on a spill. Praise the effort, not the result.
Rely on the older kids. If you’re not sure of the capability of a younger child or you don’t know whose clothes are whose, ask the older children. They know the intricacies of their everyday life and are usually glad to help. They can also be an extra set of hands to hold or corral the little ones when you need it.
Praise behaviors you want them to repeat. Things like sharing, being kind, cleaning up, helping, reading, or being gentle with a pet, should be acknowledged. Just a simple, “You’re so kind,” or “Fido likes when you are so gentle with him,” or “You’re such a good helper. Thank you!” is all it takes.

Whether you have a few grandkids or a whole gaggle of them, enjoy them as much as you can when they’re with you. They’ll remember your attentiveness and the time you spent together long after they’ve gone home. And speaking of them going home, be sure to allow yourself some time to recover and rest after they leave! It takes a lot of energy to care for so many little people, especially when you’re not used to such constant activity. After they go, it’s time to care for yourself. Rest, enjoy the quiet. Pamper yourself with a nice bath or an quiet evening to read. Whatever says relaxation to you, do it, and reflect on the blessing of grandchildren.

Linda

Posted in Family Life, Grandparenting, Uncategorized | Tagged grandchildren, Grandparenting, large family | 13 Comments

Making 2015 a Better Year…by Linda Carlblom

Posted on January 9, 2015 by Linda Carlblom

Even though we’re a full week into the new year, I’ve been thinking about my goals. I’m not usually much of a resolution maker, but I do think along those lines. What did I do right last year? What would I like to do better? What about my family? How would I like to improve it?

Here are a few things I need to work on.

1. Appreciate the little things. My husband gets up and goes to work faithfully every day to provide for us. I want to thank him more for it. I want to take in all the sideways glances my young adult daughter and I share across a room–those unspoken communications that say, “Did you see that?” and we know we’ll laugh about later. Priceless. As I write this on my laptop on the couch, I’m enjoying our little dog snuggled up as close as can be beside my leg. Aaaah. I hope to really savor all these things every day.

2. Reach out more. I tend to be introverted. Reaching out does not come naturally for me. But I know I was made to live in community with others. As much as I’d love to cocoon in my house, I realize that I grow and stretch and become a better me when I include others. I plan to invite more friends over, and to let my friends know how much I care.

3. Use my crockpot weekly. I can cook, but I have a list as long as my arm of things I’d rather do. But when I stick something in the crockpot in the morning, I feel good all day. The meals are so easy and taste like I slaved away for hours. And we usually have leftovers for a day or two. So I hope to be better about meal planning and using my crockpot so we can eat well regularly without a lot of work. I’ll admit it–I’m lazy!

4. Share spiritual growth. Did I mention I’m an introvert and prefer doing things alone? Well, that includes my spiritual growth. But there’s a certain joy in sharing the journey with your family if they’re willing to journey along with you. Even though you may not all be at the same place spiritually, you can still share insights, stories, something you read that meant something to you that day. I’m terrible about this. I keep all these things to myself. Sooo, I hope to be more open with my family spiritually this year. Hopefully they’ll feel more free to open up to me in this area as well.

5. Laugh it off. Now this is a biggie. I have a pretty good sense of humor. I use it generously in my family. But when tensions are high, I tend to clam up. I sulk. I give the silent treatment. I avoid. How would things change if I laughed instead? Boom. Tension evaporates in the presence of laughter. It doesn’t resolve problems, but it does create an environment that’s easier to talk and feel safe. So I vow to try to laugh instead of yell, smile instead of frown. I’ll be needing your prayers on this for sure!

That should give me plenty to work on this year. How about you? What things would you like to do that might make a difference in your family life?

Blessings, love and peace to you and your family in 2015!

Posted in Faith, Family Life, Learning New Skills, Life, New Year, New Year's Resolutions, Uncategorized | Tagged 2015, goals, New Year, resolutions, self-improvement | 8 Comments

The Ups and Downs of a Learning Curve…by Peggy Levesque

Posted on January 2, 2015 by Peggy Levesque

I’ve always considered myself a relatively organized and tidy person. I’m very happy no one had the cameras rolling the day I shot that notion to pieces.

Since my husband passed away, just over a year ago, I’ve had to ask my two grown sons to step in far too often to handle chores I didn’t know how to do. A couple of months ago, I decided it was time to become more self-reliant. I put air in my tires, changed windshield wipers, got my Jeep serviced, and changed the A/C filters (which included cleaning what must have been 40 years of accumulated dust and grime, and is a story in itself) to name a few victories.

Painting my two-story townhouse last November however, presented a challenge I knew I couldn’t handle. But I could help as long as it required nothing more unwieldy than a seven-foot step ladder. My oldest son, Erik, chose caulking the first floor windows as my contribution. After he explained what to do, I thought, sounds simple enough.

Armed with the list Erik prepared, I purchased supplies. After I changed into work clothes, I muscled the ladder into place and received my first lesson in humility. How could it possibly take so long to tape window panes? And why couldn’t I find the caulk gun I knew I had? (After all, I’d seen it last year.)

So, another trip to Home Depot. At least I had the presence of mind to ask someone how to use the gun when, after several attempts, the workings remained a mystery to me. While he was at it, the paint clerk showed me additional features of which I had no knowledge. Like the little gadget that sliced off the tip of the tube (I didn’t have to find a saw after all). And the thin metal poker to pierce the membrane (Oh, you mean the caulk won’t come out if I don’t do that?)

Back in my grubbies, I was ready to get to it. Except, the directions said to apply caulk to a clean, dry surface. Even the power washing left a coat of dirt on the trim and window, which meant a pail of water with cleaning solution. That done, I climbed the ladder—again—to begin the real work. But, I forgot the spray window cleaner to help smooth the caulk. Thankfully, a neighbor had some she was willing to part with when I couldn’t find the bottle I knew I had.

I should tell you that I had a vision in my head of a thin and even white line as I squeezed the gun trigger. It didn’t match the reality of globs and spaces. Apparently my hands didn’t get the concepts of rhythm of movement, along with slow and steady on a trigger span designed for a small gorilla. Oh well, I figured the nifty little squeegee tool would even it out, and it did.

Except. In the process, I coated my hands with white sticky stuff that even Orange Goop didn’t remove (but the window did). Okay, I decided, gloves. Lots and lots of vinyl gloves.

And. I was sure I squeegeed off more than I left behind. Since I had already covered two wet rags with wasted caulk…paper towels. Miles of it, as it turned out—until I got smart and applied the excess with my fingers.

Of course, that meant my gloved hands deposited even more smudges all over the window. Which—you guessed it—didn’t wipe off with a wet cloth. (And what had me thinking it would, when I couldn’t get it off my hands?) Degreaser worked, though, adding more time for search and rescue.

Have I mentioned how many trips I made up and down the ladder?

At that point, I just hoped I’d finish that set of windows by Christmas, and I still had the bigger ones in the back. I might have sighed then, I’m not sure. Eventually I finished both sets, though, and learned a lot in the process. Let me share what—as a relatively organized and tidy person—I should have realized from the start.

Inspect the project myself, and read How to Use directions, so I fully understand each step to take. Write them down if necessary.
As a neophyte, don’t rely on instructions from an expert to cover everything important. What they know by second nature—and assume everyone else does—I have to learn.
Make a list of every supply needed to complete each step.
To avoid surprises in the middle of a project, gather everything I have on hand before shopping.
Above all, maintain a sense of humor, and offer myself grace. I mean, really, does anyone think Jesus did everything perfectly on His first attempt? On second thought, scratch that example; maybe He did. Thankfully, He loves me anyway.

When I called a friend to whine, he laughed (can you imagine?) and told me, “Caulking windows is an art.” Surveying the smears of latex and silicone all over the once-green trim, on my clothes, in my hair, and even on my phone, I thought, huh.

Well, even Picasso had a learning curve, right? Besides, I’ve decided I really don’t want to use this skill all that often. Maybe ever.

I’d love to hear about new skills you’ve learned. What were some of your struggles? What did you get right? Please comment below.

Posted in Faith, Humor, Learning New Skills, Life Transitions, Perserverance, Widowhood | Tagged Organization, small victories | 9 Comments

I Resolve . . . by Andrea R Huelsenbeck

Posted on December 26, 2014 by Andrea R Huelsenbeck

Many years ago I gave up on writing New Year’s resolutions. It seemed to me like an exercise in futility—by February I’d forgotten whatever good intentions I had the month before.

It also seemed incorrect to call it a New Year’s resolution, since I was making the same ones year after year.

The Encarta Dictionary has 13 definitions for the word resolution. I would like to look at the concept of the New Year’s Resolution in light of 9 of them.

Process of resolving—the process of resolving something such as a problem or dispute. We make resolutions in response to problems. We see something in ourselves that needs changing.
Decision—a firm decision to do something. This is my conundrum. If you make a firm decision to do something, you do it. I forget about it.
Determination—firmness of mind or purpose. This is another thing I’m wishy-washy about. I’m only determined about a few things. That’s why most of my resolutions fall by the wayside.
Expression of collective opinion—a formal expression of the consensus at a meeting, arrived at after discussion and usually as the result of a vote. Last year, under doctor’s orders (consensus at a meeting, arrived at after discussion), I lost 45 pounds. This year I put five back on. I can’t figure out what I’m doing differently. Isn’t losing weight one of everyone’s perennial resolutions?
Quality of detail in image—the quality of detail offered by a TV or computer screen or a photographic image. Following through on a needed change often adds clarity and quality to your life.
Separation into constituent parts—the process or act of separating something such as a chemical compound or a source of light into its constituent parts. Sometimes dividing a goal into easily achieved steps is a better way to proceed than focusing on an end result. I have been working on my garage of doom at least an hour once a week, and I have made more progress in the last six months than in the previous twenty-eight years.
Subsiding of symptoms—the disappearance or coming to an end of a medical symptom or condition. Changing your behavior is often beneficial to your health. For example, making time for exercise. When I don’t have time for a good workout, I spend 30 minutes on the treadmill. My motto is Some is better than none. I am stronger and more energetic than I used to be.
Final note—the musical note or chord to which the harmony moves when progressing from dissonance to consonance. The final chord is satisfying to the ear. Doing the right thing is also satisfying.
Part of narrative when conflict is resolved—the point in a literary work when the conflict is resolved. When you commit to working toward a goal, you will eventually experience a turning point. When you’ve invested a significant amount of time and effort, there is no going back.

Maybe the New Year is a good time to examine one’s progress on life’s journey and to recommit to making necessary changes. The Bible tells me that it is God’s will that I be conformed to the image of His Son (see Romans 8:29) and that God, who began a good work in me, will carry it on to completion (see Phillipians 1:6). I can turn my goals over to Him and faithfully submit to His will. He is able to accomplish what I am too weak to do by myself.

Posted in Holiday, New Year, New Year's Resolutions | Tagged Holidays, New Year, New Year's Resolutions | 6 Comments

Teaching Kids the True Meaning of Christmas…by Linda Carlblom

Posted on December 19, 2014 by Linda Carlblom

In all the busyness of the Christmas season, it’s easy to let its true meaning slip through the cracks of the rough manger bed. Is it really that important our kids hear the age-old story about Jesus’ birth? Isn’t it a little outdated and boring?

The answer is a resounding, “No!” That dusty old story, handed down through the centuries, loved by millions, is more than just a story to be told to your child. It’s an anchor for his soul. It puts meaning into all the chaos. It whispers in your child’s ear at night that Jesus was born as a baby just like he was. It makes Jesus someone your child can relate to. Your son or daughter can imagine Him as a baby, then as a child growing up. Telling the biblical Christmas story allows the Christ-child to be his Jesus, not just his parents’ or pastor’s.

So how do you get across this all-important story to a child? Here are some ideas for teaching the true meaning of Christmas:

Purchase a kid-friendly, unbreakable nativity scene. Encourage your child to hold the baby and move the characters around. There is no “right” place for each one to be. Help him to understand this isn’t just another toy. It’s special and should be treated with love and respect, just like the Bible is more special than any other book.
“Tell” the Christmas story with the nativity scene. Put only Joseph and Mary in the stable at first. On Christmas Eve, let your kids put the baby in the manger. Then let them put out the angel and the shepherds. Wait to put the wise men in the scene until after Christmas since they didn’t likely arrive until later. Or let your children act out the story with the nativity characters as you read it from an easy to understand Bible version or a children’s story book.
Provide simple costumes and props (bathrobes, scarves, towels, baby doll, stuffed animals) and have your children put on a play of the first Christmas.
Have your children create their own story books telling the Christmas story using their own words and illustrations.
Make a birthday cake for Jesus and decorate the house for a birthday party.
Talk to your children about what gifts they can give Jesus for His birthday, then place them under the Christmas tree. What would make Jesus happy?
Go outside at night and look at the stars. Talk about how the wise men followed a special star to find Jesus after He was born.
Hold a shepherd’s dinner. Find out how here: http://lindamcquinncarlblom.blogspot.com/2012/12/how-to-host-christmas-shepherds-dinner.html

Even though Christmas is only days away, keep looking for teachable moments and ways to point your children to Jesus. As the angels told the shepherds that night, “Fear not!” Your kids will get the important message of Jesus’ birth if the message is important to you!

Christmas blessings!

Linda

Posted in Christmas, Family Life, Uncategorized | Tagged biblical Christmas, Christmas and kids, shepherd's dinner, true meaning of Christmas | 4 Comments

Trusting Him in the Dark, Judy Robertson

Posted on December 12, 2014 by Judy Robertson

Where was the husband I once had? It all seemed so unreal. Jim, the in-charge work-a-holic, now was unable to add numbers or take care of his own personal needs. It had only been three years since Jim was given the devastating diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease. Our fifty-three years of marriage seemed as though it had ended. Our relationship, once intertwined by adventures, life events, three children and ten grandchildren had now come unraveled. We were pulled apart by this disease that destroys brain cells causing a person to make irrational judgments and tearing the personality to bits and pieces. One of the hardest parts of this journey is not knowing what will come next. But one thing we are told is sure, it will get worse—darkness.

Four a.m. Fearing the worst, I awakened thinking about how Jim had fought the two caregivers the previous evening. Dawn and Christina were trying to get his wet briefs off to put dry ones on. He wasn’t having any of it and the caregivers were struggling. This was new. Jim had always been cooperative with those who came in to help in any way. Was this a new trend? Is he moving into a belligerent stage?

After warming a cup of milk, I sat propped up in bed with my Bible on my lap, looking for comfort. These were verses that brought comfort:

“God is love” “There is no fear in love” (1 John 4:16,18 NIV).
“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand” (Isaiah 41:10).
“God has not given us the spirit of fear but of power and love and a sound mind” (1 Timothy 1:7).
“Now may the Lord of peace Himself give you peace at all times and in every way” (2 Thessalonians 3:16).

So many places in His Word God says, do not worry, do not be anxious. He wants us to trust Him at all times and through everything. He gives us peace. That peace comes from knowing He has everything under His control. He is Sovereign.

Charles Swindoll wrote about Job and why he didn’t become bitter through all his heartache:
1. Job claimed God’s sovereignty. “Shall we accept good from God and not trouble?” (Job 2:10).
2. He counted on the promise of resurrection. “I know that my Redeemer lives” (Job 2:10).
3. He confessed his own lack of understanding. “Surely I spoke of things I did not understand” (Job 42:3). “Job confessed his inability to get it all together. God would judge. The Judge would be right,” Swindoll said of Job. (P.648, Senior’s Devotional Bible, Zondervan Publishing House).

A.W. Tozer says regarding Proverbs 3:5 to “Trust Him in the dark.”“With the goodness of God to desire our highest welfare, the wisdom of God to plan it and the power of God to achieve it, what do we lack? Surely we are the most favored of all God’s creatures.” (P.778, Senior’s Devotional Bible, Zondervan Publishing House).

Pondering this difficult part of our lives, I prayed, O God, surely there is a better way. I see Jim suffer and I don’t know what to do, how to help. As Job confessed his inability to put it all together, so I confessed my own powerlessness to make things right for Jim. And when I confess this inability to make things right I am reminded of Proverbs 3:5-6 “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your paths.” (emphasis added).

To trust completely in Him is the greatest challenge of our lives. But it is also the most rewarding when we are able to let go of our “own understanding” and acknowledge the power of God in our lives. He is able.

“…Yet I am not ashamed, because I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that He is able to guard what I have entrusted to Him for that day” (2 Timothy 1:12).

The Infinite God guards us and carries us through our darkest night to the place where His light is revealed and we are no longer afraid.

Posted in Faith, Family Life, Grief, Overcoming Fear | Tagged Alzheimer's, faith, Fears | 12 Comments

The Eight Best Christmas Books Ever . . . by Andrea R Huelsenbeck

Posted on December 11, 2014 by Andrea R Huelsenbeck

One of the traditions in my family is the reading of Christmas books. We put out our special basket of books around December 1 and read them throughout the days leading up to Christmas.

For several years the books were lost in the darkest regions of the Garage of Doom. (Click here to read my post about our unfortunate garage.) Recently, while chipping away at the accumulated stuff, I came across our precious tomes and dusted them off. Once again, they occupy a space of honor in our living room.

1. C is for Christmas: The History, Personalities, and Meaning of Christ’s Birth, by David W. and Warren W. Wiersbe.

If you want to learn about Christmas from A to Z, this is the book for you. The authors do an excellent job of explaining Christmas through information gleaned from Scripture. The 64 topics are arranged alphabetically, from Advent to Zechariah.

The detail in this book is remarkable; yet each topic is presented with clarity. This book would be excellent for new Christians and also for families to study together, maybe two or three topics a day during the Advent season.

2. Shepherds Abiding, by Jan Karon.

Book 8 of the beloved Mitford series tells the story of the Christmas gift Episcopal priest Father Tim makes for his wife Cynthia, and her gift for him. A story of love and redemption.

3. The Best Christmas Pageant Ever, by Barbara Robinson.

This very humorous book is a reminder not to disregard unlovable people. Jesus died to save sinners, and it is profoundly touching to see the changes that occur in the heathen Herdman children as a result of participating in a Christmas pageant.

4. Seven Stories of Christmas Love, by Leo Buscaglia.

Once upon a time, the late PBS personality Leo Buscaglia was known as “Dr. Love” because of his many books on and promotion of human love. These seven stories are taken from his life. My favorite is No Room at the Inn, about a Christmas he spent in Bali.

5. Messiah: The Wordbook for the Oratorio by George Frideric Handel.

This is the text of Handel’s Messiah, beautifully illustrated by Barry Moser. The words are actually straight from the Bible, and the book gives chapter and verse references.

6. The Nativity: The Christmas Crèche at The Metropolitan Museum of Art by Olga Raggio.

The story of Christ’s birth is told from Scripture, illustrated with photographs of the Met’s fabulous eighteenth-century figurines. The history of this crèche is documented by a former curator. Although this 1969 book is out of print, you might be able to find it used. However, a similar, more recent book is available from the Met—The Angel Tree: Celebrating Christmas at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, by Linn Howard and Mary Jane Pool.

7. A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens.

The classic story of how three spirits transform miserly Ebernezer Scrooge into a compassionate and generous man.

8. The Night Before Christmas by Clement C. Moore.

The quintessential Christmas poem. I prefer the Golden Book edition I had when I was a little girl.

Disclaimer: These are my favorite Christmas books. I cannot guarantee that this is truly the definitive list of best Christmas books ever. If I’ve left out some of your favorites, please list them by hitting the Comments button.

Posted in Books, Christmas, Christmas Books, Holiday | Tagged Books, Christmas, Christmas books, Doing Life Together, Holiday, Holiday books | 3 Comments

Keeping Christmas Simple…by Linda Carlblom

Posted on December 10, 2014 by Linda Carlblom

I’m struck today by how complicated Christmas has gotten. A friend who is caring for her husband who has Alzheimer’s feels bad because she hasn’t had time to put up a tree or decorations. She just isn’t in the mood to do it. Others are frenzied with activity, yet they feel they still must do Christmas baking and complete their shopping from elaborate gift lists. What happened to silent night, holy night? From where I stand, all is certainly not calm or bright.

But it isn’t a myth. Christ came into the world to bring peace, quietly, simply, in a manger. His parents didn’t even have the means to care properly for him the first few days of his life. They lived in a barn with the animals. It was base, at best. No frills. No fenzied activities. No expensive gifts. No list of things to do. Just a mother nursing her baby amidst the straw and a worried father no doubt wondering how he’d get his family out of this desperate situation. But God was there and they trusted Him.

They got it right, that first Christmas. The young holy family clung tightly to one another and the promises of God. And because of that, and in spite of seemingly horrible circumstances, they found peace and joy.

Oh, come let us adore him. And that’s exactly what they did, as do all new parents as they look into the face of their newborn. The wonder. The excitement of a new chapter beginning. A new life, new hope.

It’s the same for us when we follow the example of Mary and Joseph. When we hold close the ones we love and reflect on God’s promises for us, we find peace, even miracles, in the Christmas chaos. When we keep our focus on the Christ child, born to us just as surely as he was to Mary and Joseph, we experience the same wonder they did. Life wells up within us and we feel the hope this baby brought to earth.

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6

So relax. Breathe in the scent of that newborn baby. Feel the scratch of the hay. Hear the angels sing. See the star and follow it with all your might to the holy child’s cradle. Silent night, holy night! O come, let us adore him!

This year, let’s keep it simple.

Linda