firsts and lasts

Last night was Aaron's 5th and (I assume) final 29th-birthday celebration. Happy Birthday to the Mario Party champion... and tireless worker, great cook (mmm - Indian food!), terrific son-in-law, devoted husband and tender-hearted Dad!




With his girls.




Meanwhile, the guys were in fine form, entertaining us and driving us nuts with their wild and crazy antics! Really, it was a delight to watch Grandpa and Micah having so much fun together - and surprisingly, it didn't end badly, no hurts or tears, just squeals and laughter and wrestling and boxing and riding and shooting and hand-slapping... right up till bedtime hugs and kisses and Micah's exhausted collapse into bed.





Thankfully, someone provided a little calm and collectedness (and sanity) to our evening - thanks, Calvin and Sharon! Even the animals seemed to feel your influence, although perhaps it also had something to do with the fact that Kazan and Cassie had spent practically the entire day running in the snow together. Whatever the cause, this was the first time that Kazan-the-dog and Toby-the-cat actually began to understand each other. Hopefully, a great new beginning for their relationship.





Finally, a brief mention of Grandma and Grandpa's wild and wonderful weekend with Micah and Elizabeth, which was followed by the inaugural meeting of this brand new local Gould Lake women's book-club group! Community! At last!

"from my quiet darkness"

One of many "calvaires" in France - contemplating the Cross.

“ I call to you, O Lord, from my quiet darkness. Show me your mercy and love. Let me see your face, hear your voice, touch the hem of your cloak. I want to love you, be with you, speak to you and simply stand in your presence. But I cannot make it happen. Pressing my eyes against my hand is not praying, and reading about your presence is not living in it. But there is that moment in which you will come to me, as you did to your fearful disciples, and say, “ Do not be afraid; it is I.” Let that moment come soon, O Lord. And if you want to delay it, then make me patient” (Henri Nouwen).





Tolstoy's grave. As a child, he believed that in this valley was hidden a green stick on which was written the secret to making all people happy.


The Valley of Vision

(from The Valley of Vision: A Collection of Puritan Prayers & Devotions, edited by Arthur Bennett).

Lord, high and holy, meek and lowly,

Thou hast brought me to the valley of vision,
where I live in the depths but see Thee in the heights;
hemmed in by mountains of sin I behold Thy glory.
Let me learn by paradox that the way down is the way up,

that to be low is to be high,
that the broken heart is the healed heart,
that the contrite spirit is the rejoicing spirit,

that the repenting soul is the victorious soul,
that to have nothing is to possess all,
that to bear the cross is to wear the crown,
that to give is to receive,
that the valley is the place of vision.

Lord, in the daytime stars can be seen from deepest wells,
and the deeper the wells the brighter Thy stars shine;

let me find Thy light in my darkness,

Thy life in my death,

Thy joy in my sorrow,

Thy grace in my sin,

Thy riches in my poverty,

Thy glory in my valley.




A roadside encounter, Switzerland 2006.

“The same questions are bothering me today as they did fifty years ago. Why is one born? Why does one suffer? In my case, the suffering of animals also makes me very sad. I’m a vegetarian, you know. When I see how little attention people pay to animals, and how easily they make peace with man being allowed to do with animals whatever he wants because he keeps a knife or a gun, it gives me a feeling of misery and sometimes anger with the Almighty. I say ‘Do you need your glory to be connected with so much suffering of creatures without glory, just innocent creatures who would like to pass a few years in peace?’ I feel that animals are as bewildered as we are except that they have no words for it. I would say that all life is asking: ‘What am I doing here?’” ~ Isaac Bashevis Singer (1902 - 1991), Newsweek interview (October 16, 1978) after winning the Nobel Prize in literature.

inspiration

Let Your God Love You
(by Edwina Gateley)

Be silent.
Be still.
Alone.
Empty
Before your God.
Say nothing.
Ask nothing.
Be silent.
Be still.
Let your God look upon you.
That is all.
God knows.
God understands.
God loves you
With an enormous love.
And only wants
To look upon you
With that love.
Quiet.
Still.
Be.

Let your God -
Love you.

(from journeywithjesus.net)






"I considered that life was sweet in all living creatures, and taking it away became a very tender point with me. . . I believe my dear Master has been pleased to try my faith and obedience by teaching me that I ought no longer to partake of anything that had life." ~ Joshua Evans (1731-1798), Quaker minister and journalist (from ChristianVeg.org).

a brand new year

Welcome to the world, Calvin Jacob! God bless you as you embrace a brand new future! We are with you every step of your way. Be well, Sonshine of ours!



Meanwhile, some other family events from this past week: last Saturday's delightful visit with Michaela and Nathanael. I wanted a picture of the two of them together - Michaela gave me lots of fun and funny poses, of which this is the tamest and sweetest.



Kazan - cuddly when not being dangerously playful. I love how Michaela understands Kazan so well, and bounces back so readily no matter how much tooth-and-claw rough-housing goes on.



On Sunday we were treated to a delicious Church in the Woods breakfast and delightful Church in the Woods snowshoe walk with Micah and Elizabeth and family. Got to love the tongue!




I was struck by this beautiful pensive moment, and managed to capture it before the action started up again.

family

deeply thankful for each one of you

move me closer

The giant tiger in Michaela's nativity scene line-up (see previous post) was certainly her most eye-catching departure from the norm. Michaela loves wildcats, and identifies with them, so it seemed natural to us that she included the tiger. But I thought it might be interesting to post a close-up view in order to highlight Michaela's more fundamental breach of nativity scene orthodoxy: the manger has disappeared entirely, and baby Jesus has found his way into a wise man's arms! Something worth thinking about. Which reminds me of someone's Church-in-the-Box sharing from a few years ago:

Move Me Closer (A Shepherd's Prayer)

Twas the night before Christmas,
And my only desire
Was peace among kids, and to rest by the fire.
I had just settled down in my favorite chair;
When I heard a small voice, and a cry of despair.
As I stared at the hearth I saw a strange sight!
Our nativity scene, in the flickering light
Seemed almost alive!
And how could this be!
One lonely shepherd was calling to me.
***
chorus : Move me closer, move me closer
Move me closer to the Child.
Let me see Him, let me hold His hand.
Move me closer to the Child.
***
As you can well imagine, I was a bit surprised.
So with a shake of the head and a rub of the eyes
I took another look, and what did I see,
Without a doubt he was looking at me.
It seems in the hustle and bustle of things
In the wrapping of gifts, and the building of swings,
In assembling his scene, I'd been a bit hurried,
And understandably so, he was a little bit worried.
***
chorus
***
You see, candy canes and holly trim
Didn't mean a thing to him.
If it kept him from his post
Beside the child he loved the most.
So as strange as it must seem,
Whether it was, or wasn't, a dream.
I placed him back where he belonged
As he sang again his simple song.
And now when we at Christmas share,
We sing his song:
A Shepherd's Prayer.
***
Move me closer, move me closer
Move me closer to the Child.
Let me see Him, let me hold His hand.
Move me closer to the Child.
Move me closer to the Child.