Christmas Tree non-Adventures of 2010

I am a person who likes certain traditions, and if some of those traditions get disrupted, I have a hard time working through the change.  One of the traditions I cherish is going out on what I call our Christmas tree searching adventure.  Usually, our whole family goes out to the woods, the real woods, not a tree lot, in layers of winter clothes and boots for our adventure.  My parents, my sister's family, and many times my cousin, all find their tree within a short time.  My husband would find ours in a much shorter time, if it was just him picking out the tree.  Many times he will point a tree out to me, but I want to keep looking, so we search and search, tromping through the woods, in search of the 'just right' tree.  My parents, my cousin, and my sister and her family usually join in pointing out pretty trees to me, but I keep looking.  Often, we end up back at the tree my hubby pointed out an hour or two earlier, but I enjoy making tree getting an adventure.  


Snow started to fall here about ten days ago, and not just light accumulations, either.  We have two feet of snow in our yard, down on the flat prairie.  We usually go on our tree getting adventure a day or two after Thanksgiving, up north where the rest of the family lives.  Well, on Thanksgiving the snow started, again, and it kept going and going and going.  It wasn't looking like we were going to make it up north to go out with family for our tree.  My hubby and I decided to try to find one in our area, despite the snow.  We found one area we could get up in the woods, at least a little bit.  We were passing trees, but none were Christmas tree type trees.  Many were mature cedars and they were beautifully flocked with fresh snow.  As we were driving up the road, we were getting in deeper and deeper snow, and the fresh tracks that had been broken in the snow had ended about half a mile back.  We finally got to an area we could turn around.  We opened our doors, thinking since we were there, we could get out and look around.  The snow was at door level, and as we looked at the road, we could see we were high centered on the snow.  We both looked at each other, but I was determined to find a tree so I got out my snowshoes and a started to prepare for a trek for at least a little bit in search of a tree.  The snow had briefly stopped at this point.  However, just as I was strapping on the first snowshoe, the wind started to howl through the trees, and the snow was coming down sideways.  Not wanting to get stranded way up in the mountains, we decided to head back down.  The weather had changed dramatically in twenty minutes, again.  Down the road a bit, it was a freezing rain mix, with heavy fog.  Another truck had slid off the road, almost into a creek, but someone else was able to pull him out on the sheet of ice road we were now traveling on.  I looked at my hubby, and we looked at the clock, and were amazed how fast things changed.  We continued to look for a tree on the way out, but the only ones that could even be considered for a Christmas tree were on private property.  


  The snow just kept falling, and falling.  We looked in a few low areas that are not private, but we could not find anything.  I was getting really sad.  We went by a tree lot, looked at their prices, and decided not to go that route!


We did end up getting a tree by the end of the day, at least I guess that's what you call it.  It's been sitting in front of me since late Sunday night, but I have yet to put an ornament on it.  I think only about 1/4 of our ornaments will even fit on this tree.  It's a 7 1/2 foot tree, but doesn't have those natural gaps like I'm used to, where I can hang my longer ornaments.  Ornaments are another tradition that I cherish.  My parents have given us ornaments every year since we were born. My Gram gave them to us every year, too, so when I left my parents home, I had at least 40 ornaments.  Once my hubby joined the family, he got them, too.  My sis started to give ornaments every year, as well.  We have a lot of ornaments, all with meaning and memories attached to them.  


Back to the tree....see I like trees made naturally by God, not trees that come in a box, made in China.  Because of deep snow, we ended up with the latter.  I still cannot embrace it.  I've had friends say to just go buy pine scented candles, or tree oil.  But it's not about the scent.  It's about the tradition, the experience, the memories created with family as we search for a tree and everyone lovingly joking with me while I search for the 'perfect' tree for us, and about the jokes as we bring it home and realize it's much bigger than we thought it was and how are we going to get it in the door???  The box tree is pretty, yes.  But it doesn't have the experience, the funny stories, the love tied to it.  So, for this year, I guess I just have move past the box, and try to be thankful for what we do have.  Maybe I can make up for the lack of tree by decorating the outside of the house in lights.  Watch out neighbors, it may look like Chevy Chase's house off Christmas Vacation here soon!  

Happy Thanksgiving

Grace isn't a little prayer you chant before receiving a meal.  It's a way to live.  ~ Jacqueline Winspear

Not what we say about our blessings, but how we use them, is the true measure of our thanksgiving.  ~W.T. Purkiser

And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful.  Colossians 3:15

Happy Thanksgiving!

Praying God's love and blessings are evident to you, no matter what season of life you are walking through right now.  Remember what you do have in your life, and that life is not about things.  Be thankful, and focus on the many wonderful gifts God has given to you this year, this day.   Love those around you, and be grateful.  I think we get to focused on stuff in our society, and we forget to just stop and look around and be thankful for the blessings of life, love, family, friends, the simple things that bring true happiness.  If you are having a hard time focusing on gratitude, take a few moments to sit down with a pen and paper and look around you.  Focus on the many things you have to be thankful for, and start writing them down.  Have a roof over your head, a family to love, some type of food to eat, life to live, then write them down, and say thanks.  How about the beauty of creation that God has given to each of us...look outside, He is the ultimate artist and there is much to be thankful for as we stand in awe of His creation.  

Enjoy the day, and remember to give thanks, in all circumstances.

Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.  1 Thessalonians 5:18

If you want to turn your life around, try thankfulness.  It will change your life mightily.  ~Gerald Good

Date Night

My hubby and I got tickets last week to take our nieces on a date night.  The girls got all dressed up in their new dresses.  We enjoyed dinner downtown Spokane, and then we went to Disney on Ice, Let's Celebrate.  

One niece took a little snooze on the way to Spokane.

The other fell asleep while waiting for the show to start, although she claims she was just pretending to be asleep.  You make the call on this one!    

We had a great time.  The girls loved the show, and were wide awake until 11 pm, talking non-stop about the show.  I am so happy we made the memories with the girls, and got to spend the evening with two little princesses, who enjoyed watching the Disney Princesses, on our date night.  This show included many Disney characters, but the princesses and Mickey and friends were their favorite.  

What Love Really Means

No matter what your life looks like right now, God loves you.  No matter what you have done, or have failed to do, He loves you and is always there.  You just have to reach to Him, to surrender your life to Him.  He cares.  Are you willing to ask Him to help you?


Are you willing to be there for others who hurt?  We are surrounded by hurting people.  They need to know someone cares.  They need to know the love of Christ.  They need someone to be available, to listen, to reach out to, to love them.  






This is how much God loved the world: He gave his Son, his one and only Son. And this is why: so that no one need be destroyed; by believing in him, anyone can have a whole and lasting life. God didn't go to all the trouble of sending his Son merely to point an accusing finger, telling the world how bad it was. He came to help, to put the world right again. Anyone who trusts in him is acquitted; anyone who refuses to trust him has long since been under the death sentence without knowing it. And why? Because of that person's failure to believe in the one-of-a-kind Son of God when introduced to him.  John 3:16-18 The Message


Stop being bitter and angry and mad at others. Don't yell at one another or curse each other or ever be rude. Instead, be kind and merciful, and forgive others, just as God forgave you because of Christ.  Ephesians 4:31-32 


My beloved friends, let us continue to love each other since love comes from God. Everyone who loves is born of God and experiences a relationship with God. The person who refuses to love doesn't know the first thing about God, because God is love—so you can't know him if you don't love. This is how God showed his love for us: God sent his only Son into the world so we might live through him. This is the kind of love we are talking about—not that we once upon a time loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as a sacrifice to clear away our sins and the damage they've done to our relationship with God. My dear, dear friends, if God loved us like this, we certainly ought to love each other.  No one has seen God, ever. But if we love one another, God dwells deeply within us, and his love becomes complete in us-perfect love!  

 1 John 4:7-12

Veteran's Day

With honor, respect, and extreme gratitude, I remember all who have served, and are serving, our country, and thank them for their sacrifices as they have fought, and are fighting, to preserve our freedoms.  Your service to our country has not gone unnoticed, and I think of you daily as I look at our flag with a humble heart, and think of all who have given up so much to keep this country free.  Thank you!  Thank you for your willingness to fight for me!  

War is an ugly thing, but not the ugliest of things. The decayed and degraded state of moral and patriotic feeling which thinks that nothing is worth war is much worse. The person who has nothing for which he is willing to fight, nothing which is more important than his own personal safety, is a miserable creature and has no chance of being free unless made and kept so by the exertions of better men than himself. --John Stewart Mill-- 










“Without the brave efforts of all the soldiers, sailors, airmen, and marines and their families, this Nation, along with our allies around the world, would not stand so boldly, shine so brightly and live so freely.”  ~Lane Evans

The Last Dance of Fall

I was out at Lake Coeur d'Alene a couple days ago, taking in the last dance of Fall.  The sun beat down on my face as I walked along a path of yellow and orange, with leaves crunching under my feet.  As a gust of wind came up, a group of leaves danced down the path ahead of me.  The beautiful gold leaves gently tumbled down from the sky onto my head, as I enjoyed the smell of fresh fallen leaves, the sounds of waves slapping the shoreline and birds singing.  It was a wonderful Fall day.  

"A few days ago I walked along the edge of the lake and was treated to the crunch and rustle of leaves with each step I made.  The acoustics of this season are different and all sounds, no matter how hushed, are as crisp as autumn air."   ~Eric Sloane

"I cannot endure to waste anything as precious as autumn sunshine by staying in the house.  So I spend almost all the daylight hours in the open air."  ~Nathaniel Hawthorne

"Everyone must take time to sit and watch the leaves turn."  ~Elizabeth Lawrence

"How beautifully the leaves grow old. How full of light and color their last days." ~ John Burroughs

Oh What a Tangled Web My Thoughts Weave

Do you ever have so much to say that you actually end up with nothing to say because your mind is spinning in so many directions that it's not sure where to stop?  Have you ever sat down to write, and can't get more than one comprehensible line out because your mind is going 100 mph and your fingers can't catch up?  It's like spinning around on a merry-go-round, round and round you go, not sure where you will stop, or if you will just get dizzy and fall off.  Yeah, that's how my head is feeling right now.  My brain is on overload, and my thoughts are a conglomerated mangled mess running into each other.  

I am reading a couple books that are challenging me in a whole new way, personally, and in my walk with Christ.  Our pastor has been challenging our comfort zones as well, which is really good, but can get my mind working in overdrive even more.  How do you want to use me, Lord?  God says to be willing, and I am trying.  I am not good at waiting, so I am waiting for some guidance.  Evidently, there is something I am waiting for, and waiting on.  He will guide me as to what His plans are for me. I am waiting for a place to jump into ministry, but not sure where that is yet. I am sure He is using me, or prepping me, for somewhere to serve, it's just looking different than it ever has in my life, and I wonder as I wait to see the whole picture.  Maybe I won't see the entire picture of the past 18 - 24 months of challenges, hitting the wall, and new growth in my walk with Christ for a long time.  Maybe I won't see it until eternity. I do know, He's making me think different than I ever have, and He's making me be more dependent on Him, not me!

My thoughts also go to our niece and her husband who had a baby three weeks ago with some serious health issues. He will be in a children's hospital for awhile yet.  He has had tubes and monitors all over his little body. He is doing well, considering his rough start, but I think of them and pray for them.   I also think of another niece who gave her baby up for adoption a little over a year ago, and she longs just to know he's ok.  

I think of things going on in our country, our world. I can't think too much here, I have to just trust that God is in control.

 I think of friends and family, some who have overcome great adversity the past year, and others who are still going through some challenges.  I wonder how I can help.  I praise God for the good things in the lives of my family and friends. I think of how fragile life can be, and am thankful I have a Savior to walk beside me through this life. 

I think of how fast Christmas is approaching, and wonder where the year went.  I think of Thanksgiving and all I need to do before our family comes to share the day with us.  


I think of my pup, my nine year old pup, who is laying at my feet as I type this but who was very sick over the weekend. Thankfully, she is recovering and feeling better, but it was a bit scary for a few hours on Saturday.  I think of things my husband and I go through, good times, times of growth, times where we need to cling to each other a little more.  I think of my mother-in-law who has battled MS for nearly 40 years, and the daily challenges she faces, but how she refuses to give up and keeps going, even if it hurts or is hard.  

This weekend, I have really been thinking of my Gram.  She went to live with Jesus five years ago, and I still miss our daily chats.  There is a lady in our church who could almost be my Gram's twin.  I don't know this lady, and I am sure she wonders why I stare at her each week.  She has my Gram's face, but especially her smile, and I just want to go over and give her a hug, but I think if I ever did, once I learned her name of course, I may not let go.  One day, I hope I can tell her why she catches me staring at her each Sunday, but right now, I get extremely choked up just looking at this lady.  I already know that God brought me there, in that service, sitting across the row from a lady who looks like my Gram, for a reason.  He does all things on purpose.  It gives me comfort as I remember, and it makes me smile when she smiles because I see my Gram smiling at me.  It may sound strange, but somehow it brings me comfort.

My youngest niece turned 6 over the weekend.  We had a great time celebrating her birthday.  She looked so grown up.  I wonder what kind of world she and her sister will grow up in. I also have thought about another little girl who turned 10 the same day as my niece.  She is a sweet girl.  She had to send her mom, my friend, and many other's friend, to live with Jesus two and a half years ago because cancer came in and took her mom's life, but not her spirit.  Her spirit lives on in all who loved her, and in her sweet girl.  

These are just the beginning of my thoughts.  I think about the poor person reading this, trying to make sense of my thoughts.  If you made it this far, you are either someone like me who has a lot of thoughts bouncing around in their head, or you are totally confused.  I think a lot, usually quite a few things at the same time, as a matter of fact. My husband always asks me how I can do that.  I'm not much of a talker.  I read and I write, and I watch people.  I also listen and I observe a lot in life. Maybe not being much of a talker is  why I have so many thoughts bouncing off the walls of my brain, criss-crossing into each other, becoming a mangled mess.  I don't know, but I know that God wired me this way, and I have a friend who is wired a lot like me.  We write to each other in emails or texts and bounce all over, but know the other understands and didn't even notice, unless the other points it out.  

For now, I am going to try to quiet a few thoughts, and get some rest.  Thanks for reading my thoughts.  Thanks for sharing your prayers.