Christmas is coming!

I'm not the sort of person who becomes a sappy basket case over Christmas. I haven't been on the edge of my seat since October, waiting to throw in the holiday CD's (still haven't pulled them out), or bringing up boxes of decorations (haven't pulled them out either). But I love it for the simple pleasures, and really don't care about most of the things the general population thinks are so great. So, here are some ways I plan to enjoy this "season".

Church - I just like being at church this time of year and thinking about Christ and the beauty of His Mystery revealed to us.

Packages - I like putting together packages, and this year we have the usual overseas relatives, along with my little brother. Today I got the idea to send him a miniature Christmas tree to decorate (along with xbox controller, candy and hand warmers)

Giving - We have several opportunities this year to get gifts for families who need them. Our class at church is collecting a giant Christmas dinner and gifts for a whole family. And our church is participating in The Advent Conspiracy again this year, which is really awesome. Maybe I'll write more about that another time.

The Missionary Tree - We're doing something new this year, with our little 3-foot tree. I had different missionaries we know and support send a memento from their country, and we're going to use them to decorate the little tree. I also got a garland with globes on it and some extra ornaments with Bible verses. I'm hoping it will be a good thing for the kids to remember our missionaries who they never see. And for me to remember to pray for them.

Decorating - We don't go crazy, but I like to haul out the small decorations we have because they're all full of memories. Plus, it's a great excuse to get organized with the rest of the house and clean it all up. Yesterday I cleaned out the corners of our living room, where things accumulate for no reason.

Poetry - It's not like there are books full of Christmas poetry, at least not ones I enjoy, but I do like to listen to the words of songs and appreciate the deeper meaning behind them. Really, if I made a confession, I'd say how much I HATE Christmas music, but that's mostly because it's nine songs played over and over in whatever genre and mutilation is conceivable. This year, I'll be reading some Tennyson to try and find a good Christmas poem.

Cold Weather - That's about all there is to say about it. I just love it. and all the things it comes with (except for putting up stupid shrink wrap over the windows). Hot chocolate, fireplaces, sweaters, mittens, rosy cheeks, shivering. Scraping the windows. Snow. LOVE IT.

Well I'm sure there are more things, but that's my list right now. What about you? What do you love to do at Christmastime?

Thanksgiving

Yesterday I didn't get a chance to post, on account of being a tthe in-laws all day. I'm so blessed. My family gets to join my in-laws so I don't have to be torn between the two families for Thanksgiving. We had a really nice time this year. The food was good, as usual. But of course, the company we kept was the best. It was a little more sparse this year, but I really enjoyed having time with everyone.
Missed my brothers like nuts. I miss Nathan and Shelly of course, but I've gotten used to their being gone. I really missed my little brother. I cried a lot. In the shower first thing that morning, realizing I would go and watch the parade at my folks' house all alone.
Then we sang at the in-laws, and he's always there every year during hymn time and requests a few songs. I bawled through "When the Roll is Called Up Yonder" because it's always been one of his favorite.
I missed him again today. It's just a lonely feeling when someone who's always been a part of your life isn't there. Harder yet when you know he could die any day. (Hes in Afghanistan in the middle of nowhere and doesn't have showers or computers or internet access or phones. It sucks).
So. That was Thanksgiving. But I had a really good time being with everyone, and I love them all.

Masks

We started a new book in my small group. I'll probably be writing about it a lot. I'm leaving in five minutes to go discuss the new chapter. It's called "Beyond the Masquarade" by Julianna Slattery, and it's about authenticity and what it looks like for a person who walks with God.
The first chapter just discussed masks, how we all have things that we use to cover who we really are. Things we hide behind to keep people from seeing into our hearts. some of them are good things, like being "the helpful one" or "the girl who always smiles" or "a good leader". Those are good attributes, but not healthy when they become so much a part of our identity that we are unable to seperate ourselves from them. When we use them to put up walls between ourselves and others.
I've been thinking about what my masks are this week. It's been hard, really. Partly hard to think of anything that really is a mask. Partly hard just because, no one wants to expose the depths of their soul. Even to herself. Looking deep inside oneself requires an honesty that doesn't come easily. And usually the result is change, which isn't always pain-free either.
So. That's where I'm at now. I'll probably write more in the next week, but life is just really freaking busy right now. I want to spend more time doing this, but it's hard to squeeze it in. Since it's last on my list of priorities.
Anyway, enough about that for now. Hope you're all having a great week, and that you enjoy your holidays.

My New "Friend"

Today my father-in-law took me to the gun show. I didn't know what was going to happen but he told me he wanted to get me an LCR for my brithday/Christmas. Because he's awesome. And I was a little jealous of his own revolver.
This is my new friend. :) I picked this one because I liked the handle fit better. Since most guns are made for men. And it's light-weight, which was really nice for a wimp like me. It has laser sites built in and dual action trigger so I don't have to worry about much if I ever need to use it. Which hopefully never ever happens.I just had to share my joy with someone. And ignore that this is a link. I don't really know why blogger thinks it is.

Nothing much to say

Last week was busy and full. My brother-in-law visited from Asia for the week, so we all hung out a lot. Late. One night he was over and played guitar with my husband. So we were up late singing and talking. Another night he was over and played computer games. And we played bananagrams too. I don't know why I play games with him. We just argue. Another night the whole family was out, which was great. My newest sister-in-law and I got a chance to talk which was great. We planned a skiing trip. :D It was really nice to be together with Nathan too.
It was a good week. But kind of wore me out too. I love that guy, but we get in weird arguments with each other.
I want to write something fantastic tonight, but I don't have anything to say. I'm in a writing mood, but none of my projects are interesting to me right now. And I don't have any great new ideas yet. I tried twice to write a couple of articles for a mom's group newsletter, and they thoroughly sucked. I don't know what's wrong, but I can't seem to focus or think clearly lately.
And I don't feel like reading much either. I've finished a couple of shallow novels, and I have these other nonfiction books on deck, but I can't really focus to read them.
This is just boring rambling but my writing sucks lately so I don't watn to try to put together a meaningful post because it would suck. Maybe later this week.
Times like this I wish I played piano so I could sit and get out all of my artistic angst. Oh well. I think I'll just go to sleep instead.