Grateful Heart...

It is December.  It is the Christmas season.  It is that time of year when one can and should really focus on the Savior and love and giving and being grateful, no matter what our circumstances.  I have traveled a bit.  I have seen some countries with poverty that makes the poverty in America pale in comparison.  I have read about and known people in abject poverty who are still the happiest of people and the most grateful.

Almost all my Christmas shopping was done prior to Thanksgiving.  The reasoning behind this is simple.  Several years ago we took a trip to Hawaii the first week of December.  That year all my Christmas shopping was done prior to Thanksgiving so I could travel without worrying about getting that done when I returned. The lesson learned was December is just fast paced no matter how prepared one is.  Since that year, I have tried to have all or almost all of my shopping done by Thanksgiving.  Without fail, even having that herculean task out of the way, December is just busy, busy, busy.  Maybe I should embrace that as part of the season but I have not matured to that state of being yet. I wouldn't mind it if the busyness brought the feelings my heart tells me the Christmas season should be filled with.

This year I once again finished all but a few presents prior to Thanksgiving.  This year it has just been get things done and accomplish the other things that seem to 'pop up' in December.  I have not even paused to get a Christmas CD in my car to sing along with the music that seems to be reserved for December, is scoffed at by the masses if enjoyed before properly observing Thanksgiving, and which I think should be enjoyed whenever the mood strikes anytime during the year.

Then this last week happened.  And I started to experience some things that felt like my heart tells me Christmas and the days that lead up to it should feel.  

First, last Wednesday, the youth went caroling to my father's apartment.  I was contacted by the Young Men's president to be sure it was okay to do that again this year.  I assured him it would be fine.  He asked if there was anything they shouldn't bring as a treat.  I told him he was diagnosed this year with Type II diabetes but a little treat would be okay.  At 86 the man should enjoy a little treat.  Gospel according to Sandi. I also told him his favorite was anything chocolate.  The kids came, they sang, they left a plate of cookies.  I visited Papa Thursday morning and asked if the kids came.  His face lit up and he was giddy with sharing that they came and they brought him a plate of cookies.  Then he immediately added that he knew he was not supposed to eat them but he did crumble a few in a small glass of milk and eat them.  Papa has false teeth and it hurts to chew.  Besides the fact one of his favorite meals when I was a child was a bag of vanilla wafers and a jug of milk.  He would work at making the milk and the vanilla wafers come out even as he consumed the crushed up vanilla wafers in the milk. I assured Papa he could space that cookie and milk treat out every few days and enjoy his cookies and not feel bad about it.  The man has will power.  I was at his apartment today and he still has some of the cookies in a Ziploc bag.  I felt grateful to the youth for continuing to choose to sing to Papa each year and to bring him a treat.  He feels that love and in his very solitary world, that is a very good thing.  I felt grateful and the Christmas spirit was beginning to enter my heart.

Next was this past weekend.  The Scott County Library brought the reading of the Polar Express book to Sadieville again. This year they scheduled 4 readings Friday night and 2 readings on Saturday night.  The reading of the Polar Express in done in Sadieville's caboose.  The kids gather in Sadieville City Hall (the original train depot) for cookies and hot chocolate.  Santa is there in a rocking chair by a decorated Christmas tree.  Children sit on his knee, pictures are taken, a candy cane is given.  Then Santa goes to the caboose each time a reading is finished and gives each child a bell as they leave the caboose.  This year Sadieville Christian Church opened their Rummage Boutique on Saturday night and let the children shop for free.  

It was so much fun to watch these little children in their varying stages of learning about Santa.  The youngest was a few days old.  The oldest was a pre-teen.  There was even a set of twins and a set of triplets. They come in pajamas and robes or fancy Christmas dresses.  Some are frightened and cry.  Some run, as they enter City Hall and see Santa, right into Santa's arms.  Others tell him stories or ask lots of questions.  It is just a delightful thing to see and experience.  The wonder of Christmas through the eyes of a child.  Again, my heart felt the feelings of love and care and giving that should be a part of the Christmas spirit.  Adults giving of their precious Friday and Saturday prior to Christmas so children can feel the magic of Christmas. 

I take pictures and post them on Facebook of these events so family and friends can see and then save the pictures of their family.  Here are a few of my favorites of the over 400 pictures taken.

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Today was the third experience.  Our Countryside Homemakers made their food donations in lieu of exchanging gifts this December.  I had the food in my trunk to deliver to The Gathering Place, a men's shelter in Georgetown.  Because it is not in front of me, I kept forgetting to deliver it.  Geez!!  Today, while entering Georgetown to buy groceries for Papa, I remembered and stopped at the Gathering Place to see if I could make the food donation.  The past two years I have called and had an appointment to drop the food off. Today I was just hoping someone would be available to take the donations.  There were two men shaking out rugs by the door.  I asked if they worked there and one looked up and grinned and told me he was a resident.  I explained why I was there and asked if he could accept the food donations.  His eyes lit up and he assured me he would help me get them.  The other man came to my car and they took the items from my trunk.  They asked if they could get my address and the name of the organization that was donating so a thank you note could be sent.  I assured them the donation was given because we cared and no note was necessary.  He turned and looked at me with a huge smile and said, "Can I give you a hug?"  I just reached up and hugged this perfect stranger and there was the spirit of Christmas, full blown, teeming over.  I felt grateful to him for expressing his gratitude is such a way.  I'm a hugger.  I know some might not consider it safe.  But hugs are a good thing at the right moment and today was the right moment.  As I drove away from the Gathering Place, we both waved and grinned.  Happy.  Grateful.  And full of the Christmas spirit.

I have a grandson who has been living in a men's shelter.  His life is difficult right now.  He must make some decisions and learn some lessons.  Maybe my brief encounter with this good man at the shelter was even more poignant because of my personal life.  It just felt good and right.

So tonight, I felt it important to record these feelings.  I am grateful for these three experiences over the last week.  December will still be hectic.  So many things to cram into the next week.  But I have felt the feeling my heart tells me I should feel this time of year.  For that I am grateful.  And now, even with the bustle, I will have this memory and recognize it again in the coming week as we near Christmas 2014.

Christmas Letter for 2014...

Once again my hubby has compiled a newsletter for our family for Christmas.  Here it is and hope you enjoy.

THE CHRISTENSEN FAMILY CHRONICLES

*  Circa 2014 *

If you are reading this you made the cut

and stayed on the list for another year

...nice work if you can get it...

Eagle Bend Achers - Crop Report:  OK, this year it was NOT my fault...the deer invited themselves up onto our elevated deck and flower beds and ate a promising harvest – wouldn’t surprise me to spot them in the kitchen the way things are going…

Things That Are The Same: Her reason for living (aka me, albeit a little worse for wear)

Things That Are New:  My #%*& Tractor! and her &*^$# computer!…

The High Commander – This year began as all good years do with our annual We Came–We Saw–We Ate “Lord of the Rings” marathon and food-o-rama on New Year’s Eve and morning, followed by extended hibernation and a bottle of Tums.  January saw the beginning of his year-long reign-of-terror as Chamber of Commerce President.  In February the partying continued with a celebration of year 44 of his best idea (life with her).  He continued his unbroken stream of hits in the kitchen ensuring lasting fame, if not outright fortune, creating endless delicacies of curious culinary delight.  This included doing the cooking at the annual Sadieville Armed Forces Day Celebration at the park.  Yes, the cookbook is under development…

Culturizing efforts this year included: A February trip to the Arnoff Center in Cincinnati to attend “Evita.” In March we enjoyed the Eagles again at the Yum Center in Louisville.  In May it was back to the Arnoff Center to see “Phantom” (again).  On another occasion we were special guests of Toyota at a Reds game in their skybox (Reds won, food and company was great).  We also attended our first Festival of the Bluegrass at the Kentucky Horse Park.

The fall campaign season saw him re-elected Mayor (for lack of something better to do) in an unopposed race -- the vote was close.  In Sadieville our electoral motto is “vote early and often” so other than the 7 bottom-feeders who voted for themselves, the populace leaned slightly to the right this time around. Then, in his continuing march toward world domination, in October he was elected Vice President of the Kentucky League of Cities so he has that going for him now.  Assuming he doesn’t get hit by a bus in a year or so he’ll move up to the center chair.

In addition to the bucket list trip detailed below, out-of-the-norm travel included whale and sibling watching visits to both oceans aka New Hampshire (Gulf of Maine) and Vermont in July and the Oregon Coast (Depoe Bay) and Washington State in August.  We also went south to ride the Big South Fork Scenic Railway in July.  A quick trip to Utah in October and a few runs to Michigan for various funs and games filled out the travel itinerary for the year.  Next years’ plans are still undetermined but the passports have been renewed and we’ll let you know.

The Information Officer  –

In February she checked another thing off of her bucket list as she jetted away, escorted by the High Commander, for an adventure to Egypt, via Cincinnati, Chicago, Istanbul, and Cairo.  The trip included a four-day cruise up the Nile River from Luxor to Aswan with stops in Edfu and Kom Ombo. We also took a three-hour bus ride across the Nubian Desert to Abu Simbel, a camel ride (I named mine Wildfire) to a Nubian Village, kissed a live crocodile (yes, we have pictures..  (I was going to ask her how kissing a croc compared to kissing me, but then thought better of it…) We stopped and shopped at an Alabaster factory in the Valley of the Queens, and at Alfayed Place (a purveyor of  “essential oils” aka the basic ingredient for all perfumes).  We also visited a papyrus shop in Cairo to observe the making of real Egyptian papyrus and of course the purchasing of such.  The trip naturally included visits to the Pyramids, the Sphinx, Tombs in Valley of the Kings, and Temples honoring various other old dead people whose names I can neither pronounce or spell.  It was a grand and memorable trip to say the least.  Oh yeah, we ate shawarmas in Cairo. A shawarma is like a southern style Po-Boy sandwich only stocked with what I hope was either chicken or beef, nicely and interestingly spiced.

Sandi pretty much used up a whole nother year taking care of her Dad, me, and 70 or so mobile tax deductions every Sunday, undertook the digital scanning of every picture we ever took anywhere and the creation of  customized albums for us and each offspring whose name we could remember.  This all filled her days and nights quite completely and constitutes a really worthwhile effort.  The things we do for love.J

The Security Officer – Nissa ever and ever the devoted mom and Toddster’s wife, gave us a number of excuses to travel to the great North Woods.  From Katlyn’s general insanity and attempts to master adulthood to Aubrey’s star turn in a musical revue and competitive showcase at the Fruenthal Theater in Muskegan with a stirring – stirring I tell you – rendition of Over The Rainbow.  The girl sings like an angel, I couldn’t see her all that well cause I had “something in my eyes.” Aubrey tagged along on our aforementioned Oregon Trip as well.  The Paul man is beginning the complicated trip from goofy high school student to goofy young man, we’ll keep you posted...

The Medical Officer –Andie the mother of all mini Marx’s and her trusty sidekick Michael gave us pause and cause for multiple delights this year.  Lots-O-trips to Buckner Elementary and the greater LaGrange area were taken whether it be to watch Hayden dressed as Haydenardo Da Vinci for his field trip to the wax museum, doing his cub scout thing, running a 5k with his Dad, or our other emerging pop star Bailey sing, dance, and wiggle her way into the hearts and minds of the general populace.  Our travels to their world always leave us in awe (usually in a good way).  Gramma Sandi braved travel as an escort on a couple of the mini’s field trips with the school to places like Farnsley-Moorman Landing near Louisville.  We particularly enjoyed sharing their Louisville Color Run experience.  As a family they did a 5k through downtown Louisville streets to help raise money for Cancer Awareness.  A “Color Run” is a 5k race through downtown Louisville and 5 stations where they throw different colors of powered corn starch at the runners as they pass “holy 1960’s Batman!”  They all made it but were a tired mess.

The Science Officer – Jake we enjoyed several “Jakexperiences” this year.  He stopped in as part of his vacation in April and dutifully kept us in the loop on his various NASA postings and experiences.  He was able to join us for the annual Chamber of Commerce Awards Banquet during his visit.  Not sure what he thought about that vis-a-vis his Dad’s turn at the podium to give the annual President’s Address but there were no casualties.  In his own right, he wowed the Michigan locals in a couple of writing and storytelling competitions this year as well.

You have reached the end of this years’ chronicles and deserve a suitable reward, but since reading this letter is its own reward, pat yourself on the back, enjoy an inflated sense of accomplishment and self-affirmation and have a great next year.  WE ARE OUTTA HERE!            The Christensen’s !!!

The Many Faces of Hayden...

Hayden has been old enough this year to participate in the Performing Arts Club (PAC) at his elementary school.  Today Claude and I were able to go watch the performance of their Christmas program for the entire school.  He was great.  The program was great.  

As I took the pictures off my camera tonight and looked through them, I realized what fun expressions Hayden made as the program progressed.  It seems appropriate to title this Blog after that revelation.  Here are a few pictures to illustrate:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Toward the end of the program the elastic strap that holds his hat on while he performs came undone on one side.  He did a really good job of forging on with this little difficulty.  

This is the Performing Arts Club.  There were over 70 kids in the club this year.  It is the most the school has ever had participate in one year.  Can you find Hayden on the front row?  Bailey loved the performance and says she will participate as soon as she is old enough.

Claude and I met the Mini's at their bus stop after school and had some time with them this afternoon.  We managed to get through homework and play a game or two.  Then Claude took us all for pizza.  Great afternoon.  And...it didn't have rain and snow showers as predicted, so our drive was pleasant.

Music & Change...

Year's ago my mother made this piece of cross-stitch and gave it to me. As a child, I grew up in a home where my father and mother loved music.  At great financial sacrifice, they made sure each of their daughters learned to play the piano.  I remember Papa playing his guitar on the screened-in front porch and trying to teach me to sing harmony for the first time. Papa always played in a band. He had a little radio program when we lived in DeRidder and managed the Keithville Jamboree years later.  I remember my mother taking a few piano lessons when I was younger also.  At the age of 8, I began playing for church, first on the piano and then on the organ.  Music has always been a big part of my life.

I have been blessed to have pieces of music cross my path at just the right time.  

When my mother was close to dying, our son gave us a CD of music by Potter's Field titled "Pleasureville".  This CD had a song titled "Don't Look Down When You Go".  I would listen to this song over and over as I drove back and forth from Georgetown to Sadieville.  I memorized the words and would sing them while I worked.  When I mother passed, I listened to this song after I left her side and headed back to Sadieville. Tears flowed and my heart made it's peace with her passing as I sang "Don't Look Down When You Go".  I just wanted her to know it was okay.  I would care for Papa and she could progress until he came to where she was.  Music filled me up and kept me going.

In October of this year, my nephew passed away.  Just before that happening, I opened a CD by Hilary Weeks titled "If I Only Had Today".  Mind you, I purchased this CD at Time Out for Women in the spring of this year and had not ever opened it.  When I opened it, I found a song that again really touched my heart.  The title is "Just Let Me Cry". These are the words:

I believe that everything happens for a reason

We're not just tossed by the wind and left in the hands of fate

But sometimes life sends a storm that's unexpected

And we're faced to face our deepest pain.

When I feel the heartache begin to pull me under

I dig my heels in deep and I fight to keep my ground

Still at times the hurt inside grows stronger

And there's nothing I can do but let it out

Chorus:   Just let me cry

I know it's hard to see

But the pain I feel

Isn't going away today

Just let me cry

Till every tear has fallen

Don't ask when and don't ask why

Just let me cry

When I agreed that God could put this heart inside me

I understood that there was a chance that it would break

But I know he knows exactly how I'm feeling

And I know in time He'll take the pain away.

Chorus

I have felt joy the kind that makes my heart want to sing

And so my tears are not a surrender

I'll feel that way again

But for now

For this moment

Chorus

I believe that everything happens for a reason.

I still listen to this beautiful piece of music and appreciate the words so very much.  It helped me get through my nephews funeral and the feelings afterward.

Then I finally listened again to the other songs on this CD.  There is one I truly enjoy titled "Tender Behind the Mercy".  It is the chorus that I really like best and I sing it to myself a lot.  These are the words as they speak about our Savior:

He's the tender behind the mercy

The unconditional in love

And when I need forgiveness

He's the Redeeming in Son

More and more I see

He's the tender behind the mercy.

But the one I'm really playing most is titled "You Give".  These are the words that I was enjoying so very much and then they hit home last Sunday (November 30th) evening.

You give me sight

When I can't see

You give me breath

When I can't breathe

And You give me love

And You give me peace

And You always seem to give

Just what I need

You take my doubt 

And replace it with truth

You take my fear

So all I see is You

You take me as I am

And You take me by the hand

You see to my soul and You take

Just what I need

Chorus:  You give and take away

And refine me day by day

As You lead me through the bitter and sweet

I am trusting You to make me complete

Though You see the heartache

You're sending Your sweet grace

As You give

And You take

You give me strength

And You give me life

You give me hope

And You give me light

You take my pain

And You take my shame

You bless me to see the give and take

Is just what I need

Chorus  

Please send Your perfect grace

As You give

And You take.

For the past 19 months, I have served as the president of the Primary organization at Church.  In our Church everyone is called to serve in some capacity.  No monetary remuneration is given.  We all serve in some capacity.  I have loved the Primary children.  I have so many good memories of events that have happened and touched my life during this 19 months.  But even with the positive, I have begun to feel a need in my life.

Don't get me wrong.  I know I am richly blessed.  I have so much in family, friends, testimony, and the things of life.  I would never complain.  Just feel deep gratitude for those blessings.  But even with that, there has been an ache, a wondering, a need for something.  I just didn't know what it was and was not finding the 'fix' for it.  Sometimes, we have to go through these periods of time to learn and grow and appreciate.  

Then last Sunday evening, November 30th, Claude and I were asked to meet Pres. Rex Holt at our chapel for an interview.  Pres. Holt asked me to teach Institute again.  I knew as soon as he asked that this was the 'fix' I was needing.  To study and search my scriptures like one only seems to do when called to teach seminary or institute is what I needed to be doing. I will miss all those little nuggets on Sunday but they will go on with whoever is called to be the new Primary president just fine.  The Lord must have needed me in Primary for some reason.  I trust that is fulfilled and I am grateful for all I have learned from the children and through the service.  I know that this new calling is needed for this time in my life.

Claude and I were in separate cars when we came to the Church for the interview with Pres. Holt.  So I was able to drive home alone and crank up my CD player in the car to my new song "You Give" and listen to it.  Suddenly those words fit exactly where I was at in my life. The Lord was taking from me something I had enjoyed and giving me something that would challenge me in another way.  But it was something I needed to make me complete.  I found tears coming again to my eyes and a fullness to my heart while I sang.

I think I agree with Plato, music is a moral law.  It does bring order to my life and leads me through all that is just and beautiful that the Lord sees fit to have me experience in my life.  I am grateful for these moments in time.  For the effect they have on me for good.  For the strength music can bring to my life.  I am grateful for the give and take of life.  For how it stretches me and helps me to continue to become more complete as I journey through this life I have been given.  Grateful.  Just very grateful.

The Mini's Pictures...

Every now and then a school picture just captures a wonderful moment-in-time.  Often they are just posed pictures but once in a while, a bit of personality shows through.  This year's school pictures for our youngest grandmonsters are that moment in time.  

Hayden, at least in my view, has always liked to know the rules and follow the rules.  He tries to do what is asked and this is one of those moments.  His expression is just delightful to me.  Yes, I can smile for this picture.. Yes, I understand it is something that will be kept for years to come.  I'll do this and then I can get back to others things I want to do.  Love this little man.

Bailey is just over the top with enjoying life.  She told me she asked for this particular background.  Yep, she knows her mind and has no hesitation helping others understand how things in her world should be. She knows how to make that grin even as the teeth are changing at her age.  She is a force of nature and happy with herself.  That is a good thing.

When the kids gave us these pictures at Thanksgiving, Hayden also gave us this thank you note and picture from his 10th birthday.  He loves playing with fonts and things on the computer as he types stories.  This note is a huge reflection of that love of the right type-face for whatever project he is doing.  I am also grateful Andie is teaching him to remember to say thank you.

 

Love my grandmonsters.  Can't believe they are this old already.  Where does the time go?