The True Meaning of Christmas

Well, Christmas has come and gone and we are just days away from the new year. I can hardly believe that our first three months in our new "Southerly" home has flown by. I had a difficult time really getting into the Christmas spirit this year. I don't know if it was the lack of snow and cold temperatures, being busy or the newness of our situation or knowing we wouldn't be with our family. It just never quite felt like "Christmas".
It seems at Christmas we think of family and our blessings a little more than we do throughout the rest of the year. I have been blessed with a great family. Amidst hardships, my parents raised me to be strong, independent and confident in who God created me to be. I don't always feel that way, but it is deeply at the core of who I am thanks to my parents. I have great siblings. We aren't the kind that talk every day, but we communicate well and love and support each other the best way we know how. I have been blessed with a great husband. He is passionate for the Lord and for people. His greatest joy is connecting people to the love of God, whether that is through a sermon, a video or through serving them coffee. I have amazing children. I often ask my mom, "how did you manage to raise us to be functional adults?", so that I can do the same for my children. Of course, her answer is, "I dont' know!". Lot a good that'll do me! I try each day to tell my kids I love them and I'm proud of them for who they are and not what they do. I pray with them and tell them about our awesome Father in Heaven. And, I guess that is the best that I can do.
God has also blessed me with incredible "family by choice". I think of the friends we have had to leave behind along our journey. What a blessing and encouragement they have been to me over the years. I think, too, of the friends we have been able to join up with again and continue to encourage and spur one another on in this portion of our journeys. I hope and pray and believe that some day we will cross paths again with members of our family, whether biological or choice, as we continue each day to move forward. And, even though it never quite felt as "Christmas-y" as I would have liked, I think I may have just found my Christmas spirit after all!
Thanks family!!

Starbucks

All of you know how much I love coffee. We just got a programmable coffee maker, and so up until now, the first thing I did every morning was stumble to the coffee maker and switch it on. Most nights before bed I had the smarts to fill the resevoir with water and the filter with fresh grounds. It really is a wonderful way to wake up - the smell of coffee brewing, the pop pop of the steam escaping the back of the coffee maker, and the drip drip as fresh coffee fills the carafe. I. Love. It!

And, now I love coffee even more!! YAY!! Today was Bill's first day at his new job as a Starbucks Barista. It may not seem like the ideal job to the average man, but it is a perfect fit for him and for our family. This particular store has not hired a new Barista in several years. Most of his coworkers have been with the company for at least that long. They have a very low turnover rate because Starbuck's treats their employees well. For the most part he will have a routine schedule from week to week. There is always opportunity for growth and development within the company. Bill seems to be most excited about the chance to interact with the public and be around people. His particular store is right down the street from a major company that employs literally thousands of people. Many of them at the executive level are regular customers at his Starbucks. What a great way to love on people who are often overworked, and stressed out, but seem to "have it all". As Bill and I continue to work towards planting a church in our new community Starbucks seems to fit the bill for maintaining an income while still working towards our calling. And, you can't beat a free pound of coffee every week! YAY!

Life in the Land of Cotton

Moving to the 'South' really is an adventure for a 'Northern girl'. Now, thankfully, we have not descended clear into the deep delta South, but we are definitely "South" enough. So here is my list of Signs you now live in the "South":
1. Everyone says "Ya'll", including me
2. The temperature is around 40 degrees and people are "freezing". The local weather man said in a very ominously dramatic voice on last night's newscast, "Will it get to single digits tonight?
3. When you order tea at a restaurant the waiter asks if you want sweet or unsweet.
4. Everyone belongs to church (but only half of them go).
5. There are streets named: Dixieland, Cotton and K-L-A-N (I just couldn't type it straight for fear some crazy would find my blog through a search engine)
6. BBQ. There are BBQ places and smokehouses everywhere. I think I've gained 10 lbs since moving.
7. There are Cotillions!! The uppity socialite ladies wanted to put together one for some local low in-come girls. I don't think those girls really care that much about a fancy dress that they will only wear once.
8. Football - I really don't think I have to say much more.
9. Chick-Fil-A!! I love this place. Next time you go to one, say "Thank you" to the staff and see how they respond. They are instructed to say the same thing every time they hear "Thank you". It's great!!
10. And, everyone is friendly.
I think I can get used to it here.

Community

I am not a huge tv watcher. I used to scan the channels and watch whatever caught my fancy. But, now, with my new more routine schedule and the addition of a DVR, I have specific shows that I watch. I haven't fallen into a 'show for every day' routine, rather just a few nights a week. Tuesdays is The Biggest Loser. I love me some good cryin'. And, I do cry every. single. week. Thursdays is my line up of NBC favorites; Parks and Recreation, The Office and my new fave - Community. Community is about Jeff, a lawyer who gets disbarred and must get a real college degree from the United States, not Columbia - as in the country. So, he lands at a community college and forms a spanish study group with the washed up athlete, the retiree trying to keep his mind fresh, the 'hot' girl who took a detour in life, the middle aged single mom making a fresh start, the kid with social skills issues and the too smart for her own good overachiever. After making a wreck of the group's emotions, he calms them down with an eloquent speech that ends with the statement "And, now you are a community".
This show is absolutely hilarious, but also very thought provoking. How does a motley crew like this seem to meet one another's needs academically, emotionally, and sometimes even physically (Jeff has to live with one of the other students when he gets kicked out of his apartment and is found living in his car - classic) when they are all so different? It all comes down to that word "Community". The word community can refer to the location in which you live, but that does not necessarily mean that you are living in true community.
The origin of the word "community" comes from the Latin munus, which means the gift, and cum, which means together, among each other. So, community literally means to give among each other. And, that is true community. Giving of one's self, time, emotions, talent, efforts; all of you. True community is risky. It has the potential to hurt you. You may not be able to walk away unscathed, but isn't that kind of the point. To NOT walk away. Rather, to fight and give till you have nothing left to give. True community comes with so many more blessings and rewards. You find relationships that will last a lifetime. You have love and support during your darkest times. You have joy and celebration in the good times.
My community is not where I live - although I am enjoying my new residential location very much. My community is where my heart and soul live with others, spread out all over the country, but connected by a love for one another and a passion to serve God. He is at the center of my community. Although, the proximity of my community has changed recently, I know I will forever give of myself together with them. Love you guys (oh, you know who you are!)

A Season of Change II

Little did I know two years ago when I wrote the previous post exactly how much change was really ahead for me and my family! With the most recent changes, I am feeling the urge to blog again. I don't know how long it will last, but I will do my best to post a few thoughts from time to time. It may be funny quips about my kids or my job or may be some deep thoughts about life and its ever changing, yet constant meaning.
So, today I will leave you with a verse that I am pondering.

I Thessalonians 5:16-18

Be joyful always;

Pray continually;

Give thanks in all circumstances,

for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.