Praising Him!

Wow! Guess I let myself fall into that "busy" track and have neglected to post here in awhile. So sorry if there really is anyone out there trying to stay caught up on the family, and I haven't made the time to update. Last time, I mentioned the "Christmas Tree" hunt; well I did take a Monday off from school a week or so later. Dear Bride wasn't scheduled to work, so we dropped the kids at school and headed up to my folks. We had found a potential tree that was easy to get to during our Thanksgiving strolls. It had obvious landmarks nearby so was easy to locate again, and it still looked to be a very promising candidate for "Beautiful Christmas Tree '08." We gave it one more lookover and decided it was the one, abruptly chopped and sawed a bit, drug it up a slight hill to the truck, tossed it in the bed, and proceeded the remaining half mile to Mom and Dad's house. We were just in time for lunch --tasty leftover meat and potatoes, as I recall. Even had time for a good visit with the folks before needing to leave so we could retrieve our son from school after Speech practice. What a good day with family!

"Beautiful Tree '08" is now secured snugly into its brass stand, draped randomly with a twinkly kaleidoscope of colored lights, and proudly occupying half of our living room. Yes, it's a very full tree. We have yet to hang our pretty and fun ornaments to complete the tree decorating, but plan to get to that soon. Remarkably, the entire process seemed a bit too simple this year; no several mile trek in our searching, no binding on saw blade, or misplaced axe strokes complicating the severing of the tree from its stump. The drag back to the pickup was the shortest its been in years, and it fit into the pickup bed without a fuss, and the rope for securing it in for the haul back home was right where I thought it was. It did stay in the pickup for a few days, but I had taken it from the pickup and laid it in the yard the morning before we planned to bring it in that evening. A winter snowfall began that day, but I was able to get the tree inside before it was caked with wet snow, and I only had to remove one round of boughs and saw off the trunk once, having it be just the right height when I first stood it up. There wasn't even any repeated adjustment with the tree stand needed this year; I twisted each clamp screw in only once, and when my faithful assistant --dear bride-- released her grasp on the tree, it stood reasonably straight and quite secure all by itself. Quite the blessing! God does reveal His deep and personal care for us in remarkable, yet simple ways, doesn't he? We praise Him for his "mysterious ways."

Speaking of "Praising Him," our daughter's high-school choir concert on Thursday was truly a beautiful display of musical praise to the Messiah of Christmas. The five choir groups combined with the school orchestra for the program and it was lovely and engaging from beginning to end. Choral selections were interspersed with orchestral pieces as each group performed a captivating array of seasonal music --much of it sacred pieces-- culminating with all 100+ voices joining with the orchestra to the jubilant strains of the Hallelujah Chorus. It was indeed a powerful and moving performance. And, so cool, the true meaning of Christmas was proudly proclaimed in a public school Christmas program. We are so proud of the precious daughter! She sang beautifully throughout both performances, and she sings with such joy and expression that it is jolly fun to watch her.

Our family all participated in "praising Him" at our advent service at church on Wednesday evening as well. The service used many Christmas carols and Bible readings to tell the Christmas story as the Sunday School children portrayed the events, and joined in with cute actions to a few of the simpler hymns. Lovely bride played the piano for the liturgy, and both she and daughter sang with the choir helping to lead the singing, while son and I took turns narrating. It went well, and was a worshipful and meaningful service.

Son was at an out-of-town Speech Meet last weekend, and had a college application interview in the same city the next morning, so we decided to drive there to meet up with him and stay overnight. Our winter weather hadn't been too wintry here until that Saturday, when it decided to snow a bunch and get very cold. So our drive in the dark that evening was somewhat stressful, being uncertain of the road conditions, and hoping to make it to the school to retrieve our son before the team was ready to come home on the bus. God was with us though, and we had no travel troubles from ice or snow, and made it to the town just in time. The interviewer met son in the hotel lobby the next morning and they chatted over breakfast. We enjoyed swimming in the pool and soaking in the jacuzzi hot tub for a couple hours before we drove home on Sunday. It was a cold (-5) day but bright and sunny. Driving conditions were reasonably safe and definitely nicer in the daylight, so we sailed home easily. Always adventures to be had, and we are so blessed having a loving Lord who guides and protects us through all our adventurous moments.

We are all mightily grateful that vacation is here. As you may be able to deduce, the last few weeks have been jam packed with many activities, homework, preparations, practices. . . sleep deprivation. We do need a respite, and how wondrous that not only can we find it in the less-ordered, less-demanding days of a vacation schedule, but we can find it in the gift of the Christmas babe that God sent to our needy world, setting us free from all the stresses and strains of our sin-sickened lives, and offering us true Hope, certain Peace, and eternal Joy in Him. He is truly our respite, our "resting place." During this too-often too-busy time, may we all strive to find our rest in the Joy, Peace, Hope, and Love that Jesus, the Savior of the World, so freely gives --the best Christmas gift ever.

God bless you all abundantly this Christmas!

Thanksgiving Thoughts

So, we managed to spend some time with the family at large-- and very large it can be in our case.  However, it really wasn't that big of a gathering this time with various members away to other parts of the family, or wherever.  Super seeing family after a long time isolated from everyone, although always hard to really "connect" when there's plenty of people.  Plenty tasty vittles, though, and even met some new folks who we shared a commom friend with.  Interesting the connections that can be found in a circle where some commonality is shared.  Was good to chat and think about and pray for the friend we had in common.  Kids did have a chance to spend some time with their one close cousin, and that's always good.  He even came back to the folks' house to spend the night there with us too.  They certainly enjoy each other's company.  

It's tradition for us on Thanksgiving weekend to take a hike through the forest near my folks and hopefully find and cut a charming Christmas tree for our house.  Lovely bride and I did take a couple walks and looked at plenty of trees, but didn't find a for-sure tree this time. We did enjoy the peaceful treks with fresh air, pretty scenery, colorful foliage, and sparkly ice holes in the crick though.  We're thinking we may take a day off and head up again in a couple weeks to scout out and nab that perfect tree.  Shouldn't be so choosy, I guess; they all look "just right" once they're up and sufficiently decorated.  

So, what blessings did you "give thanks" to God for this season?  Amazing how blessed we are once we step back from the over-stimulated lives we get caught up in and fine-focus our views on all that God has done for us, and continues to do for us, huh?  We certainly praise Him for bounteous gifts, big and small, that He has bestowed on our family.  As the days transition from festivals of gratitude into the Christmas season, let's keep focusing on the God who oversees and orders the universe.  Let His peace guide and direct our hearts and lives.  Preparing for celebrating the gift of a Savior needs to be a time of Peace and Joy, not frazzlement and fret.  Blessings to all as you prepare for the Advent of our Lord!     

The Rest of the Story

Remember the Speech Meet? It was just the second meet that our son has competed in this event in, having only joined Speech & Debate this year. As we were walking back to the car when we went to get him, he was pleased to proclaim, "I broke semi-finals." Translated into non-SpeechTeam lingo, he was informing us that out of the 56 Impromptu speakers in the first five rounds, he made the top 16 and got to speak one more time to see who would make the final round. He did not "break finals" however, but a couple of his good buddies did place. We are proud of him for doing so well on just his second meet, and even more joyous that he had a super time with it all. Our school team placed second, not drastically behind the other high school in town, who has had a phenomenal Speech & Debate program for many years.

At church this morning, lovely bride was the pianist for the service, and all three of my family members sung in the choir during worship. It was a lovely anthem. You know what? Joyous strains of music exude from our home on a very regular basis; be it pure and melodious voices chiming out favorite musical show tunes, old familiar folk songs, or reverent hymns of praise; or the harmonious strums of guitar or sprite, chord-ful piano melodies, I sit back in peaceful reverie and bask in the glorious sound of song. Sometimes, I wish I possessed some of the innate musical talent of the others and could at least re-create a recognizable melody, but generally I accept my musically-challenged existence and am content to be simply the "Music Appreciater" of the family. What a true blessing, however, having a musical family is!

Late again. Kids are both in the room awaiting some joint "music listening" time on the computer, so I am signing off. Happy Thanksgiving this week. Pray your festivities are filled with many good gifts from God and a humble gratitude for all His providence. Bask in His generous grace and gifts. Catch you next time.

Weekend : Whimsy and Wonder

Did you notice the activity at the top of the blog page? It's a plain, simple hangman game. Give it a try: simply type your guess in the box; if your guessed letter is used in the word it will appear immediately. If you guessed a letter that isn't in the mystery word, it'll appear in the garbage bin, and a section of your gallows or your hanging man will appear. Simple, fun--what more do you want? I thought it was a whimsical idea for the top, symbolically pointing out the importance of language and words, while also offering a bit of amusement or relaxing mental stimulation. Also, you'll want to always scroll to the bottom of the page to witness the often-changing sunset photo. What a fitting end, huh? A sunset. God displaying his power, and beauty, and promise at the end of one day of light; it also reinforces my title, pulling in the concept of "Eventide." Just a few tidbits to help you enjoy my blog page. What do you think?

So, we did go to fulfill our parental duties and judge speakers this morning. As I expected, I was duly impressed by the dedication and commitment and level of professionalism of these young leaders. I was chosen to judge the "Extemporaneous" event where speakers are to informatively and fluidly speak for 7 minutes in response to a question dealing with current world news after having only 1/2 hour for preparing their ideas and documentation. Even though the topic of the economic crisis in our country these days decidedly does NOT lie within my scope of interests, I was still significantly amazed by the quality of these kids and their keen abilities in the very pertinent realm of communication. Wow! If you're ever asked to volunteer as a judge for a high school event like this, consider it seriously, as it does certainly ramp up your respect and admiration for teenagers. Leastwise, it should --from my perspective! My bride was chosen to judge the "Original Oratory" contest, and while apprehensive beforehand, did also seem to think it impressive in the end. Some of the ideas and opinions presented were somewhat controversial, so the challenge for her was to judge fairly based on the merit of the speaking ability and not the agreeability of the content. Did pass our son in the hallway between rounds, and while we are still not accustomed to seeing him in formal clothing with a tie, he said things had gone well so far and he looked like he was still having a good time. That's the important part.

These days when the son is away at school activities are days we get to totally focus on our daughter and the things she may want to do. We enjoyed a tasty Japanese lunch with tempura and udon noodles, roamed around a music store where she "tried out" a few guitars, and hit the library to restock on reading materials. She checked out a bagful of books that she thought she might want to read. I wonder if next year when the son is off to college she will feel "overloaded" with parental attention. Those days will be a "whole new world" for all of us, and we CAN wait.

Well, I finally get to end according to my sense of timing: no hovering kid wanting to use the computer right now. Feels like I've "rambled" plenty long enough, communicated pertinent information, related personal ideas, and probably too much emotion, so I'll call it a completed post. Bounteous blessings to you this day!

Act I

It's finally the weekend, after what seemed like a long week. Our weekend has already begun. Our son does the Impromptu event on the "Speech and Debate" team at his high school. There is a tournament in town this weekend, and he had his first three rounds this afternoon/evening. He was fairly pumped when I drove to the other school in town to pick him up at 9:00 tonight after his rounds. He felt good about his speeches and had a fun time with his friends. The meet continues with two more rounds tomorrow morning and finals after that. My lovely bride and I both volunteered to be judges to help out at the meet, so will do that at 9:00 in the morning. It will be inspiring to see these young kids behave so professionally and politely and work hard to perform and impress. I am excited. Bride, on the other hand, I believe is a bit nervous, as it isn't anything she has done before. She also will enjoy it though, I believe, once she experiences it.

It's quite intriguing to witness the many different layers of "kids" and all that they are and face in a week. I am a tutor for struggling readers at the middle school in town, and often see frustrated kids at their most vulnerable when called upon to read. Seeing the same kids in a sports arena or at a choir concert is an entirely different picture. And the persona I'll encounter tomorrow "speaking" boldly to inform or entertain or enlighten or interpret will again be fresh and beautiful snapshots of the varied and multi-faceted lives of the teens around me.

So, again, computer time is being coveted in my house tonight. The other teenager lurking nearby now, so I'll relinquish my spot in "the chair" and head to bed. Do want to be rested for that round of judging in the morning.

Blessings friends!

Curtain Rises

So, here I sit ready to speak to the world, and I'm wondering what I should say. Why blog? That's probably a question deserving some response. Maybe it's a desire to be "in" and "up" with all that's going on in this techno-advanced age we live in, but I'm generally not much of a "Follow-the-Joneses" type of fellow. No, I think it is simpler --more selfish, and selfless than that. This blog can provide me opportunity to spend time writing, a pursuit I dearly love, but the demands and whims of life too often keep me from; it also can provide a perhaps more regular and deeper glance at the goings-on of the family for those loved-ones out there that --again, I'll blame life's demands and whims-- we don't connect with as much as we ought.

The title of my blog is a phrase I came up with some 20-ish years ago while composing a poem about my then-beloved, who awhile later miraculously agreed to become my wife, and with whom I now have gloriously shared nearly 19 years of wedded bliss. It has a poetic ring to it, and since she is still my main inspiration, and I'm sure most all of my posting will occur in the "eventide," I thought it a suitable title. So, with an inspiring bride and two supportive, but busy, brilliant and creative teenage children, maybe I'll be able to make an honest effort to post here at least weekly. Let me know what you think.

So with these introductory "ramblings" completed, and one of my teenagers hovering nearby not-so-subtly pining for her computer time yet tonight, I guess I'll sign off, leaving you to hope for more substance in the next post. Blessings to all.