The kitchen has that warm family gathering feeling to it: a mixture of baking bread and lingering coffee aroma, jazzy music in the background while conversations are going on around the table and the counter area, organized mess everywhere. It’s Christmas Eve day and we are all getting ready for our celebration together. Daniel is still out shopping, Maelys is finishing icing her fancy Christmas cookies, Matthieu and Amber are eating some leftovers, I am finishing the bread, and Rich is rocking away in his traditional rocking chair and taking in the scene. The house feels wonderful, and I am thankful to be included in this family.
A few hours later, we migrated into the sunroom, crowded and happy. Time to exchange our “dollar gift,” a cherished tradition around here! Matthieu was the winner this year. What makes a winner you ask? Well, either a really good deal, or a very thoughtful and imaginative gift. He won by getting us all Old Navy scarfs for just one buck each! He got to wear the Musical Santa Hat, and he is now its keeper until Christmas Ever 2010.
Our traditional Christmas Eve dinner, fondue bourguignone, got prepared in the midst of it all–Amber cut the meat, Daniel set the table, Rich got the pot ready, Maelys made cookie trays, I made the salad and Matthieu, of course, is the Great Sauce Meister. The dinner is fun and loud and soooo delicious, it gets better every year. Gift time… this takes a long time, and we love every minute of it.
There is indeed a time for everything under the sun. A time to work hard, a time to be apart, and a time to come together and simply enjoy the sheer wonderful feeling of being a family.

My friend June reminded me today of another friend of ours and his artwork. His name is Ryan Halliwell. I guess he must be about 25 years old; he is kind, thoughtful, has an eye for photography and is an amazing artist. Some of his pieces involve tiny dots. They are entirely made up of the smallest little dots, somewhat like the impressionists did, but in simple ink, all one color. Not quite sure how many dots a “painting” takes, maybe millions, or billions? Never counted them. His attention to details is impressive, and the result is breathtaking. Can’t wait to have one of these hanging in my living room.
But June’s point today wasn’t about the art work itself, but rather about the fact that these millions/billions of dots create a sharp image of something. Each dot is needed, no matter how tiny, or big, or thick, or thin. The picture is only complete because each single dot performs its duty, takes its place in the greater scheme of things. She compared the whole picture to the body of Christ, each dot representing one of us, the ordinary people that make us the church. Not one dot is more important than the others, and even more vital, not one less important than the billion others! Together, as we each take our place, we display the breathtaking finished work of Jesus.
I love that picture. I think I am going to chew on this for awhile. Thank you June, and thank you Ryan. What beautiful dots you are!

In Oprah’s January O Magazine, she poses an interesting question divided in three: what is your most useful tool? what tool should we do without? what tool should be invented? Maybe not in those words, but that was the sense of the questions. Really makes me think–only one answer per tool, though! So here are my answers as of today; I am guessing it would change over the seasons of my life.

What is my most useful tool?
At this point, I would have to say a pen. I am a writer, and I think, look, act in words. Without a pen, I cannot put my thoughts down and I am afraid that I could lose them… I much prefer a computer, but a pen always works.
What tool should we do without?
That’s a tough one… I am thinking about all tools that make face-to-face communication unnecessary, but I can’t count in my pen, or my phone really, because it is a must in today’s world… how about texting? I watch kids text all day long, all while they are talking to other people in front of them. I see very little concentrated conversations these days, people always do 5 or 6 things at the same time. I would love to go back to real talks, one-on-one, and no texting. There, I said it!
What tool should be invented?
Something that speaks to you and motivates you when you have nothing left in you. It reads your mind and speaks what you need to hear. But that is Holy Spirit and the Word of God, so I guess it is way older than any of us and doesn’t need to be invented! How about a machine that cleans your entire house for you and irons clothes? I like that!

What answers would you give? Please leave a response–it will be interesting to see!

People all around me are stressed out, running in and out of malls, talking about how busy they are… only so many days left until Christmas, you know.
I am at such a different place this year; not quite sure what happened. I am simply taking the time to enjoy each moment of the season. Last week-end, my daughter and I went to see the Rockettes in Pittsburgh and we had so much fun–it sure put me into the “holiday mood.” Then, I had my office Christmas party, and the next day we went shopping, but nice and slow, just savoring the moments. I bought most of my Christmas online. Lots of them aren’t quite buyable though, this year. They are the fruit of much thought and ingenuity, but I don’t want to give it all away since I am not sure who is reading this…
The next couple of week-ends are full with fun stuff, time away with my hubby at Green Gables where we will sit in front of the fireplace and dream together, time with very old and faithful friends where we will simply drink of the joy of our friendship, a bit more shopping and baking, and some wrapping of course. But I am simply living each hour as it comes, so thankful for the grace that has come and causes me to live in His peace.
I made some pumpkin muffins, and the house smells heavenly. I’ve got some candles lit, and the lights sparkle outside. Andreas Bocelli is singing to me about Mary and her baby child. I think I’m going to serve myself a nice glass of Shirah and simply sit and delight myself in that “baby child” who has now become my amazing Savior.