Wedding Day

In the snowy little community of Snover, Michigan, I was getting ready to be married 37 years ago today.  Paul and I each had our last minute responsibilities, but we were also keeping an eye on the weather.  There was snow in the forecast and howling winds that sent the temperature into the single digits.  We were concerned for our guests.  Inside the little country church, the ladies cooking for our reception had arrived, and I was getting dressed in my wedding gown.  Guests had started to arrive and the photographer began snapping pictures of me with my parents.  There are moments of my wedding day that still stand out in my mind, and the memories are frozen like the frame of a movie. 

I stepped from the hall into the sanctuary and saw Paul at the front of the church waiting for me.  He had been waiting a while since our minister was late.   When he saw me, he smiled, and I was relieved that things were back on schedule.  I think back on that smile, and hope Paul will keep smiling as he waits for me more often when, in my twilight years, I begin to slow down.  He still waits while I tend to the last details before leaving the house, and while I run the curling iron through my hair.  There have been 37 years of waiting, compromise, unity, and blessing, between us.  We can predict each others' thoughts sometimes, or make the same comment at the same time. 

Not enough is said these days about what it is like being married to the same person for a long time.  It's nice.  Paul knows I like my oatmeal with brown sugar; I know he likes his with white.  He knows I need cold sheets at night and I know to turn on his side of the warming blanket.   As American journalist Mignon Mclaughlin once said, "A successful marriage requires falling in love many times, always with the same person."  We have laughed ourselves silly over little things, and held each other close and cried over the big things.   

The making of a marriage history takes time.  Given enough time, there are many events that draw couples closer together, including having children.  No one shares that history as intimately as a spouse.  We'll probably talk about that at some point this evening as we celebrate this anniversary.  We plan to go out tonight for one of our favorite dates.  We are going to walk around Lowes and dream.  I like to stand in front of the paint colors and pick out the pretty ones that catch my eye.  Paul likes looking at tools.  We'll be together and have some laughs, and probably end our evening by praying that, by God's grace, we will celebrate again this time next year. 

 

 There is no more lovely, friendly and charming relationship, communion or company than a good marriage. ~ Martin Luther

Married couples who love each other tell each other a thousand things without talking.  ~Chinese Proverb

A Red Fox

We had a beautiful Christmas Day snowfall.  The landscape looked wrapped in a blanket of white.  Paul and I were standing at the side door looking out of the window when suddenly Paul spotted an animal moving across the field.  "A fox!" Paul exclaimed.  I was sure he didn't mean me when he said that, because I still had bed-head, and morning breath.  Later in the day, I saw Paul go out to the fox tracks and follow them up the hillside into the woods.  He stayed up there a long time.  While he was gone I imagined our new puppy being attacked by a fox, the grandchildren mistaking it for a "nice doggy", and Qavah wanting to bring it home.  I thought about rabies, more than one fox, and danger.

Paul returned with the observation that there were numerous tracks up in the woods, "a real trail of wildlife!" he exclaimed.  He commented on the beautiful bushy tail of the fox, and seemed very excited that a creature like that would show off his red fur in the stark-white snow.  I thought, "He seems very happy about the visit from the fox, and the same fox has made me feel cautious!" This is another reason why marriage is good.  Two perspectives are better than one. 

All things bright and beautiful, 

All creatures great and small,

All things wise and wonderful,

The Lord God made them all.

"So, are you ready for Christmas?"

Paul and I went grocery shopping last night and filled two carts.  I'm having a heaping helping of family over the holidays and I am looking forward to seeing them soon.  I have my menu planned, and as I went to write the check for the groceries, the young man at the cash register asked me the question, "So, are you ready for Christmas?"  Before I answered, my mind ran through thoughts like a Rolodex card system.  Did he mean, for example, are the gifts purchased?  Are the decorations up?  Are the cards sent out?  And before I knew it, out of my mouth came the answer, "If being ready for Christmas means I am ready to celebrate Christ's birth with those I love, and take the time to enjoy the gift of His love with my family, then yes, I am ready."  He looked me right in the eye with a cheerful smile and replied, "I know exactly what you mean!" On this Friday night, the week before Christmas, we are ready to celebrate. Because long ago, while the angels rejoiced, Christmas was made ready for us.

Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way.  When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together, she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit.  And her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to divorce her quietly.  But as he considered these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, "Joseph, Son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit.  She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins."  All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet:

Behold a virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call His name Immanuel" (Which means, God with us). Matthew 1:18-23

Super Glue

We have decided to turn our thermostat down to sixty degrees at night.  Both Kathryn and Qavah have trouble with hydration in the winter and too much heat dries their skin.  Kathryn's lips have split and we have not been able to keep her skin moisturized just by turning down the heat and turning up the humidifier.  With her platelet problem, it is hard for her to get her lip to stop bleeding once it starts. She has tried several remedies her doctors recommended but nothing is helping.  Our next line of defense is glue! (Dermabond for the skin).  If you remember back to my previous post about glue, you'll remember how much Paul loves to glue things.  Kathryn, do you trust your Dad to glue your lips?

Blue Skies

I called Paul when my plane landed.  He was waiting for me just outside the airport terminal and told me to have my winter coat on before stepping out into the Roanoke air.  When the pilot welcomed us to Roanoke, and said the outside temperature was 29 degrees, a collective groan was heard throughout the cabin.  We left a balmy Florida day where today's high was 73 degrees.  It was great to have a break from the winter, and it still amazes me that it is a short hour-and-a-half flight away.

The girls and I went out this afternoon to deliver Christmas presents and it was fun.  Qavah gave out all of her packs of chewing gum and then wanted to go to Sam's Club to buy more boxes.  It was sweet the way she wanted to give packs of gum to complete strangers.  One elderly man smiled kindly, turn down her gift politely, then pointed to the place in his mouth where his teeth had once been.  What might otherwise have been a cold winter day, was filled with warmth and blue skies.  Watching my children grow up over the years, and learn that it is better to give than to receive, warms my heart better than a day in Florida.

Aunt Lil in the center.  She knows how to pamper her guests  She is seen here with her friends and went all out for her Christmas tea:

 

Thursday night's sunset was so amazing!  My camera actually captured the beauty:

Thank You to My Family!

Thank you to Kathryn, who posted the pictures of Santa with Qavah on Tuesday.  I have been blessed with an early Christmas.  I am in the sunshine state of Florida.  Paul Burton took over Qavah's injections, Kathryn went to the hospital for the transfusion with Qavah,  and Paul has been taking the girls to their appointments.

Aunt Lil and Uncle Tony invited me for a week of rest in Florida and that is what I have had.  I have read two books, both written by missionaries returning from the countries of Vietnam and Rwanda.  They were powerful stories of faith.  Aunt Lil and I stopped our day yesterday for several times of prayer.  We also went to Uncle Tony's Greek class last night and he finished up a thirteen-week study on the book of Hebrews.  I have never been to one of his classes but found it to be very informative and enjoyable.  I took notes.

We will be having a tea for some of Aunt Lil's friends this afternoon and will be visiting the pier tonight to see the Christmas lights.  Lord willing, I will be home in time tomorrow to take Kathryn to the hospital for her Remicade treatment.  I am looking forward to that since she has prepared little gifts for the people at the hospital who have taken good care of her, and I know her spirit will be filled with joy; a side-effect of giving! 

At times like this, I wish I had a greater vocabulary in which to express my gratitude.  I have needed this rest, but I have also had a work to do that I believe was God's purpose in bringing me here.   On Monday night I was able to speak to a Bible Study class here in Florida, to encourage the believers here.  It was an uplifting time together and many of the group encouraged me and shared their salvation stories with me afterwards.  I have seen God's hand in giving me this rest, His providence in giving me something to do for Him while here, and His blessing in that I am ready to go home tomorrow refreshed in body, mind, and spirit. 

A Very Merry Transfusion Day

Today, we went to the hospital for Qavah's monthly blood transfusion.  After the IV was placed  in Qavah's arm, she settled into the bed and began watching educational programs on the portable television.  She was engrossed in Word World when a special visitor arrived to see her...

YES, it really was Santa Claus!  Of course Santa asked Qavah what she wanted for Christmas, to which she replied, "A magic wand and a Tiana tiara".  ("Santa" has some serious shopping to do!) 

Qavah wasn't the only one to receive a delightful surprise.  Earlier in the morning, Qavah spread Christmas cheer by handing out packets of gum to the hospital staff who usually help her during a transfusion visit.  So, later when she looked up from the TV and realized that Santa Claus was standing beside her bed, she frantically exclaimed, "Get the basket of gum!  Come on!  Huuueeeyyy!  I have to give Santa some gum!"  Santa was at first taken aback, but  then took the gum and  gave Qavah a joyful hug. The nurses working nearby laughed heartily.  It's not just any day that Santa visits the hospital and takes home a present for himself!

Weddings

We were invited to a wedding this weekend that made Christmas for us even more special.  As Paul and I sat there holding hands, I was thinking that I'm glad my husband enjoys going to weddings.  The church sanctuary was decorated for the wedding in garlands of greens and red roses.  It was incredibly beautiful by candlelight.  In that setting, the harpist nearly put me into a dreamy sleep.   The bride, the daughter of good friends, was being married to her college sweetheart, and the wedding and reception were full of celebration and joy.

I winced a couple of times during the pastor's charge to the couple as he spoke to them about marriage.  He was speaking to them, but was reminding me of my role in Paul's life.  This morning while Paul and I were getting ready for church I said, "You know, I felt a little uneasy as the pastor was talking about the woman's role in marriage at the wedding because I'm not so sure I'm doing my job well enough."  Paul laughed and said, "Boy I'm glad you said that...I was feeling pretty guilty myself."  We started talking about that, and agreed that we would try to stop more often during the day to encourage each other, which is so hard to do with busy schedules.  Maybe every married couple would do well to attend a wedding at least twice a year.  It is a good reminder that promises were made that, when kept, bring forth a harvest of good things.

Prepare Ye The Way of The Lord

Two of the grandchildren are here tonight having an "overnight" with Qavah.  They were all ready for bed with teeth brushed when we lit the Hanukkah candles saying the blessing for the second night.  Then we opened our devotional book for the month of December which has twenty-five stories leading up to Christmas. We read the account of Adam and Eve in the garden and their deadly decision to listen to the serpent rather than to obey God.  The two holiday stories pointed to our need for God's deliverance.  In child-like wonder the children heard the message that there is no hope for us apart from the mercy of God.  They hung the ornament on the tree that depicts a piece of fruit and a serpent, and Annelise turned to me and stated, "You know what Nonny... sometimes I sin."  "I do too, Annelise." I replied.  "But I sin when I don't obey Mommy and Daddy," she continued,  "And I'm sorry." It was only a brief conversation, but a precious one at that.  How better to prepare the way of the Lord than to acknowledge sin, and repent.

Prepare our heart, dear Lord, to hear the Christmas story once again this year and respond in adoration. Amen.

Happy Hanukkah

Blessed are You, Lord our God, King of the universe, who has kept us alive, and has preserved us, and enabled us to reach this time.