Carolyn Astfalk's Blog, page 42

Seven Quick Takes

Farm Show Fracas Edition

While we live close to the state capital, where the Pennsylvania Farm Show is held each January, we’ve only been there several times, all more than a decade ago. It’s something like a local family tradition/institution, and I’ve been wanting to take the kids for years, but weather, basketball, or something else has interfered. Since my oldest daughter joined 4H, I decided this year we’d go. On Sunday, later in the morning than I’d anticipated, I took the three youngest children to the show. Here’s how it went down.

–1–
The Peacock Feathers

Based on the number of children seen wielding them, peacock feathers were a hot item at the farm show. At a buck a piece or three for a dollar for the duller variety, these were a bargain. Or so it would seem. We left the booth with a total of six peacock feathers in the hands of a three-year-old, (a very possessive) four-year-old, and an eight-year-old. Thanks be to God, the children didn’t poke the eyes out of any passersby although there were some close calls.

The feather sources.

 –2–
Packed Like Bees in a Hive

The beekeeping display with its hives was fascinating. The kids enjoyed watching the busy bees and identifying the queen bee as the bugs climbed all atop one another. Crammed together, kind of like the people weaving in and out of the rows, through the halls, and around the arenas. I feared I’d leave with a crick in my neck for having to constantly turn and count my little chicks, one of whom is a known lollygagger.

One of the hives.

–3–

Lost in a Labyrinth without a Guide

Did I mention the rows, halls, and multiple arenas? There are many. And somehow we managed to slip in without picking up a guide with a handy-dandy map. Luckily, I was able to access the map on my phone, at least as long as my battery held out. It – along with directions from several staffers – was enough to get us to the butter sculpture. Proud that my navigating skills finally had us headed toward the exit, I was disappointed to find our path blocked by teams of big, beautiful horses headed to the arena. Sigh. A couple of escalator rides later, we reached the exit.

The butter sculpture.

–4–
Escalator Pile-Up

Did I mention the escalator? Oh, yes. The escalator. My kids love them. I get it; they’re fun. Somehow, when we reached the bottom, with scores of people, some carrying strollers, lined up behind us, my daughter toppled over. Her brother collapsed on top of her. In a frenzy, I grabbed them by the scruff and hauled them off the bottom before they were stampeded by tired parents bearing bags, babies, and more.

One of the many snoozing swine.

–5–

Poop

It’s a farm show, folks. With live animals. Lots of them. Big ones. Indoors. And, yes, there is poop. My husband (who was noticeably not included in this adventure) has made my kids a little, uh, paranoid about dirtying their shoes with any kind of animal feces. My poor city slicker children tiptoed through the aisles at a snail’s pace, the youngest nearly in tears at the possibility of stepping in poop.

Everybody has to poop.

–6–

Parking Lot Meltdown

Because of the droves of people who flock to the farm show, parking is offsite with shuttles transporting patrons to and from the farm show. Once we’d made it outside to wait in line for our shuttle in the bitter cold, the littlest ones melted down, despite the frigid temperatures. Wailing ensued. Dehydration threatened as the littlest one cried, overcome by sudden thirst. Apparently such behavior is highly contagious as proven by my little girl sobbing for some arcane reason I can’t even recall.

Kids & a cow.

–7–

Rock Chucking

Once the limousine service (yes, a large limousine/truck!) returned us to our parking lot in the biting wind and cold, my son discovered the giant rocks piled at the end of the parking rows. With horror, I watched as he picked them up within throwing distance of said limo. To my relief, he tossed them in another direction. Bullet dodged.

Some little ones are more docile than others.

Do you take your kids to local farm shows?

###

For more Quick Takes, visit This Ain’t the Lyceum.

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Shrinking in the Distance: My Kids Are Growing Up and Away

The day after Christmas, we enjoyed a short winter reprieve. Temperatures soared. With my 13-year-old’s brand-new drone fully charged, we headed to the park, where he could fly it in wide open spaces without worrying about entangling his new toy in wires or treetops. All of the pre-Christmas bustle had ceased and for once, we didn’t have holiday travel plans. Our visit to the park was sheer fun.

I took this picture of my children chasing after the drone in the distance. From our vantage atop a hill (at this time of year, it could as easily be the sled riding hill), they seemed so small. My oldest is only a few inches shorter than me, but in this picture, he might as well be the size of his three-year-old brother.

Something about this image, and even more so, the experience of it, moved me. My children are growing up and growing away. Running away. They ran all over the park with the drone. The only one who turned back, who waited for Mama, and wanted to hold my hand, was the “baby” of the family.

My children are growing up and growing away. Running away.Tweet This

And that’s exactly as it should be. If my husband and I are doing our jobs right, we’re preparing them to leave, to be independent and self-sufficient. And yet, even though our children are relatively young and years will pass before even the oldest leaves the nest, it’s bittersweet.

Raising children is difficult on so many levels. It’s physical demanding, emotionally draining, and spiritually challenging. It’s also satisfying and joy-filled. It’s a love story, with a beginning, middle, and end.

We are firmly in the middle. The kids are slowly (S-L-O-W-L-Y) leaving our bed, our room. When I’m tempted to do things for them that they can do themselves, I need to step back and let them try. I need to appreciate the unique people they are with their varied senses of humor, foibles, gifts, and idiosyncrasies. God’s entrusted us, for a time, these small bodies and eternal souls, a thought that never fails to humble and scare me. Because every day, they’re growing up and away from me.

How do you/did you feel about your children growing up and leaving the nest?

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An Open Book

Welcome to the January 2017 edition of An Open Book, hosted both at My Scribbler’s Heart AND CatholicMom.com!

As of this writing, I’m trying to hit my 2016 Goodreads Reading Challenge goal, and I’m only a book away! I think I’ll make it. As the new year begins, I’m looking forward to reading some paperbacks that have been piled around the house and some NetGalley review copies that  have been burning up my Kindle. Now, on to January’s books.

An anonymous parishioner provided each family in our church with a copy of Resisting Happiness by Matthew Kelly for Christmas. This one was already on my husband’s book pile. I read Matthew Kelly’s Rhythm of Life many years ago, but haven’t gotten around to any of his books since. My 13-year-old has been watching Kelly’s Decision Point Confirmation Program video series with his classmates at school, and while I think he’s a bit weary of the “be the best version of yourself” mantra, we’re still going to give this book a go.

Because it’s still Christmas, I’m reading Unearthing Christmas by Anthea T. Piscarik. I’ve sold books alongside Anthea at several diocesan women’s conferences, so it’s about time I got around to reading her book! So far, I’m enjoying the back and forth between Christmas 1955 and 2015. I think the characters will soon be descending into a bomb shelter, which should make things interesting. I’m also about to begin the final ebook in the Memories of Jane E, Friendless Orphan series: Vanished by Erin McCole Cupp. I’ve loved this series so far, and once it’s done, I’m probably going to be re-reading the classic Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte with a small group of friends online. I have to say again how much I love the covers of these ebooks!

Timed perfectly to the Feast of St. Stephen (December 26), my son just completed Treachery and Truth: A Story of Sinners, Servants, and Saints, the true story of Good King Wenceslaus, by Caty Huth Jones. When I won a paperback copy of the book, I knew my son would be all over this since “Good King Wenceslas” has always been his favorite carol. I’d catch him singing it at random times throughout the year. (It didn’t hurt that the Phineas and Ferb Christmas Special included its own adaption of the song by Buford and Baljeet.) Realizing he’d not had enough forethought to ask for the new Star Wars book Star Wars: Ahsoka by E.K. Johnston for Christmas, my son brought me cash to order it from him on Amazon Prime since Ahsoka Tano has always been one of  his favorite characters. (I suspect he may have had a crush on her years ago, but this kid is really tight-lipped about that sort of thing.) This book is geared right at his age level (grade 7 and up) and has good reviews. I may read this one myself.

My third grader continues to read the Little House series. She’s currently enjoying Farmer Boy by Laura Ingalls Wilder, one of the few books in the series I haven’t read. It apparently has a lot to do with that team of calves on the front cover that seem to keep Almanzo out of school. I’ve also begun reading Sounder by William H. Armstrong aloud to her and whomever else cares to listen. I read it several times in elementary school but can’t recall much beyond it being a sad dog story somewhat like Old Yeller (which I read to my kids a couple of years ago). It’s also a Newbery Medal winner. These books have helped fill my daughter’s reading BINGO card over Christmas break, and in order to cross off another block, she read an entire book of classic fairy tales.

The little kids are enjoying the books that we got them for Christmas. I purchased both of these at an online Usborne Books & More party hosted by a friend of mine. Usborne sells high quality books for children of all ages. My son, a big fan of Honey Bee’s Busy Day, which I linked to in September’s “An Open Book,” is enjoying A Squirre’s Tale, also by Richard Fowler. My daughter snatches her dad’s flashlight for her new book, Shine-A-Light: The Human Body by Carron Brown and Rachael Saunders. This is a very cool concept – shine a light behind the page to see “inside” the illustration. Perfect for glimpsing skeletons, muscles, nerves, and unborn babies. (If you’d like to contact an Usborne representative, let me know, and I’d be happy to refer you.)

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Top 10 Tuesday: Books I Wouldn’t Mind Santa Leaving Under My Tree

I’m linking up with The Broke and the Bookish (which describes me quite well) for ten books I wouldn’t mind Santa leaving under my Christmas tree – paperback or ebook, I’m not picky. Quite a bit of variety here – more than usual in my reading list. Here they are in no particular order.

 

From Sand and Ash by Amy Harmon

Treason: A Catholic Novel of Elizabethan England by Dena Hunt

These Beautiful Bones: An Everyday Theology of the Body by Emily Stimpson

The Whiskey Rebels by David Liss

Stealing Jake by Pam Hillman

Spot reserved for books!

The Diary of a Country Priest by Georges Bernanos

Faith Under Fire: Dramatic Stories of Christian Courage by Matthew Archbold

Troublemaker: Surviving Hollywood and Scientology by Leah Remini

Murder in the Vatican: The Church Mysteries of Sherlock Holmes  by Ann Margaret Lewis

Three to Get Married by Fulton J. Sheen

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Relevant Fiction Reviews: Best YA Books of 2016

As 2016 comes to a close, I’ve collected reviews of the best Young Adult (YA) fiction I’ve read over the past year. Some of these titles are Christian fiction, some secular, but all are “clean” and appropriate for teens. (And for the enjoyment of old fogeys like me too.)

I did not include The Lunar Chronicles by Marissa Meyer here only because that series isn’t in need of more visibility. It’s an excellent series that fans of Star Wars or classic fairy tales will particularly enjoy. Fast-paced and tightly-written, there’s enough adventure, humor, scifi, and romance to please almost any reader.

At the end of this post, you’ll find some other YA favorites of 2016, including other books written by the authors featured below. (I stuck with one book featured per author.)

If you’re looking for more great books for teens, sign up for the B4CT (Books for Catholic Teens) newsletter!

I’ll Be Yours by Jenny B. Jones

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I’ll Be Yours is so smooth and polished that I found it nearly impossible to put down. Sadly, the small people in my house expect food, clean clothes, fresh diapers, etc., so the reading dragged out for a whole day rather than a single sitting.

I don’t read a lot of young adult novels, but having never had a high school romance, I have a soft spot for this type of story. Every character is vivid and well-drawn. As always, Jenny B. Jones’s wry sense of humor shines through her main character, the strong but scarred Harper O’Malley.

Harper’s past trauma and present drama were skillfully interwoven with handsome football star Ridley’s scars and secrets.

In sum, a heart-warming pleasure to read filled with the hope that only love can create.

Battle for His Soul by Theresa Linden

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Battle for His Soul has the power to change lives. Even though I’ve always known, intellectually, that we live among angels and demons, I seldom give it much though. Theresa Linden vividly depicts the spiritual beings as they praise, defend, tempt, and deceive. It’s allowed me to see with fresh eyes these forces at work in my own life.

I think this is a spectacular book for teens. First, it introduces them to listening to God’s call in their lives and discerning their vocations. Second, it demonstrates the practical power of prayer. Third, since teens are probably even more susceptible than the rest of us to living in the here and now, its vivid depiction of the unseen spiritual forces surrounding us is eye-opening.

And finally, this book has its place in the Year of Mercy with its sterling examples of showing compassion and mercy to all, regardless of whether they deserve it. It’s that act of mercy, that prayer, that fasting, that may just make all the difference.

Intermission by Serena Chase

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Intermission left me breathless in the best way. My internal book-rating system includes a heart-clench level, and this book made that level explode off of the charts. I had to fight off tears while reading in the waiting room of my daughter’s ballet class.

This beautifully-written, gut-wrenching story is not only a touching, tender, and chaste love story, but an examination of obedience, an exploration of faith, and God’s magnificent plans for our lives – which may not follow our plans or our timelines.

The injustice Faith suffers will break your heart. Her growth both in virtue and courage will make you cheer. And God’s tender mercy towards her and Noah will leave you with a song in your heart whether you’re a musical theater buff or not.

The Perfect Blindside by Leslea Wahl

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The Perfect Blindside is a great book for teens! It has a contemporary appeal, likable characters, and a little suspense and romance too. It’s well-written, and includes simple but important faith messages that teens -and adults – often need to be reminded of.

In the course of Jake dealing with his newfound fame and Sophie searching for a big story to break, they discover friendship, attraction, and something suspicious going on around the town’s abandoned mine. Through it all, Sophie learns to trust God and not be so quick to judge others. Jake learns to rely on God and get his priorities in order while keeping his ego in check.

Bottom line: a fun read that I’m eager to hand to my teen.

Unclaimed: The Memoirs of Jane E, Friendless Orphan by Erin McCole Cupp

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

If you needed proof that Jane Eyre by Chariotte Bronte is a timeless classic, Unclaimed: The Memoirs of Jane E, Friendless Orphan—Book 1 is it.

Erin McCole Cupp expertly re-imagines Jane as among America’s least wanted in the near future: an unclaimed embryo brought to life but unloved then laboring anonymously half a world away from home.

Interestingly, Jane’s hidden existence in a quasi school/sweatshop extends beyond merely weaving textiles, but hidden messages as well. Her only solace is the companionship of the ill Aidann, whose backstory is also modernized, and the compassion of her instructor Bhenji Nealingson.

Unclaimed takes the dear reader to Jane’s first encounter with her absentee employer Mr. Thorne in his fortress beneath the American desert.

Jane Eyre has long been a favorite of mine, and I enjoyed the first part of this retelling immensely. While appealing to the modern reader’s ear, it remains faithful to the truth of the original, even retaining the charm and tone of Bronte’s voice.

You do not, however, have to have read Jane Eyre to enjoy Jane_E. Much like the character herself, chin lifted high, it can stand on its own.

6 Dates to Disaster by Cynthia T. Toney

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The third installment of the Bird Face series by Cynthia Toney is another winner for young teens. As Wendy attempts to earn money to fund her Alaska summer trip to visit Mrs. V. (and Sam), she finds herself in over her head tutoring classmates. As the demands of her job spiral out of control, everything she cares about could be jeopardized – running track, school, summer plans, and most worrisome – her deepening relationship with boyfriend David.

An old friendship is revived with Jennifer, who’s also in over her head. And then there’s a little mystery involving a note hidden in an old jewelry box.

6 Dates to Disaster (and the first two books in the series) allow teens to see the ramifications of the small but important choices they make that affect their relationships – with their parents, siblings, friends, and members of the opposite sex. Add a little Cajun spice, and you have the recipe for a great read.

Others worth noting:

Liberation by Corinna Turner (I Am Margaret Book #3)

Bane’s Eyes by Corinna Turner (I Am Margaret Book #4)

Life-Changing Love by Theresa Linden (part of her teen fiction series including Battle for His Soul, above.)

Nameless by Erin McCole Cupp (second in the The Memoirs of Jane E, Friendless Orphan series)

A Soldier Surrenders by Susan Peek

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Seven Quick Takes

Keeping Sunday Special Edition

Inspired by Erin McCole Cupp‘s monthly Sabbath Rest Book Talk, I’ve been thinking about how our family does (or doesn’t) make Sunday special. I’m not too young to remember when most stores were closed on Sundays, which in itself set Sunday aside as different. These days, it’s business as usual, and I’m often surprised at how crowded the grocery stores are on Sunday mornings when we stop in to grab something.

In re-reading what the Catechism of the Catholic Church has to say about the Sabbath, I was struck by these lines: “It is a day of protest against the servitude of work and the worship of money.” Not much support from the culture on that one.

Here some ways we try to keep  Sunday special in our house and in my home growing up.

–1–
Church

 Maybe this goes without saying, but the primary way we keep Sunday special is by attending church. As Catholics, that means Sunday Mass. We prefer to attend as a family, but I’ll admit the occasional Mass without my littlest ones in tow is a blessed relief.

Photo by skitterphoto (pixabay)

 –2–
Breakfast

During the week, we generally eat cold cereal for breakfast. Maybe a muffin, toast, or fruit, but generally it’s quick and easy. On Sundays, we take time with our breakfast and enjoy eggs and bacon, toast, juice or hot chocolate, and occasionally a treat such as muffins, doughnuts, or a quick bread.

–3–

Fancy Dishes

We’ve gotten away from this a bit, only because of our lack of cupboard space. I’d like to return to it. Six days a week we eat from our regular dishes. The set that is missing pieces, has nicks and chips, and is washed up to three times a day. On Sundays, our meals are special because they are served on the “fancy” dishes reserved for holidays or company.

–4–
Recreation/Relaxation

Sunday should be a day for resting, napping, or generally relaxing guilt-free. It’s also a day to take time that we think we should be “getting something done” and enjoy a special activity. That could be a family hike, a walk, a bike ride, listening to or playing music or visiting a local attraction.

–5–

Prayer and Service

Here’s one where we could use some improvement! While we struggle to make time for family prayer or Bible reading on busy weekdays, Sunday, with its flexible, wide-open schedule, should easily allow for a family Rosary. We need to take better advantage of that opportunity and also seek opportunities to serve others.

–6–

Family

Sunday is a day for families. That means finding things we can all enjoy together. It also means it’s the day to make phone calls to long distance family members. I call my mother each Sunday evening. It’s also a good day to write letters, send cards, or pen other messages to family and friends offering news about our lives, well wishes, or encouragement.

–7–

A Sunday Drive

This is a leftover from my childhood that I truly enjoyed. Because my dad owned and operated a small business, he was reluctant to take vacations. Instead, our mini-vacations were Sunday afternoons, in which we’d physically get away from his business so that he wouldn’t be bothered by it. Dad also loved to drive, so we took long and extensive drives in and around southwestern Pennsylvania, often capping our adventure with an ice cream treat.

How do you keep the Sabbath special?

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When Doing Everything Right Doesn’t Work

Where do our expectations come from? We’d like to think that if we do a, b, and c, d will result. If I take care of my body, I’ll remain healthy. If I work hard and make smart financial decisions, my wealth will grow. If I choose a spouse wisely and honor my vows, my marriage will flourish. If I raise my children with certain values, they will adopt them and enjoy the fruits of their virtue.

But we all know the woman who never touched a cigarette yet contracted lung cancer. The successful entrepreneur who lost everything through theft or a change in the market. A woman whose husband decided he didn’t love her anymore and left. Children who abandon their faith and every value their parents held dear.

Sometimes the equation falls apart on our end. After all, am I that certain of my righteousness or do I merely fail to see my sin? Have I accounted for the fallen nature of not only myself but of my spouse, my children, this whole gosh-darn fallen world we inhabit?

There are no guarantees in life. As I tell my children so often, life isn’t fair.

There are no guarantees in life. As I tell my children so often, life isn’t fair.Tweet This

“. . . for He makes his sun rise on the bad and the good, and causes rain to fall on the just and the unjust.”
Matthew 5:45

What then are we to do? Sulk? Rail at God as man has done through millenia? Why, God, why? I’ve been faithful. I’ve trusted in you. I’ve prayed, and prayed, and prayed yet I’m not rewarded. How long, O Lord? 

Perhaps I’ve finally reached a stage of maturity or experience that allows me to look back and see where things have fallen apart. The decisions that seemed wise, yet failed to deliver their promised result. The blacks and whites that have blurred into so many dreary shades of gray.

“They disciplined us for a short time as seemed right to them, but he does so for our benefit, in order that we may share his holiness. At the time, all discipline seems a cause not for joy but for pain, yet later it brings the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who are trained by it.”
Hebrews 12:10-11

Life seems less than fair when we don’t get what we deserve. Yet, too often, I calculate fairness as if my perceived unfair losses, and not my unfair gains, were the only side of the equation.

Thank God not every equation adds up, and we don’t get  always get what we deserve. Sometimes we get more than we deserve.

 

 

Gherardo delle Notti o Gheritt van Hontorst – Adorazione del Bambino {{PD-1923}}

How do you reconcile the unfairness of life?

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An Open Book

 

Welcome to the December 2016 edition of An Open Book, hosted both at My Scribbler’s Heart AND CatholicMom.com!

Now that December has arrived, the days are shorter and, at least it seems, busier! Despite the Christmas preparations, I love spending some extra minutes reading this time of year. Not much better than a good book, a warm blanket, and a hot cup of herbal tea. I’ll spare you my envy of a roaring fireplace and simply be grateful for a warm house on a cold night.

My husband’s between books, so I had to consult his to-be-read pile, and find out what he’d be reading next. Not sure if he’s trying to score brownie points, but he said he wants to read my book, , next. ‘Tis the season for Christmas romance and all. He’s also eager to read a book he bought from the rack in the narthex of our church: Love-Powered Parenting by Tom and Chaundel Holladay. It centers around six parenting principles: priorities, love, words, discipline and compassion, serving, and unselfishness. I don’t know precisely why my husband picked this up, but what family couldn’t use more love and unselfishness? Especially with us old, tired parents at the helm.

Sandwiched between books three and four of The Lunar Chronicles by Marissa Meyer (Cress and Winter), I snuck in two short Christmas reads. The first is 12 Days of Snowman by Sarah Monzon. I’ve yet to read her novels, which are in my to-be-read pile, but this short was enough to solidify their place there. Like one of those puffy, red- and white-striped Christmas peppermints, this story is short and sweet. It’ll dissolve quickly because at this length there’s not a whole lot of substance, but sometimes that’s what this busy Advent season requires. I followed that with Melissa Tagg’s One Enchanted Eve, which is the second in a series of Christmas romance novellas. I enjoyed One Enchanted Christmas last year, and this year’s installment didn’t disappoint. Hero Colin Renwycke is a simply a fun character, and I enjoyed revisiting his family’s Iowa farm and following his story as he grows into the man he wants to be, falling in love with uptight culinary instructor/recipe stickler Rylan. I’m already looking forward to the third book in this series, which I expect will be available this time next year.

My eighth grader’s class is reading Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol together. How sad is it that I’ve never read that? Even though my husband bought me a lovely hardbound collection of Charles Dickens’ Stories for Christmas to read aloud to the children years ago. Maybe I need to pull that book off of the shelf. My son’s also reading a DK biography of Thomas Edison by Jan Adkins.I also just picked up  Michael Vey 6: Fall of Hades by Richard Paul Evans from our local library, and I’m sure he’s going to tear through that in no time.

I’m so happy to be digging out our Laura Ingalls Wilder books from the attic. My eight-year-old started reading Little House in the Big Woods after Thanksgiving. Best conversation starter in that book: how pig bladders apparently make good balloon-like toys! My daughter seems fixated on the fact that baby Carrie doesn’t have a larger part in the story and would Ma just do something with that little girl. At least her preoccupation doesn’t seem to be diminishing her enjoyment.

I’m having a hard time pulling the littlest ones away from the Skippyjon Jones books. After we met the author, Judy Schachner, at our library last month, we’ve been reading Snow What nonstop. I don’t mind. It’s a fun read aloud, and the author event was quite nice. With the advent of Advent, I was able to persuade them to read The Elf on the Shelf by Carol V. Aebersold and Chanda A. Bell a few nights to help them remember the “rules” to our elf game. (By the way, the Q&A on this product is hilarious.)

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Ready or Not, Jesus Is Coming

On the first Sunday of Advent, I had the rare opportunity to attend Mass with only my older children, which meant that I could mostly pay attention without having to disentangle a child from my clothes or jewelry or retrieve fallen missals from beneath the pews. Any mind wandering was on me, and not my little cherubs.

I’ve heard the messages of Advent for decades, but despite their familiarity, their repetition seems both more urgent and more fruitful to me as I age. I love the interplay between preparing for this Christmas, this annual celebration of Jesus’s coming, and preparing for Jesus’s second coming.

From time to time, as a doom’s day prediction has risen to public notice, my kids have come to me, worried. I remember having the same worries when I was young. My mother shared with me that when she was a child (so, probably 1930s), the end of the world was predicted. She lay awake all night, frightened and worried, sure the end was coming.

It didn’t.

The sun rose. Life went on. And my mom never worried about those predictions again. Since she told me that story, neither have I. It’s a lesson I’ve passed on to my own children.

I’m always careful to remind them that not only do we not know the day nor the hour of “the end,” but we also do not know our own end. I trot out the classic, “You could walk out the door and get hit by a bus.” (Ah, the comfort only Mom can give.)

So, again this year, I remind myself that not only do I not know the end, but I also don’t know my end. And so, we’re meant to prepare.

The obvious analogy is to compare awaiting the birth of the Christ child with the arrival of our own children. It falls somewhat flat in my case. None of our children have had a nursery, their own room, or even a crib. We prepared, of course, in other ways. I managed to have diapers, clothes, and an infant car seat on hand, and more importantly, there was a place in my heart for the sweet baby I’d already loved despite whatever fears or difficulties marked the pregnancy.

And yet, it’s never quite real until the baby arrives. Not until I hold the child in my arms, its arrival completely independent of my state of readiness.

And, I fear, as I try to look into my heart with objective eyes – something I’m not very good at – that I’m really not ready for Christ to arrive either.

As I repeat my rote warning about the bus making any one of us a road pancake, do I really take it to heart? A healthy fear of the Lord gives me a little spiritual boost; I make sure that I go to confession. But do I really see or am I so mired in my own sins and shortcomings that I don’t recognize them?

Our house is what people kindly call “lived-in.” These days, it’s considered quite small for six people. We’re not hoarders, but we have stuff. A steady influx of it arriving daily in the mailbox, via backpacks, plastic retail bags, and sealed in Amazon Prime tape. It’s accumulated as our priorities have shifted and life has come busy – all fodder for another post.

The point is, I don’t see my house anymore. When I stop and try to imagine what it looks like to outside eyes, “lived-in” really is way too kind. Nice euphemism, but the truth is, it’s disorganized and dirty. In some ways it’s comfortable enough. In other ways it’s not, but the work required to make it welcoming is so overwhelming that I’m frozen by inaction. Putting off again and again tackling this or that due to x, y, and z. (This really is for another post.)

How different is the 1200-square foot place I hang my proverbial hat from the place where I invite the Christ-chid to dwell? Do I really live as if I’m ready to meet my Lord and Savior? To account for all I have and haven’t done?

Do I live as if I’m ready to meet my Lord & Savior? To account for all I’ve done & not done? #AdventTweet This

How much spiritual clutter am I blinded to? If could see my soul with a fraction of the clarity with which I’m trying to see my home, how horrified would I be?

And of the clutter and filth I have observed – how many times have I put off changing it? As someone who’s struggled to lose weight for decades, I’m well-versed in the “I’ll start Monday,” mentality, Monday after Monday after endless Mondays strung out into months and years where little to nothing changes.

So, my prayer this Advent is two-fold: to see with clarity where change is needed and to have the courage and tenacity to make the changes. Before the bus mows me down.

How do you use the season of Advent to prepare your heart for the coming of Christ?

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5 Faves: Christmas Cookie Contenders

The list of Christmas cookies I bake includes a couple of “must-bakes.” Those would be butter cookies (or cut-out cookies), the buttery shapes we frost and decorate. Our shapes include Christmas trees, Santa with his pack, bells, stars, and a few train engines. My other mandatory treat is fudge-full peanut butter bars. Aside from those, there are a half-dozen or more recipes we rotate in and out. Those include chocolate biscotti, rum balls, and various drop and bar cookies. Nothing too fancy, but always tasty!

My oldest daughter and I have sifted through recipes, looking for something new (to us) to try this year. Which recipe do you think should make the cut?

 

–1–

Molasses Crinkle Cookies

I enjoy molasses flavor, and this is the perfect time of year to enjoy it. Besides, if my friend Barb at Cook and Count shares it, I know it’s both delicious and reasonably simple to prepare. No exotic ingredients or special skills required.

–2–

Frosted Cranberry Cookies

Sweet and tart are a good combination, and these cookies look oh-so-pretty!

–3–

Russian Tea Cakes

These cookies adorn many a Christmas plate. My only fear is that they become too dry. Not much worse than a dry cookie that leaves you groping for something to wash it down with.

–4–

Red Velvet Crinkle Cookies

Maybe it’s the red in these cookies, but by color alone, I think they’d make a great Christmas cookie. And, if they’re anything like chocolate crinkle cookies, they’ll be delicious.

–5–

Lemon Ricotta Cookies with  Lemon Glaze

A little tart to go with all the sweet sounds really appealing to me.

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For more Five Favorites, visit The Koala Mom and babyStylista.

What Christmas cookie should I add to our repertoire? Tweet This

What Christmas cookie should I add to our repertoire?

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