Advent - Sunday, December 18

Today was my parents wedding anniversary.  They married December 18, 1949.  She was a lively and beautiful young woman; he, a handsome farmer/soldier.  Theirs was a passionate relationship of 45 years until their divorce. Even after, the passion remained and love, too. They just couldn't live together. He died in 2001 and she in 2020.

This 4th Sunday of Advent  celebrates LOVE.  We celebrated with the traditional "Lessons and Carols." Earlier this morning I stumbled across a poem on Facebook that I shared with my SS class. It was originally posted on the FB Blog "Dancing Faith" and entitles "Traveler.  It is not my original work, but I will share it at the end of this post. I wish I could express myself so simply and eloquently. Later today, our family will celebrate Claire Elise Matzek who will turn 20 on December 21.

Last Sunday, the Sunday for JOY, I led worship and give the morning message. Pastor Linda's father died, not unexpectedly, early Saturday morning, so I filled in.  My message, "Joy in the Desert," is posted under my list of Sermons at the right and the full video is on YouTube at https://youtu.be3Hts4dUuUDY

Between these two Sundays was a typically busy Christmas season. The gloomy rain of the previous two weeks finally lifted on Monday.  I spent most of Monday and Tuesday at Family Resource Center working with Santa's Helper. I shopped for kids, checked gift bags in and out, rearranged and organized the room more than once.

Trinity's offering for Santa's Helper. 
Christmas gifts for 5 children

 

FRC meeting room was

filled with bags like these, 

each filled with the gifts for 

one child.  More than 300 

children in Lenoir City were 

provided Christmas through 

the generosity of the 

community

Wednesday the rain returned in force and I was glad I could stay home, warm and dry indoors.  We got the Christmas tree up and decorated and our few other decorations placed.  I used the remainder of the day to begin wrapping gifts that had come via Prime delivery and ordering more.  

Thursday started early at the oral surgeon in Knoxville for a tooth extraction for Bill.  After I got him back home and settled, I drove to Loudon to meet my group from Trinity for Lunch at The Cafe.  Afterward, I had a short visit with Jim A at River Grove.  He is doing well enough.

Friday morning I talked Bill into shopping downtown Lenoir City with me.  He was surprised at the nice shops that have opened in recent years.  We found several gifts from our list.  I made a big pot of red beans for supper (no chewing required) and served them with rice (of course) and a pear salad.  A pound of dry beans made enough for several meals for us, plus some to share with Kathy.

More gift wrapping on Saturday as gifts continue to arrive by
delivery in addition to our Friday purchases.  I make gluten-free cupcakes for John David's birthday which we will celebrate on the 27th.  I'm glad to have them made ahead and in the freezer.

Happy Birthday, Claire
with Nathan