Not a Creature was Stirring

As all others in this house sleep away the day because they stayed up into almost the sunrise of the new day watching movies....

I shall post observations and quotations from the last couple of days.

First, I must share that certain people have phobias that have no basis in reality. Other have phobias that are based on supposed reality. And some people just have phobias.

Certain people are still so mortified to be buying undergarments in public, that having to return an undergarment is tantamount to torture! So it went on Monday when I took an older daughter with me to Wal-Mart to return a bra that turned out to not be quite what was advertised to be. Somehow the sizing was off. The bra was put in a non-descript Wal-Mart bag along with the receipt so that it could be properly returned. The parking was wild and we parked a very far distance from the entrance. Daughter held the bag as if it contained some disgusting, smelly thing with it barely resting on her two fingertips as she begged me to return it for her all the long way from where we parked to the entrance to the store. As we neared the store, I thought the bag might fall from her fingertips and she had tears in her eyes as she pleaded with me to take care of the return. So I caved and did it, but told her I'd be blogging about it. She didn't care. She was so relieved I thought she might cry. She was afraid someone she knew might see her returning it.

Our youngest was afflicted with the flu earlier this week, and as she was recovering she said, "Don't freak out, I'm just burping."

Also along the burping theme, when certain people are trying to be considerate and polite and NOT burp in other people's faces, their effort to repress such a biological function results in said person sounding like a cow! MOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

One person here recently shouted, "Beard up!" Instead of "Be right up!"

Two people commented (at exactly the same time with the same inflection and volume) upon seeing our commander-in-chief-elect in swimming trunks, "At least he's not wearing speedos!"

One person wondered aloud why sunglasses were upon her head as she headed out to the door to Blockbuster at 9 pm at night! We wondered as well...

As all of our baking occurred yesterday, since we had toned it down quite a bit, some errors were bound to be made in our haste. But you know something is really wrong when a pan of peanut butter cookies with Hersey's Kisses ends up looking like a board of Settlers of Cataan.

And now, we're off to make White Chili and a small pot of the regular stuff from recipes from previous generations handed down.

I pray you each have a blessed and wonderful Christmas season, as the first day of Christmas is tomorrow!

Our Church

During Advent we take pictures of our girls every year in front of the cross of poinsettas. I thought I'd share other pictures from our church.

Which Books of the Bible are excluded from the Lectionary?

A couple of weeks ago I shared a tidbit our Pastor had passed on to us about the Lectionary. When he shared that tidbit he was remembering information from what he thought was an older version of the lectionary and not the one associated with the new LSB.

For information visit Pastor McCain's post about it.

Being just a parishioner, I wonder, has the lectionary changed? If so, why was it altered?

Church Today

It was fun yesterday to reminisce and look at the wedding photos and see how much and how little our church has changed in the last 22 years.

Pastor's sermon was about Christ's power and might and how it is displayed in weakness and submission and re-unites us and restores us with God the Father. This was based on the Gospel lesson from Mark 1:1-8 where John talks about someone mightier than he who is coming to us.

Bible class was interesting in that we talked a bit about the pericope nature of our readings in the Divine Service before delving back into our discussions of the Gospel of Mark. We are in chapter 13 now! Woo hoo!

One tidbit Pastor shared was that he told us there were two books of the regularly accepted 66 books of the Bible that do not show up in any pericoptic readings. Do you know which ones they are? I'll post the answer later this week.

As we talked in class today about families being divided over the Gospel in New Testament times and as part of the things leading up to Christ's return, we also discussed how our church becomes our family. This is most certainly true.

Today I was marveling in the return of a friend and his wife who usually are on the western slope of Colorado this time of year. Unfortunately health concerns have had them staying here rather than there. The elevate the discussions in our Bible class in numerous ways and although I'm not happy about the health concerns, I am glad they are among us now!

Also, I got to offer hugs and support to a dear woman who is missing her husband so much right now. Being at church where they shared so much together is hard for her and with Christmas coming up, Bob's favorite holiday, she is finding it hard to overcome the flood of loving memories. Please remember sweet Darlene in your prayers. She is the dearest, kindest person and I ache for her broken heart.

I am my Beloved's and my Beloved is Mine

Today we celebrate 22 years of marriage. We have experienced much joy, some sorrow, and times of doubt and uncertainty. By the grace of God, we have survived and thrived and can call each other friend and lover. Happy Anniversary BC(squared).

In honor of my hubby, I'm doing this Hubby Meme.

1. He's sitting in front of the TV, what is on the screen? Sports -- no doubt about it!

2. You are out to eat, what kind of dressing does he get on is salad? Ranch.

3. What's one food he doesn't like? Just one? Seafood or fish of any sort.

4. You go out to a bar. What does he order? A microbrew beer.

5. Where did he go to high school? Doherty.

6. What size shoes does he wear? 8.5

7. If he was to collect anything, what would it be? Classic Mustang cars.

8. What is his favorite type of sandwich? Anything with tons of meat.

9. What would this person eat every day if he could? Steak.

10. What is his favorite cereal? Corn pops or Cheerios.

11. What would he never wear? Pajamas

12. What is his favorite sports team? Depends on the sport. Pro-football: Denver Broncos; college football: CU Buffs and Air Force Academy Falcons; Pro-basketball: Denver Nuggets; college basketball: Air Force Academy Falcons ; Pro-hockey: Denver Avalanche; college hockey: Air Force Academy Falcons; Sprint Racing: Carl Edwards (in days past it was Bill Elliott).

13. Who did he vote for? McCain

14. Who is his best friend? Me

15. What is something you do that he wishes you wouldn't do? Play the radio loudly in the car.

16. How many states has he lived in? Three ~ Nebraska, Colorado and Arizona

17. What is his heritage? Scandanavian, Swedish, Czech

18. You bake him a cake for his birthday, what kind of cake? Black forest

19. Did he play sports in high school? Football and baseball

20. What could he spend hours doing? Watching TV, any kind of maintenance on the house or cars or yard (even if it should only take a little while)

Deck the Halls Meme

Sweet Heidi tagged me for this fun meme.

However, I will be a bit of a Scrooge and not tag others, just encourage anyone to play who wants to! If you do please leave me a comment so I'll know to come see your answers.

Egg Nog or Hot Chocolate? Both – hot chocolate makes me feel young and reminds me of being a kid… egg nog with an adult beverage added reminds me of the adults in my past who worked so hard to make Christmases special for me.

Does Santa wrap presents or set them under the tree? No Santa anymore. We honor St. Nicholas on December 6th, however by reading this great book and putting candy in shoes.

Colored lights on tree or white? Colored!

When do you put your decorations up? After December 6th, depends on when the weekends fall. We keep our tree up through Epiphany (January 6th, the end of the 12 Days of Christmas).

What is your favorite holiday dish (excluding dessert)? I love the molasses drop cookies we make every year that comes from a recipe from my Grandma, which aren't technically a dessert but I also don't think this answer fulfills the intention of the question. So... I love the homemade cranberry sauce we create each Thanksgiving and Christmas.

Favorite Holiday memory as a child: Cuddling with my mom as she read to me.

When and how did you learn the truth about Santa? One of my sisters asked me, “You know Santa is Mom and Dad right?” I think I was 7 years old. I hadn’t given it much thought and was a bit distraught to have found out.

Do you open a gift on Christmas Eve? Sometimes. We do not open all gifts on Christmas Day, though. We open one gift a day on the 12 Days of Christmas.

How do you decorate your Christmas tree? With three children lending a hand after my hubby has put the lights on. It gets a bit frantic but we have fun.

Snow! Love it or Dread it? Love it! Love it! Love it!

Can you ice skate? Ha… ha… ha… I have never tried, so that would a big NO!

Do you remember your favorite gift? I don’t know if I have a favorite, but I remember the complete surprise of being given a certificate to get my ears pierced when I was 16, as my father repeatedly told me that only “whores” had their ears pierced. I guess my Mom convinced him otherwise. She got her ears pierced shortly after I did. :-) And then, my parents surprised us in Arizona one year with our first home computer with all the trimmings. They wanted to communicate with their grandchildren more often and had learned about using a computer and wanted us to join in their fun. That was in the mid 90’s.

What’s the most important thing about the Holidays for you? Keeping my faith and awe of the birth of our Savior front and center. It can be a cynical time for those who don’t have that faith or are more enamored with the secular trappings of the time.

What is your favorite Holiday Dessert? Pumpkin mousse.

What is your favorite tradition? Baking with everyone.

Which do you prefer, Giving or Receiving? Both.

What is your favorite Christmas Song? The Christmas Song as song by Nat King Cole, his sultry voice and the song illicit warm and wonderful memories of Christmases past and all my kids love this song, too, so I'm sure it will be part of future memories as well.

To me, a song is different than a hymn. So I am adding a two-fer question: What is your favorite Advent hymn? What is your favorite Christmas hymn?

My favorite Advent hymn would be O Come, O Come, Emmanuel (LSB 357), and my favorite Christmas hymn would be What Child is This? (LSB 370)

Candy Canes! Yuck or Yum? Ok. I’m not too excited about them. I like the cherry flavored ones best. The peppermint ones are good for stirring in hot chocolate only.

Ever recycled a Christmas present? Nope.

Seven Things

Sweet Esther shared this award with me which is accompanied with a meme.

So participate if you like, and if not, just enjoy the award!

Seven things I did before: (before what is my question, so I’m choosing before kids, or BK as we say around here)


1. I was a jogger.


2. I wore nail polish.


3. I slept more.


4. I watched football.


5. I wrote lots of letters to family and friends.


6. I kept a file of jokes to share.


7. I worked at a doctor’s office.





Seven things I do now:


1. I am amused by my children every day.


2. I am working again at the same doctor’s office.


3. I pray more.


4. I listen to my girls talk about various and sundry things.


5. I sing loudly in the car.


6. I enjoy “inside” jokes with my hubby.


7. I cherish my friendship with my sister.



Seven things I would like to do:


1. Travel around the USA with my family.


2. Be able to help out my in-laws more and my sister who works so hard.


3. Be financially independent so none of my family had to work.


4. Crochet more with the lovely new yarns available.


5. Be more consistent.


6. Lose weight.


7. Learn to quilt.





Seven things that attract me to my husband:


1. He takes care of us all as best he can. I’ll do a blog about that some day.


2. His strong faith.


3. His love for our children.


4. His selflessness.


5. His laughter.


6. His respect for his mom and dad.


7. His stubbornness.



Seven favorite foods:


1. Teriyaki Chicken and rice


2. Yakamishy (family recipe)


3. Alaskan King Crab
4. Peaches in season


5. Rangoons with crab and crème cheese


6. Oatmeal


7. Pasta dishes





Seven things I say most often:


1. Where is your sister?


2. Just a minute.


3. What are you doing?


4. Good morning, Dr. _____’s office.


5. What pharmacy do you use?


6. What?


7. I love you!

Seven people I am tagging:


1. Sarah


2. Kelly


3. Glenda


4. Laura


5. Susan


6. Cheryl


7. Jan

Sunset this evening

Higher Things has a wonderful devotional dated for tomorrow, especially for those whose hearts are lingering in a place where some encouragement is needed and you long to comfort them but just don't quite know how.

Tuesday in the 1st Week of Advent
December 2, 2008

Today's Reading: Romans 13:11-14
Daily Lectionary: Isaiah 8:9-9:7; I Peter 4:1-19

“The night is far spent, the day is at hand. Therefore let us cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light.” (Romans 13:12)

Admit it: we like what is mild and easy in the faith, but dislike what is harsh and difficult. Who wouldn't prefer to remain forever on the mountain top, soaking in and singing on about God's love for them? That's what Peter wanted when he was with Jesus on the Mount of Transfiguration. That was exciting.

Trouble is, life is not lived there, on the mountain top. It is lived in the valley down below. Sooner or later, if we are to be of any use to others, we must all descend there with Christ.

Luther teaches us that when we rise in the morning, or go to bed at night, we're on the mountain top. All of God's promises are ours in Holy Baptism. His Word is there for us to read, ponder, and pray. The Absolution He sent His ministers to speak over us in Christ's stead and by His command still prevails “before God in heaven.” And with the Body and Blood of His Son behind, before, and in us—we can literally see forever. We are God's, and He is ours. What a mountain top.

But, what of our poor neighbor? There, things must change. There, the law must enter in. For there, when it comes to our neighbor, God is not so much concerned about us and our good, as He is about our neighbor and his good. Trouble is, like Pharisees, we tend to think of the law as something we keep and obey for our own good, our own sake and benefit. Talk about making
provisions for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts! What about your poor neighbor? Put aside such deeds of darkness. That sad night is far spent, the day is at hand. With Jesus as your righteousness now, you cannot be any more righteous now in God's sight. See in the law, then, not a way for you to establish and maintain your own holiness. See in it the way for you to descend into the valley to love your neighbor. Learn from its mirror the dark deeds to be cast aside for the sake of love. Find in it the godly shape and expression of gratitude for Jesus and the Gospel.

For that's the only debt we owe—a debt of gratitude. And, it is to be paid to our neighbor. Why? Because that's where Jesus, who has paid off every other debt, has placed Himself for us to love. Live this life in the strength and joy of the Gospel.

“The night will soon be ending;

The dawn cannot be far.

Let songs of praise ascending

Now greet the Morning Star!

All you whom darkness frightens

With guilt or grief or pain,

God's radiant Star now brightens

And bids you sing again.”

(LSB #337, st. 1)