December 31 - “Happy Birthday, Ezra!”

 Waco clan packed their car all up in the morning so they could be  ready to depart right after the big birthday party in the afternoon.  Before that task, however, they took down our 

outdoor Christmas lights and decorations. I think Zak and Caleb were pretty excited about getting on the roof. Luke seemed fine with having both feet on the ground. That’s one less tough job we will have to do. 

We spent the afternoon in LaMarque at a birthday party for seven-year-old Ezra. It was a Lego-themed event. The cake was a big red Lego brick. The games all had something to do with Legos as well. For instance, they played pin the head on the Ezra mini-fig. That was pretty funny. Hide and seek for tiny Lego bricks in the back yard worked, too. In fact the kids were content to just play on the swing set and run around in the yard. Beautiful day for it. 

Last night we anticipated a very quiet evening after our time with all the grandkids. Well, we did have a quiet supper. So quiet that Chris was able to get reacquainted with her old cicada friends that inhabit her ears. But before long the silence was rudely interrupted by … fireworks. Yep. You’re a day early, folks. At least they were out just after dark. I imagine tonight we’ll be serenaded well into the wee hours of the morning. 

Psalm‬ ‭103‬:‭19‬ says, The Lord has established his throne in the heavens, and his kingdom rules over all.

Father, please watch over Ezra as he grows and learns more about you. Amen. 

December 30 - “Futbol to Football and all in between”

Big family field trip yesterday filled our morning. We all (except Sam, who wanted to stay home and crash after the busy day before), headed to Santa Fe to watch Cailyn’s soccer game. They played a really great game. They still lost (just 1-0), but the whole family was sure proud of Cousin Cailyn’s gutsy performance as sweeper. Afterwards, we went over to her house to hang out for the rest of the day. 

That meant grilled burgers by Uncle Nathan, a massive air soft battle between the older cousins, some pool time for the younger ones (they were the only ones to brave the cold, even though the pool was heated), and most exciting of all - stoking the big trash-burning fire with Uncle Nathan (hey, you can’t beat playing with fire …safely, of course!).  

Such an action-packed day left us all (especially Cailyn’s pup Launi) pretty tired. We made our way back to the island. After some pizza, we watched a few episodes of Boy Meets World, then settled in for the Cotton Bowl football game. The real highlight of the evening was a rousing game of Uzzle, the new one I finally got for Christmas last night (it took Amazon delivery a while to get here). It’s kind of a tough one, too, but everyone liked it. 

Isaiah‬ ‭40‬:‭29‬ ‭ says, He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might he increases strength.

Father, thank you for the array of fun opportunities the kids had yesterday. Helps develop memories. Amen. 

December 29 - “Family Fun”

Chris was really on a tear yesterday. She was determined to get some serious housework done before the thundering hordes began to arrive. She swept and mopped any place not covered by a rug. She then attacked the rugged places (Huh. By that I mean places that ARE covered by a rug) with the vacuum cleaner. Once that was done, she switched to something I could actually help with - prepping the Christmas stuff. 

All the gifts were already wrapped, but now it was time to fill some stockings. You’re on, Santa!

Every year we catch someone snooping. This year it appeared we had video evidence of the latest culprit. But alas, it turned out that she was actually adding to the pile rather than actively promoting it contemplating a snoop attack. But later in the day, after everybody arrived, we indeed did catch Zak sneaking a peek or two. 

We enjoyed sharing our gifts within our family last night. All 19 of us, plus Freddy, Marlee, and Leia gathered around the Christmas tree for a couple of photos. Then we tore into the unwrapping session. ‘Tis the season to tear up wrapping paper, to be sure. At least that’s what happened here. Great fun. Great treasures. Greater memories. 

Later on the games came out. Actually only two games in particular, not counting unknown video games on their respective phones. 

The first was an indoor version of lawn darts. The younger kids had a great time with that one. Now the older crowd, along with some Moms and Dads, played a card game Chris had unwrapped earlier. The name on the box was Nertz, but we always called it Nuts. Christina said her family called it Squeak. Nertz, Nuts, Squeak. Lots of names for the same exact game. Kind of a wild and crazy version of group solitaire. Kind of intimidating your first time, but it really brings out the animal instincts after a while, especially if you are certain first borns among us. They just don’t like to lose. 

Galatians‬ ‭6‬:‭10‬ says, So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.‭

Father, thank you for a family that finds ways to have fun together. Amen. 

December 28 - “Right?”

We left the island a little early in time to get to Santa Fe by ten for Cailyn’s soccer game. The Good Gals lost, but they showed some real spurts of brilliance. Cailyn played midfield the whole game and set up several good runs with perfect passes. It was kind of chilly in the stands (58), but we stayed nice and toasty under the blankets Chris brought. 

After the game we stopped for gas, then popped into Walmart for three things. Very specific, right?  Man-shopping mode, right?  Nope. Our three items rapidly became ten or twelve, right?  Yup. Ya gotta love Walmart. 

We were back in leftovers mode for dinner last night. Didn’t bother me in the least. Not when the leftover is turkey enchilada pie. Bring it on. 

After dinner Chris and made one of those fabled, “Return to Walmart” runs. She needed some cream of mushroom soup for the Christmas roast beast today. She  forgot that she used the cans we had on the aforementioned turkey enchilada pie. So, back to Walmart yet again. Working on a record here. Anybody need anything from Walmart?

Psalm‬ ‭73‬:‭26‬ ‭ says, My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.

Father, over these last few days …  thank you for Walmart! Amen. 

December 27 - “Yum”

We joined what we expected would be hundreds of other day-after-Christmas shoppers yesterday. We still had a few gifts on our list, and we also needed to pick up a roast for when all of the family gets here.  So … Walmart it was. Yum. 

When we arrived we found a near-empty parking lot. Kinda made me sad that we wouldn’t have very many people to watch. But by the time we left, things were decidedly picking up. 

We did finalize our list, including all that we needed for the big meal. Well, except for that one thing. But for that we had to check out and actually go somewhere else. Where? Kroger’s for their big Blue Bell sale, of course. We nabbed four cartons at the drastically reduced prices. Just $4.99 each. Yum. 

Chris took Sam to an appointment in Texas in the afternoon. They stopped at Kelley’s on the way back and got us some takeout. I had chicken fried steak. Chris had some kind of chicken. Sam had liver and onions. Again … yum. 

Last night Chris finished up our gift wrapping. I watched Kong Island. Then we watched an episode of the Great Christmas Lights something or other. We actually headed for bed just after 9 pm. 

Proverbs‬ ‭19‬:‭17‬ ‭ says, Whoever is generous to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will repay him for his deed.

Father, thank you for being with us as we finished up the Christmas wrapping. Feels like we are ready for Christmas now. Amen. 

December 26 - “A Windy Christmas Day”

Things are generally really quiet at 4:30 on Christmas morning. For the most part, yesterday was no different. Well, except for the intermittent wind blowing in 28 miles-per-hour gusts. That made for a noisy intrusion as the wind whipped through the big sycamore tree in our front yard and around the eaves of the house. It was actually really nice, though. Reminded me that God was still there in the quiet hours, no matter what. 

We started our traditional Christmas activities early this year. Chris and I exchanged gifts on Christmas Eve, since Christmas Day promised to be kind of hectic. She seemed somewhat excited to get this year’s carving. And yes, Sam, it was a mouse. The story I created for the reading at church was all about Theo the Watcher … a mouse at the manger when Jesus was born. 

Christmas morning we made our traditional trek into Texas to see the LaMarque bunch open their gifts. As usual, there were boxes and wrapping paper and opened gifts all over everywhere. The highlight of the morning was when Christina opened a giant painting of their whole family. Beautiful work. It even inspired use of a brand new word by certain younger siblings. Hmm. 

After LaMarque we headed over to Santa Fe. There we touched base with Nathan and April and Cailyn. Cailyn was pretty excited to show us her haul. Everything from a new vanity to clothes to a pair of earrings. Oh, and socks. Lots of socks. 

The rest of the day we spent wrapping presents for our family Christmas celebration on Thursday and watching A Christmas Story (Sam’s first time. She wasn’t impressed).  Supper was the most coveted delicacy … Turkey enchilada pie. So sorry I had to eat my fill with tons left over to enjoy again tomorrow … Not. Pretty great Christmas Day. 

Matthew‬ ‭1‬:‭21‬ ‭ says, She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.

Father, thank you for a great Christmas Day. Looking forward to our family time in a few days. Amen. 

December 25 - “Happy Birthday, Jesus”

 I got up around 4:30. Hey! It was Christmas Eve. That’s always been an exciting day for me. Last minute gift wrapping. Making sure the stockings are all hung just so. Perhaps a quick trip to Walmart for that last-second thing we forgot. Or better yet, for some good, old-fashioned people watching. 

OK, OK. Christmas Eve mania wasn’t exactly the real reason I was up so early, although all those things I said are true. But this time I have to add being uncomfortable because of my back and having a bit of a crick in my neck. But that’s old news. It was Christmas Eve, after all!

One other thing that made the day special was the fact that Christmas Eve fell on a Sunday. That meant the regular Sunday morning service, plus not one, but two special services. One was at four and the other at six. Made for a long day. It would have been longer, but Chris suggested I stay home and rest up in the morning, since I was reading one of my kid’s stories at the two other services. Still a long day. But a good one. 

We counted 61 people in the 4:00 service. Lots of children, and they even came up to my rocking chair and sat on the floor around me while I read my story. Then there were 60 more in the 6:00 service. That’s 60 people - only some were children, and nobody joined me at the rocking chair this time. 

One couple asked me if I was the one who stood on my head many years ago. Seems they had visited way back then and remembered. I had to confess. Yep. That would be me. I don’t know if they were there for my first sermon at Seaside or for one of the following anniversary Sundays when I repeated the action (until my neurosurgeon put his foot down and insisted I keep my feet on the ground).  It was fun to see folks come back and share what they remember. 

Luke‬ ‭2‬:‭13‬-‭14‬ ‭ says, And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!”

Father, thank you for the chance to remember your birth last night. Twice. Amen. 

December 24 - “The Day Before”

The day before Christmas. How exciting is that?  Chris spent the day in the kitchen. She was baking Amish Friendship bread. Good stuff. Lots of cinnamon. The house smelled amazing. 

Actually, let me change that first statement a bit. It was t the whole day. We had to make another Walmart run. Chris realized right in the middle of baking that she didn’t have enough vanilla. And Sam needed some prescriptions picked up and some of her tasty flavored waters. Oh, and after Walmart we had to make a quick stop at Kroger. They had Blue Bell on sale for $4.99. Can’t pass that up. 

I tagged along and for sure slowed Chris down. I felt pretty good in the morning, but things got a little more challenging the more I tried to do. It is frustrating, but I keep telling myself that this is just the third week post-surgery. The doc told me it would take 6 to 8 weeks to recover. And who knows what kind of a kink the shingles put on the timeline. So … barely halfway. 

Chris, in all of her sweetness, assured me that it would be OK if I hadn’t finished this year’s carving on Christmas morning. There were a few last-minute details I had to get done on it, though. That’s what caused my back to tense up quite a bit. I took some ibuprofen to hopefully ease it down, but that took a while. 

In the meantime, Sam and I watched some football (Air Force) and a movie (Matilda). Pretty pleasant transition to the eventful Christmas Eve today. 

Christmas Eve - and the fourth Sunday in Advent - on a Sunday. That’s gonna make for a long day. Kel asked me to read one of the Christmas stories for children that I usually write. It gives me a chance to drop a clue or two for Chris about what the carving is. And this year we’re doing two Christmas Eve services, plus the regular Sunday morning service. Since that means I’ll be reading the story twice, Chris suggested I stay home in the morning and try to get tested up. Sounds like a plan. So … see you at 4 or 6!

Isaiah‬ ‭9‬:‭6‬ ‭ says, For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Father, thanks for you for the excitement surrounding your coming tomorrow. Come on back again!  Amen. 

December 23 - “A sliver …”

Early morning wake-up call yesterday. So early I even had to wake Chris up. But I slept 30 minutes longer than I have been. That means my day started around 4:30. 

So …. Why the early call? It was my follow up day with the shingles doc. That would be the baby doc (aka “resident”).  My only questions were how much longer will the agony continue and is there anything else to do medication-wise for the pain. 

The visit went pretty quickly. Boss Doc didn’t even have to come in. Bottom line is no one knows how long it will last. She did increase the meds for nerve pain. A sliver of hope. Woohoo!

Isaiah‬ ‭7‬:‭14‬ says, Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.

Father, thanks for the hope of some relief soon. Amen.  

December 22 - “On the OFB”

We finalized our Christmas newsletter for 2023 yesterday. It took three print runs because I kept adding comments. We did get a handful run off on our printer: 

some without comments,

some with my full range of wisdom, 

and some with all the wisdom and just a few different words. 

Chris said the last one with my comments was her favorite. Not sure how many of you will get which form, or even if they’ll make it to the mailroom at all. But whatever happens, Merry Christmas!

Yesterday afternoon we ventured to Walmart. Now, I know that doesn’t sound very earth-shattering, but remember, I’ve been holed up under the BLT movement ban after surgery for a long time. This was my first venture back into the world of the living. Well, it WAS Walmart, so “living” might be a stretch. 

At the front door we each grabbed a basket. Yep. It was divide and conquer time. Chris was going for groceries. I was headed for my infamous Dad Christmas gifts. Of course I can’t reveal what I found, other than the fact that I now only have one gift that has been surprisingly difficult to come by, and a few that will require some “personal preparation.”  I’ll keep trying, though. After all, I still have three days til Christmas. 

OK. What I haven’t mentioned so far. Yes. By the time I reconnected with Chris, I was pretty well spent. The back felt fine, but those shingles just wouldn’t quit. I ended up sitting on the Old Folks Bench at the front of the store while Chris finished up shopping. 

Now I must hasten to say that I think I have found the place to go for some great people-watching. Walmart has always been the top of my list, but that Old Folks Bench was amazing. I just sat there and the people came to me. One older lady even stopped to ask if I had retired from the fire department (I was wearing my GFD cap).  I explained my chaplain status, and she said her fiancé retired in 2008. Pretty sure she said his name was Poe, but that was before my tenure began. 

Hey, check it out sometime. The OFB used to be by the front door, but they have moved it over near the bathrooms and customer service counter. Lots of traffic. Lots to see. 

Psalm‬ ‭100‬:‭2‬ says, Serve the Lord with gladness! Come into his presence with singing!

Father, thanks for our friends and family. Keep them safe and healthy. Amen. 

December 21 - “Post surgery follow-up”

I had my first post surgery follow-up yesterday. This one was with the Nurse practitioner. She took out the staples and assured me that it looks great. Well, OK. Of course, I am still under the same restrictions. No BLT (Bending, Lifting, or Twisting), at least until after I see the doc. That won’t be until next year. But then next year is just a couple of weeks away …

The shingles nonsensical skin pain continued. The fight fire with fire lotion helps dull that weird raw sensation that makes you want to forget you ever wore clothes that touched upon that portion of your body. It wouldn’t be so bad if it were summer. But it has been in the low 50’s lately. That’s too cold to be without a shirt. So I go ahead and don the t-shirt, then roll it up like a sexy crop top. Chris won’t let me go out in public like that, but I think she secretly likes the whole bare belly button look. Reveals just enough of my burgeoning Dad Bod. 

Enough of the detailed medical updates. In a nutshell, my back still hurts, but everything is progressing as it should. 

‭‭1 Chronicles‬ ‭16‬:‭10‬ says, Glory in his holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice!

Father, could you please ease this nerve pain? Really makes it hard to focus on the surgery post op. Amen. 

December 20 - “Field trip (Accentuate the positive)”

Chris got back at it yesterday. She hit the road (literally this time).  I mean of course that she did her daily walk that has been put off by weather and doctor appointments and the like. Meanwhile, I put on my secretary hat. Sam had done paperwork she needed scanned and returned for some of her business. Finally! Something I can do fairly easily.  Fortunately, the computer behaved itself and didn’t try to update right in the middle of it all. Kudos as well to the scanner and the mystical airwaves that allowed the computer to talk to the scanner without a cable hookup. 

I’m back on the stronger version of my pain meds. Night before last was brutal. I was happy to get 15 minutes out of every time I dozed off. Only thing I did differently was work on the carving and do a walk in the house. Oh, well. I have an appointment today to get my staples removed from the surgery.  Then Friday I have to go to the PCP lady who is the stand-in for my regular guy. She is the one following my glorious shingles adventure. 

Oh, there was a field trip experience for me yesterday, though. Randall’s. We had to fill up the car with gas so we’d have enough to get to the doc today. We have spent so much on prescriptions at Randall’s that we got a 40 cents per gallon reduction. That put it all the way down to $2.05 a gallon.  But wait! The goodness didn’t cease there. Since we were there anyway, and since the sales prices had come out that morning, we were forced to go inside. What could possibly be enticing enough to pull us in and through the doors? Among the other things on sale … Blue Bell ice cream. $5.99 each. Limit of two. Got it. 

Last night we all watched a movie together. It had one of the funniest openings of all time. I won’t spoil it for you. I also am in no position to completely endorse it. For one thing, it’s rated PG-13. Gotta be a reason. For another thing, I slept through a lot of the middle part, so I’m not completely sure what it was about. Oh, did I mention the name?  Umm … Barbie. Oh, and one last thing. It was so … pink. 

Psalm‬ ‭47‬:‭1‬ says, Clap your hands, all peoples! Shout to God with loud songs of joy!

Father, thanks for the great prices we encountered today. Every little bit helps. Amen.