Humor Happens

I am grateful for the ability to create things with my hands. This is a form of education; continuous learning. With thanks to many friends and family, I am continually learning new things: laws to assist our clients at work, crafts to make for gifts, and care for the fur people.

A non-believer once asked why my dad would continue to go to Sunday School in his late 70’s. The answer: He wasn’t done learning about Christ and how to be a Christian. None of us are ever done learning in any capacity.

May you have a heart for learning and sharing your knowledge with gentleness and kindness.

“Even an animal, if you show genuine affection, gradually develops trust.” ~ The Dalai Lama

These girls are evidence that trust can be broken and trust can be built. We are progressing in our relationship through repeated acts of trust. They can trust us for food, water, clean litter, shelter, and an abundance of toys.

The first couple of photos are their first days with us. The larger photo with the red and purple toy is the girls more recently showing them much more relaxed. It’s a slow and steady course, but we are building trust together. I for them, and they for me. Trust is a mutual endeavor. It is to be nurtured and treasured.

“Deciding whether or not to trust a person is like deciding whether or not to climb a tree, because you might get a wonderful view from the highest branch, or you might simply get covered in sap, and for this reason many people choose to spend their time alone and indoors, where it is harder to get a splinter.” ~ Lemony Snicket”

To trust or not to trust, that may be the ultimate question. Sometimes, even leaving one’s home is an act of great trust that the world will welcome us with open arms and not harm.

May the treasure of trust be present in your life.

The first day that Willow & Poppy moved into our barn. Willow is on the left with a full gray face, and Poppy on the right with white on her face. Both are gray tigers with white.

The second day Willow and Poppy moved into our home. Willow is on the bottom and Poppy is sitting on her.

Willow is standing and Poppy is laying down playing with the red and purple toy that has a ball they chase around.

Life is full of unhappy surprises, but there are also good surprises. For example, last Christmas this owl made of cotton and a pine cone were left for me at church. I’ve still no idea who he is from, but he makes me smile. Another time our cousin Nancy gave us these large pieces of plastic fruit. No reason. Just because. I think of her every time I see them.

May the new year have happy surprises in store for you. Little, big, things that bring you joy. And maybe not just things: unexpected but appreciated hugs, kind words, time for lunch with a friend.

An owl made out of cotton, pine cone, and beads for eyes.

A large pear and a large apple, plastic, out in the snow.

I am grateful for the ability and desire to create with paper products. Alone or with friends, it is soothing to me.

What soothes you?

A table wtih crafting supplies, pen holders, and a silver mask with feather.

A table with crafting supplies: paper, a jar of parts and pieces, a tray of pens

My desk for scrapping with a white, owl pen holder, and lots of boxes with more supplies. Oh, also a lamp for some off-white light.

Just a few things that bring me comfort:

• Clean, soft cotton
• Warm bed
• Snugly kitties
• Audio books in the car
• Humorous mystery novel
• Off-white twinkle lights
• Fuzzy blanket
• Christmas tree lights in the dark
• Dinner with friends
• Laughter with family
• Game nights
• Iced sweet tea
• Iced black coffee
• Mildly hot cocoa with home-made marshmallows
• Kitty purrs
• Crafting with paper
• Giving gifts
• Singing in worship and the car
• Celebrating life

Tonight in worship we turned off the overhead lights and sang “Silent Night” by candlelight. This is peaceful and soul filling. This is why I go to the Christmas Eve service whenever possible.

Speaking of light, although I understand Christ came to be light in the world, I can’t help but consider the pain light can be for me with migraines. Florescent lights are painful without a migraine and near debilitating with one.

I enjoy the dark of night with limited or low light. At home I get around in the dark with ease because it’s familiar. In hotels and at retreats, I learn quickly to get around in the dark not only to attempt to allow my house mates to continue sleeping peacefully, but to protect my eyes from potential pain.

On the Eve of Christmas as we await the Saviour, I am all the more comforted in faith that He comes to soften the edges of the overbearing rules, that He is a gentle and guiding light offering hope to those in need. His light feels like a campfire or candle in the window: Warm and welcoming.

May your Christmas be filled with warmth and wonder, hope and health, peace and possibility.

Preparing food is not a joy for me. Perhaps the opposite of love. Okay, I hate it. I do it because I need to eat, but I don’t like it. I am more likely to do it for loved ones, but I still seek shortcuts.

Family and church potlucks are doable because we work as a team. I cook for our scrapbook retreats because I get to only do 1 of 6 meals, and then I’m done. I do simple recipes. I tried gravy this year, and I won’t be doing that ever again – too many steps. Although the cheesey meatloaf was enjoyed by many, even though an adult snagged a forkful from the top before many came for dinner because he couldn’t identify it. That was worth the effort. Gravy is not.

Fortunately, others enjoy cooking and baking. And I enjoy their efforts. Eating oui it is often twice nice because of left overs. When I do cook … anything, I try to make enough for at least one more meal.

I’m grateful for those who do cook. What activity that we need daily would you rather someone else do?

Dinner at Bells Eccentric Cafe at Christmas time. A big wreath over their fireplace.

Literacy not only allows me to hold a job, drive a car, and earn a degree, but it frees me to the pleasure of reading masterpieces, cozy fiction, and song lyrics.

Most of my reading material comes from the library with some from Audible and book stores. I am grateful for all who encourage the desire to read: from parents to teachers, from book sellers to librarians, from editors to writers. There are others I am sure. I read more variety than I otherwise would due to book groups and friend recommendations.

May literacy bless you and yours in countless ways.

My parents took me to church, and I learned from their faith. I watched our church family and learned from their service in faith. My aunts and uncles gave me lessons in faith through deeds and words. Through God’s grace, I have numerous family and friends who live in faith.

I have learned, as my parents did before me, that the adage, “God won’t give you more than you can handle” is not helpful or true. The fact is that we no longer live in the Garden of Eden tells us it can’t be true. Life does spin us out of control on occasion, but it doesn’t have to end us.

What is true is that God, Buddha, Allah, Yahweh, no matter what you call that higher power, wants to be with us, guide us, and care for us. When the spinning occurs, there is help. When there is joy to spread, there is help then too. God wants to enfold us in loving arms, if only we seek comfort there.

May you seek the one who already loves you, knows you, and treasures you as you are.

Sunnyside UMC Christmas Eve Alter with the cross up on the wall and the nativity on the alter

The alter with the nativity

An image of the cover of the Christmas Eve bulletin

A candle in a hurricane lamp wtih three blue ornaments hanging from it and a stained class window behind the candle

A photo from the back of the sanctuary facing front while we hold candles and sing Silent Night

A photo from the back of the sanctuary facing front while we hold candles and sing Silent Night, but zoomed in so that we can see some of the words to the hymn we’re singing

Family is how I got here. Friends are what keep me going. Even when I’m the bug-eyed loony like in this photo (but both of my eyes are open, which was apparently my only goal in this photo). Thank goodness I have friends with normal traits to balance me out. Or does their crazy balance out my crazy?