The Fifth Day of Christmas

Listening to Mahalia Jackson is a step back in time for me. Love the richness of her voice!

The Fourth Day of Christmas

Consider well and bear in mind
What our good God for us has done
In sending His beloved Son

The Third Day of Christmas

The Second Day of Christmas

Emmanuel, God With Us

Happy New Year!

Today’s the first Sunday in Advent. Officially, the start of the new year in the Church.

I want to prepare my heart to receive Him, both as a newborn baby and as the King coming in glory. I invite you to join me.

Each Sunday, during the communion liturgy, we say, “Christ has died. Christ has risen. Christ will come again.” While I absolutely believe all three statements, I'm not sure I always live like I believe all three.

If I lived like I remembered Christ has died, I would be more aware of how my sin contributed to His death. I would think more often of His amazing grace that saved a wretch like me. I would allow that grace to transform me — day by day by day.

If I lived like I remembered Christ has risen, I would understand that the same power that raised Him from the dead now lives in me. I would not be afraid. I would be confident. I would remember that I am but three days away from victory!

If I lived like I expected Christ to come again, I would live prepared for His return. I would be on guard. I would “take heed lest my heart be weighed down by the cares of this life.” (Luke 21:34)

Let us prepare for His coming!

The Water Mule

This summer, my grocery shopping habits changed. The refrigerator in the apartment was small and a little cabinet served as the pantry. Everything I used to prepare meals had to fit in a bag I toted or in a cart I wheeled. I bought only what I needed for a day or two and what I could comfortably carry.

One afternoon, I walked up 3rd Avenue to a drugstore where bottled water was on sale. The ballerinas took lots of water with them every day and we couldn't fill their reusable water bottles at the apartment because the water there was cloudy. I bought three cases of water. Two easily fit in my shopping cart (not the lovely one pictured, but a servicable one nonetheless). The third . . . not so well. I managed to get it in, but the canvas top wouldn't completely close.

Feeling quite satisfied with my purchase and the bargain it represented, I wheeled my cart out the door just as rain began to fall. I pulled my purse strap across my body, pushed the button to open my umbrella, took a deep breath, and began walking. Uphill. In the rain. Pulling a cart with three cases of water.

Did we need water? Yes. Did we need three cases of water? Yes, but not that day. One would have been enough. Two at the most. Certainly not three.

You see, I made my burden heavier than it needed to be. I took what was a good and necessary thing and made it an overwhelming thing. The burden I carried that day was greater than the burden I needed to carry.

Jesus tells us that His yoke is easy and His burden is light. Being yoked to Him means I can't run ahead or lag behind Him. He sets the pace, balances the load, and gives rest. Oh, how I need that today.

“Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart; and you will find rest for yourselves. For my yoke is easy, and my burden light.” (Matthew 11:28-30)

The basket photo is from victoriantradingco.com. I know nothing about the company, I just like the wicker trolley. The water photo is from samsclub.com where I buy too many groceries at once, load them into my SUV, and store them in my pantry!

Heart-Knower

Last night I read the first chapter of Acts in the Greek-English New Testament. No, I can't read Greek. Yes, I occasionally like to read the New Testament that way because it is a literal rendering and it helps me look at the verses in a new way. Just the facts, ma'am, just the facts.

Anyway, I was cruising along, got to the word καρδιογνῶστα, and came to a screeching halt. Heart-knower.

The NIV says, "Lord, you know everyone's heart." The literal translation reads, "Thou Lord Heart-knower of all men."

A difference without a distinction? Not for me.

Peter was leading the disciples in prayer, asking the Lord to show them who should replace Judas. When I read it in the NIV, "Lord, you know everyone's heart," my soul heard that as the Sunday school prayer. "Oh, Lord, please bless everyone today. . ." But when I read it in the Greek, my spirit said, "YES!!!" He is the Heart-knower. He knows MY heart.

I find great comfort and peace in the Heart-knower. I love having a new name for Him. Heart-knower.

Spy in the House of Love

What do you get when you combine the memories of subway performers with the thrill of visiting the International Spy Museum?

An undercover musician.

And, yes, I made a contribution to the "tin cup." After I quit laughing.

Boys Are Back In Town

The boys (Writer and Sketcher) joined us in NYC for Ballerina's performance. And what a show it was! The amount of talent and energy in that auditorium was unbelievable!

After the show, we went to Little Italy for a fabulous dinner with Writer's seminary roommate and his family. We picked up right where we were the last time we all were together . . . never missed a beat. We ate, laughed, and talked for hours.

The next morning, our family vacation began in NYC. In three days we went to the Museum of Natural History (Sketcher's first pick), ascended the Empire State Building (up 80 flights by elevator and 6 flights by stairs), and rode the Staten Island Ferry. We shopped at the Strand Bookstore (18 miles of books!!), Toys R Us, FAO Schwartz, the fruit stand on the corner, and at a collector's bookstore with books in the $4,000 to $85,000 range. We rode the subway, the bus, and in our SUV.

Sketcher loved Times Square! All the lights and motion and commotion!

He studied the skyline from 86 floors up,

and the subway map from many levels down.

Ballerina and I were glad the boys were in town!

Beyond the Threshold

After weeks of dropping off Ballerina at the corner of 19th & Broadway, I finally got to go beyond the threshold. Woohoo!

Four flights of stairs later (74 steps to be exact), parents were allowed to observe a technique class (and listen to a world-class pianist).

I captured Ballerina in motion. She, as always, captured my heart.

(Click on the photo to see more detail)

The Rest of the Story

Ballerina and I were so delighted to see Romeo & Juliet! It was the last night of ABT's season at the Met. Sheer brilliance. Curtain call after curtain call after curtain call.

Ballerina was especially thrilled because Irina Dvorovenko, the daughter of one of her favorite ABT teachers, had the lead role. The audience adored Irina and swooned over her partner, the new principal from Italy.

New Yorkers love the ballet. Every time we attended, people were standing outside saying, "Need two. Need two." Like a rock concert!!


New Yorkers also love a good deli. We went to Katz's at the urging of a friend from church. He gave us the scoop on

• how it works (five meat cutters work simultaneously, pick one and get in line)


• how to order (know what you want before it's your turn and speak up) and


• how not to completely look like a tourist (we failed on that one outside so we could have the photo op, but inside we looked like natives)!

Ballerina and I shared a roast beef sandwich the first time we went and a corned beef the second time. We couldn't finish either one!

Before we came to NYC, the Professor sent Ballerina a birthday gift card to Chikalicious, a dessert bar. Chika is a Japanese chef, trained in Paris, who makes the most unique and delicious desserts. Three courses of treats. Completely unhurried. Beautifully presented.

We were positioned to watch the preparation. Detailed. Precise. Rhythmic.

The final course marked the occasion. Three selections for each of us (Ballerina 2 and her mom joined us there). Which looks best to you?